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The Bestiary #3.2
Hold Still
Esen has spent his entire life an outcast, and he threw out his last chance at fitting in when he broke the engagement his family worked so hard to arrange. Sent to the royal palace to fulfill one last duty, he counts the hours until he is literally left homeless and destitute. But hiding away in the royal garden, he accidentally overhears a private conversation and meets the mysterious Queen's Man ...
47 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2012
26 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Megan Derr
284 books2,949 followersMegan is a long time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.
meganderr.com
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meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr
meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
meganderr.blogspot.com
facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
September 14, 2025
This is another wonderful example of a super short story that introduces a huge world and is incredibly interesting and so well written that you are sucked in after just a few words. The author really has an outstanding talent for creating so much atmosphere with almost nothing.
This is part of a multi-author series, but I've only read this book and don't plan to look at the others. This one alone was perfect and totally satisfying.
Of course, it would be nice to learn much more about Esen and Gaston and to get more insight into the development of their relationship. There are small jumps in time in this story, which leave a lot to the imagination, and so the connection between the two seems a little rushed. Nevertheless, I find the harmony between them simply perfect and therefore not at all too insta-ish.
What's more, Esen is such a wonderfully portrayed character, I'd love to give him endless hugs.
Why anyone expected him to be able to grasp things he had not started learning until he was sixteen, when everyone else had known it since childhood, he did not know, but he had given up asking or expecting anyone to understand. 🥺
And Gaston is soooo sweet.
Gentle fingers cupped Esen's cheek, turned his head, and Gaston's smile suddenly made all the sour memories so much easier to bear. "Don't worry about people who don't listen. If they won't listen, they don't deserve to be heard. You made the right decision. Let no one convince you otherwise." 🫠💞🫠
"You're a little magpie, aren't you?" Gaston said with a chuckle. "One silk ribbon and your face lights up, and I think if anyone tried to take those lovely emeralds from your ears they would find themselves sorely regretting it."
Esen flushed. "I do like pretty clothes. I never had such things; I didn't know they could come in so many colors."
"You've certainly earned the right to pretty clothes, and more besides," Gaston replied, then bent to press the softest of kisses to Esen's lips before he traced them with his tongue in a way that made Esen shiver and hold him more tightly. 😍🫠🥰
It always feels so crazy to give such high ratings for such short stories. But I'm sorry, this one just made me so happy all around.
This is part of a multi-author series, but I've only read this book and don't plan to look at the others. This one alone was perfect and totally satisfying.
Of course, it would be nice to learn much more about Esen and Gaston and to get more insight into the development of their relationship. There are small jumps in time in this story, which leave a lot to the imagination, and so the connection between the two seems a little rushed. Nevertheless, I find the harmony between them simply perfect and therefore not at all too insta-ish.
What's more, Esen is such a wonderfully portrayed character, I'd love to give him endless hugs.
Why anyone expected him to be able to grasp things he had not started learning until he was sixteen, when everyone else had known it since childhood, he did not know, but he had given up asking or expecting anyone to understand. 🥺
And Gaston is soooo sweet.
Gentle fingers cupped Esen's cheek, turned his head, and Gaston's smile suddenly made all the sour memories so much easier to bear. "Don't worry about people who don't listen. If they won't listen, they don't deserve to be heard. You made the right decision. Let no one convince you otherwise." 🫠💞🫠
"You're a little magpie, aren't you?" Gaston said with a chuckle. "One silk ribbon and your face lights up, and I think if anyone tried to take those lovely emeralds from your ears they would find themselves sorely regretting it."
Esen flushed. "I do like pretty clothes. I never had such things; I didn't know they could come in so many colors."
"You've certainly earned the right to pretty clothes, and more besides," Gaston replied, then bent to press the softest of kisses to Esen's lips before he traced them with his tongue in a way that made Esen shiver and hold him more tightly. 😍🫠🥰
It always feels so crazy to give such high ratings for such short stories. But I'm sorry, this one just made me so happy all around.
December 24, 2015
Megan Derr + fantasy + sweet romance = happy mle
February 16, 2013
Definitely a bestiary with lots of fantastical creatures within the pages of this story. A fast paced story which I wished had been longer so the relationship between Esen and Gaston could have been developed more but they had a wonderful chemistry. I loved Esen's nature as a Slyph so interesting and original.
March 24, 2013
A delightful and magical tale. I am fast becoming hooked on Megan Derr's magical worlds lol.
Esen is a delightful character and for me an unusual one, I don’t think I’ve ever read about a Sylph before. Gaston is the perfect match for him. Together they make a beautiful little romance.
This is an entertaining and interesting tale and I look forward to seeing what other authors can do with this theme.
Esen is a delightful character and for me an unusual one, I don’t think I’ve ever read about a Sylph before. Gaston is the perfect match for him. Together they make a beautiful little romance.
This is an entertaining and interesting tale and I look forward to seeing what other authors can do with this theme.
February 26, 2018
Re-read 2nd edition
Somehow, I ended up reading the 2nd edition WITHOUT remembering anything from my first time read *lol*. In my defense, it was 5+ years ago.And maybe because I was in worse mood -- I felt like I was reading a lot of mediocre books -- I ended up LOVING this one better than my first time read.
I thought it was sweet and I totally enjoyed the built-up (even if there were a LOT of time passing off page), the fantasy element (!), as well as the tame sexual level :). So yes, I'm upping the rating for the 2nd read.
Original Review in Nov 2012: 3 stars
Truthfully, this wasn't my personal favorite (nor Megan Derr's best, IMHO). I thought the story lack of development on characters and I couldn't feel that connection between Esen and Gaston. However, it still retained Megan Derr's signature style -- imaginative world building () and sexually tame story...
Somehow, I ended up reading the 2nd edition WITHOUT remembering anything from my first time read *lol*. In my defense, it was 5+ years ago.And maybe because I was in worse mood -- I felt like I was reading a lot of mediocre books -- I ended up LOVING this one better than my first time read.
I thought it was sweet and I totally enjoyed the built-up (even if there were a LOT of time passing off page), the fantasy element (!), as well as the tame sexual level :). So yes, I'm upping the rating for the 2nd read.
Original Review in Nov 2012: 3 stars
Truthfully, this wasn't my personal favorite (nor Megan Derr's best, IMHO). I thought the story lack of development on characters and I couldn't feel that connection between Esen and Gaston. However, it still retained Megan Derr's signature style -- imaginative world building () and sexually tame story...
January 11, 2016
It might not be a full-length book with deep exploration of characters and their relationship, profound world building and epic events, but I loved it regardless and enjoyed the secrets and the magic, however little there was. Just something about Megan Derr's shorts that I always find comforting. 4 stars.
January 2, 2016
This was really sweet. There were a couple instances where I was knocked out of the story with bad editing which...grrr...but all and all this was a really nice read.
March 31, 2018
3.5 stars
An entertaining and sweet, albeit short, fantasy story.
An entertaining and sweet, albeit short, fantasy story.
June 9, 2024
2nd re-read. I am lowering my rating from 4 stars to 3 because the story is sweet and entertaining and the best it could be for its length.
I really need to start reading all those books I have in my kindle and of course my first choice was a Megan Derr short. Of course I've read it before and I didn't remember till I started reading it.
Fairytale setting with lots of different magical creatures. The story revolves around Esen, a Sylph that used to live till his teens in Mount Chiron alone with a caretaker and Gaston, a creature with mysterious origins and the Queen's man.
Esen becomes a guide to Gaston in his venture to Mount Chiron, and their relationship develops. There are time skips of course, since this is 40pgs long, but the romance is sweet and we get to meet Gaston's parents which was quite entertaining and the couple have a strong HFN, suggestive HEA.
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Excellent fantasy story as is always with Megan Derr, kinda makes me wonder if I should read the rest of the Bestiary stories that are written from other authors.
I really need to start reading all those books I have in my kindle and of course my first choice was a Megan Derr short. Of course I've read it before and I didn't remember till I started reading it.
Fairytale setting with lots of different magical creatures. The story revolves around Esen, a Sylph that used to live till his teens in Mount Chiron alone with a caretaker and Gaston, a creature with mysterious origins and the Queen's man.
Esen becomes a guide to Gaston in his venture to Mount Chiron, and their relationship develops. There are time skips of course, since this is 40pgs long, but the romance is sweet and we get to meet Gaston's parents which was quite entertaining and the couple have a strong HFN, suggestive HEA.
--------
Excellent fantasy story as is always with Megan Derr, kinda makes me wonder if I should read the rest of the Bestiary stories that are written from other authors.
November 29, 2012
3.5 stars
Esen was a Sylph, an airy creature that can fly with wind. Gaston was also a creature, but whose nature was mysterious. He often had to go somewhere to do the Queen's biding. When Gaston had to talk to the centaurs who lived in the mountain area where Esen grew up, he hired Esen to be his guide. Slowly, their relationship turned into something else. Could it be last, when Esen learned that Gaston was not a common man?
I find most Megan Derr's stories are like Sylphs. They are like moving with the wind, so need to be grounded. Once they are grounded, they stay and we get to enjoy them immensely. The ones that are not, well, let's say, they're gone with the wind.
This one is a bit in the middle. It has its moments, but not as grounded as some of her other works. IMO, it's not all because of the short-story format. My favorite short-stories from her are the Rappiers anthology, where we can feel the characters' emotion (especially in 1000 Duels).
Esen was a Sylph, an airy creature that can fly with wind. Gaston was also a creature, but whose nature was mysterious. He often had to go somewhere to do the Queen's biding. When Gaston had to talk to the centaurs who lived in the mountain area where Esen grew up, he hired Esen to be his guide. Slowly, their relationship turned into something else. Could it be last, when Esen learned that Gaston was not a common man?
I find most Megan Derr's stories are like Sylphs. They are like moving with the wind, so need to be grounded. Once they are grounded, they stay and we get to enjoy them immensely. The ones that are not, well, let's say, they're gone with the wind.
This one is a bit in the middle. It has its moments, but not as grounded as some of her other works. IMO, it's not all because of the short-story format. My favorite short-stories from her are the Rappiers anthology, where we can feel the characters' emotion (especially in 1000 Duels).
April 30, 2023
Good
Reread 2023
Before starting new book
4 ⭐️
Megan Derr has a way of writing shorts that entertain and satisfy. I liked both Gaston And Esen. Esen especially was a character that I connected with. I felt for him trying the navigate the world and but at the same time keep his unique personality.
There were times that I wished for more information about the characters backgrounds and motivations but all in all the story didn’t suffer from not having them.
Reread 2023
Before starting new book
4 ⭐️
Megan Derr has a way of writing shorts that entertain and satisfy. I liked both Gaston And Esen. Esen especially was a character that I connected with. I felt for him trying the navigate the world and but at the same time keep his unique personality.
There were times that I wished for more information about the characters backgrounds and motivations but all in all the story didn’t suffer from not having them.
May 12, 2021
A sweet, breezy little romance.
I haven't read too many elemental fantasy characters, so a slyph protagonist was an interesting aspect. Esen was an adorable little magpie, and I liked the idea of him sending bits of himself on the wind.
Some exposition was a bit too tidily on the nose, and I honestly think I side with the centaurs in their isolationist policy, but for the brevity of the tale, the idea was charming enough to not nitpick over execution.
I haven't read too many elemental fantasy characters, so a slyph protagonist was an interesting aspect. Esen was an adorable little magpie, and I liked the idea of him sending bits of himself on the wind.
Some exposition was a bit too tidily on the nose, and I honestly think I side with the centaurs in their isolationist policy, but for the brevity of the tale, the idea was charming enough to not nitpick over execution.
January 21, 2013
3.25*
I have a soft spot for Ms Derr's stories there is always something about them that I enjoy.
Poor Esen has been treated poorly by his family for his entire life, deserted, a used and when he refused to a marriage they wanted disowned.
He wishes for someone to ground him, his nature as a wind sprite makes it his most fervent wish for a love to keep calling him back.
I also really liked his appreciation for pretty things and lots of color, he really is cute.
Gaston, wow a Chimera, I would love to read more about him, but he is a perfect match for Esen's nature as he is restless and seeks adventure. I just wished there had been a bit more of their relationship, but that is one of the problems with such short stories they usually leave me wanting more.
I liked the quote at the end:
“I like grounding you, Esen. It is rather perfect that it is the wind that makes me hold still”
I have a soft spot for Ms Derr's stories there is always something about them that I enjoy.
Poor Esen has been treated poorly by his family for his entire life, deserted, a used and when he refused to a marriage they wanted disowned.
He wishes for someone to ground him, his nature as a wind sprite makes it his most fervent wish for a love to keep calling him back.
I also really liked his appreciation for pretty things and lots of color, he really is cute.
Gaston, wow a Chimera, I would love to read more about him, but he is a perfect match for Esen's nature as he is restless and seeks adventure. I just wished there had been a bit more of their relationship, but that is one of the problems with such short stories they usually leave me wanting more.
I liked the quote at the end:
“I like grounding you, Esen. It is rather perfect that it is the wind that makes me hold still”
January 24, 2023
Well, hmm. This could've been better.
I don't regret reading this one, it's short and enjoyable enough. But there is a major flaw that could've been corrected in one sentence, and the ending is... there, but merely okay. Derr has definitely written punchier, more compelling shorter stories.
I don't regret reading this one, it's short and enjoyable enough. But there is a major flaw that could've been corrected in one sentence, and the ending is... there, but merely okay. Derr has definitely written punchier, more compelling shorter stories.
November 3, 2023
Is It The Nature Of Wind To Be Still?
NaturesHarmony1
Esen has been disowned, cut adrift, for political expediency. After years of being set aside, his family had hoped to gain wealth and regain influence by marrying him off. But, he refused the marriage, feeling their natures didn’t suit - he couldn’t make his affianced smile, even once. Would more years of intolerance make him stronger, or merely wear him away to nothing. It wasn’t something Esen wanted to explore.
Gaston is known as the “Queen’s Man” at court, dispatched to deal with problems and irregularities. Most at court consider him a paramour of the queen. While, there is a relationship, it’s intimacy is of another source. But his lover wants to settle down and take a real place at court. In pique, he breaks up with Gaston when he won’t promise that.
What could bring such disparate people together? Travel at the request of the queen to the area of Esen’s exile. What they find there, is more than the problem the queen wanted addressed; for they each find respite in the other. Sweet.
NaturesHarmony1
Esen has been disowned, cut adrift, for political expediency. After years of being set aside, his family had hoped to gain wealth and regain influence by marrying him off. But, he refused the marriage, feeling their natures didn’t suit - he couldn’t make his affianced smile, even once. Would more years of intolerance make him stronger, or merely wear him away to nothing. It wasn’t something Esen wanted to explore.
Gaston is known as the “Queen’s Man” at court, dispatched to deal with problems and irregularities. Most at court consider him a paramour of the queen. While, there is a relationship, it’s intimacy is of another source. But his lover wants to settle down and take a real place at court. In pique, he breaks up with Gaston when he won’t promise that.
What could bring such disparate people together? Travel at the request of the queen to the area of Esen’s exile. What they find there, is more than the problem the queen wanted addressed; for they each find respite in the other. Sweet.
April 3, 2025
That was just beautiful. My first read by Megan Derr and I fell in love with her writing.
Esen was very easy to relate to and feel for, with his loneliness and isolation. Gaston was a perfect match for him and the two of them had so much chemistry, it's such a pity that this is a short story. I really wish to see more of them, how their relationship develop, and learn more about this world.
Still, loved it.
°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*
*General Notes*
-fantasy world with dragons, satyrs, centaurs and similar creatures.
-Slyph MC, shapeshifter LI
-short story
-Ages: Esen ; Gaston is .
*Intimacy Notes*
-Top/bottom/verse:
-Kinks/sex notes:
-Other: a tiny bit of necktimacy.
Esen was very easy to relate to and feel for, with his loneliness and isolation. Gaston was a perfect match for him and the two of them had so much chemistry, it's such a pity that this is a short story. I really wish to see more of them, how their relationship develop, and learn more about this world.
Still, loved it.
°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*⁀°•*
*General Notes*
-fantasy world with dragons, satyrs, centaurs and similar creatures.
-Slyph MC, shapeshifter LI
-short story
-Ages: Esen ; Gaston is .
*Intimacy Notes*
-Top/bottom/verse:
-Kinks/sex notes:
-Other: a tiny bit of necktimacy.
April 27, 2023
After finishing, I finally understand the "Natures in Harmony" part. As Esen says at the end, he and Gaston really are perfectly suited to one another.
Apart from the sweet love story, I was impressed by how much world building Megan managed to get into such a short story. That doesn't happen often.
Now, onto Gather Close, the second in this series.
Apart from the sweet love story, I was impressed by how much world building Megan managed to get into such a short story. That doesn't happen often.
Now, onto Gather Close, the second in this series.
July 7, 2017
This was just sweet. It’s a simple romance between Gaston, a powerful and mysterious man, and Esen, who is undervalued and overlooked. Gaston sees the value and goodness in Esen and trusts him with his secrets. Esen proves his worth and wins his man and shows up everyone who dismissed him. I loved every second of it. Oh, and it’s a fantasy with quick sketches of the world they live in that are interesting and hint at the depth of the world building that we don’t see. So, so good.
March 20, 2018
This was short and sweet and light as a summer breeze.
I still prefer Megan Derr's longer works because I always want more time for her to develop her characters and worlds, but this was super charming and made me smile.
(I also really, really loved the background polyamory. It's so healing for me to see that in fiction, more queer polyamory in fiction please)
I still prefer Megan Derr's longer works because I always want more time for her to develop her characters and worlds, but this was super charming and made me smile.
(I also really, really loved the background polyamory. It's so healing for me to see that in fiction, more queer polyamory in fiction please)
December 12, 2018
Another wonderful novella by Megan Derr. The world wasn't as clearly spelled out for me as some others I've read but I adored both Esen and Gaston. This one felt like it wanted to be a novel, what with all the politics and world building in the background but the way that Esen and Gaston came together was wonderfully satisfying.
August 14, 2019
Megan Derr is my go-to author when I am in a reading slump. She never fails to surprise me. Hold Still is a short story/novella which was over a little too quickly for me.
Essan was such a cute character and he completely deserved his HEA with the adorable dragon-lion.
Recommended to all Derr fans.
Essan was such a cute character and he completely deserved his HEA with the adorable dragon-lion.
Recommended to all Derr fans.
February 22, 2022
This is adorable!!
Everything about this short story is lovely. The gentle sylph, the fierce but loyal chimera, the pacing as their relationship develops. The HEA is solid and romantic. The world building is strong enough to support the story. One MC has loving and accepting parents enough for them both, and our little sylph definitely traded up.
Everything about this short story is lovely. The gentle sylph, the fierce but loyal chimera, the pacing as their relationship develops. The HEA is solid and romantic. The world building is strong enough to support the story. One MC has loving and accepting parents enough for them both, and our little sylph definitely traded up.
June 16, 2024
Just waaayyy too much going on to attempt packing into 40 pages. As a result, there was no development of any kind beyond the barest of background and setting; absolutely none when it came to the relationship. Ambitious attempt, that left me befuddled and irritated (like arriving at a huge buffet and being given a coffee saucer while told only one trip up to the buffet).
December 26, 2023
I love it!
This tiny book is wonderful! I didn't realize it was so short or that it was fade to black, and I just want more! Esen and Gaston are both badasses, and I adore them together. ❤️
This tiny book is wonderful! I didn't realize it was so short or that it was fade to black, and I just want more! Esen and Gaston are both badasses, and I adore them together. ❤️
April 22, 2018
Esen & Gaston
Fantastical creatures and sweet characters. Quick, sweet and exotic, it’s a nice short story and always a sure pleasure for me!
🧚🏻♀️🐲✨❤️✨🐲🧚🏻♀️
Fantastical creatures and sweet characters. Quick, sweet and exotic, it’s a nice short story and always a sure pleasure for me!
🧚🏻♀️🐲✨❤️✨🐲🧚🏻♀️
July 11, 2018
Did not like the family but the pairing was cool, two different elemental creatures finding a way to ease their loneliness.
September 21, 2018
Cute little shortish story
October 21, 2018
It was just okay, I guess? Not nearly as engaging as some of other Megan's tales.
February 15, 2019
That was one cute couple. Esen was a really great character and I liked the Queen's Man too.
June 10, 2020
Really enjoyed this story. I do love Megan Derr's books. I only wish it was a bit longer and more detailed but it was great anyway.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews