by J. C. Owens
Nalain had been right. The pain and disgrace needed to stop here and now.
The leader of those who claimed elven blood spoke, tears in his voice. “We have dreamed of you. The one who will lead us into peace, into who we can be. You have come.”
Shaynith-una stepped forward, putting out his hands. The elven leader took one hesitantly, as the demon leader took the other. A glow encased the three, and the other half bloods gasped in wonder and some degree of fear.
“I am both demon and elven.” The shadow knight’s voice held firm, showing none of his own battle with acceptance. “We will find what this means, together, without violence and without hatred. We will show all what it means to be a half blood, and how strong it makes us. All are welcome here: demon, elven, human, or any other that the outside world casts aside. Together, we will realize the day when we see past looks and features and to the being beneath it all. Together.”
The half bloods listened, whispering the final word, hope in their eyes, something long lost to them.
Brenaith shifted, remembering the visions that had begun shortly after Nalain’s appearance. Perhaps it was her giving him all the help she was allowed. He eyed his lover, feeling protectiveness rise within him. In those visions, one day Lutan would return, and to protect these people, Shaynith-una would have to choose between his newfound people and his father.
He shivered. When that day came, he would be at Shay’s side, as would his brothers. The sword, well, that sword could be used against the demon god himself. He had realized that the sword itself was not evil, only the intent with which it was used, like any other weapon. And his lover’s intent had held true. The future was far off. They had right now.
Brenaith watched with pride, Tar’s hand on his shoulder.
Naban grunted. “It’s going to take some effort to get these idiots in line, teach them how to be proud of whatever bloodlines they possess.”
Pensir grinned and nudged his brother. “Nobody better than us then. And when they get out of hand, we just get Shay to take out his sword.”
Spensa growled, and Brenaith elbowed Pensir, hard.
“They will learn what he is,” Tar murmured, pride in the tone.
“Yes,” Brenaith felt his love rise impossibly higher. “First and foremost, a good soul. My shadow knight. My Shaynith-una, beautiful, dark one.”
~ About the Author ~
Writing has always been of the utmost importance to me, often a means of expressing frustration, anger and grief during terrible times in my life. It was also there for the joys and triumphs, a faithful companion through it all that never failed me. I do indeed love to write and have over twenty books sitting idle in my computer, waiting… I started off writing under the name of J.C. McGuire, with three historical books, “My Name is Aelida” Book 1 & 2, (a two part novel of Arthurian Briton and the strength of a woman in a world where men rule and her ancient bloodline is more important than her happiness. These books have been re-released as a four part series with Etopia Press, The Ascension, The Gloaming, The Conquered, The Triumph), and “Shadow of the Sun”, a very emotional novel of Alexander the Great and his lover Hephaistion. Done from Hephaistion’s viewpoint, (we all know that he dies in the end) it was the hardest thing I have ever written. I still get tears when I read it. I still love all of those books and actually read them as if someone else wrote them!!
“Shadow of the Sun” got me into the male/male genre and I began to write under J.C. Owens. I enjoy writing of the beauty of men loving men, plus the conflict in what a person thinks they want, versus what they truly need to become themselves.
I love to hear from my readers and always appreciate suggestions and comments for future books. Sharing a love of reading and good, hot sensuality between men is always a cause for celebration!
Discover more about J. C. Owens here
http://www.jcowensauthor.net/
~ Also by J. C. Owens ~
The Ice Prince
J. C. Owens
Honor. Trust. Exile. Will love overcome the lies?
Raised in lies and isolation, denied all knowledge of his family, Aidan awakens one day to find the manor in a state of excitement. Two foreign generals have come for him. They claim he is their long lost prince, the sole survivor of a rebellion that killed the royal family and usurped the throne of Ceratas. And he, Aidan Telan Ameris, is being escorted home to be crowned king.
Naive and submissive he might be, but stupid Aidan is not. Political machinations are something he has never been exposed to, but everything about his upbringing suddenly makes sense. The long hours studying books of history, the training with pistols and swords… He’d been groomed for this moment since his earliest memories. But he knows without a doubt that he’s no prince. He’s nothing but a pawn in a game he can’t possibly understand.
When their carriage is attacked en route to Ceratas, Aiden is taken prisoner by the leader of the rebel forces. General Torin Amaldis Greyan can’t help but feel for the poor young man, even if he is the enemy. And soon the heat between them grows to something neither can ignore, something that burns much hotter than warfare.
But nothing is simple in the struggle for Ceratas. There are those who wish to use Aidan to destroy both Torin and his country. When both of them are captured, used against each other to break their wills, Aidan and Torin must find the strength to trust each other in a way neither finds easy, if they’re to save each other—and their country…
Tarsus
J. C. Owens
The despised white centaur may be the key to Varan’s heart…
Born into hatred, his odd white coat a source of disgust to his centaur tribe, Tarsus is well used to mockery and contempt. But when he’s kidnapped from his high-blood family by a rival faction, he realizes his torment has only begun. Beaten and sentenced to death, he’s brought before the princess Nalain, heir to the centauran throne. But rather than order his execution, Nalain gives him to her brother, the general Varan, as a servant, a plaything to amuse him before the hideous white centaur’s eventual, inescapable death.
The huge centauran Varan is disgusted with his new servant, yet he soon begins to see the gentle soul that lies beneath the filthy, matted white hide. Even as a captive, the young centaur strives to be of service to all around him, even to those who show him nothing but contempt. Odd, given his bloodline—son to the feared and powerful Shar, whose evil has caused so much suffering for the centaurs of Varan’s tribe. It’s not long before Varan finds himself drawn to Tarsus in ways he never dreamed possible, and the passion that stirs between them becomes something that neither can live without. Until war comes to the centaurs, and with it rumors that Tarsus might not be the guileless servant he seems, and how everything Varan has ever known—his clan, his home, his love for Tarsus—is doomed…
Betrayal
J. C. Owens
Secrets, madness, lies…and a love forged in the flames of betrayal.
Imprisoned, starved and abused by his captors, Darcel finds his only escape in the depths of madness. But he’s tormented by his own demons, who taunt him with the memories of his past and of his beloved prince, Alasar of Rais. The man who condemned him to this prison for killing the enemy’s high king. The man who betrayed him, when he should have returned a hero. After three years of torment, Darcel is about to give up, to turn himself over to the demon for the blessed release of death. Until he hears the pounding of boots up the prison stairs and finds Alasar in his cell, overjoyed at finally finding him, distraught at his condition, and desperate to save him, with no knowledge of how his friend had come to be there.
After tending his wounds, Alasar transports Darcel back to the palace by sledge, no easy task since it’s deep winter and Darcel is barely alive. But when the enemy raiders attack their party and capture Darcel, it’s clear they seek vengeance for the murder of their king. Until their new king, Harlech, explains that Darcel was not captured, but sold to them. By Alasar.
Caught in a t
angled web of secrets, lies, and betrayal, Darcel does not know whom to trust—or whom to serve. With two warring leaders both demanding his loyalty, and both men earning his love, how is Darcel supposed to know what’s real, or where his heart truly lies?
Content note: contains dubious consent, intense emotional elements, and male/male love
Wings 2: Dominion of the Eth
J. C. Owens
The collar would stay, for Rylis would never free Tamrin...
Childhood memories of the Eth did no justice to what Rylis Tanyan would encounter in the depths of the Teeathun forest. But what he had treasured before had betrayed him, and now he must fight to escape the confines of the forest and his feelings for Tamrin, the Eth whom he'd loved long ago...
Taken
J. C. Owens
Kidnapping the brother of a mob boss was madness... If only it had stayed that simple.
It had all gone wrong. Sent as a mercenary to kidnap Kirith Martinelli from his tropical island home, Landon finds himself on the wrong end of a job gone bad. But there's more to Kirith than meets the eye--and he's taken Landon as his captive. Kirith makes Landon an offer he can't refuse: stay with him for three months—until he tires of Landon's body--and then Landon may go free.
Fearing his own criminal family more than the man before him, Landon agrees. Three months will buy him enough time for his brothers to lose his scent, and freedom will be his. But freedom has a steeper price than Landon bargained for. He can't ignore the sadness and loss behind his captor's beautiful eyes, and Landon finds himself wondering if three months will be enough—for either of them...
Out of the Darkness
Taken Book II
J.C. Owens
Can a heart learn more than just violence?
Enzo is “the Martinelli,” the head of the Martinelli family drug empire. He has known very little softness in his life, only the love of his younger brother and his niece. But when fate leads him to rescue a brutalized young man, he finds he cannot let the young man go without trying to help him. It’s his chance to do something good for someone who desperately deserves it, a distraction from the mafia life or murder and intrigue. But he wishes the submissive young man would quit fawning and calling him “master.” While he’d love to take the young man up on his sexual offers, Enzo’s tastes run to the darker side, and that’s the last thing the young man needs.
Chase Connors hasn’t known love in a long time, maybe not ever. As a slave to a sadistic master, he’s learned to get what he needs with sex. He doesn’t understand why this new “master” has been so generous—bringing him to live at Tanglewood, his vast family estate, sending him to college, and showing him affection—when to everyone else he’s hard and distant. The only way Chase knows to thank him is with his body—but Enzo appears to be straight, if his pregnant girl friend is any indication. But when Chase sees Enzo kissing another man, he knows he has a chance to win over the dominant Enzo. Seeing his chance, he stalks Enzo on his own turf—a nightclub called Dark Whispers—and gives Enzo a show he simply cannot refuse. Until someone else comes gunning for the Martinelli, and a horrible explosion destroys everything…
Wishes
J. C. Owens
Sex slave to an alien culture...
Lt. Auri finds his job aboard the diplomatic cruiser both frustrating and exhausting, but he's determined to prove himself to his new captain. Despite the diplomatic importance of their mission, Auri is wary of the catlike Felinians, who have a reputation for enjoying human company, willing or not. But when he's ordered to witness the signing of the trade papers with the Felininans, Auri never imagines that he's about to be betrayed.
Sold into an alien culture, Auri finds himself the newest man in the Felinian leader's erotic harem. Kanar claims him as his "mate," but Auri longs for freedom. Though his feelings for Kanar begin to grow, Auri stubbornly refuses the Felininan and the other men of his harem, leading to loneliness and grief. But how can he open himself up to his captor, and to the love of more than one partner?
More M/M Romance from Etopia Press
Timshel
Lillian Turner
To love is to heal...
The Cursed Ones. As the sheltered youngest son of a healer, Eiland of Summerton has heard of them all his life, the miserable creatures who share the great sickness brought down by the wrath of the gods. Yet unlike any of the illnesses Eiland's father treats in the village, this one is not passed by touch or cough or poison. It's given by the Cursed Ones. All it takes is three small words: I curse you.
It never occurred to Eiland that a Cursed One could be young. Or handsome. Until he meets Charon, a wandering outcast who bears the Curse. One stolen kiss changes everything for Eiland and sends the two young men on a dangerous journey that neither can hope to survive--unless they set aside their differences and give in to forbidden love...
The Exchange Student
Mark Allen Gunnells
Sometimes love lives in the past…
In an alternate 2014, time travel is commonplace, regulated by the government. 17-year-old Trevor Bartley has been selected to be an exchange student to the year 1963 to study the civil rights era. The rules: do nothing that could alter the natural flow of time. But when he meets his host family, he finds himself incredibly drawn to 17-year-old Nick Keaton. In his own time, Trevor would have pursued his feelings without a second thought, but in 1963, when an entire race was subjected to violence and hate, pursuing his feelings openly would be dangerous in the extreme. And that was if Nick were even open to the idea.
Until it becomes clear that he is.
But if things aren’t complicated enough, Trevor soon finds himself caught up in a terrorist plot of murder and political intrigue which could send the natural timeline careening off in dangerous directions, and could have life or death consequences—or worse—for everyone.
Hold the Sky
AC Fox
When love competes, will anyone win?
Harry has just begun his career as an architect with a well-known Chicago firm, but when he runs up against the talented, successful, not to mention stunningly handsome Garrett Reed, he quickly loses both his cool and his first big contract to the other man. Now a second job has just come up for bid, a huge project that can make Harry's career. And Garrett is after the same prize.
Garrett is fascinated with Harry. He admires the man's drive and talent, not to mention his incredible good looks. But as the wild attraction between them burns hotter, the cool, aloof Garrett finds himself in an uncomfortable position. Can the two of them find a way to temper the passion that flares between them, or will their competitive natures tear their tentative love to pieces?
Red-Light Wrangler
The Men of Moone Mountain Book Two
Bella Settarra
Can a bad reputation hide a good heart?
After realizing everyone he has been with only wanted him for his money, Rich Buchanan, the billionaire’s son, gives up the dream of a serious relationship and gets his kicks sleeping around. He prefers men, but he only brings home women, since his father would be horrified to find out Rich was gay. But secrets are hard to keep among the rich, and his antics soon earn him the nickname “The Red-Light Wrangler” when people discover that money exchanges hands whenever he sleeps with a guy.
When Nate Walker starts work as Assistant Foreman at the Buchanan Ranch, his good looks and gorgeous body immediately pique Rich’s interest. And despite the gossip, Nate can’t help falling for him, either. But when Rich’s cousin Joey decides to blackmail Rich to pay off his debts, he soon realizes he could get much more out of the situation. Outing his gay cousin and causing a rift between Rich and his father could be just the thing to secure his own position as Frank Buchanan’s sole heir.
Rich has no one to turn to but his lover. But Nate has secrets of his own, and his reasons for being at the ranch are not entirely honorable...
Can’t Make You Love Me
Stories of Us (Book
One)
Brien Michaels
It's just a crush...right?
Sean has had a serious crush on Dylan for years, he's just never known how to tell him. So when the opportunity finally arises to show Dylan how he really feels, how is Sean supposed to resist?
It doesn't matter how straight Dylan is, he knows attraction when he feels it. The only problem is that things seem to be progressing further than he'd like, and Sean shows no signs of turning back. Dylan needs to make a choice—and the sooner, the better—because the longer he waits, the more likely things will get out of hand. But how can he turn away his best friend without losing...his best friend?
Alex in Wonderland
Jessica Freely
What can go wrong in a sex club? Plenty.
Fresh out of a sexless relationship with a manipulative, two-timing boyfriend, Alex enters the notorious sex club, Wonderland, looking for action. But between the dungeon of dubious Doms, the malfunctioning steam room, and the “alien” go-go boy with glow-in-the-dark everything, it’s beginning to look like Alex will never get laid again. Then a mysterious masked man gives Alex the dance of his life—and more—only to disappear without a trace.
Try as he might, Alex can’t find the man who swept him off his feet. But when the night is through, and the masks are cast aside, Alex makes a startling discovery. What he’s been looking for all night, and maybe all his life, might be the biggest and best surprise of the night.
