Excerpt Day: Thursday's Child by Andrew Grey

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Thursday's Child by Andrew Grey
Release Date: May 25, 2009
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publisher Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

Amazon Kindle: Thursday's Child (Children of Bacchus)

Blurb: Finding a satyr caged in a carnival sideshow horrifies Travis and Cembran and forces them to make a daring rescue. A captive for decades, the wild, animalistic satyr named Vauk quickly vanishes into the wilderness on Travis and Cembran's property in search of safety and solitude. The next summer, Travis and Cembran invite a new friend, Trent, to attend the Bacchanal. What they don't expect is for Trent to reach out to the abused satyr, much less for the reclusive Vauk to accept his attention. Trent forges a connection between them, and Vauk's human side starts to emerge as he learns about the modern world. Trent teaches Vauk how to communicate, how to cloak his satyr features, and most importantly, how to love. Those skills will be crucial for Vauk's survival... especially when Vauk's captors and his unknown past threaten him and everyone he loves. A story in the Children of Bacchus universe

Excerpt:

"Cembran!" Travis rushed inside, slamming the door behind him. "Cembran!" No answer. Travis hurried back outside and down the path to the goat barn, ignoring the calm, pastoral scene that was part of his home. “Cembran!"

"I'm in here!"

Travis heard Cembran call from the far side of the barn. He'd forgotten it was milking time. Travis slowed his pace as he walked through the barn to the milking station. Cembran sat on a stool, a goat in a raised stall. Cembran's head with his ringlet curls rested against the goat while he gently and efficiently milked her as she munched on hay.

"There's a carnival in town and I was wondering if you'd like to go."

Cembran looked up from his task, smiling broadly as he looked at Travis, "Sometimes, you're just like a little kid." He shook his head, but stilled it as Travis leaned forward to kiss him.

Their lips moved together, and Cembran moaned softly as Travis's tongue gently pressed for entrance. Cembran's lips parted and he felt Travis's fingers card through his hair as the pressure on his lips and the urgency of the kiss increased. Without breaking their kiss, Travis knelt in front of Cembran, pulling their bodies together, their satyr instincts taking over as the rest of the world faded away.

A stomp and a gently nuzzle from the goat brought them back to the present, and Cembran snickered against Travis lips, "Guess she wanted a kiss too."

Travis laughed gently as he patted the goat's nose, "He's mine, girl. Sorry."

Cembran returned to his milking, "If you'd like to go to the carnival, we can go. Just don't make me go on any woofy rides."

"Deal! I wonder if the boys would like to go as well?" The "boys" were Dovino, Phillip, and Jeremy-three young satyrs, rather than boys-who helped them work the farm. The three boys had been together for almost two years now and were best friends as well as lovers, and the arrangement seemed to be really working for them.

Cembran finished his milking and released the goat form the pen, "They finished their chores a few minutes ago, and I think they were heading toward the lake." Travis rolled his eyes and Cembran tittered to himself. During the summer, the boys usually went swimming after work, and quite often their swimming turned into the three of them making love on the beach. "They're satyrs, Travis." Cembran's voice has his "what do you expect" tone.

Travis leaned close, "I know, but sometimes I want to take you down to the beach. Remember our first Bacchanal?" Travis raised his eyebrows invitingly at Cembran as he saw a shiver ripple through his lover.

"They just went down to the lake a few minutes ago. You're probably safe."

"Thanks, Lamb. Are you almost finished here?"

"Yes, Lemmle. I have one more goat to finish and I need to put the milk away."

"Good. I'll meet you at the lake in half an hour. Don't bring a bathing suit-you won't need it." Cembran's eyes smoldered as Travis leered at him before turning around, walking out of the barn, and down the path.

Approaching the lake, Travis could hear the sound of the boys playing in the cool water. Travis made plenty of noise as he approached the lake. Travis was not born a satyr, but had been made a satyr by Bacchus himself as a reward, and like most satyrs, sex was a very important part of his life. But Travis felt very deeply that each expression of Cembran's and his love was private, very special, and wasn't to be shared with others. Consequently, he extended that same belief and courtesy to others.

Fortunately, the three young men were just swimming and hadn't progressed to their usual satyr-like diversion. "Hey guys!" Travis waved as he called out.

The three young men stopped their frolicking and waved back. Dovino, the oldest and usual spokesman for the three, called back, "Are you and Cembran coming swimming?"

"Well, Cembran and I were planning on coming to the lake." Travis kept the rest of this thought to himself.

The young men looked at one another knowingly, "We'll be out in a few minutes." There were no snickers or snide looks of any kind. Travis was their boss, and he owned the land, but more importantly they cared for and deeply respected the relationship between Travis and Cembran.

"Say, we're going to the carnival in town after dinner. Would you three like to ride along?"

Heads swiveled and they arrived at a silent group decision, "Sure. We'll be ready." The three of them started for the shore as Travis headed down the path through the woods that lead towards the farm. As Travis crested the small rise at the edge of the farm, he couldn't help looking over the bucolic scene in front of him. The sheep and goat barns surrounded by their pastures and pens, their sturdy, rustic-looking house, the orchard and vegetable gardens, as well as the hay fields and woods beyond. Their land; their home. Cembran had built the original farm himself and together they'd enlarged it with the addition of pastures, the orchard, and the huge vegetable garden. Travis smiled to himself as he strode down the now well-worn path toward the comfortable house. Cembran had built the original portion of the house, consisting of the kitchen, living room, and a single bedroom and small bath. Together, Travis and Cembran had enlarged the house, adding a master bedroom and bath, as well as an office for Travis. All of the lumber to build the addition had come from trees that they'd felled to enlarge the pastures. Both Travis and Cembran felt very strongly that no materials harvested from their property should be wasted.

Once inside, Travis grabbed their beach blanket as well as towels, a bottle of Champagne, and two glasses, and then headed outside and back down the path to the lake.

The clearing around the lake was quiet and utterly peaceful as Travis spread out the blanket on the small beach beneath the shade of a huge oak. Slipping off his shirt, shoes, and socks, Travis settled in the shade, waiting for his mate to make an appearance. He didn't have long to wait.

Cembran stepped from the trees surrounding the lake a few minutes later, looking around. Travis could instantly tell when Cembran saw him: his eyes sparkled and a bright smile lit his face. Cembran walked to Travis and settled next to him on the blanket, accepting a deep kiss from his lover and mate.

Travis's hand carded through Cembran's ringlets as his lips slid against Cembran's hot mouth. Cembran's lips parted in invitation and Travis accepted with gusto, settling Cembran back onto the blanket as he continued to pummel the man's mouth with his tongue and lips. "God, Cembran, you are beautiful." Travis's voice was soft, the words whispered reverently as he let the cloak, that hid his satyr features, fall.

Cembran's eyes met Travis's intense gaze as he allowed his own satyr features to appear, "And you are the sexiest man I've ever seen." His voice was soft, rough, and filled with passion. Like most satyrs who live among humans, Travis and Cembran had the ability to mask their satyr features and did so out of habit. But when making love, they show their true selves to each other as a sign of their trust, love, and their bond as life mates.

Travis smiled as he buried his face in the base of Cembran's neck, sucking gently on the hot skin. Slowly, deliberately, their passion built. Clothes fell from their limbs; lips explored hot skin. Reclining back on the blanket, Travis pulled Cembran on top of him, their chests pressing together, lips opening to each other, tongues exploring, soft murmurs of pleasure escaping. "I love you Lamb."

Lifting his head, Cembran peered into Travis's eyes, gazing into his mate's heart to glimpse the love that he knew filled it. "And I love you, Lemmle." Their words were special, just for each other, but completely unnecessary. Their hearts were joined and they could feel their love for each other every day in everything they did. They were part of each other, "You're the best part of me."

"And you me, Lamb." Travis locked his legs around Cembran's waist, pulling their bodies together, while he brought Cembran's lips to his. Slowly, exquisitely, he felt Cembran enter him, joining them physically, as their hearts and souls were bound together emotionally. Their bodies moved together rhythmically, eyes locked together, soft words and the sounds of passion uttered softly for each other's ears and hearts only. Hands stroked soft, smooth skin covering hard, strong muscle; lips pulled on lips, bodies undulating together, desire building slowly and steadily.

Travis felt Cembran's rhythm become irregular, both of them reaching the heights of passion. Throwing his head back, Travis tightened his body around Cembran, triggering his release as Travis experienced his own body-shaking orgasm.

Cembran was still shaking as their bodies separated and Travis pulled him close, "Shhh . relax, I have you," his hands gliding along Cembran's back, soothing him, allowing him to come down slowly. "You were incredible, Lamb.," kissing him softly, "my love. my heart."

Still breathing heavily, Cembran allowed Travis to take charge and gave himself to his mate's trusted embrace, burying his face against Travis's shoulder, his chest heaving with the release of spent passion.

Travis continued cooing and whispering tender words of love while his hands stroked Cembran's back and fingers carded through soft ringlets.

Slowly, Cembran lifted himself off Travis, settling onto the blanket next to him.

Travis reached next to him, retrieving the bottle of Champagne and the glasses. Cembran smiled as Travis popped the cork and poured two glasses, "Do you know what today is, Lamb?"

Cembran squinched his eyes, looking confused. "I don't think so. It's not our anniversary or one of our birthdays."

Travis leaned close and smiled softly, "I was 16 and up here to go swimming. I swam across the lake and, when I reached this side, I saw a small lamb stuck in the mud. Right over there." Travis pointed to where the stream entered the lake. "That was the first time I saw you up close and the first time we ever spoke." Travis clinked against Cembran's glass and they each took a sip. "I thought you were a god, the most handsome man I'd ever seen. When I close my eyes I can still see you wearing only a pair of rough shorts and this." Travis ran his fingers over the chain and the sun-shaped amulet that rested against his chest, while he gently pressed his lips to Cembran's, tasting the Champagne on his lips.

Setting his glass on the sand, Travis rose and took Cembran's hand, helping him to his feet. "Come on, Lamb, I'll race you to the center of the lake and back."

Cembran grinned, "You're on!" racing into the water without waiting for Travis.

"That's cheating!" Travis took off after him, splashing in the water until it was deep enough for him to dive and swim.

Cembran reached the center of the lake first, but Travis overtook him, turning and getting back to the shore first. Cembran was grinning as he walked out of the water into Travis's waiting arms. "It won't be long and you'll be able to beat me." Travis was a very strong swimmer, and he'd taught Cembran to swim early in their relationship.

Cembran laughed, his body pressed to Travis, his head resting on his shoulder. "Not likely." Cembran gave Travis's bare butt a gentle, playful squeeze. "We should get back and finish the chores so we can be ready to go."

"I know." Travis pulled his mate into a deep kiss, "I just like holding you."

Cembran fingers squeezed Travis's firm butt cheeks, "I like you holding me."

Travis raised an eyebrow, "Feels like you like holding something else too."

Cembran chuckled lightly and released his grip on Travis, slowly moving away. After drying themselves, they quietly dressed, picked up their glasses and the bottle, as well as their blankets and towels, linked their hands together, and walked contentedly down the path back toward the farm.

At the rise, Cembran kissed Travis lightly before heading to the barn, while Travis, carrying the remains of their interlude, headed toward the house to make dinner.

After a light dinner, Travis called the "boys" and told them to meet him and Cembran at the house and they'd head into town. The boys were ready and waiting when Cembran and Travis were, and they all piled into Travis's car and headed to town for an evening of fun at the carnival.

Everyone chatted noisily as Travis drove through the countryside, particularly the three boys in the back seat. Travis chuckled to himself as he listened to their chatter.

"So, Travis, which rides are you going to make me go on with you?" Cembran had gone with Travis the last time the carnival had come to town.

"I don't know," Travis gently squeezed Cembran's leg, "I promised I wouldn't take you on any woofy rides and I meant it." The last time, Cembran had turned the tilt-a-whirl into the tilt-a-hurl, and he wasn't eager to repeat that experience. "Just being with you is enough. We can go on anything you want." Cembran leaned closer to Travis, kissing him lightly on the neck, while a collective "Awww" arose from the back seat, followed by good-hearted laughter from all the occupants of the car.

Arriving in town, Travis parked the car and everyone got out. "Have fun, guys. We'll meet back here at ten." They had no need for money on the farm, so Travis always deposited their pay directly into each of their bank accounts. Travis handed each of them some cash, "Find me if you need more. Enjoy yourselves." Travis watched as the three of them headed off. "Let's go have some fun."

The carnival was a cacophony of lights, music, and people. They wandered down the main street of town watching the rides as they twisted and turned, past food stands and game stalls. Cembran played a few games, but was asked to leave because he kept winning, the rigged carnival games no match for his superior eyesight and reflexes.

At each stall or attraction, there was someone out front, trying to draw everyone's attention. One of the attractions advertised the world's biggest rats and had a drawing that showed them as big as large dogs. Cembran snickered softly as Travis shuddered, "I hate regular rats, let alone the world's biggest ones."

"Then I shouldn't ask to go in?"

"Only if you want to go alone." Travis shivered again.

Cembran smiled mischievously, "That's okay. I just wanted to see you squirm. again."

Travis leaned close, his lips close to Cembran's ears, "You already know what makes me squirm and writhe, and shout, and even beg." Now it was Cembran's turn to shiver.

As they continued through the carnival, an attraction caught Travis's eye and he pointed it out to Cembran, "Does that look familiar to you?"

Cembran, looked where Travis was pointing, and stopped. "I.I.It can't be."

Travis shook his head slowly, "God, I sure hope not."

The barker out front was yelling that the next show was in five minutes. Without thinking, Travis handed him the money for two admissions and they entered the brightly colored tent.

Inside, they found themselves in an area big enough for 20 people with canvas on three sides and a curtain at the far end that covered what appeared to be the side of a trailer. As they waited, a few other people filed in and, just before the show started, Travis saw Dovino, Phillip, and Jeremy enter the tent. The three of them saw Travis and Cembran and stood quietly next to them, dread and curiosity plain on their faces. The five of them stood together, waiting for the show to begin.

"Before we begin, I caution you . no loud noises or sudden movements. Ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to present "Manimal," half man and half animal." The curtain in front parted.

Travis was speechless as he stared, while he heard Cembran whisper, "Oh my god.oh my god..."