#Devon Vesper

[melaniem54]

Review: The Insanity of Reincarnated Mages and Amorous Vampires (Spellbound #1) by A.J. Sherwood / Devon Vesper

Rating: 4.5🌈 The first in a new fantasy series, The Insanity of Reincarnated Mages and Amorous Vampires is a highly entertaining and fast paced fantasy adventure. It’s got reincarnated lovers, a sentient library, a found family of vampire warriors, and so much more. All in all, a world of fun and magical action adventure, interwoven with love remembered and born again. Sherwood’s characters…

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#newbookreleases #A MelanieM Review #author A. J. Sherwood #LGBTGIA fantasy adventure #LGBTGIA fantasy romance #Review: The Insanity of Reincarnated Mages and Amorous Vampires (Spellbound 1) by A.J. Sherwood / Devon Vesper #Scattered Thoughts Highly Recommended

[theoriginaltortuga]

Responsibility, Rage, and Recent Resurrection (Part 1)

A/N: this takes place in fic land where there's a bit more wiggle room between the resurrection and the evil ritual. Everyone's alive with Devon as Redfield

Pairing: Connor x ilitw MC (Devon Hernandez)

Wordcount: 1,451

Grief and terror had been a part of Connor since the night Devon died. The feelings came and went, but they never left completely and Connor worried that he would never feel peace again. With Devon alive but unconscious, a massacre set for a few days, and the man who’d killed his mother on the loose; those feelings were more overwhelming than ever. Not to mention the anger that had been festering in his chest since his mom was killed. All of it led back to one simple thing: Westchester wasn’t safe. 

Connor had already packed and thrown his and Devon’s things in his car earlier that day when everyone was busy coddling Vesper. He looked through the living room, searching for anything he might be forgetting. There was a small part of him that felt guilty about leaving without warning, especially since Amalia had just done the same, but there were still five days until the ritual. That would be more than enough time to figure out how to deal without him and Devon. Not like Vesper hadn’t replaced him already. 

Bitterness flared in his chest and he tried to shove it down. He was leaving, so it was for the best. It wasn’t like he was the actual leader anyways, just the guy who owned their monster hunting headquarters, lied to the cops for Noah, convinced Jocelyn not to run off on her own, had a near death experience at least every other month for the sake of this monster hunting bullshit, and everyone was so ungrateful about him throwing his life away and—

Nothing in the living room. 

He crept down the hall to his room where Devon should still be sleeping. Hopefully, Vesper and Noah were too. He could probably lie to Vesper, but their voice would definitely wake up Noah and there was no way he could explain running away with Devon. Nothing Noah would accept anyway. Connor wouldn’t in the reverse. Any good boyfriend wouldn’t. 

Connor grit his teeth and tried to breathe. If he was being honest with himself, he’d noticed Noah’s feelings long before he said them out loud. He’d always looked away or flinched whenever Connor used pet names or did anything remotely romantic. The level of anger he had when Connor even suggested moving on seemed like too much for just a friend. It hadn’t mattered when Devon was dead and it didn’t matter now. Noah had his chance, back in their senior year and Devon chose Connor. Even though he’d had doubts, Connor chose him too. 

Connor entered the room to see Devon shivering underneath the comforter. That had been happening on and off since the resurrection. Ava said it was just his body adjusting, but it still made Connor’s chest ache to see him so frail. They didn’t really have time, but Connor sat on the edge and stroked up and down Devon’s spine. The trembling slowed but didn’t stop. 

Quickly grabbing a quilt from his closet, Connor tucked it around Devon, making sure his much longer hair didn’t get caught in it. He scooped him up bridal style and held him close. Even now, Devon still felt like a ghost. Maybe it would be better when he was awake but Connor wasn’t sure. 

Grieving Devon had changed him, being dead would definitely have changed Devon even more. Connor would be with him through all of it but how much was left of the person he fell in love with?

He walked them out to the car, setting Devon in the passenger seat and closing the door gently, and got in on the driver’s side. He ran through his mental checklist one last time, though it didn’t really matter.

 The cabin stood still and quiet in the moonlight and Connor couldn’t help the uncertainty. Maybe it was the wrong thing, to leave so out of the blue. He could go back inside right now, and no one would ever have to know. But if they stayed and Devon died, or if Connor was killed before they got the chance to be together again, he’d never forgive himself. His crew, the coven, the Pine Springs crew, and Stacy and the rest of her and Devon’s friends would be more than enough to stop Adrian. He and Devon weren’t needed. 

They weren’t. 

Connor started the car.

--

Devon never used to die in his dreams. It had always been the clubhouse, always Redfield, but not always Jane—all his friends had their turns falling and snapping their necks. Devon would scream and plead and watch, horrified, as his friends died. Redfield’s voice would hiss through the dreamscape and Devon would be launched awake. 

What he wouldn’t give to be launched awake.

Shadows curled around them as they writhed on the floor of the cave. The wound in his chest tore wider as it became infested with darkness and sickly blue light. There was battery acid in their veins, a chill as his lungs were weighed down with water, his mind disappearing into a haze of despair and hatred. Sinking lower and lower into the Power. 

“Devon? Sweetheart, wake up.”

A hand on his shoulder and Devon gasped awake. They were in a bed with gray sheets that did not belong to them. Connor sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at them worriedly. What the hell was going on?

The last thing Devon remembered was the clubhouse. His hand shot to his chest, but there was no blood, no pain. 

The last thing he remembered was water. Noah, Connor, Ava, and Jocelyn? But Jocelyn was in the hospital, Connor had texted him about it, but they were at the cabin, Cora’s cabin. She’d bled out in Devon’s arms just hours–days–weeks ago. 

“Sweetheart?” Connor’s voice was soft and low, Devon tried to focus on it. His head was killing him.

“Where are we?” He tried to croak out before breaking into a coughing fit. Connor sat them against the headboard and a bottle of water was brought to their mouth.

“San Francisco, the edge of it, anyway. I was going to drive through, but you woke up in the car.” He smiled. “Thought it’d be best to stop.”

…Those words made sense individually, but in relation to Devon, they might as well have been nonsense. 

His memories were still jumbled. Power hummed in his bones like false electricity. Homecoming night was the clearest thing in his head, though he knew it had been awhile since Noah had loomed over him, Jane’s laughter egging him on–”How long? Since I died.”

Connor looked away. "You just woke up. I can tell you everything later."

Oh, the irony. "Weren't you the one who said I shouldn't lie to keep you safe."

He huffed a laugh and seemed to brace himself. “About four years.”

That was...longer than he'd expected. Four years was a long time. That was a college degree. That was a move across the country. Four years was so many things they didn’t get to do. Devon tried to keep their breathing steady. They shouldn’t have asked. 

Connor moved closer and pulled them into his arms. Devon buried their face in Connor’s shoulder. They wanted to cry but tears wouldn’t form. At least that was the same. Connor rocked them back and forth, smoothing back Devon’s too long, too curly hair.

No one had ever held them so gently and with so much care, it made Devon wonder what he’d done to deserve it. Connor had been their first everything, but even though those two weeks felt like only yesterday for them it had been so much longer for Connor. But if there was someone else surely he wouldn’t be there, holding them and calling them ‘sweetheart.’

All the new information and questions left Devon drained and wanting nothing more than to sleep, but there was something else at the back of his mind he needed to know immediately. “Why aren’t we in Westchester?”

Connor froze, his arms tightening minutely around him. “We don’t need to be.” 

Devon shivered at his tone. That was ominous as fuck. They were about to press when they noticed a burning near their chest. A fierce and directed kind of burn with charred edges. It felt like the infestation in their dream, but it wasn’t coming from them. 

He was pressed chest to chest with Connor and he could feel something rotting, sitting behind Connor’s physical self, like dying and writhing weeds in a wound. Devon needed to get rid of it. 

“Okay.” He placed a hand on Connor’s back over the weeds and picked at the edges with his own Power. How had such a deep corruption gotten into Connor? “We can stay.”

Devon pulled at the roots but the weeds didn’t want to let go. They were tangled together, glowing and burning. It almost felt familiar. They tugged harder and—

#ilw #it lives within #connor green #oc: devon hernandez #turtle writes

[usagiverse]

Vesper-sama!

*sighs* I missed two updates, a Princess Miya post, and a murder meme? *gasp* nononono... wait, wait, am I canonically half the size of your turtle-sona?

And why Kogane?! *growls* and he calls himself an artist… oh sorry, "master craftsman"… master in being a pain in the… I would have quit before starting, tell me he's the one to eliminate.. please?... pretty please?

agh! priorities, priorities, decisions, so much to have an opinion on *rolling on their webs* and you have collabs now... too much to say...

So, I'll just say congratulations on your third update, I loved the shift between emotional and funny (like they stank)… oh! and the plan you have for the time skip sounds great, so congratulations on the collaborations, and I hope many people help you with the coloring for Valor, Devon… ugh… and Kogane…

Happy holidays, Vesper-sama!

Bunnon, Did you know that annons can't send images?...I learned today

Bunnon you're gonna kill me... if you were tall, we'd have a REAL BIG PROBLEM on our hands... Ah, although, I suppose you could be tall if you wanted, since you can just extend your limbs? I reaaaaally like size differences... both ways... but the dynamic changes depending on who is taller... how can I tease you from so far beneath you? i guess I'll just have to take the teasing instead (｡•́‿•̀｡); I don't know how tall Bunnon really is but I was reminded to make a height chart (since I have a hard time staying consistent with heights anyway)

Can't send images ?? oh... that's so sad.. I guess you'll have to use your main account to send images . . . . (or ! make a secondary blog called bunnonymous ! and then you're still anon, but can send images, and I'll still know it's you, hehe)

Happy Holidays! And thank you, Bunnon, I'm glad you like the mood shifts! I wanted to stay in tune with Rise and Chronicles, I think Yojimbo is a little too dark (miyamoto commits genocide against so many anthro warriors PER ISSUE how are there more of them to kill dawg how do they not know to leave my mans alone oh my godd) and yeah I wanted it to be upbeat, a little silly, has some dark themes but shouldn't be overly agonizing, they're kids after all.

I feel the same about Kogane... a real pain in the shell. I'm sure comic artists or artists in general don't usually show the whole text they used to make blabber-mouth characters, but I wanted to show it. I think if you saw everything he said, you'd be even more upset B) and I live for the chaos, you know I have to...

Yes, he's annoying, I hate that stupid little dog man I can't wait for him to be found in a ditch full of Kraang dogs just munching away at his stupid furry face and that the screaming stops after 6 minutes and 25 seconds........... siiiigh if only... (for legal reasons this is a joke . and no UV's OP is NOT TOXIC)

#rottmnt #usagi chronicles #usagi yojimbo #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the tmnt #uv asks #ft turtlesona #bunnon #bunnon usagi

[strinak]

Author Statistics

For 10 authors, I read their works into the double digits: Alessandra Hazard (x11) Kiki Clark (x12) Kati Wilde (x13) Shelly Laurenston (x15) AJ Sherwood (x16) Onley James (x20) KL Noone (x24) Charity Parkerson (x31) Megan Derr (x40) Mary Calmes (x44)

For 24 authors, I read at least 3 and at most 9 works: Andrea K Host (x4), Anne Bishop (x4), Brigham Vaughn (x3), Bruce Sentar (x3), Deacon Frost (x3), Eric Ugland (x7), Gail Carriger (x1)/GL Carriger (x3), Ilona Andrews (x5), Jennifer Cody (x4), Jordan Castillo Price (x3), Louisa Masters (x6), Lucy Lennox (x5), Lyn Gala (x3), Mell Eight (x3), Michelle Diener (x4), Naomi Novik (x3), R Cooper (x5), RJ Moray (x2)/Robin Moray (x1), Sam Burns (x5), Shirtaloon (x7), Stella Starling (x4), TJ Land (x9), Vasily Mahanenko (x3), and Wen Spencer (x5).

For 25 authors, I read exactly 2 works: Alex Gilbert, Alice Winters, Amanda Meuwissen, Amy Crook, Andy Gallo, Bettie Sharpe, Claire Cullen, David North, Eli Easton, Eryn Ivers, Isabel Murray, Jessie Mihalik, KM Neuhold, LC Mawson, Luke Chmilenko, Macronomicon, Ofelia Grand, Robin Roseau, Ryan Rimmel ,Sam Burns & WM Fawkes (with Sam Burns), Shannon West, Skylar Jaye, Tara Lain, TS Snow, and Victoria Helen Stone.

For 87 authors, I read only a single work: A Catherine Noon & Rachel Wilder, AC Wiggen, Allie Brosh, Amanda Milo, Andrea Speed, Anyta Sunday (with Andy Gallo), April Jade, Arden Powell, August, Brea Alepou & Wren Snow, Brooke Matthews, Bryce O’Connor (with Luke Chmilenko), Cale Plamann, Casualfarmer, Catelyn Winona, Chace Verity, CJ Carella, CM Blackwood, Courtney Milan, Daniel Rose, Danny M Lavery, Darktechnomancer, Dassy Bernhard, Delaney Rain, Delmire Hart, Devon Vesper, DI Freed, DM Rhodes, Eden Finley & Saxon James, EJ Russell, Elliott Kay, EM Lindsey (with Kiki Clark), Hayden Hall, HJ Tolson, Jenny Lawson, Jesse Q Sutanto, JK Jeffrey, KA Merikan, Kaleb England, Kaydence Snow, Kou Delika, Lee Hadan, Liz Talley, May Archer (with Lucy Lennox), Macy Blake, Margaret Atwood, Marie Cardno & Kalikoi, Michele Notaro, Michelle Frost, Michelle Kathleen Hodgson, Natasha Hunter, Nazri Noor, Philip R Johnson & Justin C Louis, Raleigh Ruebins, Ravensdagger, Regine Abel, Riley Hart, RJ Scott, Robert Bevan, Ryn Bretcher, Sam Starbuck, Samantha Cayto, Sariah Wilson, Sasha L Miller, Scott Browder, SE Harmon, Sean Oswald, Sebastian Hansen, Seth Richter, Sienna Sway, Sierra Riley, SJ Himes, Stephanie Burgis, Stephen L Hadley, Stuart Grosse, Suki Fleet, Sunny Hart, SunriseCV, Tansy Rayner Roberts, Tanya Chris, Toby Wise, Tom Watts, Toni McGee Causey, Travis Baldtree, Xander Boyce, Yamila Abraham, and Zile Elliven.

#books #books of 2022

[devonvesper]

Kaiden Ficlet © Devon Vesper. All rights reserved.

It didn’t snow in the Netherdark. Hell, it didn’t snow in the Highdark, either. They were both underground, after all. Kaiden was lucky it snowed in the Summerlands, regardless of what season the place was named after. It corresponded kinda-sorta around the area Pennsylvania was on Earth, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it was.

But the Netherdark? It was warm all year round because it existed in its own little mini-ecosystem surrounded by volcanic vents that warmed the tunnels.

Yay.

Yes, Kaiden was being sarcastic, but ever since he got sucked into this life of being an elven king’s consort—fuck prince, he had to skip straight to king’s consort because Papa tossed the throne at Morough’s head the moment Kaiden gave birth to Tovran. But now that all the dust had settled, now that he had a moment to breathe and not have to worry about demon-god-things killing everyone and taking over the three worlds, Kaiden had the time to reflect.

And what he saw was a total disaster. Yes, he lived a fairy tale. He had a strong, loving, gorgeous husband and the cutest son in the world. He had friends and a snarky talking horse, Culthar, whose name means Man-Eater. But Kaiden still had that nagging feeling something was wrong. Something needed fixing. It was winter, and he was warm. Wearing breezy shirts and parading his ass around a palace in slippers and fancy wisps of websilk thin enough to be as close to wearing nothing at all as a guy could be without being lewd.

Now that he had time to reflect, Kaiden missed things from his old life. Things he wasn’t sure he would ever get back. Things like Christmas, which was supposed to be today. Shit. Elves didn’t celebrate Christmas, even by some who weren’t in the religion. Hell, other than having read human books, Elves didn’t even know what Christmas was or why it was celebrated. Granted, Kaiden had never been a religious person. Still, he loved the idea of a “Season of Giving,” of spending time with loved ones, taking time out of a hellish, busy year to sit back and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa in front of a fire with twinkling lights and happy music to smooth away all the stress from the year.

Here, it was almost a complete monotony. Celebrations? Every day was a celebration of life and love. Giving? If you needed it, it was provided for you, sooner if you spoke up and made your need known. Want to learn a new skill because you’re bored? No need to apply. Just find an expert and geek out with them until they frothed at the mouth to show you everything.

And while the elves’ exuberance for life, teaching, and giving was refreshing… it was also boring for someone who spent the first twenty or so years of his life as a human with ups and downs, uncertainties, and constant negativity where scheduled holidays were almost necessary to break up all the shit and madness and give you some peace and happiness for a short while.

Sitting on the balcony, Kaiden stared out at the bright, sunny lights of the surrounding buildings of Y’lon Stral. Baby Tovran napped in his bassinet next to him, a spell keeping the basket swaying in a gentle, steady rhythm. Morough was off dealing with Council crap, which amused Kaiden to no end. He had thought this was a patriarchal society until things settled, and Morough came to him for every decision as if he was unable to make them alone.

“The king and king’s consort are a single body,” he had explained. “The king’s consort is the heart and mind. The king is the strength, shielding the king’s consort. That’s why the king sometimes sits forward and the king’s consort slightly behind. Should things get out of hand, the king’s consort is to be protected, especially if they are a mage, as they can easily cast from behind their mate while using his body as a shield as he fights with brawn and blade.”

He had given Kaiden a boyish grin then and brushed calloused fingers down his cheek. “A king is nothing without his consort. We are meant to complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses, rule alone when one is incapacitated, knowing the other’s heart enough to know what they might suggest. And when they are beside you, the king’s consort’s voice is to be heard because more often, it is the voice of reason, where the kings are the voice of might.”

And after that long-winded explanation, it completely dumbfounded him when Kaiden patted his chest and told him to deal with the Council on his own because he didn’t feel like leaving their baby with a nanny or chestfeeding in front of dozens of strangers. He wasn’t ashamed, but yeah. Kinda hard to feel badass and royal when you got a kid stuck to a nipple and wanted nothing more than to burp him and toss the kid in his bassinet so you could nap, too.

His daddy? Iliastaire had only patted Morough on the shoulder and laughed at the confused puppy look on his face. But at least he seemed to get it.

But that also meant they both left Kaiden alone. And the worst thing—other than being exhausted and unable to nap—was he had to sit there and stew in his own head due to boredom. No snow to play in. Nothing to break up the monotony. No real difference between day and night here, other than the colors the buildings turned as the day progressed.

It was driving him mad. And the more batshit directions his mind took, the more Kaiden wanted to get up and move. But, what did he do?

“I’m surprised your mind hasn’t caught fire yet,” Sol said from the doorway to the balcony. “You really should temper your mind, so you don’t ignite the curtains.”

Kaiden snorted and glanced over his shoulder at him. “Keep your voice down. You wake Tovran, and I’ll wring your neck.”

A bright, devilish grin lit his face, and he stalked toward the bassinet to look down at the infant within. Then, to Kaiden’s horror, he reached in and picked Tovran up, blankets and all, tucked the kid to his chest and headed back into his suite. “Oh, he’s going with me. You should follow. You are needed.”

To his surprise, having Sol “steal” his baby didn’t enrage Kaiden as much as it probably should have. His stomach squirmed, but that might just be worry that Tovran would wake and want to be fed again, but the boy stayed asleep tucked in Sol’kyr’s arms.

Kaiden fought against his confusion as he followed after the elf. He was needed? “What did Momo get himself into this time?”

Sol chuckled and wrapped the blanket more securely about Tovran. “Something is wrong in Lor’lecha. The Summerlands king, Kennan Merintas, has requested your presence. Something about his son, Elan. I don’t remember the specifics. Your husband is already there for the Council meeting, but he cannot help in this situation.”

It sounded fishy. Something was going on, and Kaiden wanted to get to the bottom of it. But, he also wanted a nap. Whether that was from boredom or actual tiredness, he wasn’t certain. He suspected boredom. Maybe bickering at the Council and teasing the other royals and nobles would make the desperate need for sleep abate. …Maybe.

With Sol in the other room, Kaiden shut the door, quickly dressed in something more presentable, and followed him to the Netherdark’s Council chambers. He wrinkled his nose as he walked into the cavernous room with its benches lining the sides and rich, polished stone in beautiful colors drenching every flat surface. In the center stood a portal, and since his incident with Syr’del keeping him captive in one, he still didn’t trust the damned things.

But he had no choice, as Sol’kyr flashed him a rather sinister grin and stepped through. With his sleeping son.

Shit.

“Come on, Kaiden,” he muttered. “Buck up, and get moving.”

His feet didn’t like that idea. Neither did his roiling stomach.

Kaiden wasn’t one to back down. From anything. He heaved a frustrated sigh and raced for the portal. Once he was through, a feeling of falling came over him. Then it was over. Only a split second. …He could deal with that. Maybe. His stomach still wasn’t happy.

Especially when he realized the portal had taken him to the main sitting room in their Summerlands Estate rather than the palace in Lor’lecha. The palace where the council meeting was supposed to take place.

The palace where Sol was supposed to have taken his baby.

“What the crap?”

He squealed when a chilly hand rested on his shoulder. He spun around, then sagged when he found Olvin standing there with Tovran wrapped in yet another thick, fuzzy blanket. The omega grinned and dipped into a graceful curtsy. “I am sorry to startle you, but you must dress, my lord!”

“Dress?” He blinked stupidly at Olvin, then down at his gauzy tunic and flowy pants with the gold accents. “Uh…”

Olvin patted his shoulder, then grabbed his hand and half-dragged him toward his room. “Yes. Dress. It is quite cold outside. Fresh snow has fallen, and it is near knee height. Come! I have an ensemble already laid out for you in your chambers.”

This was all too weird. What the hell is going on? Is Olvin in on this, too? And where did Sol’kyr run off to?

He barely finished that thought when Olvin dragged him up the sloping ramp to his tower, where his and Morough’s bedroom resided. What was the rush? Why was Olvin acting like the world would end if Kaiden didn’t get dressed in a hurry?

They rushed into his room, and Olvin settled Tovran into his bassinet in the corner with a cooed word to get him to settle.

Then he attacked Kaiden with fur and leathers, thick and comfy, with warm gloves and sturdy, waterproof boots. The omega pulled Kaiden’s hood up and passed him Tovran after stuffing the poor kid into what looked like a leather purse lined with thick fur. He settled the strap diagonally over Kaiden’s back and tightened it until Tovran was snug in the sling.

And then the omega bustled him back down the slope like his ass was on fire. “Where are we going?” Kaiden demanded. “What’s the rush? And why am I dressed like a polar bear?”

He tried to dig his heels in to stop their forward progress, but Olvin just rounded in front of him and dragged him along. “I don’t have time to explain, my lord! The others await!”

“I’m sure you can talk and walk at the same time,” Kaiden groused. “Come on. What’s the deal?”

“I do not know,” he replied. “I was only instructed to dress you in warm things and rush you to Lor’lecha. There is another portal awaiting you that will take you to your destination. Please, hurry!”

Was that a lie in his voice? …That omega just lied to me!

But before he could call Olvin on it, the omega pushed him through the portal, and Kaiden blinked. Going from the dim, warm lights of the Netherdark to the dim, cozy lights of the estate and then out into bright, blinding daylight that glinted off piles of snow made his eyes burn and water.

It took a few moments for his vision to clear. He wiped away the tears that blinded him. Why is everyone being weird? And why am I outside the palace? What—

He gasped as his vision cleared.

Morough stood next to an ice sculpture of a dragon. He grinned, his cheeks and nose flushed red from the cold. When Kaiden glared at him, he chuckled and came to his side, and pressed a kiss to his forehead. The dragon wasn’t the only ice sculpture. Others—unicorns, more dragons, sithaks, bears, and even two vaciroth—lined a walkway and hid whatever lay beyond.

Kaiden narrowed his eyes at his husband and poked a finger into the thick coat he wore. “What is going on?”

His eyes twinkled as he drew him down the snowy walkway. “You have been cooped up in our suite for too long.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

His grin grew, and he urged Kaiden along. “You will see.”

Kaiden huffed. “I’ll see wha—”

The last word cut off with a squeal as they rounded the bend and came to the end of the ice sculptures.

Out in the middle of the snow-covered field was a large pine tree, freshly planted in the hard soil, which must have been an interesting feat. Mage lights of all colors twinkled among the boughs. Ornaments hung from the branches. Some of them Kaiden recognized. An angel his friend in Florida had given him swayed in the breeze from a red ribbon. A plastic mold of Rudolph from a cartoon he had loved hung from a low branch next to Yukon Cornelius. Metal ornaments glinted with fresh polish, one for every Christmas of his twenty years on Earth, gifts from his parents. Garland glinted in the winter light.

Tears stung Kaiden’s eyes, and he looked up at Morough. He grinned down at Kaiden and wiped away his tears with a gloved finger. “I sent Sol and Veli back after our battle with Syr’del. We gathered as much as we could. The lights wouldn’t work here without electricity, but we improvised.”

And then Kaiden’s heart lurched as Bing Crosby’s voice floated toward them, singing “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.” Kaiden followed the voice to find his ancient CD player tucked on a stool, a case of batteries sitting next to it on one side, and a pile of Christmas CDs on the other.

Velithor’s laugh tore Kaiden’s attention away. He whipped his head in his direction just in time to see a snowball explode on his chest. Morough’s younger brother, Li’nov, gathered another in his gloved hands, a wicked gleam in his eyes. Near them sat a six-foot-tall snowman with a websilk scarf wrapped about its neck, a strange brown root stuck out of its face for a nose, and jewels in place of coal for eyes, mouth, and buttons.

Morough hugged him from behind, careful of Tovran in the sling, and rocked him side to side as Kaiden tried to get a grip on his emotions. He leaned down and murmured against Kaiden’s ear. “When my mate turns down his chance to tease and cajole the other royals and nobles of the Council, I know it’s time for him to play.” He chuckled and rubbed the sling that held their son. “Hand Tovran to Olvin. Elan is waiting inside. They can play together in the warmth while we have our own fun. Then…” He kissed the shell of Kaiden’s ear and caught another tear as it fell down his cheek. “Then we’ll gather inside for some hot chocolate to warm up.”

Kaiden sniffled. Everything seemed surreal, from the way the snow drifted down and glinted in the muted sunlight like diamonds. The way the mage lights twinkled on the tree. The way Bing Crosby’s voice transported him back in time to when he was young, decorating the tree in his apartment in Pennsylvania with his two friends before they had moved away after college, singing Christmas carols at the top of their lungs, tipsy from too much of the alcoholic eggnog Cindy had smuggled from her parents’ house.

Olvin broke Kaiden out of his reverie by stepping in front of him, a sweet smile on his face. He passed Kaiden a handkerchief and held out his hands. “I’ll take him inside where it’s warm so he can finish his nap and play with baby Elan. Please, my lord. Go have fun.”

Fun. While he desperately loved his son and had fun with him every day, Kaiden hadn’t had fun without an infant since before he found out he was an elf. Not without something dire hanging over his head.

He swallowed hard as Olvin helped him lift off the sling. His heart sank in his chest as he watched the manservant cuddle the boy against his chest, curtsy to him, and head back toward the palace. But, one look at the tree, a glance to the side to see Sol’kyr stuffing snow down Li’nov’s jacket while he laughed and tried to get away, and his heart lifted again.

A snowball exploded against Kaiden’s shoulder. It showered snow up into his hair, onto his face to stick, and then melt. Another glanced off Morough’s thigh. Kaiden darted another surprised look over at the three elves playing in the snow to see all three turned toward them, snowballs in hand.

“All your wishes are mine, my one,” Morough murmured, amusement in his voice. “Let’s go play.”

Another volley of snowballs flew toward them. Kaiden erected a shield on instinct, but it was too late. One caught his chest, and another smashed against Morough’s shoulder. The third whizzed past Morough’s head by mere inches.

A laugh bubbled up in Kaiden’s throat. His husband gave him a wicked grin. “This means war.”

The fight was on—two against three. With the promise of hot chocolate and a warm fire after they were done, Kaiden bent to form a snowball and laughed as another one hit his back. “I’ll pack the balls. You chuck them, Muscle Man.”

Morough laughed—this delighted thing that warmed Kaiden to the core. “At your command!”

#fiction #short story #elves #christmas #christmas tree #high fantasy #my writing

[travelingjoe]

Exeter in Devon, England, March 2023 — The Exeter cathedral is magnificent. Entering you are blown away by the beautiful vaulted ceiling that turns out is the longest uninterrupted in Western Europe. Docent Tim gave us a great tour pointing out all the things you miss unguided…like the fact that the alter boys graffitied a tomb in their changing room beginning in the 1600s and that the faces of saints and bishops were defaced during the reformation. Rehearsals for the Exeter philharmonic choir provided an inspiring backdrop and were so enthralled we returned for the full performance in the evening. Enchanting to hear them perform the 1610 Monteverdi Vespers music in this 15th century Cathedral.

[ladywolf977]

Hey, Have you entered this competition to win Devon Vesper Signed Book Giveaway yet? If you refer friends you get more chances to win :) https://wn.nr/2Jym6M

[bookstattoosandtea]

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Elven King's Forever by Devon Vesper

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Elven King’s Forever by Devon Vesper

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Elven King’s Forever By Devon Vesper Fated Elves, Book 4 Can two enemies work together to save the one person they both love? After all this time, Dustin’s transformation is nearly complete, and his happy ending is so close he can almost see it. His wedding is fast approaching, and he’s about to start school. He has his future, his lover, and his friends,…

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#Book Love #Coming Soon #Cover Reveal #Devon Vesper #Fantasy #Fated Evles #Gay Book Review #Gay Romance Authors #LGBTQ #LGBTQ Books #MM Romance #New Cover #Paranormal #The Elven King&039;s Forever

[thequille]

THE ELVEN KING'S CAPTIVE - FATED ELVES #1

THE ELVEN KING’S CAPTIVE – FATED ELVES #1

Time: Now MCs: MM Sub-Genre: Paranormal Romance Themes: Elves; Magic; First Love; Found Family; Fantasy; Hurt/Comfort; Age Gap; Alpha/Omega; January-December Summary: When Dustin stumbles into Casersis and touches his magic amulet, Dustin’s hint of elven blood starts a magical chain reaction that puts him in mortal danger. The amulet’s power begins to rewrite his DNA from human to elf, and if…

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#Authoress #Contemporary #Devon Vesper #Fated Elves Series #M/M #MMRomance #Paranormal #romance

[mateushonrado]

Status Post #8280: Power Rangers (TV show only) Archive 16 of 16

Row 1: Vesper Vasquez (Cristina Valenzuela, Hyperforce Black), Chloe Ashford (Meghan Camarena, Hyperforce Pink) and Joe Shih (Yoshi Sudarso, Time Force Silver / Hyperforce Green)

Row 2: Devon Daniels (Rorrie D. Travis, Beast Morpher Red) and Ravi Shaw (Jazz Baduwalia, Beast Morpher Blue)

Row 3: Zoey Reeves (Jacqueline Scislowski, Beast Morpher Yellow), Nate Silva (Abraham Rodriguez, Beast Morpher Gold) and Steel (Jamie Linehan, Beast Morpher Silver)

Row 4: Blaze (Colby Strong, Beast Morpher Red [candidate]) and Roxy (Liana Ramirez, Beast Morpher Yellow [candidate])

#power rangers #vesper vasquez #chloe ashford #joe shih #devon daniels #ravi shaw #zoey reeves #nate silva #steel #blaze #roxy

[selena-snape]

Sexta Generación:

¤ Lilith Moira Riddle y Julian Cameron Gray

¤ Bloom Larissa Peters y Sky Aurelius Peters

¤ Hazel Opal Peters y Magnus Roman Watson

¤ Theodore August Peters y Meredith Mavis Monroe

¤ Aaron Christopher Weasley y Verena Michelle Dyer

¤ Joshua Stephen Weasley y Esther Amalia Holt

¤ Charles Samuel Weasley y Ruby Stephanie Saffron

¤ Iris Aurelia Weasley y Marshall Everett Conrad

¤ Theophania Calliope Richardson y Corinne Roxanne Everleigh

¤ Arabella Beatrix Richardson y Henry Oliver Brooks

¤ Kai Dominick Richardson y Flynn Milo Wolf

¤ Willow Cosima Levin y Nicoletta Pomona Wilford

¤ Fern Violet Levin y Marie Honoria Ollivander

¤ Euphemia Alessandra Levin y John Florean Palmer

¤ Dorothea Giovanna Levin y Elladora Eloise Gibson

¤ Salazar Lucius Levin y Holly Avalon Barnes

¤ Eleanor Hope Levin y Savannah Genevieve Shaw

¤ Gracie Isadora Novak y Marvin Declan Sullivan

¤ Alec Aurelian Novak y Claire Piper Johan

¤ Mason Ezekiel Novak y Clementine Octavia Albion

¤ Lotor Comet Snape y Giovanni Benjamin Lestrange

¤ "Moon Demon" Darius Angelo Snape y "Dark Angel " Arianne Alysson Snape

¤ "Killer Shadow" Lazarus Ignatius Snape y "Ice Demon" Urania Calliope Snape

¤ Morterius Viktor Snape y Hisirdoux Artemas Casperan

¤ Regris Niven Snape y Acxa Valda Snape

¤ Kevin Ethan Snape y Gwendolyn Stephanie Tennyson

¤ Regulus Orion Snape y Abel Austin Khemse

¤ Cygnus Arcturus Snape y Frederic Alistair Weasley

¤ Elle Rigel Snape y Matsuda Touta

¤ Beyond Aurelian Snape y Mikami Teru

¤ Alexander Valens Snape y Magnus Sebastian King

¤ Lysander Nikolaus Snape y Vladimir Micah Masters

¤ Gwendolyn Hiroko Snape y Tanaka Misaki

¤ Ezra Yamato Snape y Luveva Rosemay Sutherlamd

¤ Ryan Yoshio Snape y Avery Daxon Sinclair

¤ Keith Akira Snape y James Oliver Griffin

¤ Yuudai Riley Snape y Danielle Edna Young

¤ Yuriko Harley Snape y Debra Kathleen McIntosh

¤ Clarice Suki Snape y Alphard Delphinus Black

¤ Mako Ethan Snape y Giovanna Naomi Hamilton

¤ Morgana Kendra Voorhees y Karin Delilah Summers

¤ Carrie Margaret Voorhees y "Sue" Susan Danica Snell

¤

¤

¤

¤ Jessica Lorna Kimble y Steven Malcom Freeman

¤ Audrey Andromeda Malfoy y Andre Perseus Bourgeois

¤ Gabriel Bastian Malfoy y Emilie Calliope Graham de Vanily

¤ Roynard Hydra Malfoy y Violet Rowena Deekers

¤ Raymond Lynx Malfoy y Cedric Atticus Diggory

¤ Draco Lucius Malfoy y Astoria Coraline Greengrass

¤ Merle Ariel Malfoy y "Jesus" Paul Finnegan Rovia

¤ Hope Leah Malfoy y

¤ Carl Thomas Malfoy y

¤ Levi Armand Malcoy y

¤ Daryl Hunter Malfoy y Rick Jonah Grimes

¤ Vitale Astaroth Sparda y Luka Nicholas Sparda

¤ Neron Asura Sparda y Kyrie Serena Kiernan

¤ Merak Emory Sparda y Portia Manon Hendrix

¤ Armand Vincent Sparda y

¤ Nicholas William Sparda y

¤ Septimus Canyon Sparda y

¤ Loretta Margot Grace y Calvin Raphael Foxglove

¤ Julius Grant Grace y Ivy Roxanne Baxley

¤ Benjamin Vidar Grace y Edgar Zachary Maddox

¤ Ophelia Nozomi Jensen y Cordelia Avery Bkwie

¤ Eileen Victoria Jensen y Silvius Dael Sinclair

¤ Thomas Lysander Jensen y Othello Natalie Reeve

¤ Nova Genesis Jackson y Allison Leah Reid

¤ Losa Iris Brooks y Briar Anais Tedford

¤ Nina Rosie Brooks y Asa August Harding

¤ Connor Cyrus Brooks y Sandra Sabine Simmons

¤ Esme Aurora Donovan y Maxine Riley Crosby

¤ Arabella Cassidy Donovan y Robert Dashiell. Davenport

¤ Arianne Odette Donovan y Terrence Gideon Graves

¤ Kendra Alessandra Donovan y Alexis Scarlett Bishop

¤ Cassandra Abigail Donovan y James Anthony West

¤ Pansy Genevieve Parkinson y Theodore Phineas Nott

¤ Avalon Forrest Parkinson

¤ Damien Emory Parkinson

¤ Ursa Alexa Corvinus Y Narcissa Hazel Ripley

¤ Nora Alyssa Corvinus y Lydia Skylar Abernathy

¤ Annabelle Danica Corvinus y Rowan Vladimir Norwood

¤ Luna Pandora Lovewood y Rolf Elijah Matthew Scamander

¤

¤

¤

¤

¤ Ronan Artemis Marcelly y Adam Timothy Reed

¤ Giovanni Octavius Marcelly y Robin Mikhaila Mckinley

¤ Ivan Alistair Marcelly y James Christopher Peters

¤ Mika Valentina Donnelly y Arthur Ethan Bowers

¤ Damien September Delaney y Melione Rowena Robinson

¤ Kira Dominika Delaney y Marlon Oliver Williams

¤ Kanna Amelia Delaney y Gael Ethan Byron

¤ Nicholas Hadrien Delaney y Madison Edith Emerson

¤ Armand Demetrius Corwin y Persephone Aspen Cormac

¤ Tatiana Aubrey Corwin y Marcella Carolinne Cervenka

¤ Pandora Evageline Corwin y Cecilia Honoria Van Frietag

¤ Natasha Piper Dresden y Donna Mary Berkshire

¤ Emily Alisha Ansel y Nana Eliza Martin

¤ Isabelle Veronica Ansel y Carmen Emilia Reyes

¤ Kenneth Paul Dollins y Ella Isabella Evans

¤ Joseph Herman Dollins y Juliet Corina Rogers

¤ Hailey Amelia Flint y Lucia Naomi Barnes

¤ Ashley Jasmine Flint y Maxwell Benjamin Norton

¤ Piper Savannah Flint y Louis Howart Daxton

¤ Chase Akira Braken y Felix Lucius Quinn

¤ Florian Narcissus Braken y Colin Leonard Frone

¤ Callum Daniel Fox y Marjorie Katie Vance

¤ Dante Ezra Fox y Leila Juniper Thomson

¤ Nathan Soren Fox y Matthias Isaac Parker

¤ Magnus Gideon Fox y Desmond Ethan McReynolds

¤ Lucian Harrison Fox y Apollo Anthony Greene

¤ Jude Eli Hudson y Theodore Declan Vesper

¤ Olive Genesis Ivanovich y David Cameron Canyon

¤ Tate Roman Ivanovich y Molly Aurora Wiley

¤ Ivory Leah Ivanovich y Diane Barbara Jennings

¤ Devon Julian Kane y Ophelia Pauline Colins

¤ Claudine Barbara Kane y Matthew Benjamin Rothchild

¤ Castiel Dominc Kane y Charlie Isaac Lauder

¤ Natasha Bella Kane y Mackenzie Riley Hills

¤ Caroline Samantha Kane y Sarah Emma Fuller

¤ Harper Eva Kane y Daniel Michael Baker

¤ Henry Jasper Kane y Duncan Joshua Evas

¤ Nathan Pietro Kane y Elijah Maxwell Crimson

¤ June Opal Kane y Felix Octavius Rhodes

¤ Jane Ophelia Kane y Angelo Dominic Lowell

¤ Aldora Corinne Prince Amora Lyra Stout

¤ Odolette Lila Prince y Thalia Cora Fulton

¤ Amon Rowan Prince y Elira Bianca Thorton

¤ Amelia Robin Prince y Nicolo Dorian Guthrie

¤ Alastor Robert Prince y Dinah Pandora Pearson

¤ Gavin Marshall Prince y Megara Eloise Lang

¤ Sean Colin Prince y Rebecca Odette Douglas

¤ Renee Tara Prince y Miles Edgar Lambert

¤ Eric Lance Snapey y Millicent Corinne Curtis

¤ Marlon Levi Snape y Lily Alyssa Yancer

¤ Luther Garth Snape y Judith Naomi Tailyour

¤ Hannah Ebony Snape y Lincoln Nathan Penfold

¤ Marie Clarice Snape y Leslie Regan Eastwood

¤ Jade Tiffany Snape y Leah Eliana Rees

¤ Grant Devin Snape y Geraldine Annalie Harfield

¤ Dean Leighton Snape y Fiona Charity Wheeler

¤ Mason Riley Oakley y Cartie April Willis

¤ Morgan Harley Oakley y Ian Paul Wenman

¤ Robert Damian Lake y Marion Corinne Turner

¤ Roy Ethan Morrinson y Griffin Rhett Essex

¤ Joy Ebony Morrinson y Kilian Lee Rowell

¤ Holden Ethan Snape y Eleanor Nadia Heron

¤ Corey Silas Snape y Jane Lydia Orchard

¤ Astrid Juliette Snape y Rhonda Hope Pataki

¤ Tate Julian Snape y James Ronan Poole

¤ Soren Jaspn Snape y Carmen Marianna Rojas

¤ Edgar Samuel Snape y Ingrid Ianthe Lauder

¤ Castiel Gabriel Dream y Cecilia Ember Bonavich

¤ Callum Paul Dream y Avalon Ginevra Carmichael

¤ Cedric Ernest Dream y Bathilda Sibyll Irvine

¤ Garett Elia Dream y Padma Orla Astor

¤ Austin Jordan Dream y Magenta Pomona Hearst

¤ Daryl Silvanus Dream y Nuru Sura Van Doren

¤ Calliope Scarlett Dream y Gemma Pomona Windsor

¤ Cordelia Maribelle Carter y Ivar Rainn Kline

¤ Howart Steven Carter y Sylvia Peyton Bechtel

¤ Lysander Casimir Carter y Enid Jivanta Galumba

¤ Pierre Milford Afton y Kylie Olivia McKeehan

¤ Rupert Stanley Afton y Andrea Jocelyn Varner

¤ Warren Philip Jefferson y Michelle Sabine Castle

¤ Ellie Audrey Jefferson y Shireen Monroe Marks

¤ Giselle Corina Leighton y Mia Velvet Bushnell

¤ Odette Marina Leighton y Nicoletta Verona Goldstein

¤ Larissa Dirina Leighton y Winry Carmina Montgomery

¤ Magnus Cassidy Edevane y Harry Leroy Baker

¤ Stella Andromeda Orville y Harold Russell Mcquiston

¤ Lucille Arabella Orville y Jace Colton Rutledge

¤ Lee Amos Evans y Zoey Makayla Camfield

¤ Cadmus Orion Evans y Trudy Nayala Lovell

¤ Florean Newton Evans y Xenia Sybil Herron

¤ Ivory Ooal Evans y Edmund Wilfred Frankham

¤ Luisa Veronica O'Kelly y Connor Evan Carson.

¤ Finn Andrew Harley y Portia Marilyn Curtis

¤ Abel Nolan Harley y Bonnie Thea Proudley

¤ Louis Xander Harley y Petunia Jamie Deakins

¤ Claire Norah Harley y Lance Chandler Western

¤ Camille Loena Harley y Myrtle Denise Golby

¤ Cora Adelaide Harley y Selma Kelsey Hicks

¤ Juliette Theodora Harley y Daisy China Kempster

¤ Cyrus Maximua Harley y Meredith Shannon Crocker

¤ Horatio Gideon Harley y Heidi Antoinette Deacon

¤ Dorothea Euphemia Harley y Terence Xavier Croucher

¤ Violetta Leopoldine Murphy y Franklin Leonidas Burton

¤ Nova Orion Murphy y Faustina Spencer Odam

¤ Comet Sky Murphy y Yvonne Wilhemina Hibberd

¤ Phoenix Bianca Murphy y Rosalie Simone Stratton

¤ Celestine Xiomara Glenwood y Rylan Waylon Mills

¤ Isla Cosima Glenwood y Neil Rowan Lee

¤ Jacqueline Glenna McCoy y Jarome Staley Orline

¤ Ann Marie McCoy y Ridley Everett Anderson

¤ Apoline Elian McCoy y Simom Edward Thompson

¤ Aubrey Lynn Orson y Braxton Hunter Young

¤ Amelia Faith Orson y Ryland Linden Allen

¤ Lucy Ella Volkov Jacob Jhon Wright

¤ Freya Leah Volkov y Rome Canyon Adams

¤ Martin Lane Volkov y Brianna Mirella Collins

¤ Monet Valentina Volkov y Callahan Anselm Morris

¤ Robinia Venus Carrington y Aragon Glorianne Watson

¤ Damon Micah Carrington y Selie Nia Rise

¤ Calla Seraphina Balckwood y Ariel Calyx Reid

¤ Adriana Norah Blackwood y Windsor Athen Foster

¤ Trevor Narcissus Blackwood y Larry Eugene Fraser

¤ Heather Kalina Moore y Lucilius Nicholas McIntosh

¤ Bernadette Alexa Moore y Ares Gabriel McLean

¤ Althea Ruby Lexington y Trinity Elizabeth Bland

¤ Camellia Iris Lexington y Damian Anthony Boswell

¤ Taylor Sidney Lexington y Fabian Dominic Bartlett

¤ Elena Vittoria Lexington y Athena Aubree Birch

¤ Oris Edward Goodwin y Ryleigh Nadia Chapman

¤ Archer Emrys Goodwin y Paisley Autumm Pannell

¤ Raphaela Esperalda Goodwin y Ryder Quentin Hamilton

¤ Ike Neron Goodwin y Bailey Stephanie Adams

¤ Lilianna Persephone Blackwood y Jared Fabian Crawford

¤ Albert Christopher Blackwood y Gemma Alyna Gibson

¤ Alfred Stella Blackwood y Nicholas Julian Munro

¤ Rose Mary Blackwood y Sebastian robert Walker

¤ Bernard Alden Blackwood y Katherine Calliope McGregor

¤ Benjen Isaiah Blackwood y Seraphina Harper Docherty

¤ Lewis Beckett Blackwood y Samirah Luna Ross

¤ Vlaire Harley Blackwood y Aurora Isabelle Gordon

[ivy-kissobryos]

Get to know me

tagged by @aktiophis

name/nickname: Vesper was my online alias that I ended up using for occult reasons, but now everyone calls me Ivy and honestly, I vibe with Ivy more. I go by either hahaha

gender: female

star sign: Capricorn

height: around 150cm... yeah I’m short

time: it’s currently 11pm

birthday: Dec 29

favourite bands: really depends on my mood. Right now I’m into Florence + the Machine, and also The Amazing Devil. If Thai, I really love the band พริกไทย

favourite solo artists: Aimer. Also Lana Del Rey, and IU. I can’t pick a genre or even a language lmao

song stuck in my head: จากคนหนึ่ง..ถึงอีกคน Cover by พิม ฐิติยากร

last movie: a rewatch of The Handmaiden (2015) because mood.

last show: the latest ep of Star Trek: Discovery

when did I create this blog: around 2018 I think

what I post: hellenic polytheism stuff + magic + random shit

last thing I googled: partial equilibrium model... I was meant to be revising lmao

other blogs: my main blog which I won’t tell :p some random blogs, and my swtor sideblog -> @hothian-snow (if you’re vaguely interested in the old republic era of star wars... pls follow me I’ve got like five friends there lmao I’m lonely)

following: 570, mostly dead. most of them are a mix of random people, star wars people, critical role fandom and occult and hellenic polytheistic people.

followers: 13K, mostly dead I think

average hours of sleep: 6 hours

lucky number: 7 or 9

instruments: piano and violin

what I am wearing: shorts and tshirt

dream job: a rich author (pretty much an oxymoron)

dream trip: just take me back to the UK already- I miss Devon and Cornwall. Also, let me go to the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic before I graduate pls

favourite food: I’m a sucker for sushi

nationality: Thai

favourite song: right now I’m digging Love Run by The Amazing Devil

last book I read: does a poetry anthology count? I was reading Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire. If not, I think it was a reread of Fatal Alliances by Sean Williams. I’m a sucker for the Sith and Jedi having reluctant truces, and the audiobook is lovely.

top 3 fictional universes I would like to live in: Star Trek during peacetime. Some Studio Ghibli universe. Also, the Elder Scrolls universe assuming I’m a badass in that setting.

tagging @witchcraftinred and whoever is interested

[theoriginaltortuga]

Responsibility, Rage, and Recent Resurrection (Outtake)

A/N: A discarded snippet of part 3 of R, R, and R. It didn't fit the flow and I allowed it to devolve into silliness. Just know the moment referenced is canon for this verse's Devon. Also has a spoiler for part 3 so under the cut.

"Are you really Devon?” “Yes! Who else would have Connor's phone?"

Stacy sounded unimpressed as she said, "Literally anyone connected to the Power who wants the corruption to happen." She sighed. "You're gonna have to prove it."

"How? Your sixth birthday, Andy and Ava got into a hot sauce battle. You got blackmailed by Britney and then blackmailed her back? You have a stuffed penguin?" Devon threw out fun facts desperately. He really didn't have time for this.

"No. What did you tell me about Connor the night of Britney's party?"

They froze. Shit. Vesper and Ava were standing right over her shoulder. Two more people to tell Connor and know Devon’s shame. "Stace, don't make me. It was an accident. I swore you to secrecy."

There was a devilish glee in her voice. "Which makes it perfect proof."

"The fuck it is."

"I'm waiting."

Devon sighed. There was no other option. They were trapped. "I said, 'It's cool if you have a problem with us dating. I'd stop. Bros before hoes.'"

Silence. Pure, humiliating silence.

"You called Connor a hoe?" Vesper said, far too loudly, as Ava and Stacy cackled in the background.

“Not technically—

“To his sister’s face?”

"You know what, I'm just gonna let him kill me."

"Tell him you called him a hoe, that might speed up the process."

#snippets #ilw #oc: devon hernandez #turtle writes #it lives within

[im-a-dragon-cawcaw]

Vesper glared at the documents in front of him with a seething hatred, why him of all his family, why did he have to marry... ugh, even thinking his name made him want to defenestrate himself. 

“You know I know what you’re thinking right?” Devon said, twirling a pen between his fingers. “we’re in the same boat. You honestly think I wanted to?”

Well, that was true. Neither of them wanted to marry the other. God, it’s been so long since they’ve been in the same room together. A bit awkward, but the tension didn’t cease to fog up the room, rather suffocating, annoying. 

“Why did those people make us do this anyway?” Vesper sneered.

“I think they said something about joining the companies together,” Devon recounted, looking up in thought. That angle made his jawline sharper, Vesper noticed. He recoiled from the table slowly.

“You couldn’t have married.. I don’t know, Arya? She’s nice, and good with finance and stuff.” Devon froze, for a second, but Vesper still caught it and smirked. “What is it? Is Arya not your type or something?” 

Devon chuckled, it sounded a bit forced. “I wouldn’t say she is, no. Besides, I didn’t have a choice, did I?”

“Hmm, right... so what is your type, then?”

“Let’s see...” Devon picked up a nearby spoon and twirled it between his finger like the pen. “I don’t know.”

Of course you don’t, Vesper thought. You never know anything. Why two guys anyway? There was nothing wrong with that but why them specifically?

“Well,” Vesper said, leaning back into his chair. “Don’t think I’m going to warm up to you because of our situation. I still hate you, and I always will. In fact, I’m going to avoid you even more now. You can bet on it.”

Devon turned to look at him, and... smiled. 

Oh, no. A chill ran down Vesper’s spine, but why?

“It would be a real shame if you thought any different,” Devon scoffed.

“I still hate you.”

“It’d be a shame if you didn’t.”

“Stop saying that ‘it’d be a shame’. It’s annoying.”

“It’d be a-”

“SHUT UP.”

#rawr i guess #long post tw #caps tw #writing tiem

[strinak]

In 2022 I beat all my previous records and read 461 books.

This is largely because of the February of Madness that happened, where I read literally 100 books in 28 days. I was Going Through Some Stuff.

Books below the cut, for my own future reference.

ok it's yelling about characters per block limits, so chunking it up:

Arden Powell - The Bachelor’s Valet

Zile Elliven - Quiet

Mary Calmes - The Fix Is In

Devon Vesper - Soulbond: The Omega’s Assassin

David North - River of Fate: The Jade Scripture

David North - River of Fate: Sunset Knight

Kati Wilde - The King’s Horrible Bride

Sienna Sway - The Alien’s Kidnapped Omega

Elliott Kay - Habitual Heroes

Ilona Andrews - Fated Blades

Ilona Andrews - Of Swine & Roses

Ilona Andrews - Grace of Small Magics

Ilona Andrews - Silent Blade

Ilona Andrews - Silver Shark

Kati Wilde - The Wedding Night

Kati Wilde - Secret Santa

Kati Wilde - All He Wants for Christmas

KL Noone - The Snails of Dun Nas

Sam Burns - The Cat Returns to Adderly

R Cooper - For Better or Worse

Delaney Rain - The Aliens’ Mate

Kati Wilde - Evil Twin

Regine Abel - I Married a Lizardman

Kiki Clark & EM Lindsey - Until His Last Goodbye

Sam Burns & WM Fawkes - Hardwood

Stella Starling - Your Biggest Fan

Megan Derr - The Eastern Gate

Kati Wilde - Going Nowhere Fast

Kati Wilde - Craving It All

Kati Wilde - Faking It All

Kati Wilde - Losing It All

Onley James - Unhinged

Onley James - Psycho

Onley James - Moonstruck

Onley James - Unhinged: Bonus Epilogue

Onley James - Moonstruck: Bonus Epilogue

Onley James - Damaged

Onley James - Captivating

Kati Wilde - The Hellfire Riders: Saxon & Jenny

KM Neuhold - Pretty Boy

KM Neuhold - Brave Boy

Kiki Clark - Reckless

Kiki Clark - Temptation

Eli Easton - Fireman’s Carry

Tara Lain - Medicine Balls

Louisa Masters - How to Date a Dragon

Kiki Clark - Joyful

AJ Sherwood - Alan’s Utterly Accidental Dream-cute

Lucy Lennox - On the Mall

Lucy Lennox - Shy Sheldon

Mary Calmes - Had to Be

Mary Calmes - Just George

Alice Winters - Follow My Lead

Ryn Bretcher - Tiny Kingdom

Mary Calmes - His Hearth

Kiki Clark - The Second and His Bonded

Kiki Clark - The Deputy and His Enforcer

Kiki Clark - The Hunter and His Mates

Mary Calmes - Landslide

April Jade - Mad Love

Tansy Rayner Roberts - Tea and Sympathetic Magic

Kati Wilde - Teacher’s Pet Wolf

Mary Calmes - Jump

Eryn Ivers - The Alien Emissary

KL Noone - December with Peppermint

KL Noone - Bisclavret

KL Noone - The Featherbed Puzzle

CJ Carella - Godkiller Mode

Megan Derr - By the Way

Megan Derr - An Admirer

Megan Derr - Kiss the Rain

Megan Derr - An Exception

KL Noone - Bookwyrm

KL Noone - The Ninepenny Element

KL Noone - Frost and Raine

KA Merikan - Crazy Kinky Dirty Love

Deacon Frost - Fall to the Forest

Onley James - Headcase

KL Noone - Sundown, Holiday, Beacon

KL Noone - Peaches and the Shadow

KL Noone - Sorceress

KL Noone - October Spice

KL Noone - Gingerbread Dreams

Onley James - Dangerous Breed

Mary Calmes - Sinnerman

Ofelia Grand - Soul Eater

Ofelia Grand - Mind Scrambler

CM Blackwood - Superhuman

Stella Starling - Ready for Love

Onley James - Infuriating

KL Noone - A Penny for Your Thoughts

Brea Alepou & Wren Snow - Mafia Prince

KL Noone - A Demon for Midwinter

KL Noone - Love Songs for Every Day

KL Noone - Sunlight and Gold

Stella Starling - Be Loved

Alessandra Hazard - Just a Bit Unhealthy

Alessandra Hazard - Just a Bit Obsessed

Alessandra Hazard - Just a Bit Confusing

Alessandra Hazard - Just a Bit Ruthless

Alessandra Hazard - Just a Bit Wicked

Alessandra Hazard - Just a Bit Gay

Alessandra Hazard - Just a Bit Wrong

Alessandra Hazard - Just a Bit Shameless

Alessandra Hazard - Just a Bit Bossy

Sierra Riley - Lean on Me

Brigham Vaughn - Date in a Pinch

Brigham Vaughn - Embracing His Shame

Brigham Vaughn - Bromantic Getaway

Stella Starling - The Twelfth Date

Eli Easton & Tara Lain - Hot Seat

Louisa Masters - Spirited Situation

Travis Baldtree - Legends & Lattes

Hayden Hall - The Two Stars Collision

Bettie Sharpe - Ember

Sam Burns - Fluke and the Frontier Farce

Alessandra Hazard - Straight Boy

Jessie Mihalik - Aurora Blazing

KL Noone - Lightning in a Bottle

KL Noone - The Demon’s Choice

KL Noone - Bedknobs and Brimstone

Jessie Mihalik - The Queen’s Gambit

Sariah Wilson - The Paid Bridesmaid

Amanda Milo - Contagion

SE Harmon - Chrysalis

Jennifer Cody - Mr Monster Kok

Jennifer Cody - The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer

Kiki Clark - Until His Beginning Ends

TS Snow - Chaotic

TS Snow - Hectic

Robin Moray - Hunting Party

Jordan Castillo Price - The Tinker’s Apprentice

Chace Verity - Match with the Demon

Andy Gallo - Spell It Out

Macy Blake - Sweet Spot

KL Noone - The Pooka’s Share

Lucy Lennox - Thick as Thieves

Deacon Frost - Accidental Incubus

Deacon Frost - Saltwater’s Weep

Lucy Lennox - Ski Patrol

Skylar Jaye - Falling for Stereotypes

Michele Notaro - Our Hearts That Tie Us

Stuart Grosse - An OP Returnee

Tanya Chris - Heat Race

Raleigh Ruebins - The Straight Friend

AJ Sherwood - Style of Love

Andy Gallo & Anyta Sunday - Better Be True

Sunny Hart - By Her Sight

Mary Calmes - Tooth & Nail

Mary Calmes - Cherish Your Name

Liz Talley - Deconstructed

Riley Hart - Married to My Best Friend

Anne Bishop - Written in Red

Anne Bishop - Murder of Crows

Anne Bishop - The Shadow Queen

Jennifer Cody - Genesis

Victoria Helen Stone - Jane Doe

Victoria Helen Stone - Problem Child

Sebastian Hansen - All the Wrong Reasons

Skylar Jaye - The Flame

Onley James - Moonstruck (re-read)

A Catherine Noon & Rachel Wilder - Sealed by Fire

Alessandra Hazard - That Alien Feeling

Shelly Laurenston - Beast Behaving Badly

Anne Bishop - Shalador’s Lady

Shelly Laurenston - Pack Challenge

Shelly Laurenston - Go Fetch

Shelly Laurenston - Here Kitty, Kitty

Shelly Laurenston - The Mane Event

Shelly Laurenston - The Mane Attraction

Eryn Ivers - The Alien Bodyguard

Shelly Laurenston - The Mane Squeeze

Shelly Laurenston - Big Bad Beast

Shelly Laurenston - Bear Meets Girl

Shelly Laurenston - Wolf with Benefits

Shelly Laurenston - Bite Me

Shelly Laurenston - The Beast in Him

Shelly Laurenston - Hot and Badgered

Shelly Laurenston - Badger to the Bone

Shelly Laurenston - Breaking Badger

Eric Ugland - One More Last Time

Eric Ugland - Heir Today, Pawn Tomorrow

Eric Ugland - Dungeon Mauling

Eric Ugland - Four: The Loot

Eric Ugland - Dukes and Ladders

Eric Ugland - Home, Siege Home

Eric Ugland - The Bare Hunt

Onley James - Psycho (re-read)

Luke Chmilenko & Bryce O’Connor - Iron Prince

AJ Sherwood - The Tribulations of Ross Young, Supernat PA: Additional Incident - LARPing

Louisa Masters - The Dragon Experiment

Onley James - Psycho Bonus Epilogue

Onley James - Headcase Bonus Epilogue

Margaret Atwood - My Evil Mother

Bettie Sharpe - Cat’s Tale

Wen Spencer - Tinker

Wen Spencer - Wolf Who Rules

Wen Spencer - Elfhome

Wen Spencer - Project Elfhome

Wen Spencer - Harbinger

Kiki Clark - Yearning

Onley James - Mad Man

Onley James - Mad Man Bonus Epilogue

Naomi Novik - A Deadly Education

Naomi Novik - The Last Graduate

Sam Starbuck - Fete for a King

Samantha Cayto - Boi Bride

Xander Boyce - Tallrock

Macronomicon - Apocalypse: Generic System

Bruce Sentar - Mana Master

Bruce Sentar - Mana Beast

Yamila Abraham - Teaming Our Teacher

Natasha Hunter - Taken By the Bull

Ryan Rimmel - The Mayor of Noobtown

Ryan Rimmel - Village of Noobtown

Robin Roseau - Mage Unmasked

Shirtaloon - He Who Fights with Monsters Vol. 1

Shirtaloon - He Who Fights with Monsters Vol. 2

Shirtaloon - He Who Fights with Monsters Vol. 3

Shirtaloon - He Who Fights with Monsters Vol. 4

Shirtaloon - He Who Fights with Monsters Vol. 5

Shirtaloon - He Who Fights with Monsters Vol. 6

Stephen L Hadley - Beastkin Acquisitions: Start-up

Amanda Meuwissen - His Silence

Eden Finley & Saxon James - Irresponsible Puckboy

Delmire Hart - The Most Eligible Bachelor

Charity Parkerson - Witchin Warlock

Charity Parkerson - Witchin Solstice

Isabel Murray - Not That Complicated

Isabel Murray - Worth the Wait

Suki Fleet - Fight for This

Kaydence Snow - Like You Care

Charity Parkerson - Mistaken

Charity Parkerson - Nothing

Charity Parkerson - Beautifully Moved

Charity Parkerson - Well-Played

Charity Parkerson - Clash

Charity Parkerson - Pretender

Charity Parkerson - Missing

Charity Parkerson - Keeper

Charity Parkerson - Sugar Bastard

Charity Parkerson - Conned

Vasily Mahanenko - Survival Quest

Vasily Mahanenko - The Kartoss Gambit

Vasily Mahanenko - The Hour of Pain

Lucy Lennox & May Archer - Hitched

Onley James - Where the Devil Don’t Go

Bruce Sentar - Saving Supervillains

Jesse Q Sutanto - Four Aunties and a Wedding

Macronomicon - Apocalypse: Fairy System

Charity Parkerson - Sugar Protector

Charity Parkerson - Sugar Obsession

Charity Parkerson - Sugar Sentry

Charity Parkerson - His Knight

Claire Cullen - Omega’s Gamble

Claire Cullen - Alpha’s Oath

Robin Roseau - Luna Rising

Onley James - Satisfying

Michelle Diener - Dark Horse

Casualfarmer - Beware of Chicken

Alex Gilbert - The Calamitous Bob

Alex Gilbert - In Kazar

Darktechnomancer - Fates Parallel Vol. 1

Scott Browder - Skyclad

Cale Plamann - Foundations

DM Rhodes - Dungeon Item Shop: Vol. 1

Michelle Kathleen Hodgson - Transcripts

Michelle Diener - Dark Deeds

Michelle Diener - Dark Ambitions

Ravensdagger - Spormageddon

Kaleb England - The Way Ahead

DI Freed - Reborn

Megan Derr - Champion of Dusk & Dawn

Louisa Masters - Vortex Conuundrum

Philip R Johnson & Justin C Louis - Dandelion

AJ Sherwood - A Mage’s Guide to Aussie Terrors

LC Mawson - Basics of Spellcraft

LC Mawson - History of Magic

August - Even a Hero Needs a Vacation Every Now and Then

HJ Tolson - Liches Get Stitches

Michelle Diener - Dark Class

Tom Watts - Welcome to Blade’s Rest

Sean Oswald - Watcher’s Test

Naomi Novik - The Golden Enclaves

R Cooper - How to (Not) Train a Firecat

Amy Crook - Finer Points

Marie Cardno & Kalikoi - How to Get a Girlfriend (When You’re a Terrifying Monster)

Megan Derr - Talismaker

Jenny Lawson - I Choose Darkness

AJ Sherwood - How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy: Miracle 1

AJ Sherwood - How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy: Miracle 2

AJ Sherwood - How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy: Miracle 3

Nazri Noor - Prince of Flowers

Danny M Lavery - Texts from Jane Eyre

Gail Carriger - My Sister’s Song

R Cooper - Casper Gets His Wish

R Cooper - A Little Familiar

Lyn Gala - Regi’s Huuman

Lyn Gala - Regi’s Goddess

Onley James - Lunatic

Mary Calmes - Balanced and Tied

Mary Calmes - Together Tied

AC Wiggen - The Human Who Looked at Art

Lee Hadan - No Moon

KL Noone - Sound the Fairy Call

Onley James - Damaged

Megan Derr - Dualwick

Kati Wilde - The Midwinter Mail-Order Bride

Kati Wilde - Pretty Bride

Mary Calmes - A Day Makes

Louisa Masters - Mr Romance

RJ Moray - Finding Elliott

Dassy Bernhard - That Weird Courtship Ritual

Robert Bevan - Guts and Volts

Lyn Gala - Lines in the Sand

GL Carriger - Marine Biology

Brooke Matthews - On Edge

KL Noone - The Arch-Mage’s Firebird

SJ Himes - The Solstice Prince

EJ Russell - Cursed Is the Worst

Sasha L Miller - The Duke’s Deception

Mary Calmes - Romanus

Mary Calmes - Chevalier

Louisa Masters - Conspiracy of Dragons

Alice Winters - Never Have I Ever Ridden a Bike

Sam Burns - Fluke and the Fantastic Finale

AJ Sherwood - How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy: Miracle 4

Kiki Clark - Favor

Mary Calmes - The Big Fix

Megan Derr - How Not to Marry a Prince

Kiki Clark - The Enforcer and His Heart

Andrea K Host - Stray

Mary Calmes - Kairos

Jordan Castillo Price - Quill Me Now

Jordan Castillo Price - All That Glitters

Andrea K Host - Lab Rat One

Andrea K Host - Caszandra

Stephanie Burgis - The Wrong Foot

Mell Eight - Cleanly Wrong

TJ Land - Boomball

AJ Sherwood - How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy: Miracle 6

Toby Wise - Love at Frost Bite: Benji

KL Noone - The Twelfth Enchantment

Seth Richter - Just a Bronze

Andrea K Host - Gratuitous Epilogue

Mary Calmes - A Matter of Time Vol 1

Mary Calmes - A Matter of Time Vol 2

Mary Calmes - Bulletproof

Mary Calmes - Piece of Cake

Mary Calmes - Hannah’s Big Night

Mary Calmes - But For You

Mary Calmes - Just Jory

Mary Calmes - Another Day with Jory

Mary Calmes - Ears, Eggs, and Bunnies

Mary Calmes - Heart of the Race

Mary Calmes - Just George

JK Jeffrey - The Princess’s Pet

Charity Parkerson - Falling for Eros

Charity Parkerson - A Sugar Daddy for Winter

Charity Parkerson - Sugar Fighter

Charity Parkerson - Sugar Boss

Mary Calmes - Had to Be

Courtney Milan - Unlocked

Mary Calmes - Landslide

TJ Land - Butterfly Boy

Mary Calmes - Live and Leanr

Mary Calmes - Epiphany

Mary Calmes - First Day of Forever

Mary Calmes - First Day of Forever: Us

TJ Land - Toy Boy

Mary Calmes - Lay It Down

Mary Calmes - Sariel

Mary Calmes - In a Fix

Megan Derr - The Pirate of Fathoms Deep

Megan Derr - Runescribe

Megan Derr - The Toymaker’s Hoard

Megan Derr - The Heart of the Lost Star

Megan Derr - The Lady and the Thief

Kou Delika - Melodious Red

Luke Chmilenko - Ascend Online

Megan Derr - Made for You

Megan Derr - Ruffskin

Megan Derr - Risk It All

Megan Derr - Two for the Show

Megan Derr - The Painted Crown

Megan Derr - Blood and Marriage

AJ Sherwood - Marriage Contract

Megan Derr - Love Tokens

Megan Derr - Wick

Megan Derr - The Queen

Mary Calmes - Stand in Place

AJ Sherwood - Fourth Point of Contact

Mary Calmes - Again

Andrea Speed - About a Bot

R Cooper - A Little Blessing

AJ Sherwood - Common Sense Deserts Once Again

Mary Calmes - Winter’s Knight

KL Noone - Magician

Amanda Meuwissen - Octopi My Heart

Amy Crook - Getting His Due

Daniel Rose - Pink One

SunriseCV - System Change

Jennifer Cody - The Kraken’s Mate

Shirtaloon - He Who Fights with Monsters 7

Catelyn Winona - Being Heroes, Being Villains

Mell Eight - Heartbeat

Mary Calmes - Steamroller

Mary Calmes - Fix It Up

Shannon West - A Dom for Christmas

Shannon West - Defending Devon

Megan Derr - Sword of the King

Megan Derr - Shield of the Dragon

Megan Derr - Fresh Meat

Megan Derr - The Werewolf of Grey Lake Inn

Megan Derr - Midnight

Megan Derr - Something Sweet

Megan Derr - The Shopping List

Megan Derr - Midsummer Song

Megan Derr - Midsummer Baker

Megan Derr - Midsummer Curse

Megan Derr - The Succubus

Megan Derr - Twilight

Megan Derr - Backwoods Asylum

Megan Derr - Rabbit Season

Megan Derr - Frostwick

RJ Scott - Stop the Wedding

Kiki Clark - Out in the Cold

GL Carriger - The Sumage Solution

GL Carriger - The Omega Objection

Megan Derr - Tournament of Losers

Mary Calmes - Mist and Marrow

Mary Calmes - When the Dust Settles

Sam Burns and WM Fawkes - For Life

Toni McGee Causey - Failure to Communicate

TJ Land - Vanquished

Mary Calmes - Frog

AJ Sherwood - Jon’s Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case

Allie Brosh - Hyperbole and a Half

AJ Sherwood - Jon’s Crazy Head-Boppin’ Mystery

AJ Sherwood - Jon’s Spooky Corpse Conundrum

AJ Sherwood - Alan’s Utterly Accidental Dream-cute

Michelle Frost - A Hellhound Called Derek

Megan Derr - Looking for More

TJ Land - The Bounty Hunter

TJ Land - The Bounty Hunter’s Body

TJ Land - The Bounty Hunter’s Bad Day

Charity Parkerson - Sugar Port

Charity Parkerson - Charmer

Charity Parkerson - Ransomed

Charity Parkerson - Ensnared

Charity Parkerson - Witchin Moonbeam

Charity Parkerson - Witchin Fangs

Mell Eight - Gathering the Hoard

Charity Parkerson - Seasons

Charity Parkerson - Sugar Guards

Charity Parkerson - Taint

TJ Land - Ugh, I Really Hate That Guy

TJ Land - Ugh, Being a Secret Agent Is Horrible

RJ Moray - Million Dollar Daddy

Charity Parkerson - Struck

Charity Parkerson - Butcher

#books #my reading year #the year in reading #reading log

[devonvesper]

Tovran Ficlet © Devon Vesper. All rights reserved.

“Once upon a time, there lived a young elf named Kelsin Goln. Renown amongst those who lived in the lower reaches of the Netherdark for his bravery and skill, he waded through strife and pain, evil and the unjust to become one of the four advisers for the Summerlands king, Kennan Merintas.” Tovran said the words as if by rote to the babe on his chest. He smoothed the child’s russet curls back and shifted the blanket more snugly about the omega’s chubby frame.

“No one speaks of Kelsin any longer,” Tovran murmured to him. “You see, another elf, one more powerful than he since Kelsin was born defunct, erased the memories of those who knew him best. He’d muddled the memories of the rest. All within his influence, and his influence was great, suffered the loss.” He sighed and kissed the crown of the little one’s head. “None so much as you. For Kelsin was your father, Kaiden, and your pater, Sisavel, King’s Consort of the Summerlands, killed him and tried to kill you to keep his infidelity secret.”

The child on his chest stirred, and he paused his story to hum a soft lullaby. Kaiden was already too large for his age. At nine months old, he should still fit neatly in the palm of Tovran’s hand as he had when he was born. If he could get away with it, he would kill the traitorous bitch for such a heinous spell, just like he did his own pater for conspiring against his father and siblings. But... no.

One of his few rarer gifts, one that only two people ever knew about (and they both died horrible deaths), was the power of prophecy. Of course, he couldn’t tell the exact future or make predictions on demand. However, every now and again, he saw glimpses, heard snippets, felt a thrum in his chest that told him someone or something was important.

He felt this with his ward. Kaiden needed to live. He needed to grow fast. And he needed to stay away from all elves.

Including Tovran.

That thought wrenched his gut so hard he almost lost his composure as the drowsy baby looked up at him with bright eyes the color of peridot shards. They looked like cracked sea glass in the light of the single candle’s flame. He didn’t even care if the power came back on that night. The storm raged, but the apartment was warm enough, and he could warm Kaiden’s bottles without the stove.

He cleared his throat against the agony welling in his chest. Storytelling helped a child’s cognitive growth. He had to do his best to help him until he could figure out what to do. That meant staying in the human realm, telling him stories until he had to... to give him up. Give him away.

“Your father so loved you it pained him to keep you secret. It may have worked, but a single slip and Sisavel felled him as if his life meant nothing. They were soulbound, and yet Sisavel seemed to feel nothing at all when he watched the life fade from Kelsin’s eyes.

“And I saw everything. Just as I will see everything you do, say, and experience throughout your short life. Through his eyes, through his mind. I felt his life flee into the aether as if it had never been. But I kept these memories safe. I kept them safe for you.”

The little omega shifted again. He could always sense when Tovran turned morose. Always knew when his sorrow or rage took hold of his heart and mind. He never liked it. Now, he reached up with a tiny hand and grabbed Tovran’s lower lip as if to quiet him.

He huffed a laugh. Kissed his chubby fingers. Smoothed his curls back. “You are loved, little one. If by none else but me.”

Thunder shook the panes of glass in the window to his left. He rocked forward in the ratty recliner. The apartment was small, just a single room with a bed that folded down from a cupboard. He didn’t dare draw attention to himself. Gold or jewels might get him unwanted attention. Hawking what he could to afford this single step above squalor was dangerous enough.

The thunder rolled again, and Kaiden whimpered. Tovran kissed his forehead and leaned back to rock him to sleep. It would be the last night he ever spent with him. Perhaps the last time he would ever hold him. He leaned his head down, and with tears stinging his eyes, breathed in Kaiden’s scent until the child fell asleep.

***

“Who are you?” Eyes narrowed, the woman jammed her fists onto her hips. Tovran didn’t flinch. He had felled elves more imposing than this young thing with fiery red hair and the attitude to match. He stood his ground and pulled the blanket away from his treasure, revealing Kaiden’s head. The winter’s chill in Jacksonville, Florida, wasn’t half as bad as it had been closer to home, but it was chilly enough to keep his ward bundled up and safe.

The woman’s eyes softened when she saw the babe, but she didn’t back down. “Who are you? How did you get into my home?”

If he didn’t do it now, he never would. “I am sorry, my lady.” He raised his hand as the woman went to enter a tirade. His soft green magic encompassed her mind. With a thought, he had her in his thrall. Another thought and his magic spread throughout the house. Another, and it encompassed the entire city.

He spread himself uncomfortably thin. But he poured every ounce of himself into this one task. Give the woman stretch marks to prove she had a child. Photographs of her with a rounded belly in an album filled with pictures of a growing infant with red curls and peridot eyes. Of her husband holding the child and looking none-too-pleased.

He added a nursery to their home, toys for Kaiden that he might enjoy. Moved his formula, diapers, and other supplies from his apartment to their cupboards.

Made her neighbors and what family he could connect with remember her pregnancy and birth on September 6th, 2013 in the human calendar.

While she stood there, still dazed, he passed Kaiden to her. Made sure he stayed secure in the woman’s arms. Tried not to weep as he kissed his cheek in farewell. “Goodbye, my sweet Kaiden.”

“Camden,” the woman murmured, still dazed. “My son’s name is Camden.”

“Take good care of him, Marie,” he said as he headed for her door. “Protect him with your life.”

And then he was gone, drawing his magic back into himself with one last spell to link his mind with his ward’s. So he would know if he ever was in danger.

And he would be there to protect him.

***

The days wore longer than Tovran had ever thought they could be. Each day he woke with Kaiden if he slept at all. Each night, he tried to shield the boy’s mind from the nightmares or dreams of his true home. What little sleep he managed to catch came in fits and bursts or when his body and mind gave out from sheer exhaustion.

But Kaiden was important. A prince in a world where such things as elves were myths and fairy tales. An elf disguised as a human, living as a human. Kaiden—no, Camden in this world—seemed mostly capable. Tovran, however, hated it. He missed his brothers, Morough and Li’nov. He missed his horse, long dead from a run-in with a hunter. He missed his father. King Iliastaire Lo’lorien, the Black King, Ruler of the Netherdark... When would he get to see him again? Would he put his eldest son in chains for what he had done? Or, as his heart hoped and dreaded, would he accept him with open arms and that familiar kiss to his left temple? Either fate would be a stake in his heart. Either would kill his spirit, break his already weary mind.

Could the Black King ever forgive Tovran for murdering his husband?

Perhaps that was too much to hope for. Kaiden was his life now. Camden needed him not to reminisce on things he could not change but to shield him from what he erroneously thought was insanity. Though, if the boy’s birth pater was anything to go by, maybe the poor omega really was batshit.

Kaiden exited his tiny house. The gray paint flaked off in the gentle breeze from the northern side. The dilapidated thing seemed ready to topple over in the next storm, but his ward loved it. No, not ward. That didn’t encompass the love he felt for the little omega. The humans had a term they used… Godchild. Kaiden was his godson. He watched as his godson sauntered, dressed in a black tank top and a pair of blue jean shorts toward the shed in the back. That shed made everything within him shrivel up and die.

Every time he went in there, he wielded objects that could fell a vaciroth or the meanest darksire. The noises they made set his teeth on edge. But he watched. He kept his distance, hidden in the forest, but he saw everything from his own eyes, from within his mind through Kaiden’s eyes.

What he wouldn’t give to hold Kaiden. Just once. Feel the soft skin of his face pressed against his neck. The soft fluff of his sunset hair tickling his chin and nose as he breathed in his scent. Feel him curl up on his lap—a godson content to love him, not for anything he had done, not for some attained merit, but simply because he was family.

He shoved that thought away with such ferocity that Kaiden twitched from the brush of his mind against hers. He shivered but steadied himself and jerked on the cord to the chainsaw. Two more jerks, and it roared to life, a screaming beast of rotating teeth and belched exhaust.

How was he supposed to protect the omega when he used tools almost as big as he was that could kill a grown Sithak?

His stomach knotted as Camden started slicing through the trunk of the tree he had felled the day before. The branches already lay stacked by the shed, and the tree took up a large stretch of the back yard. His lithe muscles bulged as he wielded the heavy chainsaw, slicing through the aspen like so much cold butter. Among other things, he sold firewood to his neighbors and the campers down the way. The Pennsylvania heat was nothing compared to the summers he had spent in Florida, but he still perspired under the shade of the oak tree behind which he hid.

The young man had yet another psychiatric appointment tomorrow. Yet another day where a doctor would tell him he was insane. Another day when someone who was supposed to help him would up his medication dosage to dangerous levels yet again so that Tovran had to work harder to keep them from killing him. His stomach roiled with nausea.

When was the last he ate? He shuddered, unable to remember. The days seemed a blur from the day he passed Kaiden off to his human mother. But he had to eat.

One last look at his beautiful godson, and he moved silently away and back to the hunting cabin down the road to see if he had anything in his cupboards that would fill his shrunken belly.

***

In this world, driving was a necessity. While Tovran desperately missed his horse, Astra, he would never have been able to keep up with Kaiden. Though, today he couldn’t follow him. He had to get groceries for himself. The supermarket had been packed with people on this early spring day. But he had managed. Though, as his godson left his psychiatrist’s office, he had to pull over. Kaiden’s thoughts were a tangled mass and eclipsed Tovran’s own.

He shuddered as he saw the poison green eyes from Kaiden’s mind. He recognized those eyes but couldn’t rightly place them. The menacing feeling from them made him want to rush to Kaiden’s side, but he didn’t dare restart his vehicle. Not when he couldn’t even see the road through his godson’s stress.

Tovran tried to push calming images into his mind, but he proved too strong at first. The medications served to keep him mostly impotent, barely able to touch Kaiden’s mind when he was awake, unable to give him the comfort he could when he was younger and free of their poison.

Finally, he was able to get in and played the one scene he knew Kelsin would want him to always know.

“What is his name?” the familiar voice asked.

“I don’t know, Kel. You name him. I cannot keep him. You know that as well as I.” Those vibrant peridot eyes stared into his own, his face enveloped in shadow, his hair hidden by the cloak he wore. All Kaiden would see were his eyes.

“Kaiden,” Kel purred. “His name is Kaiden.”

Tovran felt Camden’s desperate wish that this was his father. Kelsin looked at him with such love in his eyes. He touched Kaiden’s face with a reverence the young man had never experienced in his waking life. His voice held pride and hope as he spoke his son’s name. “Kaiden.”

“You need to hide with him.” The elf reminded him of the icy winds of winter: cold, hostile, and unrelenting. “I’m not safe with him around. People will know.”

“I will keep him safe. Worry not. You should return before you are missed.”

Sisavel nodded curtly and swiveled on his heel. The cloak billowed around his ankles with every step, and he disappeared into the darkness. Kelsin’s voice then rose in a gentle lullaby, one he had loved and sung to the child often.

Tovran only stopped the vision when his godson’s tears blurred his vision of the road before him. He couldn’t risk causing his godson to crash. Pulling back, he watched as he made his way home.

And then Sol’kyr’s horse, Kormir, darted in front of his car.

“Shit,” Tovran groaned. Kaiden just had to get out and investigate. He just had to find Sol’kyr lying in the grass. Sol just had to take him to their camp.

It looked like he would end his exile early.

But hopefully, that meant his godson would live longer than his aging spell would allow. Then, hopefully, he would soon be free.

#short story #fiction #my writing #Adradis #elves