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Staying the Course
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2024-10-29 19:42:56She hissed through her teeth at the reminder that she’d chosen a mortal for a lover once.
Over me.
Certainly, not liking me pointing it out. Disseus’ rage vibrated the air. His usual air of command expounded to the point his presence seemed to fill the cottage. Blooming even as she looked at him.
For the first time, looking at him, she was truly afraid.
He stood before her, one of the only two creatures in either world, powerful enough to harm her. But never would she have thought he would.
Staring down at her with his eyes narrowed, lips tight, and body emanating barely leashed fury it seemed very possible he could right now.
“Why do you defend the mortal?” She blurted in surprise. Stopping where she was. Still gripping the handle of the blade, he clutched. But not missing the dark seeping drops winding down his forearm.
“He’s accepted what I am. Far more readily than you and your kind ever did."
She
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She 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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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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