About Castling
by Sean Michael
126 pages
/ 44000 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-450-2, 1-60370-450-7
Available file types - html. lit, pdf, prc
Ericio didn't particularly want to become King. He finds politics tedious, in fact most of his duties are tedious to this spoiled prince. To top it all off, someone is trying to kill him.
Now bodyguard to his childhood best friend, Kane is devoted to his King. Nothing seems to phase him, not attempts on Ericio's life, nor the demands Ericio himself places upon Kane.
Will that devotion be enough to keep Ericio safe when insurgents rise against the ruler and try to replace him with one of their own? Will Ericio be his own worst enemy as the attacks escalate? Find out in this fantasy story about boyhood friends who must fulfil the roles they are destined to play.
Review
Sara Bell, author of The Devil’s Fire, writes: As the fourth ruler of Veltia, Ericio the Young is a man with a price on his head. Assassins, most especially those who worship The Fire God, had just as soon see Eric dead as see him sit Veltia's throne. Indeed, Eric's life might soon be forfeit if not for the stalwart efforts of his personal protector Kane, head of Veltia's guard. Kane would gladly give his life for Eric, not only because Eric is the king, but because Kane and Eric share a love that crosses all boundaries. Theirs is a relationship that's at once spicy and tender, ultra-sexy yet romantic.
Sean Michael has done it again, seamlessly weaving together a world wrought with eroticism and suspense without ever losing sight of the relationship between the main characters. If you enjoy a spicy love story written on a sweeping scale, then Castling is for you.
Sample
Ericio the Young, fourth ruler of the Kingdom of Veltia, worked hard not to roll his eyes, not to slump in his throne or fidget. It wasn’t easy, as the throne was made of wood. Oh, it was beautiful, carved from a huge, ancient tree that had been felled to build the castle it had been worked upon by the kingdoms best artisans. But beautiful as it was, it had not been constructed for comfort. There wasn’t even a single cushion upon it to soften the seat for his ass.
Once a month he would listen to petitions. Once a month he'd endure hour after hour of begging and whining and pleas. Not that he enjoyed the days where he met with the lords and generals and leaders of the clans either, but this was where he was stuck today.
It was nearly done though, the last peasant of the day begging for lenience, for mercy. As soon as he granted it, he could retire.
With his bodyguard.
He could feel Kane behind his throne, a silent, every-present and deadly shadow.
The rag-tag peasant before him was clothed in voluminous rags, eyes flashing, groveling and bowing, kowtowing and asking for favor. Ericio raised his hand at last, convinced the man would go on and on until he expired, unless stopped.
"Enough." He wasn’t a selfish man, had no desire to see people suffer. He nodded toward the scribe and treasurer who sat at a table; the man’s chair was small, but he couldn’t help but notice the dark velvet cushion beneath Geof’s ass. "Give him what he needs, and have him send his daughter to the kitchens to work off the debt."
"Aye, sire. As you wish." Geof nodded, forelock bobbing, eyes kept carefully lowered. He didn't bothering to answer, just stood and stretched, turning to leave.
A scuffle sounded from behind a tapestry, something larger than a mouse, and one of the ladies in waiting screamed. Kane moved like a ghost, a long, thin blade flying across the air to pierce something behind.
Ericio froze, vibrating in place. Someone had tried to kill him. That knowledge surged through him like lightning from the sky. They trained for this, he knew what to do and was ready to leap away or to fight, waiting only for Kane's signal.
Kane whistled once, low and sharp, and one of the guards appeared at Kane's elbow. "If it lives, I'll interrogate it shortly."
Ericio practically purred, Kane's competence, nay the man's sheer power and ability aroused him like very little else did. The danger hadn’t hurt his libido any either.
"Yes, sir. I'll have it waiting for you, sir." The guard saluted and Ericio found himself muscled into a hallway and then into a secret corridor.
It made him harder, the way Kane pushed him down the dark, hidden hall, one hand hard around his arm. They were safe now, and even if they were not, Kane had his back. "I owe you my life. Again."
"Is it my duty, sire." In this, Kane was immobile. Duty above all, in all things.