by the time they got him re-kitted with the saddle and Ravi flew them to the nearest town, they were both soaking wet. They hit the hotel lobby looking like a pair of drowned rats. The front desk agent was sympathetic and got them into a room with all due speed, promising lots of fluffy towels and a warm meal once they placed an order. Ravi hauled the harness over one shoulder as they made for their room, then draped it over the shower bar so it could drip dry. Only then did he take stock of the room they’d been given.
Definitely a honeymoon suite. It had a large king-sized bed in the middle of the room, as well as a balcony that showed the storm outside through French doors. The bathroom was large and made for soaking, as it had a tub in the corner more than large enough for two. A tray of towels, soaps, and even bath bombs rested near the faucets. Ravi eyed it longingly. A hot soak sounded heavenly on his chilled skin.
“Let’s soak first, then call for room service.” Sora went straight for the tub, turning the knobs to fill it. “I’m chilled, and I know you are. How hot do you want the water?”
“Satan’s bathwater,” Ravi directed.
“Done.”
Of the same mind, eh? Ravi stripped, throwing clothes over the shower rod, hoping they’d be dry by morning. Not betting on it, though. He took clothes from Sora and found places to hang them up.
Sora threw in a bath bomb before entering, sighing with pleasure as he sank into the water. “Blissful. Come in, Ravi.”
Ravi promptly did so, pleased that the water was scorching hot. He did love a man who could follow directions. Sora was putting on a good face, but Ravi was still peeved his plan had once again been foiled.
“I guess after this, I’m not allowed to plan the dates.”
Shaking his head, Sora said, “Things do go awry, you know. I’m not at all upset. Amused that we were rained out again, perhaps. Come here, why are you sitting way over there?”
Ravi went where directed, straddling his husband’s thighs. It was true, Sora didn’t look at all upset. A little smile toyed at the corners of his mouth as if this whole scene amused him on some level.
Suspiciously, Ravi said, “You married me for the entertainment value.”
With a completely straight face, Sora agreed. “I did, in fact.”
Ravi snorted, then giggled. “At least you admit it!”
“Life was entirely boring before you, beloved. Trust me, I’m happy to have you.” Sora kissed him, quick and light. “Love you.”
“I love you.” Ravi leaned in to kiss him more thoroughly, sinking into his mate’s arms with complete satisfaction.
Their date might have started as a disaster, but it clearly was going to turn out just fine. And as long as Sora could roll with the punches like this, their married life was sure to be a blast.
No more picnics, though. Ravi was firm on that.
To all interested parties, we invite you to come and see if you’re a mage! Or possibly a dragon, I don’t want to limit people. Do you think you have magical blood in your ancestry? Why not try and see if you’re magical yourself?
We have a website so that you can test the theory. Just click the link below and discover more about you – and us! Bios for the Burkhards are up on the site as well.
Come, my pretties, into our lair of dragons and magic.
AreYouAMage.com
Cam: Cassie, that wasn’t at all professional sounding.
Cassie: Pfft, who wants professional. We’re mages. Not a PR firm.
Cam: Why did anyone agree to put you in charge of this?
Cassie: Because I know how to build a website. And I called dibs.
Don’t miss out on Gunter’s book! Coming later in 2021, we will be announcing all the details and providing a pre-order link in our newsletters. Sign up today at https://www.ajsherwood.com/newsletter.html or https://jocelynndrake.com/newsletter/ .
Burkhard Clan
Fire Dragons
Alric – King of the Fire Dragons, mate to Cameron
Baldewin – retainer, head of security, mate to Tori
Dieter – King’s advisor, mate to Lisette
Gunter – retainer, royal researcher
Ravi – retainer, personal guard for Alric, mate to Sora
Sasha – guard, mate to Cassie
Warin – retainer, guard, mate to North
Mages
Cameron – Consort, mate to Alric
Cassie – head of tech, twin sister of Cameron, mate to Sasha
Earl – North’s grandfather
Ha Na – grandmother of Cassie and Cameron, mate to Rodrigo
Lisette – head mage, mate to Dieter
Melissande – second in command, mate to Karl
Nestori “Tori” – herbologist, mate to Baldewin
Nikki – rescued from the Jaeggi
North – mate to Warin
Valerii Clan
Ice Dragons
Rodrigo – King of the Ice Dragon, mate to Ha Na
Thiago – King’s advisor
Mages
Evora – head mage, mate to Thiago
Panu - adopted from Taavi Clan in Finland
Sofi – adopted from Taavi Clan in Finland
“Lost Clan” aka Sodalicium
Wind Dragons
Balin Yamuna – head of the Yamuna Clan in “Lost Clan”
Chandi Yamuna – daughter of Balin
Sahan Yamuna – cousin of Ravi
Earth Dragons
Chalo – King of the Earth Dragons
Diya – Queen of the Earth Dragons
Metal Dragons
Anawarkhi “Ana” – Queen of the Metal Dragons
Roca Mayta – King of the Metal Dragons
Mages
Sora – Abe clan, son of Ryu and Yuki
Ryu – Abe clan, father of Sora, mate of Yuki
Yuki – Abe clan, mother of Sora, mate of Ryu
Bitte – please
Eure Majestät – Your Majesty
Hallo – hello
Hoheit – sire
Ja – yes
König - King
Liebling – dear, love
Nein – no
Scheiße – shit
Aishiteru- I love you.
Kaa-san – Mother
Kami-sama – God
Kuso – Shit.
Nani – What?
Shimatta – Damn.
Tou-san – Father
AJ’s mind is the sort that refuses to let her write one project at a time. Or even just one book a year. She normally writes fantasy under a different pen name, but her aforementioned mind couldn’t help but want to write in the LGBTQ+ genre. Fortunately, her editor is completely on board with this plan.
In her spare time, AJ loves to devour books, eat way too much chocolate, and take regular trips. She’s only been outside of the United States once, to Japan, and loved the experience so much that she firmly intends to see more of the world as soon as possible. Until then, she’ll just research via Google Earth and write about the worlds in her own head.
If you’d like to join her newsletter to be notified when books are released, and get behind-the-scenes information about upcoming books, you can join her NEWSLETTER here, or email her directly at sherwoodwrites@gmail.com and you’ll be added to the mailing list. You’ll also receive a free copy of her book Fourth Point of Contact! If you’d like to interact with AJ more directly, you can socialize with her on various sites and join her Facebook group: AJ’s Gentlemen!
Jon’s Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case
Jon’s Crazy Head-Boppin’ Mystery
Jon’s Spooky Corpse Conundrum
Brandon’s Very Merry Haunted Christmas
Mack’s Ghastly Homecoming
New York Times Bestselling author Jocelynn Drake loves a good story, whether she is reading it or writing one of her own. Over the years, her stories have allowed her to explore space, talk to dragons, dodge bullets with assassins, hang with vampires, and fall in love again and again.
This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the U.S. with her husband. Recently, they’ve settled near the Rockies.
She has written roughly sixty novels spanning urban fantasy, gay romantic suspense, and gay paranormal romance. For a full listing of all her tales, check out JocelynnDrake.com
Lords of Discord
Claiming Marcus
Saving Rafe
Waking Bel
Embracing Winter
Healing Aiden
Also by AJ Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake
Scales ’N’ Spells Series
Origin
Breath
Wish: A Novella
Blood
Embers (Coming Fall 2021)