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Rising Heat
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2024-10-29 19:42:56She blew a long breath and steadied her shoulders as she slid the garment down. Letting the skirts pool around her ankles on the forest floor.
As naked as God made her.
And she was breathtakingly beautiful. In all his rush before, he’d not taken the time to appreciate her beauty.
Not like I used to.
He’d been too angry. And hadn’t really had the chance in all his haste to be inside her.
He leaned onto his elbows to crook a finger at her. Knowing that his silvery white hair was shining in the dark. His icy blue gaze would look grayer and he was sure the intensity he was feeling was written over his face. Lips tight as he willed himself to be patient.
She stepped from her skirt and walked hesitantly to him. Meeting his gaze nervously, as she lowered over his lap.
She studied him a moment and knew enough of that expression on his face, to know what to do next.
He leaned up and she docilely caught the bott
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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
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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
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“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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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“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.
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“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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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“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
