About The Memorial Garden - a BBA Menage Story
Written by Lauren P Burka
69 pages / 27250 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-714-5, 1-60370- 714-X
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc
Sofian grew up to a privileged but empty life on a backward world until the Empress called him to serve her at the Celestial Court. When he arrived, he discovered that he would be serving her in bed, and that he would not long outlive the day she discarded him.
Then he meets Numair, a former consort of the Empress. They become increasingly entangled under the shadow of their shared fate, and their relationship blossoms. Will they learn the difference between need and love before time runs out for them?
Review
Mychael Black, author of A Family Most Unconventional in Other Magical Creatures, writes: Sofian, heir to the throne of Mazinara, finds himself whisked from the comfortable life of a noble and swept into a life of servitude to the Empress. No one can give him answers, and when he asks, he is swiftly punished. He spends two years aboard a sky ship, during which he learns more about the world he's soon to be a part of, but nothing can prepare him for life in Firdoos, home of the Celestial Court.
Set to be the Empress' consort, he discovers a former consort, Numair, who shows him the sights of the city. Being a former consort, Numair takes his pleasure now from Sofian. As they spend time together, they discover things about one another. When the Empress summons Sofian for the last time, however, it changes his life – and Numair's – forever.
The Memorial Garden is a unique and engrossing tale that is a wonderful blend of fantasy and science fiction. Lauren P. Burka draws you into this world with detailed and rich descriptions, and a love affair that delves into pain and pleasure. It's hard to say much without giving away the story, so all I can say is this: if you're looking for something distinctly different and beautifully written, and incredibly absorbing, then read The Memorial Garden.
Sample
The Lord Prime of Mazinara received his eldest son in the library. Though it was spring, a fire roared in the vast, marble fireplace, sketching restless shadows among the columns and frescoes. The room was so cold that Sofian's breath clouded. In his earlier memories, when his mother was still alive, the room had been warmer. His father had been warmer, too. Two armed attendants in house livery maintained a vigil on either side of the carved double doors. Sofian, son and heir of Mazinara, made a careful obeisance before his father.
Sofian's face was schooled to stillness, but his heart pounded. Early that morning he had ridden out with one of his step-brothers. They had startled a buck and harried it halfway to the coast before losing it in a maze of brambles. Their impulsive chase cut a swath of destruction through several corn fields. Most of the tenant farmers were too timid to approach the Lord Prime about the damage, but the call to attend his father had worried Sofian. If this was about the ruined fields, then where was his step-brother, Ashafon? They might face a flogging or, if his father's gout was acting up, the old man might choose to cut off a braid or two instead.
The Lord Prime settled in his great chair and gestured his son to a low stool. His many braids spread over his shoulders like a cloak, and his gray eyebrows were thick enough to cast their own shadows. He cocked one at Sofian.
"My son, the Celestial Temple has called you to attend the Empress in Firdoos."
Sofian forgot about the wild ride. "There must be some confusion." A Temple missionary had come to the house a month before for the Testing. He had pricked Sofian's thumb with a tiny lancet and collected the blood in a vial, apologizing all the time for the pain that Sofian barely noticed.
"In my experience," said the Lord Prime, "the Temple never errs."
"But I am the heir to this house. The Temple takes peasants, retainers, or lesser sons, but never an heir."
"You are mistaken," said the Lord Prime. "Forty years ago they called the heir of Yursra house."
"I do not recall a house by that name," said Sofian.
"That is because the Lord of Yursra loved his son too much and would not yield him. The Empress withdrew her favor from the entire island. Within two years it had fallen to pirates. Now its land forms a portion of Jubair's holdings. The Empress is generous, but not to those who withhold what is lawfully hers."
Sofian stood and paced.
"I will need time to pack," he said.
"No, you will not. Hold still and look at me."
Sofian halted, but he could raise his eyes no higher than the edge of his father's brocade robe.
"You are considering fleeing, perhaps to your mother's House."
Sofian said nothing.