Share
Lies & Butterflies
Having uttered the ominous warning, Bernus turned his head and his eyes narrowed meaningfully on Lon, as if to warn Almora what he'd do to the chubby man.
I won’t hurt her, if she runs, I’ll hurt him.
Lon was clearly too far out of shape to run for anything.
He’d be easy to catch.
Bernus’ gaze flitted over to the demon male with them. Watching him warily.
“I don’t like you.” Almora hissed, as she turned to face Bernus.
He shrugged. Unsurprising.
She marched back over to stand by Lonnix.
He laughed coldly. “Most don’t. My job is not an easy one. But I do what I must.”
“Perhaps you should consider doing something else.” Lon commented.
Bernus' laughter was a rough bark. Shaking his head, he leaned back and watched out the window. Before asking more soberly. “When are they coming?”
“I don’t know.” Lon deflated. Surrendering his little act that they weren't on their way.
Related chapters
The Price of Vengeance Elder's Tales
“Your elders didn’t want us to have attachments because they believed we were weaker with them. They could be used against us.” Dissues sighed as he took a small, corked bottle from the drawer. At Bernus’ confused silence, Disseus barely spared him a slow glance before saying “Do you know that, not so long ago, we were accepted into the First Water Fey? Considered their elite?” Bernus’ brow furrowed in disbelief mingled with confusion. “Until it was found,” Disseus continued. “That we’re just as at risk for burning, as you. But not born at as fast a rate. So, the more that died, the fewer there were. So, yourelders, none of which were harbingers, decided to keep us separate from the women.” He sneered. “Because if we never had the chance to love, we could never burn. Right?” Bernus shifted. Discomforted by this tale. “That’s not why.” “No? Then what were you told?” He cleared his throat. Shifting again.
The Price of Vengeance Bold Realities
Disseus cradled Nim’s head in his lap and peered down at her. Silvery blue hair falling around their faces in a secretive curtain. “Yes.” “That’s what happened to your back?” She recalled when he’d nearly lit on fire. “Yes.” He sighed and dropped his head back against the wall with a thunk. “You’ve nearly killed me, more than once.” She grimaced at those words. “I didn’t know.” “How could you? You didn’t stay long enough for me to tell you?” But his usual accusing note was gone. Instead, there was only sadness. “That’s impossible.” Bernus stared at them wide-eyed. “Why?” Disseus’ lip curled in contempt. “At the end of the day, we are still fey, contrary to what you First Water like to tell yourselves. We still love, still yearn, still grow lonely. The efforts of your kind to isolate us only darkened us and sent us to others, for comfort. The loss of your Harbingers is your own doing.” That accusation dropped in the air like a b
The Price of Vengeance Cut to the Quick
For some reason, those words cut him to the quick. Piercing him more deeply than any sword could’ve ever done. His brows lifted and his mouth opened with about a thousand questions. However, he didn’t have the chance to get any out before Marnie caught his forearm and marched him out the door. Tugging his attention away from Nim. Bernus was on their heels. Curious how this would go. And like dutiful seconds, Almora and Lon followed until all had gone. It was easy to forget the lone presence lurking so darkly. That was his nature, to go unnoted. To be forgotten. “Why have you pushed him away so long, Mother?” Styx’s voice made her head snap to him and reminded her of his presence. She gasped at the surprising question and her lack of answer. “I’ve done many things I regret, My Son, and that is certainly among them.” “Have you redeemed yourself for your crimes?” “That is not my decision to make.” Strain ap
The Price of Vengeance Give Me Her
“No!” Marnie declared. “We must think this over, carefully.” Bernus advised. Looking to the prince for support. “He is right, Little One.” Prince Mane said carefully. “Your mother is weak. And even if she were whole, we don’t know she could do it alone. We need him.” “Will you do it for any other prize?” Prince Mane asked slowly. Disseus stood solidly. Refusing to give any ground. Nim’s words came back to him. For once defend yourself. She’s right. For once, he was going to demand what he wanted from these fey. “I’ve done much to protect her.” His gaze dropped from Bernus to Marnie. His next words seeming to settle her. “I will always protect her.” He jutted his chin stubbornly. “Give me her. And I will go back to your lands with her.” He paused. Considering the next words before pronouncing them. Condemning himself to whatever fate awaited him there. “I’ll protect them and your people…
The Price of Vengeance Crippling Biases
“Where is this guild?” “They call it the Blue Lark.” Nim said. “There is a leader among them. They call him Savage Jack, King of the Seditious. He would be the one you may wish to speak to.” Styx lowered his head in a nod. “But you must always let me know where you are. So, I might find you again.” Styx drew a long breath. “Always.” Nim gave him a long-pained look. Before opening her arms to welcome him. He came to the other side of her bed and knelt to drop his head to her stomach. The top of his head brushing his sister’s. She cradled them both. Feeling more comforted and at peace, then she had for decades. Suddenly the door opened again. Banging against the wall. Disseus stood there, with Bernus pulling on him. “Sorry Princess!” Bernus declared. Aardix pushed past both of them to stand next to his wife, guarding her against any potential threat. Disseus didn’t care where everyone else
The Price of Vengeance Under Fog
The next morning, Lon wrapped her in the thickest fur cloak he could find from everyone’s bags. They hugged both Nim and Disseus. Surprising Nim, with their kindness. They left early, under the blanket of fog. Disseus had pointed them in the direction of the nearest village and gave them strict directions to follow the path underfoot and not let themselves get lost in the gray coating. Nierwae and his minions wouldn’t be moving in the fog. It was too hard for them to see, and too easy for them to run into something unexpected. Nim had explained last night that there were creatures that hunted demons like Nierwae and his master. They were called the Forever Knights. And they were relentless. According to Nim, they were the only thing the demons feared. “When I am done with the demon king. They’ll fear me.” Disseus said afterward. Before bidding everyone to get some rest. Warning that they’d have to wake early to stay wit
The Price of Vengeance Old Fears
Nim continued her tale. Speaking of all that had happened since they parted. After her son, Styx, had been born in the forest she’d had a time of peace. Enjoying his unconditional adoration and savoring the warm love she felt for him. But as time passed and he grew more independent. The familiar loneliness returned. In that loneliness, she’d begun a romance with a human man. And had, again, conceived. Marnie. He recognized. When she had caught tracks in the woods, belonging to Nierwae, she’d had to abandon her children and lure the demon deep into the Untamed Forest. Where she had trapped him under the Dead Place. Locking him in an underground prison. Until the day he was inadvertently released. Which had resulted in him coming for Nim and Marnie. Discovering Styx, in the process. When he’d moved to take both women, Styx had offered himself as a protegee. A prospect, Nierwae had greedily taken him up on. Leaving Nim to
The Price of Vengeance Healing
She sat back up and caught his collar, drawing him slowly back down to her.Teasing him with her lingering gaze. Beckoning him to do unholy things to her. Tempting him nearly beyond his endurance. “No, Nim.” He forced the words out through gritted teeth. Fighting all his own hunger to say them. “Though I’d love nothing more than to feel you, we don’t dare cause more injury now. Not when you are well enough to help me find him.” “And fight.” She said viciously. Eyeing him to see if he’d argue. But he knew better than to try to tell her she couldn’t fight. She’d never obey. So, the less he harmed her now, the stronger she might be, by the time they found her monster. He eyed her askance. “Then don’t tempt me, Woman. I’ve years of suppressed hunger for you.” She gave a half smile and a hooded look that didn’t reassure him, she’d refrain from pressing him to the precipice of his control. “Please.”He adde
Latest chapter
The Price of Vengeance A Broken World
The Price of Vengeance Goodbyes
The Price of Vengeance Playful People
The Price of Vengeance A Place of Chaos
The Price of Vengeance The Legend and the Man
The Price of Vengeance Are We Going?
The Price of Vengeance Growing
The Price of Vengeance Together Again
The Price of Vengeance They Already Know
