Hearts of Gold — Hollis Shiloh

A dragon-slayer. A magician. A forbidden love stronger than all the forces of the kingdom. How can Kale pass up the chance to set things right with the only man he ever loved, no matter the risk?


Dragon-slayer Kale has loved Holin all his life. Even before he knew what love was. Certainly before he could admit to it.

The boys grew up squabbling, playing, learning to fight dragons together, and exploring their confusing new feelings for each other.

But in a world where dragon-slayers and magicians are sworn enemies, fate tore them apart: Holin developed magic. And Kale has never stopped regretting it.

Now, after years apart, they accidentally meet in a small inn.…


Genres: fantasy, gay romance or m/m romance

Length: 43,000 words

Contains violence (dragon-slaying)

Contains sexual content between two men

Heat level: Medium



Excerpt:


"I don't care who I wake! It's my bed, I paid for it, and I won't leave!"

At first he thought it was still in his dream: Holin, telling someone off. It couldn't be anything else. He'd thought he'd never hear that voice again. He must be dreaming it now, even if it had grown deeper and rougher in his imagination.

"But the dragon slayer," said the innkeeper in a placating voice. "It would be shameful for us to leave him on the hearth. I will let you sleep in my wife's and my -- "

A loud, indignant snort. "As if I'd take your bed!"

"Please, sir magician!"

Kale sat up, awake in the instant way a trained man can be. The fire flickered low behind him, lighting the two men in the middle of the room: the innkeeper pleading, hands raised, palms up. The other man slim, tall, and with an angry tension in his wiry frame.

"I already paid full -- "

"Holin," said Kale, and the sound came from deep inside him, as if he'd been kicked in the chest and all his air came out in that one word, unstoppable and right from his heart.

The men stopped arguing. The innkeeper turned to look at him, but Holin -- it must be Holin -- froze.

"It is you, isn't it?" Kale scrambled to his feet, heart beating harder than it had fighting the dragon. Oh, Holin… "Please. I won't take your bed. Stay."

The slim figure made a choked sound and whirled. How unlike him to flee. He'd never run from anything in his life -- before.

"Holly!"

Kale rushed after him. He was still clumsy from sleep, but managed to catch up to him by the door. "Don't -- don't go." His voice, his whole self were shaking. "Holly." He pressed his hand hard against the door, to keep the magician from escaping into the night. "I'm sorry."

In the darkness, he couldn't see Holin's face properly, except that it was all lines and planes of shadows, and his eyes looked huge and dark in his tight face.

"Are you all right?" asked Kale, reaching up, unable to help himself. He touched Holin's side lightly.

"No," said Holin, pushing his hand down. "Let me alone. I don't -- I don't wish to talk to you." His voice broke on the words.

"I can't blame you." Kale's throat felt cracked and his voice rough with emotion. "Holly. I thought I'd never see you again."

"You haven't. It's too dark to see anyone," replied his old friend prosaically.

"Don't leave because of me. Stay," repeated Kale. "I'll -- I'll sleep in the barn if you wish. Just…" Don't leave me, he thought. He heard himself give a jagged sort of gasp, as though something had broken inside.

"What's the matter? Are you hurt?" asked Holin with sharp concern, moving forward, reaching out toward him. "Where are you hurt? Did you fight a dragon?"

"Yes, I -- " He gently pushed down the searching hands checking him for wounds. "But I'm fine. How are -- "

"You can have half," said Holin suddenly in a low, sullen voice.

"What?"

"Half the bed. You can't sleep in a stable if you've hurt yourself."

"I-I didn't… Thank you," he amended quickly.

"But no talking, go right to sleep, and don't hog the covers,"