Fates Entwined
by Caethes Faron
Release Date: July 10, 2014
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After centuries of searching,
Lawrence has found the perfect person to help him birth a new race of
vampires: Jocelyn, the girl he’s groomed to be the most powerful
courtesan at the court of King James. Everything goes according to plan
until Michael Barwick arrives at court and threatens everything.
Michael
abandoned his life at sea in order to take his place as Baron of Dover
after his brother’s death. Overwhelmed by his duties, he’s eager to
leave court until Jocelyn sits across from him in a tavern. The
intriguing woman soon has him opening his heart to her, and he’s
prepared to fight for a place in her life.
Jocelyn’s
desire for Michael, the one man who has ever fought past her
professional façade to truly love her, threatens her independence. When
Lawrence offers her the gift of eternal life, she must choose between
the man she loves and the freedom she’s struggled for.
Fates Entwined is a prequel and is intended to be read after Haunting Echoes.
Chapter One
Lawrence
admired the amber and gold music box on the parlor mantle while he
waited for Jocelyn to join him. A delicate golden elephant twirled as
tinkling music floated through the air. The superb craftsmanship
impressed even him, and he wondered which of her clients had gifted it
to her.
Lawrence noticed
Jocelyn’s energy brushing against him, reaching out to him, before he
heard her steps on the stairs. Her aura enveloped him in its warmth, the
strength of its touch bringing a smile to his lips. The approaching
young woman was unaware of the magnificence of her energy. Her ignorance
made her all the more attractive, as did the fact that she was his. He
had taken her raw talents and molded her into his most successful
courtesan.
“Lawrence, sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Not
at all, my dear.” Lawrence kissed her on each cheek then held her at
arm’s length. “You didn’t have to doll yourself up for me.” Jocelyn’s
dark blue dress with black lace trim brought out the shine in her auburn
hair. A simple blue ribbon with a golden, heart-shaped charm
accentuated her slender neck.
A
young maid entered with a tea service. Without having to be told, she
served Lawrence a cup with two lumps of sugar and a little cream. After
handing Jocelyn her cup, the girl left as quietly as she’d come.
“How is Anne faring?” Lawrence blew on his tea. The maid was new to Jocelyn’s service and hoped to someday be a courtesan.
“Well enough. I don’t know if she’ll make anything of herself, but she’s pretty.”
“You
should know that it’s not the looks that make the girl.” Jocelyn was
beautiful in her own way, but there were plenty of women more attractive
than her at court. Her eyes were hazel instead of the more desired
blue, she refused to cover her auburn hair with fashionable blonde dyes
or wigs, and her bosom was smaller than most men preferred in their paid
company. But appearance could only take a girl so far.
“She’s eager to learn, but she lacks patience.” Jocelyn took a sip of her tea.
“If
she’s not suitable, we can find someone else. There’s no lack of girls
wanting to learn from you.”Lawrence’s tea was sweet, but it didn’t sate
his thirst. He would need a real drink once he left Jocelyn.
“Let’s give her some more time. I’ve grown used to her.”
Lawrence nodded. “How was your night with the Marquess of Buckingham?”
“George was wonderful, as always.”
She
held something back. There was a way she held her mouth and eyes, as if
trying to prevent her emotions from showing. It worked well on clients,
but Lawrence wasn’t a client. A decade spent studying her as he’d
raised and trained her had attuned him to her physical tics as well as
her energy. “He offered to install you as his official mistress, didn’t
he?”
Jocelyn sighed as she placed her teacup on the table and faced Lawrence. “Yes, he did.”
“And you weren’t going to tell me?”
“Why would I? I have no intention of accepting.”
Of
course she didn’t. She would never give up her independence to anyone.
Lawrence exclusively held her strings. “Still, I should think something
that momentous would warrant at least a mention.”
“He
knew what my answer would be. If I’d accepted, he would have lost
interest. My refusal didn’t appear to dampen his affection. He’ll be
here next Tuesday. I’m entertaining a few people to discuss The
Pennylesse Pilgrimage by John Taylor.”
“Good. I’ll put it on the calendar. Now, why are you looking so desirable tonight?”
“I was thinking of going to King’s Head.”
“You
don’t have to go looking for business at the inn, dear. You’re more
than welcome to take the night off. You have a masquerade the day after
tomorrow.” It was no surprise that she was eager to exert her
independence after having it threatened. The Marquess was a good man who
genuinely cared for Jocelyn. He might even love her. He would have seen
his offer as security for Jocelyn, but she would only see it as another
man trying to control her. She had Lawrence, and he had done a good job
of convincing her he was all she would ever need.
“I
know, but it’s fun. I promise I won’t overwork myself. You need to stop
worrying, Lawrence. I’ll be fine. I enjoy the change of pace away from
court.”
“Then have fun. You’ve earned it.”
•••
Lawrence
licked Jane’s neck, his mouth watering in anticipation. A gentle
pressure in his mouth released his fangs. The razor sharp teeth sank
into Jane’s skin, releasing the warm flow of blood. Thicker than water,
sweeter than wine, it slaked his thirst. The warmth brought life. Stolen
life.
Lawrence released
her neck. Jane was one of his favorite whores. While Jocelyn’s success
afforded her a private residence, his other girls lived in the brothel,
servicing the crowds Hampton Court Palace drew. Lawrence had his own
home, but he was rarely there. He preferred to make use of his suite in
the brothel, where he could keep an eye on his girls and the comings and
goings. He didn’t mind Jocelyn’s independence. He wouldn’t dream of
using her services himself. She was too important to him.
Lawrence
kissed along Jane’s breasts until he reached the other side. As always,
his victim was unaware of his actions. The venom in his fangs masked
the pain. Jane would only feel a light pressure and sucking sensation.
Nothing out of the ordinary in her line of work. He descended once again
on her neck, taking a little more.
Once
Jane finished him off, sating more than just his thirst, she swayed
drowsily to her room. Lawrence rose. For him, a bed’s only purpose was
fucking. He had not slept in more than two centuries. He sauntered to
the bookshelf, trying not to think of what he couldn’t have. Selecting
the most recent medical treatise, he situated himself in his worn
armchair to read.
It took
effort to concentrate on the words in front of him. Jocelyn was almost
ready. He longed to feel her blood on his lips, sliding down his throat,
to taste its tangy sweetness. But it wasn’t feeding he craved. No, the
feeding would only be a precursor. She would be shocked by the truth of
his existence, but he didn’t doubt she would join him. He would pour her
blood back into her. Mixed with his venom, it would transform her into a
vampire. His first daughter.
About the Author
Caethes Faron is a bisexual,
genre-queer writer. Her books are equal opportunity, featuring gay,
straight, and bisexual characters. Her bittersweet tales of love and
loyalty are just as likely to leave readers in tears as smiles, and her
love scenes don't fade to black. She enjoys empowering the powerless and
exploring the nature of human relationships, especially in differing
power dynamics. All of her books feature adults in adult situations.
Foul language, diverse sexual situations, aspects of BDSM, and other
things that are sure to offend some people make regular appearances in
her novels.
Caethes's
writing is influenced by her observations of this imperfect world and
the flawed characters who inhabit it. She's lived in seven states and is
always looking for the next place to call home with her husband and two
dogs. She currently resides in Florida.
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