MM Jade Astor_ Elven Conceptions #1-4

Elven Conceptions:

1. Lyrion's Gift: Elven Prince Regent Talek has a problem. The duties of his office require that he father a son and royal heir, but he has no interest in either marriage or the females of his kind. When he hears the legend of a strange race of elves in which the males can bear children, he is determined to claim one of them as his mate. Unfortunately, he soon discovers that getting what he wants will not be as easy as he imagined. Lyrion, the man his soldiers deliver to him, conceives a son and immediately begins to long for the comforts of his own village. Then there is the prince’s longtime concubinus, Kevris, who is not exactly thrilled about the newcomer and is skeptical of the king’s suggestion that all three of them raise the child together. Talek must convince both his lovers that the growing passion between them will be enough to create a happy, though unusual, royal family.

2. Gregar's Passion: As his time to give birth approaches, Lyrion sets off for his village with his two royal lovers and two knights, Arowan and Mulciber. Another elven Bearer, Gregar, is working in the local tavern when the unusual group arrives in his village. Though Arowan and Mulciber are already mated, Gregar is attracted to both of them. To his surprise, they return his feelings, and soon the three contemplate starting a family of their own.

Unfortunately, not every elf in the village is pleased to welcome the visitors. Soon a jealous rival pursues Gregar and his new mates to the kingdom of Mavra and hatches a plot to kidnap Lyrion, Gregar, and the newborn royal heir. As the prince’s personal bodyguards, Arowan and Mulciber are sworn to protect their ruler and his household. This time, however, their loyalties are divided as they must also deal with the threat to their own beloved third mate and unborn child.

3. Sehru's Quest: As he watches his friends Gregar and Lyrion raising children with their mates, Sehru longs for a family of his own. Unfortunately, Felik, the man he loves, is also a Bearer. Since the two cannot have children together, elven culture forbids them from becoming mates and they have reluctantly lived apart for many years. Finally, Sehru decides to return to his old village and offer his heart to Felik in spite of tradition. On the way, he encounters and develops feelings for Mica, a powerful mage who agrees to join their relationship and help them conceive. Soon Sehru faces a different kind of heartbreak when he discovers that Felik is now considering a new mate for himself. Though Sehru is convinced that Mica can bring them both happiness, he may have a more difficult time persuading Felik. The situation only gets more complicated when he and Felik discover that Mica has a few volatile secrets himself.

4. Conor's Mate: Elven Bearer Prince Conor has mixed emotions when his betrothal to a foreign king is arranged as part of a peace treaty. After a difficult voyage, he finally meets King Lyndor for the first time and is pleasantly surprised to find the king attractive, charming, and kind—the ideal father for the hoped-for royal heir. Their initial flirtation goes well, and the bonding ceremony proceeds smoothly except for the unexpected arrival of Solen, one of the king’s political rivals.

Though rumors suggest that Solen is descended from the City of Mages and secretly practices magic, Conor prefers to believe Solen’s claim that he is simply at the wedding to wish his cousin the king well. Then, without warning, the previously happy arrangement seems to go awry. After the ceremony, the king’s behavior becomes cold and withdrawn—as though he has been bewitched. Conor searches for a way to rescue his mate and give him the son to secure his dynasty.