Click Your Heels

by Blaine D. Arden

A lion sleeps in the hearts of brave men.

When Prince Theodorin refuses to wed the general's youngest son because he loves another, he is trapped on a cursed island. He spends his days trying to escape, his nights listening to his lover’s soothing voice echoing through the forest. His attempts to escape only lead back to where he started… until an encounter with a lion reveals a crack in the illusion. Theo has to believe, or he may never find his way home.

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wordcount: 7,700 - Short Story
Previously appeared in Wilde City Press’ Bedtime Stories anthology

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance, Romance, Short Stories, LGBT

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2018

About the author

Blaine D. Arden is an EPIC Award-winning author of Romantic Speculative Fiction and Suspense who sings her way through life in platform boots.

For most of her sheltered youth, Blaine read, daydreamed, and made up stories. As she grew up, she slowly transitioned from telling them to her favourite doll and acting them out with her Barbies, to putting pen to paper. Her motto is Our difference is our strength, and her stories are often set in worlds where gender fluidity and sexual diversity are accepted as is.

When not writing or reading, Blaine has singing lessons and hopes to be in a band someday.


Non-Binary / Asexual
she/her | ey/em/eir | Mx.

Reviews

[Len Evans Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short fairy tale is really well done! Ms. Arden managed to write a wonderful, magical and complete tale that was a pleasure to read. Her writing created a beautifully detailed film in my head as I could almost hear the lion roar! If your looking for sex scenes this story will not be your cup of tea, this story is about true love prevailing against all instead!

[Elaine White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cute story, told in 1st person, with a May/Dec love story. A quick, simple read, if a little predictable, set in an urban fantasy world. I would have liked a little more exploration of the world with some more in depth world building (I made a guess at the urban-fantasy part, because of the inclusion of modern ideas like cotton balls, watches, gliders and rubber tubes) and it suffered the curse of 1st person by not revealing the MC's name until 27%, but the characterisation was good and the story was sweet.

"I think you need a keeper, Your Highness. To keep you from being hexed ever again."

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blaine D. Arden always writes well and is very good at drawing me in to her magical worlds. No exception here; lovely story.

[DC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short and sweet. Not much of any world building; which would have been nice in order to understand why the General committed what amounts to high treason by attacking his Queen’s son.

[Tailtiu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Also part of the Bedtime Stories Anthology.