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Tag Archives: Beneath the Gates

Beneath the Gates #Fantasy #Archaeology #Scifi #Mythology

Beneath the Gates #Fantasy #Archaeology #Scifi #Mythology

An excerpt from the Bonus story at the end of Trailing Kaiwulf

Dr. Post

According to both legend and archival posts, the next world where we'll find Gates of Life is on the planet Stachien. The archives say that when technicians were terraforming the world, they kept referring to working on the surface as being on "station." The name stuck and got a respelling.

Currently, all we know about the world is that it has a feudal society spread out over vast areas. Major cities have fewer than ten thousand residents each. Their legends of dragons have actual fossils to back them up. But one fascinating detail sticks out at me.

A ritual requires newborns to be passed beneath "Gates of Life" as soon as possible after birth. Before being seen by their fathersβ€”in order to appease the Fae.

The word conjures so many images! Add to that fossilized dragons, and how could a scientist like myself resist the draw? The intrigue is far too strong.

Are those Gates still active? What types of changes might we see over a few generations? And what would happen if their fathers saw them? Did this mean new mothers were traveling alone after childbirth, or going to the Gates to give birth?

I have so many questions!

Colonies of Man

Colonies of Man #SciFi #Fantasy

Series: https://kayelleallen.com/scifi-space-opera-fantasy/

#SciFi #Fantasy #Romance

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The Last Vhalgenn by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Fantasy

Trailing Kaiwulf by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Fantasy #Romance

Beneath the Gates – Fantasy, Archaeology, Science Fiction #SciFi #Fantasy #Romance


Welcome to Book Hooks!

Marketing for Romance Writers Book HooksBook Hooks is a weekly cooperative blog hop hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog.
It's a chance each week for you to discover current works in progress or previously published books by possibly new-to-you authors.
Thank you for stopping by.

Links below lead to other sites also taking part. You can "hop" from mine to theirs with one click.

Feel free to say hello or leave a note in the comments.

Any of my characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.


~ Copyright Β©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!


To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join my newsletter.

Beneath the Gates #Fantasy #Archaeology #Scifi #Mythology

Beneath the Gates – Fantasy, Archaeology, Science Fiction

~

~ Out Now ~

This scene from a bonus story at the end of The Last Vhalgenn, shows a dilemma facing King Orix.

 

My father lamented ever turning me into a soldier, but I'd seen enough war, growing up. I preferred to read about battles, not engage in them. The Qarthian army engaged the army of the Kellindahrii at every opportunity. Our first chance for peace came with my wedding to the daughter of a Kellindahrii nobleman. I agreed wholeheartedly.

Mother took sick at our marriage feast, but thankfully, my new wife had knowledge of herbs and healing potions. I was delighted that Dahr took such interest in tending to her. Despite fine care, Mother never recovered. Not long after, my father suffered with his heart. If it hadn't been for my wife, Father might have died sooner. How lucky I thought myself, having a bride with such skill. Father's death left me on the throne. I hoped his training would serve me in good stead.

North, outside our borders, a fledgling army threatened our positions and strongholds. Qarthian and Kellindahrii soldiers fought together, keeping our lands free of foreign rule. But it was a dear fight. The enemy grew stronger with every skirmish, increased in size after every battle.

During the months following our wedding, my wife made it clear she had no tolerance for our custom of the Vhalgenn. When Dahr became pregnant, I hoped she'd change her mind, but she refused. Raik could not cross Dahr's path without angering her. No matter how much Raik conceded, nothing was good enough. Dahr miscarried, and she blamed it on our cursed customs and insisted I send Raik away.

Banish Raik? The joy of my heart? Raik was the true love of my life and my finest advocate and advisor. I might have to marry to gain peace, but how could I send away my own source of peace?

Colonies of Man

Colonies of Man #SciFi #Fantasy

Series: https://kayelleallen.com/scifi-space-opera-fantasy/

#SciFi #Fantasy #Romance

Sign up for my newsletter and claim your immortality

The Last Vhalgenn by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Fantasy

Trailing Kaiwulf by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Fantasy #Romance

Beneath the Gates – Fantasy, Archaeology, Science Fiction #SciFi #Fantasy #Romance


Welcome to Book Hooks!

Marketing for Romance Writers Book HooksBook Hooks is a weekly cooperative blog hop hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog.
It's a chance each week for you to discover current works in progress or previously published books by possibly new-to-you authors.
Thank you for stopping by.

Links below lead to other sites also taking part. You can "hop" from mine to theirs with one click.

Feel free to say hello or leave a note in the comments.

Any of my characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.


~ Copyright Β©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!


To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join my newsletter.

Beneath the Gates – Fantasy, Archaeology, Science Fiction

Duty. Honor. Ritual. One of these may kill her #Excerpt The Last Vhalgenn by Kayelle Allen #DarkFantasy #Read

The Last Vhalgenn - found inside Beneath the Gates

Honor, duty, and ritual rule her life, but one of these may kill her.

The Vhalgenn is the last of her kind, a companion bred to serve the king, and dedication to him burns in her blood.

When the queen begs for a secret blessing to save her newborn son, the Vhalgenn answers. But when she takes the babe to the queen's homeland for the ritual, what she discovers could topple the kingdom and overthrow the king.

To save the newborn prince, the Vhalgenn must abandon every last truth she holds sacred, and do the one thing that will destroy her own heart...

Excerpt

In this scene, Raik, the Vhalgenn, has taken the wetnurse and the newborn prince into the mountains. The one thing they must avoid is for the babe to be seen by his father, Orix, the king. Not until the child has been passed beneath the Gates of Life. This story is all from Raik's point of view.

 

The sun was straight overhead and despite the cool air of the foothills, my head felt baked. Time and again, I had to remove my hat and wipe my brow. When we reached an overlook, I fanned myself with the brim. Rising in the stirrups to look down, I followed the river's path.

A groan escaped before I could stop it.

"What's wrong?" Estria craned her neck to see.

"They made better time than I expected."

She squinted toward the river, a hand shielding her eyes. "From back 'ere, I can't see a bloody thing."

The small figures on horses, far below, followed the river. The horseman in front carried an emerald banner with streamers. The cream-colored horse in the center of the procession sported gold-trimmed black leather and bright emerald ribbons woven into its pale mane. He was never one for hiding who and what he was.

"Raik!" Estria backhanded my arm to gain attention. "If you don't tell me 'oo it is down there, I'll..."

"Orix. He's come to stop us."

Colonies of Man

Colonies of Man #SciFi #Fantasy

Series: https://kayelleallen.com/scifi-space-opera-fantasy/

#SciFi #Fantasy #Romance

Sign up for my newsletter and claim your immortality

The Last Vhalgenn by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Fantasy

Trailing Kaiwulf by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Fantasy #Romance

Beneath the Gates – Fantasy, Archaeology, Science Fiction #SciFi #Fantasy #Romance

Any of my characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.


~ Copyright Β©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!


To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join my newsletter.

Beneath the Gates – Fantasy, Archaeology, Science Fiction

In The Last Vhalgenn, it's imperative that Raik carries the newborn prince beneath the Gates of Life. But it must happen prior to being seen by his father, or, according to the superstitious queen, it will "offend the faery." She fears that the king seeing the baby might cause the death of the child. On her deathbed, the queen begs Raik to complete the ritual with the child.

 

The sun was straight overhead and despite the cool air of the foothills, my head felt baked. Time and again, I had to remove my hat and wipe my brow. When we reached an overlook, I fanned myself with the brim. Rising in the stirrups to look down, I followed the river's path.

A groan escaped before I could stop it.

"What's wrong?" Estria craned her neck to see.

"They made better time than I expected."

She squinted toward the river, a hand shielding her eyes. "From back 'ere, I can't see a bloody thing."

The small figures on horses, far below, followed the river. The horseman in front carried an emerald banner with streamers. The cream-colored horse in the center of the procession sported gold-trimmed black leather and bright emerald ribbons woven into its pale mane. Orix was never one for hiding who and what he was.

"Raik!" Estria backhanded my arm to gain attention. "If you don't tell me 'oo it is down there, I'll..."

"The king. He's come to stop us."

Colonies of Man

Colonies of Man #SciFi #Fantasy

Series: https://kayelleallen.com/scifi-space-opera-fantasy/

#SciFi #Fantasy #Romance

Sign up for my newsletter and claim your immortality

The Last Vhalgenn by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Fantasy

Trailing Kaiwulf by Kayelle Allen #SciFi #Fantasy #Romance

Beneath the Gates – Fantasy, Archaeology, Science Fiction #SciFi #Fantasy #Romance


Welcome to Book Hooks!

Marketing for Romance Writers Book HooksBook Hooks is a weekly cooperative blog hop hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog.
It's a chance each week for you to discover current works in progress or previously published books by possibly new-to-you authors.
Thank you for stopping by.

Links below lead to other sites also taking part. You can "hop" from mine to theirs with one click.

Feel free to say hello or leave a note in the comments.

Any of my characters mentioned on this page might be found in multiple books in my story universe. Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.


~ Copyright Β©2024 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!


To experience art, sci-fi, romance, and space opera with unstoppable, unshakeable, unforgettable characters so real you'll swear you've met them, join my newsletter.