by: Dianne Hartsock
Series: The Karthagans
Genre: Erotic M/M Fantasy Romance
Release Date: March 12, 2024
Publisher: Nine Star Press
The Karthagans have regained their ancient powers of manipulating nature, but at the price of madness. In their lust for control, they've destroyed their island and most of their race. They come now to Belega, where one of them, Camron, seeks domination over the known world. The Mage has come from the northern continent of Sennia to bring peace but finding his strength no match for the coming struggle, he passes his abilities on to Natan, who only desires a simple life.
Now only Natan has the ability to stop Camron, but the personal cost is more than he imagines. It is only with the combined strength of his friends, his Karthagan lover, Kavi, and his deep desire to bring lasting peace to the earth, that he finds the courage to overcome Camron and restore balance to the world.
Syros turned away in disgust from the couple he’d stumbled upon in the dark, so immersed in each other they hadn’t been aware of him. The Karthagan had obviously set out to seduce the young man, bewitching him with his exotic beauty and magic. The sooner he found a way to kill him…
He pulled the long knife from his belt, the same one Natan had left with him after tying him to that tree. It would be easy to walk over there and kill them both, engrossed as they were in each other. Syros frowned as moonlight glinted off the blade. No, he had no quarrel with Natan. The youth had shown him mercy when he could easily have left him to die.
“My debt is paid,” he said softly, giving them a mocking solute. He moved away to approach their camp with caution. Bryon slept, but the man was a keen soldier and worth keeping an eye on. Landlan lay on his side, sleeping, arms bound to a tree. Syros nudged him with a boot. “Are you ready?”
Landlan hissed, lurching toward him, then settled against the tree when he saw who it was. “Yes. And impatient. I was ready to leave an hour ago.”
“That fool Natan is still awake but distracted enough at the present.” Syros cut Landlan’s bindings. “Let’s go.”
Landlan rubbed the red abrasions on his wrists. “In a moment. I want to pay my respects to Bryon. Bastard enjoyed binding me a little too much.”
Syros scowled. “Don’t be a fool. One shout would have the whole Nagal camp down on us.”
A leer marred Landlan’s handsome face. “And since you’re wearing one of their uniforms, Syros, they’d stretch your pretty neck in a heartbeat.”
“Perhaps.” Syros looked down at the rich green of his attire, missing the more muted grays of the Barkuit soldier. He hated this game of pretense. Someone else could spy for Gargary next time. He wanted to go home.
“Hurry,” he said.
Landlan gave him a cool look and took a step toward Bryon’s sleeping form. Suddenly impatient, Syros moved to press the knife against Landlan’s side. “I’ve had enough of this. We’re going to the horses. Now.”
“Losing your nerve, Syros?”
“Tired of your stupidity. I was sickened by your actions in Amara. I’m disgusted you’d murder a good soldier in cold blood now. If it wasn’t for Gargary sending me specifically to retrieve you, I’d leave you here to Bryon’s tender mercies.”
Landlan’s eyes widened, showing his surprise. Then, anger flashed in the dark depths and he turned on his heel, stalking into the forest. Syros swore under his breath and trotted after him, gesturing toward the horses he’d hidden. He’d need to watch his back with the man.
He pulled the long knife from his belt, the same one Natan had left with him after tying him to that tree. It would be easy to walk over there and kill them both, engrossed as they were in each other. Syros frowned as moonlight glinted off the blade. No, he had no quarrel with Natan. The youth had shown him mercy when he could easily have left him to die.
“My debt is paid,” he said softly, giving them a mocking solute. He moved away to approach their camp with caution. Bryon slept, but the man was a keen soldier and worth keeping an eye on. Landlan lay on his side, sleeping, arms bound to a tree. Syros nudged him with a boot. “Are you ready?”
Landlan hissed, lurching toward him, then settled against the tree when he saw who it was. “Yes. And impatient. I was ready to leave an hour ago.”
“That fool Natan is still awake but distracted enough at the present.” Syros cut Landlan’s bindings. “Let’s go.”
Landlan rubbed the red abrasions on his wrists. “In a moment. I want to pay my respects to Bryon. Bastard enjoyed binding me a little too much.”
Syros scowled. “Don’t be a fool. One shout would have the whole Nagal camp down on us.”
A leer marred Landlan’s handsome face. “And since you’re wearing one of their uniforms, Syros, they’d stretch your pretty neck in a heartbeat.”
“Perhaps.” Syros looked down at the rich green of his attire, missing the more muted grays of the Barkuit soldier. He hated this game of pretense. Someone else could spy for Gargary next time. He wanted to go home.
“Hurry,” he said.
Landlan gave him a cool look and took a step toward Bryon’s sleeping form. Suddenly impatient, Syros moved to press the knife against Landlan’s side. “I’ve had enough of this. We’re going to the horses. Now.”
“Losing your nerve, Syros?”
“Tired of your stupidity. I was sickened by your actions in Amara. I’m disgusted you’d murder a good soldier in cold blood now. If it wasn’t for Gargary sending me specifically to retrieve you, I’d leave you here to Bryon’s tender mercies.”
Landlan’s eyes widened, showing his surprise. Then, anger flashed in the dark depths and he turned on his heel, stalking into the forest. Syros swore under his breath and trotted after him, gesturing toward the horses he’d hidden. He’d need to watch his back with the man.
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She now lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play. Dianne says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up in the house with a fire crackling on the hearth and a cup of hot coffee in her hands, which kindles her imagination.
Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Places to find Dianne Hartsock:
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ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good story.
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DeleteHow do you begin writing a new story?
ReplyDeleteHi Tracie! The first few pages are always the hardest. I try to capture the feel of the story but also the personality of my main characters. Most of the story has already been plotted out in my head, but beginnings take some time for me to write.
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Deletelooks like a fun one
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This looks like a fantastic read. Thanks for the opportunity.
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