Where it all Began

By JP Sayle

Could a lowly servant be the one thing King Óláfr wants more than his crown?

King Óláfr the Black is a Norseman and no stranger to suffering pain. Betrayed by those who claim to love him, it hardens his heart.

That is until fate steps in with his one true soulmate, Magnus.

The gift of a guardian cat, Maximillian, has Óláfr questioning everything. But will a meddling cat who thinks he knows best seal all their fates?

Where it all Began (Manx Cat Guardian Origins) is a prequel to the series. It is a gay for you MM historical romance with a soulmate connection. An ancient paranormal cat who think he knows best raises the angst level to high.

Trigger Warning: There are some scenes of violence and this book ends on a cliff hanger with no HEA until book 4 in the series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jayne Paton
• Release date: Mar 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781914077074

JP Sayle

Let me introduce myself, I’m JP or Jayne. I’m a lady of a certain age (cough, cough over 50 but I embrace my inner child often). I’m an identical twin and I was born in the Isle of Man; this makes me Manx (not British or English). I’ve lived in several places over the years but I returned to the island 1998. I love the sea and now it’s only a stone’s throw from my home.I quit my nursing career recently to follow my dream to write full time. I published my first book in 2018 and since then I’ve managed to publish further twenty-plus books. I gave myself a 12 book challenge for 2020, and I’ve written 14 so far!!My island is steeped in folklore and I have used some of this in my writing, particularly the Manx Cat Guardian Series, it’s paranormal with a twist. But I’m an eclectic girl and I’ve spread my wings a little. The tropes vary from Daddy Kink, BDSM, age gap, Billionaire romance, Smalltown friendships, friends to lovers, out for you, sweet romance, they all have a little angst (or a lot). I tend to write in series (shakes head). The list is below!Manx Cat GuardiansThe AppThe Flamingo BarBillionaire PlaygroundLa Trattoria Di AmoreDark River Stone CollectiveThe PlayroomPotter Creek(The app and flamingo bar are connected, as in the boys get a book in the app and their conclusion in the flamingo bar series)Writing has unleashed a beast in my mind and now I can’t switch it off. So with that, I now have to try and keep my unruly boys in check while they vie for my attention, and currently, it’s who shouts the loudest. But, I’m okay with that now that I have the time to let the words flow!

Book preview

The Manx Cat Guardian series

Book one

Where it all Began

By

JP Sayle

Copyright © 2020 by JP Sayle

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Book Cover © 2019 Design by Tina Løwén

Editing by HL Day

Book formatting by Champagne Designs

Editing for authenticity by Gina Fišerová

Proofreading by Rachael Bromley

References to real people, events, organisations, locations or establishments are only intended to give a sense of authenticity and have been used fictitiously.

The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark on: Disney, Marvel Comics

Films, music, and lyrics mentioned are the property of the copyright holders.

Warning

This is the prequel to book 2 and 3 in this series and can be read as a stand-alone, but it does make a small reference to book 3 and will connect into book 4, which will be released sometime in the summer.

This book has some themes of violence, along with references to sexual content and one adult situation involving two males. It is only intended for mature adults.

Could a lowly servant be the one thing King Óláfr wants more than his crown?

King Óláfr the Black is a Norseman and no stranger to suffering pain. Betrayed by those who claim to love him, it hardens his heart.

That is until fate steps in with his one true soulmate, Magnus.

The gift of a guardian cat, Maximillian, has Óláfr questioning everything. But will a meddling cat who thinks he knows best seal all their fates?

Where it all Began (Manx Cat Guardian Origins) is a prequel to the series. It is a gay for you MM historical romance with a soulmate connection. An ancient paranormal cat who think he knows best raises the angst level to high.

Trigger Warning: There are some scenes of violence and this book ends on a cliff hanger with no HEA until book 4 in the series.

Ellie Goulding, Halcyon Days

Song Lyrics—Explosions sum up this book for me, enjoy.

You left my soul bleeding in the dark

So, you could be king

The rules you set are still untold to me and I

Lost my faith in everything

The nights you could cope, your intentions were gold

But the mountains will shake

I need to know I can still make

Prologue

Nine Century AD

King Manannán

King Manannán opened the veil between the Otherworld and the Isle of Mann. He stared deep into the flames as he stroked Morgana’s fur. The two men hiding from prying eyes kissed as he watched, his heart opening. Their soulmate connection was as bright as the rainbow sky, a connection so vital that its magic sustained the Otherworld. Their bond was just as vital to them, but they still hid, not fully able to accept their differences.

Humans are such tricky creatures. Why do they always need to rationalise everything? There are changes coming, and the world out there is not ready for them. The question though, is what to do about it.

Morgana shifted on his lap and looked up at him with piercing green eyes. These human men need a guardian. Someone that can help navigate what fate has chosen to give them.

The king’s brow arched as he rubbed his chin. Fate is a tricky mistress, is she not?

Morgana’s feline face morphed into a scowl. After the many centuries they’d spent together, Manannán was more than used to it. It may be best not to talk of fate after what happened… He trailed off as he recalled his father’s warning about what the fates were capable of.

Morgana remained silent, her eyes becoming sad.

Manannán brushed gentle fingers down the side of her furry face before going back to what they’d been discussing. You could be right. But what type of guardian? He stared at her, a smile spreading across his face. A cat? Yes, I think that would be a good choice as through time they have been revered as a symbol that wards off evil.

What type of cat? Morgana asked as she shifted on his lap.

He stared at her tailless bottom and chuckled. Why a Manx cat of course.

I hope you’re not mocking me? Morgana hissed, baring her sharp teeth.

Calm yourself, of course not. You know how much I respect you Morgana. You’ve been my guide for too many centuries to count. He lowered his hand to stroke her back in order to appease her. Her body rippled under his hand as she settled back against him.

He released a breath and sat back on his golden throne. I’ll bring in the fairies and the elves to give a boost to my magic.

What? You’re going to do this now?

Yes. Time is of the essence. I feel it, inside me. His eyes darkened as his gaze returned to the fire. I don’t know what it is, but something is coming, and all the worlds will never be the same again.

Morgana

Morgana shuddered, blocking the king from her mind. Had he seen? Did he know what she was? Who had gone before him?

His voice had changed as he’d spoken of change, and it was his father she’d heard talking. What did it mean for her, for her sisters?

You’ve paid the price. We all have for what happened, came the whispered reply.

Did we, Misandra? Did we do right by concealing her? By using the magic of a defenceless child to protect another? Morgana asked, fretting.

Shush sister. We did as we were asked. And remember he still watches. He still waits for us to slip up and reveal where his child is, answered Morta.

Morgana’s heartbeat thudded in her ears and she closed off her thoughts. I’ll be more careful. Tell me, sisters. Is King Manannán’s suggestion of Manx cat guardians something the fates agree with?

Yes, Morta replied without hesitation.

Yes, but be careful if he decides to use you as it will leave us all vulnerable, Misandra replied, sounding far less confident than her sister.

I’ll take care. I swear. Morgana hoped that this time she would be and she wouldn’t fail her sisters.

Chapter One

The year 1200, the Isle of Mann

Maximillian

Maximillian shifted his massive bulk, his pure white body standing out against the dark stone wall. The giant Viking castle barricade had been built to protect the west coast from the possibility of an attack. From his vantage point Maximillian could see the vast expanse of the Irish Sea and out towards Scotland.

The castle sat at the edge of the coastline giving it a view of the fields and hills that stretched as far as the eye could see. This ensured there were few surprise attacks from either land or sea.

Over the centuries there had been many attacks on the Isle of Mann. The fight for ownership of the small parcel of land continued to be bloody, with loss of life a price many were willing to pay to conquer the small magical Isle. The large stockade was manned at all times by hulking Norsemen ready to protect their boundaries.

Clanging swords, battle axes and spears were wielded with precision, creating a music that filled the air and distracted Maximillian. Their manoeuvres mimicked a macabre dance, the noise only blocked out by the cry of birds as they circled above, as if waiting for an offering. The Norsemen trained on the practice field daily, keeping their skills honed ready for the next attack.

Max ignored the sharpness of the rock biting into the soft pads of his paws as he surveyed the men below with unblinking, bicoloured eyes. The lowering sun glowed orange, the colour-streaking the sky causing the metal beneath it to glint. The sun blinded Max, and he blinked owlishly, a feeling of unease washing over him.

His hackles rose and he searched through the thoughts of the sweaty Norsemen for the source of his unease. Assaulted by rage and anger, his stomach heaved, as he was once again forced onto one of the Viking longboats amid a storm.

His bicoloured eyes narrowed to pinpoint the source of the rage—a big brute of a Norseman, Arngrim, who was wielding his battle-axe with intent to harm rather than keeping with their daily training practice. Max could hear the whistle of the axe as it cut through the air with murderous intent,