Thunder cracked above Disseus and Nim jerked. Making Disseus’ arms tighten protectively around her. Protecting her as she slept. He let his wild reveries play out in his mind’s eye. After she’d spotted him up on Black Rock’s that foggy morning and he’d fired a warning arrow past her to let her know he was aware of her presence, he’d climbed down the rocks and headed into the trees with her nipping at his heels like a small yappy dog. She was so close on his heels, and therefore slammed into his back as he abruptly stopped and pulled a spiced flower from a bush. Looking at it thoughtfully. “I know enough.” “You don’t know anything.” She countered. Turning fully, he lifted a quizzical brow. Knocking her hood back he eyed her face as she gasped in surprise at how rapidly he rounded on her. His face relaxed. “Nealinim.” He finished as if it confirmed what he’d already known. I could always sense when she was near. Smell that sweet scent that is hers alone. “You know me?” She blink
Back to the Present:Disseus was holding Nim. And she felt small and weightless in his arms. Warm to the touch and pressed against him. As if needing his heat.His eyes were scanning the treeline. As much as he was enjoying the feel of her, and he was, his body as clearly reacting, he was intent on the rustling in the trees just beyond sight.They’re there.He’d been right.There are Battling Dogs out there. Or Battling demons...But they didn't close in. For whatever reason... Which was worrisome. He didn’t particularly favor when demons became unpredictable.What are they waiting for?Unable to resist, his eyes slid down to look at Nealinim’s profile.At some point during the night, she’d finally fallen asleep.After much flailing and combatting whatever nightmares haunt her.He wondered what it felt like for her to be in the arms of her former lover.What does she think, when I hold her again?Clearly, she was comforted. It was the first he could recall of her sleeping so deeply.S
Now she wondered if perhaps he had forsaken her that night as they’d bid him, she’d not be here with him now.Suffering the hatred of the one man she’d loved for as long as she could remember. The one man she’d never stopped dreaming of. Nearly every day.A slight sob escaped her, and she bit her lip.“Don’t.” His hard voice made her jump.“What?”“I can feel your memories. Your pain. Don’t dwell on things that don’t bring you happiness. It serves no purpose.”Your guilt tastes like ash in my mouth. Though he couldn’t see the things she thought of, the fact that they caused her so much guilt told him that it was either guilt for her children.Or possibly me. He hoped. Knowing how little the likelihood was.“What do you care?” She lashed out.Trying to hide that I'm right.Always hiding her emotions behind a verbal onslaught. Like any other hissing viper.“You know that I do.” Anger tinged his voice. His muscles flexing around her as he tightened with ire. Feeling like what he hid had
Her cruel words still rang in his ears.‘Don’t worry. You’re not capable of making me suffer that much emotion.’ Those vicious words made him want to her body as much as she’d just wounded him. If that’s even possible.Rage flowed over him, and he took out on her inner walls. Bruising her soft flesh with his rough taking.She was beginning to fight harder which only fueled his anger.“Submit to me. Admit you were always mine.” He commanded.“Never.” She tossed her head. “You’re vile!”“Am I?” He growled. “You’ve seen nothing yet.”He shoved her over and pushed her onto her belly chasing her to flatten her against the unrelenting ground. Using it to serve her up to him.He put his palms to the dirt parallel to her and used them to balance himself as he dragged forward and then back. Groaning in pleasure at the feel of her tightening around him with each harsh stroke.“Stop!” She ordered. Putting her hands to the ground and trying to rise.Trying to get away from me. Again. But he was d
Tightening her lips, she refused to respond. Feeling very much like a hard block of wood in his arms now.Unlike the soft creature that'd pleaded for him not to leave her, just hours ago.Angry now that I made her rise in her own climax.Despite her ire, she was too exhausted to push him off.He rolled to the side of her and tugged her against him. Wanting to feel a bit more of her warm closeness before she draws too far away again.Sighing, he said. “Let’s speak of other things.”He adjusted her so she rested on his chest. As she used to.Stroking her hair thoughtfully as he asked the burning question that’d been plaguing him. “What happened to the sweet laughing girl I knew in Enuchte?”“She’s gone.” She said coldly. Effectively ending any conversation there might have been.Making it clear she was done speaking to me tonight…Or ever…***The following morning Disseus found he couldn’t shake the curiosity he’d felt. Wanting to know her tale. What happened to her?It consumed his tho
“And the years after that?” Disseus’ voice softened as he struggled to understand.Hating every word of this tale.“I lead them back to Enuchte. And the first fey I came across was a First Water Fey boy and his young sister. With the hoard sniffing at my trail, I’d no choice but to enlist the help of the children to bond Nierwae in the earth. Between the lands.”“You imprisoned Nierwae?”“Who else? I was fortunate that the two I came across were impressively powerful fey children. One destined to lead the guardians, and his sister fated to hunt the miraculous half-mortal fey that’d control the Giant Benu.”“You speak of Bernus and his sister Queen Risa Mane? It was they who searched for your daughter.” He hazarded a guess.Marnie. She controls the Giant Benu because he is her lover. It was finally beginning to make some semblance of sense.“Yes.” She nodded again. “I was lucky it was them. Together, we made a spell so powerful it took my own blood to break it.”He gave her a confused
When she didn’t respond, he leaned over far enough to tip up her chin. “Are you implying now that you left to somehow benefit me?” He was clearly incredulous. His eyes holding a hard glint that told her he was furious at the mere concept. It's pure idiocy. “I didn’t say anything like that” She was looking everywhere but at him. “Don’t play word games with me and then pretend I’m foolish enough not to catch your meaning.” Giving her a long look, he added. “Please remember we’re not new acquaintances.” “I’m trying to forget.” Go ahead and keep trying. “I’m not about to let you.” He straightened in his saddle, leather creaking. She felt his assessing gaze but couldn’t bring herself to meet it. Because she knows I'll see straight through all her little games. The sharp lines of his jaw tightened. A muscle in his cheek ticked. *** “What do you mean?
It was Lon’s tentative voice that broke the tension “I could use your help here Edre, guarding Mora. If you wouldn’t mind.” The Hell you could. Disseus gave him a quick look. You're just trying to give her purpose in staying rather than defying me to go hunt. Disseus stared at him shrewdly. Clever man. “For you Lon,” She snapped before making her voice drip sweetness as she gave Disseus a purposeful look. “Anything.” Disseus stiffened and gave her a sharp look. She made it sound like an offer. Lon beamed, feeling as though he’d resolved the issue without bloodshed. He passed her a hunk of Almora’s leftover bread, as she sat. “Thank you.” She murmured. Leaning past Lon, she addressed Almora directly for the first time. “So, you know, I harbor no ill toward Dreads. And I'd have taken the bread from you. I was starving.” Uh oh. Disseus spun on his heel and gripped the door handl