A Betrayal of Love and Power
This is a second draft that is currently with alpha readers (and still looking for more in case anyone's interested). See here my query letter draft.
A BETRAYAL OF LOVE AND POWER is an adult m/m fantasy romance of 98K words that will appeal to fans of A TASTE OF GOLD AND IRON and WINTER’S ORBIT. It is a standalone with sequel potential and has an #OwnVoices autistic main character.
Marius is the husband of the Vallerican emperor. But while his position brings him wealth and safety, he cannot forget that he is Kristeian, part of a people that were conquered by the empire. When uprisings and unrest in Kristeia become impossible to ignore, Marius travels to his homeland hoping he can soothe his people and prevent further bloodshed.
His plans to make peace are ruined when he is kidnapped by rebels who intend to ransom him back to his husband in exchange for Kristeia’s freedom. One of the rebels is Lysander, a handsome gladiator who will stop at nothing to set his people free. Marius is drawn to him, the kind of man he would have chosen if he’d ever had any choice. Marius is torn, because while he loves his husband, deep down he knows the rebels are right.
In the ancient cave system where he’s held captive, he finds signs of old magic, and a weapon that might be the key to defeating the empire. Marius must choose between his loyalty and love for his husband and doing what’s right for his people.
