by
- The Pirate's Treasure
- A Marriage of Necessity
- Six Types of Apology
“I have watched you from afar for so long. ‘Tis only fitting, as I breathe my last, that I do it in the arms I’ve longed to feel around my person for two plus years or more.”
Rojan Purchanting, Pirate Captain, and half-brother to the King of Gunkermal didn’t mean to blurt out fateful words as he stumbled into Petrov after a disagreement with a knife. But the Goddess of the Moon and Sea works in mysterious ways. Rojan soon found Petrov following him out of castle windows, into houses of ill-repute, and riding beside him as they chase down the threats to Caspian and Nikolas, still bristling with the innate confidence and protectiveness that had caught Rojan’s eyes years before.
“I’m going to work on keeping the foolhardy man alive first. Anything else we’ll count as a bonus.”
Petrov, Duke of Moorland has been a confidant and friend to King Consort Nikolas for most of his life. He really didn’t need to be following around Caspian’s half-brother, hoping the fool man wouldn’t get himself into more trouble. But somehow, it quickly became all he wanted to do.
It’s the only thing left I can do.
Determined to keep Rojan safe by any means possible, Petrov decides the only way to do that is to enter into a Marriage Contract with him. But as the danger to Caspian and Nikolas gets closer to home, Petrov wonders if he’ll ever know the true Rojan Purchanting. Would he be pirate captain, prince, or king?
While most of the books in my Another Arranged Marriage series can be read as standalones, readers will understand more about the motives of the secondary characters and main plot points if they have read The Infidelity Clause first.
- 2 Read lists
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 4
Romantic Content: 5
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 26-35
Protagonist 2 Age: 26-35
Tropes: Arranged Pairing
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Same Universe / Various Characters
It seemed that the locals were happy with their new King Caspian, and there were more than a few ribald stories about Caspian and Nikolas together. But it was all good fun. “I didn’t realize the young lad was in line to the throne.” Petrov was leaning his elbows on the table, surrounded by three others who were well into their cups. “Before I went away, wasn’t there another couple of older sons…” He trailed off, waving his hand and then coughing, lending credibility to his cover as a soldier recently returned from wherever.
READ MORE“You’ve missed a lot, old friend,” the mature man across from him said, taking another swig of his drink. “Only the Lords know what happened in that castle, and they wouldn’t tell the likes of us. We’d barely heard the old king was dead, before that Paragon was setting himself up with his Queen, organizing a coronation the likes of which no one had ever seen. We all thought that was weird at the time. The old man, rest his soul, was barely cold in his grave.
“But yeah, you know. The World Council came, as was only proper when a king dies, and the next thing we hear is our young Caspian is coming home with his new husband to take over.”
“My old lady,” another man said, “She was doing a few extra shifts up at the castle, just after the old king died. She said that wife of Paragon’s screamed like a banshee when the council guards tried to take her away. Claiming magic wasn’t allowed in the castle and all that stuff, when everyone knew if anyone was using dark arts, it was her.”
Petrov’s ears pricked up at the dark arts reference. That wasn’t the first time he’d heard it in relation to Paragon and the wife. But before he could ask more, the mature man at their table said, “Makes no matter anyway.” He raised his glass. “To good King Caspian and his husband – long may they rule.”
The whole drinking establishment all raised their glasses, echoing the sentiment. Petrov did the same even though he was annoyed the moment was lost. It was time for him to get back anyway. With luck he could report what he had found out to the well-loved couple before Nikolas got Caspian’s breaches buttons undone.
“You have somewhere to sleep tonight?” the mature man asked as Petrov stood up, making sure to remain slightly hunched over. “Only we have a small room. It’s not much, but you’re welcome to it.”
“I have somewhere to stay but thank you kindly for the offer.” Petrov was genuinely touched. He could see why Caspian had preferred spending his time among the local townspeople well before he ever knew he’d become their king.
“I know things have changed much since you were away.” The man smiled. “But things will be good now. You’ll see. That Caspian might be young, but he’s a good man. Things can only get better here in Gunkermal. You just wait. They will.”
“I think you’re right.” Nodding to the other men at the table Petrov moved away, slowing his regular steps and keeping his shoulders rounded until he was well clear of the drinking house. “Damn, that’s enough to make me ache,” he grumbled under his breath as he straightened up. Then he paused, sure he could hear a shuffle in the shadows. His hand went under his coat, resting on the knife he had strapped to his leg.
“It is you.” A man stumbled across his path, his arm wrapped around his middle, wearing a loose smile on a definitely handsome face. Petrov took in the features, as best as he could see from the glow of an overhead lamp and realized why they looked so familiar.
“King Caspian’s Pirate Captain brother Rojan, I assume?”
“You’ve heard of me.” The man stumbled again, and Petrov grabbed him before he face planted on the cobbles.
“Are you inebriated?”
“Ah, precious. How I wish I was.” The pirate turned his face and smiled wide enough to show his teeth. “I have watched you from afar for so long. ‘Tis only fitting, as I breathe my last, that I do it in the arms I’ve longed to feel around my person for two plus years or more.”
“Breathe your what?” Reaching down Petrov moved Rojan’s arm from around his middle. He couldn’t miss the ugly stain of blood seeping from a rip in his shirt. “My goodness, man, we have to get you back to the castle.”
“Dark arts brew in those walls. I have to tell…” Rojan’s words were slurred. “Protect my brother…” He slumped in Petrov’s arms.
Cursing, Petrov kept one hand supporting Rojan’s shoulders and ran his free arm under the man’s sagging legs. Hoisting Rojan’s weight against his chest, Petrov inhaled sharply as he started to run towards the castle walls.
COLLAPSE
