Tag Archives: Elizabeth Schechter

New Book! Tales from the Arena: Playing for Keeps by Elizabeth Schechter

Tales from the Arena: Playing For Keeps
$6.99 ebook
ISBN 978-1-61390-193-9
269 pages

Formats: :

Rakesh is one of the most skilled of the Collared, the men and women who serve in the Arena to fulfill the unique needs of the super-soldiers known as Swords. 

The Swords were genetically altered to be strong, fast, tough, and deadly. But if they don’t exercise their aggression regularly, they become a danger to those around them. At the Arena, the Collareds accept what the Swords dish out, whether pleasure or pain. 

Virin, a mid-ranking sword, takes Rakesh as his lover and hopes to rise high enough in rank that they may marry. But a storm is brewing. Former Collareds are disappearing, victims of a dark conspiracy of renegade soldiers that conspires to utterly control the nation of Tyrese and destroy all who oppose them. And they have their eyes on Rakesh.

Elizabeth Schechter fuses diverse genres with such artful subtlety that we barely notice the genius at work before our eyes. Schechter is not only an engaging storyteller, but a perceptive and intelligent observer of the human condition. (Can we say icing on an already tasty cake?)” — Erotica for the Big Brain

Tales from the Arena: Playing for Keeps
Award-winning author Elizabeth Schechter spins a tale that is part space opera, part romance, and 100% sexy.
Rakesh is one of the most skilled of the Collared, the men and women who serve in the Arena to fulfill the unique needs of the super-soldiers known as Swords.
Virin, a mid-ranking sword, takes Rakesh as his lover and hopes to rise high enough in rank that they may marry. But a storm is brewing. Former Collareds are disappearing, victims of a dark conspiracy of renegade soldiers that conspires to utterly control the nation of Tyrese and destroy all who oppose them. And they have their eyes on Rakesh.

New book! Tales From The Arena: Opening Gambit by Elizabeth Schechter

 

Tales from the Arena: Opening Gambit
$6.99 ebook
ISBN 978-1-61390-192-2
124 pages

Formats: :

Iras is one of the Collared: the men and women who live to provide taboo pleasures to the super-soldiers known as the Swords. 

To win a war, Tyrese created the Swords–fighters faster, stronger and tougher than ordinary soldiers, with the killer instincts to match. But when the war is over, the Swords’ need for certain sorts of… stimulation remains. So the Arena was created, where the Collared voluntarily serve the Swords, providing them with an outlet for their aggression that they literally cannot live without. 

Amidst the futuristic torture devices of the Arena, Iras serves Gavir, an officer. He fulfills her deepest, darkest desires and a bond forms between them. But a dark secret from Iras’s past threatens all they have, and all they hope for.

Elizabeth Schechter fuses diverse genres with such artful subtlety that we barely notice the genius at work before our eyes. Schechter is not only an engaging storyteller, but a perceptive and intelligent observer of the human condition. (Can we say icing on an already tasty cake?)” — Erotica for the Big Brain

Tales from the Arena: Opening Gambit
Award-winning author Elizabeth Schechter spins a tale that is part space opera, part romance, and 100% sexy.
Amidst the futuristic torture devices of the Arena, Iras of the Collard serves Gavir, an officer of the Swords. He fulfills her deepest, darkest desires and a bond forms between them. But a dark secret from Iras's past threatens all they have, and all they hope for.

 

The Censoring of LGBT Covers & Posters at #RT18

Hi folks! Cecilia Tan here, reporting from the RT Booklovers Convention in Reno.

If it’s your first time hearing about RT, this is a massive annual convention that brings together thousands of readers with hundreds of authors, mostly in the romance genres but also a lot of YA, fantasy, mystery, and science fiction. (“RT” stands for Romantic Times, the original magazine that founded the conference.)

RT typically has nonstop promo parties thrown by publishers and authors, and every hotel where it takes place (it move around all over, Atlanta, Dallas, New Orleans, Las Vegas) is usually plastered with giant posters of romance novels. It’s typical to see each elevator door with a massive add on it, for example. Here at the Peppermill much of that type of advertising seems to have been moved to large video screens that rotate through, but there are also floor clings, large ads on the floor as you walk to and from the convention area. Thus far my impression is that there is less advertising than in past years, but I don’t know if that’s because the Peppermill is pickier about what can be displayed, or if fewer ads were bought (romance publishing has suffered some big blows this year), or what.

What I can tell you is that in particular, though, the advertising floor clings purchased by the Rainbow Romance Writers, the chapter of the RWA (Romance Writers of America) that promotes specifically LGBT romances, have been censored. I know because I just heard from a Circlet Press author, Elizabeth Schechter, about this:

Example:
Censoring of LGBT book covers at RT by the Peppermill Resort

Censoring of LGBT book covers at RT by the Peppermill Resort

Detail:

Censoring of LGBT book cover Heart's Master by Elizabeth Schechter

Here’s the cover that the Peppermill Resort thought was necessary to censor:

Heart's Master Elizabeth Schechter

For contrast, here is the larger-than-life-size floor cling RIGHT NEXT TO the censored one:

Leveque floor cling

It’s got all the abs, all the muscled thighs, all the SEE THROUGH CHAIN MAIL, but apparently it’s OK because…? Ropes are too much…? Or is it because they gave gay and lesbian and queer books more scrutiny?

The board of the Rainbow Romance Writers apparently found out yesterday (Tuesday) when the floor clings were being installed that the hotel objected to the images. They had the choice of either censor or pull the clings entirely. These ads were paid for by the authors of the books who each chipped in hard-earned dollars to have their book displayed. I can’t really blame them for making the snap decision to censor the covers rather than risk not having any of the books displayed and losing their money.

But I think the Peppermill Resort had better be prepared to give Elizabeth Schechter and TL Travis back their money. And I think they better be ready to defend their decision to censor these LGBT covers and not any of the heterosexual imagery (at least so far as I’ve heard): that’s what we call anti-LGBT discrimination folks.

(And if it’s the ropes… hello, folks, we are at a casino in RENO not DISNEYLAND? Didn’t 50 Shades of Grey prove that BDSM is mainstream? They sold bondage kits in TARGET for f’s sake…)

Anyway, that’s what’s going on here. If you’d like to show Elizabeth Schechter some love and help us turn lemons into lemonade, please share her censored cover far and wide?

Elizabeth Schechter Heart's Master Too Hot for Reno

(And maybe let the Peppermill Resort know you think censorship is wrong and slightly ridiculous? Did they not know what RT Booklovers is about?)

UPDATE! Edited to add:

The Peppermill Reno has apologized and will be reprinting the ads without the coverups! Text of their tweet:

(1/2) Our sincere apologies for the miscommunication, as the two book covers in questions were never taped over due to their LGBTQ nature. As a family-friendly resort with many guests not here for the convention, we made a mistake in covering the original artwork.

(2/2) We’re now in the process of getting the ad reprinted and replaced, which should be done tomorrow or Thursday at the latest. Again, we’re truly sorry this was ever misconstrued as a bias against the LGBTQ community.

From author Elizabeth Schechter:

According to @RenoPeppermill, the ads are being reprinted and replaced and they’re calling me tomorrow to apologize. I’m satisfied with that and have thanked them.

UPDATED AGAIN: As of Wednesday midday I am happy to report the unexpurgated ad was in place on the floor cling! And I heard from Elizabeth Schechter who spoke with the hotel’s GM to get his personal apology. Thank you, Reno Peppermill!

NEW BUNDLE: Fairy Tales!

ISBN 978-1-61390-181-6
ebook $5.99 — a $26 saving!
195,891(!) words

Formats: :
Scratch the surface of a fairy tale and, nearly always, you will find that it’s a story about sex. Sexual awakening, sexual control, sexual menace, sexual restraint, sexual choice. And therein lies a lot of their extraordinary staying power. Turns out people like stories about sex!
Of course, the moral lessons imparted by the original versions were often ugly and toxic. All the better to mess with, my dear! Here you’ll find dozens of Circlet authors turning those old stories about the importance of modesty, chastity, and knowing your place into tales that would set the original tellers’ hair on fire.

Our collection features Elizabeth Schechter’s novel Princes of Air; Lambda Literary Award finalist Charming, which collects gay fairy tales in a contemporary setting; plus short story collections focusing on gay, lesbian, and BDSM sexuality.

The following excerpt is from Princes Of Air, Part Two: Courtship of the Raven King:

It was a bright summer afternoon, and I was in my raven-form, sitting on my accustomed perch. We each of us had one; mine was a ledge high over Dun-Morrigan, from which I could see the entire baile, and the village below. From this vantage point, I could see Maelan and Niall practicing sword-play on the urla, to the delight of Cormac, who watched from a safe distance. The boy had a stick clutched in one hand and was mimicking his father’s movements. I heard his clear laughter as he saw his mother coming towards them, saw him run towards her and hug her enthusiastically. She knelt and said something to him, and he ran off towards the feast-hall. Maelan must have seen her, too, because he signaled for the bout to end. Niall fell back, picked up the feather cloak that was never far from his side, and walked off to claim a kiss from his wife. Their passion was clear even at this distance, and I felt as if I was intruding on something private. It was uncomfortable enough that I took wing and flew off to spend a few quiet hours alone with my thoughts. As usual, the thinking I did turned to marriage, and I wondered if there was a mate for me anywhere in the world. I wondered how I’d know, and resolved to ask Niall how he’d known Sorcha was the one.

By the time the sun was setting, I’d actually decided on one thing. My mate was out there, and since she wasn’t going to come to me, I’d have to go looking for her. I knew where my search would start.

Continue reading NEW BUNDLE: Fairy Tales!

HEART’S MASTER made Finalist in the Prism Awards! (So it’s on sale…)

HEART’S MASTER by Elizabeth Schechter is a finalist in the Prism Awards! These awards are given annually by the Fantasy, Futuristic, & Paranormal Chapter of the RWA, and awarded in several categories. HEART’S MASTER is in the erotic category and we’ll find out if it won at a ceremony during the RWA convention on July 28!

To celebrate and wish Elizabeth luck, we’re having a sale of the book! Use coupon code PRISMLUCK to get $4.00 off the ebook if purchased at circlet.com (Regular price $5.99)

For more information about the Prism finalists, visit the FFP RWA website: https://ffprwa.com/2017-prism-awards-finalists-announced/

Heart's Master
by Elizabeth Schechter

In one tragic night Steven loses everything: his lover, his dreams, and his sight, but he gains the compassionate, caring dominant he has always longed for. Nick must teach Steven not only how to have a healthy and consensual BDSM relationship, but how to navigate the ways of magic. But as Steven begins to wield his new--and terrifyingly strong--powers, he draws the attention of evil beyond our world.
Also available in paperback!

New book! Heart’s Master by Elizabeth Schechter

ebook $5.99
ISBN 9781613901717
paperback $14.95
ISBN 9781613901724
99.400 words; 272 pages

Formats: :

Buy the paperback!

A new gay BDSM romance fantasy from award-winning author Elizabeth Schechter.

In one tragic night Steven loses everything: his lover, his dreams, and his sight, but he gains the compassionate, caring dominant he has always longed for. He starts to rebuild with Nick, a fellow survivor of the tragedy, and together they discover new heights of love and ecstasy, and the real magic they can create together. Nick must teach Steven not only how to have a healthy and consensual BDSM relationship, but how to navigate the ways of magic. You see, Nick is secretly a mage, and the longer they’re together, the more obvious it becomes that Steven is one, too.

But as Steven begins to wield his new–and terrifyingly strong–powers, he draws the attention of evil beyond our world. The ancient enemies of the faerie courts have banded together under a cruel, calculating leader, and Steven is the only one standing in his way. Only Steven can defeat this threat… And he doesn’t have the first clue where to start.

Heart's Master
by Elizabeth Schechter

In one tragic night Steven loses everything: his lover, his dreams, and his sight, but he gains the compassionate, caring dominant he has always longed for. Nick must teach Steven not only how to have a healthy and consensual BDSM relationship, but how to navigate the ways of magic. But as Steven begins to wield his new--and terrifyingly strong--powers, he draws the attention of evil beyond our world.
Also available in paperback!

Steampunk Bundle Teasers #1: The Gunner’s Daughter

There’s less than a month left before the Steampunk Bundle disappears. In the lead-up to that heartbreaking moment, we’ll be running some hot excerpts from each of the volumes in the bundle. Today we start with Elizabeth Schechter’s House of Sable Locks, winner of the Passionate Plume award, and finalist for the Magnolia Award.

The Circlet Press Steampunk Erotica Bundle
Five full books! Circlet Press's steamiest steampunk works all in one bundle. A discreet brothel staffed by robots. A theatre that enacts your most secret fantasies. A mad scientist whose machines are powered by human arousal. And more. Each of the stylish, sexy, and surprising books here takes Victorian science fiction to delicious new places!

(also available at Amazon, iBooks/iTunes, Smashwords, Kobo and Barnes & Noble)

Chapter Four: Gunner’s Daughter

William stopped outside a door that was almost identical to all the other doors on this floor, and all the doors that he’d gone through on his other nights in the House. This one was made unique solely by the brass plaque that read “Brigantine.” Nothing in the name gave any hint of what to expect inside the room.
This was the last room. He’d tried all the others, on both floors. Some were interesting, others bored him. Most of them had bored him, to be honest. He had promised Gerald, though, and now this was the last. After this, he could return to the fourth floor. He pushed open the door and went in.
He was met inside by the attendant automaton, just as in all the other rooms, and once again, he allowed himself to be prepared for what lay ahead. His mask and gag were removed and laid aside, and clothing was laid out for him to put on. William dressed slowly, intrigued by the fact that he was putting on the uniform of a Captain in the Royal Navy, complete with epaulets, an empty sword belt, and boots. He adjusted the coat and turned to let the attendant add the finishing touches. Leg irons were fitted around his ankles, and then his wrists were bound before him with rough rope that smelled heavily of tar. The final touch was a gag, a simple length of cloth forced into William’s mouth and tied there tightly, almost painfully. The attendant took his arm and steered him to the inner door, and without ceremony shoved him through.
He stumbled, nearly falling as his bad leg went weak under him, and was caught by a multitude of rough, grasping hands. He looked up, startled, to see himself surrounded by men who laughed and jeered as they pulled him further into the room, away from the door. The room was made up to look like the main deck of a sailing ship, but none of the men who were manhandling him were dressed in uniform. Rather, they were dressed in ragged, mismatched clothing that was dark with dirt and sweat. William realized immediately just what this room was meant to represent: a pirate attack. No doubt he was supposed to be the captain of a ship taken by pirates, and somewhere in this crowd was the pirate captain to whom he would be presented as a hostage. Even as he struggled and fought to pull away, even as the pirates pulled him steadily forward, their harsh hands tugging and tearing at his clothes and groping at his arse and his crotch, William was examining the room, the automatons that made up the crew, weighing the possibilities. And growing aroused.
Continue reading Steampunk Bundle Teasers #1: The Gunner’s Daughter

New Book: The Circlet Press Steampunk Erotica Bundle

The Circlet Press Steampunk Erotica Bundle
Five full books! Circlet Press's steamiest steampunk works all in one bundle. A discreet brothel staffed by robots. A theatre that enacts your most secret fantasies. A mad scientist whose machines are powered by human arousal. And more. Each of the stylish, sexy, and surprising books here takes Victorian science fiction to delicious new places!

FEATURING:
The House of Sable Locks by Elizabeth Schechter
The Innocent’s Progress by Peter Tupper
The Erotofluidic Age by Vinnie Tesla
AND:
1901: A Steam Odyssey by Lionel Bramble
AS WELL AS:
Like a Wisp of Steam Edited by J. Blackmore, with stories by Thomas Roche, Vanessa Vaughn, Jason Rubis and Kaysee Renee Robicaud

ISBN: 9781613901571
Price: $26.96
Also available at Amazon, iBooks/iTunes, Smashwords, Kobo and Barnes & Noble
This bundle is only available until February 15, 2016!

House of Sable Locks

“A powerful, sexy exploration of slavery, submission, and humanity from an author who wields both plot and prose with accuracy and total confidence.”—BDSM Book Reviews

“Elizabeth Schechter fuses diverse genres with such artful subtlety that we barely notice the genius at work before our eyes. Steampunk, erotica, fairytale romance, horror, sci-fi; Schechter does it all so deftly, blends it all so seamlessly, we are left wondering by what weird and wonderful magic such stories are created. “—Big Brain Erotica

The Innocent’s Progress
“Unabashedly badass, and viscerally satisfying. I wish I had written it.”—Amanda Gannon, Adventurotica

“I simply adored this book. It was written with seamless transitions, was fast paced, yet still had the feel of a truly Victorian work of fiction blended with all those lovely little anachronistic details we Steampunks look to see in our literature. I plan to add more of Mr. Tuppers work to my collection in the near future, and I suggest you do the same!”—Talloolah Love, Steampunk Chronicle

“When the characters engage in sex, love-making, or fucking, it’s steamy reading, all puns intended…Tupper’s a damn smart writer, and anyone who dismisses The Innocent’s Progress as just erotica might say The Dark Knight is just a comic book movie.”—Steampunk Scholar

“Peter Tupper’s story…is quite simply the best erotica I’ve ever read.”—Graydancer, author of Nawashi

The Erotofluidic Age
“Utterly perverse…This is really one of the best erotic books I have ever read–it’s funny, engaging, the characters are well-drawn, and the wide variety of sexy times are really, really, really hot.”—Natalie Luhrs, pretty-terrible.com

“A great merry romp of steampunk-era erotic mad science… It takes a deft touch to blend comedy, pornography and science fiction like this.”—Iago Faustus, Eroticmadscience.com

1901: A Steam Odyssey
“The story is infused with such glee and charm…Not only is the premise fresh, but it is superbly executed. There isn’t a false step anywhere. Inventive, imaginative, saucy, naughty; 1901: A Steam Odyssey is all that and more.”—Kathleeen Bradean, Erotica Revealed

“[An] enormously entertaining debut novel.”—Cynthia Ward, Ambling Along the Aqueduct

Announcing the Circlet Press Steampunk Erotica Bundle!

boxrc3We’re trying something new this month with our very first ebook boxed set. And we’re going in big with four of our favorite Steampunk novels all for $5.99–the normal price for one of these books–with the short-story collection that started our Steampunk obsession thrown in as a bonus.

We’re including the award-winning House of Sable Locks by Elizabeth Schechter, the critically acclaimed Innocent’s Progress by Peter Tupper, the bizarre and witty Erotofludic Age by Vinnie Tesla, and the exuberantly swashbuckling 1901: A Steam Odyssey by Lionel Bramble; along with Like a Wisp of Steam, edited by J. Blackmore.

But this bundle won’t be around forever–it goes on sale on November 15th, and will only be available until February 15th.

Preorders are open now at Amazon and Smashwords. And to get the word out, we’re giving away five copies free for nothing! Sign up to win below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not-so-Microfiction: Layover by Elizabeth Schechter

“I’m sorry, sir. There are no other flights tonight, what with the storm.” As if to punctuate the young ramp agent’s sentence, there was a deep rumble of thunder that rattled the windows behind her. Her name tag said her name was Samantha, and she frowned slightly at her computer. “The soonest I can put you and your companion on a flight will be tomorrow morning at nine, with a connecting flight through BWI. Will that be sufficient?” She looked up, pleasant and hopeful despite the fact that people had to have been yelling at her all night for the flight delays and  cancellations.

Daniel sighed, reaching up and rubbing the collar he wore beneath his shirt. She must not have noticed the diplomatic codes on the reservation, or she probably wouldn’t be so eager to please. “It’ll have to do. What are the odds of getting a hotel, do you think?”

She shook her head. “I wouldn’t know, sir. I’m afraid the airline doesn’t put people up because of canceled flights. Not anymore.” She looked past him, then met his eyes and lowered her voice. “Is your master going to be all right with the delay?”

“You did notice the codes?” Daniel asked, amazed. “Which means you’ve also noticed how long we’ve been in transit. I have to say, you’re remarkably calm for someone–”

“Who knows she has a vampire who will no doubt need to drink living blood within the next few hours?” She smiled. “I know a bit more about vampires than most laymen. My sister is a bond-slave. And she has the same fidget.” Samantha raised her hand to her collar, mimicking Daniel’s gesture. “She’s been a bond-slave five years now, and I know her Master well.  And… honestly, there can’t be that many albino Japanese vampires. Even if I hadn’t seen his name on the reservations, I’d know that your master was Justiciar Hiro Itami. How soon will he need living blood?”

“Soon.” Daniel lowered his voice. “Any suggestions?”

“For casual travelers, any of the restaurants would be able to provide poured blood. You can even get it at the coffeeshop right where you came off the escalator. But for the privacy you’d need–” Samantha gnawed her lip for a moment, then her eyes widened. “Yes. I have an idea. Give me a minute, will you?” She picked up her phone and dialed. “Hi, Chris? It’s Sam. Please tell me you have an opening?”

Daniel stepped away from the desk to give her a chance to do whatever she was doing, walking over to the Japanese man sitting nearby. He looked like a wealthy businessman, impeccably groomed in an expensive suit, his eyes hidden behind dark, designer sunglasses. But there was nothing that could hide either his striking white hair, or his otherworldly air.

“So?” he asked, his deep, accented voice enough to melt Daniel’s bones. He lived for this man, breathed for him, would do anything for him.

“There are no flights leaving tonight, Itami-sama,” Daniel answered, bowing slightly, then going to his knees. “The agent is seeing what she can do, but the soonest we can be on our way home is tomorrow morning.”

Itami grimaced, and Daniel caught the glint of his fangs as his lips parted. He swallowed, desire and fear mingled as they always did. They had been late to the airport this morning in Denver, so Itami had settled for poured blood before the flight, foregoing the lengthy rituals that revolved around the taking of living blood. If all had gone well, they’d have been home in New York by now. But the storm that had settled over Atlanta had delayed their connecting flight, then grounded it. Now–

“I suppose there is always the men’s room,” Itami said, his distaste clear in his voice. “There can be no proper preparations, but it is better than–”

“Sirs?” Samantha called, her soft footsteps coming closer. “I’ve made arrangements for you, complements of the airline.”

Daniel glanced at Itami, who nodded. He rose, dusting off his knees. “I thought you said the airlines didn’t do that anymore?” he asked.

“I pulled strings, and cleared them with my manager. It was the diplomatic codes that did the trick.” She smiled. “Terminal B, by Gate 19. It’s called the Nap Attack. They’re waiting for you.”

“What is this Nap Attack?” Itami asked, standing up. He didn’t bother with his bags — Daniel collected the attache and the shoulder bag, along with his own messenger bag.

“It’s a sort of micro-hotel, for people who have long layovers,” Samantha answered. “A private place to rest or work. Sometimes we — I mean, the airport employees — take advantage of it on nights like this. They have comfortable couches, and showers. And the suites are sound-proofed.”  She smiled,  bowed slightly to Itami, and added, “Drink deep and well, Justiciar.”

Itami’s eyes widened. Then he laughed. “Thank you. You have a familiar scent to you. I think… is it Claire, bound to Grigori, to whom you are related?”

Samantha dimpled. “Clara, sir. And yes. She’s my sister.”

“I will pass on my compliments to Grigori, then,” Itami said. “His bond comes from a fine family. Daniel, make a note. Also, a note of commendation to the airline for this fine young lady.”

“Yes, sir,” Daniel said. He smiled to the now-blushing Samantha as he followed Itami away from the gate.

*

Nap Attack looked like an odd storefront, one that perhaps sold toiletries and closet doors. Daniel went up to the counter, which bore a bold “No Vacancies” sign. The young man behind the desk smiled.

“Daniel Remington? We’ve been expecting you.” He picked up a clipboard and handed it to Daniel. “Just sign here for yourself and your Master. I’ve put extra linens in already. No one should bother you.”

Daniel smiled and scrawled his name across the bottom, skimming the rental agreement as he did so. “How long do we have the room?”

“Until tomorrow morning, eight o’clock,” the young man answered. He handed Daniel a key-card. “Suite five, all the way back, on the left. Our last one. Sammy’s timing was perfect. Right after she called, we had three attempts to rent it within five minutes.”

“I appreciate it,” Daniel said. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. If you need anything, just ring the desk.” He looked past Daniel and nodded. “Drink deep, sir.”

“My thanks,” Itami said. “Daniel.”

Daniel nodded and led the way to the last door on the left. He opened the door, stepped back and let Itami enter first, then followed his master. A low, wide couch, with blankets and pillows stacked neatly on one end and a trundle underneath. A tiny desk, and a comfortable-looking armchair. An internal door that led into a bathroom, with a small pocket of a closet between the rooms. He set the bags down on the floor and turned to lock the door. It closed solidly, thumping into place with more gravitas than he’d have expected; instantly, the incessant hum of noise from the airport was cut off, leaving only the slight burr of the air conditioner. Daniel nodded. Sound-proofed, indeed. He turned to face the room, and saw Itami coming out of the bathroom, carrying a towel. He’d laid his sunglasses aside, revealing his pale violet eyes.

“Are the lights too bright?” Daniel asked. He checked over his shoulder — yes, there was a dimmer switch. “I can turn them down–”

“I am fine,” Itami answered. ” He laid the towel on the back of the chair, and smiled. His fangs were fully extended, and his voice slurred when he spoke.

“Your suit. Remove it. Unless you wish it ruined.” Daniel swallowed and reached for his tie. As he untied and unbuttoned, he saw Itami take up his shoulder bag and unzip it.

“On our next trip, we must plan more thoroughly. Our ritual will be abbreviated,” Itami said as Daniel went to the closet to hang his suit. When he returned, he was wearing only his collar and the specially-made resin chastity cage to which Itami held the only keys. He moved to Itami’s side.

“May I take your coat, Tono?” he asked, fixing his eyes on the large screened television on the wall. He knew what was in the bag — he’d packed it — but he wouldn’t look at what awaited him until Itami gave him leave.

“We are alone, koibito,” Itami murmured. Daniel turned slightly and saw his master smiling at him.

“I know,” Daniel answered. “I like taking care of you, Hiro. And I will never get tired of calling you my master. So, may I take your coat?”

“You may,” Itami answered, letting Daniel take the suit jacket from him. Daniel walked back into the closet, trying to fight the urge to bury his face in the jacket and just breathe in Itami’s scent. People wanted to believe that bond-slaves were unwilling victims, coerced into serving  the vampiric elite and held captive through means either nefarious or demonic. He knew better. He hung the coat neatly on a hanger and returned to Itami’s side.

The chair had been moved to the middle of the small room, and Itami had spread the towel over it. He stopped in the middle of rolling up his shirt sleeves, and gestured without saying a word; his meaning was clear. Daniel sat down, resting his hands on his knees. Waiting. Itami walked slowly around him, stroking his chin. Deliberating. Then he nodded and returned to the desk, picking up a bundle of what Daniel knew was several long lengths of silk cording, very light and extremely strong. Itami said nothing, tucking the bundle into his pocket before moving behind Daniel and running his hands down Daniel’s arms to his wrists, closing around  them and drawing Daniel’s arms behind him. Daniel tipped his head back, his eyes closing as the silk cord tightened around his wrists, binding them together. He wasn’t sure what Itami was planning — he never knew until it was over. But he never cared, either.

“Open, koibito,” Itami murmured. “I want to see your eyes.”

Daniel blinked, watching as Itami appeared in front of the chair, going to his knees as he bound Daniel’s ankles to the legs of the chair. Then he reached down and tugged, and Daniel felt pressure on his wrists. Itami’s smile was feral as he drew the end of the cord up between Daniel’s legs and attached it to the cage. Then he rose, taking a step back.

“It is far more simple than we are used to, but needs must. Still, it is enough.” Itami studied his handiwork for a moment, then growled deep in his throat. “Struggle,” he said, his voice thick. “Fight it.”

Daniel tugged on the bindings, feeling the movements of his arms pulling on his cock, knowing that he was going nowhere, and knowing that Itami needed him to fight. Needed the illusion of taking down his prey. Even though Itami knew that Daniel would bare his throat for him willingly if he so much as crooked a finger. Daniel tugged harder, and moaned as his growing erection fought against the warm prison of the chastity cage. He heard Itami laugh, a deep chuckle. Then he heard a soft jingle. His head shot up, and he saw Itami drawing a chain out from beneath his shirt and slipping it over his head.

“Hiro?” he gasped, straightening, pulling on the cords. Itami just laughed, using the key dangling from the chain to unlock the chastity cage. He slowly slipped it off, until Daniel’s erection was freed. Daniel whimpered, then yelped as Itami wound the now loosened end of the cord around his cock and balls and pulled it tight.

“I will feast,” Itami slurred. “But perhaps an aperitif first?” He knelt in front of Daniel, slid his hands underneath Daniel’s ass, and swallowed Daniel’s cock. Daniel gasped, his body going rigid as he felt the head of his cock entering Itami’s throat. Long fingers slid over his ass, teasing light strokes that made Daniel squirm and thrust between the probing hands and the warmth of Itami’s mouth.  Daniel felt the brush of Itami’s fangs against the sides of his cock, then Itami’s hands locked, holding Daniel in place, growling around his cock as Daniel came, thrashing mindlessly against the cords and his master’s hands.

When he finally went limp, and Itami let him go, he heard that wonderful, deep laugh. “How long, koibito, since I last allowed you to spend?”

Daniel gasped, whimpering and trying to remember how to talk. Or add. Or think. Right now, breathing was taking up all his conscious control. Finally, he managed to stammer, “Ah… two… two weeks. I think.”

Fingers trailed over his cheek, and Daniel opened his eyes to see Itami smiling down at him. “I shall have to remember to allow it more often. You came far too quickly. But it was a lovely appetizer, nonetheless.” The chair shifted, and the cord tugged painfully on Daniel’s cock as Itami rested one knee between his legs. He placed his hands on Daniel’s shoulders and bared his fangs. Daniel sighed, leaning his head back as far as he could, and turning his face toward the door to better offer his throat to his beloved master.

The ignorant believed that vampires were savages, that they would half-murder their bond-slaves with their brutality. Nothing could be further from the truth. When Itami drank living blood from Daniel, he did it elegantly. Almost delicately, and this time was no exception. He leaned his body against Daniel’s, pinning him in place. He lowered his head and buried his nose into Daniel’s hair, his breath soft against Daniel’s neck. He licked, once, the ticklish spot just beneath Daniel’s ear, then trailed his tongue down until his lips brushed against the pulse hammering in Daniel’s throat. Then he paused. He always did, waiting until Daniel whimpered in need and lust, bending his head even further back in silent offering.

“Hiro!” he whimpered, pushing up against the body pushing him down. “Please, Hiro, please!”

There was a moment, the barest breath where Daniel was certain that time stopped entirely. It was the only explanation for that eternity where all that he could feel over his entire body was the heat of Itami’s lips, the warmth of his breath, the feel of his body against Daniel’s. Until that stillness was shattered by the needle-prick of fangs as sharp as needles, as Itami began to feed. The pain was replaced almost immediately by heat, as whatever alchemy was found in the body chemistry of a vampire sent every pleasure center of Daniel’s body into overdrive. He groaned, straining against the cords, his cock starting to stir once more as he was overwhelmed with a desperate need for satiation, one that would only be filled when Itami finished with him. Itami shifted, his bite deepening, his low, guttural moan hitting Daniel like a physical blow, like the stroke of a flogger.

Unexpectedly, Itami reached between them, grasping Daniel’s cock in his hand as he shifted once more, sipping more leisurely now, caressing the skin of Daniel’s throat with his tongue. Daniel’s pleas were swallowed in his choking, gasping moans of pleasure, caught between the ecstasy of being the feast, and the feel of Itami’s hand stroking him back to aching hardness.

He felt Itami’s laughter against his skin, felt the ache and loss as the fangs slid from his veins, followed by the gentle swipe of the flat of Itami’s tongue. That same alchemy that produced the overwhelming pleasure as the vampire fed also healed the wounds completely, leaving not even a trace of a scar. When and if a bond-slave returned to civilian life, there would be no signs left behind of their time serving in a vampire’s collar.

Daniel closed his eyes and tried to catch his breath as Itami moved away. He usually came when Itami fed, but this time, it was too soon; vampiric chemistry couldn’t combat the human refractory period. It was too much, too much stimulation. Now his skin felt as if it was on fire, and he was hard enough that the air against the head of his cock felt like sandpaper. He shifted, feeling the pull of the cords against his ankles and wrists, but no answering pull from his cock. The cord must have come free. He whimpered, then moaned as gentle fingers trailed down his throat, over his collarbone, and down the length of the ugly scar on his chest.

“Daniel?” Itami murmured. “You did not spend.”

“You expected me to? Twice in under ten minutes?” Daniel gasped. “I’m sorry, Hiro. I don’t think that’s possible. Not for me.” He blinked rapidly, trying to force himself to more coherent thought, then caught his breath as fingers brushed the inside of his ankle. The cords fell loose on his left ankle, then on his right, and Itami pulled him out of the chair and onto his feet, holding him close. Daniel rested his cheek against Itami’s shoulder, breathing in his scent, feeling the rough raw silk of Itami’s shirt under his cheek. “I wasn’t expecting you to go down on me,” he murmured. “But it’s a good thing you did. If I’d come when you were feeding, I’d have shot all over your suit.”

“Suits can be cleaned,” Itami’s voice was a comfortable rumble against Daniel’s ear. “I have left you in discomfort. This is unacceptable.” He stepped back, holding Daniel at arm’s length.  Then he pulled him close once more, and kissed him. Daniel moaned, tugging against the silken cords that still bound his hands behind him, and Itami drew back, just far enough that his lips tickled against Daniel’s when he spoke. “What do you want, my Daniel?”

“You,” Daniel answered immediately. “Only you. Always you.”

Itami smiled, kissing Daniel once more, then stepped back and helped Daniel to his knees. He took the towel from the chair, and draped it over the edge of the couch. “Then you know what to do, my Daniel.”

Daniel bowed his head and shifted on his knees until he was able to bend over the couch. He could hear Itami behind him, the rustle and slide of silk and wool. When he tried to look, something came flying at him, settling over his head and shoulders — Itami’s shirt.

“Need I gag and blindfold you?” Itami chided. He ran his nails down the length of Daniel’s spine. Then his body covered Daniel’s as he knelt behind him; Daniel felt Itami’s cock against his ass, heard the snap of the tube of lube opening, and moaned. There was no preparation, no gradual teasing — Daniel couldn’t have stood the extra stimulation, and Itami knew it. No, there was only Itami’s hard cock, slick with the gel lubricant, pressing against Daniel’s ass. Daniel yowled, louder than he was used to, fighting to stay still as Itami entered him.

“I think that we will test the sound-proofing of this room,” Itami murmured. “Unless…”

Something soft and warm thumped down over Daniel’s head. He had a moment to realize that it was a pillow before Itami pressed down on it, muffling Daniel’s voice and cutting off his air. Daniel bucked, but Itami’s body over his, and his strong hands on the pillow, kept him from moving. He felt Itami’s knee, pushing his apart, opening him wider. Then Itami was moving against him, fast and hard, his breath hot on Daniel’s back. Daniel strained against the cords, gasping for air, his entire world narrowing to the single point that was Itami’s cock. He could feel his orgasm building, feel the darkness creeping around the edges of his consciousness. How long could he stay like this, before he passed out?

He tried to breathe, feeling the pillow ticking filling his mouth and nose, and rational thought dissolved; he started to fight in earnest, pushing up against Itami, shifting from side to side, trying to get away from the suffocating pillow. All his struggling accomplished was to make Itami bear down on him more, thrust harder, and to rub his own cock against the towel enough that he howled his orgasm into the gathering darkness. As he slipped away, he felt sharp needle-pricks in the back of his shoulder.

He woke on the floor, his head pillowed on Itami’s thigh, Itami’s fingers combing through his hair. He’d been out long enough for Itami to untie him, then rebind his hands in front of him. He took a long, shuddering breath, then another.

“Are you awake, koibito?” Itami asked.

Daniel nodded, his cheek scratching against Itami’s skin. “Yes.”

“Good. You are well? I did not harm you?”

Daniel tried to shift, discovered his ankles were bound together as well. So he rolled, twisting until he was looking up at Itami. “I’m fine, Hiro. How long was I out?”

“Not very long. A few minutes.”

Daniel nodded. “And did I imagine it, or did you bite me again?”

Itami laughed, his fingers curling into Daniel’s hair, then running down his neck. “Yes. It pleased me to do so, and pleased you as well. You are a magnificent feast, my Daniel.”

Daniel smiled. “Three course meal. Appetizer, entree and dessert.” He looked down at himself, the cords that bound his wrists and his ankles. Then he looked up at Itami and grinned. “And leftovers?”

Itami laughed. “No, koibito. I am sated, and I think I will be until we get home. You will rest now.” He shifted, leaving Daniel lying on the floor as he rose. Daniel sat up, and noticed that the couch had been cleared off, and the blankets and pillows arranged to make a bed. Itami bent, lifting Daniel easily and setting him on the couch. As he drew the blankets up, Daniel held his hands up.

“You’re not resting?”

“I thought I would work while you slept.”

“Hiro, you have to rest, too,” Daniel protested. “I know you just fed, but you still need rest. There’s enough room.”

Itami sat down on the edge of the wide couch and smiled, looking down at Daniel. “I bind you so that you will not overexert yourself, and you still insist on caring for me.”

“That’s my job, Hiro,” Daniel said gently. “Also my privilege and my pleasure. Now come lie down.”

Itami nodded. “Until you sleep, then.” He rose, walked over to dim the lights, then came back and joined Daniel underneath the blankets, prodding Daniel so that he rolled onto his side, then drawing him into his arms, his back resting against Itami’s chest.

Daniel sighed, closing his eyes. “Thank you, Hiro.”

“You are welcome, Daniel.” Itami’s breath on his neck was soft. “Kimi wa totemo taisetsu ni yo.

Daniel felt his breath catch. “I love you, too,” he murmured.

“I know, koibito. I know.”

Elizabeth Schechter has been called  one of the top erotica and alternative sexuality writers in the world. Her writing credits include the award-winning steampunk erotic romance House of Sable Locks, the science fiction BDSM duology Tales from the Arena, and the Celtic fantasy Princes of AirHer shorter work has appeared in anthologies edited by D.L King (Carnal Machines), Laura Antoniou (No Safewords), and Cecilia Tan (Jingle Balls; Like a Prince).

Elizabeth Schechter was born in New York at some point in the past. She is officially old enough to know better, but refuses to grow up. She lives in Central Florida with her husband and son, and a most accepting circle of friends who are both very amused and very proud of the pervy, fetish writer in their midst.

Elizabeth can be found online at https://elizabethschechterwrites.com, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Elizabeth.A.Schechter.