Sava has the best house in all of Lukos. He built it himself, dreaming of the day when he and Milan, the man he loved, could live there and brave the harsh winters of Lukos together—only to be devastated when Milan was found dead in the spring. Fraught with grief, Sava resigns himself to spending his winters alone.
Then a stranger appears on his doorstep, and everything changes.
Victor is a scholar from Gerakia, a land known for its long summers and vibrant history, and he has never been more unprepared in his life. Abandoned on the inhospitable island of Lukos after a disastrous relationship, Victor has to adapt quickly to survive. It helps, of course, that he’s taken in by Sava, who has the biggest heart of any man Victor has ever known. Victor and Sava start to make a home together, growing close as snow falls outside, but the true danger of a Lukos winter is closer than they suspect…
Seasons Of The Likoi, Book 1
Amazon
Goodreads
“I must be the worst submissive in Lukos. Can’t cook, can’t start a fire, scared of ghosts—” He jumped again as the wind howled outside, and Sava raised a hand as though to steady him before drawing away again.
“I don’t know why you say these things about yourself,” Sava said. “When you just started a fire, and you’ve shown yourself to be clever and eager to learn.”
“Sorry.” Victor wrapped his arms around himself. “Can you believe I used to be too confident?”
Sava frowned slightly. “Did something happen to change that?”
“More like someone.” Victor sighed. “As long as we’re talking about unpleasant things. You know I spoke of a … mate, before. Someone I thought would be one.”
“The one who sent you here. You don’t have to speak of him.”
“I know. But I should.” Victor huddled under the blankets. “He was my teacher, I guess. I took a class with him, on … we call it philosophy. It’s where a lot of people argue about how to think.”
Sava narrowed his eyes. “Don’t they already know how?”
“Yeah, you’d think so. But David taught it, and he always left these really critical notes on my papers. Usually—in my other classes—I got top marks, so I was mad about it. If I failed, I’d have to go home, so I went to his office. Where we could talk alone. And he offered to give me lessons, and I … oh. Oh, no.”
Sava sat up as Victor covered his face with his hands. “What? Did he force you?”
“No. It’s that I’m embarrassed at the thought I’ll now be a cautionary tale to other students, about the dangers of seducing your professors.” Victor groaned into his hands. “But I thought I loved him, and then when I became too much trouble for him, he got rid of me. He said there was a trip planned to visit Lukos, and he’d arranged for me to join the group. So. Well. Fuck.”
“He thought you were trouble?” Sava’s voice was colder than Victor had ever heard it. “So he sent you here to die? You?”
“You say that like it’s surprising.”
“Is he the one who did this?” Sava leaned closer, and Victor fell back, catching his breath as Sava lifted his chin with one hand. “Made you feel small?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. Yes. I think so.” Victor was finding it rather hard to think with Sava radiating warmth over him, holding him still. “I didn’t think about it at the time, but he was always saying how, you know, ugly I was, and—”
Sava made a sound so close to a growl that Victor shivered. “I do not know this man, but I know you enough, Victor, to know he is a liar. If he were in Lukos, he would be punished for breaking our laws and casting aside a man like you. I would cast him out myself if I could.”
Victor couldn’t speak, and Sava looked him in the eye, his calloused fingers firm but so gentle on Victor’s chin. “You forgot how valuable you are, little owl, but you can learn again.”
A sweet fantasy story about a young orphaned scholar who fancies himself in love with an older more powerful man and is tricked when the other man decides he is a nuisance to be gotten rid of, and is basically dumped on what appears to be a frozen wasteland and left to die.
The native people there are honorable and take in the young man. He goes to live with Sava who has lost his mate so lives on his own.
It’s not difficult to imagine they fall in love despite the obvious baddy who resents Victor for taking Sava who he considers is his.
I honestly didn’t feel the dominant/submissive angle did anything to the story, either the plot or the characters and could easily be ignored.
Having said that it was an easy uncomplicated read when you’re in the mood for one.
3.5 pieces of eye candy
Iris Foxglove is a shared pen name between two authors, Avon Gale and Fae Loxley. Together, they’re writing fantasy with an emphasis on biological imperative kink (“BDSM alternate universe” or “D/s-verse”), complex worldbuilding and unforgettable characters.
You can follow Iris on twitter @irisfoxglove, or sign up for Iris’ newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hrhA6z
Iris is also on Patreon! Check it out for extras and all sorts of goodies here: https://www.patreon.com/irisfoxglove
