Magic on the #MMromance blog for October's first #supernatural visitor as we meet enigmatic and frankly gorgeous #warlock Indigo Vaughn from #gayromance #fantasy The Dreamboat @evernightpub @parr_books #teaser

 

Welcome to Indigo Vaughn the famous warlock head of security in Queen Lissabella’s Court

 

(The warlock walks toward me and after a little bow, he sits on the chair opposite mine.)

 

May I call you Indigo? I know the custom in your world is to use a more formal address.

 

(Indigo smiles.)

Yes, of course. I know here people often greet each other with only one name.

 

Thank you for agreeing to visit. I must say you’re a hard man to get hold of. It took weeks. You must be very busy.

 

Ahh, yes, I am busy. It is a busy time of year. The Queen’s birthday is next week and I have much to prepare. Of course, I also live far away from here.

 

It’s summer where you live.

 

We are in high summer, but it never becomes very cold even in our other season. Wet, but not cold as it does here in your part of this world.

 

I’ve recently read the book, The Dreamboat. It’s a sizzling story. How do you feel about your … personal life being available for anyone to read about?

 

(He grins.)

That’s the nature of being featured in a book. I agreed to have the story of Darian’s and my meeting and falling in love told, so I can’t complain. I understand by sizzling you mean our lovemaking is told in detail. On my world sex, and lovemaking, isn’t seen as needing to be a hidden and unspoken of activity. We don’t go around shouting about it but everyone accepts, in fact expects it to be an important part of everyone’s life.

 

It’s intriguing to meet someone who has magic. Were you born so?

 

Oh yes. I’m descended from Elven peoples. In ancient times, my former world was filled with magical people.

 

I’ll make the rest of this interview fun if that’s okay with you?

 

I don’t mind. I do have a playful side even though I might come across as fierce and authoritarian in my role as head of royal security.

 

Before I move on to some fun questions could I ask you if many people are afraid of you?

 

(He laughs.)

I probably instill fear in a few people, usually those who have done wrong, but I’m not cruel even to the most unpleasant criminals. I think some fear me because of my magic, because I take my work extremely seriously, and, though I say it myself, I am highly competent and few if any perpetrators of felony escape me.

 

You are an imposing figure, so tall, muscular and well, frankly, beautiful.

(He smiles at me, and yes he’s gorgeous. There’s no point in pretending otherwise.)

Do you think the way you look has any bearing on how people regard you.

 

Regard me? If you mean my being tall and muscled might add to peoples’ fear of me, if indeed they do fear me? Maybe. I don’t know. As for being beautiful, thank you for the compliment.

 

(My turn to smile.)

Okay I’ll try to make the rest of the questions fun.

 

If you were a dessert, what would you be?

 

(Laughs) A dessert … something sweet … we have a fruit pie in my world. It’s delicious. I’d be that. Of course, the choice is easier because Darian loves that pie.

 

What do you do to relax?

 

I walk, usually with Darian, along the lake paths. We swim, too. Darian sings and plays his guitar to me.

 

What do you look for in a man?

I don’t look. I’m absolutely in love with Darian. He’s my perfect man. He’s described in the book if anyone wants details.

 

What is in your refrigerator right now?

 

Right now … I don’t know. (Shakes his head.) That’s a question for Milan, my wonderful assistant.

 

What’s on your bedroom floor?

 

A blue and gold patterned rug. I bought it in the East of my world. It’s beautiful and in an ancient traditional pattern handed down through generations of the Eastern people.

 

What do you wear in bed?

 

Nothing.

 

What’s your biggest fear?

 

Oh, well, I have to think about that for a second. Not that I take him for granted, I doubt it would happen, but losing Darian’s love. It would break my heart.

 

What is your most treasured possession?

 

Darian is not my possession but I treasure him. I treasure my assistant, Milan. He’s not a possession, either. What material thing do I treasure? (He frowns.)

You know, I don’t take my wealth for granted, nor my magic, but material things, possessions, I can replace, buy, even conjure, so I don’t think in terms of possessions. I treasure other ‘things.’ My Queen, my world, nature around me… (He looks at me.)

 

I understand.

 

Indigo, what clothes do you like to wear?

 

I prefer dark clothes and of course, I do have to wear some items of uniform as I belong to the Queen’s security service.

 

What do you like to see Darian dressed in?

 

Anything he likes, (his piercing blue eyes mist a little) although I do like him in a particular shirt he wore when I first set eyes on him. It shows off his muscular chest, but also, it reminds me how lucky I am to have met him. It always makes me smile to see him in that shirt.

 

Do you have a favorite piece of music?

 

Darian wrote a song for me when he thought he’d lost my love. He hadn’t, but he’d done something he regretted and thought I wouldn’t want to see him anymore. The song is wonderful. He sang it at court and everyone was captivated by it.

 

Tell the readers something you’ve never told anyone before.

 

(Frowns)

You mean a secret. I have many because of my work as a warlock and as head of security. I can’t tell any in case it puts someone in danger. (Takes a deep breath) I have nothing for you, not a thing.

 

I know you feature in another story about Queen Lissabella’s court and your world. Can you tell us a little about that story?

I make a few appearances in my capacity as head of security. I could inadvertently gave away too much of the plot so I can’t say much more than it’s another love story, but also a mystery, a suspense. I can safely tell you the title, which is String of Pearls.

 

Thank you for being here. Will you choose an excerpt from The Dreamboat for our readers before you go?

I will. I’d like it to feature Darian. He’s been through a lot in his life and those experiences are what led him to believe I wouldn’t want him. I’ll leave you with a passage that shows his turmoil when he’s discovered how wealthy I am.

 

Goodbye then, Indigo, safe journey home.

 

Thank you, good day.

(He stands, gives a little bow and strides out of the room.)

 

Read the blurb for The Dreamboat

 

Gorgeous, powerful warlock, Indigo Vaughn, sells his magic spells to people looking to make a dream come true. One night, as he gazes down on the city below from his sky barge, The Dreamboat, he wonders why, in centuries, his own wish for a man to love hasn’t materialized.

Beautiful, sexy, Darian O’Harr has suffered his fair share of misery. He’s a musician and learned long ago to sing for his supper. New to the city, he comes to Indigo seeking a spell that will bring him the love of a handsome man.

As soon as he sets eyes on Indigo, his heart races and his body betrays his pent up needs.

Here is the man of his dreams. What can Darian do as the warlock gathers his magic to cast a spell that will bring him another man?

 

Read the excerpt Indigo choose

 

Darian waited until Milan couldn’t see him from the skeeter, and then he circled the grounds and took the back gate to the path that would lead him away from the royal quarter of the city. He sped home, walking at a pace, his cloak wrapped around him, and all the time his thoughts spun. When Indigo had asked to see him again soon, he’d somehow invited his lover, his love, to visit his home. Darian didn’t know if he’d extended the invitation so that if Indigo was going to leave him because he was poor, it would happen fast and save him severe heartbreak, or if he hoped Indigo would accept his poverty, and his anxiety would diminish leaving him free to love Indigo. I’ve fallen in love with him. I never saw it coming. I wonder if he did? If he loves me, that is…

Darian passed one of the better apartment buildings. Less ancient and better kept than the one he currently lived in, the turrets gleamed lilac in the sun and willow trees draped over low white walls surrounding the building. Huge pots of jasmine stood at the bottom of the stoop. The sign he’d noticed a few days previously still hung from the wide pillared porch. ‘Apartment vacant, apply within.’

He paused. It can’t hurt to look. He walked up the path. The rich scent of jasmine wafted over him. He rang the bell.

The concierge showed him the apartment. It had a long balcony overlooking a bend in the stream that wound past the castle and fed the half-moat. Wild roses blossomed on the bank. The morning breeze played with pale pink petals, lifting them and scattering them gently into the sparkling water.

Darian fell in love with the apartment. It was clean and bright with light from long windows. The pale floors of polished wood added to the charm. It sat close to the border delineating the royal quarter so would only take him minutes to walk to work.

“Yes, I’ll take it.” Surprise widened his eyes as he heard the words falling from his mouth.

“Two moons’ rent up front is required before you move anything in—one for the rent, one for security. You’ll need to sign a contract. Any nonsense, noise, bawdy behavior, litter, damage, and you’re out. I don’t give warnings. I don’t give back the security money.”

Darian cringed under the suspicious gaze of the concierge. He’d expected a less alarming transaction. He only paid weekly for the place he currently lived in. The landlord there was kinder in manner. He thought about the invitation he’d given to Indigo. How wonderful it would be to meet Indigo at the castle and bring him here instead of to his dusty little rooms in the poor area of the city. “I need to bring the money later today after I’ve collected payment for my work.”

The concierge smirked. “Work at Temptations do ya, pretty boy?”

Darian recoiled and shook his head. “I do not. Not that anyone who does is … is inferior. I’m a musician.”

“Right then, if you’re not back with payment by fifteen hundred hours the place goes to the next applicant.”

Darian nodded and backed away. He left the building. By the time he arrived at his current dwelling he wondered how he could amass two moons’ rent in so little time. The sum amounted to an entire wage period. He made coffee and gazed from his pitted window at the people passing on the boardwalk that raised them from the unmade dirt track. People in this area still used ground transport and a vehicle sped by kicking up a cloud of dust and small gravel.

Darian had showered in the sky barge. Indigo had left him alone so that they didn’t fall on each other and have sex, which they’d enjoyed all night, but would have been unable to resist again, naked and close to each other in the cascade of water. He pictured his lover laughing and his heart contracted with emotion. I must rent that apartment. I can’t bring Indigo here. I wonder if the treasurer would pay me wages in advance. I’ll ask. The queen expected him at the castle by noon to sing and play as she entertained guests for lunch.

Darian possessed only three sets of clothes and he put on the last clean shirt from his armoire. He gathered the items that needed cleaning—two shirts and a pair of pants along with two pairs of undergarments and a cotton jacket. He stuffed them in the blue canvas bag to drop them to the laundry at the end of the street. The woman there was good at her job and inexpensive. A deci-coin would buy her services. He took one from the tiny pouch of money secreted in the inside pocket of his cloak and slid it into his pants pocket so that he could pay without showing he had other coin. It was a trick he’d learned as a young man living on the streets of the neighboring world’s capital.

Darian rushed to the castle early. He sought out the treasurer and pled his case for advance wages. The keeper of monies laughed at him. Darian slunk away. He went to the cavernous room where the musicians practiced, rehearsed, and wrote new material. The dance troupe filled the room with choreography, spinning, diving, and jumping, in readiness to entertain the queen that evening.

The viola player came to him as he stood at the door.

“Queen Lissabella is using the southern long-room for lunch today. Since you’re new here I’ll take you.”

Darian needed a lute that day. He still smarted from the treasurer’s laughter and denial of an advance on his wages. He shook his head at the viola player. “I know where it is. I need to collect instruments from the storage chamber,” he lied, wanting time alone.

The other musician shrugged and left him.

Darian edged around the dancers. He checked his guitar in its ornate leather case. I wonder if this would fetch much at the pawnbrokers. Then he put it back on the shelf where it was safer than in his apartment. He took a castle lute from the stand and wandered out to the corridors.

Copyright E. D. Parr, Evernight Publishing

Read the blurb for String of Pearls.

Handsome, elite space pilot, Tobias Mars is completing a special mission, when on a water planet, recently ravaged by space pirates, he discovers Dreft Hann hiding and injured in the sand dunes.

There’s instant attraction between the two men, but honorable Tobias believes the fact Dreft is in his care precludes him from showing his growing love for the young man. What’s worse is his shocking discovery of Dreft’s real identity. Even so, Tobias can’t deny his feelings for Dreft.

When head of royal security, powerful warlock, Indigo Vaughn discovers Dreft’s secret, he anticipates trouble.

As beautiful Dreft falls in love with Tobias and dreams of joining the elite pilot squad, trouble is brewing from someone in Dreft’s past.

Will love finally win with so many obstacles in Tobias and Dreft’s path?

BUY links for both books

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-dreamboat-by-e-d-parr/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077TB36FS

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077TB36FS

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B077TB36FS

https://www.bookstrand.com/the-dreamboat-mm

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dreamboat-e-d-parr/1127562856

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-dreamboat

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/762797

 

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/string-of-pearls-by-e-d-parr/

https://www.bookstrand.com/string-of-pearls-mm

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/string-of-pearls-e-d-parr/1129854008

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/906343

All Amazon sites http://mybook.to/StringofPearls

Available on KOBO

As an added bonus, read a deleted scene from String of Pearls

Tobias Mars glanced across at his co-pilot, Dante Pepper with a grin. “Hey, look at it this way, it might be a nuisance, but on the way something great might happen.”

“Such as?” Dante frowned as he set the craft on course for Garrus.C

“Well as we touch down on each planet we’re greeted with gorgeous guys offering refreshments.” Tobias laughed aloud as the craft soared into the sky.

A derisive grunt escaped Dante. “Viridian Kaa is the only gorgeous guy I want greeting me.”

“You’re lucky to have found love, Dante. I’m glad for you.” The craft shot into the stars and Tobias engaged the autopilot. “At least we only have to planet hop on the way back with the package. Why so much subterfuge is my question?”

Dante’s voice dropped to a whisper. “The royal prince is afraid of assassins.”

An early morning mist shrouded Garrus as they landed and took their passenger on board their craft. The prince, fondly known by the pilots as, the package, in keeping with the subterfuge surrounding the journey home, settled into his quarters. 

Copyright E. D. Parr.

Behind the Title with #gay #scifi #fantasy The Dreamboat #MMromance from @parr_books @evernightpub and read bonus snippets from gay #scifi #suspense String of Pearls

 This week's Behind the Title comes from, 

The Dreamboat

Chapter Two

 

One year later—

 

Indigo Vaughn stared down at the lights of the city far below. His sky barge, the Dreamboat, sailed majestically and wonderfully slowly through the night sky. The city and surrounding outer suburbs spread out like a twinkling jeweled carpet. Indigo sighed as his imagination took flight, and he dreamed up a beautiful man waiting there just for him. He will be muscled and tall, and have eyes that remind me of the deep blue sea off the coast of my Celtic home.

He drew in a ragged breath. The pain in remembering the far away and long ago place hit him like a spear in his heart. He forced himself on. I will twist my fingers in his night-dark hair and drag him to my kiss. His sexy lips will taste better than the sweetest wine, and once I have kissed him he’ll be mine forever. Indigo rested his forehead on the special glass of the window. He closed his eyes. He didn’t expect ever to meet this dream man. He’d lived for so long without romantic love he sometimes wondered how much longer he could withstand the crushing sadness of his empty life.

Indigo conjured the dreams of his clients, producing the spell for what they craved on the Dreamboat. Sometimes they lived their dream for the rest of their lives. Sometimes they simply fucked up the chance he gave them. Indigo opened his eyes and saw that the sky barge was over one of the huge lakes on the outskirts of the city.

Is it my eternal curse never to conjure my own dream? I shouldn’t torture myself. Perhaps this is my destiny, but a long life without love is no life at all.

He saw movement on the surface of the lake. Water boats crisscrossed the placid surface. Indigo left the window, exited his private quarters, and walked with all the grace he could muster to the consulting room. Two clients awaited him that night.

His assistant, Milan, greeted him as he entered the anteroom.

“Good evening, sir. The first of your clients is prepared.”

Indigo bestowed a grateful smile on Milan. “Thank you. I’ve read her request document and this won’t take long.”

He took a deep breath before he went into the consulting room. “Let nothing go wrong.” He always said this. It was his mantra to ward off anything bad, because Indigo, even after centuries, had never taken his magic for granted.

Copyright E. D. Parr , Evernight Publishing

Gorgeous, powerful warlock, Indigo Vaughn, sells his magic spells to people looking to make a dream come true. One night, as he gazes down on the city below from his sky barge The Dreamboat, he wonders why, in centuries, his own wish for a man to love hasn’t materialized.

Beautiful, sexy, Darian O’Harr has suffered his fair share of misery. He’s a musician and learned long ago to sing for his supper. New to the city, he comes to Indigo seeking a spell that will bring him the love of a handsome man.

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-dreamboat-by-e-d-parr/

https://www.bookstrand.com/the-dreamboat-mm

Amazon http://mybook.to/TheDreamboat

NOOK https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dreamboat-e-d-parr/1127562856

N.B. This story contains explicit gay love scenes

Bonus snippet for Behind the Title teaser 

from String of Pearls

Read the snippet that gives the story its title

and read a passage that didn't make it into the published story

Tobias glanced across at his co-pilot as they took the flight path past the string of pearls. Dante had named the linear group of planets a year ago and now Tobias always thought of them that way, particularly as he’d met the love of his life on one of them.

Dreft engaged light speed and they zapped to the edge of the galaxy to a world where their queen’s new betrothed awaited them.

“It’s been a year, Dreft, my love. We could easily visit Garrus and see your parents before we pick up this guy.”

Dreft shook his head. “I know you think I should. I know you don’t understand why I can’t. I’ve messaged them. I’ve exchanged photographs and accepted their gifts, but I can’t be the crown prince they want me to be.”

Copyright E. D. Parr, Evernight Publishing

The story is set in the same SciFi fantasy city as last year’s release, The Dreamboat. Indigo Vaughn, the warlock head of security, features in the story along with a new cast of characters. When I wrote The Dreamboat, I already had the new characters in my head along with their story. Tobias Mars and Dante Pepper, the elite space pilots for the royal court, very nearly made an appearance in The Dreamboat, but because that story is about Indigo at last finding love, I decided they needed their own story. Once upon a time Dante and Tobias were close to becoming lovers, but Dante met Viridian and fell in love. Tobias has yet to meet his love when String of Pearls, opens. He’s a man of high integrity, handsome, caring, but also longing for love and sex. String of Pearls is his love story.

 String of Pearls

 

Handsome, elite space pilot, Tobias Mars is completing a special mission, when on a water planet, recently ravaged by space pirates, he discovers Dreft Hann hiding and injured in the sand dunes. There’s instant attraction between the two men, but honorable Tobias believes the fact Dreft is in his care precludes him from showing his growing love for the young man. What’s worse is his shocking discovery of Dreft’s real identity. Even so, Tobias can’t deny his feelings for Dreft. When head of royal security, powerful warlock, Indigo Vaughn discovers Dreft’s secret, he anticipates trouble. As beautiful Dreft falls in love with Tobias and dreams of joining the elite pilot squad, trouble is brewing from someone in Dreft’s past. Will love finally win with so many obstacles in Tobias and Dreft’s path?

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/string-of-pearls-by-e-d-parr/

https://www.bookstrand.com/string-of-pearls-mm

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/string-of-pearls-e-d-parr/1129854008

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/906343

Amazon http://mybook.to/StringofPearls

I’d written a passage for String of Pearls that was to go right at the beginning of the story, but after discussing it with my editor we decided to leave it out because it detracted from the impact of the opening where we meet Dreft fleeing from space pirates.

Here it is. 

Tobias Mars glanced across at his co-pilot, Dante Pepper with a grin. “Hey, look at it this way, it might be a nuisance, but on the way something great might happen.”

“Such as?” Dante frowned as he set the craft on course for Garrus.

“Well as we touch down on each planet we’re greeted with gorgeous guys offering refreshments.” Tobias laughed aloud as the craft soared into the sky.

A derisive grunt escaped Dante. “Viridian Kaa is the only gorgeous guy I want greeting me.”

“You’re lucky to have found love, Dante. I’m glad for you.” The craft shot into the stars and Tobias engaged the autopilot. “At least we only have to planet hop on the way back with the package. Why so much subterfuge is my question?”

Dante’s voice dropped to a whisper. “The royal prince is afraid of assassins.”

An early morning mist shrouded Garrus as they landed and took their passenger on board their craft. The prince, fondly known by the pilots as, the package, in keeping with the subterfuge surrounding the journey home, settled into his quarters.

Copyright E. D. Parr

I hope that you enjoyed the bonus snippets in this week's post. Next week the

Behind the Title posts will continue on the ParrX Blog 

https://parrx.blogspot.com/

E. D. Parr 

 

The steps became narrower and ended next to a magnificent oak door. Darian sighed, knowing he was lost. #MMromance #midweektease #MWtease

Thank you to Angelica Dawson for hosting 

#MWtease 

The #midweektease blog hop

This week's teaser is from

The Dreamboat

Darian rushed to the castle early. He sought out the treasurer and pled his case for advance wages. The keeper of monies laughed at him. Darian slunk away. He went to the cavernous room where the musicians practiced, rehearsed, and wrote new material. The dance troupe filled the room with choreography, spinning, diving, and jumping, in readiness to entertain the queen that evening.

The viola player came to him as he stood at the door.

“Queen Lissabella is using the southern long-room for lunch today. Since you’re new here I’ll take you.”

Darian needed a lute that day. He still smarted from the treasurer’s laughter and denial of an advance on his wages. He shook his head at the viola player. “I know where it is. I need to collect instruments from the storage chamber,” he lied, wanting time alone.

The other musician shrugged and left him.

Darian edged around the dancers. He checked his guitar in its ornate leather case. I wonder if this would fetch much at the pawnbrokers. Then he put it back on the shelf where it was safer than in his apartment. He took a castle lute from the stand and wandered out to the corridors. It can’t be that hard to find the southern long-room. I know where the south half-moat is. Into his mind dropped the memory of Indigo approaching him as he waited at the skeeter tether park. His heart pounded and butterflies whirled in his stomach. Darian took a fork in the wide stairs that seemed to him to lead in a southerly direction as he thought about Indigo. I can’t wait to see him again, to kiss him, to tell him how I feel.

He climbed higher without thinking. The steps became narrower and ended next to a magnificent oak door. Darian sighed, knowing he was lost. He tried the door. It swung inward, open. Darian looked in. Lining the room was row after row of dresses and cloaks, shawls and jackets. At the far end was another door. Darian strode to it and opened it. This must be a dressing room or maybe where the queen’s apparel is stored when she’s tired of it. He glanced around quickly as he traveled through the room. It must lead somewhere … her sleeping chambers are in the other turret.

The other door opened onto a smaller room still laden with clothes hanging on rails, but at the window end, a dressing table faced the light streaming in. Panic gripped Darian. I am in someone’s chambers, and then, glistening at him from a silver dish next to a set of hairbrushes, Darian saw jewelry. He rushed to look. From somewhere deep within his psyche his younger self’s thief rose. He eyed the jewelry hungrily. An emerald bracelet and a sapphire ring called to him. He grabbed them and stuffed them into his pants pocket. His heart ached. I shouldn’t do this.

“What are you doing here?” a woman’s voice demanded.

He spun around. “I got lost. I opened doors thinking there was a way through to the southern long-room.” He gave the woman a helpless look.

She frowned. Another woman joined her and stared at Darian.

“I leave the room for two seconds and this happens. Don’t breathe a word to anyone about it. I’ll be fired for sure. Zelda, show this idiot to the southern long-room. I can count on you?”

Darian saw the anguish in the first woman’s eyes and cringed with shame.

The second woman, Zelda, nodded emphatically. “Certainly.”

He followed Zelda down the stairs he’d taken, along corridors, over a courtyard and up another flight of stairs. The other musicians gave him glares when he strode into the luncheon chamber moments before the royal party and guests arrived.

Copyright E.D.Parr November 2017 Evernight Publishing

BUY the Book

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-dreamboat-by-e-d-parr/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077TB36FS

Global Amazon link http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=B077TB36FS

http://www.bookstrand.com/the-dreamboat-mm

HOP to the next #midweektease

I will twist my fingers in his night-dark hair and drag him to my kiss... Relax with the first two chapters of #MMromance The Dreamboat #gayromance @evernightpub

5 star review for The Dreamboat

... I absolutely devoured this awesome, magnificent, magical, sexy, and captivating tale...The Dreamboat sizzling new release MM romantic erotica 

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-dreamboat-by-e-d-parr/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077TB36FS
Global Amazon link http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=B077TB36FS
http://www.bookstrand.com/the-dreamboat-mm

Gorgeous, powerful warlock, Indigo Vaughn, sells his magic spells to people looking to make a dream come true. One night, as he gazes down on the city below from his sky barge The Dreamboat, he wonders why, in centuries, his own wish for a man to love hasn’t materialized.
Beautiful, sexy, Darian O’Harr has suffered his fair share of misery. He’s a musician and learned long ago to sing for his supper. New to the city, he comes to Indigo seeking a spell that will bring him the love of a handsome man.

Read the first two chapters

Chapter One

“Good evening, your majesty.” His hand on his heart, signifying loyalty for his young queen, Indigo Vaughn bowed. He gave Lissabella a smile that made his handsome face even more beautiful.

“Indigo, it’s so good to see you. I wish you’d visit more often.” Into her eyes crept the usual flirtatious twinkle. “Dear one, you deliver my gift early again. One day you will delegate security on my birthday festival to someone else.”

She glanced at the trio of musicians who sat waiting in the corner of the room.

Within seconds, music filled the air. Notes so sweet, they resonated along the filmy wall hangings and translucent drapes at the windows, causing them to billow gently as if blown by a warm summer breeze.

Indigo looked kindly on the queen. He held out his hand knowing she expected him to dance with her—just one slow dance that fed her fantasy he might one day spend more time with her, even though he’d made it plain he preferred the company of men when it came to lovers.

Lissabella took his hand and rose. She slipped into his arms. “Closer.”

Indigo obliged, pulling her to his body as he led the dance. His steps lightened with magic, he swirled Lissabella around the room, until she laughed aloud, joy ringing in the words with which she always ended their dance. “A kiss, Indigo.”

He brought them to a standstill and softly kissed his queen’s cheek.

Her sigh touched him as his mouth left her skin.

Indigo led her to the ornate couch where she sat. “Thank you.” Her sad whisper brought him to his knees before her. He slid the ruby ring he’d brought for her from his little finger. It would need fitting. He held it up. The gem shot scarlet rays of light across the room.

Delight filled Lissabella’s eyes. She held out her hand devoid of jewelry in readiness for his annual gift.

Indigo smiled and slipped the ring on each finger until she chose one that suited. He drew away, summoned his magic, and wrapped his hands around hers. When he surrendered her hand, the ring would fit perfectly. A moment later, and he grazed her knuckles with his lips, before he stood.

“Goodnight now, Indigo.” Her gaze caressed him.

Indigo bowed and left her. The annual visit always forced a wave of sadness through him. He could never give her what she wanted and she knew that, had always known that he loved men. All the same, he took the long route back to his home, drifting over the city, and skimming the surrounding forests and rivers in his skeeter.

Finally, as he docked the craft at one of the entrances to his sky barge, the sadness lifted. He exited the skeeter and walked along the corridor to eat dinner before he checked his appointments for the next day.

Chapter Two

One year later—

Indigo Vaughn stared down at the lights of the city far below. His sky barge, the Dreamboat, sailed majestically and wonderfully slowly through the night sky. The city and surrounding outer suburbs spread out like a twinkling jeweled carpet. Indigo sighed as his imagination took flight, and he dreamed up a beautiful man waiting there just for him. He will be muscled and tall, and have eyes that remind me of the deep blue sea off the coast of my Celtic home.

He drew in a ragged breath. The pain in remembering the far away and long ago place hit him like a spear in his heart. He forced himself on. I will twist my fingers in his night-dark hair and drag him to my kiss. His sexy lips will taste better than the sweetest wine, and once I have kissed him he’ll be mine forever. Indigo rested his forehead on the special glass of the window. He closed his eyes. He didn’t expect ever to meet this dream man. He’d lived for so long without romantic love he sometimes wondered how much longer he could withstand the crushing sadness of his empty life.

Indigo conjured the dreams of his clients, producing the spell for what they craved on the Dreamboat. Sometimes they lived their dream for the rest of their lives. Sometimes they simply fucked up the chance he gave them. Indigo opened his eyes and saw that the sky barge was over one of the huge lakes on the outskirts of the city.

Is it my eternal curse never to conjure my own dream? I shouldn’t torture myself. Perhaps this is my destiny, but a long life without love is no life at all.

He saw movement on the surface of the lake. Water boats crisscrossed the placid surface. Indigo left the window, exited his private quarters, and walked with all the grace he could muster to the consulting room. Two clients awaited him that night.

His assistant, Milan, greeted him as he entered the anteroom.

“Good evening, sir. The first of your clients is prepared.”

Indigo bestowed a grateful smile on Milan. “Thank you. I’ve read her request document and this won’t take long.”

He took a deep breath before he went into the consulting room. “Let nothing go wrong.” He always said this. It was his mantra to ward off anything bad, because Indigo, even after centuries, had never taken his magic for granted.

The woman’s request for the ability to speak a neighboring civilization’s language brought a smile to his face.

“Greta,” he shone the smile on his client, using the familiar greeting to put her at ease, “I will need you to close your eyes and then you will feel my hands on your head. A prickle of sensation will run from your forehead, down your spine and that will be it. The next time you meet your betrothed you’ll listen to him talk for only moments before you, too, will know, and use his language.”

The woman’s eyes widened and then she closed them.

Indigo placed his hands on the woman’s head. Her dark red hair springy in his fingers, he ignored the feeling and cast his mind into hers. He found fragments of the language she wished to speak. The knowledge merged with what he knew, and after gathering his magic, he whispered the spell that would make her dream true, sending it speeding through her brain and body.

She trembled under his touch.

He drew away. “There you are. All finished.”

Greta snapped her eyes open. “Thank you. I don’t feel any different.”

Indigo gave her a reassuring look. “That’s good. Tell me. Why not simply use a tech-translator? There are mechanisms now that are practically undetectable.”

She stood. “I want my betrothed to love me.”

Indigo watched her leave the room. He slipped the printout of her request document into the shredder thoughtfully, before he touched the button on the screen of his tablet computer that would tell Milan he was free.

Milan led the next client into the room. “Darian O’Harr, sir.”

Indigo kept his head bowed as if reading this man’s request document. Immediately Milan and the client entered, the room had filled with expectation, hope, and as Indigo finally raised his eyes to the client’s, the air sparked and charged with sexual attraction.

Indigo gazed at the man standing before him. His heart hammered in his chest as if trying to burst through the perfectly toned muscles and his dark shirt. Long ago he’d felt something like this, but the occasion was centuries distant. Right then, he could barely breathe with the sensation as he attempted to appear impervious to the sight before him.

“Good evening. I’ve read your request and can conjure the events to make your dream reality.” Indigo had to take a deep breath in order to go on. “Tell me, are you attending the festivities in the city the week after next for the queen’s birthday? The meeting will happen there.”

The beautiful man remained standing. He cast a glance at the chair positioned an arm’s length away from Indigo’s own seat. His ocean eyes regarded Indigo, filling with amusement and kindness. “May I sit?”

Indigo closed his eyes for a second. He couldn’t control the desire that zapped through his body. Amazed by his reaction, he forced himself to nod calmly. “Of course, forgive my discourtesy.”

Darian O’Harr gave him a smile. “Thank you. I am attending the festivities.” He drew aside his cloak, revealing an almost transparent cotton shirt that did nothing to conceal his hard muscled chest and, allowing the sides of the cloak to fall over his hips, he sat.

Indigo feasted on the sight of his client—dark, glossy hair, cut in a style that showed off the planes of his delectably handsome face and lips that enticed kisses. This man was his dream personified. It was heartbreaking. Indigo wondered if he really would be able to conjure the spell to give Darian O’Harr the lover he asked for. Indigo wanted Darian so much, his stomach ached, his chest hurt, his magic retreated under the blue gaze of the client.

He repeated his earlier assertion playing for time to gather his wits.

“I, er, I will conjure the spell so that your wish is fulfilled. I note, I note that you prefer men.”

Indigo glanced away from the expectant stare of this hunk before him. By all the stars, why do I meet a man who stirs my spirit when I have to conjure another man to be his lover? He gathered his magic as sadness weighed on his shoulders.

He drove away the thought, and concentrated. A place, a time, a man who loosely fit the description Darian requested. In his mind’s eye, he saw the man, walking past a small marquee, the night lit with fireworks to celebrate the queen’s name day. Try as he might, Indigo couldn’t see the man’s face for his cloak hood pulled low, but Darian was there. He saw the man hold Darian’s shoulders as if to hug or kiss him. Indigo didn’t like it, but he pushed for the spell to seal the meeting, and raised his hands to form his magic into a glowing silver sphere.

“Stop.” His client stood and grasped Indigo’s hands in his cool, strong palms.

The touch was electric. Tingles shot over Indigo’s hands and sparked up his arms. Desire rose and Indigo’s cock hardened. Indigo’s magic swept back into his body in an intense wave of energy. His eyes closed for moments as he took the shock and simultaneously attempted to quell his desire.

Darian O’Harr dropped Indigo’s hands. “Wow, sorry, I felt that.”

Indigo opened his eyes. Astonished by this, he stared at Darian. “What did you feel?”

The blue eyes regarding him, filled with interest. “It was as if an ocean tide pulled a wave from the shore.”

“Why did you stop me?”

Darian was silent for a few seconds, and then he answered softly. “I changed my mind.”

“Are you going to tell me why?” The words fell from Indigo’s mouth as his gaze ranged over Darian’s handsome face and settled on his lips. The urge to swoop on Darian and kiss him gripped Indigo. A tremble went over him as he pushed it away.

“I’d like to know how the process works.”

A frown creased between Indigo’s eyes. He sighed, telling himself there was no harm in telling Darian. “My magic is esoteric. I am not only a warlock. I’m also a seer. If there is a chance what someone wants is in their future, I can see that and help it along. I don’t usually control that part. It happens when I meet the person and begin the procedure. The idea is complex. I prefer using only my magic where possible.”

Darian gazed at him. “You see a lover in my future?”

Indigo heaved a breath. The thought Darian would have a lover other than himself cut deep. “Yes. He will be near a marquee at the festivities.” He lost his composure. “If you don’t want my services, you’re free to leave. Milan will return whatever you paid and call a public skeeter for your return to land.” He stood. The encounter was doubly unsettling. His sexual desire once wakened was intense, and now directed toward Darian, a man Indigo would never see again. Indigo strode from the consulting room.

Milan hurried toward him. “Sir?”

Indigo gentled his tone before speaking. Milan didn’t deserve to feel his irritation.

“Thank you, Milan, please assist Darian O’Harr to leave.” He swept along the corridor to his private quarters.

Copyright E.D.Parr Evernight Publishing 2017

A hot, surprising gay love story

The Dreamboat

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-dreamboat-by-e-d-parr/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077TB36FS

Global Amazon link http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=B077TB36FS

http://www.bookstrand.com/the-dreamboat-mm

Gorgeous, powerful warlock, Indigo Vaughn, sells his magic spells to people looking to make a dream come true. One night, as he gazes down on the city below from his sky barge The Dreamboat, he wonders why, in centuries, his own wish for a man to love hasn’t materialized.

Beautiful, sexy, Darian O’Harr has suffered his fair share of misery. He’s a musician and learned long ago to sing for his supper. New to the city, he comes to Indigo seeking a spell that will bring him the love of a handsome man.