Let’s talk about the moon. 

Why? Well, partly because of my M/M paranormal romance novel Bold as Brass, I’m finding topics that relate to some of the main flavors in the novel. Like the moon.

In the book, Liam Monroe gets his powers from the moon. He can see where the moon shines and manipulate shadows at night. He also engages in some unique and kinky moon rituals. But we’ll get into that more later.

He’s also strongest whenever the moon is strongest, so a full moon gives him the most power. The same powers as a fictional wizard in a book may not be possible, but there are plenty of people who do try tapping into the moon’s power, especially on the full moon.

One way to tap into the moon’s energy is with moon water. Do not confuse this with moonshine. They are both drinkable, but with very different results. 

Moon Water

Moon water is basically what it sounds like. Water that the moon has shined down upon, which charges the water with some of the moon’s energy.

This practice has apparently existed for a very long time and is certainly legit because it even became a TikTok craze. Okay maybe not, but given that the moon does control the tides, it isn’t totally crazy to draw a connection between the moon and water. 

All you need to do is set out some water under a full moon or place a jar of water in a windowsill where the moonlight can reach it. Those who practice witchcraft have some strong opinions on whether the water has to be outside or whether there can be a lid on the jar, but if you’re just doing this for fun, I say you do whatever works for you. 

Moon water can be used for anything regular water can, though some common uses are for cleansing and revitalization like taking a bath, watering plants, cleaning, or making tea. 

Inside Bold as Brass Lots of people do full moon rituals to recharge and welcome a new phase in life, though Liam Monroe does things a little differently in Bold as Brass. His rituals still work around moon phases, but they involve power exchange and are decidedly dirtier than simply celebrating the moon’s journey across the sky.  When Oliver Brass doesn’t feel deserving of his powers and they become out of control, he turns to Liam for help. He’s never done anything so bold as putting someone else in charge of his body and his magic before, but nothing else is working and he’s drawn to the sinful things the professor/dominant is offering. In this scene, Liam and Oliver are starting a ritual under the moon. They’re making candles for the ritual and setting up how their arrangement will work. Basically, Oliver is giving up control and Liam is taking it.

Oliver

Maybe I feel it in the air or in the soft moonlight beginning to trickle in from the skylight. There’s a power here and we only need to shape and draw it out.

I go for the obvious, taking the coil of brass from my table and starting to wrap a thin strip around my candle. “I pledge to give you control of my metal magic.” The words feel like a vow. “I promise to use my magic how you direct me and to refrain when not given permission.”

“I accept the authority for use of your metal magic.” Liam wraps a length of dark twine around his own candle. “From the start of this waxing moon cycle until the next cycle of the waxing moon, I must give you permission in order to use the magic.”

It’s not magic I feel now, only the weight of the words and his eyes on me. I shiver in expectation of the promises there. This is why I came to him.

“I pledge to give you control of my body. I will let you dictate our, our, um, sexual activity.”

“I accept.” Liam responds swiftly. He seems excited. “I will make decisions for both of us sexually. I’ll give you orders.”

“And I will obey,” I whisper.

“Honestly, my imagination has been running wild. Any reasonable magic usage may be asked of you, like we agreed, but right now? It’s looking like there will be a lot of sexual commands. There are so many perverted uses for your magic, and I’d like to explore as many of them as we can.”

I focus on wrapping red thread around my candle as I respond, “N-not, that’s not a problem.”

“Good,” says Liam. He doesn’t continue.

I remind him, “That’s not all we talked about.”

“I know, but why don’t you tell me anyway?” Liam enjoys this too much. “You need to say it, Oliver.”

“You will also control when I come,” I whisper, face bright red. “Control whether I come at all.”

My heart is pounding in my chest and my cock stirs in anticipation as I offer up this gift to Liam. His eyes grow even darker and he accepts without hesitation. 

“That’s right. Your every orgasm is mine to give or withhold. For the most part, expect that you aren’t getting off or using your metal magic unless I’m there. When I say, you can use your power and come.”

“Well, one or the other.” 

Liam starts to nod and agree, then he stops. “You know what? Let’s make the two exclusive.”

“What?”

“You aren’t going to come at all unless I give you permission. And anytime you do, you’re going to be using metal magic before, during, or after.” Even in the dark, I see his eyes light up. “Oh, I like this idea. I like this a lot.” But he shakes his head and clears his throat a second later. “Question is, what about you? If you don’t think you can handle that, tell me. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s best to tell me now.”

“Um, what if I can’t?” 

“Then you can’t.” He gives me a soft smile, no judgment or pressure. “This is what I want. I think it’s within your power to give me, but I could be wrong. And if I am wrong, that’s not your fault. I just need to know. I only want what you’re willing to give.” 

He seemed dark and dirty a second ago and now he’s softly looking into my eyes and making me feel safe, how does he do that?

 I already know he’s the kind of man who honors what he says. That means he won’t begrudge any limits I need to set. If I say no right now, the person most disappointed… will be me.

“No, I…I want to try,” I tell him. “I know I need to use my powers and get them to cooperate but that’s still the part I’m least looking forward to. This way gives me something to look forward to when using the magic. I’d like to try. Is that enough?”

Liam smiles. “Darling, it is more than enough.”

My head spins as we cover the rest smoothly and finish the candle. By the time we’re finished, I’m hard and aching in my pants. I feel the moon grow stronger, its power pulsing around us but not touching us yet. I’m so eager to feel it, to offer myself up to its power and Liam’s.

The empty space between us fills with moonlight, shining brightly, right down through the spotlight as we make our final pledges.

“Let my intentions become manifest under the light of the moon and its magic.”

We both speak the incantation and step into the skylight with our candles. Both candles light, fire glowing from the wicks like the moonlight is a flame that ignited them. 

When we touch the candles together, both candles go out and smoke swirls around us. Liam’s eyes glow and I feel his power, feel the intention behind our words gaining the conviction and weight of magic. 

It’s done. Until the next waxing moon cycle, I’m his.

Bold as Brass

Oliver Brass is proud to follow family tradition and become a metal wizard. For about two seconds. Then his family’s good name is tarnished by crime and scandal, leaving Oliver confused and betrayed. When his powers start rebelling against him, a friendly professor could help. But the teacher’s illicit extracurricular activities are what truly captive the metal mage.

A charming professor by day and a wicked dom by night, Liam Monroe has the unique ability to control a person’s body and magic. Surrendering to the sexy older man could be exactly what Oliver needs, as long as he keeps his feelings at bay and remembers their arrangement is supposed to be temporary.

Everything seems to be going well, until dragons with a score to settle attack and threaten both men. Oliver must rely on his magic if he has any hope of stopping the vengeful dragons… or keeping Liam.

Can Oliver be bold enough to fight for the man he loves, or will it all go up in flames?