Title: The Red Twins
Series: The Karthagana, Book Two
Author: Dianne Hartsock
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: 08/06/2024
Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 110100
Genre: Fantasy, fantasy, magic, sorcerers, mage, twins, psychic powers, military, hurt-comfort, established couples
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Description
Seventeen years of relative peace have passed in Belega while the Karthagans thrive. But this hard-won respite is drawing to an abrupt end. The Red Twins have come of age. Aiden is chosen to lead his people, as is his right as the older twin. But Ethan disagrees. Driven by jealousy, not only of Aiden’s status and friendships but also of his new lover, Ethan attacks, seeking to destroy all Aiden holds dear. But Aiden’s powers are growing, and at the moment, are far stronger than Ethan’s. Thwarted, Ethan flees Karthag, leaving Aiden alone to care for their people.
Things aren’t going any better for Natan on Sennia. Old jealousies are revived, and the Vice-King imprisons all with the ability to bend nature to their will. So far, Natan’s successor, Niko, has escaped capture, but his wife has been taken, and lies dying alone in her cell. Enraged, driven mad by grief, Niko attacks the Vice-King and flees to Belega, there to lick his wounds and gather his strength to return, seeking vengeance.
The Karthagan power over nature is stirring to life once more, and Aiden finds his people besieged from all sides. Niko takes refuge on the Isle of Wind, power and death in his hands. Ethan is in Siagan, calling up the power of the lake. And another enemy emerges: the lords of Fredrik’s Hall, set to learn the Karthagan secrets. Natan joins Aiden, and together with the Belegan armies, they strive to overcome the madness threatening their very lives. Aiden holds the power, but only Natan with his pure heart can heal the wounds of the earth. And then, only if he has the strength to do so.
The Red Twins
Dianne Hartsock © 2024
All Rights Reserved
Aiden didn’t sleep and dressed with care in the black and silver of his father’s house the next morning. He fumbled with a braid, then gave up and tied his long hair back with a strip of leather. They would bury Ethan that day, thinking him dead, with all the ceremony due to a Karthagan lord. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could bear the emptiness in his heart.
He walked in a daze to the city, but painful emotion swept back into him as he entered the courtyard to join the others and came face-to-face with Cecil. The commander took a startled step back, then reached a hand for him as he turned wretchedly away.
“I’m sorry,” Aiden managed, afraid to look at Cecil. He didn’t want to see the condemnation in his gaze.
“Aiden.”
Cecil touched his hand, and Aiden trembled as he glanced up. The bruises were ugly on Cecil’s fair complexion, but the compassion in his gray eyes spread a warmth through Aiden’s frozen heart.
“I hold no blame against you,” Cecil urged.
Aiden cried out in pain. “But I knew something was wrong with Ethan. I felt his madness.” He covered his face. “I meant to take him away. I swear! But I waited too long—”
“Aiden,” Cecil spoke sharply, and Aiden struggled for control. Cecil pulled him into a tight embrace and murmured, with a catch in his voice, “I’m so desperately sorry it was you who had to stop him.”
Aiden’s heart overflowed, and his hot tears fell on Cecil’s neck. Cecil spoke words of comfort and stroked his hair, much as he’d done when Aiden had been a child and gone to him when the coldness of the people had hurt and confused him.
Aiden clung to him a moment longer, then took a deep breath and stepped back, and found that the panic in his breast had eased a little.
“Thank you.” He smiled tentatively. Cecil nodded and remained at his side as the company made their way through the city streets to the ancient, secluded graveyard north of the city. Alek spoke quiet words to lay the Red Twin to rest, though deep anger simmered in his voice. Aiden kept his eyes on the dark hole they’d put his brother into. He couldn’t look at the others.
They expressed soft condolences to him when all was over. As the group departed, Syros put a hand on his arm, startling him. “I’m sorry for your loss, Aiden,” he said, and Aiden remembered the recent loss of Syros’s wife. “If I can help in any way…”
“Thank you,” Aiden told him but couldn’t tear his eyes off the pit in the ground. He remained behind when the others left, taking the shovel from the men who would build Ethan’s carne. “I’ll do this.”
Ellis touched his hand. “Let me help.”
Aiden shook his head. “No. This is for me to do.”
Ellis pressed his hand, tears on his sweet face, then followed the others. Aiden waited until he stood alone on the silent hillside. The sun felt warm on his neck, a slight breeze ruffling his hair. Birds chirped in the nearby trees.
“Are you ready to wake, Ethan?” he asked and blinked at sudden tears.
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Dianne is the author of paranormal/suspense, fantasy adventure, m/m romance, the occasional thriller, and anything else that comes to mind. She lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play. She says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up in the house with a fire crackling on the hearth and a cup of hot coffee warming her hands, which kindles her imagination.
Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
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