{"id":330,"date":"2014-12-26T12:51:26","date_gmt":"2014-12-26T17:51:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/?page_id=330"},"modified":"2014-12-26T12:51:26","modified_gmt":"2014-12-26T17:51:26","slug":"like-a-midsummer-night-edited-by-cecilia-tan-nikola-klaus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/?page_id=330","title":{"rendered":"Like A Midsummer Night edited by Cecilia Tan & Nikola Klaus"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>ebook $5.99
\nISBN 9781613900628
\n24,940 words<\/p>\n

[wp_eStore_add_to_cart id=46]<\/p>\n

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

Shakespeare and reimaginings have a long history together. The Bard himself drew inspiration for his plays from various stories, poems, myths, and historical accounts, and we in our turn have drawn inspiration from these plays for everything from books to movies to video games to pop songs. Yet after centuries of people having their way with the works of Shakespeare, there is still so much territory to explore.<\/p>\n

These six seductive tales delve into the much-neglected sexy side of Shakespeare, following these timeless characters into the bedroom\u2013and beyond! Spanning times and places from ancient Rome to other planets in the distant future, these stories based on Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Cymbeline, Twelfth Night<\/i>, and, of course, A Midsummer Night\u2019s Dream<\/i> mix sex, magic, transformations, disguises, gender-bending, love potions, and tangled relationships into a brew as heady as the juice of any magic flower.<\/p>\n

Includes stories by Lori Selke, C\u00e9sar Sanchez Zapata, Annabeth Leong, Clarice Clique, Emily Moreton, and Nik Flandr\u00e9.<\/p>\n

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

from All His Joy<\/i> by Lori Selke:<\/p>\n

Malajit squirmed under the touch of the fairy who picked out the snarls from his black, shoulder-length hair. The fairy\u2019s fingers were thin and knobbed at the knuckles, like twigs. \u201cHush now,\u201d he said, holding the Indian prince\u2019s head. \u201cSoon your new Master will arrive. You\u2019ll want to look your best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Malajit tried to hold himself motionless and straight-shouldered, to minimize the tugging and pulling at his head. At the moment, the young man was naked, having just been forcibly dunked, bathed, and scrubbed until he felt practically polished. Another fairy, short, round, and brown, silently rubbed him dry with great thoroughness. On a low stool beside him waited a simple short shift of white.<\/p>\n

He stood in a stately chamber within a house that seemed somehow entirely woven of tree limbs. The roof was a great canopy of soft green leaves. It seemed sturdy enough to keep out rain and wind, yet also allowed a filtered golden light to permeate the chamber. All the exposed surfaces seemed somehow smoother than bark should. Malajit started to shake his head in confusion, but was brought back to attention by a sharp tug to his hair. The fairy attendant hissed in his ear, ending with a cluck of the tongue. \u201cBe still, boy. Only a moment longer. He arrives at any time now.\u201d
\nAnd indeed, just then the tinkle of small bells and the sound of hooves announced the arrival of the Fairy King and his train. Malajit\u2019s thick black locks were smoothed down one final time before everyone stood aside. Malajit was still attempting to belt his hastily-donned shift when Oberon himself swept into the room.
\nThe Fairy King bore his regalness in every step, yet to Malajit\u2019s eyes he seemed less stiff and formal than expected; perhaps Malajit\u2019s few years in the court of his uncle had skewed his perceptions. Oberon seemed nearly liquid in his movements, every one flowing. Malajit examined his host for the first time. He had pale skin and fine white hair. His features were refined, though his eyes seemed unnaturally elongated, as did his ears. He was dressed in a suit of deep midnight blue, trimmed in silver, which flattered his coloring. His only companion at the moment was a creature that seemed to be all limbs and smile, gangly and perpetually in motion. Oberon stayed him with a hand atop the figure\u2019s head; he bent to whisper in its ear. \u201cGood my Puck, leave me for now. This young man is my guest, and your tricks and amusements will be saved for later. Go entertain yourself elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Puck glanced sidelong at his sovereign, then at Malajit. The creature\u2019s eyes burned with intense scrutiny of the boy. Oberon\u2019s hand tightened on his head, and the Puck smiled; the grin seemed to split his face. \u201cAs you wish, Lord,\u201d he said in a razor voice, still gazing at Malajit. Then he scampered to the door, chuckling to himself, and disappeared.<\/p>\n

Malajit had already learned much from his stay with the Fairy Queen Titania; he bowed low, as had all the rest of the fairies in the room. Oberon said, \u201cYou may all rise.\u201d He waved a hand. \u201cYou are all dismissed. Except for our newest arrival, of course.\u201d The assorted fairies dispersed silently, retrieving their tools; the silent brown creature in charge of wardrobe tucked the stool under his arm as he exited. To Malajit Oberon said, \u201cPlease. Be seated.\u201d
\nThere were no chairs in the room, only gaily embroidered pillows arranged in piles. Malajit reclined against one of the piles, trying to maintain a properly respectful demeanor. Oberon noticed and laughed, a silvery sound, yet with deep undertones like the rumbling of a great river. \u201cPlease, do not be so formal with me.\u201d Malajit nonetheless dipped his head and replied, \u201cBut My Lord, we have only just met. Indeed, we have not even been properly introduced.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oberon smiled. A small tray, filled with glasses and decanters of all sorts, seemed to appear at his elbow. \u201cMy mistake. I am Oberon, Lord of Faerie. Husband to Titania, who was of late your Mistress. It was I that had you brought here. I hope it suits you.\u201d He sipped from a dainty crystal goblet. \u201cI, of course, already know who you are: Malajit, son of Kumar of the Indies, though you are orphaned now and reside in Faerie.\u201d He leaned forward, eyes narrowed slightly. \u201cYou are aware that Titania has given up all claim to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Malajit swallowed. \u201cYes, My Lord. I was informed by her servants that she had found a new companion.\u201d He looked pained.
\nOberon laughed again. \u201cAh yes, her new swain. A rustic by the name of Bottom, I believe, who works as a tailor in Athens. Not her usual sort at all; quite inelegant.\u201d Oberon continued chuckling to himself. \u201cYet rather well-endowed, if I recall. In fact, having espied him myself, I do wonder if, when my Puck transformed one of his heads, that he did not indeed bewitch the other as well, so that both were shaped like an asses\u2019\u2026 But I speak of things foreign to you. My apologies.\u201d He noticed the expression on Malajit\u2019s face. \u201cI should perhaps inform you, for the sake of your feelings, that I intervened with the lady Titania and her affections. I had for some time wished to make your acquaintance, but she withheld you, stubbornly, from my sight. I felt that her feelings for you were too strong, influenced perhaps by the unfortunate fate of your mother, votress of Titania\u2019s, who died so young. My Lady\u2019s decision to care for your upbringing herself affected her emotions, pulled them out of all shape and proportion. So I had them transferred to another, long enough to free you.\u201d He dropped his eyes. \u201cYou may not entirely appreciate such a gesture now. But I hope, in time, that you will come to understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up, he continued. \u201cI was not wrong, was I? You do not resent it overmuch? Her ardor was at times overwhelming, was it not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Malajit shifted on his cushions. \u201cIt was\u2026 well\u2026 I have nothing to compare it to, My Lord.\u201d His light brown skin gained a rosy undertone.<\/p>\n

Oberon smiled broadly as he settled back into his cushions, his teeth an even and gleaming white. \u201cI understand. I do not mean to embarrass you. Perhaps if you related the details of your activities with my Queen, I could better judge your circumstances.\u201d
\nMalajit clasped hands and knees together abruptly. \u201cMy Lord?\u201d
\nOberon waved a hand. \u201cNo need to be so sensitive, my boy. Confession, I am told, is good for the soul. I have no soul, so I can\u2019t be sure. But it must be worth a try.\u201d He leaned forward again. \u201cSpeak, young changeling. What duties did my Queen assign you?\u201d His eyes gleamed.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe bade me\u2026 attend her, My Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes? How?\u201d<\/p>\n

Malajit pulled at his knees, dropping his head. \u201cShe\u2026 she would often ask for my assistance in her bath. I would braid flowers into her hair, or rub her limbs, as she desired. Sometimes, she would ask me to attend to her earthier needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how did you perform this task?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe would instruct me on what she wished done. Sometimes, I would kiss her nipples, or her nether parts. Sometimes I would stroke her, or massage her with scented oils. She would instruct me as to how to place my hands for her pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oberon\u2019s mouth began to curl. \u201cAnd this is all? Would she ever reciprocate?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes she would tell me to stand still as she touched me, or kissed me in various places.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oberon reclined, eyes half-lidded. \u201cSplendid. And did she ever let you use your member upon her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Malajit blushed fiercely. \u201cNo, My Lord, she did not. Sometimes she would kiss me there, until I groaned, and shot, but only after she had ordered me to be still and not move, not even to touch her in return.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd did she punish you if you did not obey?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe never struck me, My Lord. My skin was too fine to mark, she said. She would only banish me from her presence for a span.\u201d
\nOberon clucked his tongue, smiling. \u201cMy Titania. Such a mild mistress.\u201d He stood. \u201cIt seems my Lady has attended well to your education in the rigors of the female form. This is good. Would you not agree?\u201d Malajit nodded mutely. \u201cTell me then, did she engage in a similarly thorough tutoring of the male form? With one of her other favorites, perhaps?\u201d<\/p>\n

Malajit shook his head. \u201cNo, My Lord, she did not. She forbade any of her other servants to attend to me in that way. She said she wished me to serve only her, to hunger and yearn for the release only she could provide.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oberon nodded. \u201cMild she may be, but clever nonetheless.\u201d He strode forward, until he seemed to tower above Malajit. \u201cBut such a tragic deficit of education. It should be amended, I think. Would you like to begin your tutoring now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Malajit gazed up at the majestic form of the King of Fairies. \u201cYes,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

To read the rest, buy the paperback or ebook today!<\/em><\/p>\n

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ebook $5.99 ISBN 9781613900628 24,940 words [wp_eStore_add_to_cart id=46] The ebook edition is also available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo & AllRomanceEbooks. Shakespeare and reimaginings have a long history together. The Bard himself drew inspiration for his plays from various stories, poems, myths, and historical accounts, and we in our turn have drawn inspiration … Continue reading Like A Midsummer Night edited by Cecilia Tan & Nikola Klaus<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":871,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-330","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/330","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=330"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/330\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}