Novels by Rori schumacher

I'd started spending time with Davon after work and on my days off. It was rare for me not to pay him a visit whether it was expected or not. I was excited to begin this journey into a whole new world of myth and magic and, possibly most importantly, to learn more about the man himself. But as the days rolled into weeks it felt as though I was standing in place unable to move forward in either goal and to sat it was becoming frustrating would have been a huge understatement.When I was with him I felt like I was back in high-school and had finally garnered the attention of my long-time crush. I'd catch myself playing with the ends of my sleeves as we spoke, twirling my hair and stumbling over words whenever he said anything potential sensual- which seemed like a common occurrence, or at least far more common than I was used to. At first I'd found it difficult to focus on anything but him as a result, but it had slowly begun to ease and with that came a certainty. He'd cast a spell on

I wake in a large, soft bed. Unsure how long has passed, my gaze sweeps the room in search of a clock. The room is big, but mostly empty; a bed and dresser are the only furniture. A clock rests on the dresser, big red letters tell me it’s 5: 26. I sigh in relief and pull myself out of bed.I make my way down the winding stairs to his living room, sending a glare at that damnable rug. Davon isn’t here. Should I look for him? It feels wrong to just search his place. He might not even be here, maybe he went back to wherever. My gaze returns to the swirling milky-way, a frown tugging my lips.“So the lovely Ms. Foster is finally awake,” I whirl around at the sound of his voice. He strides over to me, his gaze inspecting, “How are you feeling?”“Confused,” is my anxious reply.“I would imagine,” he cracks a smile, though it doesn’t reach his eyes, “You should leave. Ask Nora to take you on, I’m not a good fit for you. You need a caring hand, I can’t give you that.”“But that’s exactly what

"Is it terrible?" Davon asks, raking a hand through his hair, "I think it's the perfect medicine for you.""How can you say that?" Kimberly shouts, eyes wide with hysteria, "Do you know what you've done?""Of course I do," his voice rings with mirth, "I concocted the potion, remember?""Why would you do this to me? You-you monster!" fresh tears make their escape, rushing down her face only to fall to the grey carpet below. My stomach twists in sympathy. I don't need to be told what happened, I've already figured it out."To help you, just as you asked," the innocent expression he's donned further sours my own. I don't see how what's done constitutes helping in any way."How is this helping?" She spits the question, which mirrors my own.“You’ll fear those ‘negative’ thoughts for the rest of your life. You’ll force yourself away from them, terrified that they’ll spill into your waking life,” he tilts his head, his eyes dulled with boredom, “Am I wrong?”“Well… no,” she steps closer, “B

Davon sent me home soon after Kimberly left, telling me to return Friday; exactly one week from today. My thoughts are fixed on the man as I climb into my powder blue cobalt, trying to jam the key into the ignition as I eye the large, white house. When I succeed, I slowly put my car in reverse and carefully back out of the long, winding driveway.He haunts me throughout the week, steering my thoughts toward him whenever I’m not busy enough to keep him at bay. Again and again, I wonder what spell he’s put on me; even though I know he hasn’t. But I can’t otherwise make sense of it, this fascination… attraction if I’m honest with myself. Which I don’t want to be, not on this.On Wednesday, Nora steps into the café. The bells hanging over the door signal her arrival, she steps inside. Long, blonde hair caresses her arms and shoulders, as she casually looks around. Then she spots me, bent over the table I have been bussing, and struts over with a pleasant smile clinging to her lips.Her un

“What happens when what we think is made manifest?” Davon asks me, hands folded neatly beneath his chin. The trace of a smile raises the corners of his full, kissable lips, mossy-green eyes twinkling with a devilish gleam. It stirs something in the pit of my stomach, clawing like a kitten at my insides. I feel mesmerized by this man and his slow, sensuous voice. Even as my skin crawls, pleading with me to escape his clutches; before it’s too late.I clear my throat, flitting my gaze to the potted plant beside the couch he’s sitting on. The large, green leaves of the hostas are trimmed with white and still glistening from a recent watering. I feel his eyes on me as I think, patiently awaiting my thoughts. “I’m not really sure why you’re asking, it seems like you answered it yourself,” I tell him, forcing my gaze back to his face. His skin is lightly tanned, nearly the same light brown color as his hair; which is just long enough to curl around his ears.He laughs, like a deep, dark s

*Irellia's POV*"Ellia!" Arken screams up at me, his voice breaks in a way that makes my stomach drop. He's afraid. The realization sends me into a frantic fit as I swing my arms back at my capture haphazardly fighting for my release and somehow miss with every strike, every kick. My eyes are fixed on Arken, who jumps and claws his way up a nearby mast, willing him to reach me. To save me as he always does. He reaches the top, still a good twenty feet below me, his expression dark and threatening. Even I'm aware of the blood lost oozing off of him. His sleek, muscular form is crouched; poised to strike with a ferocity I feel confident would put his wolf form to shame, and I'm certain the only thing stopping him is that I'm in the way. "Let her go," he growls, baring his teeth. It's the first time I've noticed how long and sharp his canines are. More like a wolf's than a man's, they gleam in the sunlight while his golden eyes seem to grow darker by the second.My captor lets loose

*Irellia's POV*The night had been long and lonely. The thunder and blaring rain had done little to drown out my fearful thoughts; my worry for Arken up there in the storm, images of him falling overboard parts of the ship falling on him, all sorts of horrible things had flashed through my mind.But now it's morning, now the roar has calmed to a pitter patter against the round window of my room. No more flashes of lightning turning each shadow into a devilish creature, no more booms from the sky making my heart leap to my throat. Just a peaceful drizzle, and yet I still clung to the foot of my bed.I'm being ridiculous, hiding here like I'm still a child afraid of the thunder. Even that excuse falls short now that the storm has passed. Arken hadn't been afraid. He'd charged right out that door to save us from becoming lost at sea.I close my eyes and slowly release my hold, sucking in a deep breath as I half expect the room to tilt and send me flying across the room. It doesn't, of co

*Arken's POV*My shoulder crashes into the wall as I round a corner, I don't even get a second to right myself before I have to reach out and save the stupid thief from hitting as well. Unfortunately, that results in him being closer to me than I'd care for. though him being anywhere on this ship is too close for my liking.I hate that I'm stuck here protecting him instead of being at Ellia's side, but if I don't do this and he fails it'll put her in more danger. The idea of which makes me feel angry, antsy, and a little helpless. Which just circles right around to angry."Thanks," he tells me, his voice hoarse.I glance down at the bright red marks on his throat and feel my lips twitch. Serves him right for being close to her. I mean upsetting her; why would I care if another man was near her? Of course I care, that's why I wanna rip this guy's throat out, but why do I care? I'm being an idiot.Laufrey darts passed me for the staircase looking like a yellow streak in that ridiculous

*Irellia's POV*It's our second evening aboard this stolen ship and I haven't spoken to Arken since that first morning. Part of it's because he's been avoiding me, I'm pretty certain he has been anyway. Whenever we see each other in the corridor he's inexplicably ducked into whatever room was closest, or marched right back in the direction he'd come. Each near encounter has left me with mixed emotions- which is the main reason we haven't talked. I don't know how to face him when I can't even comprehend what I'm feeling.I'd felt it first several days ago when he'd fled from me like a frightened animal. At that time it was a flood of concern that washed over me, souring me after him. I had wanted to help, to sooth him, but underneath that there'd been a selfishness. A fear that he would disappear into the trees and I'd never lay eyes on him again. The relief I'd felt once he'd finally calmed down had been immense and I'd been able to dismiss my strange attachment to a man I barely kne

*Sila's POV*My nails dig into the palms of my hands, frustration erupting from my chest in a growl I pray my foolish brother can hear on that damnable ship. I'd been so close to catching him, had the knights not been slowing me down with their weak stamina and Jaron's attempts to wrangle that pale horse I'd surely have my little brother on his knees before me right now.The two knights had split up and sought out captains in hopes of gaining a vessel to pursue them, but I knew enough about Likuna to know they'd have a hard enough time with the locals themselves let alone with a group of wolves along. The odds of them striking a deal were probably as good of Arken suddenly diving into the water and swimming back here to me."He flees to avoid marrying the woman he's traveling with anyway. It doesn't make any sense," I hear Kita from my right.I'm about to agree with him but Balt speaks up first, "I don't imagine the princess would be foolish enough to disclose her identity, and Arken

*Irellia's POV*I roll onto my side and pull a bulky pillow to my chest. I'd forgotten how wonderous a bed could be. It made me aware of just how much my back had suffered all those nights in the forest. But this sleeping arrangement does bring with it some concern, namely exactly how I'd gotten here.A soft knock at the door jerks me up into a sitting position, eyes darting around the plain little room. Aside from the okay sized bed itself the only furniture in here is a small desk in the corner with papers scattered about. I see the rounded top of a chest peaking out from the end of the dark green blanket someone had haphazardly thrown over me, and it in the process.I bury my face in my hands as the events of last night come flooding back to me. They'd found me with the help of Arken's people, that was the most reasonable explanation. I should have known they'd be eager to retrieve their unwilling bride. I was stupid, and gods know what trouble I'd brought on Arken because of it. A