The Nymph King. Gena Showalter

tion>

      

       Praise for the novels of New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Gena Showalter

      Heart of the Dragon “Lots of danger and sexy passion give lucky readers a spicy taste of adventure and romance.”

      —Romantic Times BOOKreviews

      “Filled with steamy sex, adventure, and a sprinkle

      of humour…a fantastic book!”

      —Myshelf.com

      Jewel of Atlantis “Showalter has created a ripe mythological world populated with fascinating creatures and dark lore… For extraordinary escapism, read this book.”

      —Romantic Times BOOKreviews

      “Shines like the purest gem…Rich in imagery and

      evocative detail, this book is a sterling example of

      what makes romance novels so worthwhile.”

      —A Romance Review, 5 stars

      The Nymph King “A world of myth, mayhem and love under the sea!”

      —New York Times bestselling author J.R.Ward

      “I want to visit Atlantis! Deliciously evocative and

      filled with sexy men, The Nymph King is every woman’s fantasy come to sizzling life. A must read.”

      —New York Times bestselling author P.C. Cast

      “Gena Showalter’s stories hum with fast pacing and

      characters that leap off the page. Pick up one of

      Gena’s books! You won’t be disappointed!”

      —USA TODAY bestselling author Julie Kenner

       Atlantis

      New York Times bestselling author

      GENA SHOWALTER

      invites you to enter Atlantis,

      a world of dark seduction and powerful magic…

      HEART OF THE DRAGON

      JEWEL OF ATLANTIS

      THE NYMPH KING

      THE VAMPIRE’S BRIDE

      The Nymph Ring

      Gena Showalter

       www.mirabooks.co.uk

      New York Times and USA Today bestselling author GENA SHOWALTER has been praised for her “sizzling page-turners” and “utterly spellbinding stories”. She is the author of more than seventeen novels and anthologies, including breathtaking paranormal and contemporary romances, cutting-edge young adult novels and stunning urban fantasy. Readers can’t get enough of her trademark wit and singular imagination.

      To learn more about Gena and her books, please visit www.genashowalter.com and www.genashowalter blogspot.com.

       Other sexy, steamy reads from Gena Showalter and MIRA Books

       ATLANTIS

      HEART OF THE DRAGON

      JEWEL OF ATLANTIS

      THE NYMPH KING

      THE VAMPIRE’S BRIDE

       LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD

      THE DARKEST NIGHT

      THE DARKEST KISS

      THE DARKEST PLEASURE

      THE DARKEST WHISPER

      DARK BEGINNINGS

      THE DARKEST PASSION

      THE DARKEST LIE

       More stunning tales from Gena Showalter are coming your way…

      INTERTWINED

      UNRAVELLED

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

      To Leigh Michelle Heldermon and Shelly Mykal.

      Cousins. Extraordinary women. Angels (a long time

      ago I might have added “fallen” before that last

      one, but that’s neither here nor there).

      To Jill Monroe.

      You had me at hello and now you complete me.

      You are the wind beneath my wings.

      I am nothing without you.

      Dear Reader,

      I gave you a peek at Valerian, King of the Nymphs, in Jewel of Atlantis…but I didn’t intend to tell his story. Well, I did—just not right away. There were several more books that I planned to write first. Bad little boy that he is, Valerian insisted I concentrate on him. (Picture me shaking my head and muttering, “Typical Nymph behaviour.”) I tried to say no. Really, I did. But…I couldn’t resist him. Neither can Shaye Holling, though she gives it her best shot. She’s the woman Valerian is determined to claim. Like me, Shaye finds herself up against the greatest lover of all time. A mesmerising and seductive force unlike any other. A rogue. A fantasy come to life.

      Anyone else shivering?

      I hope you enjoy reading their story as much as I enjoyed writing it. For more information about Atlantis and all the creatures and humans who reside there, visit my website at www.genashowalter.com and my blog at www.genashowalter.blogspot.com.

      Warmest regards,

       Gena Showalter

      Chapter One

       Atlantis

      UPON AWAKENING, Valerian, King of the Nymphs, untangled himself from the naked, slumbering woman beside him…only to discover his legs were entwined with two other naked, slumbering women.

      With a sleep-rough chuckle, he fell back onto the softness of the bed, dark strands of feminine hair cascading atop his shoulder. Silky red tendrils floated over his stomach, intertwining prettily with another woman’s blond tresses. Satisfaction hummed inside him.

      There were only four females in residence, and all four were deliciously human. Utterly sexual. Captivating. A few weeks ago, right after his army had taken control of this fortress, the women had accidentally entered through a portal leading from the surface world. The gods must have been smiling upon him last eve because three of them had found their way into his bed.

      He grinned slowly, and his gaze traveled over the sated beauties sleeping so peacefully around him. Tall, rounded and sun-kissed they were, with faces ranging from daringly bold to endearingly plain.

      Whatever they looked like, he didn’t care. Quite simply, he loved women. He loved his power over them and wasn’t ashamed of it. Wasn’t repentant. Oh, no. He enjoyed. Relished. Savored.

      Devoured.

      Though none in particular had ever been more to him than a passing fancy, he adored every luscious inch of them. Their sweet softness, their breathy moans. Their decadent flavors. He loved the way their legs tightened around his waist (or head) and welcomed him into paradise, allowing him a gentle slide or a rough pounding—whichever he happened to prefer at the time.

      As he lay there, light uncoiled slender fingers from the crystal ceiling above, caressing everything it touched and bathing