Kiss of Destiny Read online

  Boris Vassily—Slayer and sworn enemy of Erik, spectacular in dragon form with ruby red and brass scales and trailing red plumes. He has a large role in the first three Dragonfire novels, Kiss of Fire, Kiss of Fury and Kiss of Fate.

  Cassie Redmond—former paparazzi, professional photographer, partner of Lorenzo. Cassie and Lorenzo’s story is told in Flashfire.

  Chandra—a hunter and executor of evil creatures, she first appears in Flashfire, when her pursuit of Viv Jason leads her to Thorolf. An expert in both the martial arts and the mythological creatures, she immediately recognizes Thorolf for what he is, as well as the danger he’s in, and (unknown to Thorolf) takes him under her protective custody.

  Chen Lee—a formidable Slayer and last of the Dragon Kings (Lung Wang) who believes himself destined to be king of all dragons. Chen possesses the secrets of ancient dragon magic, lost to all dragon shifters but him. He is known to have the ability to take six forms: an attractive young Asian woman, an agile young Asian man, an elderly Asian man, a salamander, a snake and a dragon. In dragon form, he is lacquer red and gold. He is manipulative and often underestimated by others. He needs to sacrifice a Pyr with an affinity to air to complete his spell: in Ember’s Kiss, his plot against Brandon was foiled, but he entered an alliance with Viv Jason to target Thorolf.

  Damien—a Dragon’s Tooth Warrior, known by his comrades as the “heartbreaker” because of his string of short relationships with women. In the Dragon Legion Novella, Kiss of Darkness, he has the chance to save Petra, the woman who stole his heart.

  Delaney Shea—younger brother of Donovan Shea, married to Ginger Sinclair, father of Liam and Sean. Ginger and Delaney’s story is told in Winter Kiss.

  Donovan Shea—lapis lazuli and gold in dragon form, a former duelist and the Warrior of the Pyr. He and his partner Alex have two sons: Nick and Darcy. Nick was named after Nikolas of Thebes. Alex and Donovan’s firestorm is recounted in Kiss of Fury.

  Drake (aka Stephanos)—commander of the Dragon’s Tooth Warriors and leader of the Dragon Legion. Drake finds new meaning in his life in Harmonia’s Kiss.

  Ginger Sinclair—a chef turned organic dairy farmer, married to Delaney, mother of Liam and Sean. Ginger and Delaney’s story is told in Winter Kiss.

  Eileen Grosvenor—a university professor whose area of expertise is comparative mythology, partner of Erik, mother of Zoë. Eileen and Erik’s story is told in Kiss of Fate.

  Erik Sorensson—onyx and silver in dragon form (sometimes described as black and pewter), the leader of the Pyr, a pyrotechnics expert who creates large fireworks displays synchronized to music, and the partner of Eileen Grosvenor. Erik has had two firestorms, one with Louisa, which resulted in the birth of his son Sigmund, and a second one with Eileen, who is the reincarnation of Louisa. He and Eileen have a daughter Zoë, who should be the next Wyvern. Erik and Eileen’s story is told in Kiss of Fate.

  Isabelle—adopted daughter of Rafferty Powell and Melissa Smith. She is human, but the reincarnation of Sophie.

  Jean-Pierre (aka JP)—a Slayer, son of Mallory, a renegade, yellow topaz and silver in dragon form. The killing of his younger brother, the Slayer Lucien, by the Pyr in Kiss of Fire made him turn Slayer to seek revenge. The killing of his father by Jorge turned him against Slayers. He was enchanted by Chen in Flashfire and remained in Erik’s custody in Ember’s Kiss.

  Jorge—the most ruthless and mercenary of Slayers, yellow topaz and gold in dragon form. He first appeared in Kiss of Fury and subsequently became addicted to the Dragon’s Blood Elixir. With the elimination of the Elixir’s source in Winter Kiss, he began to hunt Slayers who had consumed it and devour them to get every last drop of Elixir. Seized by Pele in Ember’s Kiss, he was snared by the darkfire and cast into the past with the Dragon Legion. He makes cameo appearances in the Dragon Legion Novellas, Kiss of Danger and Kiss of Destiny.

  Katina—lost love of Alexander and a Waterdaughter. Alexander and Katina’s story is told in the Dragon Legion Novella, Kiss of Danger.

  Liz Barrett—a Firedaughter, marine biologist and mate of Brandon Merrick. Liz and Brandon’s story is told in Ember’s Kiss.

  Lorenzo di Fiore—three shades of gold with cabochon gems in dragon form, master illusionist and magician, partner of Cassie Redmond. Lorenzo is the most adept of the Pyr with beguiling and was believed by the Slayers to be their best chance of a recruit. Cassie and Lorenzo’s story is told in Flashfire.

  Magnus Montmorency—a Slayer, jade green and gold in dragon form, a collector of secrets and foe of Rafferty. Magnus re-created the Dragon’s Blood Elixir and used it to both enslave Slayers and create an army of shadow dragons to serve his will. He first appears in Kiss of Fury and meets his match in Darkfire Kiss.

  Mallory—a Slayer, garnet red and gold with pearls in dragon form, bodyguard to Magnus. He was given the Elixir when he was badly injured by dragonfire in Winter Kiss, but remained disfigured. In Darkfire Kiss, he was targeted by Jorge.

  Marcus Maximus aka Marco (the Sleeper)—nephew of the Slayer Magnus Montmorency and ward of Rafferty’s grandfather. When Magnus murdered his brother Maximilian because that Pyr had a firestorm, Maximilian’s mate and infant son were taken into protective care by Rafferty’s grandfather. The boy was enchanted to sleep until the darkfire burned, in order to hide him from Magnus. The Sleeper awakens in Darkfire Kiss. Marco is particularly tranquil and observant and has the ability to both control and anticipate darkfire.

  Melissa Smith—a reporter and cancer survivor, the partner of Rafferty Powell and adoptive mother of Isabelle. Melissa and Rafferty’s story is told in Darkfire Kiss.

  Mikael Vassily—first Slayer and father of Boris Vassily. His story is told in Kiss of Fate.

  Niall Talbot—amethyst and platinum in dragon form, the Dreamwalker of the Pyr, owner of an eco-tourism business, partner of Roxanne Kincaid and father of twin boys, Kyle and Nolan. Niall battled his own twin brother, Phelan, who had become a shadow dragon. Rox and Niall’s story is told in Whisper Kiss.

  Nikolas of Thebes—a Dragon’s Tooth Warrior who fell in love with Sophie. Their story of forbidden love begins in Kiss of Fate.

  Petra—lost love of Damien, and an Earthdaughter. Petra and Damien’s story is told in the Dragon Legion Novella, Kiss of Darkness.

  Quinn Tyrrell—the Smith of the Pyr, sapphire and steel in dragon form, partnered with Sara Keegan, father of Garrett and Ewan. Quinn was married centuries earlier to Elizabeth, despite their not having a firestorm, and she was murdered by the Slayer Ambrose. He earns his living as an artisan blacksmith. Sara and Quinn’s story is told in Kiss of Fire.

  Rafferty Powell—opal and gold in dragon form, the romantic of the Pyr, partner of Melissa Smith and adoptive father of Isabelle. Rafferty is the one Pyr who has learned to change to a salamander and spontaneously manifest elsewhere. He wears a black and white ring, which is a reminder of the sacrifice of Sophie and Nikolas. Melissa and Rafferty’s story is told in Darkfire Kiss.

  Roxanne Kincaid—A tattoo artist, partner of Niall and mother to twin boys, Kyle and Nolan. Rox and Niall’s story is told in Whisper Kiss.

  Sara Keegan—a former accountant turned used bookstore owner, the Seer of the Pyr, partner of Quinn Tyrrell, mother of Garrett and Ewan. Sara and Quinn’s story is told in Kiss of Fire.

  Sigmund Guthie (born Sigmund Sorensson)—Erik’s son by his first firestorm, a Pyr with a talent for unearthing lost dragon magic, and a Pyr who turned Slayer. Author of the rare volume The Compleat Guide to Slaying Dragons. Sigmund disappears from the Dragonfire series in Kiss of Fate, but makes cameo appearances in the Dragon Diaries.

  Sloane Forbes—tourmaline and gold in dragon form, owner of a greenhouse and nursery specializing in herbs, and the Apothecary of the Pyr.

  Sophie—the Wyvern at the beginning of the Dragonfire series. Sophie sacrificed herself in Kiss of Fate, and Zoë Sorensson was conceived during that firestorm. Sophie makes cameo appearances in the Dragon Diaries, the spin-off paranormal young ad
ult series that chronicles Zoë’s coming of age as the new Wyvern.

  Thaddeus (or Thad)—one of the Dragon’s Tooth Warriors, his story is told in the Dragon Legion Novella, Kiss of Destiny.

  Thorolf—the bad boy of the Pyr, a former project of Rox’s, a dragon who enjoys all the pleasures life has to offer. He is targeted by Viv Jason and Chen in Flashfire, an alliance that was shattered in Ember’s Kiss. They each hunt him alone now. His story will be told in Serpent’s Kiss.

  Viv Jason—falsely believed by Chandra to be one of the Liliot, Viv Jason is actually Tisiphone, one of the Erinyes killed by Damien in the Dragon Legion Novella, Kiss of Darkness. Hades gave her the right to avenge herself upon the Pyr, and she has been waiting for the Dragon’s Tail wars. She has the power to shift shape into a green serpent. In Flashfire, she allied with the Slayer Chen to trap Thorolf but that alliance was broken in Ember’s Kiss when Chen realized her true intent.

  Zoë Sorensson—the daughter of Erik Sorensson, leader of the Pyr, by his second mate, Eileen. As the daughter of a Pyr, Zoë is believed to be the next Wyvern but (like all Pyr) will not come into her powers until puberty. Zoë’s coming of age as the new Wyvern is told in the Dragon Diaries series.

  About the Author

  Deborah Cooke sold her first book in 1992, a medieval romance called THE ROMANCE OF THE ROSE published under her pseudonym Claire Delacroix. Since then, she has published over fifty novels in a wide variety of sub-genres, including historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, fantasy romance, time-travel romance, women’s fiction, paranormal young adult and fantasy with romantic elements. She has published under the names Claire Delacroix, Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. THE BEAUTY, part of her successful Bride Quest series of historical romances, was her first title to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books. Her books routinely appear on other bestseller lists and have won numerous awards. In 2009, she was the writer-in-residence at the Toronto Public Library, the first time the library has hosted a residency focused on the romance genre. In 2012, she was honored to receive the Romance Writers of America’s Mentor of the Year Award.

  Currently, she writes the Dragonfire series of paranormal romances featuring dragon shape shifter heroes under the name Deborah Cooke. She also is writing the True Love Brides series of medieval romances as Claire Delacroix, which continues the story of the family introduced in her popular title THE BEAUTY BRIDE. Deborah lives in Canada with her husband and family, as well as far too many unfinished knitting projects.

  Connect Online!

  Deborah’s Website

  Claire’s Website

  Deborah on Facebook

  Claire on Facebook

  Deborah’s Blog

  Deborah’s Monthly Newsletter

  Books by Deborah Cooke

  Paranormal Romances

  - The Dragonfire Series -

  Kiss of Fire

  Kiss of Fury

  Kiss of Fate

  Harmonia’s Kiss

  Winter Kiss

  Whisper Kiss

  Darkfire Kiss

  Flashfire

  Ember’s Kiss

  The Dragon Legion Novellas

  (Kiss of Danger, Kiss of Darkness, Kiss of Destiny)

  Paranormal Young Adult

  - The Dragon Diaries -

  Flying Blind

  Winging It

  Blazing the Trail

  Contemporary Romance

  - The Coxwells -

  Third Time Lucky

  Double Trouble

  One More Time

  All or Nothing

  Short Stories

  * * *

  Books by Claire Delacroix

  Time Travel Romances

  Once Upon a Kiss

  The Last Highlander

  The Moonstone

  Love Potion #9

  Historical Romances

  The Romance of the Rose

  Honeyed Lies

  Unicorn Bride

  The Sorceress

  Roarke’s Folly

  Pearl Beyond Price

  The Magician’s Quest

  Unicorn Vengeance

  My Lady’s Champion

  Enchanted

  My Lady’s Desire

  - The Bride Quest -

  The Princess

  The Damsel

  The Heiress

  The Countess

  The Beauty

  The Temptress

  - The Rogues of Ravensmuir -

  The Rogue

  The Scoundrel

  The Warrior

  - The Jewels of Kinfairlie -

  The Beauty Bride

  The Rose Red Bride

  The Snow White Bride

  The Ballad of Rosamunde

  - The True Love Brides -

  The Renegade’s Heart

  The Highlander’s Curse

  Urban Fantasy Romance

  - The Prometheus Project -

  Fallen

  Guardian

  Rebel

  Short Stories and Novellas

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Excerpt—Serpent’s Kiss

  The World of Dragonfire—A Glossary

  Meet the Pyr

  About the Author

  Connect Online!

  Books by Deborah Cooke