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

The aftershocks beat Lucian against craggy rocks until finally leaving him on the shore. When he got his eyes open and brain working, Shea was on top of him, softening within him, and shivering like a man with fever chills. Lucian murmured something he hoped was soothing. Twisting one tender wrist, Lucian got a hand clear of the belt, and he threw an arm over Shea.


Rising, Shea flailed and shakily freed Lucian the rest of the way, stroked down Lucian’s arm, and gathered Lucian tenderly against his chest. Lucian hooked a leg over Shea’s hip. He licked sweat off Shea’s collar bone, raked fingers through damp curls. “Beloved,” he said, voice a hoarse husk. “Exactly what and whom I wanted.”


The sigh of relief almost deflated Shea entirely. Strong arms tightened about Lucian convulsively and relaxed so that Lucian could breathe again. “Very grateful I’ve pleased you, my l—” Shea hesitated, swallowed. “My love.”


Chapter 50