Cyrion — Tanith Lee

Now for the first time in e-book, a collection of Tanith Lee's short stories and novella about the fantastical adventures of Cyrion, a hero larger than life.

Roilant needs a hero -- fast. He's trapped, betrothed to his cousin Eliset in an agreement made to help the destitute branches of their family line. But rumor has it that Eliset is a witch, a villainess behind the deaths of many in his family, and if Roilant weds her, he'll meet the same fate. Roilant didn't put much stock in the rumors -- until, that is, he tried to call off the betrothal. Since then, he's been plagued by a series of nightmares demanding he return to Eliset's side by the end of the month.
 
If he goes to her, he'll surely be murdered for his fortune, but if he stays, he fears his cousin will kill him and his beloved, the woman he loves. Convinced only one man alive can help him, Roilant stumbles into the Honey Garden inn looking for a legend -- a man named Cyrion.
 
All anyone seems to have are stories, but everyone's heard tell of the mighty Cyrion. They say that he looks like an angel, with hair like the sky of earnest sunrise. That he's an adventurer, a vanquisher of evil and a defender of man. That he's a fearless swordsman, a master of disguise, and a genius detective. Some say he's defeated demons and outwitted wizards. That he's solved impossible mysteries and survived inescapable death. But is he for real? And -- more importantly -- is he for hire?