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Old Fears
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2023-02-26 04:46:00Nim continued her tale. Speaking of all that had happened since they parted.
After her son, Styx, had been born in the forest sheโd 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, sheโd 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, sheโd 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 heโd moved to take both women, Styx had offered himself as a protegee. A prospect, Nierwae had greedily taken him up on.
Leaving Nim to
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The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย 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. โNo, Nim.โ He forced the words out through gritted teeth. Fighting all his own hunger to say them. โThough Iโd love nothing more than to feel you, we donโt dare cause more injury now. Not when you are well enough to help me find him.โ โAnd fight.โ She said viciously. Eyeing him to see if heโd argue. But he knew better than to try to tell her she couldnโt fight. Sheโd 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. โThen donโt tempt me, Woman. Iโve years of suppressed hunger for you.โ She gave a half smile and a hooded look that didnโt reassure him, sheโd refrain from pressing him to the precipice of his control. โPlease.โHe adde
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-03-01The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย Stolen Moments
She was clinging to the bark of the tree behind her in a white-knuckled grip. His nimble fingers worked along her soft folds, until able to caress around her entrance. Smoothing the silky dampness there until his finger could glide smoothly into her. She drew a quick breath at the sudden sensation. He dropped his elbow against the rough bark so he could lean his face against her. Exchanging breaths with her as he discovered and challenged the depths of her. Working his finger in brushing strokes. Agonizingly slow, torturous in their expertise. Rubbing along that spot that made her writhe against his hand, yearning for more. Bark scraped under her fingernails. Perilously close to jabbing beneath as she clawed at it to steady herself. She blinked slowly but as the sensations circled through her, they forced her neck tight, driving her head upward. His lips fell to the side of that delicate throat. Wrapping warmly along the flesh and sear
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-03-04The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย Feared Most
He rushed to catch up to her. Sweeping her around the waist and pulling her backward against him. She reflexively leaned forward and gripped his hands. As if to pull him off. He turned and whispered against her temple. โIโll never let him lay a finger on you again, Nim. I swear by all thatโs holy, Iโll rip him apart first.โ She twisted to peer at him. Her eyes filled with unshed tears. โNever again, Nim. Youโll never suffer again.โ โWhat about by you?โ He sighed. Straightening with her and kissing her cheek. โIโm far from charming, Sweetheart. But Iโve no intention of hurting you.โ โNot even amidst the sheets?โ He blinked slowly. โWeโre a bit older and Iโve some curiosities about your proclivities Iโm keen on inspecting more thoroughly he wiggled his brows. But only pain with pleasure.โ โAnd if we fight?โ โI donโt ever want to fight with you again, Woman. Iโd rather burn.โ She turned her head. Sw
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-03-07The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย The Harbingers
Men, or what had once been fey men, launched from the trees. Their black wings splaying and whooshing like sails in a breeze. Their long hair resting down their bare chests and backs and along their unclad arms. Only worn pants covered their legs. Dark brown fur rested along their cheekbones and across their brows. Circling their sides and wrapping their hips. The mark of demonkind. He recognized. โBrother.โ Clawdus, the closest to a friend Disseus had once known, landed nearest him. โWelcome!โ Disseus hadnโt seen him since they were children. Only beginning to emerge into manhood. He was opening his arms in greeting. A wide grinning spreading the face that was now so much different from the one heโd known as a child. โIโm not here for you.โ Disseus dismissed. โWell. Thatโs a shame.โ He tilted his head. His hair, once as bluish white as Disseusโ was now singed a coarse brown. โBecause weโre here for you.โ โIโve no quar
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-03-10The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย Who We Fear Most
Disseusโ body unraveled like a piece of fabric covering a beast. Falling away and peeling apart, to release the bigger thing. His neck jutted out until it dropped back onto the ground with a thump. His back stretching and wings unfurling to expose the charcoal coloring. Which was trimmed in silver along every wing, his brows, and the spines running up his snout. His body covering in the charcoal skin which was sleek but thick and armored. He fell forward, landing on his palms which were quickly turning to claws. Everyone had stopped moving. Watching mesmerized as his body changed. The other Harbingers were confused. This isnโt how they change. Disseus knew the extent of their conversion was sprouting the wings along their backs and their highly increased speed and strength. But Disseus was quite another matter. His scalp still had a span of the same bluish silver hair. It started between his ears and ran in a mane, up his neck, to sto
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-03-13The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย The Myth
Every Harbinger knew the ancient myth. A song once sang by the elders. Of both the First Water Fey and the Harbinger kind, alike. It told of one born from demon blood and harbinger fey that would emerge as the strongest among them. One to lead them all. One that would demand utter obedience and destroy them. It was sang that this Dark Harbinger would irrevocably change the ways of First Water Fey and Harbingers. Clawdus and the injured fey next to him, looked from Disseus monopolizing the air to Nierwae who stood with trees bowing in toward him. So tall that he bent them. And the words of that song echoed in their minds. As did Clawdusโ words. โWho do we fear most?โ His meaning was clear. The harbingers were going to have to choose who theyโd continue to attack. More were getting injured. Raining from the sky in crumpled heaps. Seeming to have little effect on the densely armored skin of the airborne Dar
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-03-16The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย True Defeat
โNo!โ Nierwae roared. Making birds scatter and creatures stir in the underbrush. Those which had been too afraid to move before, now ran in terror. Nierwae could see what was happening. He saw the slow turning on the Harbingers faces. The brightening of their eyes, the lightening of their hair. They made their choices. Abandoning the darkness that had been feeding on them. Aborting the decision that had pulled them down. Bringing them so close to true evil. Disseus knew. SomehowโฆThey were choosing to save themselves. Even after all the cruelty theyโd known amongst the fey. Nierwae emanated ugly energy even as he breathed. His rage was truly something to be reckoned with. โNo!โ He growled in a sound that was more like a rockfall than an actual word. โI liberated you! I set you free. I gave you mates. I brought you from the world where you were hated. I treated you as my own!โ โYou made us your slaves.โ Clawdus
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-03-19The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย A Moment of Silence
He drew a long breath and began carrying her. He found one of the dead harbingers and stole his pants. Collecting Nim again and aiming back in the direction of the cabin. It was going to take a long while on foot if he couldnโt find where Nim had originally tied up her horse. He whistled a few times and heard a responding huff and prancing. He veered that direction and was very grateful to see the mount coming into view from between a couple large trees. She concealed it well. He looked down at the beautiful woman in his arms. Her dark lashes rested against her cheek. One arm dangling stiffly from her side. โYouโll be okay, Sweetheart.โ He lifted her enough to press his forehead to hers, reassuringly. โRest. I have you.โ Somewhere in Nimโs numbed subconscious she heard the soothing words. Felt the reassuring push of something flat to her face. Feeling so familiar, that she knew instantly what it was.
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-03-22
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The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย A Broken World
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. Nierwaeโs 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. โHow long were you gone?โ Disseus look
The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย Goodbyes
โCome.โ Disseus caught the sleeve of Sebastianโs 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. โIf you wish to.โ Sebastian didnโt 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. โI find your Bernus, a bit unpleasant.โ Sebastian sobered, to comment. A man who clearly says whatever heโs thinking. It was a trait Disseus could appreciate. โWe do as well.โ Nim agreed. โWas he always like that?โ โNo.โ Nim said. Surprising Disseus. โHe was a nice child.โ โUnfortunately, children grow up.โ There was a sudden sadness in Sebastianโs voice. But before either Nim or Disseus could mention it, Sebastian walked a bit faster. Catching up to Lonnix and Almora.
The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย Playful People
โI told you,โ She said softly. โI need higher assurance then yours, that we will get to live together in peace.โ โWithout First Water interference.โ Disseus felt the need to clarify. โIโm coming.โ 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. โAlpha.โ He lowered his head, covered in long white hair, in deference. โMarcus Teverius.โ The alpha eased. Eyeing him. โYou know these from the lower lands?โ โI speak for their Netherland Region.โ Teverius said, nodding. โI know their King well.โ โHe calls you, his King of the Netherlands, does he not?โ The alpha clarified. More for the feyโs sake, than his own, obviously. Disseus had heard of the fey King of the Netherlands, though in all his travels, heโd never glimpsed the man. He wouldnโt have denied he was just as curious to watch everything unfolding, as all the re
The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย A Place of Chaos
Disseusโs and Nimโs gaze followed all the rest. Taking in the shadow under two huge trees. Generating massive amounts of power. โThis must be the strangest morning...โ Almora muttered. Wondering who this newest interloper could possibly be. โWho is that?โ Lon pondered. โAh, hell!โ 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
The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย The Legend and the Man
It was reasonable that Lon would mourn the death of all theyโd built together. It had been Lonnix that had spread news of Disseusโs feats far and wide. Inspiring others to hire him. And keep our pockets fat with coin. It was Lonnix that built the name. โYou keep it going.โ Disseus suggested. โMost only dealt with you anyway.โ Theyโd hardly know my face were I standing before them. โNobody would believe that!โ Lon cried in appall. โTalk to King Phalanx, heโll back your story as a favor to me. Remind him how he became King of the Paladines.โ 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. โDonโt fear yet.โ Nim assured. โWeโve a bit before we must go.โ โNo.โ Another voice interjected as Bernus
The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย Are We Going?
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. Sheโd 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 heโd suspected for a while now. โHow long have you been there.โ โIโm a bit ashamed to admit, the whole time.โ He rumbled from the shadows. His dark skin blending with the night darkness. Only the orange of his eyes glowed from the trees. โWhy?โ โYou werenโt here when she wandered off.โ Styx explained. โI was worried about her out here alone. Away from camp. Especially after all sheโs been through.โ โYou as well.โ Disseus reminded.
The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย Growing
Marnieโs quiet words shattered Disseusโs composure. He watched Marnie walking away. As if dropping that tidbit hadnโt 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 mustโve 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 Lonโs 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 heโd have known anywhere. Even though Iโve never heard her hum before.
The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย Together Again
Disseus hesitated. They were all inviting him to climb atop Aardix. Though he would be in bird form, it didnโt particularly change how Disseus felt about it. The idea of mounting another manโs back, even in the shape of an animal, was a bit more than he could tolerate. โNo need.โ No chance in hell, Iโm doing that. โYouโll fly?โ Nim turned to him. He nodded slowly. โIโm well-behaved as long as your near.โ I hope. He felt more connected to his monster form now than he ever did before. More confident that he could control the Dark Harbingerโs 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
The Price of Vengeanceย ย ย They Already Know
โI missed you, Son.โ 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. โAnd I, you.โ โI was worried when the wound took you.โ He confessed. โI feared I might lose you again.โ โNever.โ She shook her head. Forcing a strong smile as she banished thoughts of old pain. She smiled softly as she asked. โHave you seen your sister?โ โNo. Not yet.โ She likely doesnโt know yet that heโs free. Disseus guessed word hadnโt reached her yet. Disseus dismounted the prancing horse, to join them. Leading the mare as he walked. โThank you.โ Disseus mentioned to Styx. Nodding to Lon and Almora who were now sitting up. Blinking blearily. โFor looking after them.โ If he hadnโt, and we were anyone e
