Aspect & Anchor

The Vulture God of Aos needs a partner. Or more accurately, a watchdog. It's my job to escort him through the phenomenon called the Anticipation. If I make sure he stays alive until the very end, the fates will save my brother's life. Of course I say yes. Who wouldn't? I expected Kalos to be repugnant, not an elegant, world-weary man with silvery hair and tired green eyes. I expected him to be cruel and uncaring. As we get to know each other, I find that his caustic commentary shields a soft heart that's been betrayed too many times before. He's used to everyone hating him. He doesn't know how to handle love, or understanding. He doesn't know what to do when I don't turn away from him, and kiss him instead. Most of all, Kalos doesn't know that I'm doomed to leave his side, no matter how this ends.

Valessa is in danger. Her town has been captured by Aventinian raiders, the women taken, and now she's on a ship destined for nowhere good. But when a terrifying, four-armed sea-ogre pirate boards the ships and demands compensation, Valessa's luck changes. The sea-ogre demands a bride. It's the perfect opportunity for her to escape. Valessa volunteers. She tells everyone she's very experienced with sea-ogres and knows just how to please them. She's very descriptive about it, too. Thing is . . . Valessa's a liar. She's never met a sea-ogre in her life. But it can't be that hard to keep one man-slash-monster happy, can it?