SENTINELS OF VARNUSE: When The Walls Come Tumbling Down #16.

#16.

It had been a week since Brayden had disappeared. Quinlan couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t eat, and most of all he couldn’t think straight without his husband by his side. In fact he couldn’t think at all. Everyone and everything irritated him—everyone that is, except his own children. Quinlan had taken to letting them sleep in his bed at night. He needed the comfort of their closeness just as much as they needed his.

Quinlan leant against the window ledge as he stared out over Panthea. He was trying to work out in his own mind how all of this was worth it if he didn’t have Brayden by his side. His heart ached for the missing peace to be returned to him. There was only one thing left to do. If no one could find Brayden he would just have to do it himself. First he would take up an ancient act—he’d send a message to the gods for guidance on his journey to find his husband. One long ago when kings were in need of guidance they’d use the pool in the meditation room to send messages, questions, and requests to the gods in hopes of getting a response. The longer Quinlan thought about it, the more he thought it was the right thing to do. With his mind made up he turned and faced the occupants of the room.

“Brayden is somewhere out there waiting for me to come and rescue him.” He stared at each of them in turn. From Talon with his battle worn face, to Javier standing right next to him, his hand strayed to Talon’s arm as if seeking is own comfort. Cleric Saskia and Mylo were standing off to the side with sadness all over their faces. Yet, it was the fierce look on Ingrid’s face that gave him the most heart.

“So that’s what I’m going to do. Someone took something of mine… without my permission, and I want it back. If one hair has been harmed on his head I’ll end whoever have laid their hands on him. I’ll show no mercy for the people involved in the taking of Brayden. They lost the right to mercy the moment they took the Kings Consort—my husband.”

“So what’s the plan?” Talon asked.

Ingrid snarled, “We hunt the bastards down, and I say we start with Lord Dalziel and his prick of a son.”

Quinlan’s eyes bugged out, he hadn’t even thought that Brayden's family could be involved. Not that he believed Fane Dalziel was truly involved there was something about the guy that didn’t seem the harmful type. There was more to his story and Quinlan was determined to find out what was going on.

“Bring them in.”

How stupid could have been not to think of the family who had held Brayden prisoner for half his life? Especially since Ormand had given Brayden the ‘Heart of Panthea’. If either man had a part in Brayden's disappearance they would pay.

**~*~**

Quinlan sat on his throne as Fane Dalziel was led into the room by two well armed guards. He momentarily wondered why Lord Dalziel looked so melancholy. He waited as Lord Dalziel sunk to his knees before him.

“Where is my husband?”

Lord Dalziel stared up at him in a somewhat confused expression. Overwhelming sadness seemed to emanate from every pore of the older man. Something was definitely wrong here.

“Where is my husband?” Quinlan repeated menacingly.

Tears formed in Lord Dalziel’s eyes, as he whispered. “I do not know.”

Quinlan glared at Lord Dalziel for a moment before turning his attention to the guards. “Where is Ormand?”

Both guards knelt before their king. “Ormand was nowhere on Lord Dalziel’s estate. We still have sentinels out searching for him throughout the city—he will be found.”

Quinlan returned his attention to Lord Dalziel. “Where is your son? He can’t hide from me forever?”

“Ormand is not my son.” Lord Dalziel dropped his eyes. “I’m not his father, he’s my nephew.”

“What?” Quinlan sat up straighter as he waited for Lord Dalziel to continue. Now the truth was coming out.

“I lost my life partner many years ago. Ormand is his wife’s child.”

Quinlan’s mind raced with the possibilities of had just been said. Ormand looked too much like him to not be a blood relative and Lord Dalziel had already said he was the man’s uncle.

“Then that would mean...” his sentence trailed off as Javier and Talon entered the room. Lord Dalziel seemed oblivious to their approach.

“I only have one son left, and I want to find him as much as you do.” Tears fell from his eyes. “I promised Thayer if anything happened to him, I would care for our sons... and now I’ve lost them all.”

“King Thayer was my father.” Javier tilted his head and stared at Lord Dalziel. “How can you be my father?” His voice seemed to hold more curiosity then anger.

Lord Dalziel cried out when he finally registered Javier was alive. “My son.” He reached out but dropped his hand before making contact. Hanging his head he sobbed into his hands.

“Lord Dalziel... Fane...” Quinlan called to the grieving man. “I need you to explain this to us.”

Javier walked over and knelt beside Lord Dalziel and gently patted his arm. “Talk to us.”

Lord Dalziel’s shoulder’s shook. “Thayer is... was my mate. My sister, his wife betrayed him. I thought I’d lost everything that day. When I found Brayden among the carnage. I took him home and kept him safe, just like I promise Thayer I would do.”

“Why only Brayden?” Javier’s voice dropped to a whisper. “If you’re my father too, then why did you not want me as well?”

Tear stained eyes turned to Javier. “You weren’t there, I searched, but I couldn’t find you or Thayer anywhere. The guards thought wild animals had taken your bodies.” Fane looked beseechingly at his son. “I searched for you for days.”

“I believe you,” Javier wrapped his arm around his father’s shoulders.

Quinlan watched on as he shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe what you’re telling us is true. Because I remember all that shyte Ormand spouted the day I named Brayden as my consort. If you love your sons like you say then why did you let him call our union an abomination?”

“Ormand knows Brayden is my child. If I did anything against his wishes, he threatened to harm you both.” Lord Dalziel rubbed a hand over his tired eyes. “Ormand has too much of his mother in him. He was the reason I kept Brayden secluded. The few times they were together Ormand found ways to hurt him.” Lord Dalziel turned to the King. “I love my son... the both of them, just as I loved their father.”

Quinlan nodded. “Then we find what has been taken from us. We find it, and we bring him home.”

“Yes!” Both Fane and Javier shouted in unison.

“So the hunt begins.”

Beautiful According To Me...

This Picture is just screaming for it's story to be told.

I just really like this one.

I just want to know...everything.

I think we all want to know the story behind this one.

Again I just need to know.

Simply stunning...

Em's Turn

4 songs that are just stuck in my head

and driving me crazy

enjoy!

Playing Catch Up

Today I made it to just over half way on Lancaster's Way 2: A Different Way Of Seeing. and I'm kinda at a stumbling block. I need something that happens in the first couple of chapters in this book to bleed over into the next book LW 3: Pre-loved.

Also just received first edits on Toowoomba Boys 3: Dancing With Demons so you all know what I'll be doing tomorrow. Plus I have to do the blurbs and the cover art request for them--somebody forgot to do them--not saying it's me--just someone...LOL.

Okay on that note I'm off to do some gardening--more so that I have replanting to do. Some of me plants have come to the end of their lifespan and it's time for something new.

My HAHAT Blog Hop Winners...

And my winners are...

$25 Gift Voucher

Danny

First Book

Experimentals 1: Blessed With A Curse

Caddy Rowland

Second Book

TLOM 1: The Rules Are Meant To Be Broken

Michelle Rae

Hop Against Homophobia And Transgender...

This hop is meant for a good cause and I believe bringing awareness to the fact that not everyone is out with pitchforks in the medieval style hunt on all things that HAHAT stands for. Yes… people get ticked off that we offer give-aways and prizes, but to me this is just something we hoppers are doing to say thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read our thoughts on the matter.

So yes I am offering up to two people free copies from something from my back list in books. To gain such gifts all you need to do is leave me a comment with your contact details, and the name of the book should you be the lucky winner… you will be in the draw twice if you are in my followers list… so feel free to join my list of followers if you like...Also telling me that your also in my list might help too. Though, my major prize is a $25 Amazon Voucher… or… Bookstrand, as they are the only two places I know how to send out gift vouchers from. I’m old school so my winners will be picked by the never failing pull a name out of the hat method.

I think you should all check out for yourselves the website for the International Day Against Homophobia And Transphobia they can explain things so much better than I ever could. They have important information if you have the time to take a moment to navigate their site and read what’s on offer. You can eve find them on their facebook page IDAHAT—The Global Page

Also I think it’s a fantastic idea for you to go and check out all the other wonderful people who are taking part in this hop here is the HAHAT blog where you can find links to everyone else…

Now for my actual post: Bear with me as I have a tendency to ramble—a lot. Those of you who visited my site last year will already know this about me.

I’m a big believer in all people are created equal. I also believe we should all have equal rights when it comes to marriage or just the laws in general. I never understood how certain people think it’s okay to make rules and provide judgement on people they don’t even know—seems idiotic to me.

Having said that think we should discuss what phobias against any sort of sexual orientation means. To me love is love and what package the person comes in shouldn’t matter.

I have a couple of friends where after meeting these men they didn’t feel comfortable telling me they were gay—even though I had already guessed the first day I met them. I didn’t push them for confirmation on their sexuality preferring them to come to tell me naturally—more than likely after they had gauged my reaction. Truthfully I didn’t mind at all.

Eventually they told me, but it wasn’t until after they found out what sort of books I write—MM paranormal and romance. I’ve never been one to hide away what I do. Mind you, I can understand why there is that need for some. I’m more the take me as I am and I will return the favour.

I think as individuals the human race is smart but sling s all together and we form mob mentality… and too willingly follow the lead of others even if they are raving bigots. So I’m telling you for the love of Mike—grow a set, and make up your own minds about people. Don’t get your hate on just because some drongo tells you, you should. No one knows you better than you do yourself so why in the hell would you listen to what people who don’t think you fit what they believe is normal… again I have to say, who the hell are they to decide?

One of the things I can’t stand is people who spout bullshit for religious reason against Homosexuals, Lesbians, Transgender, and Queergendered people. Honestly, unless Jesus/Allah/Buddha or any other religious entity turns up on my doorstep to tell me differently, then I’m never going to believe such loving people would never turn against someone all because of who they choose to love. The mere thought to me is inconceivable.

If only one thing comes out of this hop—I hope it’s that you might be able to see people as no better and no worse than you are. Maybe even smile at a person because you never know when a smile or a kind word of understanding could stop a tragedy from occurring. Too many times we have heard of people ending their own existence because of how people look down on them and speak in hatred just because their sexual orientation doesn’t fit the norm. Seriously, what is normal anyway?

Am I normal? Not hardly… but that’s the thing that makes the world so wonderful. If we all were the same then life would become boring—we need the diversity each and every one of us offers… just to make life a tad more interesting.

I’m not gay… nor am I a lesbian… I’m not transgender… or even queergender… what I am is human. I don’t think I’m a better person than anyone else I meet. I’m happy to take you as you are as long as you are honest with me—and yourself. I think what I’m trying to say here is be who you are… more so be proud of who you are. Don’t let anyone get you down because they’re too blind to see what a truly wonderful person you are. When life gets too much always remember that’s somewhere in a little part of Queensland, Australia, there’s a person who has your back. We may never meet face to face or even talk to each other in any way shape or form. Just know that I believe in you… I think you are perfect just the way you are.

You are truly meant to shine—not conform to the wants of others.

Thank you all for taking the time to stop by my blog and reading what I have to say. You may not agree with me, but I think you are all awesome anyway.

My Day Thus Far...

I spent part of yesterday and most of the morning beta reading for a friend of mine—Vona Logan on her LL story for Goodreads... I loved it. All I can truly tell you is that tissues may be required... seriously, I could have read this storyline forever. So do yourself a favour and make sure you check it out when it becomes available.

Today I'm also itchy as... My stitches are starting to heal and drive me insane... When I get these out I have the joy of getting more—twice more...

I've already written up my post for the HAHAT blog hop for tomorrow. So I just have to cut and paste—busy day ahead of me.

Other than that, I've been stocking up on my office supplies before tax time rolls around in July.