Blade Broken - The Echelon, #1

When threats arise from within and without, Lucian has to make some hard choices. What he has never expected was the re-entry of Alaric, his former friend and present enemy into his life. Lucian is the Blade of Castrial, in charge of defending the kingdom against enemies and managing their extensive spy network. His position in The Echelon is next only to the King, and he has the King's ear and confidence.
A successfully fought war against Garaner has added to his merits. Enter Alaric, who Lucian betrayed five years ago, and condemned for a crime he didn't commit. His name has been cleared now, and he has been appointed the Shield of Castrial, his position equal to that of Lucian. He never makes any secret of his anger towards Lucian and his animosity, one which he proves when he enslaves the family of Lucian's dead fiancé.
But another war is on the horizon, with another ambitious neighbour mustering their armies and sending spies into Castrial. Someone high in the Echelon is in their pay, and Lucian has no idea who it is. He has no time to play games with Alaric, and it's no time for the Shield and the Blade to be at odds with each other. Can Lucian convince Alaric to work with him to unearth the spy or will Castrial fall to internal strife before their foes can strike?Blade Broken is a queer, sword and sorcery fantasy which is the first in The Echelon Series.
If you love flawed characters, political machinations, complex emotional strife, realistic world building, betrayals and redemption, you will love this gritty book.