Duty & Magic Series by S. Rodman

After years of cruelty, how do you learn to trust? To love?It may be 2022, but the modern world has done nothing to protect me.I live in the world of the British nobility, a secret society of magic, mages and vessels.There are strict rules and customs and no freedom at all.My name is Charlie, but to society, I’m just a vessel. A person who grows and absorbs magic within them, but cannot wield it.As tradition dictates, on my eighteenth birthday, I was given to a mage... moreAfter years of cruelty, how do you learn to trust? To love?It may be 2022, but the modern world has done nothing to protect me.I live in the world of the British nobility, a secret society of magic, mages and vessels.There are strict rules and customs and no freedom at all.My name is Charlie, but to society, I’m just a vessel. A person who grows and absorbs magic within them, but cannot wield it.As tradition dictates, on my eighteenth birthday, I was given to a mage. From that day onwards, every seven days for four long years, Earl Rathbone took my body to take my magic.Earl Rathbone was a cruel and harsh master. But it was ‘the done thing’ and society turned a blind eye to my mistreatment.Until the earl’s son finally intervened and whisked me away. Sending me to Archie. The Earl of Hathbury.Archie is kind and sweet. The man loves books nearly as much as I do. He is nothing like Earl Rathbone.Yet, giving Archie my body and my magic is daunting. But it is my duty and a necessity. As a vessel, I need a mage to regularly empty me or I could die.To my great relief, Archie is understanding and gentle, and it’s not long before I start to fall for him. Finding my duty more of a pleasure.Archie seems to enjoy our time together more than is proper, and I am hopeful.But can Archie be trusted? Is he really safe? Will I ever be truly free?High angst. Medium heat. Happy ever after guaranteed. Please note, this book contains dark themes including on-page punishment and abuse (not between main characters). less

Some would say Lord Eban du Fray was a spoiled brat.Born into the British nobility and married to a lord, he has never had to work a day in his life.Instead he drinks, parties and sleeps around. Much to his husband’s disgust.But Eban is a vessel, a person who grows and absorbs magic within them, and his husband is a mage. As with all mages and vessels, his husband takes his body, to take his magic... moreSome would say Lord Eban du Fray was a spoiled brat.Born into the British nobility and married to a lord, he has never had to work a day in his life.Instead he drinks, parties and sleeps around. Much to his husband’s disgust.But Eban is a vessel, a person who grows and absorbs magic within them, and his husband is a mage. As with all mages and vessels, his husband takes his body, to take his magic.This arrangement, combined with Eban’s dazzling beauty, ensured that Eban’s husband tolerated his bad behavior.Until now.Alpha wolf shifter Bastion is happy to be paid a ton of money to keep a spoiled brat in line. Keep him safe. Stop him sleeping around. Make him behave. Easy money.He knows the brat seduced his last bodyguard and that he has been hired as no human would sleep with a dog, not even the reckless Eban du Fray. Bastion can take the insult for the money.Bastion expects to find a vain, selfish brat, bored in a loveless arranged marriage.He doesn’t expect to uncover something far darker, or that beneath Eban’s dazzling exterior is a soul that shines far brighter.But he can’t let himself fall in love. Eban is married to a powerful, dangerous man who is not going to let him go.Falling in love with Eban will only lead to tragedy and heartbreak. Bastion must resist, must stay strong.Or will he sacrifice everything for the man who is carelessly stealing his heart? The Bodyguard’s Vessel is a forbidden romance in a contemporary setting. It is modern day regency, but gay, and with magic! Expect bucket loads of angst, vats of sweetness and a romance that will sweep you off your feet. Books in the Duty & Magic series can be read in any order or enjoyed as standalones. No cliffhangers and happy ever after is always guaranteed. Please note: This book contains very dark themes, if you require further information please use the ‘Look Inside’ feature to view the copyright page for further info. Alternatively, please view the author’s website. less

Most men would be flattered to be sent to a prince’s bed.JemTo me it’s just a chore. I’ve been giving my magic and my body to mages my whole adult life. So when Prince Wilhelm is in London for King Charles’s coronation and I’m provided as hospitality, along with the champagne and the penthouse suite, I’m not impressed. It’s just another night.He is just going to use me, take my magic and send me on my way. I know how it goes.I’m never going to be treated any other way... moreMost men would be flattered to be sent to a prince’s bed.JemTo me it’s just a chore. I’ve been giving my magic and my body to mages my whole adult life. So when Prince Wilhelm is in London for King Charles’s coronation and I’m provided as hospitality, along with the champagne and the penthouse suite, I’m not impressed. It’s just another night.He is just going to use me, take my magic and send me on my way. I know how it goes.I’m never going to be treated any other way. I’m the disgraced younger brother of Duke Sothbridge. Ostracized from society since I was a teenager. Considered good enough for only one thing.He is a prince, not Prince Charming, and I’m nobody's Cinderella.Fairy tales are just that, tales. One night won’t change everything.WillWhen Jem walks into the room, I’m blown away. He is utterly gorgeous, and his magic sings to mine like no other ever has. He is also as feisty as hell. I’ve never been more smitten.He is only here for the night but I have a feeling by morning light I’m going to want to keep him. Which won't be a problem, I always get what I want and why would he turn me down?I think this night will change everything. less

My butler can't know I dream about him.It's embarrassing. His eyes are so dark I feel as if I fall into them forever. I think he knows. I think he knows everything.He is calm, confident, capable. And I want him to take charge of me.But he calls me master, because I'm about to come of age and become Earl Rocester. A vessel with a title how absurd. But there is no one else to take it.My parents tried to raise me as an earl, not a vessel, and I understand why. But it has made me a freak... moreMy butler can't know I dream about him.It's embarrassing. His eyes are so dark I feel as if I fall into them forever. I think he knows. I think he knows everything.He is calm, confident, capable. And I want him to take charge of me.But he calls me master, because I'm about to come of age and become Earl Rocester. A vessel with a title how absurd. But there is no one else to take it.My parents tried to raise me as an earl, not a vessel, and I understand why. But it has made me a freak.I'm not graceful. I'm not witty or demure.I'm clumsy and brash and bold. Prone to making an utter fool of myself. I'm too much and nobody wants that.It means the only offers of marriage I'll receive are from men willing to overlook my flaws for the sake of my title.And that was before the incident.I got far too drunk and lost my purity. My magic was freed.My butler hid the evidence with dark magic, but now I need regular intimacy with a mage to empty me before everyone discovers my shameful secret.It is a good thing my butler is so obliging. less

My fiancé hates me. Seven long years we have been engaged.I've completely failed to win him over. Despite being as perfect a vessel-to-be as I can manage.Men of our station do not marry for love. I don't dare to dream of that.I do wish the man who will take my body, to take my magic, could at least bear to be in my presence.Count Felford is young, handsome. Progressive. Everything I could hope for in a husband.If only I could figure out how to be what he desires... moreMy fiancé hates me. Seven long years we have been engaged.I've completely failed to win him over. Despite being as perfect a vessel-to-be as I can manage.Men of our station do not marry for love. I don't dare to dream of that.I do wish the man who will take my body, to take my magic, could at least bear to be in my presence.Count Felford is young, handsome. Progressive. Everything I could hope for in a husband.If only I could figure out how to be what he desires.Instead, it seems I'm destined for an unhappy marriage.Imagine how much worse it will be if he discovers my secrets?The fact I like to wear dresses and lingerie is bad enough, but my other secret?That one could change our world forever. Count Felford’s Vessel contains, arranged marriage, hurt/comfort, first times, accepting your true self and a literal ‘I will burn the world for him’. All within an intimacy based magic system, in a modern-day, Regency inspired setting. Books in the Duty & Magic series can be enjoyed as standalones or read in any order. A chronological list can be found on the series page. Happily ever after is always guaranteed. Please note, some content may be upsetting for some readers. If required, please use the ‘Look Inside’ or sample feature to view the copyright page for a full list of content. This information is also available on the author’s website. less

My fiancé hates me. Seven long years we have been engaged.I've completely failed to win him over. Despite being as perfect a vessel-to-be as I can manage.Men of our station do not marry for love. I don't dare to dream of that.I do wish the man who will take my body, to take my magic, could at least bear to be in my presence.Count Felford is young, handsome. Progressive. Everything I could hope for in a husband.If only I could figure out how to be what he desires... moreMy fiancé hates me. Seven long years we have been engaged.I've completely failed to win him over. Despite being as perfect a vessel-to-be as I can manage.Men of our station do not marry for love. I don't dare to dream of that.I do wish the man who will take my body, to take my magic, could at least bear to be in my presence.Count Felford is young, handsome. Progressive. Everything I could hope for in a husband.If only I could figure out how to be what he desires.Instead, it seems I'm destined for an unhappy marriage.Imagine how much worse it will be if he discovers my secrets?The fact I like to wear dresses and lingerie is bad enough, but my other secret?That one could change our world forever. Count Felford’s Vessel contains, arranged marriage, hurt/comfort, first times, accepting your true self and a literal ‘I will burn the world for him’. All within an intimacy based magic system, in a modern-day, Regency inspired setting. Books in the Duty & Magic series can be enjoyed as standalones or read in any order. A chronological list can be found on the series page. Happily ever after is always guaranteed. Please note, some content may be upsetting for some readers. If required, please use the ‘Look Inside’ or sample feature to view the copyright page for a full list of content. This information is also available on the author’s website. less