Gideon [The Marujan Brothers Series] Book Two

by Hannah-Lee Hitchman

  Copyright © 2014 by Hannah-Lee Hitchman

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any

  electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems-except

  in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews-without permission in writing

  from its author, Hannah-Lee Hitchman. The characters and events portrayed in this book

  are fictitious or are used fictitiously.

  Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and is not intended by

  the author.

  Copyright © 2014 Hannah-Lee Hitchman

  DEDICATION

  To my little sister, Janelle;

  For saying my eyes are always smiling.

  And, for all readers of Hadaen;

  Without you I would never have finished Book 2.

  NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Dear Readers,

  "Gideon " is the second book of "The Marujan Brothers Series" and is a fanatasy

  romance. The contents of this novel was written to appeal to an audience of persons 18

  years and older and it is my wish that only such individuals may read it.

  I am a fresh new author so my writing skills may not be remarkable as yet but, hey, I’m trying  Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this may cause to you, avid readers.

  Now, I would like to bring you through a few pronunciations of terms you will come across

  throughout the novel. Here goes:

  Maruj - (Ma-rooj)

  Hadaen - (Hay-den)

  Faolan - (Fow-lan)

  Lensai - (Lehns-eye)

  Esyth - (He-sith)

  Deorci - (Dohr-kai)

  mana - (maa-nah)

  Baamel – (Bah-mel)

  Suhki – (Soo-key)

   Writing this novel had been a great adventure for me as I explored the levels of Gideon

  and Esyth’s story. And now, I want to share it with you!

  Please feel free to make any comments you wish on this book as I would very much

  appreciate your feedback. It is reviews like yours that make me a better writer every day.

  Your Friend, Hannah-Lee.

  Readers’ Praise for Hadaen [The Marujan Brothers Series] Book One

  Chantal Murray: 5/5 STARS This book is simply AMAZING!!!... this book definitely got me addicted to it from beginning to end. I fell in love with Haden throughout the book. I also liked how the author was able to perfectly bring out Haden's personality as the story progresses...I REALLY can't wait to see what the author has in store for his brother Gideon in part two of this series!! Good job Hannah-lee Hitchman and please hurried it up with part two!

  Starshanelle: 5/5 STARS Awesome read!! Can't wait for book 2! I find most paranormal books to be really predictable but this book certainly wasn't. I really loovve Hadaen :) The book is really interesting and I recommend it to all who love paranormal romance books. And those *** scenes........

  Emma Ireland: 5/5 STARS Wow!! I'm hooked brilliant story line can't wait to see what’s next. Thank you for letting me escape into a world I swear I could almost smell and taste… Been a long time since a story has done that. We'll done keep writing can't wait for the next one.

  Dorothy Moore: 5/5 STARS A must read! I really really enjoyed this book. It's not every day you read a fantasy book and actually feel like you are a part of the supernatural world being depicted...

  When will Book Two be ready??? I can only imagine what the author has in store.

  Aimee Darcy: 5/5 STARS One of the best fantasy books I've ever read, simply because it was sooo believable...... with scorching hot scenes.

  I even referred it to a few of my friends. This should definitely be a movie. I'd surely watch it!! *thumbs up*

  Kishane ‘The Kish” Robinson: 5/5 STARS Great read. I love the way the author incorporates fantasy and romance with a modern day twist. Erotic.

  Jayda Murray: 5/5 STARS I really enjoyed this book. I'm eager to find out what has come of Deorci and Esyth. I adore Hadaen and Amelia's story simply because she wasn't the 'sobbing' type. Hadaen knows how to take control and I think she needed that.

  Altogether, wonderful job by the author.

  Paris. H: 5/5 STARS Great read. I was hanging on to every word. I have to agree with the "searing hot page turner" description. Erotic scenes...practical romance that isn't too 'mushy' & the realness of characters that makes me wonder if there really is a place called Maruj.

  Nice combination of war, lust, love and romance.

  Dee A Mony: 5/5 STARS It's a good read. A searing hot page turner that meshes fantasy with fact so believably and the romance with the practicalities of war. I am happy this is just the beginning....

  Oleander22: 5/5 STARS Nothing else to say but... 'oh my gosh!' lol. I did not want this book to end. Thank God, it's a series. Amelia has got some hella attitude; I love her! And Hadaen? Pure alpha male :3

  I was so looking forward to seeing Deorci die...but oh well! Gots to keep us anticipating!

  I'll be looking out for Gideon's story 'cause I can tell it'll be another mind-probing one...

  Patricia F.: 4/5 STARS Awesome read!! I love how the author brings out Hadaen's personality as well as gives us a hint of what's to come for Gideon.

  Looking forwards to reading Book 2.

  Well written :)

  Reader (from Amazon): 4/5 STARS I loved Hadaen! The author wasn't pulling any punches in this book. It was raw, erotic, raunchy and engaging. It had me hooked till the very end right from chapter one and that's how every novel and every series should begin especially a fantasy paranormal series-- they have a love hate relationship with readers.

  Hadaen is an ass in the beginning, conceited, egotistic with the power gone to his head and one who needed a swift kick in the balls. He treats Amelia badly, almost raping her until she orked her magic and cast herself 700 years in the future. Hadaen looks for her for 700 years when he discovers she is his mate, the key to win the fight against darkness and guess what, he hasn't changed one bit! But the years of having blue balls have given his head a chance to get some blood and he's a little cool in his ardor this time when he discovers Amelia doesn't remember him or her past and he prefers it that way because she has no memory of what he almost did to her. There was nothing truly epic about how she got her memory back but when she does she's not that meek subject 700 years ago and makes sure Hadean understands that. With the key to victory secure, the main part of the story finally begins and a whole new world unfolds.

  Sadly, this book ends with a cliffhanger on to accounts- the romance between Hadaen and Amelia, and the great battle against darkness- and it continues with Gideon's story. He and his love interest are introduced in this book and it ended with Esyth sacrificing herself so that Amelia doesn't have to, shattering Gideon's world but giving us a glimpse of the next story, which I believe and hope will be better than this one.Chapter One

  Maruj Castle

  2nd May, 2014

  "The coffee isn't to your liking, lord?"

  The voluptuous girl peered down at him, the innocence she was trying to portray never reaching her voice. Deep brown eyes glistened through thick lashes…daring him. He was never one to refuse a challenge. Gideon raised his gaze to her face and sipped slowly, reveling in the way her small pink tongue jotted out eagerly. He caressed the mouth of his mug for a while—his tongue giving the smooth surface a sweet taunting massage. He knew the wench wanted him...he could smell her desire; wet and hot and just his for the taking.

  "No." He shoved the mug away and toward
s her, leaning back in his chair. "It's missing something..."

  Her eyes widened instantly. "Is it too sweet, lord? Do you wish for cream instead? P-Perhaps brewed too strongly..? I-I can do it again." The girl's face brightened crimson and Gideon fought against the urge to laugh.

  "It's a little...weak."

  "Then I shall fetch the sugar." She was off at it before she had even uttered the entire sentence.

  "Sugar...isn't what I desire." His voice was low—just low enough for her not to miss the message behind his lustful tone. The girl stopped sharp in her tracks, her back slightly turned to him. He waited patiently, only because he knew she had caught his meaning. And then she turned slowly, cheeks blushed and hands trembling. Gideon smiled and shifted in his seat. "Perhaps you could suffice."

  The girl stood planted in her position near the door but never uttered a word. Neither did she bat an eyelash, her complexion pale as raw dough. A small dainty mouth opened slightly, perhaps to say something when the door came crashing open. Gideon swore beneath his breath and grabbed back his mug, watching half-attentively as the girl eagerly fled the room.

  “Damn tyrant!”

  He shook his head as his sister-in-law strode inside the private dining room, shrugging off her coat and reaching the bar in record time.

  “What did Hadaen do now?” he chuckled, thoroughly enjoying his coffee.

  Amelia poured herself a glass of brandy and swallowed it down thickly, pausing a moment for the burning in her throat to ease. “If that asshole expects me to live like this then he has sadly mistaken. How can he expect me to go about this damn kingdom and not do anything?”

  “You two have been married for almost three years. When are you going to stop living like cat and dog?” He stared forlornly down into his mug for a minute, smiled sadly and then laughed. “You should follow my example. I’m always happy!”

  Amelia rolled her eyes and braced against the marble counter. “When your brother gets his head from out of his ass, then we can talk about being happy,” she grumbled.

  Gideon chuckled and swallowed down the rest of his coffee. “Yup,” he burped out and patted his chest. “Sounds like you two haven’t been playing hide-the-salami for a while.” He watched as Amelia screwed up her face and then cackled so loudly, it echoed throughout the room. “So I am right. Damn! No wonder the man is pissed.”

  Walking towards the table, she grabbed up a freshly-picked apple and bit into it. “Well, I won’t play housewife for anybody. It’s called compromise, Gideon. He gives me what I want…then he’ll get what he wants. It’s a no-brainer.”

  “I’m sure—”

  “WHERE THE HELL IS SHE?” Hadaen’s voice came booming from the hall. A brief silence went before the doors were shoved open again….and in walked his brother, looking ready to blow a fuse.

  “Here!” she hollered, raising her hand and waving it around in a mocking fashion. “See? I haven’t run off like you’ve been accusing me of for the last 28 months!”

  Hadaen casted his brother a withering look and then aimed his gaze back at Amelia. Pulling out a chair, he sat down slowly, obviously trying very hard to maintain his composure. The room stood still for a good five minutes—Amelia deliberately taking her time to devour the tiny apple and Hadaen pretending not to be annoyed by it. Gideon on the other hand could not handle the murderous tension surrounding him so he pushed himself to his feet and sighed dreadfully.

  “I…am going to find one of Cook’s sharpest knives and shove it straight through my heart,” he said, eyeing both of them sarcastically. “You two will not bring me down in your god-forsaken misery!”

  At that point, Hadaen’s fist went crashing down against the table; tossing his self-control to the wind. Amelia turned to face him, the never dying defiance blazing in her eyes. “Goddamit, woman! I am your husband. You cannot lock me out of—might I remind you—our bedroom!”

  “I already did, Hadaen,” she said in a surprisingly calm voice. “Why am I even attempting to explain things to you?” Amelia shook her head and rose from the table. “I’m going for a walk.” And when she noticed him rising to his feet and reaching out to grab her, she side-stepped him quickly and dashed for the door. “Alone.”

  Gideon shook his head, not even trying to hide his amusement. “How do you do it, man?” he muttered in a taunting tone. “Being rejected by your wife? That’s not good. Not good at all.”

  “Go fuck yourself!”

  He laughed out harshly. “Speaking of that… I do believe I have an appointment with the infamous Dahlia.”

  “Wait. I need to talk to you about something.”

  Gideon was already at the door and turning the knob. “What is it?”

  “It’s important.” And a dark emotion flashed only briefly across his face. “We need to—.”

  “I have to go.”

  And he dashed from the room, heading straight down the long hallway leading to the stone staircase, which lead down into the lower floors. Moving quickly, Gideon tried not to notice the many framed photos which hung neatly on both sides of the wall. Neither did he wish to admit just how happy his ancestors looked, face-splitting smiles and sparkling eyes. But his pace slowed anyway, and he caught a glimpse of his mother’s smile. The mother he had never known; the mother he had heard such great things of and who he had tried to feel her presence countless times while he was a boy.

  He could remember the long hours past daylight when he would crouch on the floor and stare up at that same picture, trying—hoping—that she would appear. Just so he could meet her and actually feel whole. He could remember those many desolate childhood visits he had made to that very hall. He could. But he refused to. Because if he did, all those sobbing memories would only make him wonder of how great having a complete family was. It would remind him of how many he had lost. And remembering how many he had lost…would remind him of—

  No! He refused to go there. It’s been three years. He’d had three long years to cope from losing her. Three long dreadful years—years he would make sure no one know of how badly they affected him. The thrill of sex was no longer what it had been. Three years ago, he had indulged in the favors of women simply because it was available—and he was a conqueror; he had loved sex. But now, he paraded around the Marujan kingdom—not even searching for—but taking the easiest warmth he could get and fucking his mind away.

  It was better that way. He had fallen for a woman too easily and now he was paying the painful price. Never again. Three years ago, he was a boy. Today… he’s a man.

  A slight click came from his right, bringing him out of his brief reverie. Gideon turned slightly to see Lady Marza slipping out of the Oleander Room, her face flushed and glowing. Smiling to himself—and knowing he simply could not resist—he headed towards the room and shoved the door open. There his older brother was, sitting around the large desk, feet up casually.

  “You don’t waste any time, do you?”

  A smile formed on Faolan’s face as he got to his feet. “Brandy?”

  “Don’t mind if I do.”

  Gideon had always favored Faolan more of his two brothers. They understood each other.

  “So…how’s it been?” he said, handing him a glass. “I heard you’re getting even more popular in the villages. Mothers apparently have a bounty on your head for spoiling their virginal daughters.”

  “What can I say…? I’m a wanted man,” he chuckled, sipping down the intense liquid. “And you aren’t so innocent yourself, Mr. Do-Gooder. I might be allegedly ruining girls but you’re the one devouring old women. Isn’t that illegal or something?”

  True amusement glittered in Faolan’s eyes. “Lady Marza is not old.”

  “Well, she surely isn’t young.”

  His brother swirled the deep-colored liquid in his glass…staring at it reminiscently. “She’s….experienced. She knows what a man wants.”

  “Every woman knows what a man wants.” And they both chuckled at that.

  Fa
olan returned to his seat and sighed heavily, staring his younger brother down while toying irritatingly with his long dark plait. The expression he wore cautioned Gideon—he knew his brother was always the type to bring up some manner of bullshit he did not want to hear. And at the moment, there was precisely one thing he did not even want to think about at the very least. So…he decided to try an attempt at diverting Faolan’s thoughts. “Amelia and Hadaen are back at it again."

  “They are, aren’t they?” Faolan grinned and tossed down the remainder of his drink. “Those two won’t ever fail to keep this castle amused. What did she do this time? Take over Cook's job in the kitchens?”

  Gideon laughed. “That was too damn funny. Hadaen’s face was hilarious when he recognized her. But no. No. This time, it’s much worse.”

  “What? Tell me…” Faolan sat up straight, the laughter already bubbling up in his throat.

  “She locked him out of their bedroom.”

  A burst of laughter came out of Faolan as he slapped his knee and regarded Gideon with tears in his eyes. “No… You’re joking.”

  Gideon grinned. “I’m dead serious. She got one of the footmen to change the locks for her. I don’t know how she accomplished that…but she did.”

  “Serves him right!” Faolan chuckled and shook his head. “Leaving me to slave here after his own duties while he could have prevented ever losing her in the first place.”

  “Yeah. Our sister-in-law is one hell of a drama. You should see what she did to his motorcycle…”

  Faolan sobered up instantly, his lips quivering—trying to hold the laugh in. “What—what did she do?”

  The moment Gideon opened his mouth to speak; the door opened ……...and in walked Hadaen. Faolan sat up straight, all amusement wiped from his features while Gideon washed his chuckles down with the remainder of his beverage.