Cas Farling has grown up in the planet of Leelinge, but his nation - the Delacoeur - have been fugitives in this planet ever since they arrived from their own uninhabitable planet. Hiding in caves they assimilated as best as they could, some of them, the strongest ones, being able to accept into their body a sort of bacteria they call "Phage" enhancing their physical abilities (and making them excellent trained assassins). Yet his kind was betrayed - by someone of their own and now there are so few of them left.. and only one other who like him contains a Phage inside him - Christala. Cas deduced she must be the one to play a huge part of the betrayal who cost him his little brother Beren as well.
Now is his time to escape this hated planet as well as hunt Christala and the others when a ship from the planet Imperia is there to take with them anyone willing (who isn't infected by said bacteria..). Unable to mask his Phase when his blood is drawn he finds himself in the worst situation possible. The people from Leelinge KNOW he at the base and so if he won't be leaving with the Imperia ship, they'll expect him to leave and once he does they'll be waiting for him and though he masked his appearance to the one of his younger brother Beren, he won't fool THEM and anyway they won't care, they'll kill him for just being a Delacoeur.
Trying to make SOMEONE at the base help him, re-take the blood test or ANYTHING really he finds an unexpected ally in Captain Rone Basinti. He doesn't know his good fortune and the power this man has, he just knows the tenderness and care in his eyes might be his only hope and though he isn't thrilled about lying and cheating the only person who is willing to help him he does that with a heavy heart. He will avenge his people, he will avenge Beren.
Rone's proposition for Cas, or as he introduces himself as - Beren - is an ACTUAL proportions of marriage. That's the only idea Rone has to shield him and actually it's not a bad idea as he is in need of a "nanny" for his two adopted kids (also not Imperia natives) and since that's one of the qualifications Beren offers (after all, what kind of education do you expect from someone who grew up in caves in constant fear of death). Cas is more than puzzled by the trust of the Imperians but it plays into his favor so why fight it? A marriage it is.
Rone is honorable, sincere and fair. Everything Cas doesn't believe he is owed especially with his ulterior motives but spending time with Rone makes him question his actions, not wanting to hurt the guy and even learning to care for him even if Rone only sees someone he really isn't - the brother he should have been able to save and wasn't able to. Rone does everything to make Cas comfortable, on the ship, in his own home and even in the palace. What he's doing in the palace? Rone is a lot more than just Captain, he is the illegitimate son of the previous king - the brother of the current kind. This makes Cas life on the one hand easier yet in so many different ways A LOT more complicated.
I can say more but I rather not. There is so much going on in this book. A bit of everything really, though the romance is VERY slow going considering both don't truly trust one another (as would be expected..). Besides two chapters we only get Cas's POV so it's hard knowing what Rone understands or sees in his husband's behavior as he has his own secrets..
This was SUCH an engaging read. The chapters were rather short as this story was published in half chapters in Cari's blog (now finally available to purchase as a full length novel). I think I would have DIED if I had to wait a week for each chapter so though I'm mad at myself for waiting this long to read it, I wouldn't have done it before this one was totally finished. This is actually my final read of Cari's published work, only thing is the current story "The Tank" she is publishing the same way - a chapter each week. It's going to be over soon so I'll delve into it once it's finally done as well.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
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Rating:
★★★★★
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E-Book
Edition
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247
pages
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Read on:
4 April 2020
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