Romancing the Clown — Devon Layne

ON THE PLANET CROSSROADS there are portals connecting various worlds. On Earth, men go to Crossroads to participate in adventures on the planet Chaos as heroes. On Cassandra, women go to Crossroads to participate in adventures on the planet Chaos as Damsels in Distress.Of course, there are rules regarding participation and only real heroes receive a special sapphire ring and a portal that gives them access to Crossroads. Chaos is poor in minerals and a hero may not take anything metal with him other than the ring. Chaos is a medieval world governed by violence and power. And Damsels, once they accept the opportunity to go to Chaos, are truly distressed as they are kidnapped, raped, murdered, or imprisoned. They are willing to give their hero anything to free them—including bearing his child. In fact, that seems to be the only way a damsel from Cassandra can get pregnant, which is what drives the women to take their chances on Chaos.Hero Lincoln escapes to Crossroads with his Caretaker Lisa when violence erupts in his home on earth. But his companion, Cadence is left behind. He must get back to her and protect her from her lunatic father, but first, he and Lisa must take their adventure on Chaos performing magic and illusions as they join a traveling circus. (40,000 words. This story has eight chapters.)