He’d lied.
That was all I could think after it felt we’d walked for an eternity.
He was incredibly spry. Nearly dancing on his feet as we walked through a meadow of tall wispy wheat grass toward a large hut. Well-built and beautiful.
I felt a tingle of apprehension as I wondered who lived here.
I thought it was apprehension. But it may just be my legs going numb.
I’d sweated nearly all the way through the dress I was wearing. I was sure my armpits were dripping, and my hair was sticking to my forehead and the back of my neck.
Mardichi jogged ahead to hold the door open for me.
I was panting like a dehydrated hound. Dragging my feet and my shoulders slumped as I forced myself to take another step.
Then another.
I’m never going to get there.
I was going to collapse into the grass first.
He must’ve seen the distress on my face. He jogged back at a calm lope and swept me up
“I suppose.” He admitted. I turned and put my hand on the door. Realizing that every fiber of my heart wanted me to stay. Was screaming for me to turn around, embrace him and declare my love for him. But I can’t. I loved people before him. And I need to know they’re okay. And it was more than just that. Especially now. I need to know who I am. And if anyone else in my family knows how to control this… “Will you come back?” He asked softly. My gaze fell and my throat felt choked with emotion. “I don’t know…” “I travel to see the brethren often.” Mardichi breathed. But when I am not with them, I’ll always return here…For you.” He’s saying he’ll wait for me. Watch for me…Still be mine. “I don’t know how long it might take, if I ever did.” “I don’t care.” I stepped out and closed the door before the tears began pouring over my face. So, no
“You’re a drunkard.” “But damn fun to be around.” He pointed out. “No. You’re not.” Mardichi gave a slight shrug. “That too, is a matter of opinion.” “What if she’s in trouble?” Acharius blurted about the young voice he could hear. “Then your old bawdys will care for her. They’re plenty vicious. Recall tha’ day they wouldna lemme in the house? I asked plenty nice and they…” He gave a low whistle. Acharius smiled fondly at the memory. “They were quite ready to fell you.” “I think they may’ve tried, too!” His voice rose slightly as he responded to Acharius’ comment regarding them killing Mardichi with the tiny daggers they’d wielded. “You were demanding to know if they had drink in the House.” Acharius defended. “Twas a fair question…It’d been a long morning.” “They thought you were a thief.” Acharius commented. “Shouldn’t you be out strolling Mane Country for Cimmerii?” “Ye mean
My mind was racing. Faster than a horse’s hooves as I considered my options. She embraced me tightly. “Forget whatever you’re thinking. Stay here with me baby girl!” “Here is where I was taken.” I reminded her. “Then I’ll gather all you girls and we’ll go somewhere else!” “Where?” “I don’t know yet. Just stay.” She stepped back to squeeze my hands. “Stay with me, Honey.” I wanted to. The sound of her sweet voice was something I’d badly missed. But Robin hadn’t gotten in with a bad lot trying to find me. Now I need to find him. But I knew nothing about bandits, their laws, or their weapons. But I know someone who does. And the truth was, I was aching to be close to him again. I’d missed his face every step I’d taken away from him. Now I need him. And somehow I knew, without a shred of doubt, that he’d help me. *** MARDICHI
*****Note from the Author:There is explicit sex, forced sexual acts, violence, barbaric behavior and animal aggression. Please read with caution as some elements can be triggering. *****Being stolen from my overprotective family while I was washing clothes at the lake was bad enough.But then to find out I was being exported to a foreign land to become a slave was even worse.And this country was full of every breed of man I could imagine. But of them all, I liked the fierce look of the huge redhead the least.The man was massive.And he was eying us like cattle.The voyage here had been bad enough. I'd heard other women screaming throughout the night and did my best to look like a child with my small frame. Hoping no one would guess that I was very much a woman grown.I'd learned over the years that if I kept my face down and my hair strung over it, my slim body could be mistaken for much younger as long as I wore oversized clothing.Which conveniently these slave tunics were. M
"I'll take her." He'd already hardened at the thought. He pulled coin out and poured it in his hand."Good luck." The slave trader laughed. "I'd watch for teeth."I plan to do more than bite! I looked from one to the other of them like a feral animal.Mardichi caught my arm. And took the key to my shackles from the slave trader. Paid for me in the purchase price they'd agreed on.A bit lower than the original.Then he drug me to his cart. Tempted to toss me over the cart door and take me right there on the edge."Enjoy the woman." The slave trader crooned."Oh, I plan to." Mardichi countered. Giving me a long look.I didn't like that look. It seemed to remove all my clothes as it lingered over my body."You gonna make it until you get her back to yer hut?" The trader grinned. "Or take her there in the cart midway.""Hmm...I haven't decided yet."I yanked at his grip on my arm so brutally, I was sure his fingerprints would leave bruises on the inside of my biceps.Though his grip didn't
"So..." He tossed the rein along the back of the two brown horses. "Would ye like to know what I'm going to do to ye?"Please, no. I swallowed.I could imagine nothing I wanted to know less. "Nay. It matters not. You'll not have the chance."He tossed back his head and laughed. "I'm intrigued to see if tha' venomous tongue of yers will still lash when I'm balls deep in ye.""You won't ever be." I crossed my arms over my chest as much as possible in the shackles.He snorted. "I absolutely will." He tilted his head as he looked back over at me. "Might as well get used to the thought now. I'm taking it ye haven't had a man afore."I gave him a quick look. How'd he know?He answered the question I hadn't asked. "No woman is tha' tight after she's had a man. That's why I bought ye. I intend to be yer first. And thought it best not to let another have one as small as you for her first."***"So, it should be one as large as you!" I stood up in the cart and leaned back. Yanking on the chain.
He hooked my chain to a link mounted in the fireplace. Binding me to one wall.Dammit.I could meander the room but that was as far as I could get.Nowhere near that door. As if I could reach that bolt anyway.But I was stuck here, bound to the fireplace. Until I get that key.But despite that I'd pleasured the barbarian, he now looked at me with renewed interest instead of appearing sated.Or what I thought sated should look like.The village boys had always said they were never more relaxed than after having the heat of a woman.I thought that was what we'd just done."What?" I snapped waspishly."Why are you so shrewish now?""I want to know why you're looking at me that way.""Because I'm imagining the ways I'll have ye after I've trained ye.""You'll never 'train' me. You'll have to beat me bloody first.""Nay. No beatings for one such as you. You don't fear being struck. It's written over you. But 'tis clear to me what ye do fear."Him. He knows it.Eying him slumped back in a wo
"Are you ready?" Mardichi asked her.There was a long hesitation in which Bonnie bit her lip and flinched. Nodding more slowly."Remember to stay relaxed, 'tis better that way."Bonnie sighed and her face relaxed.Mardichi surged forward and Bonnie lurched up. Gripping his hands on her hips as if to push him away. But he held fast and slammed harder. Grunting in pleasure as his length vanished inside her.I wondered where it was going. There was so much of him and she was not a tall woman.He'd withdraw, leaning back from her then surging forward again. His muscled buttocks flexing as he burrowed into the blonde who clutched desperately at his hands.Nearly trying to hold his fingers as if to reassure herself with his touch."Mardichi!" She pleaded. "It's too much!"She's begging for mercy. I wanted to curl into a ball in horror. As far opposite them as I could get."I'm almost done, Bonnie." He said soothingly. Thrusting faster and harder.She yelped and clawed at the bed. Leaning fo
My mind was racing. Faster than a horse’s hooves as I considered my options. She embraced me tightly. “Forget whatever you’re thinking. Stay here with me baby girl!” “Here is where I was taken.” I reminded her. “Then I’ll gather all you girls and we’ll go somewhere else!” “Where?” “I don’t know yet. Just stay.” She stepped back to squeeze my hands. “Stay with me, Honey.” I wanted to. The sound of her sweet voice was something I’d badly missed. But Robin hadn’t gotten in with a bad lot trying to find me. Now I need to find him. But I knew nothing about bandits, their laws, or their weapons. But I know someone who does. And the truth was, I was aching to be close to him again. I’d missed his face every step I’d taken away from him. Now I need him. And somehow I knew, without a shred of doubt, that he’d help me. *** MARDICHI
“You’re a drunkard.” “But damn fun to be around.” He pointed out. “No. You’re not.” Mardichi gave a slight shrug. “That too, is a matter of opinion.” “What if she’s in trouble?” Acharius blurted about the young voice he could hear. “Then your old bawdys will care for her. They’re plenty vicious. Recall tha’ day they wouldna lemme in the house? I asked plenty nice and they…” He gave a low whistle. Acharius smiled fondly at the memory. “They were quite ready to fell you.” “I think they may’ve tried, too!” His voice rose slightly as he responded to Acharius’ comment regarding them killing Mardichi with the tiny daggers they’d wielded. “You were demanding to know if they had drink in the House.” Acharius defended. “Twas a fair question…It’d been a long morning.” “They thought you were a thief.” Acharius commented. “Shouldn’t you be out strolling Mane Country for Cimmerii?” “Ye mean
“I suppose.” He admitted. I turned and put my hand on the door. Realizing that every fiber of my heart wanted me to stay. Was screaming for me to turn around, embrace him and declare my love for him. But I can’t. I loved people before him. And I need to know they’re okay. And it was more than just that. Especially now. I need to know who I am. And if anyone else in my family knows how to control this… “Will you come back?” He asked softly. My gaze fell and my throat felt choked with emotion. “I don’t know…” “I travel to see the brethren often.” Mardichi breathed. But when I am not with them, I’ll always return here…For you.” He’s saying he’ll wait for me. Watch for me…Still be mine. “I don’t know how long it might take, if I ever did.” “I don’t care.” I stepped out and closed the door before the tears began pouring over my face. So, no
He’d lied. That was all I could think after it felt we’d walked for an eternity. He was incredibly spry. Nearly dancing on his feet as we walked through a meadow of tall wispy wheat grass toward a large hut. Well-built and beautiful. I felt a tingle of apprehension as I wondered who lived here. I thought it was apprehension. But it may just be my legs going numb. I’d sweated nearly all the way through the dress I was wearing. I was sure my armpits were dripping, and my hair was sticking to my forehead and the back of my neck. Mardichi jogged ahead to hold the door open for me. I was panting like a dehydrated hound. Dragging my feet and my shoulders slumped as I forced myself to take another step. Then another. I’m never going to get there. I was going to collapse into the grass first. He must’ve seen the distress on my face. He jogged back at a calm lope and swept me up
They were gloriously beautiful wings. Dark black with hints of a greenish hue which glinted in the sunlight sweeping through the trees and between the rustling bird wings around me. Everything around me seemed to quiet as I examined these things attached to my shoulders. Wondering where they’d come from. I reached out with hesitant fingers and grabbed the thickness of one. Startled by how warm, and real it felt. I didn’t know what I expected but this was the last of it. I’d half expected that my hand would sift straight through it. I flexed my shoulders, tensing the blades which I discovered, made the wings splay out and flex, to pointed tips. I moved my arms in, bringing my elbows together. Which made the wings wrap protectively around me. Instantly creating a cocoon of warmth. A blanket far warmer than any I’d ever climbed under. They’re unreal. Yet they were entirely so. Giving one a light tug revealed it was certai
I looked back down. Seeing that Mardichi was now bleeding badly. Though he was showing no sign of slowing down. The rodents were now dashing from the underbrush to tear at his slender legs. Ripping at tendons and trying to tear into something vital. One was currently hanging onto his soft stomach. Gnashing vicious little yellow teeth. Another had stepped out from the shrubbery. A flap along its belly began to lift and it loosed a woman’s cry. A sound that I’d have been certain was a woman screaming in distress. But there were echoing responses from every direction. Far too many out here. I could see them now. Coming from every direction with their hideous flicking tails. I felt a rush of heat and my teeth clenched. My arms felt like the bones locked out and my back felt as if it was ripping apart. There was a great flood of dark birds pouring from the sky in a swirl to come down and dump over the creatures. Blinding th
He caught me around the waist and pulled me closer against him. Holding me in the protective circle of his body. He shifted me to the other arm as he twisted to look over our shoulders and see the direction we’d just come from. Trying to watch everywhere. Nestled in the protective circle of his arms, I was reminded how massive he was. Nearly covering me with a shielding leg and his forearms. I noticed the trees seemed darker right now. Long twisted branches overhung the path we’d taken. There were empty bits of ground beneath where the leaves above didn’t let any rain or sunshine reach the forest floor. It was very barren in this area. I heard the first branch crack and realized what had so much of Mardichi’s attention. There’s something here with us. Once I noticed, I couldn’t help but feel it. A presence. And there were eyes. Someone’s eyes watching our every movement.
He stepped from view. I waited both excitedly and apprehensively. Wondering if he was still entirely him when he was in the other forms. He never seemed any different as the wolf. I doubt he will as the horse. I heard branches crunch and quickly looked up. Watching as the massive red beast stepped into view. My first thought was that I couldn’t possibly ride him. He’s too high up. And even if I could get up there, I wondered how I could straddle the width of his back. He’s as large as a cart. His hooves were huge with flowing hair, dancing in the breeze.His mane was as long and red as his hair and when he moved, I could hear the sizzle of sparks. I stared at him in astonishment. He walked near a boulder, prancing a circle before lowering his front half near the boulder. I hesitated. I had the deep sense that if I climbed up on that mount’s back. I was going to be forever
Afterward, we layside by side in the cool shade, watching the sunlight drizzling through swaying leaves above. I was entirely sated. My mind quiet for a time as I appreciate the view surrounding me. And the warmth of a man next to me. “This place is beautiful.” I remarked. Staring at the large, lush green leaves and the springy plants flourishing over the forest floor. Like a tiny piece of the paradise WaterRose was. I was suddenly heartbroken to be leaving. There was such a sense of security there. I understood why the Forever Knights didn’t want anyone to know about it. They carved out this tiny bit of peace and healing. I knew that for them, going to WaterRose was like having a home in the chaos. Somewhere family always was. I remembered how they’d all treated me. Even the Alpha. They’d made me feel like I was part of their oddball troupe.