By all rights, Helios shifter Sion Jabari shouldn’t be on Xenthian. According to his own mother, he shouldn’t even be alive. His life hasn’t been an easy one, and after witnessing how greed and the desire for power can corrupt something as pure as love, he wants no part of it. When he takes a companion, he swears it will be for all the right reasons, and more importantly, it will be his choice. A noble plan, but one that’s complicated by the arrival of Rya Clearwater—a lovely female fate has selected just for him.
Vasera Rya Clearwater understands too well how the quest for power can destroy innocent lives. It’s been almost a millennium since her parents died, but she still dreams about the night it happened. Instead of dwelling in the past, though, she’s dedicated herself to her people, to protecting them from the suffering she’s endured, and for a thousand years, she’s been content. She isn’t prepared for the intense feelings Sion invokes in her, but suddenly, being merely content is no longer enough. So, while the shifter may be hesitant to accept their connection, she’s not going to give up without a fight. They’re meant to be together, and she’ll do whatever it takes to prove it to him.
Unfortunately, convincing Sion that fate is real and nothing to be feared is the least of her troubles. Reeling from a series of attacks, the people of Xenthian are nervous, on guard, and looking to their leaders for answers. Answers, Rya doesn’t have. In a reality where secrets are currency and lies flow like water, Sion and Rya will have to put aside their differences and work together if they hope to bring peace to a world they no longer recognize. Can their love flourish in the midst of turmoil, or will their relationship wither in the darkness that has descended over the planet?
Trust no one. Suspect everything. Be prepared.
This is the Revolution.
My book is delayed at Amazon, and there's not much I can do about it except wait. In the meantime, however, how about a little teaser from 3013: REVOLUTION?!
“Come.” Taking his hand, Rya tried to pull him toward the markers. “One of my people didn’t have a family,” she explained. “We’ll light a flame for her.”
Sion planted his feet in the sand and shook his head. “I don’t have magic, princess, and I’m not even Xenon. I don’t think it would be appropriate.”
“You are my soulmate,” she insisted, “future Vasere of the Eastern Isle, so I’d say it is very appropriate.” She gripped his hand harder and tugged again. “Trust me. Please.”
Upon hearing his future laid out before him in such a way, Sion’s heart spluttered and the muscles in his throat constricted. Just as quickly as it had come, the panic faded, and he squeezed Rya’s hand, allowing her to lead him toward the pillars on the farthest row. He’d made his decision. He’d chosen her—not fate or destiny or some higher power—he had chosen.
“Hold out your hand,” she instructed, coming to a stop at an unilluminated orb halfway down the line.
Without hesitation, he held his free hand out, palm up, and waited.
Rya whispered under her breath, words he couldn’t hear but doubted he’d be able to translate if he could. Then she placed her hand over his, pressing their palms together and rubbing to create a gentle friction. When she pulled away, a small, black flame danced in his palm, the fire surprisingly cool against his skin.
“What now, princess?”
In answer, she curled her fingers around his wrist and guided his hand toward the sphere, stopping just before his fingers touched the glass. “Fie mire.”
“Fie mirue,” Sion repeated, unsurprised but still disappointed when nothing happened.
“Don’t just say it. Feel it.”
Frowning, Sion took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and stared intently at the empty globe.
Next to him, Rya giggled under her breath as she rose up on her toes for a kiss. “It’s magic, my darling. We’re not going to war.”
“Yeah, well, the two aren’t mutually exclusive, you know.”
He liked the way she’d said “my darling,” and combined with her full lips against his, he liked it a little too much. A warm tingle started in his stomach but quickly spread throughout the rest of his body. His pulse raced, his head swam, and his cock began to swell inappropriately within the confines of his tights.
Without warning, the tiny, black flame leapt from his hand to the sphere—and promptly exploded. The glass turned to sand, raining down over them, and the top of the wooden post caught fire. From the crowd behind him, someone—who sounded suspiciously like Ivy—laughed. A deep, male chuckle followed, and before long, everyone gathered on the beach was laughing, including Rya.
“Sorry,” Sion muttered, dropping his head to rub the back of his neck. “That wasn’t supposed to happen.”
With a few whispered words and a wave of her hand, Rya pieced the orb back together, extinguished the crackling fire, and replaced the black flame to its rightful place. Finished, she looked up at him with the most beautiful smile, her eyes crinkled at the corners and filled with warmth.
“It was my fault,” she responded. “I shouldn’t have distracted you.”
Curling his arm around her waist, he pulled her to him and bent to touch his forehead to hers. “You can distract me anytime you want, princess. Well, maybe not when fire is involved.”
