Michael has never been afraid of any challenge. When the tyrannical beast that rules his land demands a mate—a strong, virile man—Michael volunteers. He does so to save his village from the creature’s wrath and prevent the beast from following through with his threat and coming in the night to steal a mate. He goes to the castle certain he knows exactly what he’s in store for, but what he actually finds changes his life forever.
Excerpt:
Michael stepped
out of the tub and watched the rivulets of water flowing down his body and
wetting the ground. He dried himself carefully. The strong sage soap he’d
washed in smelled too strong for his own taste, but it was traditional. Beyond
the high fence, he could hear people whispering. Small groups had been
gathering near his home all day. What were they all thinking? He had
volunteered, of course, but he imagined everyone had a different idea as to
why.
Turning his gaze
toward the castle, he sighed. He knew many probably thought he was heartbroken
over his wife’s death, but they had never been in love. It had saddened him to
lose the woman who had been his companion for two years, but Daria had only
been a friend. She’d been in love with another man, one who had abandoned her.
She and Michael had only lain together a dozen or so times. They had cared for
each other, but never truly loved each other.
Michael began to
dress in the leather breeches and tunic he’d been instructed to put on. He
would go to the castle with nothing else. All would be provided there, he’d
been told. It had only been a week since the last girl had come back. Two
months ago, the tyrannical beast that ruled their land had demanded a mate.
He’d sent every single girl away, but this time, the girl had come back to her
people with a message.
The beast didn’t
want another timid maiden. He wanted a strong, muscular male.
Everyone had been
shocked and insisted the girl’s brain was addled. She’d produced a handwritten
note, which had been put on display in the square. Michael had ruminated for
two days before going to the village elders and volunteering. Then they’d all
thought he was the one who was addled. But by the end of the night, they’d
agreed, finally understanding that no one else would go willingly. The creature
that dwelled in the shadows of the castle would come down at sunset and steal a
mate for himself if one was not given to him today. The last time they’d defied
the beast, there had been bloodshed. Michael had been too young to understand
what had happened, and no one liked talking about it. The creature had also
once used his sorcery to block out the sun for three days. Michael had always
respected the beast’s power but never feared him.
Michael thought
about the beast as he straightened his tunic, which had no laces in front and
fit him snugly to show off his chest and abs. He ran his hand down his body and
wondered how it would feel to be touched by a clawed hand. The mysterious beast
that had ruled over them since before Michael’s birth was taller and more broad
shouldered than Michael. He never wore anything more than boots and leather
breeches. His body was covered in short black fur, yet he was muscular just
like ordinary humans. The strength of those muscles could be seen any time he
exerted himself. His face was like a lion’s, his yellow eyes piercing and his
hair a dark, wild mane. His rounded, cat-like ears swiveled to take in sound,
and people often stayed quiet when he was near, out of fear. He was like
something out of a fairy story, as if a man had killed a beast and then clothed
himself in the pelt. He had fangs and could roar when provoked. The sound was
not as loud or bold as a true beast’s, but it scared everyone nonetheless.
One-inch claws tipped his fingers. Some of the girls had come back with faint
scratches on their bodies.
“Michael?”
Michael turned to
see Joshua, one of the elders, looking at him. “It’s time?”
Joshua nodded.
“Yes, the carriage is ready.”
Michael felt the
people watching him, and even as they whispered their concerns, he knew they
were all relieved.
They set off, and
Joshua gazed out the window as they wound up the hill to the castle. “It’s a
brave thing you’re doing.”
“We can’t fight
the beast. It might kill again if we don’t do what it asks. It’s better that I
go willingly than that some youth is dragged from his bed tonight. Or a father
taken from his family.”
“Yes, it is
better.” He sighed and then added, “It harmed none of the girls at least.”
“But it frightened
them all half to death. I don’t frighten so easily.”
“You might when
that thing tries to mount you.”
Michael took a
deep breath and pushed it out slowly. “I’ve lain with men before. I won’t
break.”
Joshua finally
made eye contact. “If you say so.” He pointed to the castle. “There’ll be no
escape. Those gates will close, and you won’t get out again unless the thing
opens them for you.”
“I know that.”
Joshua shifted and
lowered his voice. “Do you mean to kill it?”
Michael shook his
head. “Do you go into the dark cave and lose yourself in its twists and turns
to kill the bear?”
Joshua gave a
shrug. “Perhaps while it sleeps.”
“And then our
kingdom would be vulnerable. The conquering hordes only stay away for fear of
the beast’s enchantments and strength.”
The carriage
stopped, and Joshua stiffened a moment before getting out and holding the door
open. The horses grew restless and tried to back up, and the driver had to jump
down to hold them steady. Michael descended and looked at the castle gates.
“Go on, lad, and
may the gods have mercy on you.”
“The gods allowed
this creature to exist. I’m not sure I want their mercy.” He straightened his
back. “I won’t be harmed, Joshua. Perhaps he’ll let me out on a leash when he
comes to the village next time.”
“Don’t joke.”
Michael laughed
without humor. “Who’s joking? I’ll not have my liberty if he likes me.” The
gates opened as the driver got into position again.
Joshua scrambled
back into the carriage, and the driver turned the horses around and took off.
Michael gazed back at them a moment before entering the garden. A kind of
orderly chaos greeted him. Flowers and bushes and vines of every kind wound
together in great masses, multi-colored blossoms all around him. He followed
the winding path to the castle door and waited. There was no knocker of any
kind, only the blood-red wood before him. The beast had to know he was here,
since the gates had opened and closed for him.
Michael heard
footsteps on the stones behind him, and a large shadow fell over him as the
door opened. Michael held his head up high and waited, staring into the castle
instead of turning to look at the beast.
“Turn around so
that I might have a look at you,” the beast said.
The deep voice
boomed directly behind Michael, and he turned slowly. The beast was over a foot
taller than him and a good bit wider as well, far more imposing than Michael
had remembered. Heat poured off the creature, and Michael watched his muscular
chest rise and fall.
A rumble came from
the beast’s chest. “At least they listened this time. What is your name?”
“Michael.” He
looked up into the beast’s eyes. “Am I permitted to know yours?”
Those yellow eyes
looked amused, and the beast licked his lips, his fangs showing. “If I tell you
my name, you can never leave.”
“Do you think to
send me back? If I don’t please you?” Michael clasped his hands behind his back
to keep his restless hands still.
The beast pressed
closer. “You please me. And I will please you, if you let me.”
“I’m here to save
my village and my people. I came here to stay, so you might as well tell me.”
“My name is
Kyros.”
Michael shifted
his stance as he turned the name over in his mind. “Is that what I’m allowed to
call you?”
Kyros nodded. “How
did they persuade you? Are you always so brave?”
“I volunteered.”
Kyros stood
perfectly still, and then a smile curved his lips. “You came willingly to be my
mate? To writhe beneath me as I sate my lust within your body?”
Michael lowered
his eyes. “I didn’t think of it that way, but yes.” He lifted his gaze. “I know
I’m here to be fucked.”
Kyros gestured to
the door. “Then come in. You’ll need a bath.”
“I bathed before I
came.”
“Yes, in that
horrid sage concoction the villagers believe wards off evil.” The doors closed
behind them, the candles in the hallway lighting as they walked. “I’ve had to
wash every one of you. Do they not understand how keen my sense of smell is?”
“You could’ve told
them not to.”
“No matter. It
will give me a chance to touch you before dinner.”
Michael’s steps
faltered a bit. “Touch me?”
A laugh rumbled
from the beast. “Yes. I shall bathe you myself.” He leaned close. “You shall
get to examine me as well. See what you’re in for.”
“You will only
touch me?” Michael asked, very aware of how near Kyros was.
“Are you so
eager?”
Michael flicked
his glance up. “Merely curious.”
“You look at least
thirty. You’re no virgin.”
“No. I’ve lain
with four women and two men. One was my wife.”
“Your wife?”
“Daria. She passed
away.”
“Did you leave a
lover to come to me?” Kyros opened the door to a huge bathing chamber of blue
and white marble. “I’m very jealous, you see. I must know.”
“No. Daria has not
been dead a year yet. I have no lover.”
Kyros smiled
again, his eyes raking up and down Michael. “From this night on you will.” He
waved his hand, and steaming water poured from several mounted, silver lion’s
heads. A sunken tub lined with blue marble took up half the room. It filled
quickly, and Kyros fixed his gaze on Michael.
“Undress. Let me
see you.”
Michael obeyed,
feeling warm under the scrutiny. He made himself keep his hands at his sides
when he was done. Kyros approached and walked around him, not touching yet.
“You look strong.
You must work outside.”
“I was a
woodcutter. I also worked the farms when I was needed.”
One clawed hand
slid gently down his back and then cupped his ass. The claws weren’t sharp, but
they were hard, and Michael knew they could cause pain if Kyros wanted to do
so.
“Get in the
water,” Kyros said, giving Michael a little pat on the ass.
