"I said I'm hungry!" Nim screamed at the top of her lungs. Incredibly frustrated from strain, being awoken too early, from hunger and from dealing with the worst mount in history.Lonnix covered his ears to block out the shrill enraged sound. A wretched sound which seemed to echo through the thick trunks.Likely summoning every bandit for the next six miles. Disseus stoney gaze flicked to her in vague annoyance. Fully aware of why she was so pissed off.And not too far behind, myself."We men have no need to stop." Disseus said confidently despite that both he and Lon knew Lonnix's stomach had been uttering complaints for several hours.Gargling like a drunkard snoring in a tavern.Those were the last words, Disseus would say before she soundly knocked him off his horse. Propelling a rock the size of her fist, into his chest with extraordinary force.To her credit, she had tolerated much ribbing already this morning.***"A rock?" Using the ground for leverage Disseus leapt back to hi
She gasped. Lip curling in contempt. "You've become so foul.""No. I merely lost all respect for you." He rubbed her opening with two fingers feeling her slick and ready.His eyes widened as he withdrew his fingers slightly to examine them. "You already want my cock, don't you?"Her expression hardened and she refused to take his biting.He lowered his voice and turned it taunting. "So quick to dampen."Pressing his fingers more deeply into her and curling them forward in a way he knew would send a surge of wetness pouring from her. The spot that makes her weak.She glared hatefully at him. Locking her jaw rather than answering him.He smirked. "Me too."I already want inside you. Now. He pushed the two fingers more violently into her. Watching her reaction with interest.***She gasped and stood on her toes to escape the sensation. Her hands landing on his shoulders as though she considered stopping him.Good luck. He glared at her. A muscle in his jaw ticking. Every moment he consid
"No." She desperately tried to writhe away. Finally inching his hand from her mouth as she tried to escape him, but he came buried inside her."Take it." He grunted. Giving two short thrusts. "You should be good at that by now."Once he'd finished, he let his hand fall and withdrew from her. Letting her slide back to her feet.She angrily shoved her skirt done. Asking furiously. "Pleased?"He groaned in satisfaction. "You've no idea!"And I'll have more. His eyes lingered on the rosy crests of her exposed breasts.***Catching her arm, he yanked her dress back up over her breasts, noticing one nipple protruded at the corner. Unable to resist he lowered and plucked it into his mouth.She swung to slap him, but he caught her wrists and held them to her sides as he sucked on the morsel of skin until it was red, swollen and ached as though bruised.She flushed so red that even her breasts were heated a shade. "Are you quite finished."Mmm." He murmured. Angling around the crest to stroke
“She sees images of the future.” Lonnix explained.Talking about Almora.“How precious.” Nim said acidly. Unable to do anything other than dislike the beauty.Nim watched the two younger girls and Almora fawning over Disseus in disgust.“Is he above no woman? Not even young girls?”Lonnix gave her a startled look. “He takes care of them. He’s been like a brother to them.”“They don’t look at him like a brother.”“No, they don’t.” Lonnix admitted before defending. “He’s very generous.”“Oh, I’ve no doubt about that.”Lonnix guided his mare further away sensing that this conversation was suddenly spiraling downhill far faster than he could’ve anticipated.***Disseus assisted Almora onto her horse. Holding her waist as she found a foothold and climbed over the mount’s back. Curls pouring over one shoulder, she smiled prettily down at him. Reaching to trail a fingertip over a thin scratch marring his cheek.Asking in a concerned voice. “What happened?”His smile vanished. “I was dislodge
“I haven’t forgotten a word.” Her voice was soft as she focused on her attack.No. Just everything else.“Then you’ve slowed down.” He snapped sidestepping a hit. Aware he was trying to make her as furious as he felt.“I haven’t!” She shouted.He eyed her askance.“You’ve gotten faster.” She reluctantly admitted.Grunting, he turned his back on her and headed back to Onyx.Collecting a pebble, she hit him in the back of the head.Again? His teeth gnashed.Seeing his back stiffen, she frantically looked for a larger rock.Spinning on his heel he stalked back toward her. You're going to learn, you venomous wench!***“Why exactly are you so mad?” He stormed. Catching her forearm and yanking her against him.“You never came!” She yelled, hands fisting.Never came where? He blinked in bafflement.To find her in the Demon King’s lair? His slashing brows drew together.“You never asked.” He was much calmer than either of them had been moments before. Deadly calm now.“And you were the one t
“Ah. There you are, Little Ruby. I see you now.” The giant rubbed his chin thoughtfully. His eyes brightening at the rare beauty before him.Her riot of red curls pouring over her shoulders.The Witch, Almora, stared at her with widened eyes. Shocked that Nim would defend her.As we all are. Disseus had no explanation for why Nim had done it.“You’d rather die than go where they’d take you.” Nim whispered over her shoulder to Almora. Warning her to get further back and to escape these men.And I’m not letting them take you. Disseus jaw tightened until the muscle ticked. His hands working in slow fists.***Disseus was strangely still. Just watching.Lonnix watched him intently. Fingering the hilt of the sword at his hip. Waiting to follow whatever Disseus would do.But they all stilled as Nim spoke again.“If-if you don’t kill them, I’ll simply go with you and they’ll go back.” She gestured to all of them behind her. Lifting a palm in a motion to push them back.She wants us to withdr
Offering her a hand he tossed her atop her horse. Opening her mouth with a rebuttal she was too late.Turning he headed to Onyx and mounted without another word. But he veered the mount to stroll behind them. Close enough he could eavesdrop on Nim’s conversations with his inhuman hearing.Let’s see what she has to say now.Nim waited until Lonnix somehow mustered his way up onto the mare, sweat marking his brow as he breathed raggedly. Dangling over the horse’s mane.Unsure if a heart attack was imminent, Nim reluctantly guided her nag closer. “Are you well?”Not in the least. Disseus eyed the chubby fellow. Aware this was often how he sounded after climbing atop his mount.“No.” Lonnix huffed. “No. I am fat.” He put his cheek to his horse and wheezed until managing to catch his breath.Smile teasing her lips, Nim gave the back of his head a light reassuring pat.As if he’s a child recovering from some tiny wound. Disseus restrained himself from snorting at her motherly reaction.When
“We’ll break for camp.”“But shouldn’t we-” Nim started. Wanting to press on.Wanting to avoid bedding down for the night.Because she knows where I’ll expect to have her.“We’ll break for camp.” Disseus cut her off with a glower. Grabbing his bow, he headed toward deeper woods.Almora and Lonnix were already collecting kindling for the evening fire. Knowing it would be needed to keep the Battling Dogs at bay.Movement toward the trees behind him, caught Disseus’ attention.Nim.Walking alone through the woods this close to dusk. What is she thinking?Heading through the trees in the opposite direction of their camp she was glancing furtively over her shoulder to make sure they didn’t follow her.She wants away from the rest of us.Why? She knows this is dangerous country. His curiosity had him veering off his trajectory to trail after her.He followed her awhile but became nervous upon seeing how far she’d drawn from Lon and Almora despite that Battling creatures had so recently dema
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
“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.
“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
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
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
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.
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.
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
“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