People were bowing, and kids giggled until their parents shushed them. Hera had to admit, it was kind of a blast. When she reached their table, someone handed her a glass of wine.“Wow, this is wild. You’d think we actually mattered to these folks.”“You said we wouldn’t enjoy ourselves,” Keia said, taking a big gulp from her glass. “So, what’s the deal with that mystery guy? I can’t remember much from last night.”“Seriously?” Hera replied with a smirk. “Maybe it’s because of how much of this...” She gestured to Keia’s drink. “...you downed last night.”Keia brushed off the jab and pressed on about Thomas and Hera’s time with him.“What’s he like?”“Well, he’s about this tall.” Hera held her hand up about six inches above her own height. “Broad shoulders, dark hair that goes down to his shoulders.” She paused; eyes closed for a moment. “I never thought I’d find long hair on a guy appealing.”Keia grinned, clearly enjoying the story. “When I realized his accent was genuine, I nearly m
"This is truly remarkable, Madame Aurora," Keia replied. The Gitana's gaze locked onto Thomas, her smile fixed in place. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your companions?" “Absolutely," Hera managed to say. "Thomas and Gelo meet Madame Aurora, the woman responsible for our newfound status." The Gitana reached out her hand. Thomas shook it briefly. "You put on a fantastic performance. How long have you been doing this?" Thomas inquired. "For several years now, Mr...?" She paused, waiting for his last name. He hesitated, unsure if she had any history with his family. Gelo, sensing the awkwardness, chimed in, "Several years? That must be exhausting at your age!" The Gitana shot him a disapproving look. Thomas discreetly kicked Gelo under the table. "What my friend means to say is, do you have plans to retire soon? Though I doubt anyone could manage this event as well as you do." “If all goes well, gentlemen, I’ll be retiring quite soon." Her attention shifted to Hera,
“Wow, you know a lot about medieval stuff, don’t you?" "That’s what I’ve been told," he replied, avoiding her gaze. "Looks like some guys are pretty eager to win tomorrow." He gestured toward the men practicing in the arena. Hera watched the horseback riders with a mix of excitement and nerves. "You’re competing, right?" Thomas touched her lower back as they leaned in for a better view. "Nope, Hera. I won’t be competing." She turned to him, surprised. "But I thought... since we’ve been..." His expression softened into a playful grin. "You’re kidding, right?" she asked, feeling relieved. "I won’t just compete; I’ll win," he said confidently. She let out a quick sigh and playfully tapped his chest. "Don’t freak me out like that." "Are you worried I wouldn’t fight for you?" "You’re the only guy I’ve kissed here! You better fight for me!" "I do like your kisses." "I’ll give you another if you win," she promised. He leaned in, looking to steal a kiss, but Bruce’
“Why do you think that?” “I’m not sure; it’s just a feeling I have. She wouldn’t have gone along with this if it weren’t for you. Hera was ready to walk out last night, and now she seems more...” Keia swirled her wine glass thoughtfully. “That probably sounds a bit off.” He pondered her words. They echoed his feelings since he had sat in her lap. “It makes total sense.” He grinned at Hera’s friend, bonding with the woman who looked out for his girl. He briefly reflected on how he had started to think of her as “his girl.” Hera wasn’t his in any real sense, but that’s how he felt. “Oh... No!” Keia suddenly interrupted his thoughts, glancing across the room. “Hera’s not going to tolerate that.” The music shifted, and so did Hera’s dance partner. She stood face to face with him. His size matched his drunken state. When he tried to pull Hera closer, she resisted, prompting Thomas to leap to his feet, fury in his eyes. He looked like a knight from a bygone era, pushing thro
Hera caught his smile just before his lips crashed onto hers, consuming her completely. Their kiss ignited like a spark, unlike the gentle, teasing kisses they’d shared. This time, it was raw and desperate, leaving no space for hesitation or doubt about where it was heading. The Gitana trailed behind them as they exited the dance hall, her gaze burning with rage and a thirst for revenge as she watched Thomas wrap his arms around Hera. She lingered in the shadows, biding her time until their minds went blankly. With her palms open and eyes shut, she delved into their thoughts. Thomas’s mind was flooded with images of a deeper connection with Hera, his desire for her palpable. He reveled in the fact that he was her first. Meanwhile, Hera’s mind was driven by passion and trust, and her bond with him grew more assertive. Her commitment to staying a virgin was hanging by a thread. The Gitana pushed further into Hera’s memories, searching for why she chose to remain untouched.
As he walked her to the entrance of her tent, he kept his promise and didn’t push for even a goodnight kiss. But if he had, would she have given him more? She gulped down the wine, hoping it would help her drift off quickly. At least in her dreams, she could be with him. The wine worked like a charm. Just minutes after blowing out the candles and settling in, her mind was flooded with thoughts of Thomas and the life they could share. The Gitana floated above Hera’s bed, observing her as she slept. It was easy to slip into Hera’s drugged mind, like slicing through warm butter. The Gitana gently touched Hera’s temples and began her chant. Images and words danced in her head, lingering just behind the veil of Hera’s dreams. She inserted the image of the man she wanted Hera to crave. Hera stirred in her sleep, her mind clouded. A frown crossed her face, and for a moment, The Gitana feared she might wake up. To her dismay, Hera’s vision shifted, and Thomas’s figure was replaced b
Hera shot Keia a mischievous grin. “You owe me big time for this,” she whispered slyly. “Lords and Ladies, Warriors and Knights, Pages and Squires, welcome!” She paused to soak in the applause, eyes scanning the crowd for Thomas. “To the brave souls competing in our games and tournament, we wish you all the best and good health.” The audience cheered in response. “Gentlemen,” she announced, introducing the trumpeters who promptly summoned the warriors. They rode in on their horses, sitting tall and proud. The horses danced around the arena, drawing smiles and pointing fingers from the crowd. Hera recognized some familiar faces from the night before, but others were new. Each rider approached Hera, helmet in hand, one by one, bowing before her. She greeted each with a nod and a smile as they showcased their steeds, occasionally accepting a ribbon or flower from a loved one in the audience. Gelo and Thomas were the last to enter the arena. Hera spotted Gelo first, his conf
“A virgin's blood from Augur lineage, just old enough to give consent." Thomas recited the curse aloud, letting them both mull over its meaning. "Virgin blood will grant you freedom; this is the curse we bestow upon you." He observed Hera chatting with Keia. "If Hera needs to consent, then The Gitana can't use force. How can she make her agree?" "She can't. Not without some mind control. Hera's got a strong will and is unlikely to fall for any trick The Gitana tries." "Maybe," Thomas said quietly. "Damn it, she seems so sure of herself. Like everything's going just as she planned." "True," Gelo replied nervously. Hera seized the chance to stroll through the vendors during the break. At least, that’s what she told Keia. In reality, she was scanning the crowd for Thomas. "Looking for someone?" his voice came from behind her. She grinned but didn’t turn around. Instead, she stood on her tiptoes to peek over the crowd. "Just a tall, dark, and handsome guy. You wouldn’t
One year later…T H O M A SAfter the celebration of our wedding anniversary.I only last one hour before I steal my wife away from everyone. One day without her, and now I need her all to myself.“There are still guests, love,” says Hera mischievously.“I told them to leave.”“Oh my God!” Her eyes widen in shock and I shrug.“I want to fuck my wife,” I huskily growl. “And they don’t need to hear you scream my name.”Her friends have already left so I don’t stop myself from carrying her in my arms bridal style to our bedroom. Our room looks like a bridal suite with the candles lit on the bedside while rose petals cover the bedspread. Hera’s eyes darken with lust while a blush covers her rosy cheeks.Carefully placing her on her feet, I tug her head back with her hair in my fist and smash my mouth against hers. I tilt her face back before pushing my tongue past her lips in a hard kiss. She moans and I swallow the sound greedily while pressing her body into mine.Her eyelids fall open
T H O M A SIt's been a while since we returned from that dimension. Time there felt like just an hour in the real world, even though we spent days in it. “I really don’t want to see that old lady again, Gelo,” I said. If I were my old self, I would’ve kicked her out of my territory without a second thought. But I promised Hera I wouldn’t be that cruel Thomas anymore. “Anything else on your mind?” Gelo asked as he set the plate down. I frowned. “You brought fruits for my wife, but you’re the one munching on them, you jerk.” Gelo laughed, standing up with a smirk. “Relax. I got hungry—” “What’s the situation at the border? How are the intruders?” Gelo shoved his hands in his pockets. “Some have been dealt with, but a few have already slipped into the territory. Don’t worry, the councils are on it. We just need a bit more time.” I nodded. This could’ve been avoided if it weren’t for that old woman. Hera is still in the hospital recovering. “Step out and check the campsit
K E I AMy knee slammed hard into his groin. The dress cushioned my effort, and all he did was grunt.“I’ll take that as a yes, pumpkin.”Gelo had me pinned between his arms and the wall.“Excuse me, sir, could you call security? I’m being kidnapped.”The elevator attendant was clever and kept his back to us.“Excuse me, sir?”He didn’t respond.“He’s not going to help you. I own everyone I want. You’re mine now. You agreed to marry me. That’s a verbal contract.”The stupid giant ruffle on my dress didn’t do much except amplify every breath I took. But the closer he got, the more my heart raced, and my breaths quickened… and oh, damn, my panties were soaked. Every time I thought I had my feelings under control, that I had pushed away the parts of me that wanted to be a girl and wanted love, this idiot found a way to break through.“Gelo Smith, Beta of the Dark Midnight Pack. We’ll revisit this ownership thing later. But about this proposal? I agreed under false pretenses. No dead guy
G E L O“You can tie the knot with me, and I promise I won’t ruin your life.”Damn, I really didn’t think that one through.“Did someone knock some sense out of you?” she asked.Honestly, that was a pretty good question.“This is the worst proposal ever, Gelo Smith.”I stepped closer, wanting to wrap my arms around her. It had been way too long since I’d held her.“Alright, how about this? Marry me, and I’ll take care of the jerk who hurt you.”She glanced at Prieto, probably looking for his approval. But what she said next completely threw me off.“Yes.”What the hell had I just done? Did she really say yes? All I could see was that scumbag standing between me and, well, everything. He was in the way of her. She meant the world to me. The thought of anyone else having her, especially treating her poorly? No one was allowed to touch her. But this?“Yes?” I repeated, because seriously, what had I just gotten myself into? I wasn’t the kind of guy who got married.I glanced back at the
Totally caught off guard, Aurora fought to keep Hera upright. Hera pushed against her with every bit of strength she could muster. Thomas shot his hand out. The knife slipped from Aurora’s grip and skated across the floor. Thomas stepped in, positioning himself between Hera and Aurora, his gaze locked on their foe. He raised his hand again, and a ball of fire appeared in his palm. Aurora stood her ground defiantly. Hera sensed Aurora’s grip on her loosening. Aurora smirked, a sneer spreading across her face. Hera’s gaze darted between her husband and Aurora. The flame flickered out. Thomas’s hands flew to his throat. When he dropped to his knees, Hera realized he was gasping for breath. “NO!” Aurora’s sinister laughter echoed through the room. Hera rushed to Thomas’s side.Her beautiful eyes, usually filled with warmth, were now wide with fear. Blood trickled from her neck onto his chest.Amber's voice became more urgent. “At this moment, summon the sacred power.”The fac
"Can you hear her?"She nodded. “She’s singing to drown out the other one. She’s scared I’ll talk to her and that Aurora will overhear. But she’s really scared.”He understood that, but hearing his youngest sister’s sobbing made him anxious to get moving.“The falls? Do you know which ones?”Amber shut her eyes and recited Hera’s song.“The woods are thick and deep around me. Lots of huge, tall trees. The cottage has an old thatched roof. The smoke will billow out in big black clouds.I can hear the stream close by. I need to sing this lullaby. Keep my baby safe inside of me, bring me help, oh please, please, please.”Amber squeezed her brother’s hand. “She keeps saying it over and over. Can I tell her you’re on your way?”“No. Don’t.” He smiled at her. “You’ve done enough, now get some sleep. I’ll bring her back before dinner.”He nodded to their mother and stepped out of the room.Outside, his father caught him. “Take more men with you.”I’m handling this on my own.Nolan grabbed hi
Hera came to, face down on a damp, musty floor. Her head throbbed painfully, and she could feel dried blood on the back of her neck.Her hands and feet were tied with rough rope, and a piece of cloth covered her eyes. A small opening at the bottom let in a sliver of light from a nearby fire.The room was filled with a sinister laughter that she recognized all too well.“Look what the cat dragged in.”Panic surged through her, and she fought against a wave of nausea. She could hardly forget that voice.“Aurora!”“Ah, so you remember my real name,” Aurora replied, a smirk in her tone.“What do you want from me?” Hera tried to push herself up.A heavy boot pressed her back down.“You’re not of much use to me now.”“That’s up for debate.” Aurora stepped away.But the boot remained, pinning her down. Lancaster!Hera strained to catch a glimpse of Aurora, but all she could see was a shadowy outline through the fabric.Aurora shot her a fierce look, tilting her head like she was weighing her
Meanwhile, Hera, taking charge of the household, was discussing dinner plans with Alice. She spent a lot of her day overseeing the servants, making sure they took down the tapestries for winter cleaning before the bad weather hit. Once everyone was busy with her tasks, she decided to try knitting to keep her hands occupied. She was more than happy to set it aside when young Jacob, Thomas’s squire, came in with news of a visitor. “Lady Morris, sorry to interrupt.”Matthew of Lancaster stood behind him.“No problem at all, Jacob. Sir Matthew, what brings you here? Were we expecting you?” Hera hadn’t heard anything about his visit, and a little alarm went off in her mind.“No, my lady. I was passing through when I encountered Lords Nolan and Gelo. There’s an issue.” He glanced around the room and lowered his voice. “A matter they need your help with.”Her earlier unease crept back. “What kind of issue?”“They asked me to bring you to them. They didn’t want me to disclose what I’ve see
Rumors started spreading around the Keep and made their way to the village. People began to whisper that Myra was suffering from a serious illness. Some even speculated that she had run off with one of the guys who came to the wedding.The buzz about Hera’s pregnancy helped to quiet some of the chatter about Myra. Still, the Morris family figured they should come up with a reason for Myra’s absence. No one knew how long she’d be gone, and pretending she was still around was wearing everyone out.One afternoon, Nolan was in the courtyard with Gelo, getting ready for their latest scheme.“She’s impossible! She turns down every suitor!” Nolan shouted.“Take it easy, Dad. Myra knows her own mind,” Gelo replied.“Whatever.” Nolan threw his hands up in frustration. “She doesn’t understand what’s best for her. Maybe a stay at the convent will give her the peace and time to think about my proposal.”“Are you sure about that?” Gelo’s voice was loud enough for the guards in the towers to hear.