Description
When the nobles of Pelova rebelled against Lord Damant, few opposed the ruthless ruler as openly as Harold Caldeen. The rebellion failed, leaving Noah Caldeen to care for his mother and two younger sisters. Six years later, his mother is gone, his family is still paying for his father’s defiance, and honest work remains almost impossible to find.
When Noah is captured stealing from Adrian Elynbridge, the lord and knight-regent of Surivene, he expects imprisonment or worse. Instead, Adrian offers him an unexpected bargain. After weighing his options, Noah reluctantly agrees. Determined to protect his sisters, Noah finds himself caught in a contentious power play that hits far too close to home.
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EXCERPT:
“Your father requires you to be married. Otherwise, you risk forfeiting—”
“I know what’s at stake, Minh.” Adrian Elynbridge sighed and dropped back onto the bed. “Don’t remind me.”
The bed dipped, and Adrian met his friend’s gaze. Minh Rocha had been by Adrian’s side since they were children, first as a friend and now as Adrian’s squire. And, at times, the sensible half of Adrian’s brain.
“I know you don’t like this,” Minh said. “My family is not noble, which counts my sisters out.”
“Noble or not, you are an incredibly talented swordsman, and you’ve more honor than most nobles within the entire country.”
Minh shrugged. “What can I say? I had a great teacher.” He patted Adrian’s leg. “You must find a lady of noble birth to wed before a week’s time.”
“Women are out of the question, you know that. I doubt I could consummate a marriage if I found one anyway.”
Adrian shuddered. He’d ventured to the market today, only to have half the damn village vie for his attention. After the uprising years ago, he found it hard to believe any of them wanted to be within spitting distance of a noble. He recalled the stories of rebellion against Damant, though he couldn’t blame any of the rebels. Damant was a bastard of the highest caliber. Unfortunately, he also had two unmarried daughters he would gleefully auction off to the richest bidder. That Adrian held the coveted Knight-Regent position of Surivene only seemed to be even more of an irresistible attraction.
Someone knocked on the door, and Minh got up to answer it. Adrian figured it was probably dinner. He grabbed his shirt and tugged it over his head before joining Minh and the servant in the sitting room. A young man held a tray laden with food while Minh cleared space on a table. The servant’s shaggy, unkempt hair and gaunt build didn’t detract from his beauty. For a moment, wary dark eyes met Adrian’s gaze. Then the servant looked away quickly, his focus once again on the food. He set the tray down and started for the door.
“Wait,” Adrian said.
The servant stopped and turned. He bowed. “Yes, my lord?”
It took Adrian a moment to say anything. The man’s accent was better than most servants Adrian had met since his arrival here. Minh cleared his throat, snapping Adrian out of a bizarre spell.
“What is your name?” Adrian asked.
The servant swallowed, as if nervous to reply. “Noah.”
“Noah…?”
“Just Noah.” He glanced at the door, the tray, and then back to Adrian. “Does my lord require anything else?”
Minh sat down, dutifully keeping his mouth shut. Adrian would no doubt hear plenty later.
“No. Thank you,” Adrian said finally. “Although, should I need anything else, might I request you?”
Noah blinked. “Y-yes, yes, my lord. Thank you, my lord.” He left the room before Adrian could say another word.
Minh snorted. “And therein lies your current problem.”
“What would that be?”
“That you can’t seem to ignore the serving boys.”
Adrian had been born into nobility. He grew up with servants, stableboys, and peasants. “That is where you are wrong, my dear friend,” he said as he sat down. “If that scrappy yet intriguing young man is a servant, then I am a virgin.”
Minh choked on a sip of wine.
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