Beauty Awakened

Beauty Awakened
Gena Showalter

Koldo – The Heavens’ Most Wrathful Warrior Scarred, dangerous, legendary - Koldo lives only for vengeance on the angel who viciously removed his wings, and diminished his power.But if he retaliates he will be kicked from the heavens, eternally damned. Mortal Nicola could be the key to his deliverance – or his downfall. The first addictive spark of lust that she inspires in Koldo calms his rage, and offers him a path away from vengeance.But as a target for the demon world, Nicola is stalked by evil at every turn. Now Koldo’s quest for revenge is the least of his concerns as he face his toughest battle yet: the war to save Nicola’s life—even if he has to sacrifice his own….‘Passion, humour, pulse-pounding action and just plain fun’ – Lara Adrian

Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author

GENA SHOWALTER

Wicked Nights

‘Showalter delivers yet again!’

—RT Book Reviews on Wicked Nights

The Darkest Passion

‘Showalter gives her fans another treat, sure to satisfy!’

—RT Book Reviews

The Darkest Whisper

‘If you like your paranormal dark and passionately flavoured, this is the series for you.’

—RT Book Reviews

The Darkest Pleasure

‘Showalter’s darkly dangerous Lords of the Underworld trilogy, with its tortured characters, comes to a very satisfactory conclusion … [her] compelling universe contains the possibilityof more stories to be told.’

—RT Book Reviews

The Darkest Kiss

‘In this new chapter the Lords of the Underworld engage in a deadly dance. Anya is a fascinating blend of spunk, arrogance and vulnerability—a perfect match for the tormented Lucien.’

—RT Book Reviews

The Nymph King

‘A world of myth, mayhem and love under the sea!’

—J. R. Ward

Playing with Fire

‘Another sizzling page-turner … Gena Showalter delivers an utterly spell-binding story!’

—Kresley Cole

Beauty Awakened

Gena Showalter

www.mirabooks.co.uk (http://www.mirabooks.co.uk)

First, to my amazing new editor Emily Ohanjanians for taking me on and not vomiting when I explained my ‘process.’

To Marie, who takes care of me in so many ways!

To my mom and dad, for answering every single one of my book-related calls and never saying ‘This again? But we went over it yesterday—for an hour.’

To my agent Deidre Knight, for always having my back. Even when I say things like, ‘So … here’s what I want to do next.’

To Jia Gayles, for always being willing to help with promos.

And to Jill Monroe, for too many reasons to list.

God is good. All the time, God is good.

PROLOGUE

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD KOLDO sat as quietly as possible in the corner of the bedroom. His mother was brushing her hair, lovely dark ringlets spun with threads of the purest gold. She perched in front of the vanity, humming softly but excitedly, her smiling, freckled image reflected in an oval mirror. He couldn’t help but watch her, fascinated.

Cornelia was one of the most beautiful creatures ever created. Everyone always said so. Her eyes were the palest violet, edged by lashes the same brown-and-gold mix as her hair. Her lips were heart-shaped, and her pale skin glowed as brightly as the sun.

With Koldo’s inky hair, dark eyes and deeply bronzed skin, he looked nothing like her. The only thing they had in common was their wings, and perhaps that was why he was so proud of the glittering white feathers cushioned by plush, amber down. They were his one redeeming feature.

Her humming suddenly ceased.

Koldo gulped.

“You’re staring at me,” she snapped, all hint of her smile gone.

He cast his gaze to the floor, as she preferred. “Sorry, Momma.”

“I told you not to call me that.” She slammed the brush onto the marble counter. “Are you so foolish that you’ve already forgotten?”

“No,” he replied softly. Everyone lauded her sweetness and gentleness as much as her beauty, and they were right to do so. She was generous with her praise and kind to everyone who approached her—everyone but Koldo. He’d always experienced a very different side of her. No matter what he did or said, she found fault. And yet, still he loved her with all of his heart. He’d only ever wanted to please her.

“Hideous little creature,” she mumbled as she stood, the scent of jasmine and honeysuckle drifting from her. The purple fabric of her robe danced at her ankles, the jewels sewn into the hem sparkling in the light. “Just like your father.”

Koldo had never met his father, had only ever heard about the man.

Evil.

Disgusting.

Repulsive.