I found myself very glad for my sleep last night and for the nap this morning because it was clear we were going to continue marching throughout the night.It was so dark I lost track of where we were. Having to rely on Gray’s glinting eyes seeing our path.The rest of the Army following him unquestionably.Hope he knows what direction we’re going.I wondered if he’d really slept last night.He usually doesn’t.Which would mean that he was leading this whole army throughout the day and night with no more sleep than I typically had.He has to be tiring.I still hoped that there’d be a sign of weakness or a moment he wasn’t looking that I could try and find my way away from him.And the Pyre Army.And get the hell out of King Eternus’ reach.***Once we were clear of the villagers and Kareni’s goons, Gray stopped me and drew something silver from the inside pocket of his blue cloak. Lifting it carefully revealed that it was a long, thin, silver chain.“Giving me trinkets are you?” I kne
We’d sat down long enough for them to cook some dinner. Roasting a couple boars over three different fires. Two of which were Gray’s kills.Soon the whores caught up. Eternus ones that clearly followed the Army to service them in the tents thrown up for just that purpose. Others were human ones. I noticed the bruises on their arms and backs and knew how they were servicing the Eternus.Eternus ate normal food, walked like Skins, looked like Skins, if one didn’t know better. But they had another hunger. A virulent lust which could take them over and turn them into goblins if they let it overtake them. And their hunger for the souls, energy of other beings. When they fed they tended to grip their prey a bit brutally and were known for leaving fingermarks where they held those they fed on. There were strict laws that only allowed Eternus to feed on those that were willing.But everyone knew that all Eternus didn’t abide by those laws.I wondered if Gray ever didn’t. I looked at him sitti
With a purposeful look, he inched that hand further upward. Fully palming the inside of my thigh, perilously near where I was already moistening in anticipation of his touch. I could feel heat flooding me there and knew how my body was reacting.He sniffed the air in animalistic way. A slow, triumphant smile curving his lips in a way that told me he knew what he was doing to me. Giving me a slow wink, he leaned forward to move that hand ever so slightly…“Okay. Okay!” I stretched to snatch the meat from his other hand. Stuffing it in my mouth to take greedy bites.“Good girl.” He murmured. Slowly withdrawing his hand. Letting his rough fingers dig into the skin slightly as he showed his reluctance to be retracting it.I took several long breaths between bites. Glaring at him while I took another. And another.Until I was stuffed.Beyond stuffed.***“Good.” He clapped his hands cheerfully as he stood. Sliding me to my feet. And giving me an unreadable look before announcing. “Time to
Before I could toss my forearms over my face to protect myself, he’d whipped his cloak up and over me, raising one arm with it so he effectively put me behind him. Twisting with that arm out to move me entirely behind his shoulder blades so his larger frame shielded me.He caught Lionel by the front and back paw. Tossing him further out into the field with a vicious thump.I screeched and leapt on Gray’s back. “Jacks! Don’t hurt him.”Gray straightened. “I’m done.”He gave me a hard look over my shoulder. “You call me by name, to save your Dog?”“Lionel!” I cried. Seeing the long grass dancing in desolate field where I could just see the crumbling ramparts of an abandoned castle. I barely noticed it as I rushed forward, jerking brutally when I hit the end of the chain.Again.“Gray!” I stomped. Looking from him to the field.“He’s fine, Baby Girl.” Gray’s voice dropped. “I didn’t kill him.”He eyed me. “Yet…”I glowered at him. Nearly shaking.“Why are you so upset?”“He’s the only fr
I remembered crouching in the deep grass, watching the bodies fall. Some of them still on fire and screaming. Lighting the oil slicks that coated the water from our attempts at defense. Watching towers burn and flames engulf the outside of the walls. Climbing from the window slits in every room on the South facing wall. Everything I’d ever known had burned. Every person I’d ever loved had died. And I’d sat there, huddled in the grass, covered in soot and blood. Cowering and trembling. The only clean spots on my face were trails burned by the endless tears. Tears which had not stopped streaming my cheeks since I saw my parents bloodied bodies and then seeing Gray walking from my brother’s room with the bloody dagger and my brother bleeding out, and already unmoving on the floor behind him. I’d known what had happened before my eyes landed on Gray’s unfeeling face. Seeing no trace of emotion and realizing that who I’d thought I
“Fiere!” He snarled venomously. Infuriated. I was getting under his skin now. Never had I gotten that kind of tone. This was possibly the maddest I’d ever seen him. He doesn’t get mad. “Stop.” He commanded in a solid tone. “It’s a valid question, Gray. One you never answer.” I taunted. Knowing I was provoking him too far. “You cut everyone else’s, why not mine?” If he had I wouldn’t be running through the woods trying to escape every vile thing climbing atop me and jamming into me. “I told you, you’re wrong.” He said acidly before declaring. “I’m not explaining all this out here!” He shook his head like a mad bull. But still isn’t stopping walking. He paused with me over his shoulder as he waited for his men to push open the huge cracked, wooden doors. “You should’ve cut me ear to ear that day, Gray and been done. Just like you said.” I announced. Inexplicably hurt that
“Fiere.” He said in a hushed voice. Those lush lips moving deliciously as he spoke my name in that husky voice. Reminding me to finish my task. My eyes fell and I reached the other sleeve. Pushing it down and wiggling the gown over my rounded hips before letting it fall to the floor. He swallowed so hard that I could literally watch the lump traveling down his corded throat. “What are you going to do?” I asked. He lifted his chin and looked haughtily down his nose. His chest swelling with each fierce breath. He reached up and flicked the clips at his shoulders that unlatched his blue cloak. Sending it swishing to the floor. Something about it dimmed the breadth of his shoulders made him seem less fierce then when he was standing there in that shining gold armor with the thick plates at his shoulders for pinning his cloak to. His face as carved and hard as that of a statue. Blue eyes sparking viciously. Looking every inch like a commander any m
I blinked at him in horror before I looked down again, noticing that my dark nipples were clearly obvious under the flimsy white garment. “Don’t worry.” He laughed. “Nothing there to see, Baby Girl.” He leaned back to close the door but I slapped it and pushed through the crack. “Don’t do that!” “What?” He took a step back. Lifting his hands. “Stop always taunting me.” “I don’t always taunt you.” He began strolling back toward his bed. I was on his heels. “More often than not!” He shrugged. “Archer is just as bad as me but you’re fawning all over him.” “Archer is kind to me to. He brings me berries and sometimes holds my hand.” “Oh, impressive.” He rounded to mutter down at me. “He’s clearly a seducer of maids...” Goading me so far, that even my hair felt like it was on fire. My skin burning in furious rage. I curled my hands into fists that itchedto strike him. “He’s not s
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