Ethelia - A Sexy Medieval Fantasy Novelette from Steam Books

By Annette Archer and Steam Books

Prince Thanus arrives in the town of Damiste merely planning a short stop on his way to official business. Little does he know, however, that the town's cult of Temporalists, superstitious men who demonize sex, and the mysterious woman named Ethelia that they are hunting for, will provide him more danger and excitement than he'd ever bargained for.

NOTICE: This 10,572-word novelette is a steamy read with explicit scenes featuring passionate lovemaking in a supernatural medieval fantasy setting, and may be too much for some readers to handle!

BONUS! This ebook contains a preview of the hot novelette "Crystal Elves" by Annette Archer

~ THE FAR REALM CHRONICLES ~
The world of the Far Realm is filled with wonders, dangers, romance, lust, and thrills. Each novelette-length title in this loosely-connected series showcases another facet of this fantasy universe's characters, races, history and relationships. Whether it be a wonderous elf, a sexy prince, warrior maidens, or tenacious dragons, The Far Realm Chronicles is sure to provide excitement and romance. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steam Books
• Release date: Dec 7, 2013
• ISBN: 9781634572088

Annette Archer

(Annette Archer) Annette Archer's humble beginnings working retail brought her two things: a strong work ethic and an insatiable desire for escapism. Utilizing these traits as well as her Bacherlors Degree in English and her natural power of the pen, Annette Archer has emerged as an exciting voice in the realm of romance fiction. Annette has published independently as well as teamed with publishers such as Steam Books Erotica & Romance. Her "Penny's Choice" series has earned her the attention of romance and fantasy readers alike.

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Chapter 1

On a warm summer’s day, the sun beat down from a cloudless blue sky and a breeze wafted over the Utopian Plains. Long grasses bowed in that strong wind, birds soared high, and Prince Thanus thought that if there had ever been a day to thank the Maker for being alive, this was that day.

His stallion was beginning to flag under him. It had been a long ride from the Sargenian Kingdom on his way to the Kingdom of Rikketh. The Far Realm was immense, and sometimes population centers were few and far between. Thanus knew he would have to stop soon, to allow his horse to rest, and to get some rest himself. It would be another day’s ride, maybe two, before he reached his ultimate destination.

Thanus had plenty of time to get to where he was going. The matter was somewhat urgent, however. The problem with the Blue Sisterhood’s clerics having assumed control of lands along the borders of his Kingdom, the dragons at their side, could no longer be ignored. There had already been deaths. Thanus’s father, King Ichanus, wanted him to investigate.

His first thought had been to go to the source, to the dragon clerics themselves. When he’d tried, nearly all of his escort had been killed. The clerics, apparently, didn’t wish to talk about it.

Rumor was that the Kingdom of Rikketh was somehow in league with the dragon clerics of the Blue Sisterhood. Thanus sighed. King Jelanus of Rikketh had never been known for his even temper. Thanus figured he’d be lucky if just asking for an audience didn’t cause war to break out between their two Kingdoms.

The village of Damiste was just a few more miles ahead. Thanus looked up to the sun and then wiped sweat away from his brow. His dark hair clung to the back of his neck and he wished now that he had left his heavy purple cloak in his saddle bags. This morning, when he’d started out, it had been chilly and dew had wet down his stallion’s hooves and brown legs. Amazing, how weather could change so much in just half a day’s travel.

He shaded his blue eyes and looked ahead past the wide open fields to the horizon. Yes. There was Damiste and its tall central spire. A landmark for travelers and a religious site for the locals who practiced a pagan religion called Temporalism. Thanus didn’t quite understand the ins and outs of their cult, but he knew the practitioners were considered odd even by the oddest of religions in the Far Realm. Something about how all men were holy and all women evil.

Thanus had known some truly evil men, in his experience. Moreover, he’d always known there to be some redeeming quality in every woman he’d ever known, especially in the ones receptive to coming into his bed.

As Damiste came closer, Thanus suddenly realized how dry his throat was. There was a little water left in his canteen. No one would be fool enough to start out in a ride across the Far Realm without at least one full canteen. But he had a taste for something stronger to slake his thirst.

He’d been in Damiste twice before and knew of just the place to get such libation. A place called The Empty Cup, which was a small place with excellent liquor and pretty waitresses.

If he was lucky, perhaps his thirst wouldn’t be the only thing slaked while