webnovel

Those Who Cherish

Author: Jamie Craig
LGBT+
Completed · 5.3K Views
  • 35 Chs
    Content
  • ratings
  • NO.200+
    SUPPORT
Synopsis

Exiled to an abandoned presidio in southwestern Texas, Father Alonzo Vargas is accustomed to being utterly alone except for his white donkey, Angelica. He is also fully acquainted with the corrupt and rotten sheriff, John Cullen, the man responsible for his semi-permanent exile. When he finds a victim of the sheriff hanging upside down from a tree, he immediately cuts the man down and vows to nurse him back to health.<br><br>Ben McKinnon has never done anything to cross Sheriff Cullen -- except defend the land he inherited from his father. The land Cullen covets. He's surprised when the exiled priest makes it clear that he will not only be a nurse, but will also become Ben's ally in the fight against Cullen. He's even more shocked when he realizes he doesn't just want Father Alonzo as a friend. Ben cherishes the other man's mind, his body, and his heart.<br><br>But Alonzo is not a free man. And if Sheriff Cullen has his way, they will both be dead men.

Chapter 1Chapter 1

1

Silence was Father Alonzo’s constant companion. Once, it had been an enemy. A constant reminder of the burden of solitude. But now, silence was almost a friend. It assured him there were no thunderstorms, growing and gathering over distant mountains. The silence told him he still had time to make it back to the presidio before getting caught in a storm that could reach monsoon levels. But he still kept an eye on the horizon, searching for any warning signs while he scanned the ground for certain medicinal plants. Despite the reassuring silence, there was an ominous weight in the air. Heat pushed down on his covered head, and sweat rolled down his brow and into his eyes.

Alonzo straightened and wiped his arm across his forehead. His donkey, Angelica, sighed and rooted at the ground between her feet. He patted her neck affectionately, watching as strands of grass bent beneath her teeth. The bag over her haunches was already mostly full with herbs, bulbs, and flowers. He had had a good day, and there was no reason to stay in the overbearing sun when the donkey wanted to rest and he wanted a bit of wine.

“Should we go home?”

Angelica didn’t respond.

He picked up her lead rope, but he didn’t turn back to the presidio. She trudged along behind him obediently, his other constant companion. Her hooves clopped behind him, hitting the ground in a steady beat. Besides the occasional shout of a hawk, that was the only sound for miles around. Alonzo could go weeks without seeing another soul, days without seeing evidence that other people lived in the area. It was frustrating, to say the least. He hadn’t become a priest to live in utter isolation with a donkey and a Bible, but the men at Fort Davis rarely sent for him, and the heathen Indians would kill him on sight if he visited their villages. The nearest town was over thirty miles away, and they were closer to El Paso than to him.

It was utterly unnecessary to stay in the presidio, but he had his orders. And so he made the most of them and prayed God would deliver him from the torment and send him where he could do some good for somebody. But God had not seen fit to answer his prayers, and so Alonzo had no choice but to accept that he did not fully understand God’s plan for him. He never questioned that God did, in fact, have a plan. But in dark nights, when his soul called out for relief, he longed to know what he had done to be punished in this way.

“We’ll have a good dinner tonight, Angelica. And tomorrow, we’ll thank God for the bounty and spend the day in reflection and prayer.”

Angelica snorted, but otherwise, didn’t acknowledge him. Sometimes, he thought he should take a trip into the mountains. But it was too dangerous. The men at Fort Davis already thought he was insane for staying at the presidio, despite the obvious danger. They warned him that when the Indians raided the presidio, he would be left without a scalp—and if he were lucky, that’s all they would do to him. But he had faith that God would not call him to his final reward prematurely. Despite his faith, he didn’t take unnecessary risks, like journeying into the mountains on his own.

A screech drew his gaze heavenward, and he narrowed his eyes against the glare of the sun. Black dots against the washed out blue sky caught his attention, and soon he realized they weren’t hawks. They were vultures. Circling something Alonzo couldn’t see. It was probably just some animal’s carcass. Only…vultures didn’t circle remains. They were waiting for something to give up the ghost.

Alonzo hoisted himself onto Angelica’s back and kicked her into a trot. The chances were good that he was racing to a dying animal, but something moved deep inside of him. He did not question that feeling—the feeling he identified as God’s voice. He needed to be receptive at all times to the Spirit, even if sometimes he didn’t understand what the Spirit wanted him to do or why. Perhaps he would just use his knife to put some injured or trapped animal out of its misery. Mercy was never wasted.

He had never been good at gauging distances, which was a major problem living in western Texas. There was more land, more miles, more open space, than anybody back in Spain would have been able to comprehend. A person who couldn’t keep track of where he was going would get lost, perhaps never to be found again. Alonzo had no idea how far he rode, but he knew the sun was much lower on the horizon behind him by the time he reached the vultures.

You May Also Like

Favoured By The Grandmaster Who Can't Resist Me(BL)

"You said....you would always treasure me," the grandmaster smiled weakly, blood gurgling in his mouth as he gripped the blade that was firmly embedded into his chest. "Do...you like destroying the things you treasure, Chi Cheng?" Chi Cheng's eyes blazed with murderous intent, his lips curling into a snarl as he twisted the blade further into the Grandmaster's chest. "In all your perfections, dear Grandmaster, loving me was your greatest flaw." ************* Jing Ling was a celestial beast who was on the run from his brethren and had been banished by the Celestial Realm for his crimes and treason against the supreme courts. He sought refuge in the body of a deceased child from the Chi Clan in the mortal realm. Raised in the identity of the child, currently known as Chi Chengxin, he faces challenges related to his complex cultivation skills after seventeen years. Thus, Chi Chengxin sought solace in the affections of Han Yijun, a senior disciple of the Northern Ice Sect, despite the rumors about his lack of aptitude and the shame he brought to his clan during his new life. Chi Cheng's father enlists him as an Ice Sect pupil in the hopes that the Grandmaster of Ice will see his potential. And the idea of being with Han Yijun at last brings him joy. However, the charming and kind Han Yijun gives in to the pleasure of another, and on the first day of his arrival, he is betrayed and suffers heartache. But the Grandmaster, who is charmed by Chi Cheng but constrained by his oaths and obligations, has a sense of affection that heals his damaged heart. And Chi Cheng, using the Grandmaster's favour and love to his advantage, is more eager than ever to get revenge on Han Yijun. But Chi Cheng's nightmarish past become linked with his drive for vengeance and his mischievous actions that put him in danger. When he learns of the Grandmaster's true intentions, Chi Cheng becomes conflicted between his heart and mind. Is the Grandmaster a man he should love in the first place? But how can one love the man who intends to kill them? Read the story to find out! ********* Note: The story doesn't follow an omegaverse trope but there is a factor of mpreg much later in the story. join my discord server to chat with me: find link under my profile cover picture is ai made by me

_Zhiying · LGBT+
4.9
316 Chs

From Apocalypse To Entertainment Circle (BL)

In a world devastated by an unforgiving apocalypse, Qing Xia struggles against a life filled with despair. Surrounded by the suffocating remnants of society—polluted air, barren land, and the haunted expressions of humanity—he often envies those who have found peace in death, escaping the relentless suffering of existence. Yet, the memory of his family's sacrifice fuels his determination to endure, making him one of the last survivors in a landscape of desolation. But fate has other plans. During a routine mission, Qing Xia’s life abruptly ends, or so he believes. To his shock, he awakens reborn as an idol on the brink of obscurity, a mere shadow in a vibrant world. Eager for a second chance, he seeks solace in a newfound identity, yearning for a life filled with simple pleasures. However, tranquility slips through his fingers as he is thrust into an unexpected chaos—a variety show that pulls him into the heart of danger, where secret agents, ruthless hitmen, and shadowy figures lurk. With every step, the weight of his dreams collides with a reality he never wished to face. As he grapples with relentless uncertainty, Sian realizes that the struggle for peace may lead him deeper into turmoil. In this haunting journey, can he carve out a destiny in a world that seems determined to tear him apart? The winds of fate do not blow as one wishes, and with shadows closing in, every moment counts. ---------------------------- Black box: Someone: "Darling, help me deal with these people." Sian: "Stay away from me. I have nothing to do with you or them." Someone, with fake tears: "Darling, I’m hurt. Come kiss me here, and the pain will go away." Sian, holding a military knife: "Does it hurt there? How about I just cut it off for you?" Someone, stripping Sian’s clothes: "Darling, you look so beautiful when you’re angry. I can’t take it anymore." Sian: "Go to hell! Ah—ahh! Stop it—stop! That hurts! Quit biting me, you damn dog!" --------------------------------------- COVER by my Sensei : Aurimas_Pazikas ---------------------------------------     Dear readers, welcome to an exciting adventure! This is a captivating BL novel filled with +18 scenes that add a spark of joy and love and some sadness. If you’re open to exploring vibrant stories and vibrant connections, dive right in to accompany our Angel, the MC " Sian," on his journey in this new world.

EratoChronicles · LGBT+
Not enough ratings
47 Chs

The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'

~Updates Daily~ (usually near 8PM ET / 1AM GMT) Other Tags: #GL #Slice of Life #Comedy #TheStrongActingWeak #ChildhoodSweethearts (It counts!) Single love interest Yuri! No lengthy misunderstandings over this fact~ --- After failing to ascend to the heights of Divinity despite all her preparations, an ancient cultivator finds herself not embracing the emptiness of the void - but the interior warmth of a womb. Her memories intact despite her spirit being a merest fraction of her height - and her trusted Astralism unchanged - she carefully starts over from an infant. How to navigate her family: [really easy with only two parents and an estate full of servants!] How to portray herself: [everyone likes 'sweet' kids and trusts (underestimates) 'weak' girls!] How 'quickly' to reveal the power she gathers: [this region is a 'backwater', let's just take it slow~] How her marriage was arranged before birth: [my parents adore me so at an appropriate time I'll just have it cance- oh?] Dealing with an 'amusing' deceit: ['he' looks worried still, but 'he' doesn't have to worry from me!] Confronting the 'boy' in private: [whatever their iffy plan is, I just obtained a husband-wife~] Even in a new life, | Elua er Goltbred | can't and doesn't *want* to change who she really is. A scheming cultivator. A possessive lover. Neither of those things had been a real hindrance to the Peak of Demi-God. Balancing the two in this life - without driving away the young 'boy' she decided would be hers - centers as much around helping | Qatrand er Yecine | find herself... as it is hoping to ease the fiance into how messed up the 'younger' girl honestly is. It's a good thing that the reborn cultivator can improvise with her ridiculous control of an Illusion Astralism - because plans fail and unexpected things happen when you're not *really* a genius. Like her Physique in this life allowing the lightest 'grip' to crack stone... | Qat | (the nickname picked almost instantly!) despite being a little stunted by her family environment early on, finds her future wife to be 'cute' on their first meeting. ... she really shouldn't have let on. It made her | El | kind of vain. Oh, and muscles. | Elua | : I just like looking at them, okay!? Is it so weird? People can have hobbies... - - - > Types of Cultivation // Spiritual (Soul), Physical (Body), Essence (Qi) > Aspect Trinity // Astralism, Physique, Element 'Ranks' Initial - Early, Mid, Late Lower Realms // Enchanter, Primalist, Breacher Upper Realms // Defier, Demi-god, Divinity - Echelons (First -> Seventh[Peak]) - - - Cover Art: AI Text Prompt Generation + title (etc.) added with an image editor. I also tend to do other 'fixes' in post! Potential trigger warnings: > A FL that may seem (to some) like they are being groomed due to 'true age' difference. > A MC that gets a little 'thirsty' a little 'young' but tries to 'keep her own pants on' until the proper age. > A toxic family environment willing to force an unloved child into the role of a crossdresser. A child that grew more than okay with it. > 'Pretty Good Dad' intentionally 'picked on' by his 'sweet daughter' for being a relatively 'minor obstacle'. Seriously, you were warned, average fathers with teenagers. Do not engage your trauma.

Seraphelki · LGBT+
Not enough ratings
276 Chs