From the moment Taden rescues Nathaniel from the Sutherlin soldiers' torture, he finds himself caught in the gaze of the most beautiful eyes he's ever seen; amazing eyes that hold him thrilled and confused. The Sutherlins are planning to invade the beautiful Tahon Valley, but as Taden secrets Nathaniel from their reach, he finds himself drawn to the young man. Not only does he feel the urge to protect him, but he feels an ache he hasn't felt in many long years.<br><br>Nathaniel claims to be a traveler from a distant continent, saying he comes in peace. True or not, the youth has powers beyond anything Taden has seen -- control over men and animals and the very weather. Taden falls hard for the strange traveler, protecting him not only from the Sutherlins but from his own mistrustful people, who don't understand Nathaniel's powers and accuse him of being a witch ...

Nathaniel

Nathaniel looked up as he approached, and Taden winced at the sorrow in his face. He hurried to his side and knelt to pull his lover to his chest. “Darling, what is it?” he asked, stroking Nathaniel’s silken hair which so delighted him.


Nathaniel gripped his arms, then eased his hold and settled back, his desperate gaze on Taden’s face. “I need to let you go,” he said on a note of despair. “I love you, but I can’t keep you. It’s dangerous, for you and me.”


Taden ignored the panic clutching his stomach. “Nonsense. If you send me away, I’ll simply follow you. Better to have me where you can watch my movements.” He leaned closer, his mouth almost touching Nathaniel’s. “And we can do this,” he murmured, and ran his tongue over Nathaniel’s pale lips and dipped into the sweet center. Nathaniel kissed him back and slipped a hand behind Taden’s head to hold him in place as he deepened the contact.


Chapter 20