Lord Seabolt

By Megan Derr

Eighteen years ago, Goss was nearly murdered as a baby—by his own parents, who wanted to sacrifice him to strengthen the Seabolt bloodline's magic. Thankfully, he was rescued by his guardian Shaw, and a Finder, Tolan, who was unwittingly dragged into the mess. Since then, they have raised him to someday reclaim the Seabolt title.

But much to his fathers' dismay, Goss has Tolan's temper and Shaw's affinity for trouble, and a terrible incident from three years ago has left him with zero friends, constant harassment, unable to finish his magical training, and the possible loss of the title he's waited so long to reclaim.

And while Goss isn't remotely sorry for the choices he made, he desperately wishes that someone, anyone, would look beyond his miserable past, his infamous fathers, and a terrible accident that isn't at all what it seems...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Megan Derr
• Release date: Aug 23, 2019

Megan Derr

Megan is a long-time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.meganderr.compatreon.com/meganderrmeganderr.blogspot.comfacebook.com/[e-mail]@meganaderr

Book preview

Eighteen years ago, Goss was nearly murdered as a baby—by his own parents, who wanted to sacrifice him to strengthen the Seabolt bloodline's magic. Thankfully, he was rescued by his guardian Shaw, and a Finder, Tolan, who was unwittingly dragged into the mess. Since then, they have raised him as their own and prepared him to take up the Seabolt title.

Much to his fathers' dismay, Goss has Tolan's temper and Shaw's affinity for trouble, and a terrible incident from three years ago has left him with zero friends, enduring frequent bullying and harassment, unable to finish his magical training, and the possible loss of the title he's waited so long to reclaim.

While Goss isn't remotely sorry for the choices he made, he desperately wishes that someone, anyone, would look beyond his miserable past, his infamous fathers, and a terrible accident that isn't at all what it seems…

Lord Seabolt

The Four Families 2

By Megan Derr

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the publisher, except for the purpose of reviews.

Edited by Samantha M. Derr

This book is a work of fiction and all names, characters, places, and incidents are fictional or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is coincidental.

Second Edition August 2019

Copyright © 2019 by Megan Derr

Printed in the United States of America

To everyone who kept hoping I'd write this. I'm sorry it took so long.

Lord Seabolt

The Four Families – Two

Megan Derr

Torment

Why are you so much like your father? Tolan asked, pinching the bridge of his nose, pushing up his spectacles.

"You're my father."

I'm aware, Tolan said, fixing his spectacles and folding his arms across his chest. I have told you time and time again that my temper should not be emulated.

Goss shrugged and looked down at his feet, the brand new boots he hadn't even gotten to enjoy for a whole day before those assholes had ruined them and everything else he wore by throwing him in a cesspit. After that, they'd deserved every last bruise and broken nose he'd given them, and he wasn't going to be a single bit sorry about it.

All he'd wanted to do that day was impress Kerra, and instead he smelled like literal, actual shit and his father was mad at him. Again.

Why couldn't he do something right just once?

Go rinse off. You can't trek through the palace like that. I'll send a servant with a dressing robe and have a bath ready for you. Tolan stared at him a moment longer, looking supremely frustrated, but he only gathered the folds of his beautiful robe and walked off, the chain of his girdle clinking softly before he vanished around a corner.

Goss dragged himself to his feet and headed down the stairs of the back pavilion and across the yard to the stables, around it to the water pump there. It was old and creaky, but his only other option was to use the newer, more frequented one closer to the gardens. No way was he going to add to his humiliation by letting everyone in the palace watch as he cleaned off shit, piss, and who knew what else. At least it hadn't gotten in his mouth.

He rinsed and rinsed and started in scrubbing when the servant sent by his father offered a bar of soap. When he finally felt relatively clean again, he shrugged into the robe and belted it shut, thanked the servant, told him to just burn the ruined clothing (and his poor boots), and headed back to the suite his family called home half the year. They'd done so ever since Tolan had been appointed Master Mage over all those who did work, overt and covert, for the crown.

It never stopped amusing Shaw that Tolan had gone from his apprentice to his boss, though Shaw had retired two years ago and was happily teaching young children the basics of magic—to the absolute terror of everyone.

Goss paused glumly in a hallway that was open to the courtyards below, watching longingly as everyone milled about, laughing, talking, dancing, and playing games. Right in the middle of it all, the heart of the room as always, was Kerra. He was the son of Lords Sealore and Moonrise, Shaw's closest friends, and the most sought after person in the city—possibly the kingdom.

Given how close their fathers were, they should have been good friends. But Kerra had been adopted when he was ten, and Goss had been only three at the time, putting them worlds apart. By the time Goss was old enough to realize that he very badly wanted to kiss Kerra—and many other things he still got flustered thinking about—Kerra had a beautiful lady on his arm, and later a beautiful lord, and now it was a lady again, and there were rumors that an engagement would be announced soon.

So Goss had given up any and all hope of Kerra seeing him. He'd settle for Kerra being aware he existed, maybe even regarding him in friendly fashion. At the very least, it might mean people would stop throwing him into cesspits and locking him in closets.

Goss was eternally grateful his father was the best Finder in the kingdom and could locate him no matter where he was or how he'd gotten there. He just wished everyone would lose interest in being mad at him. But why would they? He was the one who'd murdered the golden child.

There you are, Tolan said as he stepped inside the suite, smiling in that quiet way of his. Shaw was the brash, loud, vibrant one. Tolan only got loud and evocative when he lost his temper. Otherwise he was so self-contained, people thought something was wrong. "There's a hot bath waiting in your room, and fresh clothes. Once you're done, I have breakfast