I blinked rapidly. Banishing the erotic visions that conjured. And the anticipation of my lustful heart.“Unless you want to admit that I make you sodden?”I breathed more heavily as I decided.He froze waiting.“Fine.”“Yes?” He prompted waiting.“I’m-I’m-I…”“Say it, Baby Girl.” He gave a lopsided grin. “I know you can do it.”I hate him.More fiercely than a fire burns hot.If I could flay his skin off while a million men beat him with spiked clubs, I’d gladly do so!“I’m moist.”“For me?”I flinched but gave one deep nod.He gave a triumphant laugh and dropped my skirt. Releasing my arms enough I could retreat several steps.“Why don’t you do whatever you’re going to do and go away!” I shrieked hatefully.“Why is it all our conversations, start with you trying to piss me off and end with you furious?”“Because you’re the most dreadful, atrocious, traitorous being in all of Ferus!”“Traitorous, am I?”I could see I struck a nerve.“You know you are.” I tilted my body sideways and g
“It’s okay.” I told the boy. Noting the clear remorse on his face. “Go home.”I worried far less about him going home now that I knew he was a monster that could fend for himself. And I theorized that if he’d been sent to market alone, it was because he resided close enough that his parents had believed he’d make it safely.I hoped.I heeled the horse, which was already tugging at the rein in objection to my guidance. I could feel the hair sticking up along its back and side, grating against my legs.It didn’t like me riding it. But thankfully, it was particularly gentle, or it wouldn’t have let me get this far on its back.Not when every instinct it has, is telling it I’m a monster.I led it straight for the Center Country Harbor. Riding as hard as I could go. I’d always avoided this part of Ferus because it was highly populated cities. Which always made it more difficult for me. I preferred to stay far from those.I was already beginning to shake and sweat slightly at the thought. B
I suddenly needed a moment alone. Feeling grateful for the safety of the cave and Lionel’s presence. But saddened that the comfort of a dress had not lasted even twenty-four hours and I was naked and unprotected for the rest of my journey.It meant I had much more work to do.I’ll have to find clothes first thing.I sighed.Making Lionel’s head spin from the entrance to observe me.I knew he could see me vividly in the dark. His eyes shined purplish in the fading light. Reminding me of that fact.He was waiting to see what was wrong.“I need moss.” I told Lionel. “I have to make the ring. A bit of lavender to keep Craven away.”His shadow nodded and he slipped out the crevice.Standing in there alone, I could hear the water dripping far in the distance.Deeper in the cave.I caught the wafting smell of sulfur that told me most of this cave had once been filled with water.Even under my feet was stone.And it was cold. I knew it was only going to get colder as night fell.Near the crev
I did notice that the one in the water with me had brown eyes and the one on the bank had a lighter color.Blue or green, probably.The one in the water with me, pushed me up onto the bank. The other grabbed me under the armpits and tugged me up onto the mud.“Whoo…” The one on the bank gave a half whistle. “Far prettier than Kareni let on.”Kareni. There wasn’t enough profanity in all the world to express what I was feeling that moment.Of course, she sent them.The madam was the most awful woman in Ferus history, I was certain.“Who are you?” I said in annoyance.“Reimus.” The brown eyed one said.“Verias.” The green eyed one added.“Feral Fey.” I sighed. Knowing how violent the breed could be.Reimus who still had a grip on my hips nodded.Verias tipped his head to look down at me.“We’re going to have a bit of fun with you before we take you to Kareni.”“Fine.” I said tight lipped. Shaking my head in aggravation. “But don’t finish in me. And be quick so we can be on our way before
He looked from my face to himself entering me.I sensed his helplessness.Please. I willed him to withdraw.Verias gave me a disgusted look but withdrew and slapped himself along the curve of my thigh and hip to massage himself along the crease made there until he spurted up onto my hip.“Thank you.” I breathed near his ear.He frowned. Looking as though he’d pout. “I want more.”They always do.“Good boy.” I unwrapped my legs from around him and let them hang limply. Making the ropes dig into my wrists.Reimus was tying his pants closed. Tipped forward to tug at the laces.Verias stepped back to do the same. Lifting them back up over his slim, pale hips. His member still glistening with a bit of his fluid.“What are we going to do with her?”“Take her to Kareni and get the rest of our coin.”“We can’t take her like this though?”“Why not?”“We’ll have to fight to keep her. We walk around Feral Fey Country with her wearing nothing, someone will want her bad enough to steal her.”Reimu
Gray descended like a thundercloud and Verias who was thinner and shorter only had time to throw his hands up in surrender before Gray hit him with an uppercut that knocked Verias off his feet and backward.“Stop!” He crawled backward with a hand still up.Lot of good that show of cowardice has done so far. Why keep trying?“Our prince will avenge us.”“I’m quite familiar with Prince Teros.” Gray said. “And I doubt he’d be particularly protective of you.” Gray followed with a vicious kick that dropped Verias limply to the dirt.I pulled up my pants and shoved the shirt down as Gray whirled around to come at me. Blue cape flying and gold chain mail shining as brightly as his gold-blonde hair as he stalked back to me. Putting a finger in my face. “I let you play your games. I give you, your freedom to find your own path, and what do you do?”I lifted my hands and shrugged. “Go for a morning stroll?”“The hell you did. You land your fool ass right in the hands of some kind of brute. I le
“Come back with me, Baby Girl. Don’t make me make you.”“Hell will freeze over before I go with you!” I shrieked up at him.“With the amount of ice coming off your little black heart, should happen soon enough.” He braced himself and caught my other wrist despite my efforts to wave it out of his reach. Adjusting his grip so both were in one of his large fists. He reached one thick thumb to swipe under my eye and collect the dampness from the outer corner before it could slip down my face.“You really did have a rough morning, didn’t you?”“I just want left alone.”His face flashed with what might have been sympathy. But it was gone as fast as I’d thought I’d seen it. “That’s never going to happen. You know that. There’s nothing I can do...”“You could leave me alone.” I softened. Pleading. “You could take your army and go back to the king. Tell him I’m dead.”Gray hesitated a moment. “He’d never believe that, Fiere. Everyone knows you’re surprisingly resilient. I’m not sure, at this p
I was trying to make this venture as miserable for him as possible.The Pyre Army completely surrounded me, and Gray now had a rope tied around my wrist and his. Making me walk next to him.So, I walked as slow as possible.In-fact I’d tripped over a rock and now limped, slowing my pace even more.Purely by accident, of course.He was giving me several annoyed, sideways glances.The knights were looking at me like they planned on having me for their next meal. All of them watching me. Their eyes boreing into my back.I thought about taunting them, flirting with them to see if I could get one to turn on Gray. But logic kept me from doing that.There’s no guarantee if they can overpower him, I wouldn’t end up being entertainment for the whole army.That thought made me a little queasy, my stomach heaved.“Stop looking around for a way to escape.”“Fine.” I looked up at him sullenly. “Just tell me how than.”He snorted. “Since when do you consider me an ally?”“I don’t.”“Then why would
I put my faith in John Thomas.I put my faith in the Captain of the Blaze.And I climbed onboard.Ready to go to Haven Island.The Blaze was a massive ship. The wood was polished darkly but had been worn in some places, to a lighter color, by the sun. Making it seem even more striking. The words along the front were done in emblazoned orange lettering with flecks of blue emerging as though it were afire.The figure head was a flame.Well-done.It was certainly unique.Making it easy for those seeking sanctuary to find.Yet, Dock Patrol had no excuse to stop the ship. For despite all the rumors that it harbored fugitives, they were unable to come up with a proper reason to stop it.Or so the lore tells.It was a formidable ship.The mast was tall and it was sleekly built with high rails.Making it both beautiful and fierce.I was duly intimidated and impressed.
I couldn’t believe it. We’re truly here. A part of me, had thought that I would never make it to Center City, much less to The Blaze. I’d had to stop my horse and stare down the hill, at the city. Looming so long before us. Gray huts stretched far into the distance. Their stone structures worn from the pummeling of sea splashing. Thatched rooves showed much patching from constant repair. The sea was hard on residents’ and shops in the areas. People were moving in every direction pushing carts of wares. Booths began at the bottom of the hill and stretched as far as I could see along the main path. It was an impressive sight. It reminded me of how Pyre had once looked. Before Gray destroyed my world. Mist wafted up from the sea and lingered over the length of it. Filling my nostrils with its damp aroma. I could hear children hawking their shells and metal workers offering
The Present I banished all those painful memories. Bringing myself back to the present. Reminding myself that I was just about to escape my daunting past. Nearly a breath away now. I couldn’t believe we were turning onto the road in Center Country, aimed straight for the dock. Finally. We’re almost there! “Not much further now.” John Thomas reiterated. “We’ll be there before you know it.” I looked up at the sun. “We’ve just got to get there before him.” “We will.” But I wasn’t so sure. I knew Gray traveled faster in daylight. Because the others are sleeping. When he had to travel with the whole army it slowed him down. Alone, he races. He was the fastest hound I’d ever met. And I’ve met many. Gray was relentless. He rarely sleeps. When he has a scent he runs
I moved to walk past him but he caught my arm and turned me about. I was immediately irate. “Where are you taking me?” “To the tavern up the hill. Calm down.” I was breathing quickly. Wondering if the army would be up there. Expecting to take me to the king. But when I got there, he pulled the hood of his cloak up. Handing me a blue one. “Put this on.” I did. Reluctantly. When we stepped into the tavern, no one paid us much mind. We walked to the counter and I set my hand on the counter. The tender immediately began staring at it. Reaching slowly toward my fingers. Gray casually brushed my hand off the counter and payed for a cask of wine and a huge lump of cheese. Catching the bottom of two goblets between his fingers as he turned away. We took it and went to a back table. I was frowning at him from beneath the hood. He waited for me to sit and then took the bench across from me.
The next time, Gray would not be so kind. But that was the last thing on my mind today. I was hiding in the abandoned cot of a hayloft. Trying to suffer through the heat of another miserable afternoon. I didn’t dare sneak out to try to steal a bit of food from the main house until after dark. That won’t be for a while yet. So, sleeping through the afternoon was the best call. But I was finding that rather hard to manage. The heat was making my hair stick to my brow and shoulders in sopping strands. And sweat from my armpits made the oversized tunic I’d found in the loft stick to me. I could hear the stable boys below working. They had newer quarters built next door and no longer slept up here. So, despite the tremendous heat, I’d taken sanctuary here in the hopes of having some peace. But Craven had come. In the throes of my sweating sleep, I felt the first groping touch sliding over my belly an
I was at the pivotal point in my life where I now had to make a choice. Hate him as I knew I should, or accept some human kindness…Which I desperately wanted. “I’m not going to forgive you.” He nodded. Saying nothing more as he handed me more food. I couldn’t help dropping my head to his shoulder. Letting myself rob some warmth from him to heat my aching bones and banish the chill that had crept in. He didn’t object, nor did he drop his head over mine, as he would’ve before. He just let me be there. Handing me food. And I took it. He kept it coming until I’d eaten so much that my belly felt as if it were twisting. I put a hand to it and lifted my head to give him a betrayed look. I slid to the ground. Groaning as I clutched it. “Did you poison me?” I drew my legs up. I wondered if this was it. He’s finally ready to kill what remains of the Pyre line. He crouched over me.
I’d quickly learned that no matter his intention, the moment a man’s hand met my skin, he was aflame for me. Awash with lust and desperate to possess me again. I’d put together there was something powerful in the pheromones generated by my pores, which could drive a male wild. I didn’t want to see Gray like that. And I didn’t want him pretending to be sweet to me ever again. Not after he killed my family. And betrayed me in every way possible. He was the last one I expected tonight. Having built my fire near the road, in the hope that monsters would stay at bay. But here he was. The cruelest of them all. His metal jangled as he materialized from the darkness to sit on the log across the fire from me. I stiffened. “How’d you find me?” “Fiere.” He sighed. Shaking his head wearily as if I were a nuisance child. “I’m always aware where you are.” There was long silence between he spo
“Gray.” I said dully. A wary way of acknowledging his intrusion into my path. “Baby Girl.” He dipped his head in greeting. So still, he’d almost appeared a statue before that moment. Just like he might have months ago. Before he destroyed me. “What do you want, Gray?” He frowned. “Jackson. You’ve never call me Gray.” “Well, I’ve learned since then that your heart is as gray as the charred ash in the bottom of a mantle just before a maid takes it out.” He flinched. “You would think so.” He visibly paled. “I didn’t come here to fight with you.” “No? Just to kill me?” I asked acidly. Knowing I was trying to be defiant while barely clad in an oversized chemise stolen from a wealthy matron’s fence. Where her undergarments had been drying. Now they flowed around my small frame. Making plain that she was surely more substantial than I was. Most people are. By now I was half-st
Three Months after Pyre I dutifully opened. Feeling the hard ridges of his rod jamming into my mouth and too far back into my throat. I promptly gagged and pressed back on his thighs to try and get him out of my neck. I can’t breathe! What is he doing! He tasted like ash and smelled unwashed. I felt myself gagging, even when he was barely in my mouth. “Mmm.” His head fell back as I caressed my tongue along the side of him. “I love you, Little Slave…” I made a fake pleasured sound around him. Making him groan and jerk. Using the distraction, I sunk my teeth into him hard enough I was sure it’d leave scars. He screamed. A pained shout, retracting his hand from my head to wave it helplessly around me. I twisted once for good measure and whirled on my knees. Hoping that blinding pain would keep him from blocking my exit. It did. I ran through that d