The Siren's Stoic Mate

By J.B. Black

Fame and fortune don't mean a thing without love.

When siren Rani decides to use his powers to become famous, he thinks he’ll find his mate and live happily ever after touring the globe. His luck in music soars, but a drunken New Year's kiss leaves him with a hangover and a missing mate. Ever an optimist, Rani throws himself into the rock star life, kissing and flirting his way through every city in hopes of finding that special someone who got away.

Except his mate is touring with him!

Tristan avoids love. He's never had luck, and everything he's got came from working hard and putting his emotions to the side. If Rani didn't feel that spark when they kissed, Tristan won't make a fool of himself. Not this time. So what if his fated mate thinks of him as just his emotionless, robot-like warlock manager. Rani deserves the world. He's handsome, kinder than he acts, and so much more fragile than he appears, so if Tristan has to break his own heart to make Rani's life easier, he'll do it gladly.

Except there's only so much Tristan can take. He's falling deeper in love every day. When a new singer signs on, he jumps at the chance to escape. Distance might make the heart grow fonder, but with an old flame trying to sever their bond, if Rani isn't quick, he might just find himself in the wrong place at Tristan's wedding.

The Siren's Stoic Mate is a gay fantasy romance with high heat, mpreg, and a HEA.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.B. Black
• Release date: Jun 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005655891

J.B. Black

Three sides to take care of all your wanton desires:Jess adores the steamy side of romance, exploring the quick scenes that leave your heart fluttering as strong, fertile heroines find their Happily Ever Afters!If you enjoy mpreg and a wake on the more fantastical side with fated mates, JB Black will fulfill your every desire.Brendol enjoys M/M without the fantastical edge. No pregnancies, just gay sex and romance!

Book preview

The Siren’s Stoic Mate

Gay Fantasy Romance

J.B. Black

The Siren’s Stoic Mate by JB Black

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used.

THE SIREN’S STOIC MATE

Copyright © 2021 J.B. Black

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Fame and fortune don’t mean a thing without love.

When siren Rani decides to use his powers to become famous, he thinks he’ll find his mate and live happily ever after touring the globe. His luck in music soars, but a drunken New Year's kiss leaves him with a hangover and a missing mate.

Ever an optimist, Rani throws himself into the rock star life, kissing and flirting his way through every city in hopes of finding that special someone who got away.

Except his mate is touring him!

Tristan avoids love. He's never had luck, and everything he's got came from working hard and putting his emotions to the side. If Rani didn't feel that spark when they kissed, Tristan won't make a fool of himself. Not this time.

So what if his fated mate thinks of him as just his emotionless, robot-like warlock manager. Rani deserves the world. He's handsome, kinder than he acts, and so much more fragile than he appears, so if Tristan has to break his own heart to make Rani's life easier, he'll do it gladly.

Except there's only so much Tristan can take. He's falling deeper in love every day. When a new singer signs on, he jumps at the chance to escape.

Distance might make the heart grow fonder, but with an old flame trying to sever their bond, if Rani isn't quick, he might just find himself in the wrong place at Tristan's wedding.

The Siren's Stoic Mate is a gay fantasy romance with high heat, mpreg, and a HEA.

Chapter One

Nobody ever expected much of Rani Shain. Mostly because nobody knew what he was. Orphaned at a young age, he ended up in the system, but despite having a good face and a bright smile, he was just old enough to be undesirable, which was fine. His mom always warned him. Talked about how normal people were boring. They were weak. Better to take advantage, make them dance and send them packing. Love them and leave them. That was the best way for a siren to live.

So while he could’ve used his song to pull someone to bring him home, adopt him and give him whatever he wanted; instead, Rani followed his mother’s advice, keeping his distance and sending them on to other normal human kids who wouldn’t’ve had a chance otherwise. Because — in the end — sob stories got the public’s attention a hell of a lot more than a happy home life with doting parents.

When he aged out, Rani took to the stage, playing his guitar and coming out of nowhere, luring people into his thrall. Not permanently. Just long enough to pay the bills. To draw the crowds. Bringing them in and then leaving them wanting in the dirtiest parts of New York City. Another perk of staying in the system right where he was. Big city, all the lights, and singing on street corners or in clubs after weaving a spell around the truth of his age, he made sure he got just where he wanted.

Sorcerer, huh? Rani turned over the card the guy handed him. Gregory Evans had a beer gut and more lines around his eyes than most men his age, but he came up on a quick search as working for a legitimate and decently sized management company with a growing record label. So, what? You hook me on the record schtick, and then show me the crazy by saying you’ve got magic.

The older man laughed, and his gray hair didn’t budge an inch. I’m glad you’ve got your defenses up, but I can recognize a thrall when I feel one, and I know the difference between a sorcerer and a siren.

Do you? Rani cocked a single brow, frowning as he flicked through the company’s website.

Course, and I had my assistant confirm, the man said, flicking a thumb at a younger man sitting on a barstool across the way.

Now, that was a man Rani wanted to chat up. Legs for days and an ass made to squeeze, he probably had never been railed in his life. The prudish type who’d squirm and flush and act so embarrassed as he absolutely melted. Dark hair slicked back just like his boss, but behind those simple silver wire frames, his honey-brown eyes caught the light, and they turned gold. Anyone with sense would’ve dressed the man all in black. Make that pale skin pop, but as he leaned over the bar, the brighter lighters showed his dark jacket was navy blue. White dress shirt and dark gray dress pants, and when he leaned just so, the mirror behind the bar revealed he had a suit vest on without a jacket. Probably a bit of a hipster. Fit with the industry.

Tuning back into the old man, Rani hummed softly as the guy said, — so if you sign with us, we’ll take care of everything. No problems magical or mortal. What do you say? Winking, the old man leaned back, so damn sure he had sealed the deal on his terms. Idiot.

You know, crowdsourcing is getting pretty popular, and with the rise of the internet, I don’t really need a big record label to see good money and even set up tours, so why don’t you sweeten the deal? Rani asked, weaving his power into his words as his eyes shimmered silver. Triple my percentage across all sales avenues, guarantee I keep all record rights if I leave, and — hmm, what’s say we make sure I can leave whenever I want?

The supposed sorcerer nodded. Of course, of course. Whatever you want!

Wonderful.

I’ll call the office and get the paperwork ready, the old man told him, nodding as he pulled out his cell, flicking it open.

However, before he could dial, a pale long-fingered hand grabbed the phone. He’s got you under his thrall again, sir.

The man blinked, looking up at his assistant with wide eyes. Oh, don’t be ridiculous. Thralls are easy to reflect. Even a kid could —

As the man ranted, Rani’s lips spread wider and wider in a grin. Up close, the assistant was stupidly handsome. Almost as good looking as Rani himself, but while Rani worked hard to keep his naturally androgenous frame leaning more into the masculine territory, the dark-haired man didn’t bother to fight the way his long-lashes and petal-pink lips had him walking the line. Probably thought his lean form and angular face would be enough. Nowadays, more was expected. For all Rani used his powers, he worked hard as well. A naturally deep voice trained to hit even lower. Washboard abs any Hollywood superstar would be jealous of, and after far too many years, the capacity to grow facial hair smoothly and attractively in whatever formation he wanted.

The slap came out of nowhere. Gasping in shock, the old man reared back, holding his hand to his face as the assistant pulled out a folder from his bag. Rani would be lying if he hadn’t sat up a bit straighter. Interest stirred in places, and his eyes traced up and down the man.

Better? the assistant asked.

After a moment, the older man nodded. Goddamn it, Elliot, I’d be lost without you.

I live to serve, Mr. Salazar.

Taking the folder, the old man took out a stack of papers. This is the contract we’re offering. Read it over and email us with your response. Here’s my card.

With a huff, Rani took both, but his eyes remained on the assistant. Elliot, huh? Never met someone immune to me before.

He’s a special one, Salazar laughed. Rare to find someone, even a warlock like him, with prior experience to non-magical thralls.

Mr. Salazar, I don’t believe Mr. Shain needs to know about my resume, the assistant calmly retorted, and despite having a generally pleasant voice, his tone remained so monotone Rani almost lost interest.

But Salazar just waved a hand. Rani Shain, meet Tristan Elliot! If you sign with us, he’ll be assigned to work with you directly.

For obvious reasons, Tristan sighed.

Humming, Rani glanced over the contract, flipping the card as he eyed the two magic users. He already knew his answer. This was just another step in his ultimate goal — the one where he found the one damn person in all of time and space, in all of magic and mundanes, who could chase away that empty feeling inside that returned every time he stepped off the stage and let his powers fade.

Sounds like a beautiful beginning.

***

Contract signed. First album recorded with the launch prepped in a few weeks, Rani took advantage of his last nights before fame. Maybe he was cocky. Everyone at the label-side of the company loved him. Publicity adored him. He already had jobs lined up to do some side gigs modeling, which had stroked his ego