Meriq was six years old when he was taken as a prize in battle and handed as a gift to the Crown Prince of Zetaria. Rescued from a life of depravity by Anubis; the King's Vizier and Mage, he was raised as his son and counselled in the ways of magic, and of diplomacy. When Anubis is mysteriously murdered, sixteen year old Meriq replaces him at the head of the King's council. As a Dark Army sweeps across the land bringing death and destruction in its wake, Meriq must raise an army and unite the Kings to ensure that the rising darkness does not engulf them all. About A Rising Darkness: "To classify it as gay fantasy would do 'A Rising Darkness' a great disservice. First and foremost it is an epic that also works as a military-nuanced fantasy, heartrending romance and meaningful social commentary.... The first installment of The Hand of Justice saga will surely appeal to fantasy fans who enjoy their reading fare ambitious and at times brutal, a la George R.R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire.'" BlueInk Review