Firebird- Part Two
*If I do this the right way, Tuesdays will be from Rue’s pov and Thursdays will be from Vlatko’s pov. Hope it won’t be too confusing.*
Firebird copyright (c) 2006 T.A. Chase
Part Two-
Vlatko stared at the strange man tied to the sacred tree. He hadn’t believed the scouts when they came running into the temporary camp, yelling about the ships and the men. He’d hoped it had been their active imaginations making things up, but he had gone out to investigate anyway.
Amazement swamped him when he stepped into the clearing and saw the man. As Vlatko walked closer, the man started praying to his gods. Vlatko knew it was futile to pray to any gods. They were on their own in the universe. Which is why he chose to get lost on a small planet as close to the edge of nowhere as he could get.
He traced the red mark on the man’s back. He knew that it was just a birthmark, but the simple people of this planet were going to freak when they saw it. A stranger with a birthmark in the shape of a firebird tied to their sacred tree was going to push these people into a frenzy.
The naked man bent his head forward, as if he were offering up his body as a sacrifice. Vlatko couldn’t help himself. He leaned in and breathed the man’s scent in. The acidic tang of fear was there, but buried beneath that was the arousing smell of man. It had been a long time since he let his body react to the male scent. But there was no one with him in the clearing, so he loosened his control.
His cock swelled and his balls tightened. Lust flowed through him. His breathing came quicker. He fought the urge to lick the exposed neck, tasting the helpless man before him. The man laughed and Vlatko could hear the fear in the man’s voice. Now wasn’t the time to indulge in his own urges.
He moved around to where the man’s face was. The stranger had his eyes scrunched shut. Probably didn’t want to see his killer, Vlatko thought. He didn’t really blame the man. Not everyone was brave enough to face their own death.
“Open your eyes.”
The stranger’s eyes popped open and Vlatko had to muffle his gasp. The man had firebird eyes; a strange amber with gold sparks and orange flames burning in them. Vlatko blinked and looked again. The eyes staring back at him were still amber, but there were no orange flames in them anymore.
“Who are you?”
Vlatko smiled at the nerve of the helpless man to question him. “Tell me your name and then maybe I’ll share mine.”
“Why should I tell you who I am?” The square chin lifted and those amber eyes glared at him arrogantly.
“It seems to me that you’re in no position to make demands or ask questions, sir. I’m surprised you lasted this long tied to the firebird’s tree. She isn’t tolerant of strangers.” Vlatko gestured up into the tree branches, where a large bird sat staring down at them.
“Yet she let you get near enough to kill me.”
“She and I have an understanding. She doesn’t try to light me on fire and I don’t try to kill her.” Vlatko pulled his knife. “I haven’t killed you yet.”
“Which is rather amazing in itself because I don’t usually inspire patience in anyone I meet.” The man laughed.
Vlatko couldn’t tell if the stranger was crazy or just resigned to his fate, whatever it might be. He sliced through the ropes holding the man to the tree. The firebird above them screeched and a cascade of sparks rained down on them.
“We’re leaving, you old biddy.” Vlatko didn’t wait to see if the stranger could stand on his own or not. He leaned down and slung the man over his shoulder.
A moment or two of silence covered them as Vlatko made his way out of the clearing. The man chuckled a few minutes later.
“I guess I should introduce myself since you have your hand on a very private part of my anatomy.” The man flexed his ass cheeks.
Vlatko realized that while one of his arms was wrapped around the man’s legs, the hand of his other arm rested on the man’s tight little ass. He didn’t drop it though. “Sorry. Please do tell me your name. I need to know whose name to listen for in the news reports.”
“I’m Rue and I’m crushed that you think my name will be mentioned at all. I’m very good at what I do.” Rue’s voice was filled with pride and laughter.
Vlatko slapped the firm flesh under his hand. “I’m Vlatko and I recognize a street thief when I see one. Even without the brand on your arm.”
“Damn. One mistake and you’re branded for life. So what are you going to do with me, Vlatko?” Rue’s hand slid over Vlatko’s back.
Vlatko tried not to think about how Rue’s warm hand felt on his skin. It had been a long time since he allowed anyone to touch him.
What was he going to do with the thief? It was a good question, but not one Vlatko could answer at the moment. He still had to get Rue into his hut without the others getting a glimpse of the man’s birthmark. With the kind of ethics Rue had, if the thief knew how the simple people of this world worshipped the firebird, he’d be ruling the planet within days.
He pushed open the door to his hut, making his way to his cot after kicking the door shut. He tossed Rue on to his cot and followed him down, pinning the smaller man to the cot.
“So what did you steal to warrant being left on a planet like this?” He wasn’t really sure he wanted to know the answer.
Green Day
I know I usually post some hunky picture, but I was listening to Green Day’s American Idiot cd driving to work this morning.
I love this cd. Not only is the music rocking and the vocals awesome. I love the lyrics to their songs.
Wake Me Up When September Ends and Boulvard of Broken Dreams are two of my favorite songs. There’s a certain poigancy to these songs.
“here comes the rain again../falling from the stars../drenched in my pain again../becoming who we are
as my memory rests../but never forgets what I lost../wake me up when september ends”– Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day.
“I walk this empty street../On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams../Where the city sleeps../And I’m the only one and I walk a…
My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me../My shallow heart’s the only thing that’s beating../Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me../’Til then I walk alone…”-Boulevard of Broken Dreams- Green Day.
Didn’t do much writing last night. Just kind of relaxed and watched HOUSE, M.D. Love Hugh Laurie. 🙂
Hope everyone has a great day.
New Story- Firebird
*picture doesn’t have anything to do with the story. I couldn’t find the one I really wanted to use. So enjoy him. And enjoy the new story. I’d love to hear what you think Rue sees when he opens his eyes. It’s a futuristic/sci-fi story. I wrote it late last night, so I’m sorry if it seems disjointed. :)*Firebird copyright (c) 2006 T.A. Chase
Part One-
Hanging from the tree, waiting for darkness to fall gave Rue a lot of time to contemplate his life. He’d made tons of mistakes in the twenty some years he’d lived, but his biggest had to be stowing away on the cargo ship. It was the only option left to him. He really needed to leave Way Station Nine before security caught him.
He rested his head against the tree truck and prayed there weren’t any ants or insects living in the bark. Insects and his naked body just didn’t mix. And he was naked. Damn those guys. They took his clothes and left his naked ass tied to a tree waiting for some fucking huge animal to come and eat him alive. They were pretty graphic about what would happen to him.
So maybe his biggest mistake wasn’t stowing away on the cargo ship. It might have been offering to do whatever the captain wanted as long as he could stay aboard. And he meant anything, even if it was sexual. Unlucky for him, the captain was a Castan from the planet Casta, one of those places where gay anything was frowned upon to the extent that two men caught touching in any way could be killed. Lucky for Rue, the captain didn’t feel like killing him at least right away. The Castan was into torture, Rue guessed because waiting until the big animals arrived to kill him was driving him insane.
The undergrowth rustled and Rue hugged the tree tighter. His mother had always said only the smart died young, so he’d figured he was destined to live forever. Yet somehow there was a miscommunication with his gods and they abandoned him to his gruesome death. A totally unrelated thought popped into his head. The ugly birthmark on his back was really beginning to itch. He wished there was some way he could scratch it, but his arms had been fastened to the tree with ropes and he couldn’t move. His arms were numb.
Whatever was in the bushes moved closer. Rue shut his eyes and started praying. “God, if you’re out there, please save me. I promise no more stealing or whoring. No more taking advantage of blind beggars and cripples. I’ll go to Temple every Holy day.”
He was babbling, but hell, the gods should be used to people ignoring them until the person praying needed to be saved. He thumped his forehead against the tree. Maybe praying now wasn’t a good idea. The gods had no reason to help him out. He wasn’t exactly a shining example of a good person. He tried to shrug. What did the gods expect? His parents abandoned him on the streets when he was five. He survived any way possible. Maybe it wasn’t following the golden road to the Heavens, but he didn’t go hungry too often.
A sound caught his ear. The creature stalking him had stepped into the clearing. This was it. He was going to be ripped to shreds without anyone anywhere mourning his passing. Warm breath brushed over his neck and he bent his head forward. He offered his naked neck, hoping for a quick death. The scent filling his nose wasn’t that of an animal. It was a strange combination of musk and orange. A finger or claw-he didn’t know which one-traced the outline of his birthmark.
A crazy urge came over him to beg his soon-to-be killer to scratch his back. He laughed wildly. The things you think about when you’re about to die. His own breath caught in his chest as the creature moved to stand where Rue could see it, if his eyes were open.
“Open your eyes.”
The order came as such a shock that Rue’s eyes popped open without a thought from him. Rue was happy he was tied to the tree because he would have fallen over in shock at the sight greeting him.
A Day for Remembering
Sorry I wasn’t around this weekend. Things got busier around here than I planned. 🙂Wrote a little bit on Tony’s story and wrote down an idea for another cool sci-fi/futuristic one.
Don’t have much talk about today, I guess. Just I hope everyone takes a moment to remember all the men and women who died and all the families who lost someone on Sept. 11, 2001.
Hope everyone has a good day.
Finally Friday.
Is it really terrible that I’m so excited about it being Friday when I’ve only worked four days this week…lol. 🙂
Just to ease some worried minds, I’m not abandoning my blog…just Blogger. 😉 When my website is up and running, I’ll be blogging away on my site. Hopefully it’ll mean no problems with pictures and things like that. Because really we know the pictures are the most important thing on my blog.
I started typing in Tony’s story. 660 words typed in but a lot more written. Also, worked on a few other ideas. Basically just fleshing them out and seeing if they’ll actually work or if I need to dump them.
Have a great Friday, everyone.
“I live not in dreams but in contemplation of a reality that is perhaps the future.”–Ranier Marie Rilke
Contest and a new Review
hey everyone…I know, it’s a little depressing to realize that there won’t be any more Angel scenes, but don’t worry. I’m working on another story I think you’ll like just as much. 🙂
Now for the contest. Here’s the information. It runs from today until Sept.30th. It’s being run by Kayelle Allen, but you can enter to win a book from any of these authors. 🙂
Enter to win 15 free books from MM Romance authors Evangeline Anderson, Laura Baumbach, Ally Blue, TA Chase, Jules Jones, Sean Michael, DJ Manly, Jet Mykles, Luisa Prieto, ML Rhodes, Kira Stone, Tory Temple, BA Tortuga, Stephanie Vaughan, and Kayelle Allen.
One winner will receive a book from each of these authors! Five more will each receive two books of the reader’s choice and a copy of Tales of the Chosen: Wulf, by Kayelle Allen.
To enter, click the link below and complete the entry form. What are you waiting for? Spend Autumn’s cool nights curled up between two hot guys.
Here’s the link to the entry form: http://www.kayelleallen.com/choosemeauthors.html
Hope you decide to enter. 🙂
Also, No Going Home received another awesome review. This time it’s from Nannette at JoyfullyReveiwed. Here’s a snippet of what she has to say about my boys. “No Going Home is a beautiful story and the heat that Les and Randy create in the bedroom is scorching! ”
Click on the review site name to read the rest of the review. 🙂
Well, some progress was made on Tony’s story last night. I’m getting an inkling of what some of the problems he’ll face in this story. But I’m really starting to like his hero, Ed.
C and I started working on my website. Woo-hoo! I’m hoping it’ll be up sometime next week. Just to give you a heads-up, I’ll be moving my blog to my website, but it’s not happening today, so don’t panic…lol. I’ll let you know all the details when the site’s up and running.
Have a great Thursday, everyone.
“Sanity is a madness put to good use.”–George Santayana
Happy Wednesday!
Happy Wednesday, everyone. Woo-hoo! The work week is already half over..lol.
I’ve been writing. A little bit on a bunch of different stories. I’ve got Tony’s story started. Doing some editing and adding some more to Angel’s story. 🙂 Never satisfied, I guess.
Not much to say today, so just dream about joining this guy in the shower.
“God created love. Priests created marriage.”—Voltaire
Available Now-Here Be Dragons!
It’s out! The first book I ever finished. 🙂 Click here or on the link in the sidebar to buy it. (Not subtle at all…lol)
Here’s the blurb:
Herpetologist, Kael Hammerson is hiding in Ireland working at a research lab. While Ireland may seem a strange place for someone in his field, it was the furthest away he could get from his abusive ex-partner. Now, a year later, his heart is ready to heal.
Kael’s boss, Hugh Price, is very interested in Kael, but is afraid to cross the line from employer to lover. When a strange sea creature is brought into the lab, Hugh and Kael are swept into a fight for their lives and the lives of mankind.
Dragons have returned and the men must decide if their own love can survive the interference of a goddess.
And an excerpt:
“Hammerson, come and look at this.”
Hugh’s voice broke whatever spell had been holding Kael. He looked over to where his boss stood next to a crate. When he looked back to thank George and Ed for saving him, the men were gone. It was as if they had never been there, but he could still taste George in his mouth and feel the press of Ed’s hand against his chest. Shaking his head, he figured they moved off so they didn’t get in trouble for talking to him.
Arriving at where the captain and his boss were standing, he managed to stop a squeak when Hugh reached out, grabbed his arm and pulled him to stand in front of him. At first, he couldn’t focus on anything except his body’s fervent wish that there weren’t so many layers of clothes between his ass and Hugh’s cock.
“What do you think it is, Hammerson?” Hugh’s cinnamon-scented breath danced over his ear.
Kael had to draw on all his strength so he wouldn’t groan and rub back against the warm male body behind him.
“Kael?” His name was said in a soft whisper.
“Huh? Oh right, your snake,” he muttered, than closed his eyes with a helpless little laugh when he realized what he’d said.Opening them, he looked down at the creature placed on the crate. Within seconds, he forgot about the man behind him. He heard a sharp intake of breath as he bent forward to get a better look at the unusual specimen.
______________________________________________________
Enjoy and I’ll try to post another excerpt later on today. 🙂
Angel’s Seduction-Part Thirty-Seven
Angel’s Seduction copyright (c)2006 T.A. Chase
Part Thirty-Seven:
I’m roused from my pain-induced stupor when Greyson hands me to a footman so the duke can climb out of the carriage. Greyson enfolds me in his arms again and moves into the house, calling for Johnson, the butler and the housekeeper.
They convene in our bedroom. Greyson lays me on my stomach in the middle of the bed. I don’t know who sobs, but I’m sure my back isn’t a pretty sight. I manage to move my head, so I can see them.
“Have a footman go for the doctor,” Greyson orders the butler. From the housekeeper, he asks for warm water and sheets torn into bandages. “We’ll have to soak your shirt off, love. It’s dried to the wounds.”
“It’s happened before.” Quite a few times, but I’m not interested in telling those stories. I close my eyes to rest.
* * * *
“Love, the doctor’s here.” Greyson’s voice and touch on my shoulder wakes me up.
I find I’m naked with a sheet covering me from the waist down. I must have lost consciousness since I never felt them cleaning or moving me.
“Fine.”
I close my eyes again. Greyson’s hand trails down my arm to grasp my hand. The mattress dips a little and I peek through half open eyes to see the duke sitting next to me. I squeeze his hand each time the doctor probes a deep wound.
Finally the doctor finishes with my back. He takes a quick glance at my nose. He rinses his hands after bandaging my torn flesh.
“Some of the wounds are deep, so I’d keep an eye on them. They might fester. You’ll get a fever. We’ll deal with that when it comes. The best I can tell you, my lord is you’ll heal, but it’ll take a while and you’ll have more scars to add to your collection.” The doctor frowns. “I’ll be back tomorrow to check on you.” He nods to both of us and Johnson escorts him out.
Greyson moves from the bed to a chair set beside it. He’s farther away than I like, but he reaches out to take my hand.
“What did he do to you, love?” His voice is broken and fills with sorrow.
“He freed me, Greyson.” My voice is hoarse from exhaustion and pain.
A puzzled frown appears on Greyson’s face. “He put you in chains and whipped you until your back looks like raw meat.” He caresses my palm. “How does this free you?”
“I no longer fear him. I no longer hate myself. I understand what love is and I’m strong enough to embrace it when I see it.” I bring his hand to my mouth and kiss it. “He has no power over me any more. I’m free.”
“What happened?”
I shake my head. I’m not ready to tell Greyson about my ordeal. Maybe I never will. “When we left Father’s house, you told Uncle to take care of him. How will he do that?”
Greyson let me change the subject. Maybe in his heart, he knows he isn’t ready to hear it. “It seems your father owed a few men quite a bit of money. So between your uncle and I , we bought the markers. As long as he leaves us alone and quits spreading rumors, we won’t call in the debts. The minute he tries anything, we send him to debtor’s prison.”
“Will it work?” I’m fighting to stay awake.
He squeezes my hand and smiles. “Rest now. I’ll be here when you wake up. You’re home.”
I allow my eyes to drift shut. For the first time I believe it’s true. I am safe and I’m home. Like a caterpillar that shed its skin to become a butterfly, I’ve had my skin stripped from me and found a beautiful being beneath it. My soul is strong now, forged by the hammer of my father’s hand and strengthened by the adoration of my lover’s heart. I am loved and I am free.
The End.
Angel’s Seduction-Part Thirty-Six
Angel’s Seduction copyright (c) 2006 T.A. Chase
Part Thirty-Six:
“You seduced my son and have perverted his immortal soul with your evil ways. He’ll be dead before I let you have him back.”
I lean against the doorframe, staring into the drawing room where my father and Greyson stand, face-to-face. Father is gesturing wildly, his anger turning his face beet red. Greyson’s eyes are as hard and cold as diamonds. He doesn’t move as my father pokes a finger at his chest.
“You were killing him anyway. All I did is love him and give him a normal life. I didn’t hold him captive or chain him in a room. I didn’t take everything away from him. Unlike you, I know how to love someone and treat him like a person.” Greyson steps closer to Father. “If you’ve harmed him in any way, I’ll kill you where you stand.”
I know the threat is real. As much as I’ve always dreamed of my father dying, I don’t want my lover to be the one who kills him. “Greyson.”
My soft voice explodes in the room. Everyone turns to look at me. Father’s eyes are filled with fear and anger. My uncle’s face holds relief. Greyson stares at me, tears making his eyes shine.
“Angel,” he whispers, taking a step towards me.
I straighten up and try to move to him, but my strength disappears. My knees buckle, but Greyson cradles me in his arms before I hit the floor. His arms wrap around me tight. I cry out as he presses against my back. He frowns, touching my face lightly with his fingers. The duke helps me sit up and then glances at my back.
In a flash, he’s on his feet and stalking towards my father. Without hesitating, he hits Father in the face with his fist. My uncle comes and kneels beside me. I try to say something, anything to make Greyson stop beating my father.
Tears roll down my cheeks. I’m tired of the anger and violence. I want to go home. I want to curl up in our bed with Greyson’s arms around me. I need to feel safe.
“No.” I moan, trying to climb to my feet. “No more.”
Uncle holds me down. “Don’t move. Greyson, get your ass over here. Angel needs you.”
Greyson pulls away from my father and races across the floor to me. He joins me on the floor, reaching out to touch my face and my chest. He’s seen the blood and I think he’s afraid that by touching me, he’ll cause me more pain.
“Oh, my beautiful Angel. How can I help you?” His voice breaks and tears stream down his face.
I lean forward, even as my back protests any movement and bring our lips together. It’s a gentle kiss, full of promise and healing.
I pull back enough to say, “I love you.”
His hands cup my face and he rests his forehead against mine. “You love me.”
“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t say it before this. I’m sorry I was too scared to trust in myself.” I place my trembling hand over his chest where his heart beat strong and true.
“Never be sorry, Angel. You love me.” He gathers me in a soft embrace as if he held a baby bird and lifts me up. A sharp groan explodes from me. He looks down with a worried frown. “I’ll try not to hurt you, my love.” He moves slow, not jostling my body the best he can.
“Don’t be sorry. No matter what you do, I’ll hurt. Just take me home.” I rest my head on his shoulder.
“I’ll do that, love.” He glances at my uncle. “Take care of this.”
“Certainly, your grace.” My uncle brushes a hand over my shoulder. “I’ll see you in a day or two.”
“Thank you.” I smile as best I can through the pain.
A movement catches my eye and I see my brother standing at the top of the stairs. He nods and I know I’ll be seeing him again. There is nothing to be envied about being Father’s heir. I’ve discovered we might not be able to chose our relatives, but we can chose our family.
I believe my brother will reach a moment when he realizes he has nothing to lose as well. When he comes to me, I will receive him with open arms and no anger. We all do what we must to survive.
We make our way outside and settle into the carriage. I press my face above Greyson’s shirt and against his warm scent. I breathe as deep as my ribs will allow, taking in his scent. I’m safe. My heart, mind and body know it.
