Crimson and Clover

By Ezra Dawn

(This is a paranormal short story very loosely based on the fairy tale Rumplestiltskin. The first part of this story appeared in Stormy Glenn’s Spring ManLove Fantasies Blog Competition of 2019.)

Ishvara Vasilios is a demon who lives his life by making deals with others in return for their souls. Until one day, taking the soul of the person asking him a favor doesn’t interest him. Instead, he asks for something else, something this person doesn’t want to give up. When he comes to collect his payment, he’s met with resistance and leaves empty handed but promises to return.

Clovis Vermillion is a young but powerful warlock and video game programmer who has been receiving gifts and letters from an unknown source since the day he was born. Now, the final letter has arrived, and Clovis looks forward to meeting the person behind them. The question is, should he be excited to meet the unknown person who seems to know things about him no one else knows or should he be afraid of what’s to come?

Ishvara never expected to have a change of heart when it comes to his plans for Clovis but after years of watching, something within him has shifted. Will the shift within Ishvara turn out to be a good thing, or will his change in feelings end badly for Clovis?
(Warning: Contains sexual content and explicit language. Not recommended for those under the age of 18.)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ezra Dawn
• Release date: Jun 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463479971

Ezra Dawn

Well Ezra isn't my real name obviously but I liked the name so I decided to use it. I live at home with my five dogs and one cat. I started out writing hetero romance novels but it wasn't where my heart lied. I adore all things paranormal and M/M is by far my favorite genre so I decided to start writing Paranormal Romances. There's a guaranteed happy ending with each of my books even if it may take some time for my guys to get there. I love each and every character on the page as if they were my own children. It sounds weird but that’s how I feel about them. ? I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember but only started actively pursuing it as a career three years ago when I decided to stop working in a salon and pursue writing full time. Since I published my first book in 2014 I have written and released nine other books with many more to come. My current list of projects is longer than my arm so I look forward to writing and creating new stories for my readers to enjoy ?

Book preview

Crimson and Clover

Ezra Dawn

Cover art created by JeB Designs

[e-mail]

Formatted by Integrity Formatting

Crimson and Clover © 2019 Ezra Dawn

eBook ISBN: 9780463479971

ISBN-13: 9781099638275

All rights reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced in any form or by any means without express permission from the copyright holder. This book contains sexually explicit content which is suitable only for mature adults.

Books by Ezra Dawn are only available through Amazon, and Smashwords distributed retailers. (iBook’s, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, local libraries, etc.) If you are reading this book elsewhere, please note, it is an illegal, pirated copy, uploaded without my permission. I, the author, nor the distributors, received payment for the copy, and if prosecuted, violation comes with a fine of up to $250,000. PLEASE do not pirate books!!

#piracyistheft

#notavictimlesscrime

Character Pronunciation

Author's Note

Prologue

Prologue Part Two

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Epilogue

Playlists

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Other Books by Ezra Dawn

Contact the Author

Ishvara Vasilios (Eesh-var-uh, Va-sill-eos)

Clovis Vermillion (Clo-vis, Ver-million)

Galen Vermillion (Gay-len, Ver-million)

Mirella Vermillion (Mee-rel-la, Ver-million)

The beginning of this story was written as part of Stormy Glenn’s 2019 Spring ManLove Fantasies Competition. Everything after Chapter Two is entirely new, though some things have been added to the beginning chapters as well.

Every month, on the thirteenth, I hold a meeting of sorts where I grant the wishes of all who visit me. On the outside, I seem to be nothing more than a rich man who aids any who need it, but those who seek me out know the truth. I am a demon and making a deal with me will cost you greatly.

What is it you desire?

The young lady in front of me says, I wish to be free of this life of servitude.

And what do you offer in return?

I have nothing to offer.

Then I shall take your soul. Do we have a deal?

The young lady nods, and I grin. Snapping my fingers, I conjure a bag of gold and jewels and hand it to her. Now, you are as wealthy as those you serve. With this you shall buy your freedom.

She nods her thanks and exits the room. My assistant sends in the next person waiting for me. Another woman, though this one isn’t human like the last one. Sensing the magic within her, I can’t help but grin when I say, Well, well, well, if a witch has come to see me then you surely must be desperate.

I expect her to get angry but instead she looks at me with sad eyes and says, I am.

Leaning forward I say, What is it you desire?

I want to have children.

Then get yourself a man.

I’m mated, but we’ve been trying for years and nothing has happened. Potions and spells aren’t helping. Doctors aren’t helping. You are my last resort.

If I grant your request, what do you offer me in return?

I’ll give you my soul.

I have plenty of those.

Then what is it you want?

Grinning evilly, I say, Give me your first-born child.

Her eyes widen and she puts a hand over her heart like she’s about to clutch her pearls. No… I can’t do that. We’ve been trying for so long I couldn’t give up my child.

Then you’ll have to keep trying and hope fate grants your wish.

Standing, I nod to my assistant who makes his way over to escort the woman from the room. As my assistant grabs her by the elbow and pulls her to her feet, she shouts, Wait… wait… I’ll do it. I’ll give you my first born.

Then we have a deal.

Placing a hand on her stomach, I use my power to make her fertile and send her on her way. I have no need for a child, but I suppose I could find a use for it. Maybe I’ll give it to my sister… she’s been whining about getting older without anything to show for it. As if finding a mate and popping out a few kids is some kind of accomplishment to strive for. Oh well, at least I have a while before I need to decide. Who knows what I’ll come up with during that time? Excitement builds within me the more I think about it and I don’t fight the grin that crosses my face. Nine months can’t get here soon enough.

On the day of his son’s birth

He’s beautiful, Mirella.

Please don’t let him be taken.

I won’t. Our entire coven is waiting outside this room, ready to protect him.

She buries her face in her hands and cries. I should never have made that deal.

Don’t say that. Clovis wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t. Everything will be okay, I promise. Just rest. I’ll take care of everything.

Kissing my wife’s forehead, I take our son from her and exit our bedroom. In our living room, our coven is waiting for the demon Mirella made a deal with to appear. Placing Clovis in the cradle in the center of the room, I cast a forcefield around him to protect him from the demon. I hate using my son as bait but since he’s who the demon is after, I have no other choice. Once I’m sure Clovis is safe, I take my position with my coven members and wait.

It doesn’t take long. Five minutes after placing Clovis in the cradle, the demon appears from a shadowy portal. He glances around the room and says, I have no quarrel with any of you, I’m only here to collect my payment.

I won’t let you take him.

He raises an eyebrow at me and says, Oh, really? And just how do you plan to stop me?

I’ll fight if I have to.

The demon grins and says, Tell you what. If you can guess my name correctly in the next three minutes, I’ll let you keep the child.

As the demon begins to count down the minutes, my coven members and I begin shouting any name that comes to mind.

Beelzebub!

Belial!

Mephistopheles!

Astaroth!

Sitri!

Amon!

Franmalth!

Abraxas!

Belphegor!

Cali!

The demon turns to the man who said Cali and says, Do I look like a woman to you?

Another coven member shouts, Cerberus, to which the demon responds, Do I look like I have three heads?

Deucalion!

The demon grins and says, Looks like you’re out of time and none of you managed to guess my name. I’ll be taking the child.

No, you won’t!

Glancing at my coven members, I give them a slight nod and shout, Attack!!

We launch spell after spell at the demon, but he blocks most of them and even manages to fight back. It’s obvious we can’t kill him. Not with our current strength

Reviews for Crimson and Clover

[Missy Tapine-Tumu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book but found it too bland and everything was tied up in tidy bows. There was no angst or anything going wrong it didn't make me worry about what may or may not happen.
Like having a burger without the meat pattie some magic was missing.