About Guardians of the Wind
Written by Sean Michael
212 pages / 78250 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-458-2, 1-60370-458-2
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, paperback
After parting ways with their traveling companions Aline and Mirran, Windbrothers Surial and Kade find themselves traveling, searching for what remains of Kade's tribe, for a place they can call home. They also find their relationship deepening, unable to deny the attraction that exists between them. Kade's freedom from slavery and Surial's release from his family's tyranny allow them to explore the boundaries of their bond, which goes far beyond Kade's ability to help Surial recover from using his healing gift.
While they rejoice in discovering new intimacy, Kade follows where the winds lead, trying to stop the slavers who would destroy his people. Surial isn't sure he can bear it if Kade becomes a killer, and he can't help but voice his worries, making Kade worry that he will lose his One through his own actions. Can these two very different men find a way to keep their fledgling love alive, or will it be over before they really begin?
Review
Kiernan Kelly, author of the In Bear Country novels, writes: Guardians of the Wind is Sean Michael's much anticipated sequel to the wonderful book, Windbrothers. Picking up where the last novel ended, we again meet Surial, the dark-haired healer, and Kade, the magnificent, ex-slave warrior. They wander the forests and mountains, following the same path but driven by different needs – Surial, to heal those in need of his magic, and Kade, to kill slavers and avenge his people.
Friendship and trust grow into a deep and abiding love between them, consummated joyfully, tenderly, and often as they share the hard road through the forested mountains. In each other, they find salvation from their pasts, their fears, and their pain.
Not all is idyllic between them, though. Kade is fierce warrior, whose traditions and beliefs differ vastly from his One, the temperate and peace-loving Surial. The question of whether their love will be strong enough to overcome the differences in their values pointedly and dangerously arises when they find a tribe of Kade's people, and their love is put to a deadly test.
Fans of Windbrothers as well as those new to Sean Michael's world of magic and warriors will adore Guardians of the Wind. Filled with tender moments, blistering-hot sex, and heart-stopping adventure, this novel will remain with you long after the last word is read.
Sample
He was bathing.
The moonlight danced over his body, pooling in the hollow of his throat, the small of his back, the curve of his arms as he stretched to wash his hair. Kade watched, unseen by the bank, eyes fastened on pale skin that drank in the kiss of the moon, one strand of ebony hair curling upon a perfectly formed shoulder.
He couldn't remember the forest ever being so still, so silent. He could hear Surial's soft inhalations, the quiet heartbeats. Not even the wind disturbed the water that welcomed his One. It was as if nature herself was as fascinated by watching Surial as he was.
Sinking, Surial disappeared beneath the water and Kade found himself holding his own breath, growing more anxious with each passing second. It wasn't very long, however, before Surial broke the surface again, hair rinsed clean of soap, drops of water flying from the marble skin.
Kade gasped silently, filling his lungs with air he imagined flavored by Surial.
The lone figure in the lake lay back, floating, hair flowing out around his head like an ebony halo. Kade could hear the soft sounds of contentment Surial was making: almost a purr and not quite a hum.
So lucky, the water -- to eke those happy sounds from Surial's throat with liquid fingers, to slide over unmarked skin, to surround him in a gentle caress.
Kade smiled at himself, at his unending desire. No matter how many times he drank from the well that was his One, his thirst was never quenched, his need drove him to watch, to want.
"Are you just going to watch, or are you coming in?"
He started, eyes flying up to meet a laughing gaze. "I... I didn't intend to disturb you, my One. I was just..." Kade felt his cheeks heat. He couldn't believe he was caught gazing. Again. Playing and loving instead of searching.