Corvo and Ardan Series by Molly Church

Corvo is a historian working for the Tiberian government diplomatic service when he's sent to the planet Biryan to make peace between his homeworld and the Biryani nation of Balcon. The peace-making process presents problems -- and potential -- of its own, in the person of Ardan.Ardan is the Balcon sacrifice offered to Corvo as a slave in order to assure peace... moreCorvo is a historian working for the Tiberian government diplomatic service when he's sent to the planet Biryan to make peace between his homeworld and the Biryani nation of Balcon. The peace-making process presents problems -- and potential -- of its own, in the person of Ardan.Ardan is the Balcon sacrifice offered to Corvo as a slave in order to assure peace. While Corvo knows he must accept this man as his slave, it is not the way of his people and he must balance carefully between his morals and his duty to keep the peace. Will he be able to navigate the diplomatic waters without setting off any mines? less

Corvo and Ardn have traveled from their home on the planet Biryan back to Corvo's homeworld of Tiberia to take part in Corvo's sister's wedding. The happy occasion is complicated by the fact that Ardn is essentially a prisoner of war, a war that, though over, he is still affected by. Corvo, likewise, is a hostage to the political situation that made Ardn a slave... moreCorvo and Ardn have traveled from their home on the planet Biryan back to Corvo's homeworld of Tiberia to take part in Corvo's sister's wedding. The happy occasion is complicated by the fact that Ardn is essentially a prisoner of war, a war that, though over, he is still affected by. Corvo, likewise, is a hostage to the political situation that made Ardn a slave. Though they have overcome many of the problems they faced initially, and are happy together, neither of them is happy with the legal realities that they are powerless to change. The trip to Tiberia, intended to be happy, instead becomes laden with meaning that he had not expected. less

Corvo and Ardán are back in this stand-alone story, now living on Tiberia where Corvo's sister is heavily pregnant with Ardán's son and daughter, and as the due date approaches, Corvo and Ardán receive their license to marry. However, Tiberian wedding customs throw up some problems of their own. Traditionally, each of the to-be spouses presents a gift to the other, a promise of their ability to provide for one another and their family to come... moreCorvo and Ardán are back in this stand-alone story, now living on Tiberia where Corvo's sister is heavily pregnant with Ardán's son and daughter, and as the due date approaches, Corvo and Ardán receive their license to marry. However, Tiberian wedding customs throw up some problems of their own. Traditionally, each of the to-be spouses presents a gift to the other, a promise of their ability to provide for one another and their family to come. Ardán, legally Corvo's permanent prisoner despite their personal feelings, doesn't have anything that isn't already materially Corvo's. As a mere custom, it could be ignored, but Ardán focuses on it, and the question of what he brings to their union. Corvo and Ardán have appeared in Brown: Grisaille in Sand and Sunset, Pentimento: Poppy and Gray: Grisaille in Stone and Sky. This story is part of the 2011 Charity Sip Blitz collection. More than thirty authors have written short fiction pieces and have agreed to donate all proceeds of the sales of these stories to the It Gets Better Project . Torquere Press Inc. will match the authors' donations completely. less