CHRONICLES OF YLANDRE
by Eressë Belley
In the dual-gendered world of Aisen, love is always a gamble. Whether one is sovereign of a great nation or a common peasant barely scraping by, it is often an arduous quest with no guarantee of success. Small wonder some treat marriage as a mere transaction and romance as bait in the game of seduction. But for others, it is a challenge worth undertaking regardless of the consequences.
Powerful Ylandre is no exception, the scions of its highest House as subject to disappointment as the lowest of birth. Bearing the blood can be as much a hindrance as an advantage in the pursuit of true and lasting love, the one treasure money cannot buy.
These are the stories of the sons of House Essendri. Follow their lives as they navigate love and lust in the fabled kingdom of Ylandre.
Powerful Ylandre is no exception, the scions of its highest House as subject to disappointment as the lowest of birth. Bearing the blood can be as much a hindrance as an advantage in the pursuit of true and lasting love, the one treasure money cannot buy.
These are the stories of the sons of House Essendri. Follow their lives as they navigate love and lust in the fabled kingdom of Ylandre.
Book Six: In Fine Form
Now Available!
Guile is an asset in foreign relations, but an affliction when it comes to affairs of the heart.
A bastard of unknown parentage, Yandro Vaidon was born saddled with a huge disadvantage. The nigh rigid class structure of the dual-gendered realm of Ylandre relegated him to the bottom rungs of the social ladder and promised a dim future. Worse, the endeavor to win respectability was arduous—most claimed it was impossible. But by dint of hard work, perseverance and instances of plain good luck, Yandro rises higher than even he had hoped. However, he quickly learns there are hurdles to overcome even at these heights. Not least is his inconvenient attraction to a colleague deemed way beyond his reach.
Scion of House Essendri, the reigning dynasty of Ylandre, Jareth Hadrana is gifted with more than his fair share of beauty and wit. The kingdom’s pre-eminent ambassador, he has surpassed what is usually expected of a fief-lord’s second son. But while his high birth and family wealth opened doors for him, Jareth’s success stemmed from his own efforts to make something of himself other than the idle fop or swaggering rakehell that was the lot of many younger sons.
A coincidence of interest drew Jareth and Yandro to the same profession, but a king’s intervention throws them together in an association that soon turns into mutual desire. However, prejudices have largely kept the aristocratic True Bloods and lower caste Half Bloods on opposite sides of the social and romantic divide. In addition, reticence born of distrust and a secret like no other hamper their attempts to span the chasm between them. It will take more than their shared passion to convince them to lower their protective walls and risk their hearts in full.
Scion of House Essendri, the reigning dynasty of Ylandre, Jareth Hadrana is gifted with more than his fair share of beauty and wit. The kingdom’s pre-eminent ambassador, he has surpassed what is usually expected of a fief-lord’s second son. But while his high birth and family wealth opened doors for him, Jareth’s success stemmed from his own efforts to make something of himself other than the idle fop or swaggering rakehell that was the lot of many younger sons.
A coincidence of interest drew Jareth and Yandro to the same profession, but a king’s intervention throws them together in an association that soon turns into mutual desire. However, prejudices have largely kept the aristocratic True Bloods and lower caste Half Bloods on opposite sides of the social and romantic divide. In addition, reticence born of distrust and a secret like no other hamper their attempts to span the chasm between them. It will take more than their shared passion to convince them to lower their protective walls and risk their hearts in full.
Book Five: Cross Purposes
With love, the line between happiness and heartache is all too easy to cross.
One of Ylandre’s most prominent nobles, Keosqe Deilen may have had it all in terms of wealth, power, and social rank. But in matters of the heart, he was impoverished. Such was the consequence of falling in unrequited love. Though he hides that love and his sorrow well, a few inevitably see through his masquerade.
Young Tristen Marante is quick to discern Keosqe’s pain. His blunt sympathy is a balm to Keosqe’s wounded heart as much as his beauty is an effective distraction from the noble’s hopeless yearning. But Tristen is a skittish would-be lover, whose reluctance to express his affection is as much an impediment as the lack of reciprocation from Keosqe’s first love had been. Whereas Keosqe seeks intimacy, Tristen shies from it, suspicious of the motives behind his pursuit and unwilling to yield his heart so easily or soon.
With such different perspectives toward lust and love, is it any wonder their path to a common goal is strewn with stumbling blocks and paved with false impressions?
Book Nine: Of Great Price
Even the strongest of unions can be rocked to its foundation when truth and trust fall prey to deception and fear.
The favorite uncle and chief advisor of Ylandre's monarch, Yovan Seydon was envied and desired by many in the kingdom. As dashing and handsome as he was rich and powerful, Yovan was of impeccable lineage, a member of the Ardan's inner circle and possessed of both brains and brawn. Had he not espoused himself early on, he would have been one of the most sought after bachelors in the land. Society's grudging acceptance of his choice of mate ensured his marriage remained the subject of speculation and puzzlement to the present day.
Many could not understand why a royal-blooded aristocrat would wed a lowbred commoner however beauteous or moneyed Mered Cordona was. There simply was no wiping the social slate clean for his family whose dizzying rise to wealth and financial influence started in a moneylender's stall. Yet Yovan and Mered's decades-long marriage was the stuff that dreams were made of. A joyful and passionate union. A love match for the ages.
Or so it seemed until long-hidden truths came to light. Truths that were damning enough to shake Yovan's faith in his mate and cast doubt on their ability to rebuild the love and trust that had been the foundation of their once enviable marriage.
Many could not understand why a royal-blooded aristocrat would wed a lowbred commoner however beauteous or moneyed Mered Cordona was. There simply was no wiping the social slate clean for his family whose dizzying rise to wealth and financial influence started in a moneylender's stall. Yet Yovan and Mered's decades-long marriage was the stuff that dreams were made of. A joyful and passionate union. A love match for the ages.
Or so it seemed until long-hidden truths came to light. Truths that were damning enough to shake Yovan's faith in his mate and cast doubt on their ability to rebuild the love and trust that had been the foundation of their once enviable marriage.
* * * * *
One caveat for which I ask my dear readers’ pardon: If you haven’t read the republished editions of Sacred Fate and Hallowed Bond, you might be confused by an event in Of Great Price. Long story short: As a new author, I was too lacking in confidence to stick to my guns and so made changes that bugged me throughout the series.
In my original draft of Sacred Fate, one line of dialogue reveals that it’s Yovan Seydon to whom a certain secret was confided. My intent then was to establish his importance in the scheme of things for when I wrote his book. But when I submitted my manuscript for publication, I switched him with another character. Let’s just say I was led to believe an older character wouldn’t attract readers and was persuaded to go with one of the cousins instead. Naturally I had to continue with that change in Hallowed Bond in two lines of dialogue. Skip forward several years and books later and I realized I couldn’t let go of Yovan’s story. So when I set out to republish the earlier books, I decided to change that one particular line in SF and the two in HB and restore Yovan to his rightful place as a lead character in his own book. Whatever readers’ reactions may be to this, I hope Of Great Price doesn’t disappoint.
In my original draft of Sacred Fate, one line of dialogue reveals that it’s Yovan Seydon to whom a certain secret was confided. My intent then was to establish his importance in the scheme of things for when I wrote his book. But when I submitted my manuscript for publication, I switched him with another character. Let’s just say I was led to believe an older character wouldn’t attract readers and was persuaded to go with one of the cousins instead. Naturally I had to continue with that change in Hallowed Bond in two lines of dialogue. Skip forward several years and books later and I realized I couldn’t let go of Yovan’s story. So when I set out to republish the earlier books, I decided to change that one particular line in SF and the two in HB and restore Yovan to his rightful place as a lead character in his own book. Whatever readers’ reactions may be to this, I hope Of Great Price doesn’t disappoint.
Book Four: Heartstrings
When all else comes to naught, a steadfast heart is the only thing that stands between hope and despair.
Scions of the most powerful House in Ylandre, Ashrian Mithani and Eiren Sarvan were more than just cousins. Lovers of long standing, theirs was a bond that would have been the envy of all were it not for one glaring flaw—Ashrian’s inability to commit himself wholeheartedly to Eiren. Despite the dismay of some and the derision of others, Eiren bore his inconstancy; displaying a loyalty Ashrian seemed incapable of returning. That is, until Ashrian crossed a line and the transgression proved one Eiren could not forgive.
In the wake of grief and remorse, Ashrian seeks to make amends and win Eiren back. But something stands in his way. Or rather someone. And the irony of it all is that Ashrian can neither hate nor help befriending the Deir who is his rival for the heart of Ylandre’s most beloved physician.
In the wake of grief and remorse, Ashrian seeks to make amends and win Eiren back. But something stands in his way. Or rather someone. And the irony of it all is that Ashrian can neither hate nor help befriending the Deir who is his rival for the heart of Ylandre’s most beloved physician.
Book One: Sacred Fate
Most bonds evolve with time. But a precious few begin even before birth.
In the dual-gendered realm of Ylandre, the great divide between the high-born True Bloods and the lower-ranked Half Bloods is deemed impassable by most. Rohyr Essendri dared to cross it when he took young Lassen Idana from his provincial town and made him his paramour.
Lassen perforce learned to navigate the intricate byways of life at court. What he never expected, however, was to fall in love with Rohyr, a most inadvisable and impractical thing to do when one’s lover is sovereign ruler of the land. But anything worth having is worth fighting for both figuratively and, as Lassen discovers, literally speaking. |
Book Two: Hallowed Bond
Time and circumstances may force true lovers apart but the tie that binds them can never be fully severed.
When Dylen Teris and Riodan Leyhar meet one harsh winter in the dual-gendered realm of Ylandre, neither expects the encounter to lead to a fast friendship and abiding love. For a chasm of vastly dissimilar social stations lies between them, and not all Deira could imagine, let alone accept, such a relationship.
Circumstances eventually separate them for what seems forever only to conspire to bring them together once more in the most unlikely of places—at the court of Rohyr Essendri, Ylandre’s powerful monarch. Complicating their situation is the attraction that still lingers between them, waiting to flare once more into love. But when one is unwilling to venture his heart again or wholly forgive its breaker, it may take a king’s interference to reunite these star-crossed lovers for good. |
Book Three: By Chance Met
A chance meeting heralds the convergence of two heretofore wildly divergent fates.
From the moment he laid eyes on the handsome Lord of Ilmaren, Naeth Orosse fell head over heels in infatuation with him. And after that first meeting in the middle of a tavern brawl in the dual-gendered realm of Ylandre, Reijir Arthanna did not forget the orphaned youth who came to his aid unasked. When fate brings them together anew, Reijir becomes Naeth’s guardian, which proves both blessing and bane when their mutual attraction is guilelessly nursed by one and distrustfully downplayed by the other.
Between attempting to ignore Naeth’s artless overtures and suppressing feelings he had long disavowed, Reijir has his hands full. But more than a title and duty were forced on this enigmatic cousin of Ylandre’s king. A less than benevolent past has left its imprint on Reijir who is as known for his cynical outlook on life as he is for his exotic features and proficiency between the sheets. Convincing him to risk his heart in love is a battle more experienced Deira than Naeth have waged and invariably lost. |
Some are governed by rules while others are ruled by need. When the twain do meet,
the balance between them can be nigh impossible to maintain.
the balance between them can be nigh impossible to maintain.
Zykriel and Gilmael Calanthe are identical in form and features yet they are as different in nature as day and night. Outgoing Gilmael is not hesitant to use whatever means he has at his disposal to gain what he wants. Small wonder his king and cousin deemed him perfectly suited to head the Intelligence Ministry. Heir apparent of the great northern fief of Losshen, Zykriel is self-effacing and almost indifferent to the attention paid to a highborn blueblood. He does not relish employing either power or influence to achieve his means.
Even in the handling of affairs of the heart, they differ. Romantic and possessed of a more traditionalist view of wedlock, Zykriel would sooner forgo intimacy than indulge in empty liaisons or attempt to circumvent the rules that bind his social class. In contrast, Gilmael’s skepticism toward love and marriage coupled with a general disregard for society’s strictures enable him to partake of casual relationships and one-night-tumbles without any qualms.
Ironically, it is tender-hearted Zykriel who faces disillusionment and loneliness when a political gambit forces him into a potentially loveless future. Whereas cynical Gilmael finds himself examining his beliefs and behavior once his attitude toward a longtime foe undergoes an unexpected sea change.
In the kingdom of Ylandre, there is no certitude of conjugal bliss even for the wealthy and privileged. And for the twin scions of one of the most powerful Houses in the world of Aisen, it is less so when they do not know if they are loved for themselves. Or desired for what their name and station can bring to the matrimonial table.
Even in the handling of affairs of the heart, they differ. Romantic and possessed of a more traditionalist view of wedlock, Zykriel would sooner forgo intimacy than indulge in empty liaisons or attempt to circumvent the rules that bind his social class. In contrast, Gilmael’s skepticism toward love and marriage coupled with a general disregard for society’s strictures enable him to partake of casual relationships and one-night-tumbles without any qualms.
Ironically, it is tender-hearted Zykriel who faces disillusionment and loneliness when a political gambit forces him into a potentially loveless future. Whereas cynical Gilmael finds himself examining his beliefs and behavior once his attitude toward a longtime foe undergoes an unexpected sea change.
In the kingdom of Ylandre, there is no certitude of conjugal bliss even for the wealthy and privileged. And for the twin scions of one of the most powerful Houses in the world of Aisen, it is less so when they do not know if they are loved for themselves. Or desired for what their name and station can bring to the matrimonial table.
Books Seven is currently unavailable. Please bear with me until I can republish it.