Anniversary Shenanigans: Author Visit + Giveaway - Kim Fielding

She opened the shenanigans and she's closing the 2018 shenanigans. Brace yourselves for this one. Kim Fielding just plowed over the stops for this finale.

Battle

By Kim Fielding

Bakar sat motionless in the corner of his dark hut, trying to quiet his breathing. Close by—frighteningly close—men shouted and screamed; metal crashed against metal. Even within the confines of his hut, he imagined he smelled blood and dust despite the sour odor of his own sweat.

The war had been coming nearer for weeks, although nobody in the village knew what the fighting was about. One lord angry with another, Bakar supposed, or perhaps a lord eager to seize land. Whatever the cause, the battles washed over the local settlements like toxic waves, killing everyone in their path. Bakar’s neighbors had fled days ago, but he wouldn’t have gotten far with his withered left leg, so he’d remained. Alone.

He wrapped his arms around himself, a poor echo of the embraces his husband used to share with him. Oroitz had been a loving man, kind and strong. But not strong enough to conquer the fever that had overtaken him three years earlier. In the heavy blackness of the hut, Bakar wondered what Oroitz would be doing now, were he still alive. Would he have listened to Bakar’s pleas to flee with the rest of the village? Would he have devised some way to take Bakar with him? Or would he have remained here, grasping the axe he used for cutting firewood, as if he could somehow hold off an army by himself?

Bakar must have dozed off, despite his fear. When he became aware again, the sounds of the battle had ceased, although their absence seemed as loud as the battle itself. Bakar waited a long time but heard nothing. Finally, using the walls for support, he laboriously made his way upright. Clutching his cane, he limped to the door and inched it open.

Moonlight, but no movement except for tree leaves dancing in the breeze. No ferocious shouting or dying screams. And no quiet buzz of his neighbors settling in with their families for the evening. He wondered whether the villagers would return someday.

Bakar shut the door and hobbled across the hut to light his lantern. He would have liked to start a fire, but perhaps the soldiers were still close enough to smell the smoke. So instead he ate stale bread dipped in wine and nibbled on dried sausages.

He’d just stood to douse the lantern—sleep seemed the rational choice, since he could do little else—when someone pounded on the door.

Bakar froze. Even his breathing stopped.

More thuds. He would have ignored them and cowered in his corner… if it weren’t for the voice that called out.

“Help me. Please.”

Most likely a trick of some kind. Yet Bakar thought of the many times Oroitz had aided him when Bakar needed it—a steady hand, a sympathetic ear, a loving kiss. Bakar couldn’t ignore the stranger’s plea.

The small expanse of floorboards took forever to cross. He opened the door.

There stood a man, bearded, bare-chested, tattooed. Blood splattered his face and torso, wounds gaped on his arms and chest and sides, and he carried a heavy sword on his back. He stared at Bakar with strangely pale eyes.

“Please,” rasped the man. He started to crumple but grabbed the doorframe. His breathing sounded ragged, as if every lungful was a great effort, and even with the hut for support, his body swayed. His gaze never left Bakar’s face. “Please.”

Bakar inhaled deeply and gestured the man inside.

And now we all get to hang off the cliff of what happens next together. Forever. Kidding.

This year's shenanigans have been a lot of fun and we unicorns thank all the authors and publishers who contributed to making our fifth anniversary a rousing success. Special thanks go to Kim Fielding who took time out of her jam packed schedule to write not one but two fics for us!

About the Author:

Kim Fielding is the bestselling author of numerous m/m romance novels, novellas, and short stories. Like Kim herself, her work is eclectic, spanning genres such as contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, and historical. Her stories are set in alternate worlds, in 15th century Bosnia, in modern-day Oregon. Her heroes are hipster architect werewolves, housekeepers, maimed giants, and conflicted graduate students. They’re usually flawed, they often encounter terrible obstacles, but they always find love.

After having migrated back and forth across the western two-thirds of the United States, Kim calls the boring part of California home. She lives there with her husband, her two daughters, and her day job as a university professor, but escapes as often as possible via car, train, plane, or boat. This may explain why her characters often seem to be in transit as well. She dreams of traveling and writing full-time.

Follow:

Website
Facebook
Twitter: @KFieldingWrites
Email: Kim@KFieldingWrites.com


Don't miss out on her Christmas story, Summerfield's Angel, which comes out December 2nd!

After the hard winter of 1888 ended Alby Boyle’s work as a Nebraska ranch hand, he returned to New York City in search of his long-lost family. His mother and brothers are nowhere to be found, however, and after Alby’s years of absence, Five Corners no longer feels like home. His prospects seem as dim as the nighttime alleys.

When Alby pauses to admire an angel ornament in a department store window’s Christmas display, he meets Xeno Varnham-Summerfield. Wealthy, handsome, and enthusiastic, Xeno brings Alby some temporary cheer. But for Alby to achieve his dreams of love and a real home, well, that may take a bit of holiday magic.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Enter to win a backlist DSP ebook. The giveaway is open until 12:00AM (EST) 12/7/18. Shortly thereafter, we will contact a winner!

Please respond to the winning notification within 48 hours or we will choose another winner. Good luck!

Don't miss entering in our month long unicorn giveaway HERE! It ends 12/1/18!