“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
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
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
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
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
“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
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
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.
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.