Next week Canes and Scales: The Novel goes live! In the meantime, here's another excerpt from Canes and Scales: The Novel, aka Trauma and Trauma A-Go-Go.
In this excerpt, a festive royal ball turns dangerous for Alasdaire, the tormented Elf who loves his enemy the Serpent.
The Blurb:
Serpent Prince Linden of Ardaul is determined to drag his
barbaric, power-hungry country into the modern age by encouraging learning,
advances in the sciences, and tolerance. His insane brother Edward, the King,
delights in making him pay for his efforts.
Long years of watching his back, fighting wars, and solving
conflicts started by his cruel brother have taken a toll on Linden’s body and
mind, and he needs a respite. When Linden meets an alluring young bed slave
named Alasdaire, his weary heart responds. Alasdaire is an exotic mix of
southern royal Totandian elf and human, and, although he’s also suffered
hardship most of his life, his loving personality captivates the Prince.
Despite their differences, Alasdaire, canes—and Linden,
scales—unite in body and soul, but their romance is nearly shattered by
betrayal. When Linden becomes King, magical assassins, treachery, and threats
plague them. They narrowly escape death more than once. The lovers must
discover who wants them dead and more importantly, where they can turn for aid.
Neither enemies nor allies are what they seem. Only time will tell who means to
harm Linden and Alasdaire—the elves, the imprisoned Edward, or something even
deadlier—and time is one thing they don’t have.
PG-13
Excerpt Canes & Scales M/M fantasy S.A. Garcia
ALASDAIRE
Gay
activity filled the crowded ballroom. Two wild dances I did not recognize
passed before us. The dancers moved in kinetic loops. Tonight the music sounded
jagged, more feral than what I had heard at Keith’s manor.
I
leaned against Linden’s shoulder. “My love, I do not recognize these odd
dances. Are they from another country?”
He
gestured toward the moving gaiety. “Ah, these are traditional folk dances from
the time of the battle of Adwurtein, which was a mighty win for Ardaul five
hundred years ago. Imagine, my social secretary Sir Newton took my ball request
seriously and scheduled these dances. At the battle of Adwurtein, the mighty
Serpent strangled what used to be Istarnor and added the country to the growing
collection. Now Istarnor is a peaceful Ardaul province, supplying fertile
ground for needed crops along with a prime port. They are part of the
Pastures.”
“Oh.
How lovely.”
He
gripped my thigh again. “Blast, Ala, forgive my unthinking statement.”
“Why
should I forgive you? See, at least under your fair and benevolent rule,
Hast’ntrata will continue to exist on her own. Someday I might visit there
without fear of their reaction to my mixed heritage.” I sighed and shook my
head. “Doubtful, but take heart, your rule should impress on other countries
that Ardaul isn’t dedicated to relentless destruction.”
His
inquisitive stare swept over my sharp smile. Linden pursed his lips and
returned to his eating.
I had
not intended to insult him. I sensed his years as Ardaul’s royal war hero had
made him sensitive about destruction. Instead of asking for forgiveness, I
nibbled a truffle and scallop pâté nested in a puff pastry shell. Delicious.
Tonight little descriptions sat on the plates, so I knew what I was eating.
I
watched the nobles battle decoratively on the dance floor. The old dances
provided a barbaric flair, featuring arm flailing and plenty of foot stomping.
The dances reminded me more of ancient mating rituals best conducted around a
blazing fire.
I
concentrated on ignoring the bizarre shadows. They collected even closer to me.
Could I banish them? How? I couldn’t stand and try my limited elven magic
during a royal ball.
A
crashing crescendo ended the barbaric music.
Linden
applauded the dancer’s efforts. I sipped my wine.
After
the dancing, the small orchestra played soothing background music. Linden blew
an exasperated sigh against my cheek. “Ala, tell me what is wrong. Your
discomfort pushes at me. Why won’t you tell me what is the matter? What do you
sense? Tell me already.”
“Fine,
yes, something is amiss, but I don’t know what!” I blinked. “You want the
truth? Everything in this room threatens me. I see things that cannot exist in the logical world lurking in the shadows—in
fact, shadows exist where none should be. Strange magic hammers at my soul.”
Linden
gently grasped my chin. He looked sorrowful. “Then please leave. Abandon the
search. I do not want you hurt.”
I
could barely form words. The magic ate at my senses. “I fear if I abandon this
search something awful will happen. Please don’t send me away, Linden. I need
to be here.”
Duchess
Curselean appeared by my side. She smiled as she held out her hands to me.
“Dear Alasdaire, will you be my partner in the next festive line dance?”
“Yes,
of course.” I stood, barely remaining upright. I glanced over to see a regal
young lady I did not recognize inviting Linden to the dance floor. Ah, Lady
Aless had arrived for her dance. Linden gazed at me with concern until I
nodded.
Sickness
welled within me. I blurted out a flimsy excuse. “Forgive my nerves, Duchess,
but I am not a skilled dancer.”
Alicia
squeezed my fingers. “Do not worry, my friend, this is a simple country line
dance. I promise to guide you.”
What
could I do, rebuff her and create a scene? Perhaps the dancing would confuse
the evil shadows gathering around me. After all, hadn’t I come here to touch
the nobles? I bowed with stiff acceptance, and let Alicia escort me to the
dance floor. Linden stood alongside me across from his partner. Of course, the
king would start the dance.
He
leaned close. “Are you sure you can do this?”
“Yes.”
I looked down the double line. To my horror, the shadows intensified around
certain laughing nobles. Before I could run, the orchestra surged into the
opening notes announcing the dance. Linden bowed, grasped his partner’s hands,
and darted between the double row of clapping nobles. He rolled his broad
shoulders. The music captivated him until Linden forgot himself and moved using
his customary grace. Caution, my love, caution! When the pair reached
the end, I accepted Alicia’s gloved hands in mine and started down the row.
Suddenly
the shadows transformed into huge gray snakes. The scaled beasts lunged at our
light movement. Terror filled my mind. I halted and almost pulled Alicia to the
parquet floor. Hissing snakes crowded around me. I released Alicia and waved my
hands against the air. “No! This is not real. I refute what I see.”
Despite
my wild protests, the salivating serpents crowded around me. I fell to the
floor bellowing like a raving madman, waving my fists against their attack. A
fierce golden serpent clad in a festive blue-and-gold suit lunged down at me.
“Ala!
Ala, what is wrong?” The words sounded concerned. He tricked me into not
pushing him away.
Linden slashed his venom-dripping fangs into my chest.
The sharp tips ripped open my clothing. The fangs dug into my flesh, deeper,
deeper, until they released burning poison into my body. Fire raced through my
veins, seeking to scorch me from within. Pungent putrefaction spread across my
wounded chest. I smelled my rotting flesh. Numbness attacked my hips, the
sensation swirling down into my legs, halting my attempt to scramble away.
I
desperately pummeled my fists against his head. “Stop! Linden, stop hurting me!
Stop! Leave me alone. This cannot be happening!”
He
hissed at me. A rank stench of decay and despair swirled around me. Pain
released a thousand deadly arrows into my flesh. My skin continued blackening
and bubbling. Decomposing strips sloughed off my hands.
I was
rotting. I screamed as pain defeated my senses. I knew this could not be real,
not unless I had gone insane in a blink….
I
fell into blackness.
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