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Note from the Author:
This is a dark erotica with explicit sex, forced sexual elements, violence, brutality and animal aggression.
There could be triggering factors for some. Please read with caution.
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"You know we're being followed, Right?" Lonnix said.
Even he could sense the eyes on them. Hear the footstep trailing through the brush a distance behind and to the side of them.
Oh, yes. I know. Disseus thought.
And she's trying hard to stay off the road and out of our view.
"Think she's beautiful?" He asked Lonnix.
Lonnix looked at him, behind them, at him again. Expression looking nearly as though he'd been slapped. "I thought it was a man!"
Of course, you did.
Lonnix ascertained his more-experienced-in-tracking, friend wasn't jesting. "If that's a woman she's well-versed."
Doing well hiding from us. Now that, I agree with.
"Very." Disseus agreed.
"I've barely heard her."
Only two or three steps that were less crafted as the majority.
"I haven't either," Disseus admitted. "but I can smell her. A woman."
He paused thoughtfully before adding. "Likely a beautiful one."
"What does a beautiful one smell like?" Lonnix asked in awe.
Disseus spared him only a cursory glance. "Like a woman."
"Helpful." Lon curled his lip in contempt, deflating.
***
Disseus and Lon had barely sat down to their drinks in the milling tavern when he felt eyes boreing through them. Looking up he met the woman's intent gaze peering at him from beneath a lowered hood.
She pushed two men's backs aside to stroll through them. Not breaking eye contact with Disseus.
Lovely. He thought dryly. Determined to not talk to anyone tonight. Especially not some woman with some mission in mind.
Disseus watched the willowy figure walking through the tavern. Chaos thrummed around them in a pulsing rhythm. Robust voices rose in drunken conversations. Tankards were slammed together and sloshed ale over meaty hands. Well-known the tavern was always crammed to the fullest, brawny men pulling buxom women onto their laps.
But this figure walked through the tavern, hood lowered over her face.
A woman.
Not the healthy rounded stature of the barkeep's wife and daughters but short and slender. As if sensing his gaze, her hood turned, and he felt her assessing him.
Meeting her gaze from the shadows he watched her purposeful approach. One dainty hand gripped both sides of her cloak, holding them together.
Next to him Lonnix whispered. "She's spotted you my friend. It's amazing no one else has made her yet."
Disseus gave a grudging nod of agreement. Willing his face slack as though without a fully formed jaw. Drool seeped from the corner of his mouth and one bleary eye quivered.
The woman slapped her pale hands on the round table, causing the poorly made thing to jostle. Nearly throwing their half-full tankards.
"I know who you are." Her voice was smooth and filled with rage.
Rage, I didn't earn. He focused on the face beyond the hood. Too dark.
Her features were impossible to discern.
"Disseus here doesn't speak well, miss." Lonnix came to his rescue. "He had an accident when we was young and-"
"I'm no fool!" She snapped. Throwing her head back forced the hood of her cloak to fall. Unleashing a riot of burgundy red curls. In a rough jerking motion, she tore the laces holding the cloak and it fell away revealing her naked body.
Pale porcelain flesh shined in the dancing firelight. That hair pouring to her hips in a riot of wild waves. Fat curls framing the bottom of pert breasts with jutting nipples. Her shoulders tapered to the thin lines of her waist and then the flare of her hips which were so full that the only bony portion was the line which veered over the curve and down her pelvis. To the narrow dusting of red hair which guarded her woman's place.His eyes skid from that place he intended soon to be nestled up to that face. Such a pretty face.Her vivid green eyes snapping with fury. Under arching red brows which tapered to a small, upturned nose.Everything about her is petite. Disseus' eyes roved her in wonder. Recognizing the delicate but well-honed body.The body of a woman as apt to carry a bucket of water as wield a dagger.***"I'm Nim Pifh." The woman declared. Shooting Disseus a meaningful look as she added. "The Huntress.""Huntress..." Disseus murmured the words nearly reverently. His voice
"Will you come up to our chambers discuss the matter further?" Lonnix gestured toward the steps heading up to the bedchambers.A dangerous proposition for a lady indeed.Fortunately, she's not a lady. Disseus eyed the red-haired woman.Giving them a defiant look, green eyes still sparking, she swept up her cloak and aimed for the steps. Pulling her cloak back on and her hood up. Lacing it at her throat. But leaving a crack in the cloak which revealed the dark shadow of her belly button and the rounded plane of her pelvis as well as the dark crevice of her cleavage, hinting at the inner edge of the two rounded globes."I dearly hope you brought more clothes than that." Disseus murmured.A lie. I truly hope she hasn't so I can have access to that fine body whenever I wish it. The concept was quite tempting despite that he was sure he wasn't the only blackguard in this tavern that was considering such things. A glance back down over his shoulder verified that he was correct indeed.They'
Disseus winced as though she'd slapped him."You" He raged closing in again. "chose to marry that simpering weakling.""Don't you bring Baron into this." She stuck a finger in his face.Baron. A Weak name for a weak beast."You mean the man whose arms you ran to when you fled mine?" Disseus swatted her hand from his face."Yes." She hissed eyes narrowing. And small pointed chin jutting. "That Baron.""The one that died from the loss of you because he was too weak" He said the word with his face contorted in disgust. "to come find you?"So furious she was shaking, her lips tightened. "You don't know what you're talking about!""The devil I don't." Disseus snapped."I'd have torn Hell apart to find you." Disseus grated out. "Yes. We'll help you, pathetic little creature that you are. But not because I wish to help you. Because of what you'll do to repay me."The things I'll have you doing.Chest heaving, fire lit her eyes at his provocation. Enraged that he'd dare propose such a bargain
She grimaced and didn't move. Her feelings warring on her face.Staring at her with burning intensity, he didn't blink. Knowing that glancing away for even a moment could get her the opportunity to get away.You're not getting away from me this time until I'm well and truly done. His jaw tightened until the muscle ticked.He nudged her thighs apart with his thighs then lowered to kneel on the floor. Catching her narrow hips, he drug her ass to the edge of the bed. He reached up and caught her bottom jaw. Pulling it down until her eyes met his.Until she could no longer look away. Despite that her gaze was written with resentment."You'll get over it." He told her. Licking his fingertips and rubbing her opening until he felt her moisten deliciously.Tempting enough to taste.***"Disseus..." She pleaded.As though I'd stop. He snorted. Becoming only more determined at the prospect.He shook his head warningly. "Don't do that. You'll only be wasting your time."He entered her, hard.She
Her head fell forward and her gaze was hateful. Resenting him for everything he was doing to her. For everywhere his hands touched.For everything she knows I'm going to yet do to her."Hate me all you wish. It won't change what I'm going to do. Over and over...And again." He pressed his lips to the shell of her ear. "Whenever I wish."He lifted her off him dispassionately and tossed her back on the bed. "Be ready to ride a horse at first light."His gaze skid over her from head to toe. Eyeing ever bit of bared flesh hungrily.He rose and aimed for the door."Good! Leave." She lurched up to shout.He stepped through the door and leaned to talk through it before closing it. "Don't worry, Sweetheart. I'll be back later if I've more need of you tonight.""Don't you dare!""Oh, I dare." He smirked."It was lovely by the way." He gave her body a last, lingering look."Get out! Get out!"He closed the door slowly to antagonize her.His triumphant grin turned to full laughter as the first ob
Hands snapping out, he caught the neckline before she could react and ripped it down the front.Freeing her breasts and the flat plane of her belly marred only by the hollow of the small belly button. The motion making the small breasts bounce ripely.His body instantly responded to the sight of the dusky crests of her nipples on the smooth white orbs. He was tempted to stroke himself between them.I will. He promised himself. Soon enough.She hissed in fury and lifted her arm with the dagger. Making all that flesh move deliciously.He pushed her bicep back down and caught her wrist. Shaking the blade loose and kicking it away. Dismissing it as easily as he had every other effort she'd made to keep him at bay."You're a fiend.""More than that." He pointed up. "Nightfall, My Dear. You're mine to enter.""Despicable." She said contemptuously. Her lip curling derisively."Ssh." He put a finger to her lips and started backing her up to the bed as he pulled his tunic off and tossed it asi
Disseus must've fallen asleep because he woke lying next to her naked. A hand resting comfortably on his belly. Surrounded by the scent of her. And her softness along his arm and shoulder. His body was instantly responding.He caught her hip and rolled her atop him."Oh, no you don't!" She struggled against his grip. "It's first light and you'll leave my chamber immediately!""You think that'll save you?""Yes.""It only buys you time, Sweetheart. Time I'll spend deciding how I'll have you next.""Get out." She shoved him out of the bed, but he landed on his feet in a crouch.Animal reflexes unfailing.She bundled his clothes and threw them at him. Pointing toward the door.She was lying awake. Waiting for the sun to send its first fingers over so she could banish me. It irked him.He dressed and stepped out.And the door was promptly slammed behind him.He rounded and pressed his face to the door. "Time to get up and get on our way!" He shouted through the wood. "Hope you slept well.
"I said I'm hungry!" Nim screamed at the top of her lungs. Incredibly frustrated from strain, being awoken too early, from hunger and from dealing with the worst mount in history.Lonnix covered his ears to block out the shrill enraged sound. A wretched sound which seemed to echo through the thick trunks.Likely summoning every bandit for the next six miles. Disseus stoney gaze flicked to her in vague annoyance. Fully aware of why she was so pissed off.And not too far behind, myself."We men have no need to stop." Disseus said confidently despite that both he and Lon knew Lonnix's stomach had been uttering complaints for several hours.Gargling like a drunkard snoring in a tavern.Those were the last words, Disseus would say before she soundly knocked him off his horse. Propelling a rock the size of her fist, into his chest with extraordinary force.To her credit, she had tolerated much ribbing already this morning.***"A rock?" Using the ground for leverage Disseus leapt back to hi
Nim looked down the valley and finally saw at least part of what they had done, at the same moment the wind came up and the smell of smoke and rot filled her sinuses. The sticky sweet scent lingering there in a way that made her want to vomit. It clung to her throat. Only one thing could smell like that. Nierwae’s fortress had possessed that same horrendous odor. The scent of death and demons. A village in the distance emitted too much smoke to be from hut fires. There were spots of smoke in various directions that looked the same. Once they walked a bit down the hill, they came down the backside of the rise, she found the whole valley bottom was covered in bark like darkness. It looked like rotting tree roots with spots of pus and splitting boils. Twining over the ground. From this vantage point, it was apparent that the nearest village was abandoned. Long since, torn to shreds. “How long were you gone?” Disseus look
“Come.” Disseus caught the sleeve of Sebastian’s frilled shirt and pulled him along with him. Growing more certain by the moment, that if left alone, Sebastian would continue to taunt Teverius until the other man returned to take the bait. “If you wish to.” Sebastian didn’t seem to mind though. Stumbling along for a moment while laughing over his shoulder at Teverius. Bright turquoise eyes dancing. Then he focused on the group ahead of them. “I find your Bernus, a bit unpleasant.” Sebastian sobered, to comment. A man who clearly says whatever he’s thinking. It was a trait Disseus could appreciate. “We do as well.” Nim agreed. “Was he always like that?” “No.” Nim said. Surprising Disseus. “He was a nice child.” “Unfortunately, children grow up.” There was a sudden sadness in Sebastian’s voice. But before either Nim or Disseus could mention it, Sebastian walked a bit faster. Catching up to Lonnix and Almora.
“I told you,” She said softly. “I need higher assurance then yours, that we will get to live together in peace.” “Without First Water interference.” Disseus felt the need to clarify. “I’m coming.” Another stranger pushed through the fey guardians, and Trap, working his way to the front to peer across the clearing at the Forever Knight leader. “Alpha.” He lowered his head, covered in long white hair, in deference. “Marcus Teverius.” The alpha eased. Eyeing him. “You know these from the lower lands?” “I speak for their Netherland Region.” Teverius said, nodding. “I know their King well.” “He calls you, his King of the Netherlands, does he not?” The alpha clarified. More for the fey’s sake, than his own, obviously. Disseus had heard of the fey King of the Netherlands, though in all his travels, he’d never glimpsed the man. He wouldn’t have denied he was just as curious to watch everything unfolding, as all the re
Disseus’s and Nim’s gaze followed all the rest. Taking in the shadow under two huge trees. Generating massive amounts of power. “This must be the strangest morning...” Almora muttered. Wondering who this newest interloper could possibly be. “Who is that?” Lon pondered. “Ah, hell!” Trap, the other Harbinger, swore. Backing further into the crowd of fey guardians, in an effort to blend. Disseus recognized the blonde man sauntering into view, as the man that had helped heal Nim. The Forever Knight called Sebastian. A black-haired man emerged next to Sebastian. His face was an unreadable mask. Cutting blue eyes slid over the scene. He exuded authority and power unlike any Disseus had seen before. What is he? The way Sebastian eased a bit behind him, was telling. The dark hair is the leader. RedBayne was still grumbling profanity as he ambled out of the grove to join them
It was reasonable that Lon would mourn the death of all they’d built together. It had been Lonnix that had spread news of Disseus’s feats far and wide. Inspiring others to hire him. And keep our pockets fat with coin. It was Lonnix that built the name. “You keep it going.” Disseus suggested. “Most only dealt with you anyway.” They’d hardly know my face were I standing before them. “Nobody would believe that!” Lon cried in appall. “Talk to King Phalanx, he’ll back your story as a favor to me. Remind him how he became King of the Paladines.” Disseus gave him a stunned look. Disseus knew Lon had it in him to do the job. But at the very least, Phalanx would offer Lonnix a job or a new Ardae assassin to befriend. Lon had a cunning way about him that made him very personable. “Don’t fear yet.” Nim assured. “We’ve a bit before we must go.” “No.” Another voice interjected as Bernus
Disseus sat on that rock, holding Nealinim well into the night. Relieved and in awe to have all his joy back in his arms. What a strange journey it has been. She’d fallen asleep at some point. Lying on that rock with her head on his leg while he stroked her hair. Listening to the water and her soft breathing. As much as he yearned to make love to her. He wanted her to heal more. She needs her strength now more than ever. He heard a branch snap behind him and knew what he’d suspected for a while now. “How long have you been there.” “I’m a bit ashamed to admit, the whole time.” He rumbled from the shadows. His dark skin blending with the night darkness. Only the orange of his eyes glowed from the trees. “Why?” “You weren’t here when she wandered off.” Styx explained. “I was worried about her out here alone. Away from camp. Especially after all she’s been through.” “You as well.” Disseus reminded.
Marnie’s quiet words shattered Disseus’s composure. He watched Marnie walking away. As if dropping that tidbit hadn’t just rocked him to his core. He needed to get away for a bit of fresh air. He wandered into the dark. Letting the cool evening air fan his skin as he listened to the happy laughter coming from the camp. He could smell the burning wood and what remained of the boar. Mixing with the freshness of the burbling river nearby. He must’ve wandered out there longer than he thought. As he aimed back toward the camp, he realized the laughter had stopped. In-fact he now caught Lon’s soft snoring. As he drew closer, he heard another sound. Something soft and lilting. Barely separated from the sound of the river. Disseus followed it hypnotically. Drawn to the rhythmic sound. It was soft and alluring and he was moving irrevocably toward it. A beautiful voice he’d have known anywhere. Even though I’ve never heard her hum before.
Disseus hesitated. They were all inviting him to climb atop Aardix. Though he would be in bird form, it didn’t particularly change how Disseus felt about it. The idea of mounting another man’s back, even in the shape of an animal, was a bit more than he could tolerate. “No need.” No chance in hell, I’m doing that. “You’ll fly?” Nim turned to him. He nodded slowly. “I’m well-behaved as long as your near.” I hope. He felt more connected to his monster form now than he ever did before. More confident that he could control the Dark Harbinger’s thirst for blood. Even in that shape, all I wanted was to protect her. The Dark Harbinger was no longer some terrifyingly unpredictable creature. It was just another part of him that would look after her. At least it seems that way. He was willing to give it another try and find out. Nim would protect them if I get out of line. The Dar
“I missed you, Son.” Nim confessed to her lumbering offspring. Drawing back from him to give him a loving study. Still holding his arms as she looked at him like any proud mama assessing her child. Styx towered over her. Looking at her with heart wrenching affection that belied the terrifying look of him. “And I, you.” “I was worried when the wound took you.” He confessed. “I feared I might lose you again.” “Never.” She shook her head. Forcing a strong smile as she banished thoughts of old pain. She smiled softly as she asked. “Have you seen your sister?” “No. Not yet.” She likely doesn’t know yet that he’s free. Disseus guessed word hadn’t reached her yet. Disseus dismounted the prancing horse, to join them. Leading the mare as he walked. “Thank you.” Disseus mentioned to Styx. Nodding to Lon and Almora who were now sitting up. Blinking blearily. “For looking after them.” If he hadn’t, and we were anyone e