Alpha Octavia arrived on horseback, her maidens standing back, their vigilant eyes on the surrounding forest.Dismounting, she moved to Lyra ’s side. “I’ll send word to Beru requesting supplies and ships and laborers.You have our thanks, my friend,” Lyra murmured, wiping tears from her face. We will rebuild, We will not rebuild, for that is what Alpha Cassius wants Alpha Orion yelled, silencing everyone even as Lyra ’s face filled with dismay. He fears me! Fears the doom the gods have in store for me. That is why he struck while our backs were turned, assaulting women and children, and destroying homes—because he hoped it would discourage us from declaring war upon him.That he’d be able to hide in his fortress another season while we worked to restore. Alpha Cassius feels he has hit us with a serious blow, but I maintain he is mistaken. Alpha Orion stopped, then exclaimed,I say that he has given us the gift that will see his destruction.All around us, the people of Mystic Rune pa
I whispered, and then I heard a familiar footfall coming up behind me, and I turned.Tristan approached, firelight throwing shadows across the hard angles of his face in a way that made my stomach flip. “Alpha Octavia.” He nodded at the Alpha.Andronika. Where have you been? I asked, then quickly chastised myself for doing so, hurriedly adding, Avoiding real work, as usual?He sat next to me, sending my heart into a gallop as I smelt the aroma of pine and sea.Why? Was there something you wanted me to do for you? My cheeks quickly flushed, and I prayed he’d merely believe the light thrown by the fire. Other than cutting off heads, the list of things that you can do that I can’t do better is very short, Tristan . So to answer your question, no.Octavia cackled and smacked her palms against her thighs.She speaks the truth, boy.”Tristan 's smile grew sly. “Maybe so, but the items on that list I do very well indeed.”Memory poured over me, of his hands on my body and his tongue on my li
I peered into the flames because this was the first time someone had sought my opinion and I didn’t know that I had one. Or rather, I was afraid— given the recent reminder that I was uninformed of many parts of the situation—that my opinion was erroneous. I think myself not well enough informed for my thoughts to matter.I think Alpha Orion is correct that to rebuild the Mystic Rune pack as it was is folly. Not only is it simple to assault, but it is now the greatest target in the Southern region, owing to my presence.We are susceptible not merely to additional attacks by Alpha Cassius, but to others who are like-minded in their reluctance to view Alpha Orion as an Alpha king.I agree, Octavia responded, and I felt a flush of pride. But would it not be better to merely build somewhere else? To establish his fortress?Such an endeavor would take years and a fortune of silver, I said. And in the meantime, all these people will be at risk in whatever temporary homes we construct for
When was the last time I danced? When was the last time I honored the gods as I should? When was the last time I surrounded myself with women whom I might one day call friends?Men attempted to approach, drawn by drink and bare skin, but Alpha Octavia ’s maidens chased them off with spears and laughter. The Alpha shouted,"This is a place for women. Be gone or face our wrath! Grinning, I caught up a spear, joining the dance. Beyond the men encircling us, my eyes locked with Tristan’s, and I lifted my spear, daring him to come closer. But he only shook his head and disappeared into the woods.Then everyone went still, the rhythm of the drums fading into silence. It took me a heartbeat to understand why, and then my eyes found Philomela, who approached, a small drum hanging from a strap around her shoulders. The skald waited until all had grown still, then began to beat on her drum, the rhythm slow and ominous.Alpha Octavia moved to my elbow, catching my arm as I swayed. My balance sudd
I was impressed that while Alpha Octavia might have an interest in a unified Southern region and in seeing what the gods had in store for us, she was merely tolerating Alpha Orion and had no desire to see him as an Alpha king. Which made me question what her endgame might be.I wonder if Alpha Octavia , like all the other Alphas, regarded herself as the one who would determine my fate, but was intelligent enough to arrive at it in a circular way.I fastened my father’s sword and a long-bladed axe to my waist, then donned my cloak and exited the tent.Mist quickly coated my face, and I shuddered and pounded my feet as I went, desiring my blood to circulate so that it could conquer both the chill and my headache.Everyone set to work except me, who’d slept away in the morning. So it was a shame that drove away the coolness, my cheeks flaming hot as I followed Alpha Octavia through the gap in the stakes and down to the shore. “Andronika”My spine tightened at Tristan's voice, and I tu
Twin tears squeezed out from behind my eyelids, streaming down my cheeks as the answer lying deep inside me surged to the surface. “My mate Carspey was a piece of shit,” I eventually muttered. “He ruined my life and would have done his best to ruin Eleanor and Declan’s, but…” I attempted to swallow but it stuck, making me cough.“I murdered him, Alpha Orion, and he didn’t deserve that. Didn’t deserve an axe in the back of the head just for being a bastard. I disagree, she answered. “Carspey’s reputation was known even in Beru. I’d wager all the coins in my pocket that cheers went up throughout your hamlet when they heard the news.”Though it wasn’t the reason I disregarded my scars. Wasn’t the reason I loved the suffering? “I feel guilty for the harm I’ve caused my pack,” I choked out. “But I don’t feel bad about killing Carspey. I don’t feel anything.”If I were anybody other than who I am, Alpha Orion would have punished me as a murderer, but instead, I go free. I should feel awful
I knew for sure she wanted Tristan out of the way. And although she had said she was with Alpha Octavia the whole time at Vadan, she'd been gone more than long enough to have a chat with both of them. But the actual evidence came from the runes themselves. Few had the guts to engage in this kind of wizardry, but Lyra had demonstrated. First at the ceremony in which Freyja had bestowed upon me tattoos, then in Vadan when she had warded the hall. She wanted to keep the Mystic Rune pack, hence she had more motive than everyone who had seen Alpha Orion's speech. This was within her control.I growled, then turned on my heels, completely intending to pull Alpha Orion himself up to this tree to show him the evidence of the scheme.One stride forward and I ran squarely against a substantial chest. Rebounding, I swore and grabbed for my sword, only to discover in a heartbeat before I drew it that Tristan had the chest. He crossed his arms. “What are you doing in the woods alone, Andronika
Silence.Biting the insides of my cheeks, waiting for Tristan to speak, the suspense of what he would say was the purest kind of anguish. I was sweating like a pig, and even if he couldn’t see it behind my cloak, he could undoubtedly smell it and all I wanted to do was plunge into the deeper current of the stream and let it wash me away. Instead, I pushed myself to turn around.Rather than glowering, Tristan ’s attitude was serious. As our eyes locked, he offered a nod. “You have the right to it. Alpha Octavia will educate you better than a guy ever could.” But suddenly his head tilted, his gaze narrowing. “Yet that does not explain why you refuse to even look at me.” My heart skipped, then raced, and I swallowed hard. Excuses stuck on my tongue like thorns, phrases that he’d have to take even if he didn’t entirely believe them. But I didn’t want to lie. Not to him.Taking a long breath to stabilize myself, I added, “I’ve been avoiding you because of what happened between us at Vadan
My bed was undulating under me, rising and sinking as though I’d had too much to drink, the sensation sending a rush of nausea through me. “Tristan,” I muttered, attempting to reach out to him. Except I couldn’t move my arms, scratchy rope locking my wrists together. My eyes jerked awake and brightness pierced into them like knives. At first, all I could see was white, but as I furiously blinked, my eyesight cleared to show the hull of a ship, booted legs all around me. Memory entered my head, of Alpha Maximus and his men arriving in the cavern. Of the reality of Tristan’s allegiances being revealed. Of corpses on the ground all around me, dead by my curse. Of Philomela, blowing smoke into my face as she betrayed her real loyalties. “Good to see you’re finally awake, Andronika . Alpha Maximus’words entered my ears, and I turned over, gazing up to meet his light gray stare. Where am I? “On a ship,” he said with a slight smirk, teasing me with the obvious. Then he lift
Good morning, Andronika .Alpha Maximus grinned, tucking a curl of golden brown hair behind his ear.It fills my heart with joy to see you hale and healthy after such a terrifying plunge. I confess, we feared the worst when Melisande knocked you into the water. But I should’ve known better than to distrust Tristan.” To distrust Tristan. His words pierced into my heart, locking me in place even as I heard Tristan emerge out of the cave behind me. Felt him take in the image of Alpha Maximus with his soldiers standing nonchalantly behind him, Tristan’s voice stiff as he said, “Why are you here?” A question I was profoundly worried he already knew the answer to. “We feared you might have been injured, so rather than allowing you to bring her to us, we came in search. Alpha Maximus took a step closer.While I understand your actions, they were too risky by far.You may have both been killed.” A low drone of noise filled my ears and sickness twisted in my gut, ideas rising and fal
I woke to morning light peeping in through the branches Tristan had used to hide the entrance to the cave, my ears filled with the sounds of trickling water, chirping, and Tristan breathing in my ear, still asleep.A joyful smile bloomed on my face, the purest kind of bliss widening my chest, and if not for the strain on my bladder, I’d have allowed myself to fall back to sleep. Sighing, I carefully lifted the thick arm draped over my belly, the fact that he didn’t so much as twitch telling to the depth of his sleep.Outside, morning had already come and gone, the sun over the horizon and the summer air heated. Nothing stirred except the light breeze in the trees, yet I heard the chatter of squirrels as they yelled at me for interrupting the quiet of the morning. Taking care of my requirements, I crept back into the cave to find Tristan still asleep, eyelashes dark where they rubbed against suntanned skin, his hair a tangled mess.As was mine.Frowning at the tangle that was my braids
I groaned softly as he put a finger inside of me, felt his chest rise as he discovered my moisture, my yearning. The thought began to stray as my blood raced quicker through my veins, his cock firm against my behind as he pleasured me. He’d told me everything I needed to know— that he wanted the future I dreamt of for us, and all that was left was for me to believe that he’d never lie to me.And I did trust him.More than anyone. Everyone else lied and twisted and used me to attain their aims or to protect themselves, leaving me cold and alone, but never Tristan. He was ever and always the rock at my back. My love. My life.Twisting in his arms, I straddled him, my knees pressed against the furs as his hands massaged my thighs. Firelight lighted half his face, the other half shadowy, but all of it so lovely I felt I would weep. “I love you,” I said, bending forward to kiss him. I trust you.And I wanted him.The urge to be filled throbbed deep in my sex. I stroked against him, slick
Every bit of me for all of eternity. I held his neck as he slammed into me again and again, with each stroke the base of him pushing against the region his thumb had abandoned. My claws ripped his skin, my heels pressing into the tight muscle of his arse as I dragged him into me, my climax teetering on the verge.Tristan kissed me, our teeth smashing together with the power of it, his tongue running over mine as he pushed into me, breathing hot and quick. Then his hands grasped my hips, nearly dragging me off the rock as he thrust deep.Release burst over me like a storm. Like a hurricane that would break the earth apart, my body quivered as it bathed me in ecstasy, drawing me back under each time I breached the surface. Never had I felt anything like that, the feeling washing away sight even as it drenched me in color, my ears full with the sound of my name on Tristan’s lips as he climaxed, flowing into me in a deluge hotter than the seas we swam in.He buried his face in my neck, mo
Tristan murmured my name as I stroked him root to tip, and heat that had nothing to do with the hot springs erupted in my core. The side of my palm caressed my slippery sex as I pumped his length, and I leaned back, thrusting into it even as I felt my climax grow. I want you in me,” I whispered, but Tristan seized hold of my wrists, his voice a snarl as he replied,I think first I must prove my worth, love.In that moment I may have sworn that nothing could flame my desire more than the way he’d shouted love, but then Tristan took me farther into the cavern, putting me down on a slope of rock worn smooth by water running from another chamber above. It was nearly hot enough to burn, running in rivulets of fire over my throat and breasts, between my legs, but I hardly felt it when Tristan split my legs wide, exposing me.A breath kept too long within my lungs, shuddered free as I glanced at him, massive and powerful as a god between my legs, ready for him to plunge into me. Waiting for
And lest he misinterpret my message, I seized hold of my mail and raised it over my head, tossed it aside, the tunic and undershirt I wore beneath fast following, baring my peaked breasts. Tristan snarled, his eyes black as he sank to his knees, grabbing the tip of one of my breasts in his teeth. I gasped as he sucked it deep, teeth nibbling to the point I couldn’t tell if it was pleasure or agony, just that my thighs were sticky with the yearning for more.Not just more of his hands and lips on me, but mine on him. I wanted to taste that taut tattooed skin, to dig my claws into the firm curve of his muscles, to run my palm over his huge cock.So I pushed him back, stepping down into the pool, the heat of the water searing my skin as I backed further. “It’s hot,” I mumbled, reaching down to remove one shoe and then the other, flinging them past Tristan even as I held him in place with my eyes.As I took a step further, the water came to just above my hip bones. I unlaced my trousers,
Your father didn’t visit?” Tristan’s jaw was constricted. “Only when he wished for answers from her. My existence was the source of a great deal of friction between Lyra and him, so he never took me to Mystic Rune pack.”I hesitated, then added, “Did they not suspect you had god’s blood? My mother knew. He swallowed. “She forbade me to speak Thor’s name. One of my first recollections is of mom telling me that to do so would set me on the path to losing people I loved to fire and ash.He shook his head. “She painted these visions in my head of people screaming, people dying, and everything was always burning.”It was hard to hear that. Not only because she’d been correct, but in the attempt to prevent the doom she’d prophesied for him, Sage had filled her child’s brain with horrors that I felt persisted even now.“I was asleep one night,” he said.My mother shook me awake and told me to hide, pushing me under some blankets in a chest. Moments later, I heard a man’s voice. Heard him m
My stomach surged to my throat, my eyes plunging, down, down to the lethal froth of water and pebbles. A scream erupted but as it tore from my lips, it was Hlin’s and Freyja's name that spilled forth.Magic rushed from my hands, first enveloping Tristan and then my own body with silver light. A heartbeat later, we hit.Even with their protection, the impact forced the air from my lungs. And there was nothing to fill them as we soared higher, then ,we were pushed down into the riverbed again, the water trapping us in its ceaseless churn.Spinning us around and around till I didn’t know which way was up. My elbows touched rock but instead of the water drawing me higher in its relentless loop, Tristan tightened his grasp on me, pushing me along the riverbed.I needed to breathe.Desperate, I battled his grasp. I needed to reach the surface. Needed a gulp of oxygen even if it meant the falls taking me back under a second later.Tristan pulled my arms to my ribs, pulling me along the river