Sentinels of Varnuse: When The Walls Come Tumbling Down #3.

#3.

The day his life changed for the better Brayden spent most of it in a semi daze. Bray watched Quinlan argue for hours with his council over the wedding which was due to take place in less than three hours. Everything was moving so damn fast. He’d wanted for years to get away from his cousin, but had never expected this outcome. His stomach churned as he realised that he was going to have sex in front of these people. They were going to be the witnesses who made sure that the marriage was consummated properly and according to the laws of the realm. How the hell was he supposed to perform with a bunch of strangers in the room watching his every move? This wasn’t how he wanted his reunion with Quinlan to be. What if he was bad at the whole sex part? Still being a virgin he wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. All he knew for sure he was glad Quin was the one who would be taking that title away from him. Just like they had discussed so long ago when they’d been children—even back then Bray knew he belonged with Quin.

Bray groaned when he saw the heated looks Quinlan kept throwing his way. The hunger in the man’s eyes definitely were helping with his nerves. He needed to keep breathing so he didn’t pass out before the actual event

“He really is quite the catch isn’t he?” A somewhat vaguely familiar voice said as a beautiful young woman approached him

Bray turned and stared at her. “What?”

“King Quinlan, he’s quite the catch. You should feel honoured to be chosen.” She turned and bestowed a breathtakingly beautiful smile on him that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “But then, you were always the one he was going to choose.  Not one of those women who came today ever stood a chance.”

“What do you mean?”

The woman chuckled softly, “You’ve owned him body and soul since he was eleven years old.” She turned and stared at Quinlan, “Maybe now he’ll finally get what his heart has always desired.” She turned back to Brayden and again her eyes turned Ice cold. “If you ever hurt him, even unintentionally, you better run, because I’ll hunt you down and cut off what’s most important to you.”

Brayden gulped; with that one warning he realised who this woman was.  “Ingrid, I see you’re still as protective as ever of Quinlan as you always were.”

“I’ll always protect him... in case you’re wondering I’m now his official bodyguard now. His well-being is mine to take care of. You on the other hand, not so much.”

“What happened to the nice young girl who was our best friend?”

“You left, and she grew up.”

Brayden sighed, “I never forgot either of you. Just so you know you were both in my thoughts every single day.”

Ingrid looked at him sceptically. “Yet not once in the last ten years have you come back. I was the one who had to pick up the pieces after you walked away. I was the one who had to put him back together when his whole world fell apart. You weren’t here to see the hell he went through.”

“No I wasn’t. I was too busy living in my own personal hell at the hands of my cousin at my uncle’s estate. Quin wasn’t the only one suffering. I would have come back if I could have.” Brayden snapped without meaning to.

“What do you mean?” Ingrid turned and placed her hand on his arm. “What did that arsehole do to you?”

Brayden wasn’t sure that he was ready to share his shame; but knew Ingrid would eventually find out, children as she always had. Taking a deep breath Bray finally said. “Until this morning I had been confined in the same rooms of my uncle’s estate as he put me in when we first left the city.” Tears burned at his eyes but he blinked them away before they could fall.

“I made the mistake of telling him on the ride there that I was going to run away and come back to Quinlan. He made sure that I could never run. He said he wished it were otherwise, but he needed to keep me safe.”

“Oh for the love of...” her words trailed off as Quinlan walked toward them.

“Please don’t tell him, I’m not ready for him to know.”

Ingrid pushed up onto her tip toes and laid a gentle kiss against his lips. “Your secret is safe with me, and I’ve decided you’re also more than worthy of my protection.”

Brayden smiled and gave her a quick hug. Grateful his secrets weren’t about to be spilled.

“You’re not trying to steal my intended husband, are you?” Quin said with a mock pout as he approached them.

“Oh please... as if I’d do that. I think my body has the wrong parts for me to steal the interest of your man away from you.”

“And I thank the gods for that every day,” Quin chuckled.

Quinlan turned serious, and Bray wondered if there was something wrong. “Are the boys okay? There’s nothing wrong I hope.”

“They were fine when I left. Alexis says they’re eager to meet your new queen.”  Ingrid snickered.

Brayden was confused, “I thought Arella was the mother of your children.”

“She is,” Ingrid explained, “but Arella has since left and married Lord Ellison.  She has nothing to do with the children.” Ingrid smiled. “My sister’s now the boy’s full time carer. Well, when they’re not with their father that is. According to Arella, Quin’s still the biggest child of them all.”

“Now don’t be scaring Bray before I have the marriage ceremony fully performed. If you tell him too many of my secrets he’ll run.” A flash of something akin to sadness filled Quinlan’s eyes.

Brayden and Ingrid looked at each other for a long moment before doubling over and bursting out laughing.

“What... what did I say?”

Brayden and Ingrid both wiped their eyes, “It’s nothing—just something Bray told me before—it was a ‘you had to be there’ moment.”

Quinlan shook his head at them. “Well okay, but you do know you’re both acting weird right?”

“So what’s happening now?” Ingrid asked.

“Now it’s time to go and get ready. I’ve decided to bring forward the wedding.  I’m not giving anyone the chance to interfere. I’ve waited too long for this day to allow someone to screw it up.”

“What? Wait a minute. Are you telling me that we’re getting married right now?” The note of panic was in Brayden’s voice couldn’t be helped. He needed to tell Quin he’d never had sex before—what if he did it wrong?

Quinlan grabbed Brayden’s hand and began dragging him from the room.  With a cheeky grin Quin turned to Ingrid and announced.  “Gather the witness’s we are getting hitched.”

“Quin, there’s something you need to know.” He started to explain as they left the room. Bray just hoped like hell no one laughed at him. Embarrassing Quin wasn’t on his list of things to do.

Jackie Nacht ~ Full Moon Gamma

Release Date: 15 January 2014
Available: eXtasy Books

Find Jackie Here

Buy Link

Blurb:

When Rayce finds he has two paths before him, the unknown consequences is the only alternative to help the man he loves survive.

Rayce is sent on a recon mission to find out if hellhounds are in Lansing. What he discovers on his way is his mate, Peyton, has followed him into the very heart of danger.

Peyton has loved Rayce from the moment Rayce saved him. He knows he probably shouldn’t be following Rayce, but the instinct driving him to protect the man he has already fallen for causes him to go recklessly into the city. All is not as it seems, and Peyton will have to find strength to survive not only for himself but his mate and friends as well.

Excerpt:

Peyton watched as Deacon held the phone to his ear and frowned while listening to someone or some message. Did something happen to Rayce?

Deacon disconnected before walking back and sitting back down on the stool. “It appears that we have a welcoming party waiting for us. They told us what house we’re supposed to meet them at.”

Shit. “Is Rayce pissed?”

Deacon shrugged. “I got a message from Malach. He didn’t seem pissed; just said he wanted you in a safe location. I’m not sure about Rayce. I bet he’s not too happy that his mate is putting himself in danger even if it is a recon mission. What would have happened if you would have…” Deacon glanced over his shoulder before whispering, “…run into one of them?”

Peyton hadn’t thought of it. He had only thought of losing Rayce. Fear all but clouded his commonsense since the attacks.

Staring down at his hands, Peyton shook his head. “I wasn’t thinking about me.”

Deacon nudged him. “You need to start. There are two people in a mating, and they need to take care of each other and themselves. Never forget yourself, okay?”

Their food arrived, but Peyton had all but lost his appetite. He could go back and let Rayce do his job, but just as he thought that, a horrible gut feeling hit him again. He almost fell out of the chair as the panic set in. He just knew…dammit, he knew something was off about all this. He just couldn’t fucking figure it out.

“Hey, Peyton, look at me.” Deacon turned him on the stool.

Peyton’s breathing was erratic and out of control.

“What’s going on?” Deacon’s voice was alarmed.

“Panic,” Peyton rasped. He didn’t want to do this here, not in public for everyone to see. Clambering out of his seat, he all but ran to the restroom in the hallway. After pushing the door open, he went straight for the sinks and leaned on the counter while his hands shook uncontrollably to turn on the cold tap. Leaning down, he splashed water over his face, trying to slow his breathing.

He looked up at his reflection. Water dripped down his chin, and hell, he looked terrible, like he hadn’t slept in days. He hadn’t, but he didn’t want to appear that way. For the first time in weeks, Peyton stared at his features. His blue eyes, which used to hold so much amusement, looked haunted, older. ****, he’d changed a lot in the last couple months.

New contract & other news.

Just signed the contract with MLRPress for the second instalment of Sons of Evenmore: Blood to Blood. I'm so excited. my wonderful editor Christie N says I should have first edits in about 2 weeks.

This will give me me time to finish Toowoomba Boys: Dancing with Demons.

And just for a heads up the next book on my list is Lancaster's Way: A Different Way of Seeing.

Just did 1st EIC edits for The Gaean Prophecies: Admetus Gaea. from Silver... This story is a special story for me and I hope you all like it, and want more after I finish the initial three books.

Updates & such...

Well, after being knocked back from the Navy due to having no spleen my kiddo could have given up... but no, Em has just attended a seminar to see what it entails to join the police force. I went with her and apparently there is a lot. I don't know if I could pass all the testing but I'm hoping that Em does great and achieves her goal - she has even gone and joined a fitness group to help her with some of the training.

Okay, enough about Em now it's on to me - LOL.

I've just had an email from Christie N who tells me she's just started reading through Sons of Evenmore: Blood to Blood... hopefully I'll find out soon if it will get picked up.

Due to real life, I've fallen behind on the three projects I want to have done by mid March... I'm hoping at some stage I can make up the week I've lost... but if not I'll move the deadline to March 31. I'm still working on Toowoomba Boys: Dancing With Demons (10K in)... But as the saying goes - Family comes first--Always!

I've also been making plans to get some improvements done around the house... I organise them and then the hubs and Em put them into action.

4 more days until...

 Experimentals (1): Blessed With A Curse,

 is released at MLRPress.

Sentinels Of Varnuse: When The Walls Come Tumbling Down #2.

#2.

Shock rushed through Brayden like an avalanche at the announcement Quinlan had made to the people gathered. Was the man off his head? Bray didn’t even have time to react as Quin gripped him by the back of the neck and slammed their mouths together. He was sealing both their fates until the wedding ceremony could be performed. Tonight’s ascension banquet was .sure going to be something to behold.

“What have you done, you crazy fool?” Bray whispered against Quin’s lips. His hands fisted in the man’s tunic unable to let go—more so, he was scared to let go—he was afraid of losing Quinlan all over again.

Quinlan leant back enough to grin. “Just reclaiming what was always mine. You should never have been taken from me. Your uncle had no right taking you away from your home and the people who loved you.”

Quinlan and Brayden broke apart as a hush fell over the crowd. Turning Brayden grabbed a hold of Quinlan’s hand as his cousin and uncle stepped onto the balcony and walked towards them. Hatred and disgust filled Ormand’s eyes as they stopped in front of them. There was something altogether present in his uncle’s gaze. Bray wasn’t sure if it was pride, relief, or fear.

Brayden braced himself, he saw his cousin’s fists were clenched so tight this knuckles were white. Stepping in front of Quinlan, Bray braced himself for the blow he knew was coming. He’d been on the receiving end of those punches too many times before. Even a blind man would be able to tell just how angry his cousin truly was. The man had to be pissed beyond belief at the realisation his plan had fallen apart. Even more so knowing Brayden was now out from under his thumb. The sad part was he was leaving his uncle behind to deal with the fall out of Ormand’s wrath. Brayden groaned when Quinlan placed a hand against the small of his back in comfort.

**~*~**

“Lord Dalziel,” Quinlan bowed in the direction of Brayden’s uncle while ignoring Ormand altogether. There weren’t enough words to justly explain how much Quin hated Ormand the man had been a thorn in his side for as long as he could remember. The man was constantly trying to gather forces to overthrow the throne. Didn’t Ormand realise most people in the realm thought he was a joke? “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, my lord?”

“This marriage will be but a sham,” Ormand spat in anger before his father could even talk. “As our king you are meant to produce an heir. How will you do that being married to my cousin?” Ormand turned and addressed the crowd and Quin couldn’t help but notice how Lord Dalziel took a step away from his son—something wasn’t right there. They listened on as Ormand addressed the people gathered below. “I call for the vote of ‘challenge’ before this abomination of a marriage can be allowed to be formalised.” Ormand appeared a mixture of shocked and angry when Quinlan started laughing.

This crap needed to end and it needed to end now before all hell broke loose. Quinlan turned toward the castle doors and motioned to the young man who stood there to step forward. “Lord Dalziel, Ormand, I’m sure you recognise Cleric Saskia?”

There was something in Lord Dalziel’s eyes that didn’t ring true with what Ormand was saying. Quin would need to think on it. Because if the man was going to cop the brunt of his son’s anger there was no way in good conscience Quin could abandon the man. He also noted how Bray had inched closer to his uncle as if trying to offer comfort and support.

Ormand on the other hand looked annoyed and maybe a tad confused as Quinlan continued. “Cleric Saskia, can you please explain to Ormand why that particular law is no longer required for my ruling.”

“As you wish, Highness,” Cleric Saskia nodded. “King Rothwell knowing his son’s heart lay not with the young maidens, decreed a law stating Prince Quinlan had to pick a woman to be surrogate for his future children. The surrogate, Lady Arella was chosen and has since given birth to two beautiful boys. Killian and Larkin Macallister have been recorded in our records as the next in line for the throne after the rule of their father.” All close enough to see noted how Cleric Saskia moved back out of Ormand’s way as soon as he had finished speaking.

“So, you see, Ormand. There’s absolutely no cause for the vote of challenge,” Quinlan smiled. “I think my sons are going to love their new father as much as I have always done.”

“I still say the vote of challenge is a just call. A kingdom cannot be ruled by the abomination that you are suggesting.” Ormand yelled furiously. Quinlan saw the spittle fly from his mouth as he ranted.

“ENOUGH!” Quinlan threw his arms in the air and roared. “You have no right telling me who I can and cannot love. There is no law stating I must have a woman at my side to rule our people. The law is written—I must choose the one person who will make me a stronger ruler.” Quinlan looked out over the crowd watching in rapt attention to what was taking place.

“I have chosen Brayden Caldwell. There are no, ifs, ands, or buts. You do not get to have a say about who I’ve chosen. No one here does.” Quinlan shook his head sadly, “You may not agree with my choice, but it is my choice. Cleric Saskia has by now already recorded for our histories my choice in co-ruler.” Quinlan placed his hands on the balustrade and leaned forward.

“As such, you will all treat Brayden with the respect due his new position. If I find that anyone—and I truly mean anyone—has disrespected my chosen consort in any way, they’ll be brought before me for judgement.”

Stepping back from the edge he said to Ormand. “If that is all you wanted, I have no further use for you. You may leave our presence.” Quin made to turn away and stopped. “Oh, and before I forget, Lord Dalziel I will have need of you to attend our marriage ceremony tonight. As you well know a family member must formally present my consort to my bed chamber. I’d prefer it if you took respite in a castle guest room until the needed hour arrives for my marriage to be finalised—just so nothing untoward stops you from making it back to the castle on time.” He wouldn’t put it past Ormand to lock his father away.

“This is not over.” Ormand hissed in his direction. His father only bowed in acknowledgement of what had been asked.

“Then you would be mistaken.” Quinlan took a hold of Brayden’s hand and walked into the castle leaving behind their unwanted guest standing on the now vacated balcony.

Happy Birthday Emily...

My baby girl is all grown up.

So I'll play her favourite band for her;

 to go with the pancakes I cooked her for breakfast.

Bullet For My Valentine!

Happy Birthday David Bowie...

MY HERO!!!