Awakened by Flame (eBook)
140 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3178-2884-4 (ISBN)
S. W. McGlumphy is a writer of romance and fantasy whose stories blend timeless emotion with vivid world-building and cinematic depth. A lifelong student of human nature, McGlumphy writes from the belief that love-whether fierce, tender, or redemptive-is the one force that can cross any boundary. Drawing inspiration from history, mythology, and the quiet corners of everyday life, McGlumphy creates worlds where light and shadow meet, where courage is tested, and where compassion endures against impossible odds. The author's work is known for its immersive atmosphere, moral complexity, and emotionally resonant characters who remind readers that even in moments of darkness, the heart can still find its fire. The debut novel, Awakened by Flame, introduces readers to a sweeping saga of transformation, destiny, and love reborn. With its balance of high fantasy and deep humanity, the story marks the beginning of a series that explores what it means to be seen, known, and truly loved. When not writing, McGlumphy can often be found studying the craft of storytelling, researching folklore, and refining future works that weave together myth, romance, and the resilience of the human spirit. Dedicated to the art of the written word, McGlumphy approaches each story as both a journey and an invitation-an opportunity for readers to step beyond the ordinary and rediscover the beauty of feeling deeply. Awakened by Flame is the first of many tales that follow the sparks of courage, faith, and connection that bind us all-proof that every heart, once set alight, can illuminate even the darkest night.
Chapter Two Lucien Drayke
The morning sun leaked through the blinds in gentle bands of gold. Maya sat at her tiny kitchen table, watching the man—Lucien— cradle a mug of coffee like it was some rare artifact.
He sniffed it. Sipped. Closed his eyes.
“This,” he said softly, “is extraordinary.”
She smirked. “That’s just gas station brew. You should try real espresso sometime. Might blow your mind.”
He looked at her like she’d spoken sacred words. “I would like to. With you.”
The words landed awkwardly. Maya cleared her throat and busied herself with a half-eaten granola bar.
Lucien set the mug down and stood. “I owe you a debt.”
“Oh boy,” Maya muttered. “Here we go.”
He extended one hand. A faint glow sparked above his palm, like the shimmer off asphalt on a hot day. Then—out of nowhere—a small leather pouch materialized in the air and dropped into his waiting fingers.
Maya jumped to her feet, chair screeching against the tile. “Okay! What the hell was that?”
Lucien held the pouch out calmly. “Payment.”
She hesitated, then took it. The leather was warm. Inside were three coins—thick, weighty, and unmistakably gold.
“If these are chocolate, I’m gonna laugh so hard,” she said, but her voice was shaking.
“They are not. One should suffice to purchase me garments. The rest are yours.”
“You’re serious.”
He met her eyes. “Always.”
Borrowed Clothes
Fifteen minutes later, Maya was digging through the back of her closet. “Okay, look—if you’re going out in public, you can’t just waltz around like some shirtless gladiator.”
She tossed him an old hoodie and sweatpants from a box labeled Goodwill. Her ex’s leftovers. Too big for her, but… maybe not for him.
Lucien held them delicately, like she’d just handed him royal regalia. “These are… your mate’s?”
Maya froze. “Ex. Very ex. And don’t call him my mate. That’s weird.”
When he emerged from her bathroom, the sight almost made her snort coffee through her nose. Six-foot-something of raw dragon muscle stuffed into gray sweatpants and a faded hoodie with West Virginia State across the chest.
Perfect. My mysterious fire-breathing stranger is rocking my ex’s college hoodie. This day just keeps getting better.
The Coin Dealer
An hour later, they stood in a quiet, upscale coin dealer’s office—tucked behind smoked glass and velvet curtains. The air smelled faintly of brass polish and old paper. A wall clock ticked steadily, each second sharp in the hush. Maya leaned on the counter, fingertips brushing cool marble, while Lucien studied the decor like it was a relic from a forgotten empire.
The clerk returned, eyes wide, holding the coin like it was a holy relic. “This piece is… exceptional. Ancient Roman. Nearly flawless. I could offer you ten thousand cash today, or considerably more if consigned to auction.”
Maya nearly choked. Ten. Thousand. Dollars. For one coin. From her kitchen table to a whole year’s rent in under an hour.
Lucien gave a simple nod. “Today will suffice.”
They walked out with cash in hand, and Maya’s head still spinning. Great. First date I’ve ever been on that started with laundering ancient treasure. Totally normal.
The Mall Misfire
She tried the mall first. Big mistake.
Lucien recoiled from the fluorescent lights, flinched at the synthetic fabrics, and looked genuinely horrified when someone offered him a cologne sample.
“This is… wrong,” he said. “The materials are hollow. The energy… dead.”
The buzz of overhead bulbs, the tang of synthetic perfume, the clatter of hangers on metal racks—it was a cacophony of the modern world, and he looked like he’d stumbled into an alien realm.
As Maya steered him toward the next store, she caught the looks. A pair of women by the perfume counter froze mid-sentence. A barista behind the coffee kiosk nearly over-poured her latte. Even in an oversized hoodie and sweatpants, Lucien moved like some runway god slumming it in borrowed cotton.
Great, Maya thought. He’s allergic to cologne but apparently irresistible in gym clothes. Just my luck.
By the time they left, he looked like a battle-scarred warrior retreating from enemy territory.
The Tailor
So she took him somewhere else. A place she’d only ever window-shopped—a quiet, high-end tailor on the edge of town. Real wood floors. Soft jazz. Gentle lighting. The air smelled faintly of cedar and starch, clean and timeless.
Lucien visibly relaxed the moment they stepped inside.
A tall man in a three-piece suit greeted them with a bow. “Good morning. Looking for something tailored, sir?”
Lucien nodded. “Several somethings. I am… rebuilding my wardrobe.”
Measurements were taken. Maya sat on a velvet bench, the fabric plush beneath her legs, trying not to stare as Lucien stood bare-chested while the tailor wrapped a soft tape around his arms, shoulders, waist.
The faint whisper of the measuring tape against his skin seemed louder than it should have been. He stood like a statue. Regal. Unbothered.
But Maya? She was melting.
God, of course he’s got the shoulders for a suit. Bet he could make a paper bag look like a tux.
“Black wool. Fitted. Silver trim if available,” Lucien said. “Something timeless.”
“And what style of shirt, sir?”
He turned to Maya. “What do you prefer?”
Caught off-guard, she fumbled. “Uh… something with buttons. And a collar. Definitely a collar.”
Lucien nodded. “Very well.”
An hour later, he emerged from the fitting room in a deep navy coat with silver accents, dark slacks, and a crisp dress shirt. His hair was still wild, but tamed slightly. The transformation was… breathtaking.
Maya stared. “You look like a prince who just stepped off a battlefield.”
He tilted his head. “Is that good?”
“It’s deadly.”
He smiled faintly. “Then I shall take five of everything.”
At checkout, he gestured toward a display. “Select something for yourself.”
“Lucien—”
“You guided me. You clothed me. Let me offer something in return.”
Maya hesitated, then picked out a silk scarf—soft blue with hints of gold.
He nodded approvingly. “One more stop.”
She hadn’t expected a dress shop.
By then, dusk was settling over the city. Streetlights flickered on, neon signs buzzing to life, and Lucien kept turning his head to stare at everything— the traffic lights, the storefronts, the skyscrapers gleaming like iron giants.
“These towers,” he murmured, awe flickering. “Built by men alone?”
“Yep,” Maya said. “Steel and Wi-Fi. Welcome to the twenty-first century.”
The Dress Shop
The boutique was lit with warm chandeliers and filled with elegant gowns that looked far too expensive to touch. Crystal racks clicked softly as gowns swayed. A faint perfume of pressed silk and lavender hung in the air. Maya looked around nervously.
“Lucien, I can’t—”
“Please,” he said gently. “You chose something for me. Allow me the same honor.”
She didn’t argue. Not when he looked at her like that.
The attendant brought out options at his request. Dark green silk. A deep red off-shoulder number. But it was the black one—simple, sleek, with a slit up one side—that made Maya pause.
“Try that one,” Lucien said softly.
She slipped into the dressing room, feeling the nervous flutter in her chest. The fabric slid against her skin like water as she fastened the straps. When she stepped out, the room seemed to pause.
The dress hugged her in ways she wasn’t prepared for, the slit catching the light and revealing just enough leg to make her feel suddenly dangerous. Her fiery red hair blazed brighter against the midnight black, a living flame against silk. For the first time in years, she felt… radiant.
Lucien stood waiting, golden eyes fixed on her. His breath caught— barely, but enough for her to notice.
For a heartbeat, the regal composure slipped. He looked shaken, as if the world had tilted beneath his polished shoes. His gaze lingered, reverent and unguarded.
“You are… fire made flesh,” he murmured, voice lower than she had ever heard it.
Then, regaining himself, he stepped forward and adjusted the strap on her shoulder with a tenderness that made her knees weak.
“Perfect,” he said.
The Rose
As they stepped outside into the evening glow, Lucien paused.
A woman stood on the corner selling roses from a small woven basket.
He turned to Maya. “One moment.”
She watched him walk over, speak softly to the woman, and hand her a...
| Erscheint lt. Verlag | 22.12.2025 |
|---|---|
| Sprache | englisch |
| Themenwelt | Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen |
| ISBN-13 | 979-8-3178-2884-4 / 9798317828844 |
| Informationen gemäß Produktsicherheitsverordnung (GPSR) | |
| Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |
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