Defiance Rising — Amy Miles

"Now that is a beautiful sight." I whip around, instantly covering myself with my arms. "What are you doing here?" I scream. "Get out " "Aw, don't tell me you're a shy one. I didn't peg you for that." Bastien grins as he throws his leg over a rock and settles in for what appears to be an annoyingly lengthy time. Using one arm, I swim as quickly as I can away from the center of the pool and head straight for the rocks. Bastien seems completely unphazed by my rising fury and he grins down at me. He does however reach out to retrieve my dagger from the pile of clothes he's perched beside. "Have you no decency?" I growl through chattering teeth. If I don't get out soon I'll risk hypothermia, but there's no way I'm going to give Bastien the satisfaction of seeing me naked. Twirling the dagger in his hand, he appears to contemplate my question. "I suppose this might seem a bit forward of me, but I thought you might like to know it's time to go." "Fine. Message received. Leave now " He leans over the edge, peering down at me. "And miss all the fun? I think not." Illyria has never known a life without the Rebellion. Instinct. Survival. Nothing else matters...until she ventures out into unknown territory and is faced with an enemy that proves even more fierce and determined than she ever thought. Bastien is infuriating, dangerous and annoyingly gorgeous. Eamon is familiar, comforting and turning into a man before her eyes. Both want her heart...but she is torn between duty and desire. When her choice affects all of mankind, how can she allow herself to be selfish? There is a power within her that can change everyone's fate...but she underestimated the most potent force on Earth-love. Illyria must discover if she has the strength to sacrifice her heart to save mankind.