Nox

By H.C. Brown

A hilarious and heart-warming romp filled with magic and true romance.

After the Lady sends Nox to rescue a female destined to be his mate from the forbidden realm of Anina, Nox wonders if the creature is a baby Swamp Troll. The unusual being, covered in slime and hurling obscenities at him and Allure the Fair turns out to be NYC Detective Sky Barrymore.

Faced with the challenge to romance the angry spitfire, Nox and Allure must forget magyck and rely on their charm to win her love or lose the chance of having a life mate forever.

Reader Advisory: This Paranormal Romance contains a feisty New York Detective trapped in a strange world with two deliciously wicked Fae, intent on luring her into their bed.

PUBLISHER NOTE: M/M, Ménage, M/F/M. 36,834 words

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luminosity Publishing LLP
• Release date: Jun 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370597772

H.C. Brown

H.C. Brown is a multi-published, multi-genre, bestselling, award-winning author.In 2016, she was delighted to be named Luminosity Publishing’s Bestselling Author of 2015.In 2015, she was delighted to be named Luminosity Publishing’s Bestselling Author of 2014.In 2015, Highlander in the Mist was placed 3rd in Historical and Rock ‘n’ Leather was placed 3rd GLBT in the Easychair Bookshop Competition.In 2015, Highlander in The Mist was nominated in The Romance Reviews 2015 Readers’ Awards.In 2011, she was delighted to receive nominations in three categories in the 2011 CAPA Awards: Favorite Author, Best GLBT Romance, and Best Science Fiction Romance.She was nominated for Best Historical M/M in the 2013, Goodreads Book of Year Awards.H.C writes about strong alpha male heroes and girl next door heroines in complex settings, and all her stories have happy endings.H.C. welcomes feedback from her readers.

Book preview

NOX

Pride Brothers 9

H.C. Brown

A hilarious and heart-warming romp filled with magic and true romance.

After the Lady sends Nox to rescue a female destined to be his mate from the forbidden realm of Anina, Nox wonders if the creature is a baby Swamp Troll. The unusual being, covered in slime and hurling obscenities at him and Allure the Fair turns out to be NYC Detective Sky Barrymore.

Faced with the challenge to romance the angry spitfire, Nox and Allure must forget magyck and rely on their charm to win her love or lose the chance of having a life mate forever.

Reader Advisory: This Paranormal Romance contains a feisty New York Detective trapped in a strange world with two deliciously wicked Fae, intent on luring her into their bed.

NOX

Pride Brothers 9

H.C. BROWN

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LUMINOSITY PUBLISHING LLP

NOX

Pride Brothers 9

Copyright © June 2017 H.C. Brown

ISBN: 978-1-370597-77-2

Cover Art by Poppy Designs

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this literary work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Dedication

This story is very special to me, because Nox is one of those wonderful characters everyone loves and he deserves his happy ever after.  I have dedicated Nox to Kate Miles, who encouraged me to write well and apart from being an amazing person has been the best editor an author could wish to have— Thank you Kate.  H.C. Brown.

Prologue

Excerpt from THE GREAT BOOK OF THE PRIDES – personal entry by King Blaise of Knight Watch.

I have watched Nox, King of the Fae, fall into a maudlin state these past few weeks. Nox, a Fae male of the highest rank is an honorary member of the Arious Pride—a valued and much-loved Pride Brother. Nox’s unusual behavior followed shortly after the announcement of Lydia’s pregnancy, and has caused some unrest between Nox and Hawke. Nox has not returned to Other World for nigh on six weeks. A strange occurrence as his magyck is dependent on his frequent visits to Crystal Mountain, wherein he draws his amazing strength. I do believe Nox deserves a family of his own. He needs a life mate to love, and I pray the Lady sees fit to give her brave warrior the son he craves.

Chapter One

Blaze paced the floor of the king’s solar. In his arms, he cradled his newborn son, Liam. The child resembled his mate, Daii from the turned-up button nose to the swirls of platinum curls sticking up in all directions. His beautiful mate had fallen asleep feeding this sweet cub, but Liam would not settle, his pitiful cries echoed throughout the castle. Disturbed from his sleep, Nox arrived, dark circles marring a strong, handsome face. With a yawn, the King of the Fae slumped into a chair beside the roaring fire.

Apart from the cub, what else is troubling you? Nox moved his attention from the fire and frowned.

I am afraid Heath plans to bring a Nomag into his realm. Blaise rocked the screaming cub. "He insists the human is his mate and wants to bite him. He knows full well my mate needs me here and I am unable to go to him, but he refuses to come here and plea for the man’s life. I would ask if you could talk some sense into him and perhaps remind him, should the Nomag not be his true mate, I will have no other option than to execute him."

"I see. Nox steepled his fingers. Heath enjoys inflicting pain, and it is against our laws to hurt a female so Nomag or Pride makes little difference. I find it hard to believe he would seek a Nomag for a life mate, he has the power to conjure any partner he desires."

"Yes, I am aware of his tastes, but this Nomag is male. Blaise sighed. He may well be carrying diseases and cause a problem with our females. You know Nomags spread their seed without caution and rage war for no reason. I will not allow an unchanged male in our midst, and we cannot return him. I would ask that you go to Heath in my stead and if you cannot reason with him, then I must insist he comes to discuss the matter with me without delay."

Very well, I had planned to leave soon, but this gives me a fine excuse to leave early. Nox nodded. I will visit him on my way home and settle this matter once and for all.

I am sorry to put this burden on you.

Burdon? Not at all. Nox smiled. As you are aware Heath hosts many breaking in celebrations. Indeed, he has three planned for this moon alone. As luck would have it, there is one tomorrow eve. A night of wanton sex will do me good. He waved a hand toward the newly born prince. You appear very agitated, my friend. Is he not a good child?

Blaise hoisted the tiny body onto one shoulder. "None of my cubs have ever cried like this before, I fear he is starving. Daii is exhausted. She has no more milk to give.

Give me the child. Nox held up his hands. I have four hundred summers of experience with cubs.

With a sigh, Blaise placed the screaming bundle of tears into Nox’s big hands. He is a fine boy. Strong in bone and spirit.

He reminds me of Hawke. He too, screamed like this when he was tiny. Do you remember? Nox placed a hand on the cub’s squirming belly. Lady’s blood, the poor mite is over fed. Bloated. Magyck poured from his fingers in a white shimmer. There little one, Uncle Nox will make it better. He placed the cub across his knees, and rubbed the tiny back. See he sleeps now.

Liam resembles Daii … not Hawke … Lady forbid. Blaise rubbed the back of his neck. "No, I do not remember Hawke as a cub. I believe I was only two summers at the time."

Blaise noticed the tenderness in Nox’s gaze, the gentle caress across the cub’s head. The Fae’s emotions showed clearly—he desperately wanted his own child. Dropping into a chair, Blaise met Nox’s gaze. You are starting to look jaded my friend. What is troubling you?

I seek what I cannot have. Nox shrugged. "I thought my love of Allure the Fair would carry me through time and then Hawke … gods … Hawke. He shares his mate with me and yet the Lady denies me the joy of creating my own child. Hawke’s cub swells Lydia’s body. His son will be born soon … his son. He touched the cheek of the small cub lying across his knee. I want the joy of holding my own son and this happiness you have is denied me because of my foolishness."

With a sigh, Blaise poured two goblets of Miza and passed one to Nox. I thought you had not yet begun to search for a mate. What has happened to change this?

I tell the story that I prefer to lay with men, and indeed there is truth in that because I do love Allure the Fair, and have deep tenderness for Hawke. Rio too, is my sometime lover. I have never told one soul about my folly, but I can trust you. Nox sipped the Miza. In truth, I believed I loved a female once, and that my dear friend has cost me dearly. He met Blaise’s gaze. I angered the gods.

Blaise leaned forward in his chair. Have you asked the Lady for forgiveness?

Every day of my life—but have you noticed the Lady does not appear before me? Nox stroked the cub’s fine, glossy hair. I offended the Great One at the age of one hundred summers. He grimaced. The sins of youth, my friend, will haunt you forever. My magyck offers me the ability to travel into distant realms. He drank again. I found a Fae female, Nareese, a precious jewel wandering in the forests of Glandach, the Realm of the Dragons. Unbeknownst to me, I fell in lust with a temple virgin. She was the property of the Great One … and I took her, and bound her to me for all eternity.

"You … have a mate? Blaise stared at Nox in disbelief. Does she live?"

I do not know. The moment I spilled my seed into Nareese, the ground shook, and great craters split the Earth. The sky filled with dragons breathing fire, scorching every living thing in the realm. I used my magyck to protect Nareese, fighting the dragons and killing the gods’ sacred beasts. The hand of the Great One came down on me, and threw me back into Other World. I lay in a stupor for three months, and I never saw Nareese again. Nox shuddered. On the day of my judgment, the Lady and Arious stood in front of me, protecting me from the Great One’s wrath. He wanted to cast me into purgatory, and it was by the grace of the Lady I still have magyck. It would seem, I am more useful to the gods alive than dead. He swallowed hard. I have done penance for four hundred summers, and yet my plea remains unheeded. Gods, am I destined to walk the earth alone for eternity?

Blaise twirled the stem of the goblet in his fingers. The rich aromatic wine spun around the glass like a whirlpool of blood. What could he say to his best friend to comfort him? He had fought side-by-side with this warrior against evil so many times. The Faerie gave his knowledge and power selflessly. Blaise centered his thoughts. He must contact the Lady Boda. If necessary, he would go to the Lady’s grotto and on hands and knees beg for Nox’s forgiveness. Although, it had been some time since the Lady had appeared to him, he must try to persuade Her to forgive his friend.

What else could he do to help Nox? He had no idea the Lady had refused her warrior throughout his life. Four hundred summers of unanswered prayers, no wonder Nox had lost hope. Blaise drew a deep breath, he would remind the Lady of Nox’s worth to the Land of the Five Gates, and perhaps in the morning, the Lady would come to him with Her answer. He closed his eyes, and pushed out his consciousness. Dear Lady, has not this brave man shown his devotion to you? Has he not suffered long enough? As your most devoted champion, I beg you to forgive my friend. Blaise opened his eyes and