Age of Mycea (Book 1 - Prologue)

Blood, glory, and conquest; eight years of battles had been fought by his side. And tomorrow, they would die.

Feb 18, 2026

Blood, conquest, and glory at his side become respect and admiration—and longing

The Marjar attack on Mycea sets in motion a series of changes in the empire’s ruling structure that will forever impact the lives of three powerful men. King Meshia, supreme ruler of the empire, Sebastian of Cardin, Commander of the Third Imperial battalion, and Sebastian’s Cardinian lover and best friend, Leo, a gifted healer beyond any that have come before him.

King Meshia has a secret, one that might cost him his crown. One that would certainly diminish his capacity to rule and lead the empire’s forces into battle. One night of unbridled passion, one weakness, one deep longing that could bring the monarchy to its knees.

Sebastian of Cardin, Commander of the Third Empirical Battalion, knows that love comes in many forms. He lives it, he breathes it. He is unapologetic. The military and his home in the Entertainment District in the Neter Colony on Mycea suit every aspect of his life.

Leo of Cardin, a conjuring Cardinian, an anomaly of nature. Skilled in his craft of healing magic. A force to be reckoned with in his own right. His relationship with Sebastian does not define every aspect of his life. He, too, has a secret, his family heritage placing him in a position of incredible power.

Their world in turmoil, they will be called upon to embrace the love in their lives and abandon their long-held prejudices against one another to preserve the people's survival throughout the empire they call home.

They were all going to die. As soon as the morning sun rose over the tundra, their few remaining regiments of troops would be wiped out. They were surrounded. Permitted one final night.

Sebastian trudged through the offering of fresh snow, his chest tightening, his breath billowing clouds of mist before his eyes. The snow’s arrival had warmed the frigid air somewhat.

But his soldiers were suffering.

The weather on Kronos was not for the weak-hearted. Any season would test the hardiest of those who found themselves there. The third planet from Mycea had five seasons ranging from sweltering heat to bone-chilling temperatures that few could survive.

What had started as a quick skirmish to put down had turned into an outright, lengthy war. After surviving winter, early spring had not been kind. Their rations had run out. They had lost dozens of military men and women to hypothermia and starvation.

Fortunately, the full bloom of spring had brought them an abundance of game to feed themselves, but they’d suffered crippling heatstroke throughout the summer.

And now, it was winter again.

With one of Kronos’ moons reflecting off the fresh snow, it was light enough to see, but the Marjar would bide their time until morning. They had been trying to take control of Kronos for over a year. What was one more night? Sebastian looked out over the undulating, treeless hills of white. The ore-rich mining planet was desolate but hauntingly beautiful.

Perhaps death would be as peaceful.

Sebastian nodded to the guards, their sheathed swords likely chipped and grubby with blood. They would not be granted a reprieve to tend to them tonight.

The king deserved one last night of peace.

The flap of the canvas tent was stiff from the cold but folded back enough to allow Sebastian access. It fell into place behind him, containing what little heat the oil lamps, scattered about the interior, offered. He had been summoned here tonight by the king.

His heart thundered heavily and rapidly in his chest at the reason why.

It all started the day he stepped off a warship at the Neter colony, the heart of the empire, eight years ago. The respect—the mutual admiration. The stern face that had simply cocked one eyebrow upon seeing Sebastian for the first time. Time had unfolded between them from there.

Blood, glory, and conquest; eight years of battles had been fought by his side.

Sebastian was not there to talk.

He stepped forward into the tent and bowed deeply to the man watching him. “Your Majesty, you summoned me.”

“This is the end for us, I fear.” The king shifted in his seat and motioned to the chair across from him. As always, there was kindness in his brilliant green eyes, a kindness that rarely reached the other features of his face. Firm jaw jutted, his lips were drawn tight, his breathing steady.

“Have we no options?” Sebastian settled into the seat across from his king, accepting the cup of wine offered him.

“You know we don’t.” The king rose to his feet, circled around to Sebastian’s side of the table, and laid his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. “That’s not why you’re here.”

Sebastian placed his hand atop the king’s. “I know.”

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The king leaned down and kissed the side of Sebastian’s neck, his warm breath drifting seductively across Sebastian’s skin. It made its way to his lips.

Sebastian breathed in the king’s words.

“Tonight, I need to know what I’ve denied myself of for so long.”

Sebastian wrapped his hand around the back of the king’s neck, drawing him closer, the king’s long, flowing blond hair cradled within his palm.

“Meshia ….” A simple whisper of desire. The fires of lust and desire that had been burning for years between them would be quenched this night.

And tomorrow, they would die.

The story continues …