Coming
to terms with leaving Jol and Ospar behind reminded Rivek of all those he’d
counseled suffering breakups and losses over the years. He’d had no idea how
bad the passing of a relationship could feel, even one that had a chance of being
resumed.
“Now I understand what bereavement
is. Or at least, a taste of it. I was an ass to think I had an inkling of what
others went through.” The words he’d spoken to the grieved had been so much
meaningless garbage, he realized.
It was a painful lesson. Important
too, which Rivek would store and consult the next instance a mourner requested
aid. It would make him a better priest. A more knowledgeable confidant.
Yet, what a price to pay for such
insight! It was real world experience he wasn’t sure he wanted to claim.
At the same time, Rivek considered
what he would have missed had Ospar and Jol never come into his life. The lively
chaos. The constant pushes against his equilibrium that strengthened Rivek’s
abilities. Yes, they’d interrupted the goal of perfect enlightenment, but in
exchange, they’d honed him to serve others in a greater capacity. As Ospar had
stopped chasing politics as a means to selfish pursuits, Rivek had done the
same with spirituality.
He should be grateful he’d found men
to love with all of his heart, who made him a better priest. Once he got over
the agony of not having them around any longer, maybe he’d discover that
appreciation. But for now, Rivek felt more grief than gratitude.
“Mother of All, I miss them. Grant
me the strength to see this through, because all I want is to run straight back
to them.”
Fighting
murderous enemies. Battling each other. It’s the perfect recipe for romance,
Kalquorian-style.
On the surface, young Dramok Ospar has it
all: money, prestige, power. Yet what he dreams of most is outside his grasp.
His drive to prove himself has left him lonely, with no one to turn to…except
the Nobek bodyguard who is decidedly unimpressed with his accomplishments. Oh,
and there’s the matter of the local crime syndicate trying to kill him too.
Nobek Jol faces his worst security
assignment ever: guarding the most irritating Dramok to draw breath. It’s not
that Ospar isn’t handsome, intelligent, brave, and charitable. It’s just that
he’d be so much better gagged into silence.
Temple of Life priest Imdiko Rivek wishes
for inner peace and total enlightenment. He knows he won’t find it in the
lethal world Ospar and Jol inhabit. However, fighting the allure of the pair to
achieve perfect tranquility is proving to be more difficult than he could have
imagined…plus the fact that their enemies think he’s the perfect target to
bring Ospar and Jol to heel.
Available at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. Coming soon to print.
Oh, and while you're there, Not of This World (Warriors of Risnar) has no cover and it's not out until early February, but the publisher did put it on pre-order at Amazon.
No comments:
Post a Comment