“Could I?” She asked softly.
I grunted. Probably not.
If I had a home, someone would light it afire.
Probably with her in it. He swallowed.
“You’re right.” He turned and strode from the tent. Prepared to announce the Trader’s Market opening for the day.
But slim arms wound his waist and jerked him backward.
Despite himself he laughed. Stumbling as she guided him back inside. “Sneaking up on me is hazardous.”
“Not for me.” She laughed against the back of his shoulder.
“You’re very confident.”
“I don’t want to fight with you today, Jax.” She murmured against his back as they came to a stop. Tucking her face deep into his padded tunic.
“I don’t want you to fight with me either.”
“Thank you for saving me last night.”
“You’re welcome. Murah.”
“It seems you’re always around when I need you.”
He nodded slowly. What do I say to that?
Imp
He was crossing the courtyard toward the small lake holding Winter’s Haven. The tiny lake I built the fortress around. He reached the floating alehouse and saw a shadow rounding from the back deck framing it. He noticed the shapely curves but dismissed the idea it was Murah as quickly as he saw the shape. Not her. Who? She stepped under the torches framing the sign swaying above the alehouse. Bell. Bellie? Billy? What’s her bloody name? He’d paid no attention when she’d introduced herself. Or any time after that. Only indulging her until Murah came into view. And she serves me when Murah refuses. What’s she doing out here? He tilted his head, curious. “I’ve been waiting for you…” She said in a breathy voice. Oh, that’s why. Not a chance. She reached a pale hand to caress his chest. He dodged it. Rearing back. “What a
Savage alerted before daylight at the sound of a woman’s step entering his tent. Strange. This is usually when Murah is leaving not arriving. He was still. Waiting. The form lay behind him. Sliding closer. A slim hand wrapped around his side to flatten against his stomach. Not her touch. He instantly rolled to his opposite side. Catching the spike aimed for his lower back. Wrenching it from her fist as he moved. She tried to hold it. Following his momentum to land nearly atop him. He reflexively sunk the spike into her forehead. Slowing enough to stop it after piercing the skin. Before it split bone. He dragged it down between her brows and lightened the pressure as he tugged it down the side of her nose and to her jaw. Disloyal Wench. He caught the light of her blonde curls in the blackness. Though he’d already suspected it was she. She squealed in pain. I left Phalanx in Winter’s Haven. He
I didn’t intend that. He released it from his fingers. Too late. “You’re snatching my hair?” “No.” “Yes, you did.” I did. “But I didn’t intend to.” “You do many things you don’t intend to do, don’t you?” Damn every redhead born! He wanted to kiss her feisty mouth to silence. But she’ll fight like a hellcat. And neither of us will get a moment’s enjoyment from that…Well, I might. If I’m honest with myself… “Dimurah.” He warned. She rattled on, slinging accusations. Like a tree gnome thinking it’s ten-foot tall, hurling insults like rocks. He stared at the ceiling of his tent. Silently counting to calm his absent patience. “Are you quite finished!” He roared. “Nowhere near!” She shouted fearlessly. “It’s funny,” He shouted to get her attention as he leaned into her face as he often did. “That yo
Chavias looked up the road where Savage leaned against the bakery wall, near the storehouse. Tapping his forehead. “How’d you know I’d be here tonight?” “I didn’t. Stumbled across your tracks.” “Hmm.” How’d you know it was me? Chavias was somewhat doubtful. “Recognized the Targue following your boots.” “Ah.” Chavias nodded. Logical. “Can I ask you a question?” That’d be unusual for you. Chavias noted. “Best be quick. They’re not far behind.” “Oh, I left a woman for them to chase.” Savage dismissed. “You’re feeding them a live woman?” Chavias was horrified. Feeling a tinge of disappointment that the glimpses of humanity he’d seen in the younger man had been an illusion. “No.” Savage straightened. To sway a boot through the dirt. “I smeared her with their droppings and told her to hide once she got deep in the trees. They won’t find her.” As if on cue ther
“Yes!” Danbury declared. “I want vengeance!” “What would you have me do?” “He plans to raid me again. An assassin I keep on my coin has told me of his intent.” Radix’s wooden chair creaked. His interest is piqued. “How did he find out? The Boy is hard to track.” “He was boasting in the Rum Runnel.” Boasting. Savage would never boast of a plan. This is a setup designed for Radix’s minions. “Hmm. And your assassin is sure it was him?” “He knows him. They’re comrades. Well done Danbury!” There was silence where Chavias assumed Danbury beamed with pride. Then Danbury’s step as he was exiting Radix’s chamber. Chavias planted his feet and waited. Danbury turned in the dark and couldn’t see him. Slamming into Chavias and the sullied bucket before him. Smearing Danbury’s fine clothes. Danbury squawked and lunged backward. “What have you done. You fool!”
Peak Mountain, Black Mountains, Battling Border CHAVIAS Since Chavias had heard Radix leaving in Danbury’s coach he had been fingering the iron key tucked under his cot and wrapped in Calisto’s cloak. Perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps she doesn’t deserve to die, as I’d thought. Have I gotten so dark that I seek vengeance where it’s not needed? But then he remembered overhearing Radix telling Deiti, the redheaded temptress who tormented him, to stay close to the caves because soon he’d be sending her after a Winter Dread. Sabine. The precious creature Chavias was protecting. Breathtaking Sabine who dances in snowflakes and invites danger into her bed. A wondrously gorgeous creature who seemed innocent of all evil in the world. Deiti wanted to hunt her down and steal her powers until the innocent girl was seared from the inside out.
“Eternally.” Dimurah hissed up at him in answer to his question. His gaze roved her agitated face. “I dearly hope not.” Unable to resist he dropped a quick kiss to her cheek. She twisted her head away and stalked back behind the bar. Still angry with me. Annoyance made his jaw twitch as he watched her. “That’s the way it is to be then?” She tossed him a quick look. Jerking her head to one side in assent. “Fine. I have other things to attend to anyway.” He stomped across Winter’s Haven, to stand perilously close to where ColdKill leaned against the pillar laughing as he jested with one of the benched tables. Savage was unmoving until the entire table quieted, and all eyes lighting on him. At length, ColdKill slowly turned. Tankard in hand. “Ah, you’re still alive! I heard you were ambushed.” “You heard wrong. An ambush implies you didn’t know it was coming.” Which I did.
How did I ever think she was lovely? Chavias pondered as he stared at the lustful whore. Radix’s most favored pet. She’d sent him away into some idiotic delusion simply by baring her flesh. But Sabine’s mere presence in this world, had drawn him back. Back to the things I believed in. Back to pieces of me. He thought sadly. Closer to who I was once. Sabine doesn’t deserve to be contaminated by any of our darkness. Chavias fisted the cold iron key. Feeling the grooves of it biting into his palm. He strode to his cell and stuck an arm through and wrapped it around toward the lock. Inserting the key, he gave it a grating turn and aimed straight for Radix’s chamber. He felt a swell of victory at taking her from Radix. The way he’s taken countless things from me. He quietly lifted one of the hooks off the wall just inside the entry to the narrow room. He was almost to Deiti before she se
“Too far!” Rhyers intervened. Coming from the lower parlor to step before Savage. Clearly furious. But Savage’s eyes were locked on Bast who’d clearly deflated at the words. His hand gripping the railing next to him, shook slightly. Drawing Savage’s keen eye. He could see the fury written over the green-eyed tracker who looked ready to do battle in Sebastian’s defense. I needed to see. Savage stomped down the slight pang rising through him. How does this news really effect him? Savage was watching Sebastian carefully. Bast looked unsteady. Color drained from his tanned skin, and he looked prepared to vomit. “It was my fault.” The words were barely audible, but Savage heard them. “What did you do?” “My magic bound her when our daughter needed her.” “Sounded like there would’ve been too many for her to take on anyway.” “There were!” Rhyers spat. Angry at Savage as he turned to lead Bast t
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country Savage was standing, still as a statue, in the shadowed foyer of WaterRose when Sebastian came down the steps. Gaze on the stairs, he wasn’t paying any attention until he glanced up and spotted Savage’s shadowed face and stopped midway down. “Jaxson?” Sebastian echoed that quiet stance. Like a buck posed in the morning light. Deciding if there was a threat at hand. The Kill Beads in Savage’s hair clinked as he looked up at him. “Nobody calls me that.” Most don’t even know it. How’d he find out? RedBayne or the Nauvree. He sussed out. Didn’t take much to guess that. “What would you have me call you?” Sebastian asked kindly. Savage was momentarily taken aback. It had been a long time since someone had asked him that. Since Chavias, to be specific. “It’s fine.” Savage would never have admitted it, but it w
“How was your night?” He queried. Couldn’t have been too bad. I smelled no blood or Cimmerii. Nor did I hear any unusual ruckus. And he’d been listening. “Not bad.” She slid her undergarments down her milky white legs. And crawled under his coverlet next to him. “How was the last fortnight?” “You know well it was fine. I had a minor argument.” “And?” He leaned up to look at her. How’d that go? “Your bodyguard handled it.” He explained. Phalanx. Of course, he did. Savage relaxed. “And the bartering?” “Shut up, Jax.” She slid atop him. Palms and breasts pressed to his chest. Her legs outside his. Her mouth brushing along one side of his jaw before moving on to the other as she trailed sensual little kisses along it. “Make love to me.” Absolutely! He lurched up and caught her in a vise grip. His mouth consuming hers as his tongue engaged in the wild dance with her
Why? “From whom?” “Your father.” The elf said before ducking back into the tower. Sebastian Bodane. “He’s not-” Savage objected reflexively. Maybe he is. I’ve no idea. He opted for silencing. Rotating he headed for the elaborately vined double doors, entering into the castle foyer. He entered the cold structure and immediately felt it was different. Eerily silent, darker and far less welcome than it had been before. He suspected it was all for the same reason. He paused looking around and saw not a single candle burned on the base or second floor. Candles in the sconces long cold. “He’s not here.” The feminine voice wafted down from the hall of the second floor. Savage looked up. Eyes glowing gold around the pupil. Luminescing in the dark so he could see. It’s her. The healer. “I’m not here for him.” Not this time anyway. Perhaps I’ll return another day to
“But only Dreads float. Or demons. Or well, nothing good!” Phalanx added despite his vow not to discuss it further. “I wasn’t floating.” “But I saw you!” “I was flying. With her.” “Well,” Phalanx tossed his arms. Saying in a hushed voice. “suddenly that makes it okay then!” Savage gave him a sideways glance. Indicating he was getting annoyed. I should’ve heard him coming. “What exactly are you two doing?” Phalanx slowly turned to face the man confronting them. Savage rotated reflexively and snapped his head to meet the stranger’s blue-eyed glare. Who is he? Savage had never seen this one before. But he could instantly tell by the colored lights surrounding this man that he was one of them. He’s a Forever Knight. He’s with them. A quiet one. I thought only the Tracker could sneak up on me. “I came to see why he’s gathering you all here. What you’re prote
“Dimurah?” “Yes?” She blinked those pretty blue eyes at him. “If you’re going to ask me for something, there’s no need for flattery.” “I’m not, actually.” She sighed. “I just miss you when you’re gone.” “But you hate when I’m here.” “I do hate when you’re here.” She admitted. “I never know who you’re going to kill or when. Or what it’s going to do to my business.” He tilted his head in acknowledgement. She’s not wrong. I never know who or when I’m going to kill. “Should we go fly?” “We?” She gave him a chastising look. “I think you mean me.” “Do I?” Savage dressed. Putting back on his sleeveless padded tunic and black breeches and tugging on his boots before helping her do the laces on her green dress. Once she was clothed she caught his hand and began tugging him behind her. “This way.” “I know the way, Murah.” He laughed. But she was jogging. Pulling hi
Giving Delacourt a swat that sent him to the stable where the stable boy would recognize him and properly tend him, Savage made his way straight to the pond. Circling around to the part where very few people went, he shucked his clothes and entered the water. The chilly bite of the water was a relief today instead of a startle. Pleasantly cool on my hot skin. “You’re back.” He popped his head up and saw Dimurah standing at the edge of the water. Her arms crossed. “What are you doing up so early?” She likes to sleep in since the alehouse runs late into the night. “How else do you suppose I bathe in this guild?” She gave him a half smile. “We’ve bathed together many times in the afternoon.” “Yes. When you’re here we can bathe anytime during the day and no one would bother us.” He frowned at the logic in it. “So, when you’re alone you come early?” She nodded. How many times has
“I’m so hungry. And I’m angry…” Samuel said as if considering the same thing himself. “But my friend…” The Tracker? “He likely won’t be your friend now, I’m afraid.” “I’m afraid of that too.” Samuel swayed backward and forward. But the Tracker can handle this mess for himself. Savage saw no danger to the girl as this man would have his most volatile reaction when he neared a Forever Knight. And if he was right and that was precisely where he was heading, both Samuel Marshall and Rhyers would soon be discover what Samuel was and if he was capable of fighting it. Unlikely. He’ll instinctively be driven to kill Rhyers. Well, he’s healed enough to defend himself. Savage shrugged and stepped from the man’s path. Not my problem. But Savage caught another smell. A more potent stink of rot intermingled with the sweaty smell of all the animals that had come to the river for drink. He
Phalanx and the Seditious were partway across the glen but had begun to slow at the sight. There were shouts of objection and yelled threats. Savage’s gaze was fixated on Danbury who leisurely lifted the sword and hooked it under Savage’s throat. Notching his chin higher as he pressed the tip into Savage’s chorded throat. Savage felt the quick bite but was unblinking. “It’s a shame I can’t gut you here. After all you’ve done, it’d be the least warranted.” Danbury said in an enraged voice. Nearly shaking with the desire. You’re too afraid of Radix. Coward. Savage gave him a lopsided grin. Archers had climbed from the second carriage and more paid guard from the third. They all circled around him. Weapons at the ready. “Now whose outmanned?” Danbury taunted. “We shall see.” Savage said emotionlessly. It has yet to be determined. “Yea. We shall.” Danbury gloated as he sheathed his short sword and pulled h