Friday, October 29, 2021

Will Chris learn to love again or continue to yearn for a handsome ghost ? #Halloween #teaser #ghoststory #gayromance #MMromance @evernightpub

 


Chris Everhart attends his best friend’s weeklong wedding festivities. He meets handsome, enigmatic, Owen, and in a haze of attraction ignores the strangeness surrounding Owen. Convinced he’s falling in love, Chris spends every moment he can with Owen, until on the final day of his best friend’s celebrations he discovers a heartbreaking and shocking truth. He and Owen can never be together.

Traumatized, lonely, Chris can’t settle into another relationship, and then, after two years of wishing he could feel the way he felt for Owen with another man, fate intervenes. He meets gorgeous, gentle Matthew.

Spooked, Chris is about to run from Matthew who reminds him so much of Owen, but Matthew asks Chris to dance with him.

In Matthew’s arms, Chris can’t ignore the feeling of belonging that rushes over him.

Will he take the risk to love again, or continue to yearn for a ghost?

 


Read the teaser

He peeled the label that named him from his jacket lapel, and stuffed it into his pocket. Then left his half-empty glass on a bench beside a row of rose bushes, heavy with large pink blooms, and wandered off down the path that wound around the house. The hem of his jacket trailed along two of the flowers and the perfume shed by the roses followed him.

The path forked at a corner of the house, and Chris took the one that led into an archway of trees. The path beneath his feet changed. Some of the paving stones held large cracks where tiny white daisies grew among dark moss. Chris bent and picked one—so small, yet so perfect. He put it into the buttonhole on his collar. The tree branches met at their canopy and only a few slanting rays of sun penetrated. Some scented climbing flowers wove through the trees, twining around their trunks. Chris smiled, enjoying the fragrant enclosure. Peace dropped over him as he walked.

At the end of the path, he turned at a fork that led toward the house again. Chris considered striking out across the lawn for a look at what appeared to be a small round pond, but the evening sun had disappeared behind a bank of clouds. He glanced upward at the sky. A few large orbs of rain splattered on his face. Funny, only minutes ago it didn’t look like rain at all.

He walked more rapidly in the direction of the house as the sky became overcast. On this side of the building, he could see a long line of windows, two of which from that angle, seemed to be French doors, and they were flung open. As Chris neared them, strains of music floated in the descending twilight. Fairy lights glittered, strung across the tops of the doors, and as the rain fell, the drops reflected their silvery twinkle.

By the time Chris reached the entrance, dark stars of raindrops patterned his dove-gray suit jacket and dampened his face. Chris dashed into the room accessible from the large glass doors and froze. He’d expected this to be another way into the living room he’d left earlier, especially with the lure of music guiding him, but a totally different and smaller room lay before him, and in the middle of the parquet, a man danced a kind of waltz, alone, clutching a rectangular cushion to his chest.

There was time to assess the man before he noticed Chris. He wore well cut black pants and a plain white shirt, the collar turned up to reveal a black tie that must have been undone as it dipped loosely at the back. His dark collar length hair curled a little behind his ears. An amused smile crept onto Chris’s face as he registered the fact the man was barefoot. The guy couldn’t have been any older than Chris, maybe early twenties, and as Chris gazed at him, a strange longing filled his heart. He’s beautiful.

As the man spun, holding his make believe partner, he opened his eyes, and obviously catching sight of Chris’s stare, he stopped. With delight shining from his clear blue gaze, he approached Chris. He held out a hand in greeting, while his other arm dropped to his side and the cushion bounced on his thigh.

“Owen Elmdale. Oh, is it raining? Spring, huh?” He sparkled at Chris, a smile on his handsome face.

Enchanted, Chris took the offered handshake. “Christopher Everhart.”

Owen’s smile turned into an amused grin. “Elmdale and Everhart, sounds like a law firm.”

Chris still held Owen’s hand. He smiled. “Actually, I am—a lawyer that is.” He gazed into the blue eyes locked with his, and read attraction there. Warmth rose through him. For a few seconds a feeling of belonging blanketed him, and then he let go of Owen’s hand, and stood wondering what to do next.

Copyright E. D. Parr, Evernight Publishing

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/shower-you-with-love-by-e-d-parr/

OR available

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Shower-You-Love-D-Parr-ebook/dp/B083D8Z8PX

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https://www.amazon.ca/Shower-You-Love-D-Parr-ebook/dp/B083D8Z8PX

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/997913

Siren Bookstrand https://www.bookstrand.com/book/shower-you-with-love-mm

KOBO https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/shower-you-with-love

NOOK https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shower-you-with-love-e-d-parr/1135881488?ean=2940163429974



 


Thursday, October 28, 2021

The #warlock head of royal security is on the warpath #Halloween #teaser #gayromance #suspense #MMromance #fantasy #teaser @evernightpub

 

String of Pearls

The story is set in the same SciFi fantasy city as last year’s release, The Dreamboat.

Indigo Vaughn, the warlock head of security, features in the story along with a new cast of characters. When I wrote The Dreamboat, I already had the new characters in my head along with their story. Tobias Mars and Dante Pepper, the elite space pilots for the royal court, very nearly made an appearance in The Dreamboat, but because that story is about Indigo at last finding love, I decided they needed their own story.

Once upon a time Dante and Tobias were close to becoming lovers, but Dante met Viridian and fell in love. Tobias has yet to meet his love when String of Pearls, opens. He’s a man of high integrity, handsome, caring, but also longing for love and sex. String of Pearls is his love story.

String of Pearls

Elite space pilot, Tobias Mars is completing a special mission when he discovers Dreft Hann hiding and injured in the sand dunes of a water planet, recently ravaged by space pirates.

There’s instant attraction between the two men, but honorable Tobias believes the fact Dreft is in his care precludes him from showing his growing love for the young man. What’s worse is his shocking discovery of Dreft’s real identity. Even so, Tobias can’t deny his feelings for Dreft.

When head of royal security, powerful warlock, Indigo Vaughn discovers Dreft’s secret, he anticipates trouble.

As beautiful Dreft falls in love with Tobias and dreams of joining the elite pilot squad, trouble is brewing from someone in Dreft’s past.

Will love finally win with so many obstacles in Tobias and Dreft’s path?

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/string-of-pearls-by-e-d-parr/

https://www.bookstrand.com/string-of-pearls-mm

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/string-of-pearls-e-d-parr/1129854008

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/906343

Amazon http://mybook.to/StringofPearls


Read the teaser

Viridian took the path that led to the rear of Dante’s dwelling and the garden door that always remained unlocked. No one expected anything but safety within the castle walls. He silently turned the white crystal handle and entered. He knew the layout of furniture in the room, and so Viridian made his way across it without glancing around. He’d negotiated the long leather couch, on his way to Dante’s bedchamber, when a voice sent surprise and fear spiking through his body.

“I thought you’d slip up one day.”

Viridian spun around to peer through the darkness at the man who lounged on a chair in the corner of the room. “Who are you and why are you in Dante Pepper’s home?” He put authority into his tone hoping this would confuse the man.

A soft sound reached him—a muffled click of fingers. A bright blue flash accompanied the click, and then the room lit up. Somehow, the man had lit the ceiling and floor lamps without using the panel of switches on the wall.

Viridian stared at the man who sat confidently, one leg crossed over the other and with a smile on his gorgeous face.

“Indigo Vaughn.” Viridian’s shoulders drooped. His voice dropped to a murmur.

The head of royal security and powerful warlock stood and walked toward him.

“Exactly right and you are?”

“Viridian Kaa, I’m Dante’s friend. Where is he?” Viridian glanced over his shoulder as the realization that Dante couldn’t be home sank in. His lover hadn’t rushed to his aid. The bedchamber door remained closed.

“Friends do not usually scale the courtyard walls and slink into homes in the night.”

Viridian sighed and sat heavily on the arm of the couch. “Dante likes me to surprise him. I’m not a robber, or, or worse.”

A flicker of emotion passed through Indigo Vaughn’s blue eyes. He studied Viridian for a long moment. “You’re a whore.”

Indignation made Viridian’s voice harsh. “No, no I am not. I’m Dante’s … his … his friend.”

Indigo’s eyes traveled over Viridian’s bare chest in an appraising gaze, and then he stared intently into his eyes. In calm measured tones, Indigo continued his scrutiny.

“Being a whore is not shameful, Viridian Kaa. Are you his lover? I want the truth. Without it, you won’t discover where Dante Pepper is tonight. Don’t be afraid. I will understand.” The blue eyes held sincerity.

Truly, because if this is a trick and Dante’s reputation is in any way tarnished I swear … I swear, warlock or not, you’ll regret it.”

Indigo laughed aloud. “You are his lover.”

“I am his lover. We’re lovers. I love him. There … now you know.”

“Dante Pepper is on a special mission to the next world. He’ll be back at dawn. If you aren’t going to wait for him here I’ll see you out of the grounds.”

“A special mission and he didn’t tell me. Is it dangerous? I’ll wait for him.”

“The package Dante is bringing from the other world is important to the queen. However, he should not be in danger.” Indigo gave him a thoughtful look. “I’ve suspected someone scaled the wall now and then, but since there was no crime associated with it I didn’t give it priority. You have no pattern to your visits, neither are they often, for a lover.”

“Dante comes to my home or we meet in Temptations.”

Viridian could tell the answer satisfied the head of security when he nodded.

“Right then, I’ll tell Dante about our meeting. Good night to you.” Indigo Vaughn strode across the room and out the door.

Viridian sighed with relief.

Copyright E. D. Parr, Evernight Publishing




Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Meet #warlock Indigo Vaughn in this #gayromance #scifi #fantasy #teaser for #Halloween The Dreamboat @evernightpub The man pulled his hood down. “Indigo Vaughn.” Darian breathed the name.

 

Gorgeous, powerful warlock, Indigo Vaughn, sells his magic spells to people looking to make a dream come true. One night, as he gazes down on the city below from his sky barge, The Dreamboat, he wonders why, in centuries, his own wish for a man to love hasn’t materialized.

Beautiful, sexy, Darian O’Harr has suffered his fair share of misery. He’s a musician and learned long ago to sing for his supper. New to the city, he comes to Indigo seeking a spell that will bring him the love of a handsome man.

As soon as he sets eyes on Indigo, his heart races and his body betrays his pent up needs.

Here is the man of his dreams. What can Darian do as the warlock gathers his magic to cast a spell that will bring him another man?



Read the teaser.

His thoughts halted as a man stepped into his path halfway across the wooden bridge to the rear of the castle outer gardens. Shock sped through Darian. Time stood still filled only with sounds—the rush of the water beneath the bridge and the slap of a loose canvas door on a small marquee nearby. Darian expected robbery or a beating, or worse. He froze, waiting for the man to reveal his intentions.

The man pulled his hood down.

“Indigo Vaughn.” Darian breathed the name.

“I am. What are you doing here, lurking at the rear of the castle?”

Darian’s stomach lurched with attraction and fear. He gazed at Indigo. He delighted in the lush dark hair, just long enough to give the warlock a dashing air, the piercing ice-blue eyes glinting sapphire in the last shimmer of light from the fireworks, the hot muscled body beneath the warrior’s leather jerkin, and Darian’s cock shot into an erection. He took a chance. “I knew you’d be patrolling here and I’m desperate to see you, talk with you, as, as just men, who, who like each other.” His brave words faltered and his voice dropped to a whisper.

A long moment of silence followed.

He thought Indigo was about to strike him, but the handsome warlock raised his hand, took hold of Darian’s hood, and pushed it from his face.

“Darian O’Harr.” Surprise rang in Indigo’s voice.

“I mean what I say. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

Indigo ran his fingertips down Darian’s cheek and rubbed the pad of his thumb across his lips.

Darian’s breath caught. The touch closed his eyes as lust rampaged over him.

Indigo moved his hand to Darian’s head, running his fingers among Darian’s hair. Slowly he brought his head to Darian’s.

The air between their faces sparked with desire and Darian moved to meet Indigo’s lips. The kiss nearly brought Darian to his knees.

Copyright E.D. Parr , Evernight Publishing

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-dreamboat-by-e-d-parr/

http://www.bookstrand.com/the-dreamboat-mm

Amazon http://mybook.to/TheDreamboat

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Thursday, July 15, 2021

First Chapter Friday from, A Virtual Kiss #MMromance #gayromance #LGBTQ @evernightpub E. D. Parr @parr_books

 


First Chapter Friday


Chapter One

 

When Nate Hathaway saw a new Internet cafĂ©, VR, and gaming venue open on the end of the street where he worked, butterflies started in his stomach. The renovations of the building lasted all spring and on the first day of summer, the venue, ‘Splat,’ held a grand opening. The company Nate worked for provided a small staff restaurant, and on the tables, the day before the venue was to open, brochures enticed people to use the gaming facilities and more. In small print beneath this word, Nate read the explanation and his breath caught.

‘Live your dreams in our private VR rooms.’

The memory of using VR before in an upmarket sex club located on the seamy side of the town where he’d vacationed two years before sent a thrill, tingling from his balls all the way up his body. Nate heaved a breath, and after looking around to check if anyone watched, he rolled the brochure into a tight cylindrical shape and slid it into the breast pocket of his jacket. It fit snugly alongside his company cell phone. Its presence made him smile. It lifted his spirits, flagging under being in a job he practically hated, and loneliness.

Nate hadn’t been on a date since he and Scottie Thompson, from the art department, split up five months before. Not that Nate loved Scottie. He’d enjoyed the guy’s company, and the sex was terrific. In fact, if he was honest with himself that was what he missed the most. The VR rooms might save him from that deprivation.

He picked up his coffee cup and sipped at the now cool beverage as he turned to gaze out of the window at the street. The restaurant gave a great view of the square two floors below. In the middle, a fountain sprayed sparkling water over a narrow circular pond, and around that, lush flowers grew in a vivid display of color and perfume. Sometimes a gardener tended the wide flowerbed, and Nate enjoyed watching as this young man dragged off his t-shirt in the sun and showed off his muscled body all the way down to mid-V of his hips. He was there that day.

A spike of sexual need ran through the bottom of Nate’s stomach. His cock stirred. The gardener straightened from pruning a woody plant, threw the cuttings into a woven sack a step away, then pushed the shears into the back pocket of his jeans. In what Nate thought had to be a purposeful move, the guy pulled off his t-shirt, lingering with his arms raised to show off his muscled torso. He took the tool from his pocket and stuffed his t-shirt into the vacant spot, before looking around, his hands on his delicious slim hips.

Nate’s cock jerked into a hard column as the gardener rearranged his jeans, so that the waistband lowered even farther down his flat stomach. Nate stared at him and the young man gazed at Nate in return. Does he know I’m here? He can’t. The windows are mirrored. Nah, I’m just horny and he’s fucking hot.

Nate shifted in his seat as the man bent to a shrub and offered a view of his hard ass in faded denim. It sent Nate into a spin. He attempted to push away his desires. He tried to will away his erection. He snatched up the bottle of spring water he’d intended taking back to his office from the table in front of him and drank. The cool liquid didn’t help...

Copyright E. D. Parr, Evernight Publishing


Hunky Nate Hathaway can’t resist the lure of private Virtual Reality rooms in a new Internet cafĂ© that opens on the street where he works. He’s lonely and intrigued by the VR program offering a boyfriend experience. After only one date, Nate is hooked on Jason, the sexy, kind VR character.

Jason Graeme is the computer wizard behind the hot new VR programs. He’s a risk taker, smart and gorgeous. He’s also the body model for the boyfriend. A twist of fate brings Nate to his attention. Determined to meet dishy Nate, he reveals who he is.

Passion sizzles between the two men as they fall in love.

Trouble is Nate’s not the only guy in town who uses the boyfriend experience.

BUY the BOOK

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/a-virtual-kiss-by-e-d-parr/

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Global Amazon link http://mybook.to/AVirtualKiss

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/890817

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https://www.bookbub.com/authors/e-d-parr



Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Alex’s mouth went dry. His heart raced. The surprise and outright pleasure broadcast from the beast’s eyes sent spikes of sensation ricocheting over Alex’s body. #MMromance for midweek #teaser from Thief of Hearts #gayromance #LGBTQ @evernightpub

 


Thirty year old, lawyer, Blake Aster gazes from his high-rise office window wondering if this summer he’ll find love, but deep inside he doubts anyone will ever want him again. He can’t forget the scar he has running the length of his handsome face.

Hunky, daring, Alex Ryan is cleaning the building windows. Struck by the mythical beauty in the Blake’s looks, fun-loving Alex sets out to get Blake’s attention. Maybe a striptease outside Blake’s eighth floor window will do the trick.




Midweek Teaser

Two floors down, the car stopped. Someone had called the elevator. Alex straightened in case a crowd flowed in and he needed to edge closer to the side. When the doors opened and the beast entered, head down balancing a brief case and file box, Alex’s heart gave a huge thump. The beast was alone. Alex’s voice just about failed him and he croaked. “What floor, buddy?”

The beast raised his head from using his chin as a weight to stop the case slipping from the box. He gazed into Alex’s eyes.

Alex’s mouth went dry. His heart raced. The surprise and outright pleasure broadcast from the beast’s eyes sent spikes of sensation ricocheting over Alex’s body.

“Ground, thanks.” The beast’s voice, deep and low gave Alex tingles.

Alex pressed the button. I have eight floors to do something about being in this elevator alone with a guy who makes my ass clench, my cock throb, and my legs fuckin’ weak.

He had nothing to lose. Alex turned to the beast, took the case and box from his hands, and placed them on the floor. He grabbed the delicious guy’s jacket lapels and thrust him against the wall of the elevator car. There was no resistance.

The beast gazed into Alex’s eyes, his eyes dark with obvious desire.

Alex pinned the beast to the wall with his muscled body, reached across and slammed the stop button, and then with his heart hammering, kissed the man.

Copyright E. D. Parr, Evernight Publishing



From E. D.

I loved writing this story. Alex the fun, sexy hero thinks nothing of wandering around on tall buildings both in his day job and in his clandestine antics at night.

Lovely Blake has the wrong idea about himself. The scar on his face is a heavy load for him to carry but hunky Alex sees the beauty before him and falls in love with Blake.

There are some red-hot love scenes but behind them is a love story to make you smile.

Alex isn’t who he first appears to be. Love changes him as much as it lifts Blake from his self-doubt.

I hope that you enjoy their story.

BUY the BOOK

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/thief-of-hearts-by-e-d-parr/

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NOOK https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thief-of-hearts-e-d-parr/1126582426

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/730351

 


 

Thursday, April 15, 2021

He’s hot, smokin’ hot. He has no idea who I am. He ogled me. Yeah, he likes what he sees, and to be honest, so do I. It will be no hardship kissing him. Be teased from Love in Show #MMromance #gayromance #LGBTQ #gayfiction @parr_books @evernightpub



Dishy Justin Harper plays gay bad boy, Brandon in a TV show that’s fast becoming a cult classic, but Justin hides the fact he’s gay in real life. When a new actor is cast to play his TV show love interest, Justin can’t deny the raging attraction he feels for gorgeous Caer Rossi.

Caer Rossi makes it clear he thinks Justin is smoking hot. He can’t wait for the kissing scenes, and they sizzle, but underneath the performance for the TV show, a deep, loving passion builds between the two men. Something has to give, but what and who will it be when a journalist threatens to ruin Justin’s perfectly crafted public persona?


 Be Teased 



Justin Harper glanced in the rear view mirror at the guy who’d play his love interest, Stephen. There were loads of actors in his age group who suddenly burst onto the scene via a TV show, and Justin hadn’t seen this guy before. I wonder how good he is. I should have read his IMDB. He’s hot, smokin’ hot. He has no idea who I am. He ogled me. Yeah, he likes what he sees, and to be honest, so do I. It will be no hardship kissing him. The thought brought a smile to his face. Caer Rossi—never heard of him. He indicated and maneuvered the BMW into the stream of traffic heading toward the rural side of town.

The studios occupied a few acres of prime countryside. Justin had a cottage on the outer perimeter. Most of the actors slept in trailers, comfortable, but with impersonal atmospheres. Justin had done that for a few years and knew it could be unsettling never feeling quite at home. As the hero and long-term character in the series, Justin received special treatment. Petra told him he was spoiled.

Recently he wondered if he’d become complacent. When he’d started in the show three years before, he’d told himself it was a stepping-stone. He wondered now if it wasn’t fear keeping him in the show. Could he hack the round of auditions and rejections again? He didn’t know. He pushed the question to the back of his mind.

He roared the BMW down the highway ignoring the speed limit and sped into the studio lot where Caer Rossi was to meet with Petra the AD, Sam one of the writers, and—himself. Justin grinned at this.

He screeched the car to a halt and hopped out. He took a step to stride into the building then remembered he was pretending to be a runner and had driver duties. He spun around and opened the door for the actor he’d brought from the hotel.

“We’re here. I’ll take you to the meeting. It’s stopped raining. That’s a good sign, huh?” He leaned into the car to address Caer.

The man’s brown eyes met his and in them Justin read trepidation.

He experienced a wave of empathy. “Hey, it’ll be okay.” He reached in and grasped the handle of the duffle bag on the seat beside Caer.

Caer attempted to snatch it back, but failed, then got out of the car and smoothed down his suit jacket.

Justin closed the car door and flashed Caer a reassuring smile. “You look good.” 
Yeah, good enough to eat, in fact.

Copyright E. D. Parr , Evernight Publishing
Buy the Book


From the author
I loved writing this story. I'd had the idea in my head for nearly a year, but life got in the way of my writing for a while there. When I finally wrote the story, it flowed onto the computer because I knew Caer and Justin so well. 
Their love story is hot and heart wrenching. There are places in the story I wanted to shock because life throws wildcards at everyone now and then. I also wanted the guys to love each other deeply.
Justin hides a fun-loving trait until the end of the story when I hope readers will see how much he loves Caer.

Friday, April 9, 2021

Kick back Saturday with chapters to read from #gay #scifi #adventure Love in Danger #MMromance #horror Enter the #giveaway to win a copy

 


From E. D.

 Love in Danger is fantasy/scifi adventure, a romantic story with sizzling hot love scenes between the heroes Corin and Marcus, but it's also a horror story. 

Meet gorgeous Marcus D'Ath who loves Corin JaKobi, his warrior partner, and waits for Corin to tell him that he loves Marcus, too. Of course, Corin does, but he's been burned before and needs to be strong for the job he does, so he keeps his love for Marcus deep in his heart. 

The dialogue between the warriors, Marcus, Zeb, who is Corin's ex-lover and a rogue hunter, and Corin is meant to be poignant and fierce at times. They come to realize how their lives have been manipulated and it's hard to take. It makes them question everything.

Get to know courageous, handsome Corin, the older and more experienced warrior of the pair, as he battles his own demons and those he's sent to kill.

The story contains violence, oppression, battle, and hope.  I offset the horror elements with the hot love scenes between Corin and Marcus , and their lives together, taking care of each other in tender ordinary ways as well as in dangerous situations.

Here's the blurb:

Centuries ago, the planet they cherished was conquered, but now three warriors from an ancient race of gifted beings intend to remedy that.

Lovers, handsome Corin JaKobi and gorgeous Marcus D’Ath are members of an elite planetary squad that rid the city sectors of the mysterious and dangerous Fallen.

When an old friend uncovers the true horrific nature of the elders in the organization they work for, anger at their duplicity drives Corin, Marcus, and rogue squadron hunter, Zeb to plan for the ruling group’s demise.

It won’t be easy, and when Marcus is captured and detained at the elders’ pleasure, Corin’s white-hot fury at the thought of losing the man he loves knows no bounds.

Will Corin get to his beloved, Marcus, in time to stop the horror that awaits him?

Can the warriors free the planet and return it to the lovely place it was before the aggressors arrived?


Kick back with the first two chapters of 

Love in Danger

Then enter the rafflecopter to win one of three kindle or ebook copies


Love in Danger

by E.D. Parr


Chapter One

 

Mara JaKobi’s eyes filled with tears as she watched the last shuttle depart from Elfinndor for the space dock and the ships her people were relying upon to take them away from the terror unleashed on the planet by the horrifying invaders. Her husband, Tor JaKobi, was on the mainland defending the human population. Her brother Jaf and his husband Benjamin had left that morning to join Tor. Mara held her baby son close. One of the abbey monks put his arm around her shoulders.

“Come now, Mara. We’re taking refuge in the underground city.”

She went with him. As she walked, she thanked all the gods that the invaders had somehow missed seeing the space dock. It was in shadow, cast by their closest moon at that time. The people on the ships might be the only survivors of this attack. The guiding council had decided to send out these arks of their people as a precaution. The cruisers would travel to an unoccupied planet, which the Star Force had discovered some twin-moon cycles ago. Mara had seen pictures of the place. It looked good—green and blue like Elfinndor did from space. It wasn’t so far away that the people in the arks didn’t assume they might never see the Old Island, Elfinndor again.

She queued silently to descend into the underground city with the three thousand or so of her people unable to fit in the cruiser class spaceships. Her parents were on the shuttle. Guy and Jovan, silver-haired, elegant, and still beautiful were among the last of her people to be born winged. Jaf, too, had that honor. The two men had adopted her and Jaf. She had never known their birth parents. They had perished on an ice planet during an exploration visit by Star Force when Mara and Jaf were only six months old. Jovan had been a commander in the force for many moons. Now his expertise and knowledge would help guide the ship to a safe haven beyond the twin-moons that orbited the planet.

A monk showed Mara to a small room expertly hewn from the granite with diamond tip tools by the ancients when they’d first arrived on this planet.

Would they be safe in the underground city? Everyone hoped so. Airshafts hidden from prying eyes among the apple trees and vines ventilated the city. Food stored in the cool storerooms couldn’t last more than six months. An underground freshwater lake shimmered in the light generated by solar panels on the greenhouse roofs where tomatoes still ripened. No one would suspect the cables, disguised by vines and trailing flowers, plunged into the underground city. Still, there was always the chance these invaders could find them if they succeeded in overwhelming Elfinndor’s warrior force.

Two monks rolled the circular door closed on the city.

Mara perched on a wooden seat in her quarters and cradled her son. She ached for Tor’s comforting presence. She daren’t consider the possibility she might never see him, or Jaf and Benjamin again. Cold rivers of fear crept over her. Despite Jovan’s pleading, she’d stayed for Tor JaKobi, her husband, and for her brother Jaf, for the hope they would prevail against the shocking invasion.

****

On the mainland, across the aqua sea, Tor JaKobi led an assault on the invaders. They were difficult to injure or kill in their glittering, protective suits. He’d found a small group of human men huddled in a storage building and persuaded them to try and save their home. Now he wished he’d left them cowering among the barrels and boxes. The invaders were killing his squad and the humans easily. He gave his first officer a look full of worried exasperation. They had little armor. They’d lived in peace for centuries. This was an affront to their entire life philosophy as much as a danger to their lives. Although they’d trained and maintained a small army of warriors, they’d never been in battle.

His communicator trilled in his ear. Jaf and Benjamin had reached the shore and joined another group of fighters ready for combat. Tor sighed. He sent a silent prayer to the gods to keep the two young men safe. If he didn’t survive, Mara would need her brother and his husband.

Ten days later Tor reluctantly accepted defeat. He surrendered when offered a treaty by the elders, a group of leaders from the invading horde. It was the only way to save the remaining human population on the mainland from these invaders whose daytime armor kept them invincible and whose swift and silent nighttime skirmishes left corpses drained of blood in the streets.

Tor signed the papers detailing the conditions of occupation. Without their armor, sitting around a large polished table in one of the rooms of a building they’d taken over, this group of invaders appeared human. They exuded a strange charm, but it didn’t fool Tor. They offered refreshments stolen from the humans they’d killed as if they’d grown the grapes and apricots to make the wine. Tor tried to keep his disgust and anger under control. He seethed inwardly. He choked down the protests that rose in his throat as he read the demands from the Zangnuit elders. He wondered how he could face his people on Elfinndor and tell them what he’d agreed to.

As the remaining warriors traveled across the aqua sea, Tor JaKobi stood on the deck of the ferry alone staring out at the strange, burnt orange light that descended over the mainland. Jaf and Benjamin ran to him and hugged him close. The comfort of the two men’s arms around him broke his composure and tears tracked down his face.

 


Chapter Two

 

Centuries passed with no word from the arks and Elfinndor became a shadow of its former glory.

Corin JaKobi watched from a doorway with resignation on his strikingly beautiful face as the two men fought, the clash of metal ringing in the crisp night air. He’d followed Zeb Farrell for the last half hour, as the notorious hunter wreaked havoc in the nightclubs and bars across the Entertainment Sector.

Zeb tracked a particular quarry of his own, and having found it, launched into a fierce attack.

This would be Zeb’s last fight and so Corin let him be as he battled with the being whose physical strength now matched Zeb’s.

Corin had seen this Fallen one consume enough blood in the Red Bars along his route to fill out his original pale, thin form, and now he laughed aloud finding a voice, taunting the hunter.

“Join me. Throw down your weapon and accompany me on hours of delight. You have no idea what you’re missing.”

The hunter’s grim smile in answer accompanied a harsh, “Not a chance.”

Corin didn’t doubt Zeb would dispatch the Fallen one, but then he had the miserable task of banishing Zeb.

Once upon a distant time, he and Zeb were close—lovers, in fact, but that was long past, and orders were orders even if they were hard to carry out. The order to transport Zeb off world hadn’t come as a surprise, but Zeb’s period of indiscriminate killing throughout the seven sectors had.

The air near Corin stirred and he cast a swift glance at the beautiful man who’d joined him in a shimmer of movement.

“I didn’t expect you’d follow me tonight.”

Marcus’s breath caressed his ear. “Huh, and miss seeing you banish Zeb? Not likely.”

“It’s not a game. I wish it wasn’t my job this time.” Corin’s voice cracked with emotion.

“I’m sorry, my love.” Marcus’s expression held tenderness.

Corin looked away. His task would be doubly hard with Marcus watching.

A few steps away, Zeb Farell’s sword flashed in a sudden cross of light from the twin moons, appearing low on the horizon as banks of clouds scudded away, and the Fallen fell to his knees as Zeb’s blow cut him deep.

The Fallen one, vulnerable to death despite his newly muscled form, made no sound, only the clatter of his weapon on the cobbles as he dropped it.

Zeb raised a foot and kicked the kneeling being in the chest revealing the extent of his blow.

Bright scarlet blood gushed from the body as the shoulders separated from the chest and toppled onto the street. The rest of the body prostrate on the cobbles, Zeb bent and closed the open eyes on the Fallen one’s face, the once silver gaze now a flat gray. Zeb stood and in a sudden movement spun toward Corin.

“I know you’re there, my lost love, and ready to do the task set you.”

Corin stepped into the moonlight, his sword raised as he expected a fight from Zeb. His heart lurched when Zeb gently smiled.

“Corin, I can’t fight you.” Zeb threw his weapon down.

With a heavy sigh, Corin sheathed his sword. “By order of the elders, you, Zeb Farrell, are banished from this planet indefinitely.” He took the portalphone from his belt and aimed it at Zeb.

Wait. Kiss me goodbye, please.” Zeb held up one hand, the other he placed over his heart.

Corin’s breath caught. “I’m forbidden to.”

His former lover’s eyes filled with pain. “No one will know.”

I will … what happened? Why’d you go rogue? What pushed you to this?” Corin’s own pain echoed in his tone, and he waved his hands around in confusion.

“I grew tired of the elders’ rules—no questions, blind obedience. I missed you. I … it doesn’t matter that I leave here. I think that one day you’ll feel the same. Please let me feel your lips on mine one last time.”

Corin took the step and closed the gap between them. He grabbed Zeb around the head and kissed him. The kiss lasted longer than he intended. Feelings Corin had pushed to the bottom of his heart rose in a tide of remembrance and flooded his body with tenderness. Horrified, he pushed Zeb away, aimed, and clicked the button on the portalphone. Through the aura of white light cast as the portal took him away, Zeb’s loving smile tore at his heart. Corin closed his eyes, but he knew he’d see Zeb in his dreams forever as his old lover raised a hand in farewell.

He bent his head when scalding tears rushed from his eyes and traced a path down his cool skin. To hide them, he scooped up Zeb’s sword, before he turned to Marcus who joined him silently.

Marcus placed his hand softly on Corin’s arm.

He knew it was a gesture of support, but all the same, Corin shook it off.

“I need to report the corpse.” He pressed the communicator lodged in his ear. “JaKobi. The mission is complete, but there’s a bloody mess in Sector Five. Send a cleaning unit ASAP. I’ll wait here in case the red stuff attracts undesirable behavior.”

No one had ventured into the street where the fight took place. Most inhabitants knew better than to be around when hunters swooped on their quarry, but if Corin and Marcus left the scene, anything could happen.

The tears he’d shed dampened the scarf around his neck and he tugged it away from his skin not wanting to acknowledge the emotions that had produced them.

Marcus whispered. “I’m sorry. You still cared for him.”

Corin’s reply was bitter to his own ears. “Zeb broke my trust and my heart.” He sighed. “Also, there aren’t many of us, five hunter pairs—maybe a thousand or so of our people left on Elfinndor, if that. It’s a shame to lose anyone.”

“He’s turned bad. He hurt you. Try to forget him now.”

Corin didn’t answer.

The cleaning unit showed up. Corin nodded a greeting to the team leader then gave Marcus a look that meant they were leaving. He unleashed his wings and soared into the bleak sky.

Copyright E. D. Parr, Evernight Publishing, 2021

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