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Styx's Sacrifice
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Price of Vengeance Rain Drops
“And the years after that?” Disseus’ voice softened as he struggled to understand.Hating every word of this tale.“I lead them back to Enuchte. And the first fey I came across was a First Water Fey boy and his young sister. With the hoard sniffing at my trail, I’d no choice but to enlist the help of the children to bond Nierwae in the earth. Between the lands.”“You imprisoned Nierwae?”“Who else? I was fortunate that the two I came across were impressively powerful fey children. One destined to lead the guardians, and his sister fated to hunt the miraculous half-mortal fey that’d control the Giant Benu.”“You speak of Bernus and his sister Queen Risa Mane? It was they who searched for your daughter.” He hazarded a guess.Marnie. She controls the Giant Benu because he is her lover. It was finally beginning to make some semblance of sense.“Yes.” She nodded again. “I was lucky it was them. Together, we made a spell so powerful it took my own blood to break it.”He gave her a confused
The Price of Vengeance Not So Easily Forgotten
When she didn’t respond, he leaned over far enough to tip up her chin. “Are you implying now that you left to somehow benefit me?” He was clearly incredulous. His eyes holding a hard glint that told her he was furious at the mere concept. It's pure idiocy. “I didn’t say anything like that” She was looking everywhere but at him. “Don’t play word games with me and then pretend I’m foolish enough not to catch your meaning.” Giving her a long look, he added. “Please remember we’re not new acquaintances.” “I’m trying to forget.” Go ahead and keep trying. “I’m not about to let you.” He straightened in his saddle, leather creaking. She felt his assessing gaze but couldn’t bring herself to meet it. Because she knows I'll see straight through all her little games. The sharp lines of his jaw tightened. A muscle in his cheek ticked. *** “What do you mean?
The Price of Vengeance Purpose
It was Lon’s tentative voice that broke the tension “I could use your help here Edre, guarding Mora. If you wouldn’t mind.” The Hell you could. Disseus gave him a quick look. You're just trying to give her purpose in staying rather than defying me to go hunt. Disseus stared at him shrewdly. Clever man. “For you Lon,” She snapped before making her voice drip sweetness as she gave Disseus a purposeful look. “Anything.” Disseus stiffened and gave her a sharp look. She made it sound like an offer. Lon beamed, feeling as though he’d resolved the issue without bloodshed. He passed her a hunk of Almora’s leftover bread, as she sat. “Thank you.” She murmured. Leaning past Lon, she addressed Almora directly for the first time. “So, you know, I harbor no ill toward Dreads. And I'd have taken the bread from you. I was starving.” Uh oh. Disseus spun on his heel and gripped the door handl
The Price of Vengeance Staying the Course
She 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
The Price of Vengeance Skin & Satin
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.
The Price of Vengeance To Avoid
“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
The Price of Vengeance Dreaded
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
The Price of Vengeance Rising Heat
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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The Price of Vengeance 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. 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
The Price of Vengeance Goodbyes
“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.
The Price of Vengeance Playful People
“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
The Price of Vengeance A Place of Chaos
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
The Price of Vengeance The Legend and the Man
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
The Price of Vengeance 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. She’d 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 he’d suspected for a while now. “How long have you been there.” “I’m a bit ashamed to admit, the whole time.” He rumbled from the shadows. His dark skin blending with the night darkness. Only the orange of his eyes glowed from the trees. “Why?” “You weren’t here when she wandered off.” Styx explained. “I was worried about her out here alone. Away from camp. Especially after all she’s been through.” “You as well.” Disseus reminded.
The Price of Vengeance Growing
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.
The Price of Vengeance Together Again
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
The Price of Vengeance They Already Know
“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
