This has been a passion project for the incomparable Brian K. Morris and me, over three years in the making! My imprint, “What If…Publishing,” which I originally crafted for my new adult/more mature content, and I was so grateful to find two new, aspiring authors (who were fans of our works too) to take under my and Mr. Morris’ wings with their adult historical-romance fiction idea. And now…the first book is about to be released! ^_^
Kendal Callaway and Kevina Drake; we are so immensely proud of your story being shared with the world!
Check out a sample HERE BELOW:
Chapter 11: Daimol:
The sound of metal and glass hitting the floor wakes me from a soundless sleep. I’m up immediately! I sprint out of the guest room, forgetting about my shirt and hamcases, but grabbing my sword by my bedside, an extension of myself. Sensing it is from my room, Silke’s room, I knock once for manners, but barge in, my chest palpitating in fear something is wrong.
The only light in the room is the sun barely revealing its early rays in shades of the lightest of oranges and purples just above the navy night. I make it to my bed with no issue. I see the land angel I found the day before, flinging her arms widely, trapped in the sheets. The rest of her frail frame is curled into a tense ball, terrified mumbling emerging from her dry, pretty lips. She rolls to chomp down on my pillow, muffling a scream.
I step forward and feel a crack under my stockings; my night table lantern is broken on the floor. Disregarding everything, I crawl into bed to her and wrap this shaking goddess in my arms, “Silke! Wake up!” My hands nudge her shoulder.
She rolls towards my voice, one of her trembling hands landing on my lap. She curls into my body on instinct, her lovely eyes shut tight. As I tighten my hold so she can feel my presence, her words become a fraction clearer, her begging, pleading, each word making her face grow more sickly pale, “Please…” and “Don’t hurt me…” and “Have mercy…”
I catch a glance of her gown lowering from her quaking, my thumb grazing her collarbone in comfort; I literally feel her fear sinking. “Silke, it’s me, Captain Daimol. Come back to me. Please…Wake up!” Then my lips, now shaking too, kiss each eyelid.
With this, she jolts, panting. Her eyes struggle to look around, disoriented; it’s clear she’s unsure of where she is. Unsteadily, she tries to sit up a little on her elbows, but I refuse to let her go.
“It’s alright now… You’re safe, and here with me, Captain Daimol. You’re on my ship, The Rogue Refuge. I promise you’re safe, Silke.”
Her depths of blues are wide and fazed. “Daimol…?” The goddess whispers out, her poor voice clogged in strain.
When she says my name, minus my contrived title, I feel as if I’ve been struck by lightning. I can’t decide to grin or worry further. Instead, I form a relieved smile for this lovely flower. “Yeah, it’s me. Um…good morning?”
She looks around my space, trying to piece the puzzle together. Then, her sights land on the lantern…and panic seizes her. “Oh, gods! Did…I do that…?!” She looks pleadingly at me, tears in her already unnerved hues, “I’m so sorry…” Her lip quivers, making her busted side profound.
I smooth her still silky hair away from her face, smiling at the softness of her skin, the kindness in her heart. “It’s just a lamp.” I check her exposed arm, making sure any metal or glass didn’t nip her if it made contact during the lantern’s fall. “Let me check to see if you’re hurt.”
She blinks rapidly, her hands clinging to my bare forearms, not noticing my nakedness there. “I am not harmed… as long as you are not a dream too…” Her tender hand gently travels up to my chest, landing softly where my heart thunders as she stares deeply into my eyes, almost entranced. “I hear and feel you. That is a good sign.”
I sigh in relief, her leaving her hand where it is. Then I lean my face down to kiss her forehead. “I’m real…and I’m here. What happened, darling?”
A single tear escapes from her eye as she looks at me with such sorrow; it rips me apart. “Please accept my forgiveness, Captain. I slept well until night was leaving. Then I saw images of my father and brother after me, heads on spikes I grew up around, the sight making me sick. Blood lingered potently in the air. I tried to run. I was searching for…” She stops, adjusting her falling gown without much luck. Looking away, her tone is soft and anguished, “I am most sorry…”
I pull her into my embrace, grateful she has not pushed me away from my hold during this entire encounter. “Let it out. Fear is a poison, and you’ve had enough for any lifetime. The bad days are behind you now.” My hands roam up and down her back, massaging the tightness there. “No more nightmares when you sleep here. No more nightmares when you are awake, Goddess.”
MORE INFORMATION COMING VERY SOON! STAY TUNED!
**********************************
SUMMER BOOK EVENTS SCHEDULE:
Three weekends/Saturdays in a row! =D
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Location: Jackson Civic Center, Jackson, MO
- Cost: Free to attend