Description
A Strange Place in Time, Book Three: The Merry Executioner Returns
– Alyx Jae Shaw
The darkness is rising, and the Court of Hercandoloff realizes that the only way to avert true disaster is to attack the instigators. It will take a great deal of secrecy and deception.
With Arrowsmith on a secret mission of his own, Infamous missing, and the other members of the Court riding north with the army to Monshikka’s home kingdom of Kirianna, the Wizard King Blackbird finds himself facing foes alone in his own palace.
The search for Infamous leads the Court to the long-dead remains of the holy city of Palaklais and the Temple of the Creator, but what they find there does not give them hope.
The question remains: How does one defeat that which cannot be killed?
Available at:
Amazon
Smashwords
KOBO
Apple Books
Barnes & Noble
Print:
EXCERPT:
Arrowsmith crossed the grass, his arm around Infamous as they made their way to the little run-down house. To his left walked Monshikka, ghostly white in the light of the full moon and stunningly beautiful. Arrowsmith said nothing as they walked along, and Infamous as well as Monshikka seemed to be sensing that all was not well. The trio all stopped at the same time, a sure sign they had known each other far too long. Infamous reached out and took Arrowsmith’s hand.
“What’s the matter, love?” he asked softly.
Arrowsmith looked from Infamous to Monshikka, his expression pained. For a long moment, he struggled with what he had to say. Then he smiled and reached out to touch Infamous’s face.
“Infamous, I love you more than I have words to say. And I love my parents. They’re good people. But… my dad… can be a little hard to take at times. And… I don’t want you to be upset by anything he says.”
Monshikka immediately came to Infamous’s defence, red eyes alive with wrath. “Arrowsmith, with all due respect to your esteemed father, I will not tolerate him abusing Infamous in any manner.”
Arrowsmith had to laugh. “No one is allowed to pick on him but you, right?”
Infamous grinned at Monshikka, who put an arm around the Thief’s shoulders. “That is precisely what I mean.”
Arrowsmith chuckled. “Look, he’s a good guy. He took me in, raised me, fed me, clothed me, spent time with me, taught me things… He didn’t have to do any of that. He could have tossed me into a foster home and forgot about me. But… he’s not exactly Mr. Sensitive New-Age Guy. He might not be real happy about me being in love with you.”
Infamous opened his mouth, but did not get a chance to speak before Monshikka did.
“Well, what in the name of Creation is wrong with Infamous? What can he possibly object to? His breeding? His occupation? His hair?”
“His gender,” said Arrowsmith.
Infamous and Monshikka both gave Arrowsmith the ‘you must be kidding’ look of a lifetime. Monshikka shook his head slightly, as though not certain of what he had heard. “I beg your pardon?”
“My dad isn’t really big on the idea of men being in love with other men.”
Monshikka pulled Infamous closer, his long, white robe enfolding the little Thief protectively. “That is the single most ridiculous thing I have heard in several lifetimes.”
“Come on, Monshikka, your own people aren’t wild about the idea, either.”
“My people are mad. Reasonable folk do not think such things.”
“Well, I can’t argue with that. Look, all I’m saying is forgive the old guy, okay? He’s had a hard life, and he’s done a lot for me?”
“Very well,” said Monshikka, cold and regal. “But if he upsets my Thief, I shall have words with him.”
“He’s my Thief, thank you very much.”
“I won’t be anybody’s Thief, if you two don’t stop arguing over me!”
“Sorry, sunshine.” Arrowsmith gently pulled Infamous close and kissed him.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.