When his younger sister is propositioned by the Tyrant King, Aster steps in to take her place. Just when he fears he must face this fate alone, the King assigns Rowan the Black to protect him—an Enforcer Knight with a tortured past. Despite his cruel reputation, Aster can't shake the feeling that Rowan is familiar to him. Haunted by memories of his lost childhood sweetheart, Jace, Aster must now navigate a veritable political chess game he wasn't at all prepared for. 

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“Flowers like the rose are needed for so many reasons,” Aster said. “The ground needs their roots, bees need their pollen, and animals need their leaves. So they do what they can to survive, by any means necessary. Does that mean a rose is evil for growing thorns?” He looked up at Rowan.

Rowan kept his eyes on the rose. He didn’t seem convinced. “A single rose has never caused as much pain as I have, Aster.”

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Broken Vows is created by Alex Agar, an EGlobal Creative Publishing signed author. 

BRoken Vows

Quickly after the Council meeting was adjourned, Aster got up to leave. He’d been wearing this costume for far too long, and wished to be rid of it and in something far more casual. Rowan walked him quietly back to his chambers. 


“Think I made an impression?” Aster chuckled as he began to take his jewelry off. 


Rowan gave him a muted smirk back and a knowing side-eye. “You catch the way the King was glaring at you the whole time? Not sure ‘impression’ is the word I’d use.”


Aster grinned, proud of himself. “Well, I sure made him something—but, my idea was a success.”


“I got their attention,” Aster snorted. “That was the plan. And I was able to sit in on a Council meeting. If I show up to more of them, I’m certain I’ll hear something… enlightening, shall we say.”


Chapter 11: Thorn Among The Roses