Tag: dragon royalty

Ch. 25 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Twenty-Five of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein secrets begin to fester.

~

“I’ve told Alistair,” Emlyn announced.

Having remained at the library with Griswold until the librarians all but chased them both out at midnight, Rat was surprised to find Emlyn awaiting him in their dormitory. It felt even more shocking to his system to hear xir speak so frankly of what still felt illicit to him.

“And Quince,” xe added.

Rat realised he’d remained silent for entirely too long. He forced himself to speak. “All well?”

Emlyn beamed. “Of course.”

Rat wished he could believe xir. Or rather, that he could believe Mordaunt. For while doubtless Emlyn believed xe spoke true, Rat doubted Mordaunt had been entirely honest when giving their newfound bliss his blessing. Then again, Rat supposed, perhaps he had misjudged Mordaunt, and he was as capable of making himself happy on xir behalf as Rat. As for what Quince made of it all, Rat could hardly guess either way. Though if he were granting Mordaunt the benefit of doubt, he thought it would be boorish not to offer Quince the same grace, even if only in his own mind.

Belatedly, Rat remembered to mirror Emlyn’s smile.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Ch. 24 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Twenty-Four of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein a complex navigation is attempted.

~

Moreso than confessing everything, moreso than kissing, and even moreso than consummation, was the sheer relief Emlyn felt to sleep with Rat in xir arms again.

It wasn’t that xe hadn’t realised xe missed it. It was that xe hadn’t permitted xirself to grieve the loss. Now to have it returned filled xir heart to bursting and xe drifted off to a slumber as deep as it was serene, as if xe were Endymion—or perhaps Selene, with Rat as Endymion tumbled limp and languid in xir grasp, more at peace than xe had known him since their return to the realm. No drowning night-mare could reach xir.

This tranquility was broken with a single whispered word.

“Sorry.”

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Ch. 23 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Twenty-Three of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein the best of intentions begin to go horribly wrong.

~

Rat forced his voice to remain even. “I’m not going to keep you from—whatever you need.”

Emlyn’s brow did not unfurrow. “What I need is for you to be honest with me.”

Trust Emlyn to ask for the impossible.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Ch. 22 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

First, some out-of-context spoilers.

And now, the excerpt – wherein the slow-burn simmer becomes an inferno.

~

The word hung in the silence between them.

Emlyn’s dark eyes had flown wide with shock.

Rat knew what would follow. Disgust. Anger. Betrayal. He braced to see the worst of it in Emlyn’s gaze. If Emlyn would even deign to continue to look upon him.

But instead Emlyn smiled.

Soft and handsome and radiant as ever. Rat’s heart thrilled to see it despite the wretched circumstances.

“Me?” Emlyn said with soft wonder, as though xe couldn’t believe it—ludicrous, for who wouldn’t want a prince, and moreover one so strong and beautiful and kind. “What for?”

Perhaps Emlyn had misunderstood him. Rat supposed he’d better make his meaning plain. “I want to kiss you.”

Unmistakable joy flashed through Emlyn’s dark gaze. Xe quickly tempered it. “You don’t have to—”

“I want to.” Rat felt as startled by his own honesty as Emlyn evidently felt to hear it, judging by xir astonished blink. He pressed on nonetheless. “And more. Worse.”

Emlyn’s brow furrowed. “Worse?”

“I want to do things to you.” Rat swallowed hard and forced out the confession his prince deserved. “Terrible things.”

Rather than horror, a hopeful and unaccountable smile lit up Emlyn’s already-brilliant features. “Such as?”

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Ch. 18 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Eighteen of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein our hero parties against his will.

~

“Fernsby’s throwing a bash,” Emlyn told Rat.

It’d taken xir almost an hour to work up the courage to do so. An evening hour spent relaxing with Rat in their dormitory—or rather failing to relax. Emlyn’s nerves rattled on edge for reasons xe couldn’t understand. It was a commonplace proposition. And it was only Rat.

Yet Emlyn had seen almost nothing of him these past few months despite their sharing a room. Hardly more than a glimpse since the horse show. Xe wondered, not for the first time, what xe had done to make Rat avoid xir. Xe told xirself—again—that nothing was wrong; Rat was just busy. First year and all that. And in the medical college to boot. A far heavier course-load than Emlyn’s own philosophy degree. More stringent and more demanding in almost every regard. Understandable given how life and death literally hung in the balance. Still, Emlyn wished it weren’t so taxing on Rat. Not entirely for unselfish reasons.

A wry smile twitched at the corner of Rat’s mouth. “Bully for Fernsby.”

It was only a glimpse of the friend Emlyn had known prior to university. It lightened xir heart regardless. “You’re invited.”

Rat cocked an eyebrow. “Not by Fernsby, surely.”

Emlyn furrowed xir brow. A troubling insinuation. But one which xe could contemplate later. At present xe had to make the most of Rat’s fleeting notice. “I’m inviting you.”

Rat’s left eyebrow arose to join his right.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Ch. 16 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Sixteen of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein a lock is proffered.

~

In the penny bloods a lass giving a lad a lock of her hair meant she wished to marry him when they were reunited. But Emlyn wasn’t a lass. More than a lad, certainly, but if xe were a lass specifically Rat rather thought xe would’ve told him. Or at least mentioned it in the letter if it were a recent development.

Yet Emlyn had said nothing. Not even a word about the hair itself. From the ink on the page one might never know the lock existed.

Rat had no idea what a lock of hair meant between lads and more-than-lads. He knew the sight of that precious dark curl made his heart leap into his throat and flutter in its cage and plunge into his guts all at the same time. The faint and familiar scent of it gave him the sort of head-ache that foretold burning eyes. And if any of the boys Rat had known in London caught his tears falling over such a thing, they’d give him far worse to cry about.

He wasn’t in London anymore, though. Gods willing he’d never find himself there again.

And here, gentlemen danced with gentlemen.

Rat reined in his wild flying hopes. The thing with feathers, as Pandora and her box would have it. It fought him all the way down.

Gents might dance with gents here. More-than-lads might befriend lads.

But princes didn’t dally with paupers in this realm or any other.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Ch. 15 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Fifteen of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein an ocean is crossed.

~

It took Emlyn longer than it ought’ve done to perform the arithmetic. In no small part because the first two times xe came up with the answer xe discarded it out of hand for sheer improbability. Yes, the hours had seemed to stretch into eons in the cold dark void, but xir perception must’ve been skewed by fear. Xe couldn’t possibly have drowned for—

“Three days?” Rat whispered in evident disbelief.

The void Emlyn had narrowly escaped reappeared in xir chest.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Ch. 14 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Fourteen of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein a princely test is passed.

~

A hand clasped Rat’s—Emlyn’s hand, he realized, a half-second before his instinct would’ve flinched from the touch. Emlyn’s grasp, however, warm and familiar, anchored him fast.

As did Emlyn’s voice rising with arch command to ask, “When will the governor arrive?”

The ambassador’s smile widened. “He arrived not a quarter-hour past, your grace. He awaits your friend in the withdrawing room. If you would be so kind as to accompany me, Master Ratcliffe,” the ambassador added, turning to Rat.

Before Rat could decide whether to follow the ambassador or make a break for it through the window, Emlyn tangled their arms together and drew them up shoulder-to-shoulder.

“I’m going with him,” Emlyn declared.

And for the briefest instant, Rat thought he might have the courage to face the workhouse governor.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Ch. 12 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow on Patreon!

Chapter Twelve of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein a prince’s worth is proved.

~

“Very well,” said the ambassador after a marked pause. “We thank you for your service to our prince. The clerk will direct you in how to collect your reward.” He nodded at the scrivener.

“Reward?” Rat echoed stupidly.

The ambassador served him a blank look. “The reward for our prince’s safe return.”

Then he named the sum from the pasted bill that’d sent Rat’s head spinning.

“The clerk will assist you in contacting your solicitor.” The ambassador paused. “Or perhaps in finding a solicitor for you. Someone to aid you in managing your fortune,” he continued in response to Rat’s bewildered look.

Rat still didn’t quite believe it. The sum would set him up for life—or anyone else, for that matter. He supposed the embassy might just send him on his way without the reward. Would certainly save ‘em a pretty penny if they did.

But he didn’t want the money. Not if it meant parting with Emlyn.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Ch. 11 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Eleven of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein our hero survives a laboratory accident.

~

“I’m sure he’s just nervous,” Alistair assured Emlyn for the fifth time that afternoon.

For a fifth time, Emlyn found xe couldn’t believe him.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!