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Skin & Satin
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2024-10-29 19:42:56She opened her mouth, but when he quirked an expectant brow, she snapped it shut. Straightening on shaking legs she put her back to the wall to watch him fearfully.
Afraid I may decide not to help her. He knew she was afraid, but he was so enraged he was having a hard time caring.
Seeing she’d say nothing further, he rounded to walk away.
His cloak cracked at the speed of his movement, as he suddenly faced her again. The cloth whispering to the floor behind him. As he stared her down. Jaw tight and face set in anger.
She reared back out of his reach. Stunned at the violence of his turn. His elbows cracked into the wall on each side of her head, as he caged her in.
She was pinned so suddenly, she found herself hissing through her teeth at the abrupt threat.
Pawing herself for a blade.
“Have you ever loved any man?” He demanded harshly. Wanting to say more but knowing he’d only get louder with every question he asked.
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“So, you do know her name.” He referred to Almora. Ignoring Nim’s efforts to rile him. He spun her out away from him. Catching her hand and pulling her back to his chest. She cast a dark look up at him. “I thought you only called her ‘the Dread’.” He met her look and slid his free palm firmly down the front of her belly and then twisted it over the line of her hip. Sliding it around to grip the globe of her ass to pull her more firmly to him. She swallowed a lump. Standing frozen under his ministrations. “W-What…I…” His failure to respond to her baiting, was unnerving. She reached to move her hair. Tossing it over her shoulder. But he caught that her hand trembled. Though she was willing to stubbornly persist on her track. “Or is it only that I am unwilling that you find so appealing?” “Are you?” He smiled skeptically down at her. “Is that what you’re telling yourself?” He chuckled mockingly under his breath. His breath stirrin
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He walked her backward. His lips slanting over hers in a slow sensual dance. A promise of what he wanted from her this time. Her hand lifted to press against his chest. She broke away from the kiss. “Don’t make me do this, Disseus. I can’t…Please, I beg of you.” “Of all the things I would give you, you’ll not have mercy from me in this.” He shook his head slowly. Conveying his severity. “Why!” She cried pitifully. “Why not?” Her desperation clear in the tinge of her high voice. In her shifting movements. She’s perilously close to running away. “Because, for a few moments, I’d have back what you stole.” He was watching her with dark intent. His movements to pursue her growing increasingly more predatory. She backed up faster. Deeper into the woods. Hands outstretched to keep him distanced as she floundered for an escape. “I didn’t steal anything Disseus.” “You did.” He said flatly. “When you took it all
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She 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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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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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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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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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
