A to Z Blog Challenge: N is for...

Nations of Peace book #10

Guardian of Dreams - a Lords of the High Council novel

SYNOPSIS

    At almost eleven centuries, Anoré D'Exelmante is the second oldest of the High Lords. Like his brothers, he has experienced nearly everything life and the universe have thrown at them. Yet beneath the weight of countless years, he carries a quiet longing for something he has never found: true love. Despite the close relationship with his brothers, Anoré feels the ache of solitude, and the need for connection. Unlike other human males, his mate has to have compatible abilities. As the guardian of higher mind abilities, like telepathy and telekinesis, he hadn't expected to find her so close to home.

    Allyson had struggled her whole life to live with her ability to sense others' thoughts and feelings. Constantly bombarded by what she couldn't control, it was her impending wedding that made her realise that her subconscious mind was her best defence against a life of unhappiness.

    Meeting the Lords of the High Council changed her life. Among their ranks, it was Anoré who stood out, his serenity and gentle insight resonating with Allyson in a way she had never experienced before. While the most powerful men in the universe welcomed her with warmth and respect, it was Anoré's presence that dissolved the loneliness that had always shadowed her. In his eyes, Allyson saw both acceptance and understanding, as if each unspoken thought bridged the gap between their worlds. For the first time, she felt her quiet, nerdy self seen and cherished by someone who truly understood her. The extraordinary bond that emerged between them uncovered a depth of happiness and belonging she had never imagined possible.

    Finding love with a High Lord revealed the secret of her abilities and drew out an old enemy, who seeks to use Allyson's gifts for his own ambition. He believes that corrupting her will unlock the power of an ancient prophecy, tipping the balance of the universe. He is determined to make her choose a dark path away from the faith that anchored her heart and soul.

    With her new family, she finds the courage to face that enemy, despite overwhelming odds. But she also learns that incredible challenges can be faced with faith, a commitment to relearn everything after a severe brain injury, and the love of a man with faith and commitment to duty to the Divine Trinity. As their connection deepens, both Allyson and Anoré must fight not only for each other but for the fate of the universe hanging in the balance.

The Guardian of Dreams will be available on 21 May 2026. Keep an eye out, because visitors to my blog will have a special pre-order discount code.

EXTRACT

Allyson didn't leave. Actually, she stopped the car and sat with her head in her hands. She was bone tired. Not work so much, although she had been busy of late, but it was the wedding, and she knew it. She had not been able to sleep for days now, and didn't need the little mirror in front of her to see the black circles around her eyes, which even makeup could no longer hide.

This was it, and she knew it. Knew that she couldn't marry Richard, no matter what her family said. No matter what her head told her. Her heart was not in it. In fact, she had come to the conclusion that she didn't care for Richard. Not as in not loving him, she couldn't care less as to what happened in his life or to him for that matter. It was a rather sobering thought, given that she had known him for two years before agreeing to the marriage.

This revelation was not so much of a surprise as she had perhaps wanted it to be, but somehow, her subconscious had been nagging her, and only now did she start to listen. Alone in the quiet of the breeze and the noise of the rough and tumble of the ocean below, her mind finally worked out what had been bothering her.

Aware that her family thought her talent something to be feared, hell, even though she thought it a curse, she had not used it to read him. But her unconscious mind did, and she didn't like what she found. Usually trying to respect others' privacy, she deliberately avoided reading him. Still, of course, telepathy was not always that easily switched off. Her subconscious mind wanted to know, and it got the information – even without her express permission.

Shaking her head, she lifted her eyes to the shadows around her. He had no real love for her either. Perhaps she had known this all along. Marrying into the family was a step forward in business, that's all. As a business adviser to her father, he would gain more influence once he was part of the family, and that was the most important thing. Her wishes and perceived happiness at present were just a means to that end. Something he did to win her family's affection.

Until now, she hadn't realised that it wasn't what she needed from a husband. Neither was she sure what it was, but her relationship with Richard didn't feel right. Probably never has, and she had just been too stubborn or cowardly to acknowledge that fact to herself. Wanting to please her parents was not the way to ensure her happiness in marriage. Damn, stupid coward that she was.

Clutching her hands into fists, Allyson hit the controls in front of her. She had been so stupid, and yet, deep inside, she had always wanted someone to love. Someone who would be just hers, as she would be his. She was the oldest sister and the only one not yet married, so she was easily persuaded to believe that Richard was the one for her. Smart, like her, he fitted into the family structure, and everyone liked him.

She grimaced. What was not to like? He was handsome, charming, and intelligent. And that should have been her cue. She was plain, average-looking, geeky Allyson, who seldom dated and avoided social situations as far as possible. So, how could she ever have believed that this could work? Aside from a similar type of job, she just applied her talents in research and outside the family business, they had nothing in common. Not a single thing.

She enjoyed reading, learning new things, and helping her clients because they needed what she could offer, but only if they agreed to keep her name and work out of the public eye. She didn't like the publicity companies sometimes gave their advisers, feeling that she did what they paid her for. It was their dedication and implementation of her advice that led to their success.

Richard loved the attention, especially if his client made headlines. He loved the social gatherings, the parties, and the way people made an issue of him.

Leaving her own business was not an option, ever, so there was no way she could think that this marriage could work, even if only based on logic and reason. They would be in competition with each other, or at least their clients would be, and that could not be a good thing.

She groaned. She was just going to have to gather her courage to face Richard and the family. It felt like a conspiracy that she was about to reveal, with her as the bad guy. Two days before the wedding. Perfect. Just what she didn't need. Now everyone is going to think she had cold feet, or wedding jitters, or whatever they were going to call it.

She took a deep breath. This was not going to be easy at all.

Resigning herself to another long night, one filled with arguments and fraught with attempts at emotional blackmail, she reached for the control key of the car.

Nothing. Just her luck. She groaned again. It has been days since she last recharged the fuel cells. Mobile. No signal either. Oh well, then she would just have to get out and walk.

It was almost dark, and there wasn't enough light to move the car back into the sun to charge with the solar cells. Securing the car, she stood and wondered which way to go. Back to the main road seemed prudent, but it may also take longer that way since she would have to go the opposite direction to get home. Home was simply too far away and too risky on foot after dark.

She glanced back towards the ocean. Perhaps there was a footpath of some kind along the cliffs. She had spotted a house or two while sitting on the cliffs and only hoped that people actually lived there, not just used the houses for holidays or occasional visits. Nodding to herself, she pocketed her mobile and key and turned towards the water.

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For the Letter O we will talk about feeling overwhelmed. Join the conversation and share your thoughts. Thank you for visiting today. Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé