Book Title: The Fractured Fallen (D’Vaire, Book 29)
Author and Publisher: Jessamyn Kingley
Cover Artist: LJ Anderson, Mayhem Cover Creations
Release Date: May 19, 2022
Genres: M/M Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Tropes: Fated mates
Themes: Love, second chances, overcoming obstacles
Length: 89 083 words
It is not a standalone story, but does not end on a cliffhanger.
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
For any chance at love, they must first be willing to trust.
Blurb
A proud fallen knight, Gentry Patterson likes to take people under his wing. Gifted with an easygoing nature, he makes friends effortlessly and, thanks to his love of cooking, often invites his inner circle over for meals. Gentry’s favorite week of the year is the annual retreat for his race, where he’s reunited with the many friends and colleagues he’s met through the years. The only thing that would enrich his existence is his mate, but he has yet to meet him.
Newly resurrected Tobias Kinsler wants to put his training behind him and make his superiors proud. However, Tobias is struggling. He keeps it to himself because he lacks people he’s willing to trust. With a mere few months of life under his belt, Tobias attends the fallen knights’ annual retreat and discovers his other half.
The two men have a sizzling connection from the start and waste no time binding their souls. Unfortunately, they will soon learn that secrets lurk beneath their growing friendship, and those secrets fracture the tenuous bond between them. As they chart an uncertain future, Gentry and Tobias must decide if they’re still willing to honor Fate.
Toby was staring aimlessly when there was a distant ding of an elevator. To his shock, his dick went rock hard, and the thick, pungent smell of honeysuckle filled his nose. His head whipped to the right, and he saw that a brown-haired man who was probably three or four inches over six feet was stalking toward him.
As the fallen knight moved closer, Toby admired his broad shoulders and the sexy smile on his handsome face. Within a few feet of Toby, the man’s grin grew broader, lighting up his hazel eyes. He was Toby’s mate, and Toby was elated, but frightened.
“Hi, I’m Gentry,” he said as he stopped next to Toby.
“I’m Toby.”
“I’ve always been excited about attending the retreat, but I had no idea I’d meet my mate here,” Gentry remarked.
Toby loved the light smattering of freckles on his nose and cheeks. “It’s my first one.”
“You’ll love it. I’ll help make sure of that. The line’s moving,” Gentry remarked as he snatched Toby’s suitcase from him, flustering the fallen knight who was so unused to being noticed as anything more than a disaster.
“I feel like I’ve been standing here forever.”
Gentry leaned close, and Toby closed his eyes to better enjoy the honey and citrus scent of his gift from Fate.
“I got here super early so I could avoid this line,” Gentry explained.
“I’ll have to remember that in the future.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll remind you.”
The confidence in his voice relaxed Toby, and he grinned at Gentry. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
“We need to exchange numbers and coordinate our schedules for the week.”
“I guess you’re okay with the fact that Fate picked us to be together.”
With a nod, Gentry winked at him.
“You’re gorgeous, and I’ve always wanted a fallen knight for a mate. You get my job. We already have a ton in common even though we just met. But I want to learn everything about you. And I do mean everything.”
Although Toby had little sexual experience, Gentry’s flirting was obvious enough that he couldn’t miss his interest.
“I’d like to tell you everything,” Toby commented softly.
Forcing himself to look away from the pretty hazel eyes, Toby was somehow unsurprised by the twenty-three in roman numerals on Gentry’s shirt. It figured that he’d be paired with a possibly ancient and clearly remarkable fallen knight. His fear intensified, but Toby trusted Fate.
“You’re frowning. You okay?” Gentry asked.
“Yeah, I’m not a fan of lines,” Toby lied.
“Don’t worry, we’ll get you registered and settled upstairs.”
There was something about the way Gentry had swooped right in and inserted himself into Toby’s world that appealed to him.
“You’re a protective person, aren’t you?” Toby asked.
“I do like to feed my friends and help them with whatever they need.”
Toby shuffled forward again as the line picked up a little speed and tried to handle the wealth of emotions racing through him. It was imperative that Toby set aside his issues and focus on how lucky he was. Not only was Gentry handsome, but he was also clearly interested. His smile didn’t falter, and although they knew nothing about each other, Gentry’s presence soothed.
“That’s good. I can’t cook.”
“Don’t you worry, I’ll make sure you get to eat like a king. You’ll have to tell me all your favorites.”
“I’ve discovered that there isn’t much I don’t like, but I love a good steak.”
“Fate matched us perfectly. I can grill you one to perfection,” Gentry said.
“Next,” Venerable Knight Roman Calixtus called.
Toby was so lost in staring at Gentry that he hadn’t realized it was his turn. He fumbled to drag his identification card out of his pocket, and Toby handed it over to Roman, who greeted him warmly and asked if he required a key to a room in the hotel.
Gentry leaned close again. “You can share my room if you want.”
Everything was happening quickly, but Toby was ready to dive into their relationship . Fate had given him a gift, and Gentry was supposed to be his perfect match.
Toby grinned. “I’d like that.”
“Are you a bathroom hogger?” Gentry asked.
The Venerable Knight registering Toby looked away from his computer screen to study the pair when Toby announced he didn’t need a hotel key.
“I don’t think so. I pretty much limit my use to regular maintenance,” Toby assured Gentry.
“You two are going to share a room?” Roman asked.
“We just met, but Toby is my mate,” Gentry stated loudly.
Toby loved the confidence in his voice and latched onto it as a sign that his fear was unnecessary.
Roman smiled. “Congratulations. That’s wonderful.”
“Thanks,” Toby and Gentry said together, which made them both laugh.
Jessamyn Kingley lives in Nevada where she begs the men in her head to tell her their amazing stories which she dutifully writes it all down in what has become a small mountain of notebooks. She falls in love with each couple and swears whatever book she wrote last is her absolute favorite.
Jessamyn is married and working toward remembering to start the dishwasher without being distracted by the scent of the magical detergent. For personal enjoyment, she aids in cat rescue while slashing and gashing her way through mobs in various MMORPGs. Caffeine is her very best friend and is only cast aside briefly for the sin better known as BBQ potato chips.
Join her Facebook group, Jessamyn’s Ruffian’s
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