COVER REVEAL
Book Title: Charmed by Destiny (Arcane Havoc, Book 2)
Author and Publisher: Jessamyn Kingley
Cover Artist: LJ Anderson of Mayhem Cover Creations
Release Date: May 15, 2025
Genre: MM Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Trope: Fated mates
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Length: 87 435 words
It is not a standalone story, but does not end on a cliffhanger.
Book One available in Kindle Unlimited
Neither Richard nor Lucas want a relationship despite their attraction,
but destiny already has them in her sights.
Blurb
Richard Marwood has no interest in relationships. After a few awful brushes with intimacy, he refuses to try again. Sex is required for a necromancer to find their soulmate, but Richard doesn’t care. He won’t be disappointed by one more handsome creep.
In the ten years since Lucas Wynnter was summoned from the dead as an inspirit, he has aided his necromancer. Together, they have traveled across the country and stayed in countless rundown motels. But they are out of money. Lucas’s summoner learns that the Marwoods assist abandoned inspirits, and he convinces Lucas to apply for a job.
Although Lucas doesn’t want to be discarded, he does want to help. He shows up at a Marwood casino and, on his first day, meets Richard. Lucas is attracted to Richard, but he works for him. Plus, Lucas won’t be staying. He is building his savings and plans to reunite with his necromancer.
Richard shouldn’t be fascinated by Lucas, but he can’t stop thinking about him. For months they ignore the electricity arcing between them—until Richard’s cousin dares him to take another chance. Should Richard risk humiliation and ask Lucas to spend the night with him?
Lucas is charmed by the awkward invitation, but neither man is prepared for destiny to intervene. Once their souls touch, nothing in their lives will ever be the same.
Excerpt
“Huh?”
Richard lifted one perfectly arched brow, and the corner of his mouth quirked. “Did you forget that we’re getting coffee?”
“I guess I did for a second.”
“More like an hour. I didn’t intend to stay that long. Hopefully you aren’t having caffeine withdrawal?”
With a quick glance, Luke ensured no humans were close. “Can inspirits get that?”
“I doubt it, but I don’t know you that well. Maybe you’re a drama queen who’ll pretend to have a raging migraine so you can leave work early.”
“No, I fear stuff like that.”
“Drama queens?”
“No, I can appreciate someone who is good at their chosen craft, even those with a penchant for drama. I’m scared of pretending to have something. What if I accidentally manifest it into existence? I’ve never had a migraine, but they sound horrific. I don’t want one.”
“Me either,” Richard replied. “Best thing about what I am is the lack of pain and suffering. Sorry, that was insensitive. No one ever explained to me whether it’s the same for an inspirit, and by the time the issue presents itself, I’ve been too embarrassed to ask an inspirit directly.”
It took Luke a moment to figure out what Richard was talking about, but when it registered, he sobered swiftly. Unlike necromancers, inspirits died. The real shit part was that no one had any clue how long their lifespan was until they had the first hint that the end was nearing. An inspirit slowly turned to a skeleton before their life ended. One day, Luke would wake with bony toes, and he’d have to figure out how to hide himself until his existence was over.
“Yeah, I don’t know if it hurts. I guess I’d rather be surprised than know beforehand. I’m not usually into mysteries, but I make an exception for that.”
Richard nodded. “Shit, I shouldn’t have brought it up. Please forgive me, that was unprofessional and none of my business. If it was up to me, no inspirit would face death.”
“It’s okay. It’s a part of life. I’d rather have lived than the alternative, you know?”
“Since I’ve already crossed the line, can I ask you a personal question?”
“Sure,” Luke replied. He’d answer whatever Richard asked.
“Have you heard from your friend? Are they okay?”
Luke smiled. “Yes. Thanks to my first paycheck, I was able to send him some money. I need to check in with him again tonight, but hopefully, he’s saving it like me.”
“You splurged a little. Those are new shoes.”
“You really notice everything, don’t you?”
“It’s a gift. What’s your friend’s name?”
“Foxe.”
“I hope Foxe is doing well.”
“Thanks,” Luke said. “Now, should we decide what we’re going to drink to give us a sugar rush this morning?”
“I’m adding a cookie. I deserve it.”
“No doubt,” Luke replied with a chuckle. “If you’re still paying, I may get a cookie too.”
“What do you mean, if I’m still paying? What about me screams, not a man of his word?”
“I don’t know you like that,” Luke countered, his grin growing wider. “Maybe you’ll dart off and pretend like we’ve never met.”
“It’s ten in the morning. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the casino is pretty empty. People are going to notice if I’m sprinting through the resort.”
“A gazelle cloaked in black. Yeah, that won’t go unnoticed.”
Richard snorted. “A gazelle? Not with these short legs.”
Luke plucked his cellphone out of his pocket and did a quick internet search. “Gazelles reach a height of forty-three inches. So, my statement stands. A tall gazelle dressed in black, bounding through the casino floor.”
The way Richard’s gaze lit up made Luke’s dick twitch. So did his throaty laugh. “Okay, well, this little gazelle promised to pay, and she will.”
“Good, I’ll get two cookies.”
That statement only made Richard chuckle harder. “Don’t ruin your lunch.”
“Thanks for the advice, Dad. But I can pretty much eat constantly.”
“I’m the same. Just ate a bowl of chips? That’s okay, I’ll plow through an entire pizza. My brother is the same way. Once, he went on a date and ate two entire sharing-size servings of mashed potatoes. Plus his steak.”
“I guess Gabe wasn’t any less attracted to him after their date.”
The way Richard’s lips curved would forever be etched in Luke’s memory. It was pure malice and sexy as hell. “Oh, the date wasn’t with Gabriel. But he was there. I made Eric go out on a bunch of dates with random beautiful men to make Gabriel jealous since he was tasked with guarding my pretty brother.”
“That’s diabolical.”
“Worked, didn’t it?”
“But aren’t you the one who warned me it was your mother who’d be matchmaking?”
“Oh, Eric was my one exception,” Richard said. “He’s been in love with Gabriel since he was twelve. I was counting on them being soulmates. Thankfully, we were right. My brother deserves the world.”
Luke didn’t doubt it, but he had to pretend like he didn’t know Eric was destiny-touched. The last thing he wanted to explain was the gift Foxe had given him or how he should’ve run from the Marwoods as soon as he’d sensed Eric’s uniqueness. Leaving was out of the question, and Luke wasn’t foolish enough to pretend that had nothing to do with the growing fascination he had for the man at his side.
About the Author
Jessamyn Kingley has published over forty titles and refuses to pick a favorite among them. With an extraordinary passion for her characters, Jessamyn eagerly crafts new tales and avidly re-reads them whenever her schedule allows. Jessamyn shares a home in Nevada with her husband and their three spoiled cats. When she is not writing or adding new ideas to her thick stack of beloved notebooks, she is gaming with family and friends.
Join her Facebook group, Jessamyn's Ruffian's
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