Querteshan guardsman Jamal Fayed is on a routine patrol through the desert area known as the Burning when they discover an injured and unconscious man who looks to be from a nearby country, Perathea. Their two countries have a long history of animosity.<br><br>When Nev ran from his master, he was fleeing for his life and any outcome seemed better than the death he was promised. But Nev has secrets, complicated secrets that involve both magic and his physical form. Can he build a relationship with Jamal amidst politics and military dealings?

Born Magic

::I don’t know. Yes, I can do a little magic obviously, but I’m no mage. There are those who would say I’m not even human.::


“I think you’re human, and even if you aren’t, it doesn’t matter to me. Wait, that was memory? He really did that to you?”


“Gods…it was like he was sucking your life away a drop at a time.”


::Sometimes, I was left weak but able to walk back to my room and rest, other times, servants had to carry me, and it took many days to recover.::


Jamal pulled him closer and folded his arms around Nev. “Never again, not if I can prevent it.” Even though they were physically closer, the sensation of Nev’s voice in Jamal’s mind faded away.


“The bond only lasted a few moments. I don’t know what that means,” Nev said softly.


“It was fascinating and unusual…and intimate.” Holding Nev so close, he wondered how such a connection would affect sex.


Maybe a hint of the mental link remained, because Nev said, “Yes, very intimate.”


Chapter 16