King Eben frowned and stopped, the guards around him stopping as well to watch Zier approach.
Zierno was oblivious to them. His cloak wrapped around the small shape he carried. He was focused on his task.
Eben’s sharp eye caught droplets of blood falling down Zierno’s pant leg from who he carried.
Where was his Kelpie head? Glowering he watched Zierno until he finally looked up and saw them.
Zierno stopped abruptly meeting the king’s unwavering look. His eyes darkened with guilt.
Eben stood with a question on his lips. Opening his mouth to speak he was shocked into silence when the creature in Zierno’s arms lifted her head to look at him.
Eben stared mesmerized at the petite woman in Zierno’s arms. Fascinatingly huge brown eyes watched him, expressionless. Her face was small and oval dominated by the wide eyes and a full lush mouth. Her small nose was perfectly formed and delicately upturned. High cheekbones drew down to that mouth, causing a an aggressive stirring inside Eben. As she leaned up the cloak had slipped down, exposing perfect white shoulders with arching collarbones. The shadow of cleavage and the rising mounds of her upper breasts rose over the cloth.
Eben’s eyes traveled over her hungrily. Glancing around him he saw that his guards were equally as affected. Suddenly furious he turned on Zierno.
“Give her to me.”
Ardae MythMiernephen was once a powerful Spriggan ministering to the needs of Feglen Forest. A creature of beauty and magic. Favored by the Green King.She tended all the living things around her. Bringing each tree to fruition at its designated time. Every flower to bloom. Every leaf to the perfect state of unfurling. Like artwork painted with the magic of her soul.Welcoming into her arms, each tiny creature which wished to greet her.Believing herself invulnerable to threat, she was oblivious to the plans of the Water Spriggan. Devious wretches jealous of her power, they hungered to harness her magic and lusted to possess her joyful innocence under their control.They crept from their watery home to peer around trees at her. Their dark, shining eyes taking in the sight of her in her wispy leaf gowns. Watching the roundness of her delicious hips as she moved. Seeing the light slanting across bits of flesh visible along her small stomach. Her long shimmering hair moving about her sh
Their TormentThe reaction of the Seringue shackle was immediate. Coursing with magic generated by that single word. Sending vibrations through her body which she had never experienced before.Miernephen’s back bowed violently, and her legs moved further open in involuntary offering. She’d lost control of her flesh which now yearned desperately for something she didn’t understand.The Water Prince released her enough to lift his torso off her. He caught the top of her leaf gown and wrenched it down. The vines over her shoulders stretched before snapping and letting the dress be pushed down to her hips. Revealing her jutting breasts tipped in shimmering gold nipples. Matching the bit of gold which flecked along her stomach and around the arching rise of her hips.The Water Prince’s dark eyes roved over her hungrily. He licked his lips and roughly palmed a large breast, rolling it against her as he felt it.She shook her head, willing them to cease. But her body had her knees lifting to
A Starved BoyTwo Miles AwayThe boy was desperate for food. Hunger made his stomach clench violently. His reaction to the pain was rage. He’d do whatever it took to find food. So frail his ribs protruded, he looked through the furtive eyes of an animal, scanning shadows for movement. He’d already crept past most of the guards.Too lazy to notice a shadow as skinny as mine. He thought.Busy talking, they’d failed to notice the thin shadow slithering beneath their chairs. Quick as a rodent, he’d leapt to his feet and fled to the darkest parts of the rooms in the NetherHall Castle.Moving sideways along the cold stone wall, he avoided the light emanating from the fireplace. When close enough to see the food still on the table, his stomach betrayed him. Emitting a drawn-out gurgle. He drew a quick breath, putting his hand to it, as he willed it into silence. A quick glance back at the set of guards near the door, as well as those next to the fire, revealed only he had heard it.What’d se
The PackSix other boys were crouched behind that booth. Desperately eating the meat. Much older than Eben, they were dirty and had cuts. Some were large and some looked like they could be brothers. But all of them wore torn clothes and had matted hair.Looking more like feral dogs than children.And, in Eben’s mind, likely equally as feral. He gazed at them warily.They were just the manner of peasants his father had taught him to avoid.Eben was suddenly very scared they would hurt him. Backing away he turned to go back to the castle, but saw clouds had blocked the moon enough everything was hazy shadows. Eben wasn’t sure he knew how to get back.Little heart racing, he started to move but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. “Eben?”He could barely make out Zierno’s face in the dark.“You followed me?” Zierno looked at the little boy blinking up at him. “You’re very brave but you could’ve gotten hurt. I was coming back, you know?”“No, you weren’t! You broke your word!” The smaller
A Prisoner“Don’t worry.” Zierno gestured to the three standing in-front of him, swords drawn. “We have my bodyguards.” He said derisively.Edward blinked hard giving a pleading look. Opening his mouth to speak he was silenced by the arrival of the most massive man they’d ever seen.What the Hell is that?Sputtering Edward finally found his voice. “Z-Zier! Where the Hell did they find a barbarian?”Zierno gave an irritated gesture. How would I know?The lumbering man hopped off his horse with surprising agility.A bad sign. Zierno saw his three comrades eying the giant warily. Their feet moving restlessly.Sirus strode next to the leader and spoke loud enough for their ears. “Do you want me to kill them all or just the three?”Standing next to Demitri mounted on his horse, Sirus’ head was level with Demitri’s shoulder.“The three.”“No.” Zierno declared pushing through the others to stand in-front. “You don’t need to fight them. You need only go through me to get to the noble.” He ges
Liba's Uses“Come! Bring your bloodthirsty lot! We’ll have a banquet to celebrate your return.” Eben slapped him on the back.Zierno’s band had time to leave the bailey to the Netherwood and bathe in a cove near the NetherRunnel before returning to the castle.Zierno was customarily escorted to a chamber to take a bath and get cleaned up.Eben would hear none of him bathing in the woods.He never does.“You’ll use the same chamber as always.” Eben directed offering no time to argue before he continued. “I’ll send you Liba, as I always do.”He waved away Zierno’s objections and left the room.Servants hauled in steaming buckets to fill the tub near the fire.Zierno had just enough time to drop in and begin to soak when Liba arrived.She rolled in rather than walked. Wearing a robe slit up the side and tied with a silk band she swayed her lush hips in a seductive saunter. Making her large breasts sway like pendulums against the silky fabric.She stood at the foot of his tub and unlaced
The StagHe shoved her onto the bed, face first.She gave a little objecting sound but he knew it was for effect.He gripped her hips and roughly hauled her back to meet his length. Without preamble he lowered his hips and caught the tip at her entrance. Delving in without hesitation.She squawked and gripped the bed linens in tight fists. She bit down on the coverlet as he slowly withdrew from her then slammed back in. Feeling something stroking his tip that old him it was a further entrance within her. A sensitized place that could cause her both pain and pleasure.And Liba certainly loves both...He pushed her rounded buttocks open to better watch her inner lips gripping him as he worked in and out of her. Savoring the feel of her soft body gripping him.“You are my little Pet, aren’t you, Liba?”“I am yours. Hurt me. Do as you will.” She begged.So, he caught the back of her knees and hoisted her up onto the bed, pulling her back against her heels so only her little opening hung o
Worth of a Mist MarePounding on the door entered his numbed mind. “The banquet is prepared you’re summoned in the name of the king.” A servant bellowed through the layers of wood.Bloody hell. It was apparent the knock was what had woken him.Knock. That’s a loose word for it. The servant’s thudding had rattled the door.Sighing, Zier rose and straightened his tunic, pulling his boots back on and running a hand through his yellow hair to push wet blonde strands from his face. Blinking blearily.True to his word Eben had laid out a huge banquet in their honor.“I’ve caught nothing yet!” Zier reminded the King.“I’ll hear none of it!” He put up a halting hand. “Sit.” He pointed to the line of chairs across from him.Only Zier sat aside the king. And Captain Dorin on the other. In the honored seats next to the king.Trenchers of glazed vegetables, fish and chicken intermingled with the aromas of bread and fresh cut flowers.What I wouldn’t have given for this when I was starving on the
Physical GreedShe pulled him mechanically toward her, flexing him into her throat until she finally had to gasp for air. She suctioned off him with a pop, heaving for air and looking at him with watering eyes.“Holy Hell, Woman.” He shook his head in wonder. “You are certainly set for the crazy house.”“Shut up and fuck me.” She laid flat and guided him down her body. Stroking him down the crease between her rising breasts and down the plane of her belly.He slid his knees back to keep up with her.She guided him down along her belly button and through the small nest of gold hair and to her slit. Roughly rubbing him along her so he popped up under her hood before sliding back down toward her tail.Then forward again.He fell over her in a half pushup.She lifted her hips to meet him. Hooking her feet along his backside as she rose up to leverage her body over him. Sinking him into her brutally.He gasped at the sudden feel of her heat. Sucking him into her until his base rested again
Captain Dorin's IntentDORINDorin knew but would not be the one to report it to the king.Giving a brief nod at the king’s commands he backed from the Receiving Room and strode smoothly across the bailey. Sweat still touched his hairline from his illness the night passed. A sweet maid named Marie had helped soothe his ills but he could still feel his pallor lingering today. A bite in the wind helped add life to his cheeks, as did the thought of finally killing Zierno.The boy had never been anything but trouble. He’d charmed the king young and proceeded to climb into his favor every day after that.Dorin had hungered for the throne his whole life. He’d made a pretty name for himself amongst the kingdoms as a respected commander, an ingenious warlord.Despite his illness he intended to take the throne before his illness gripped him fully. For years he’d struggled against the rasping cough and growing fatigue but today there was a spring in his step and a greedy glitter to his eye.Wit
No Lady“I am no warrior, lady. A mere mercenary.”“And I am no lady.” She corrected. “You fear me a Dread but address me as more. Why?”He frowned. He had no real answer to offer.I don’t know. He suspected it was because she presented herself as nearly regal.It feels like I should give her a title.Releasing her warm hand, he abruptly he rose and dusted off his pants. Time to end this conversation.“Your suffering seems to have abated. I have much to do to build us a suitable shelter.”She was silent, merely watching him with her penetrating brown gaze.He gave her his back and strode to the entrance. Pausing in the entryway he looked over his shoulder. “I would caution you though, lady. I’ve spoken more to you than most…and I would find my own answers soon enough.”If you’re unwilling to give them to me, I’ll go find them.Her jaw tightened, but her face was unreadable.Still not talking.MIERNEPHENOnce he’d left the shack, Miernephen relaxed.The warrior saw everything. Missed n
Don't Touch It!Zierno was disturbed by Lofan’s hut. But that nervousness abated as he banished thoughts of it from his mind. Refusing to dwell on the odd circumstances.Especially, since he could make no ready sense of them.But as he rode back toward the shack, the fine hairs on his neck began to spike and he shuddered.The energy in the woods had changed.His heart sped minutely, and his instincts were telling him that something wasn’t right in the forest.The urge to get back to the woman was overwhelming. He could nearly hear her shouting for him in his mind.Help me. A rushed whisper that seemed to echo to him from every direction all at once. Echoing as though small creatures were whispering it back to each other. Desperate for him to hear the call.He looked around. Swearing that he saw eyes in the bark of trees nearby, the figure of a creature standing near a shrub, wearing leaves all along its silhouette.Pushing Heretic hard he ran throughout the cool night, weaving Heretic
Her NameMost of The Netherlands feared entering Feglen Forest. Legends abounded about this place. Whispers which foretold that dark fey, as well as good, roamed these woods.It was oft believed that both could quickly become dangerous to humans if crossed.One could cut down the wrong tree and piss them off.The fog hung over everything today, reaching over the ground like searching fingers, combined with the overwhelming sense that eyes were everywhere. Sending all his senses into high alert. Which had him jumping at the slightest sounds.Branches creaked and leaves scraped together even when the breeze stopped, like creatures peeled from the bark to peer at Zier as he made his way through their woods.It’s an eerie feeling. He didn’t like it. Not in the least. Imagining that vines along the forest floor might unravel from beneath the leaves to catch Heretic’s feet any moment.He could see why people might believe such things after a morning travel in the fog shrouded forest. Moss c
What We NeedIt took Zierno several more hours to build a makeshift hut. He worked diligently, pulling his tunic off to get more air, he constructed a pitiful shack against a rock face with what materials were available in the woods. Looking over his shoulder he caught the woman watching him unabashedly. Blatant approval on her face.Strange creature.Her unblinking gaze was disconcerting.He’d been scrubbing Heretic with thrushes from the forest floor but saw that the horse was badly in need of at least a blanket against the weather. Knowing it would take him several more days to build a second shack he’d intended to bring Heretic into the small shelter with them that evening but was already seeing they were in desperate need of supplies and he needed to get them before word got out that he was wanted.We can hunker here but not without supplies.“I’m going to have to go get some things.” He murmured. More to himself than to her. But she responded.“You need to go see Lofan.”“The so
CalledHer body was spasming. Convulsing so much it reminded him of a sickly elder he’d once witnessed have the tremors.But that’s not what this was.He could feel it was something different. Darker.She moved like she was in inescapable pain. Her face contorted in both pain and fear.Zierno slid over on his knees. Putting a hand to her belly to try to calm her.“What’s going on?” He asked urgently. “What are you doing?”She unraveled her legs from beneath her and tossed open the cloak, squirming over the leaves.“Get inside me, Assassin Zierno!” She cried desperately. Her face scrunching in pain.Inside? He eyed her in horror.Inside her? His gaze slid to where he knew the nest of hair guarding her sex would be but couldn’t imagine doing the act while a woman flung herself around as she was.It’d be damn near impossible!And wrong.“Much as that’s a tempting prospect, you look in no condition for that, Woman.” He cautioned. Easing back from her.She caught his arm and yanked him bac
Her Proposal“You’ll have no need to kill me after that.” She urged. “I will be fully returned.”Returned?Zierno stared down at her and wondered if the woman was completely out of her mind.Yes. She is.“Woman what are you talking about?” He demanded in frustration, running his free hand through his hair.She refused to respond further. Clinging to him and staring up as though she could convey some message he wasn’t understanding.Growling in his throat, he caught her by the upper arm and yanked her to her feet. Shaking his head bemusedly as they strode into the woods.“Do whatever you want with me…” He echoed. Shaking his head. “Chain me up. Keep me for forty-seven days, she says.”He looked at her, following him numbly. “You have got to be the most, wild, unstable woman I’ve ever laid eyes on!”They went on foot for awhile. Giving Heretic time to recover from his run.What the devil am I doing? Zier chastised himself. Knowing he was only going to bring all of the Netherlands Knight
Defying the KingHeretic rounded the corner.People leapt from the stallion’s path as his heavy hooves threw up clods of dirt. The guards pulled the king from the destrier’s path and leapt sideways.Spotting Zierno, Heretic lurched to a stop, dirt piling up over his hooves. Rounding to stand next to him.Quickly sheathing his sword Zierno stared at them all challengingly as he smoothly mounted. Keeping their eyes as he tilted to reach for the girl. Offering his hand to her.Without hesitating, she slipped her small, bloodied, hand into his.He pulled her up in-front of him. His arm wrapping her waist, dampening with blood as he held her in the saddle before him.Catching Heretic’s mane, he heeled the mount who lurched forward. Heretic tore through the bailey. People cleared a path for them. Zierno looked past her shoulder to see the pale hand gripping the mane in a white-knuckled fist. She didn’t object, didn’t fight.Clearly in shock.“Stop him! Kill him and bring me the woman!” Eben