"Your words are as false as your outfit. Why are you trying to pull a fast one on me?" Aurora leaned back, revealing only her weathered hands, which she folded neatly in her lap. Hera held her chin up defiantly. "I have no idea what you mean." Despite the heat outside, a chill settled in. "Oh, I think you do," Aurora said, waving them off with a flick of her wrist. Hera and Keia exchanged puzzled glances as they made their way to the door. Just as they were about to leave, Madame Aurora called after them, "Let your hair down, dear. That’s how you should present yourself while you’re here." Hera spun around, taken aback. "Come back tomorrow," Aurora continued, her gaze locked on Hera. "I’m eager to read your palm." A smirk appeared on Hera’s face. She figured the next thing would be a request for cash. "Save your coins. Who knows? The stars might just favor you both and make your stay worthwhile." Hera’s jaw dropped in disbelief, and Keia nearly pulled her out of the tent. Auror
Hera felt the drunken gaze sweep over her body, lingering on her chest. At that moment, it hit her—she might as well have been wearing a sign that said, “I’m a virgin, come and get it.”Disgusted, she turned on her heel and stormed away from the smirking guy, grabbing a forgotten pencil and quickly tying her hair up in a messy bun. A quiet corner beckoned her.It was nearly midnight, the time she promised Keia she’d call it a night. Just a little longer to go, and then she’d be free. One down, three more to get through. Swapping her wine for water, Hera settled in, closed her eyes, and started counting down the minutes until she could escape.Gelo approached Thomas with a grin that said it all.“Found one, did you?”“Yes, and she’s a real stunner,” Gelo replied, finishing his drink. “Don’t wait up for me, old man.”“You know where to find me. Just make sure she’s of age, Gelo. We don’t need any trouble here.”“Ah, you worry too much. Good luck, dude. Looks like the pickings are slim t
“Wait.” Hera ducked back into the tent, nudging Keia, and whispered, “Get up.” Keia groaned and rolled over. Hera yanked the blanket off her. “Come on, get up!” Peeking outside again, Hera saw the guy still waiting there, and the crowd was getting bigger by the second. “Just one more minute.” She quickly threw on her dress and shot a look at her friend’s bloodshot eyes. “You got us into this mess,” Hera grumbled through gritted teeth. “Got us into what?” Keia rubbed her eyes awake. “There’s some dude out there claiming we’re royalty or something. Get up and deal with it.” “What? Royalty?” Keia’s eyes widened. She jumped out of her blankets and peeked outside. “No way!” she exclaimed, excitement bubbling over. Keia threw her dress on in a rush. “This is amazing!” “This is just great…” Hera cut off her own complaint and stepped outside. The moment she did, the men bowed, and the women curtsied. “Oh, fantastic.” Keia bumped into her, saw the crowd, and clapped her hands
Handfasting really spills up the games. “She’ll be a stunning prize for whoever wins,” Jude said, munching away.“So, who are the knights?” Gelo asked, scanning the room.“Anyone with a horse can join in, but Aurora’s crew always comes out on top. Most of these weekend warriors don’t really know how to play like knights do.”Thomas and Gelo shared a knowing glance and a quick nod.“I need to chat with my friend alone,” Hera said to the Neanderthal, but he didn’t move an inch. “If I’m going to go along with this, I need some space.” He didn’t even crack a smile. “Listen, as your queen, princess, or whatever, I command you to leave,” she insisted, pointing toward the tent’s entrance.Realizing she was losing her grip on the situation, Keia chimed in, “Hey Bruce?” She tugged on his arm. “Ever heard of PMS?” That finally got him to step outside. “There,” Keia said, brushing her hands together. “You just have to know the right words.”“I thought he’d never budge.”“It’s not too bad,” Keia
Or maybe they messed up her plans. Thomas couldn’t shake his father’s warning from his mind. “Don’t underestimate Gitana. She’s been around for five hundred years before going into hiding. She’ll want youth like a lover who wants freedom. And she won’t hesitate to do whatever it takes to get it. With her powers back, thanks to the virgin, she could wipe you out with just a thought. Gitana will come back here and wipe us all out if she gains strength from your death.”This time, Thomas realized they were playing Gitana’s chess game, and unlike before, she already had the bishop on her side. While Gelo rode into the woods to fetch their armor, Thomas talked with the fairgoers.The women were practically swooning over his accent. His smile had them stumbling over their words. Once he figured out where Hera’s tent was, he focused on finding its vulnerabilities. He created an entry point or, more importantly, an escape route for her. Then he set off to find Hera again. He spotted her in th
They came to a halt when they stumbled upon a stream. The water flowed gently, creating a soft, soothing sound. Trees provided shade from the afternoon sun, and wildflowers flourished along the banks. He got off the horse and effortlessly lifted her down.“Damn, we lost them!” Hera exclaimed, doing a little jig. “That was awesome!”“Happy to help, my lady.” He took a pack off his horse and led it to a grassy spot to munch.“You can drop the formalities. I’m Hera, not ‘my lady.’” She handed back the cape she had been wearing.“Right, I know your name.”“Then why call me ‘my lady’?” She watched him spread the cape on the ground for them to sit on.“It’s tough to call you anything else with that outfit.”“Is your accent for real?”“Nope, it’s genuine.”“So, you’re from Van Zanth?” Hera settled down, crossing her legs.“Yep.”“I guess all the women in Van Zanth dress like this, and you call them all ‘my lady’?”“Not all, but I respect those who deserve it.”He was a bit odd but incredibly
“The ultimate compliment.” Thomas pressed a quick kiss to Hera’s lips before stepping back. “We should get going. We don’t want Aurora’s guys to send out a search party for you.” Suddenly, nerves took over the moment. Thomas stood up and offered her his hand, helping her to her feet. “It’s getting late.” Hera fiddled with her dress, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles to seem casual. She couldn’t help but admire his toned physique from beneath her lashes while he packed their stuff. His broad shoulders tapered down to strong hips and an even better backside. She rolled her eyes and looked away. She really shouldn’t be thinking about his backside. Thomas’s horse snorted as Hera walked over. She spoke softly, stroking the horse’s cheek. “What a gorgeous animal. Is he yours?” Thomas secured his bag and moved around the horse to grab the bridle. “Yeah, I’ve had Tram for quite a while.” “So, do you live nearby?” She hoped for a positive answer. “I wouldn’t say nearby.” He was being va
The Gitana was sent five hundred years into the future, landing her in a world she barely understood. To lift the curse, she needed to track down a virgin woman of Augur lineage, as only the blood of a virgin could free her.For seventy years, Gitana had navigated this new era filled with technology and unfamiliar customs. Even without her Augur powers, she dabbled in dark magic, honing her skills in mind control and foresight. Her scheme to ensnare a virgin was clever—she would masquerade as a palm-reading Gitana at a Renaissance fair, using the event to attract her target.Thomas and Gelo were tasked to stop Gitana from finding the woman she sought. So far, Thomas had enjoyed his missions.No virgins meant no danger. Simple as that. As he approached the makeshift village, he wrapped his arm around Hera’s slim waist, inhaling her sweet fragrance. But things got complicated when the virgin in question was Hera Smith.Villagers watched as they rode by, and Thomas guided Tram to her ten
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.