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

“Announcing the newlyweds!” The herald’s voice boomed through the dining hall. “King Darreth Vireylon, and Queen Aster Silvercrest-Vireylon, Protectors of the Realm!”


Aster had to resist the urge to make a face. His name sounded so wrong with that tyrant’s name tacked on. Still, he kept his smile on as he and his husband glided onto the dance floor in the center of the hall. Some waltz or another began to play, and Aster was swept into Darreth’s arms. 


“You seem far less stiff now,” the King commented as they stepped and turned in time. “Downright amicable, I’d say. Is this resignation?”


Aster huffed a little chuckle as he shot a look up at him. “Resignation? I don’t think so. Perhaps I am less anxious now that the ceremony is over—it is hard not to be when one is being observed by a thousand pairs of eyes.”


“I can understand that nervousness, Pretty Thing… but that’s over. What lies in front of us now is an evening full of feasting, dancing, and delicious wine. And then…” 


Chapter 43: Spiced Wine Flows Rich