“Stop where you are, and don’t make a sound.”
—put the sword to his neck and threatened his life.
Yeah, that seemed to work just fine.
* * *
Ry’Ker felt slightly nauseated as he walked up the stairs to where Si’Bastian was sequestered. He’d given his plan some serious thought over several bottles of ale and decided that this was the only way.
He came to a stop just outside of the East tower and looked the guard in the eye the best he could when he could barely focus on the man’s face.
“You can leave.”
“Sir?” he questioned him.
Ry’Ker didn’t want anyone around for what was about to take place. “Go to the kitchen, the courtyards—wherever it is that is not near here. Just be gone, and do not tell anyone I have relieved you of your post.”
The guard took his measure carefully, as though trying to decide if he were within his right mind. Ry’Ker couldn’t be certain, but he was sure his mind was anything but right in that moment.
“If you are sure, sir.”
Ry’Ker stepped aside and gestured with the hand not holding the extra two bottles of alcohol. “I am sure.”
He watched the guard leave his post and make his way down the stairs. When he was positive he was on his own, he twisted the handle to Si’Bastian’s chambers and pushed open the door.
For his entire life, he’d been made to fear the sensualeers, courtesy of the Empress’s reign. But the night his mother had been killed, he’d come to detest them. If it hadn’t been for the disease cast by one of their kind, her men wouldn’t have turned on her.
As he opened the door and Si’Bastian raised his head to pin him with those obsidian eyes, Ry’Ker knew that this was the moment he would face his fear head on.
* * *
Bastian watched the head guard as he made his way inside the chambers. Under his arm, Ry’Ker held a bottle of alcohol, and in his other hand he held a second. He couldn’t have been sure, but as the man moved towards the table in the room, Bastian thought that the usual steady gait that accompanied the guard faltered.
“You’re back.”
Ry’Ker’s eyes met his as he placed the bottles down. “I told you I would be.”
“So you did,” Bastian agreed and pushed up to his feet. “I see that you are alone. I had so hoped you’d bring the healer back. I liked him.”
“Ai’Den has much better things to do than play skin slave to you.”
Bastian felt a sly smirk curve his lips as he took in Ry’Ker’s rigid posture. “And you? Do you have better things to do?”
Ry’Ker uncorked one of the bottles he’d placed on the tables and brought it up to his mouth for a swig. As he lowered his arm, he walked over to where he knew Bastian couldn’t reach and looked him over.
“I’m here as long as your father wills it, but that does not mean I have to subject Ai’Den to you.”
“Ahh, I see.” Bastian took a step towards him and flicked his eyes down to the bottle that was clenched tight in his hand. “So, you are offering yourself up as my…skin slave?” He thought about that term, and as he witnessed wide shoulders stiffening, he knew how uncomfortable Ry’Ker was with it.
Choosing to ignore his question, the guard thrust the bottle out to him. “Drink this. I need to remove one of your cuffs, and I’ve heard it hurts like hell.”
Bastian took the small bottle and brought it to his lips, draining it quickly before handing it back. Ry’Ker’s fingers curled around the glass and grazed over the top of his, and Bastian kept them there, the briefest touch, to see what the other man would do. When Ry’Ker’s eyes held his, he let his mouth tip into a slight grin.
“And why are you drinking? Will this hurt you too?”
Ry’Ker’s eyes narrowed, and Bastian felt his fingers move over his—a frisson of heat and electricity pulsing through his skin at the contact.
“No, but having you touch me…” Ry’Ker started then swayed in closer to where Bastian stood, and as the emotions humming through the guard traveled through him, Bastian’s body clung to the energy rushing through his blood.
“Yes,” he sighed, wondering when he’d become the one intoxicated.
“Well,” Ry’Ker murmured, and then Bastian felt strong fingers circle his wrist. “It disgusts me.”
As the final word left Ry’Ker’s mouth, the left cuff was released and ripped from his wrist. The pain that splintered through Bastian was excruciating, and he could only imagine it to be like removing his flesh from his bones. The throes of it traveled the length of his arm and landed at the top of his spine, making him drop the bottle in his hand to the ground and bring his hands to his head.
“Si’Bastian?”
He faintly heard the voice of Ry’Ker trickle through the slivers and cracks that seemed to be forming in his skull. The throbbing ache pounding inside his head felt as though someone had bashed his skull in with a hammer, and as he fell down, he saw two large, booted feet before him.
“Get. Out.” He pushed the words from his mouth before the agony encompassed him. The bleak darkness that swallowed him had him driving his cheek against the stone, trying to relieve the torture in his mind.
He needed to get out of there. His father and this man were killing him.
He needed… Kai, he thought, and miraculously, the link went through. Kai…I’m in trouble… Kai? Then he opened his mouth and grated out, “Leave me, Guard. I don’t want you here…”
As his final words echoed and bounced off the walls surrounding him, he watched the boots move backwards to the door. Just before he passed out, he heard the scrape of a chair, the uncorking of a bottle, and then…nothing.
* * *
Kai?
His name was faint, but it was there, reaching out in a way he hadn’t felt in days.
Bastian?
There was nothing, no response, and as he opened the link and made himself readily available, he expected the sensualeer to reach out once more—but there was nothing.
He threw the clothes in his hands down on the bed and sat, closing his eyes.
Come on Bastian, he thought, answer.
But again, nothing.
He grabbed the pants and top he’d found for Naeve and ran up the stairs to where he knew she was waiting for him. He knocked, and when she carefully opened the door, dagger in hand, he knew she could sense the worry on his face immediately.
“What is… What’s happened?”
He stepped inside and gave her the clothes, instructing gruffly, “Get dressed.”
“Kai,” she said, and this time, there was a definite question in her voice. “What is it? What’s happened?”
He looked over to where Naeve, this stranger, this beautiful woman, stood looking up at him, and he knew he needed to get her out of there.
She didn’t belong in this world. She didn’t belong with him. And the thought of pain or trouble coming to her caused an ache inside his heart unlike any he’d felt before.
“Bastian—”
“Yes?” she asked. Her blue eyes were wide, hopeful.
Kai knew that he never wanted that guileless expression, that look of expectation, to leave her. To do that, he needed to get her home. Get her back where she belonged. And the only person who could help him do that was in trouble.
“He’s awoken.”
When I decided to delve into unknown territory and write my first ‘fantasy romance’, I thought I may have lost my mind. Soon after, half way through it, I was positive that I had. But I love a challenge, and that’s what I gave myself. I wanted to step outside the box and create something exciting and new, and I am very proud of the world that evolved.
There are so many creative minds that went into bringing this vision of mine to life. So I would like to take a moment to thank every one who helped me achieve this.
Candace Wood, my ever present second set of eyes. This is the 8th book we have collaborated on from beginning to end, and t
here is no way I would be here without you. You devote hours of your time to patiently read through chapter after chapter, and script after script. You constantly keep me on my toes, and when I have a crazy idea (and I have plenty), you are always there to listen.
But the best part about you, is the swift kick in the ass you are not afraid to give me. You are one of a kind, and continually astound me with how brilliant your mind is. You teach me ways to better my craft, and how to make each word count.
I don’t know how I managed to find you, but I thank the writing universe that I did. There are no words to ever express my gratitude, and there is no one else I would rather work with. I cannot wait to work on many, many, more projects with you.
Brits, my crazy, fabulous, mother of the year! You are one busy woman, and constantly have your hands full of little ones, yet you always find a way to reach out and say something positive and uplifting to make me want to continue to bring you a story you want to read. So here it is lady, the final copy. You can finally read it all the way through without going into labor. LOL.
Mickey Reed, my amazing editor! We have worked on a couple of projects together now, and each time we do I am blown away with your skill, attention to detail, and just how much I still have to learn. You’re a wonderful person and I’m fortunate to have found you.
Renee Kubisch, my fellow Aussie! I was so excited to work with you on this in a couple of different ways. Thank you for taking a chance on a new world with me, AND for taking on a new genre for you. I appreciate the fact that you took on the task of the unknown and had wonderful feedback.
Second, the AMAZING SWAG you are putting together for this book! When you decided to do this as a side project I was so happy and proud of you. Your work is gorgeous and packaged like professional. I just know you will go far. I can’t wait to see you in March on the Gold Coast.
Suz Tappy, no words can tell you how excited I am to have your creation hanging on my wall. When I approached you with the task of creating a coat of arms for Arcania, I wasn’t sure of the response I would get. But I am SO pleased that you said yes. Your imagination is a wonderful thing, woman! It knows no bounds. You took my words and thoughts, and brought them to life on canvas. I can’t thank you enough for being a part of this, and giving me a little (okay, BIG) memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
The three J’s - Jen Gerschick, Junis Cariello & Judy Zweifel, thank you for beta reading this time around! Not only was it a brand new series, with new characters and worlds, it was a genre I hadn’t touched. I appreciate the fact that without hesitation you three took on the task of trying something new right along with me. Your eyes were essential in making this as close to perfect as it can be. I can’t thank you enough!
And to all the bloggers who have been with me from the very beginning, and those who are just picking a book of mine up for the very first time. Thank you for being a voice for the indie world and getting new material out to readers around the globe.
We wouldn’t be able to do it without you!
Much love to you all,
Xx Ella
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Ella Frank, Temperance
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