Wine and Roses — Augusta Li

Other Paths: Book One

A Tale of the Blessed Epoch

Mage Yarroway L'Estrella decided the Battle of the Starlight Bridge when he summoned fire from the heavens. The blaze decimated much of the vineyard that has been in Alain Lamont's family for nine generations. Mountain Shadow Winery may no longer be able to support Alain's family or the dozens of others who call it home, but Alain vows not to fail all those depending on him.

Mercenary Fabrezio Orvina d'Caelus, Breeze to his friends, appreciates Alain taking him in when he's badly wounded after the battle, but he has no intention of living the dull life of a farmer any longer than necessary. Though he likes the vintner, he sees Alain as soft and sheltered, hardly a man who can understand a warrior's calling.

As they live and work together, Alain realizes Breeze isn't exactly the amoral opportunist he suspected, and Breeze sees more strength in Alain than he thought possible of a simple winemaker. Life on the estate is richer and less boring than Breeze first imagined. With ingenuity, courage, and cooperation, they may devise a way to revitalize the vineyard and move beyond the pain and loss of their pasts.