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EricaBeale.com

The Pull

A Short Story from A World in Crimson

Step into the past of Kain Knightstone, once known as Cathán Glas na Gáia, an ancient Fae Prince bound by duty and destiny. Betrothed to the radiant Órlaith, a golden goddess of a woman, Cathán’s heart is pulled elsewhere—toward a dream he cannot escape. On the eve of his engagement party, the mysterious figure who haunts his dreams steps from the shadows, whispering of a bond that transcends time itself. Is it love or something far darker?

I stood at the edge of the lake, watching the moon pour itself into the water like spilled milk. Somewhere behind me, the engagement feast raged on. A chorus of clinking glasses and hollow laughter filled the air in the distance. My future wife was there, glowing like a ray of sunshine bottled up and sold as a cure-all. Beautiful. Perfect. Everyone adored her.
It is unfortunate that I didn’t.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not heartless. Órlaith is everything a man could ever want, and she would be a powerful Queen of the Fae. Her smile could disarm armies. Her voice makes birds stop singing out of pure shame. But I don’t feel it. Not love. Not the pull. Not the fire I’m supposed to feel when she looks at me with those shimmering golden eyes.
Instead, I feel… itchy. Restless. Like the ground beneath my feet is trying to drag me somewhere I’m not supposed to go. Somewhere dark and wild, far from my duties as the prince.
And then there are the dreams. Every night, the same thing: a voice calling my name. Cathán. I can’t see her, but I can feel her. Everywhere. All around me. Through my very soul. She whispers like smoke curling around my throat, like she’s weaving me into some web I can’t break free from. I tell myself it’s nothing—just my mind wandering where it shouldn’t. But when I wake, the Great Mother—the very spirit of the Earth—feels… different. Hurting. As if I’m not the only one being pulled apart at the seams.
Tonight, the pull was stronger. Strong enough to drag me out of my own engagement feast. Strong enough to make me leave Órlaith. She’d probably been sitting there, her golden hair gleaming under the lantern light, pretending not to notice I’d gone. She’s so very good at pretending.
“Cathán.”
Speak of the golden goddess, and she shall appear.
I turned. There she was, standing at the edge of the clearing, looking like something out of a bard’s overplayed song. Her gown shimmered in the moonlight, all white and gold, like the very heavens clothed her. I felt the familiar pang of guilt as I faced her.
“You left our celebration,” she said, her voice soft. She always sounded soft. It made me want to scream.
“I needed air,” I said, with an aggravated murmur. “That is all.”
Her lips curved into a patient smile. She stepped closer, her hands clasped before her as though she were about to pray for my soul. “You worry too much, my prince. This union—it’s for the good of our people, but it doesn’t have to feel like a burden.”
“It doesn’t,” I lied.
Her smile faltered, but she smoothed it over so quickly I almost missed it. Almost. She reached out, placing her delicate hand on my chest. Her touch was warm, grounding in a way that should have soothed me. It didn’t. In fact, I felt somewhat repulsed.
“We could be happy, you and I,” she said.
I swallowed the bitter laugh threatening to escape. Órlaith was sunshine, but I was soil. The kind that never sees the light, that’s drenched in blood and rot to keep everything above alive. She didn’t understand that. She couldn’t.
Before I could respond, a chill swept through the clearing. The scent of jasmine coiled around me, heady and intoxicating. My pulse quickened.
She was here. But how?
“What is that?” Órlaith whispered, her voice laced with unease as she glanced around the clearing.
“Go back to the feast,” I said, the sharpness in my tone startling even me.
Her brows knit together. “What? Why? Tell me–”
“Now, Órlaith.”

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Giving You a Little Bit of Hell

A Preview of the Next Part of The Tales Dripping in Crimson Series

It took a bit, but I’ve finally completed Hell-Bent, the next short story in the Crimson series. I plan to publish it early next month.

….I just realized that’s next week.

Anyway, here is a preview of the story. I hope you enjoy it!

Hell-Bent: Tales Dripping in Crimson 4

I am Mammon, King of the Second Circle of Hell, and as I sit in this godforsaken room, I seethe with anger. How dare Na’ahmeh do this to me? How dare she drain me of my power, nearly killing me in the process? I am the one who should be in control, not her.

I look around the room, taking in the drab green furniture and the smell of old cigarettes and cheap whiskey. This is a far cry from the luxury I’m used to. How could I have let myself be put in this situation? How could I have been such an idiot? I should have known better than to trust that psychotic succubus.

But I did trust her, and now I’m stuck in this hideous place, barely able to move because of the half-transformation she caused in me. My once handsome face is now half twisted into a demonic form, with leathery red skin, jet black hair, and large sharp teeth. My body is too large for this room, and I can feel my foot turning into a hoof.

I am the King of Greed and a leader of a legion of Hell, and I am not used to being in this kind of situation. I am used to being in control, making deals, and getting what I want. But now, I’m trapped in a seedy motel on the edge of town.

A growl of frustration escapes me as I imagine what I would do to Na’ahmeh if could ever get my hands on her again. But for now, I can only try to hold on to what’s left of my power and my sanity.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Cosmic Cons for Love and Profit

A Serial Story available on Amazon Vella

On 2/11/23, I released the first three episodes of my newest story, Cosmic Cons for Love and Profit. My plan is to update the story once a week. Please stop by Vella to give it a read. Keep in mind, you can’t read them from the Amazon App, but you can read them online.

In a future where mankind has colonized the solar system and mysticism still prevails, Raekah Merrin is a con artist scamming people as a psychic. When a bounty is put on her head, she must return to her guardian but finds herself caught up in her biggest scam yet. Pursued by three men, she must navigate a dangerous and romantic landscape while trying to survive and find love. With secrets, lies, and desires at every turn, she finds that the con of a lifetime may lead to adventure.

Though the first three episodes are free, I still get a couple of cents for every episode read, episode and story likes. So, if you could, it would really help me out if you have time to do so. I appreciate any and all hook-ups.

For now, though, you can check out the first episode RIGHT NOW!

Episode 1: In Space, No One Can Hear You Brew

Raekah Merrin was hard at work in the small laboratory on her spaceship, The Laveau. Beakers and test tubes, bubbling and steaming with brightly colored brews, filled the tiny room. Shelves lined the walls with exotic plants and glass containers of long dead critters floating in fluid.

She sat at the center console, grinding up black seeds in a pestle and mortar, making a thick paste. Once she had it to the consistency she wanted, she grabbed a bowl of steaming red liquid, bringing it closer to her.

Altair, her AI companion, hovered nearby, watching her closely. “Raekah, are you sure you know what you’re doing? Those two items together are very dangerous for the human digestive system.”

Raekah turned to him, a smirk on her face. “You worry way too much, Altair. I’ve got this under control.”

But Altair wasn’t convinced. As she added the paste to the liquid, it popped and fizzed suspiciously. He floated closer, his eyes fixed on the mixture in the bowl. He raised a thin brow at her while he pursed his lips. “You’re not even sure what you’re making. That client who wants it could put his kid’s life in danger.”

Raekah just rolled her eyes. “Hey, the client pays, I deliver. That’s the way it’s always worked. No one has died on our watch yet.” She reached to her left, grabbing a new, empty container to pour her potion into. She gave Altair a wry smile. “Don’t make me rewrite your program to mellow you out.”

It was his turn to smirk. “The purchase agreement you made says you are legally not allowed to change my matrix.”

She huffed with laughter. “And I always follow the rules?” After waving at him dismissively, she turned back to the brew and continued the job at hand.

Continue on page 2

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Tools of His Trade

Her Majesty’s Courtesan Part I

Princess Cesaire is hunting for a Royal Courtesan, and Ehrol has every intention of being her choice. A message from afar gives him the key to slinking into her bedroom. However, Ehrol is out of practice with her particular choice of pleasure. With only hours to spare, he and his best friend, Ashuli, dust off his tools to relearn his technique.

While the Phryne prepares for the Imperial entourage, Ehrol hones his bedroom skills. Will he be able to capture the magic before his Princess arrives?

Tools of his Trade is a spacefaring, erotica short-story. Part one of Her Majesty’s Courtesan.

Decontamination

A Short Story

Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop.

–H. L. Mencken

Lt. Margaret “Mags” O’Reilly is always ready for a fight. She’s been on the fields of battle against the other-worldly invaders, the O’okara, for most of her adult life. At her side is Pryce, a human-O’okara hybrid bred in a scientist’s lab, who is also her best friend. Companionship is no stranger to them, but when the pair becomes stuck together in the decontamination chamber, secrets between them are exposed.

Faced with a truth she’s not ready to hear, Mags has to decide if she wants to give in to newfound hungers, risking the chance of losing the only person she has ever trusted. Or will she face the reality that, as a soldier in an unending war, there is no place or time to give your heart?

An erotic novelette set in a post-apocalyptic world feel with death and destruction, yet a light of hope.


Available for FREE on Amazon (for a limited time)

Awakening

A Short Story

Pleasures of the flesh bring Fae magic to bloom. Without proper training from an experienced lover, sex can lead to dangerous consequences.

When Adriana sets her sights on an outsider, she begins the journey to unlocking her inner powers. Mustering every ounce of courage, she comes to Nicolo, an artisan trained in the bed. Will his power and patience, be enough to help her Awaken safely so she can share herself with the one she desires?

Part one of the Lady of the Wood series. An erotic urban fantasy short.

Available now on Smashwords!

Cost: Pay what you want (but still mostly FREE)

Bait

A Short Story

Officer Mark Kipper had no idea things that bump in the night were real. After recruitment by Knightcrest’s Department of Supernatural Affairs, he discovers a new level of crimes and misdemeanors. When one particular case sends the agency into a panic, Kip offers himself as bait to help lure out a forgotten evil.

Confronting the attractive demoness fueled by sex and seduction turns into a frenzied fight of life or death. Can Kip combat the desire mounting inside of him long enough to escape the clutches of a powerful, ancient being?

Download now at Smashwords!

Cost: Pay what you want (but mostly FOR FREE)

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