{"id":221,"date":"2014-12-31T01:49:06","date_gmt":"2014-12-31T06:49:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/?page_id=221"},"modified":"2014-12-31T01:49:06","modified_gmt":"2014-12-31T06:49:06","slug":"what-happens-at-the-tavern-stays-at-the-tavern-edited-by-j-levine","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/?page_id=221","title":{"rendered":"What Happens At The Tavern Stays At The Tavern edited by J Levine"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>ebook $5.99
\nISBN 9781613900666
\n51,100 words<\/p>\n

[wp_eStore_add_to_cart id=86]<\/p>\n

The ebook edition is also available at: Amazon<\/a>, Barnes & Noble<\/a>, Smashwords<\/a>, Kobo <\/a>& AllRomanceEbooks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Since Tolkien\u2019s time, many authors have taken readers along on elaborate treks through fantastic worlds. In What Happens at the Tavern Stays at the Tavern<\/i>, we asked writers to tackle the pauses and interstices in a fantasy quest. What kinds of steamy adventures happen behind the scenes, when our heroes and heroines are trekking along their journey?<\/p>\n

The word \u201cfantasy\u201d evokes many different responses in people, but the epic fantasy quest is the heart of the genre. Heroes and heroines set off to defeat evil. Haven\u2019t you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes, during the downtime the authors gloss over? \u201cWhat Happens at the Tavern Stays at the Tavern\u201d gives us the peek behind the curtains we\u2019ve all been waiting for (some of us since the \u201cteaser\u201d excerpt in the Harvard Lampoon\u2019s \u201cBored of the Rings\u201d\u2026).<\/p>\n

In \u201cEncounter at the Lonely Dragon,\u201d Elinor Gray stays true to the title of the anthology, telling the tale of a would-be quester who has an unexpected run-in with a former lover in the secluded loft of a tavern\u2019s stable. \u201cOrin\u2019s Strand\u201d by Vivien Jackson weaves a story of a seer in love who can\u2019t resist the temptation to use her powers\u2015and her body\u2015to bind her lover to her. Kierstin Cherry\u2019s \u201cPaget and the Princess\u201d follows Paget, a Knight of the Guard, sworn to protect her princess\u2015and her princess\u2019s chastity\u2015who nonetheless can\u2019t resist the princess\u2019s warm bosom and soft lips.<\/p>\n

In \u201cThe Place Where Heroes Are Made\u201d by Sarah Ellis, we find ourselves in another tavern, this one run by a family that beds those heroes marked by the gods as doomed so that they don\u2019t go childless into unknown lands. \u201cCrystalline Sorcery\u201d by Julie Cox explores the sexual identity of Heid, a female warrior who longs to be able to penetrate as a man, and her elven companion, a priestess who insists that the divide between male and female is not so inflexible as Heid thinks. Finally, \u201cFlings and Arrows\u201d by Andrea Trask lets us in on the journey of Alleria, a woman who is the key to fulfilling a prophecy\u2015but when a mysterious man kidnaps her and reaches between her legs to confirm that she\u2019s a virgin, all may be lost.<\/p>\n

In her latest anthology, editor Jennifer Levine invites you to escape into a world of fantasy, one where you get magic, warriors, fantasy worlds, and sex.<\/p>\n

Look under the cut for a hot excerpt!<\/span><\/p>\n

from Encounter at the Lonely Dragon<\/i> by Elinor Gray:<\/p>\n

Gavin was just thinking of blowing out his small lamp when he heard someone come into the stable and then heard that same someone climbing the ladder up to the loft. He sat up, disliking the idea of being caught flat on his back, and as the someone\u2019s head rose above the edge of the trap door, Gavin\u2019s heart froze in his chest.
\nThe newcomer paused in his climb, regarding Gavin with badly disguised shock. \u201cGavin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRen,\u201d Gavin said. His supper felt heavy and unsettled in his gut, while at the same time his traitorous libido perked up at the sight of his former lover. Hell and death.<\/p>\n

Gavin had met Ren Lear on his last quest, the one to the Singing Springs, several years before. They had come together like tinder in a fire, flaring fast and hot. Gavin had never had sex that good in his life, and he\u2019d even imagined himself rather in love despite the brevity of the affair. Ren was sharp-tongued and clever, with a sweet nature and magnificent hands, and, as much as Gavin hated to admit it now, it had been the best adventure he\u2019d been on. Up until it had come to its nasty end.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are ye doin\u2019 here?\u201d Ren asked, completing his climb and dropping his satchel in the hay. His Northern brogue was stronger than Gavin remembered it\u2013he must have been back home during the time Gavin had set up shop in Delphia\u2013and it sent an irritatingly pleasant shiver down Gavin\u2019s spine. Gavin couldn\u2019t help giving him an assessing once-over, from the toes of his black suede boots to the top of his head. The last two years had been very good to him, and he was even more handsome now that he had grown up a little. His eyes were the color of a storm cloud, his jaw firm and straight, and his dark, smooth hair was longer than Gavin had ever seen it, reaching to the middle of his back and bound back in a braid. He was wearing the all-black rogue\u2019s uniform Gavin was familiar with: tight, soft leggings that hugged his muscular thighs and a long-sleeved tunic that was belted firmly at the waist. His sleeves were narrow, giving him room to move but offering nothing to get caught on rocks or in doors, and his knife and lock-picking kit were in place at his hip.
\n\u201cSleeping,\u201d Gavin said, rather sharply, tearing his eyes away from Ren\u2019s midsection. He tried very hard not to wonder if the body under the uniform had improved the way the rest of him promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Ren said. Without looking, Gavin knew he was smiling. \u201cI meant, what are ye doin\u2019 in town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSame as you, I imagine,\u201d Gavin said. He hated to just sit here, wrapped in his blanket and vulnerable, while Ren towered above him. The rogue had no power over him, save their history, but their position made him feel weak. Standing up, however, was out of the question. That would just be peculiar.<\/p>\n

\u201cLookin\u2019 for a quest, then, are ye?\u201d Ren said, and now that he was done staring in surprise at Gavin, he moved to unroll a blanket from his satchel. Gavin clenched his fingers in the hay beside him, anger rising at the man\u2019s gall\u2013to think that Gavin was going to allow him to sleep beside him, tonight, after what he\u2019d done.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfraid so,\u201d he said, and turned away.<\/p>\n

\u201cGavin,\u201d Ren said, and he sounded confused. Good. \u201cWhat\u2019s\u2013all this time, and a lucky coincidence to find ye here, and now you won\u2019 even talk to me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt isn\u2019t coincidence,\u201d Gavin said wearily, sitting back up. Ella knew every bit of the saga Gavin had told her, two years ago when it had all gone to hell, and no doubt she\u2019d jumped at the chance to throw them back together again. She didn\u2019t believe Ren had a scrap of malice in him, was convinced it had all been a big mistake. She\u2019d probably lied to him, told Gavin the inn was full up when it wasn\u2019t, just so she could get them in the same room.<\/p>\n

Ren sat down carefully on his own blanket and began to unlace his boots. He wasn\u2019t more than a few yards away, and Gavin\u2019s body was humming with anticipation. Just looking at Ren, remembering everything they\u2019d done together, made his cock swell. He adjusted the folds of his shirt as subtly as he could, gritting his teeth in irritation against the unbidden arousal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do ye mean by that?\u201d Ren asked, once he\u2019d taken off his boots and set them aside. He unhooked his belt casually, as if Gavin hadn\u2019t watched him do it a hundred times, and laid it beside his boots. The lock-pick kit jingled delicately as it settled on the hay. Gavin remembered how sharp his knife was, too, and how proud Ren was of it. Now Ren\u2019s black shirt billowed out, disguising the hard, lean lines of his body, and he folded his legs under himself, soft leggings shifting as he moved and pulling taut around his thighs. Gavin scowled.<\/p>\n

\u201cElla\u2019s got it out for me,\u201d he said. \u201cThe barmaid. We have a history.\u201d
\nRen\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u201cDo ye now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have anything better to do besides interrogate me?\u201d Gavin snapped.<\/p>\n

Ren looked taken aback for a moment, but then the ghost of a smile crept onto his face. \u201cAh,\u201d he said, \u201cye\u2019re just as prickly as I remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not prickly,\u201d Gavin said, sounding prickly even to his own ears. \u201cI\u2019m tired. I walked a long way. Goodnight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, Gavin,\u201d Ren said, as Gavin tried to turn over again, \u201cI know\u2013I know things are strange. Between ye and me.\u201d Gavin rolled his eyes. He was trying very hard to be civil, but Ren was right. Things were strange and unresolved. His body wanted very much to be reminded of the feeling of Ren\u2019s hands, and his mouth felt dry with desire. Ren was perfectly magnificent with his tongue, and Gavin could imagine, or remember, how it felt to have that splendid man between his thighs. But through it all ran a thread of betrayal and desolation that Gavin couldn\u2019t shake. Ren went on: \u201cBut I\u2019m sorry. I truly am. I was greedy, and impulsive, and I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gavin blinked. He\u2019d been expecting a row, or a shouting match. Ren had a slow temper, but he could be riled up with the right application of force or attitude. Gavin\u2019s own temper was notoriously quick, and he was always ready for a fight. But Ren was taking the initiative, and it caught Gavin well off guard.<\/p>\n

Ren smiled at him, tight and uncertain, like he knew he was going out on a limb and he wasn\u2019t sure how successful he was going to be. Gavin hated to see that look on his face, only because he greatly preferred it when he was laughing, or teasing, or pulling off a bit of thievery for show.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought ye\u2019d come back,\u201d Ren said, \u201cand I know why ye didn\u2019. I don\u2019 blame ye, but I wanted ye to know that I\u2019m sorry. I\u2013I didn\u2019 mean to.\u201d His voice had gone very soft, and then his hand was on Gavin\u2019s knee. It was warm and firm, exactly the way Gavin remembered it, and he leaned closer to Ren without thinking. He swallowed hard, all the stupid, lovesick emotion he had been glad to tamp down welling up again. Ren even smelled familiar. Gavin knew that if he touched Ren\u2019s hand it would be soft and delicate, all the better for picking pockets and making trouble. If he put his hand in Ren\u2019s hair, it would be thick and silky and good for grabbing. If he kissed him\u2013
\nRen solved the question for him, leaning in decisively and pressing their lips together. Gavin opened his mouth instantly, and Ren\u2019s tongue slipped in, soft and questing, first just teasing, and then more demanding as Gavin clutched Ren\u2019s tunic and dragged him closer.
\nWith enough pulling Ren was bearing him down onto the blanket beneath them, spread out in the loft\u2019s soft hay. His body was a welcome, heavy, familiar weight, and he planted his elbows on either side of Gavin\u2019s head and kissed him hungrily. Gavin kissed back, desperate, aching for him. He\u2019d gone two years without a fuck, without so much as a simple notion of attraction to anyone. Clearly, he\u2019d been waiting and hadn\u2019t realized it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he said, pulling away suddenly.\u201dI can\u2019t. This is\u2013\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat,\u201d Ren panted, looking down at him with dark, dazed eyes. His face was flushed and his hair was escaping its braid, drifting in his face. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou fucking left,\u201d Gavin said, trying to shove Ren away now rather than draw him near. \u201cYou and Alona and Moul, you all left with the gems while I stared down a gelatinous cube. I could have died!\u201d<\/p>\n

To read the rest, download the ebook today!<\/em><\/p>\n

[wp_eStore_fancy2 id=86]<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ebook $5.99 ISBN 9781613900666 51,100 words [wp_eStore_add_to_cart id=86] The ebook edition is also available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo & AllRomanceEbooks. Since Tolkien\u2019s time, many authors have taken readers along on elaborate treks through fantastic worlds. In What Happens at the Tavern Stays at the Tavern, we asked writers to tackle the pauses … Continue reading What Happens At The Tavern Stays At The Tavern edited by J Levine<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":879,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-221","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=221"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/221\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/879"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}