As the son of the infamous New Amsterdam city mayor, Lucian learned at an early age that power is king, love is for the weak, and a real man has no use for tears or mercy. The only light in Lucian's formative years was Shea who gave Lucian the impetus to break free of his father and leave the city. Shea is never far from Lucian's side, a friend and companion.<br><br>But after a lover dies despite Lucian's best efforts, Lucian returns home with new purpose: build an empire to destroy the darkness that steal lives and souls. Shea's back in the city, too, and when three long years pass without contact, Lucian realizes he can't live without confessing that Shea is his only solace and reason for living.<br><br>When reuniting with Shea leads to a horrifying discovery at the hands of the very evil Lucian wishes to eradicate, Lucian vows a path of bloody vengeance to save Shea from certain destruction.

Winter's Knight

“Thank you again for staying,” Lucian said graciously, punching a pillow with his fist and settling on his side, back to Shea. “Love having you here, and I hope you sleep well.”


“You’re welcome,” Shea said in the darkness, and Lucian tightened into a ball when he couldn’t make head or tails of the inflection.


With an exhale Lucian hoped was quieter than it sounded in his head, Lucian forced himself to relax against the feather mattress. It didn’t matter that lying like this instead of curling around Shea was harder than taking the bar exam blindfolded, it was what he’d promised Shea. Lucian ignored the indignant pieces of himself that wondered when it was, exactly, that Lucian had grown such a monstrous conscience and tenuous nature about sex. The rest of him understood that Shea was sharing his bed. The rules were different. The needs were different.


Chapter 32