He yanked her off him and pulled her back to see her.
Her face was streaming with tears.
“What?” She swiped a few off her cheeks.
“Seeing you cry was the last thing I expected. I suppose in my mind, you’re not capable.”
“I’m very capable.” She snorted. “I’ve cried much over the years.”
“I’m sorry for it.” He murmured. Petting her hair down over her ears and along her cheeks, smoothing it around her face, comfortingly.
“Why did you make me do this?”
To his credit, shame washed over him. “I wanted things to be how they were. Just for a moment.”
I wanted to touch that impossible fantasy. Damn my soul!
“They can’t ever be how they were!” She cried.
“I got that.” His hands dropped away.
But why?
He wanted to ask but was pretty sure it’d be pointless.
“It’s too dangerous.” She sobbed. Wrapping her arms back around his neck and hanging on him.
“Too dangerous for
Disseus could see it all happening through a bleary gaze but was unable to move. His mind fighting him. Despite all his fierce will, he couldn’t seem to communicate to his body to cooperate. He rolled onto his back in an effort to stand and despite all his effort to stay awake. Blackness encroached at the edge of his vision and worked its way in until he was completely unconscious. Unable to see. Or hear. Or help. Almora sent up another wall of searing frostbite. The dark-skinned monster bounced off the wall. And skid across the branch covered ground. Rising, it had to shake itself to re-orient. It jumped in continued attack. Entirely focused on Almora now. Intent on ripping the Dread in half. Snowflakes spun from the white sky. Wind whirled around them, making visibility low. But between flashes of pure white streaks, the red bird flying a wide circle could be seen. She ducked her head and swept low again. But
“I’m sorry.” Almora offered consolingly. Sympathy written over her face at Nim’s plight. Knowing that the reason she so badly wanted to get to the country was to try to save her son. In true fashion, Nim ever offered a reassurance at the apology. Merely changing the subject. “You were quite impressive, Dread.” Nim indicated. “You weren’t too bad yourself.” Almora beamed at the compliment. “Summoning the cold is only bending what exists to my will." She eyed Nim. "But to entirely change shape is something else.” “Not so much as you’d think.” Nim coughed roughly and drew a swift breath. Hand still clutched to her side. “My beast is every bit as present as your blizzard.” She gave the fairer woman a meaningful look. “Probably more so while in the heart of Spring.” Conjuring Winter amidlate Spring was a truly remarkable feat. “You must relax.” Almora dismissed. Gently pressing Nim’s shoulders in the crackling straw p
He queried without facing her. "Are you well to travel?” Shaking off her surprise at the abrupt question, she realized she was. She felt rejuvenated. Standing, she wriggled her bare toes and found them blessedly painless. “Are you two well?” His gaze touched on Almora’s bandaged hand. Wondering if she was too injured to continue. How had she hurt herself? He felt guilty that he'd not been more helpful. Wasn't worth much, unconscious. He grunted. “No help for me, Old Friend.” She smiled softly at him. “I am of more mortal blood. It’ll take time to heal my breaks.” Most Dreads are only partly magic, and still partly human. Lon still stared, jaw agape. Obviously unable to speak as yet. Shocked that he'd seen me heal like that. In all the years he's known me, that's never happened. Even Almora’s eyes remained wide with surprise. Filled with disbelief. Disseus stood and str
When the men returned, Lonnix carried Disseus’s cloak while he shook dirt from a crumpled tunic. After smoothing his hair back, he’d proceeded to his saddlebag and retrieved the clothing. Using the powder he kept in his bag, to rub his teeth clean. Feeling far more refreshed than I did waking covered in sweat. Listening to them proclaiming how I’d cried for her. Self-loathing ran through him at his weakness. He checked on the horses. Noticing immediately that the one Almora had been riding was missing. He noted a splash of blood on the ground and followed the trail. Dread already rolling through him as he was sure he knew what he’d find. Just beyond the initial line of trees, he found the bloodied pool of what remained of the horse. It’d been entirely gutted. Pieces of its throat, its eyes and ears gone. And still steaming in the cool day. It was clear that the Demon King’s beasts had already been hunting here.
Disseus had spent the night just outside the door watching the shadows of the trees. Sensing every movement Nim made. She wasn’t too far from the cottage. Only a few hundred feet. And in the distance he could see her outline sinking to the ground and her knees drawing up under her chin. No. Hearing her sobbing in the distance and knowing she cried for fear of what would happen when this was all done, made his chest tighten. He felt both guilt and determination as a result. But to say that the sound of her cries didn’t affect him would’ve been a blatant lie. Though he certainly wished it didn’t. He shifted against the wall. Uncomfortable with hearing her rare tears. Feeling like he should go comfort her. But there wasn’t much he could say. I’m not bluffing. I’m not letting her get away again. No matter how much I dislike her. The sad fact, was that he needed her around for his own survival.
She hadn’t said a word for many miles. Clearly mad at me, thinking I forced her off her horse. He was tempted to tell her so, but knew Almora would have hell to pay for lying to her, if he did. He decided not to. Let her think it’s me. She hates me anyway. But this had gone on too long. “What’s wrong with you?” “What if he’s given up on me?” She breathed. Disseus instantly saw how selfish his own thoughts had been at those startling words. “Your boy?” “Yes.” “He won’t have.” “But, if he has?” “Nim, you’re entirely unforgettable. Certainly, as a lover. And most assuredly, as a mother.” He said with conviction. “He hasn’t forgotten you.” She turned to give him a searching look. He kept his gaze straight ahead and said nothing but felt the emotion in her study. Emotion that seemed to echo through him at her vulnerability. He clenched the rein in a white-knu
As they began the long trek up a steep mountain, Nim began looking around warily. “What’s wrong?” Almora queried. Nealinim murmured. “We’re in the Black Mountains.” “Yes.” He nodded. “That is a concern as well.” “What is a concern?” Catching the tail end of the conversation, Lon was alarmed. “Dogs of Battling.” Disseus responded. Everyone knew the animals belonged to the demon master, Radix. And would obey Nierwae if he bid them to do so. They could be reporting our location back to the demons now. Disseus was unsettled by that thought. Almora flinched at the prospect of running into the evil creatures. Remembering their scaley, bark like coats, and the slinking way they moved. “What exactly is a Dog of Battling?” Lon looked anxiously around at them. “You don’t want to know.” Almora said softly. “Grand.” Lon swallowed. “And what exactly do those do?” Eat whatever Rad
Don’t own- Growling low in his throat, Disseus tossed down the stick he’d been stirring the kindling with. To stalk to her and tower over her. “I am not afraid of you.” Nim lifted a haughty brow. Unmoved by his show of temper. “Perhaps you should be.” His fists tightened and his lips thinned as he glowered venomously at her. It would be wise, since I'm tempted to throw you over my knee until you stop speaking foolishness. “I’m unmoved on this.” She whispered. Meeting his hard gaze. “As am I. We shall see who wins.” I'll tie you to a damn tree if necessary. Disseus gave her his back to go stand near the trees bordering their camp. Leaning against one trunk to glare at her steadily. Making his disapproval of her suggestion obvious. *** They’d all bedded down for the night. Disseus could feel Nim’s eyes boreing into his back. She reached up and tentatively touched his sho