Christina’s Tapestry

By N.J. Walters

Captivated by a lush tapestry she sees in a shop window, Christina Beaumont impulsively buys it, never imagining how that one action will change her life. The magical tapestry not only transports her to a world that resembles medieval Earth, but also into the arms of two massive warriors who both want to claim her.

Jarek and Marc, brothers of the House of Garen, are elated to discover the tapestry has delivered Christina to them, but ancient tradition dictates that they must compete for the right to be her husband. Both separately and together, the two will indulge Christina in every sensual way possible, taking her to passionate heights beyond even her most intense fantasies.

As the time for Christina to choose between the two men draws near, she is confronted with another option: she can return to her own modern world. Fearing their loss, Jarek and Marc will join forces to convince Christina to stay with them, even as they fight a rival family for the right to keep her as their very own . . .

“Christina’s Tapestry is definitely a keeper.” —Night Owl Reviews, 4 Stars

“N. J. Walters has penned another awesome book that is sure to become a keeper, and readers eagerly await her next book.” —Romance Junkies

About the Author:

N. J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing
• Release date: Jun 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781946069740

N.J. Walters

N.J. has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it. You can find N.J. online at njwalters.com.    

Book preview

Cover

Christina’s Tapestry

Captivated by a lush tapestry she sees in a shop window, Christina Beaumont impulsively buys it, never imagining how that one action will change her life. The magical tapestry not only transports her to a world that resembles medieval Earth, but also into the arms of two massive warriors who both want to claim her.

Jarek and Marc, brothers of the House of Garen, are elated to discover the tapestry has delivered Christina to them, but ancient tradition dictates that they must compete for the right to be her husband. Both separately and together, the two will indulge Christina in every sensual way possible, taking her to passionate heights beyond even her most intense fantasies.

As the time for Christina to choose between the two men draws near, she is confronted with another option: she can return to her own modern world. Fearing their loss, Jarek and Marc will join forces to convince Christina to stay with them, even as they fight a rival family for the right to keep her as their very own . . .

Title Page

Copyright

Christina’s Tapestry

N. J. Walters

Copyright © 2005 by N. J. Walters.

Cover design and illustration by Dar Albert, Wicked Smart Designs.

Published by Beyond the Page at Smashwords

Beyond the Page Books

are published by

Beyond the Page Publishing

www.beyondthepagepub.com

ISBN: 978-1-946069-74-0

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this book. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented without the express written permission of both the copyright holder and the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

Dedication

For the amazing readers. Your unwavering acceptance and support since the very beginning has been nothing short of inspiring. Thank you for embracing my characters and me and changing my life. You know who you are.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Books by N. J. Walters

About the Author

Chapter One

Men suck.

Christina Beaumont leaned in closer to hear her friend over the din of the Friday evening crowd gathered in the bar. She could see Brenda valiantly fighting back tears as she took a sip of her drink.

What happened? She had to yell her question to be heard over the music and loud voices. She was beginning to think that coming here after work hadn’t been such a good idea after all. But when Brenda had called her at the office begging her to meet her, she had caved. She liked Brenda, but her friend was one of those women who were always in crisis with her latest boyfriend.

Jason and I had a fight. Brenda dabbed at her eyes.

Christina was always amazed at the way Brenda could cry and not disturb her makeup. Even worse, she actually looked good while she cried. Her eyes would fill with tears and look luminous and vulnerable. When Christina cried, all she got was red eyes and blotchy skin. What happened?

But her friend was no longer paying any attention to her. Christina turned and glanced over her shoulder to see what had snagged Brenda’s attention and groaned. Jason was strutting his way across the room, a determined look on his face.

As he wove in and around the crowd, his eyes never left Brenda’s face. Christina felt all but invisible by the time he reached their table.

Come home with me, baby. Jason slid his arm around Brenda’s shoulders as he leaned down to kiss her.

Christina looked away and sighed. She’d heard it and seen it all before, but she still didn’t understand the strange relationship her friend had with Jason. They seemed to delight in fighting and making scenes in public places, which they inevitably followed with passionate lovemaking sessions. She knew this little fact because Brenda always shared every intimate detail of it with her the following day, whether she wanted to hear it or not.

Christina started when she felt a hand touch her shoulder.

I’ve got to go, Brenda whispered. Jason and I need to talk. You understand, don’t you?

Christina nodded. Really, what else could she do? Brenda gave her a tremulous smile, turned and walked away. Jason wrapped his arm around her waist and they disappeared into the crowd.

The noise was giving her a headache and she wished she’d just said no when Brenda had pleaded with her to meet her for drinks. She’d just known that something like this was going to happen, didn’t it always?

When the waitress plunked her tray down on the table and deposited the second round of drinks, Christina sighed and dug out her wallet to pay. After all, it wasn’t the waitress’s fault she couldn’t say no to Brenda. Leaving the drinks untouched, she gathered her coat and purse and made her way toward the door.

Excuse me, she repeated over and over as she was jabbed by elbows fighting her way through the crowd. She’d had her feet stepped on twice by the time she got to the door.

Stumbling out of the bar, she was immediately drenched by pouring rain. Even though the weather man had promised it would rain today, it hadn’t been when she’d gone in a little over an hour ago. Now it was coming down in buckets. Ducking back under the awning, she tugged her raincoat on and zipped it up tight. Her skirt and blouse were already soaked and she shivered as the wet fabric clung to her skin.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a cab coming her way. Raising her hand and waving, she managed to flag him down. As she stepped toward the curb, the cab swerved in and sent a shower of dirty water over her. Christina coughed and sputtered, swiping at the water that stung her eyes.

The sound of laughter and a car door slamming filled her ears. Before she could even get the muck cleared from her eyes, she knew that someone else had taken her cab.

Damn it, she swore under her breath before sucking back the anger that threatened to overflow.

Taking a deep, calming breath, she turned and started walking down the center of the sidewalk, her strides long and sure. It was still early in the evening and she was already soaked, so she might as well walk to the subway and save the cab fare.

The cold March air whipped at her coat and she grasped the corner of her hood with her left hand to keep the wind from blowing it down. She sloshed through the slush and the water as she hurried down the almost deserted street. The light from a store window drew her gaze as she passed. She glanced at the display and stopped so suddenly that she almost stumbled.

She no longer felt the cold or the rain that pummeled her body as she stood with her nose pressed to the glass window. Her fingers trembled as she reached out toward the tapestry that was displayed on the other side of the glass. Its vibrant colors and almost lifelike quality were enthralling. It was, quite simply, the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen in her life.

She had to have it. Somehow she knew that it was meant to belong to her.

Groping her way to the front door of the shop, she tugged on the handle. It was locked. Desperation seized her as she banged her fist on the door. There had to be someone inside the store.

An elderly lady, her white hair coiled neatly in a bun, appeared on the other side of the door. Christina could see her shaking her head through the glass. We’re closed.

Christina’s stomach clenched as determination filled her. Please. I just want to see the tapestry in the window. She pointed to the window as she shouted.

The woman’s face softened and she smiled gently as she slowly reached out and unlocked the door. Christina almost cried with relief when the woman ushered her inside, closing and bolting the door behind her.

I’m really sorry about this. Now that she was inside, Christina began to realize just how crazy her actions must seem to the other woman. It’s just that I saw the tapestry as I passed by and . . . She trailed off, not quite sure how to explain her sudden obsession.

But the older woman just laughed softly. I understand, my dear. You just wait here and I’ll get it for you.

Christina watched the woman’s every move. A feeling of anticipation shot through her as the woman carefully removed the item from the window and brought it over to the front counter. Spreading it over the flat surface, she motioned Christina closer.

Almost hesitantly, she edged nearer, afraid that the piece would not live up to her expectations when she examined it up close. The tapestry was about two feet wide and three feet long. The rich colors created a picture unlike any she’d ever seen. A large stone castle stood in the background, surrounded by a forest. Various birds and animals were hidden in the depths of the trees. The longer she looked, the more she saw in the intricate design. Her fingers itched to touch it so she shoved her hands in her pockets.

A river flowed to the left of the castle, the blue-gray water tumbling over rocks and carving a path into the forest behind it. Silvery fish jumped and glittered in its depths. It was so real, she almost felt as though she could hear the plop of the fish as they breached the surface.

There were flowers of every shape and color, many of which she didn’t recognize. But they were all beautifully framed against the castle and the thick growth of trees. There were pine trees, their needles a green so deep they looked almost black in places, and trees covered with leaves of various shapes and sizes, in every shade of green imaginable. She could almost sense them moving in the breeze.

Whoever had created this tapestry was indeed an artist. The picture was so alive that Christina felt that if she stared at it long enough, she would actually see the river run and the trees sway. It was mesmerizing.

But it was the two warriors standing in front of the castle that captivated her. Both were tall and strong. Their chests and arms rippled and bulged with muscles, even though they were standing with their arms folded across their chests in a seemingly casual stance. Only leather vests covered their torsos, leaving most of their chests and all of their arms bare. Wide metal bands, the color of bronze, were clasped around their upper arms and wrists.

Leather breeches molded strong thighs and cupped rather impressive bulges in the front. She couldn’t help but think that the maker of the tapestry had definitely taken artistic license. Both wore leather boots that came to just below their knees. They gave off an

Reviews for Christina’s Tapestry

[katybethmckee · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Christina is drawn to a strange tapestry in a shop window and buys it on impulse. With the help of the tapestry she finds herself in another world and having to choose between leaving or choosing a husband between the two brothers Marc and Jerek. The story was fun and enjoyable and in the send very sweet. But frankly I think her easy acceptance of waking up in another world a bit hard to believe.

[ladyisis_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a new author for me. I have a few friends that read Ms. Walters and had suggested I read her books. I wish that Ms. Walter had written the story were the brothers had more equal time with Christina. This was a good story and both men with hot males that would make any woman have them in their bed. I did like the premise of the tapestry bring women into a world that has a shortage of women. I look forward reading the rest of this series.