Welcome to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for the release of A Centaur's Solstice Wish, book 2 in the Rifts series. I'm so thrilled with the release of this tale because it came out of nowhere and insisted it be written. I don't normally write Christmas/Holiday tales, but Sedgewick and Ronin marched into my world and hung out until I could get their story down. Here's the blurb:
When making wishes on the Hunter’s star...
It will take more than wishes to improve Sedgewick Icetrotter’s Solstice. After being sent to the infirmary, again, for dislocating his shoulder while stringing his bow, he figures he’s got a snowball’s chance in hell to impress the centaur he loves. Until Corporal Ronin Creekjumper brings in two injured centaurs suffering from unusual insect bites, and Sedgewick knows how to treat them.
Ronin
can’t believe his good luck when Sedgewick saves his men. It also gives him a
chance to do more than light candles for his injured friend. Ronin takes the
chance and invites Sedgewick to spend the Solistice holiday together. Just the
two of them.
And
a pack of hungry dire wolves who’d like to put Sedgewick on the menu. Who says
Solstice can’t be exciting?
A Centaur's Solstice Wish is available now at Amazon | All Romance eBooks | Smashwords
And should be on Barnes & Noble, and Kobo Books soon. Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite for more:
Ronin had
never been so glad to see his injured soldier in his life. Sedgewick Icetrotter
constituted one of the worst soldiers he'd ever trained, but he'd shown
determination and persistence despite his setbacks. When he'd dislocated his
left shoulder trying to string a bow, Ronin had seen the defeat in the younger
centaur's face along with the pain. Ronin's heart ached for him, but he'd kept
his words to himself. No need to compound his shame.
Now Sedgewick
stepped forward, arm in a sling, with more confidence Ronin than had ever seen
him display, and some of his tension melted away. By the Goddess, let him be
able to do this. Ronin rarely prayed, but he wanted the best for Sedgewick.
The man had a gentleness and beauty Ronin had never seen in any other centaur,
and some part of him wanted to preserve that. It would be ruined by fighting
and war.
"What do
we do, Sedgewick?" Bethany fixed her green-brown gaze on the buckskin
stallion. "Do you know what caused the welts?"
"Yes,
Master Bethany. They're called winter lace stars and they have a bad toxin that
shuts down the organs if there are enough of them." Sedgewick ran his
hands lightly over the welts on Navarro's arm and the man groaned. "We're
going to have to make an antidotal salve and smooth it over each of them."
"Do you
know what goes into the salve?"
"Yes. My
granddam taught me." He grimaced and wouldn't meet Ronin's gaze. "The
problem is I can't make it with only one arm."
Ronin gripped Sedgewick's shoulder. "I'll
help you. Just tell me what you need done and I can be your extra hands."
Both Bethany
and Sedgewick gaped at Ronin for a moment. Hellfire, he'd surprised himself
with the outburst, but he wouldn't go back on his offer. His men needed him and
he'd do anything he could. And if you're really honest with yourself, you'd
admit you want to spend a little time with Sedgewick.
Bethany was
the first to recover. "Thank you, Corporal. That will be very
helpful." She nodded to the injured men. "First, I'll need you to get
these men stripped so we can see the extent of the damage."
Ronin stuffed
his disappointment behind a sharp nod. "Will do."
"Good.
Sedgewick, please show me what you need and let's get started."
While Ronin
helped the other soldiers to undress Navarro and Colver, he kept Sedgewick in
sight as the buckskin directed Bethany in a soft but sure voice. The men moaned
when they lifted their shirts and armor, and he cringed in sympathy. Great,
swollen welts spread across their backs from skull to tail, disfiguring them in
red sores.
Medicinal
scents accompanied the grind of a pestle against a mortar bowl, and Ronin
turned just as Bethany called for him.
"Can you
please grind this while I prepare the salve base, Corporal?"
"Yes, of
course, Master Healer."
Ronin took the
pestle as the human woman gave him a friendly smile and he tried to smile back,
but Sedgewick's presence beside him made it difficult. Oh, for the love of
Epona, I should be able to do one simple task. He bent to it, putting his
strength and focus into the action of grinding the medicinal herbs. He almost
jumped when someone laid a hand on his forearm.
"Firmly,
but gently, Corporal. Marble isn't as good as the herbs for healing."
Sedgewick's voice held amusement as well as warmth.
Heat blossomed
across Ronin's cheeks and chest. "Forgive me, Sedgewick. My concern is
with my men."
Sedgewick lost
his smile and nodded, releasing Ronin. "Of course, Corporal. But if you
grind them too much, they lose potency." Sedgewick nodded to the mortar.
"I think they're ready. Bring them to the fire, please."
Ronin
regretted his words immediately and cursed himself for a nervous fool, but
dutifully followed the buckskin soldier and swept the crushed herbs into a pot
of boiling water. Sedgewick nodded and stirred them with a soothing rhythm, his
good arm flexing in ways that set Ronin's heart galloping. Sweet Goddess,
what I'd give to feel his arms around me.
Ronin mentally
balked at the uncharacteristically tender thoughts and shook his head.
"Must you keep stirring?" The question came out harsh, but Sedgewick
smiled.
"Yes.
It's necessary to boil them down to their essences." He shrugged. "Long
work, but worth the effort."
He stood
beside Sedgewick, watching him stir the pot of herbs in a companionable
silence. His motions added a level of comfort to Ronin's world, an unusual
sensation, and one he'd sorely missed. It reminded him of times spent with his
dam while just a wee colt, when she'd ruffled his hair and told him he'd
someday find a mare of his own to stable.
Ronin mentally
shook his head. Despite his mother's prediction, he'd never been interested in
mares or mating. His focus had been on the military life with his
brothers-in-arms. He'd striven to be the best soldier and leader to those who
depended on him. It had been all he needed.
Until now.
In case you're wondering, this is a sweet male/male fantasy romance, fantasy because it involves centaurs. Can't get more fantasy than that, although they'd argue we're the mythical beasts. If you're looking for male/female romance, the first book in this series, Take the Reins, is on sale this week for only a dollar at Smashwords (Code: XE38G) and All Romance eBooks.
A Centaur’s
Solstice Wish
Copyright © 2015 Siobhan Muir
All Rights
Reserved
Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)
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