Warlord began stirring through things. Tugging out a small black bag and stuffing a few vials in it and a few clothes.
“What are you doing?”
“Preparing to go on a mission.”
“So soon?”
You’re leaving me? I was half afraid of being alone. Worried someone else might come up here and do to me what Warlord had this morning.
He paused to look at me. “No one will get to you.”
“How do you know?” My voice quaked.
“I wouldn’t let them. You’re mine.” There was such confidence in his voice that I found it somehow reassuring.
Even though it means he’s coming back.
And he sees me as no more than a possession.
He gave me another quick look but said nothing.
***
He slung the back over his shoulder. But he paused when he heard my question.
“If you can’t leave, why doesn’t
“More than you can imagine. Get it off me.” He urged.He wants to wash away the killing? I wondered.He was acting as though the blood made him feel deeply dirty.Not just flesh deep.I finished his chest and lifted my hands. Using the corner of the bar to lather at a few spots. And scratching at the others with my fingernails, as gently as I could.I glanced at his eyes. Barely noticing that he was staring at me as if seeing into my soul. His gaze roving my face as if looking for something. His penetrating study made me feel exposed. Even more than I already am.As intimate as if he’s inside me again.“What?” I asked.“You’ve the most erotic thoughts.”I gasped.“You were staring at me before that!” I sputtered.“You’re right. I was.” He coldly admitted.“Why?”“
I couldn’t imagine anything King Detry could possess that’d make Warlord cave to his whims. I stared into his blue eyes and saw only resignation and pain.Who’d have thought he was capable of pain.“Why’d you save me?” I blurted. Reaching up to catch a handful of wet dark hair. Surprised at his thickness as I pushed it back behind his ear to better see him. Despite that he was now clothed, that dense mane still hung in heavy straight strands, dampening his shirt.A flick of his hand could dry it instantly.What am I doing touching him?The look on his face was nearly as startled as I was sure mine was.Why’d I move his hair? It was such an achingly intimate gesture.To try and read him. I could admit I’d been having a hard time with that since I’d gotten here. Nothing I’d seen so far matched the character that he projected. That ev
Warlord laced his fine cloak with the velvet lining around his neck and headed for the chamber door. Pausing just before it to turn and give me a look. “I have to go. I must rejoin the King’s guests for dinner.”His shoulders slumped as though this were something he dreaded.And why is he bothering to explain to me where he’s going and why? It seemed a bit odd.Then he turned and yanked the door closed behind him, but the corner of his cloak caught slightly, and the door creaked back open slowly.I held my breath and didn’t move. Hope surging through me. When he didn’t return and close it, I about died of shock.A way out.I grabbed my torn old dress, the nearest thing I had and threw it on, tying the laces up the front tight enough to hide where it was torn.I crept to the door and eased it open to peer down the stairs immediately outside of it. Catching sight of his black cloak w
“Killian!” The woman called after him. Appalled he was leaving the dinner table just as the meal was beginning. Abandoning her to sit alone.Surely the man to her other side will have no qualms about alleviating that disappointment. I saw her pretty face in my mind’s eye and recalled Killian-Warlord stating he didn’t want to continue their relationship.They’d had one prior?Why did that sicken me so badly?I was yanked from my thoughts as his boots thudded from the banquet hall and he took a hard left from the doorway. Ducking down a short, dark hallway.A servant’s hall. What is he doing back here?Curiosity thrummed through me, and I was nearly biting through my lip. I have to follow him. Where does he go when he’s upset? Who does he go to?I had so many unanswered questions. My curiosity overwhelmed me, and I found myself padding behind him. Watching the
“What?” I twisted to look up at him. Too shocked to realize that we were a hairsbreadth apart.He gave me a wan smile and a soft look before returning his gaze to the vase.“Her name is Baila Lae.”“Sister by blood?”“Yes.” He chuckled. “We grew up together and were very close. All of us.”“All of us?”“Yes.” He smiled sadly. “I had a family once, Jade. Does that shock you?”It does.“I can’t imagine you being part of a happy family.”“Why not?” He tilted his head in curiosity.“Because you’re a killer. So severe and quiet. And your rage feels like it always simmering just below the surface.”“Hmm.” He grunted. “You’re not entirely wrong.”We were both quiet a moment.“She is my rage.” He gestured weak
“You’re planning to escape?” I said in a hushed voice.“As soon as I know how to break Baila Lae from the spell she’s under. And if the spell will allow me to move her from this castle, I will leave.”“What will you do then.”“Wreak wrath on all that wronged my family.” He said darkly. Making a chill course down my spine.He means that. And I couldn’t imagine that his vengeance would be a pretty thing. All that rage he harbored had a specific target he intended to execute it on.“How will you find out all that?”“I’ll figure out a way to get the King’s Book of Seals.”“He’ll never let you up on that level, you’re too dangerous.” Even I, with my meager understanding of this place knew that.“I know.” He growled. Sounding even more frustrated for my speaking it aloud.*
Eventually he was slowing, his neck straining and sweat slipping from his forehead onto my body and I felt him getting even harder deep inside me. I felt my body tensing in what might’ve been it preparing to seek its own pleasure.No! I bit that down and refused to give him the gratification. He’ll get nothing from me in this.And in that moment, I hated him. And the words slipped from my lips. “I hate you.”But somehow the words didn’t fully convey the onslaught of emotions I was feeling.“Good.” He said under his breath. Pushing hard into me as he spilled hot seed near my womb. Filling my crevice with his pleasure. “You should.”Seeming to care as much as if he’d just pulled an apple from a tree.My legs lowered back to the bed, trembling. Stiff from the abuse they’d taken at his pounding.Then he rose, drawing himself out of me and turning
“You could.” He rumbled in that haunting, echoing voice.I turned and looked back at him.He’d slumped leisurely into one of the wooden chairs. Was leaning his forearms against the table. Shoulders hunkered over it and eyes drooping in a way that told me he was just barely keeping them open. “There’s nothing I could do about it right now.”I felt my breathing become quicker. Knowing it was probably my last chance. The stairs were empty. A straight shot.He knows I want to.And now I knew where the front door was. I could already see it in my mind’s eye. Directly across from the servant’s stairs.I could run straight out. I was holding my breath as I decided. Feeling my body shaking with the urge to leap forward and take the steps at a run.See how far I could get before an alert was even sounded.“But consider two things.” He said as
Lyra Lani was holding her arms out in welcome. I noted that her arms were slightly bloodied and there was another splash marring her delicate chin and silky blonde curls. But both women were heedless as Vanna Rae embraced her. Clearly old friends. I was a bit jealous. Having never had a she-wolf to confide in like that. Only those that raised me. But now I had a mate, and it would be nice to discuss what that meant with someone. As if sensing my thoughts, Vanna Rae peered back at Killian. Returning to hug him as well. Then she turned her attention to me. I was astonished by how truly striking she was this close. With gorgeous blue eyes. Smooth light blonde hair and a figure that one as skinny as me was sure to envy. “And you,” She shook my shoulder lightly. “You I must thank for helping bring my brother back to me.” She smiled up at Killian. “Am I to understand you are his mate?
It was nearly too much for King Detry to bear. “Irasus!” He roared. Expecting her to skitter from the trees for the sound thrashing he’d execute on her. He was faintly surprised when she didn’t come out with her head ducked like a whipped hound. He called for her again. Slowing his horse. “Do you think she’ll come back?” Callum asked. Helping his mentor onto a horse. “She’d be a fool too.” Roderick whispered as he mounted. “What are you looking at?” Callum asked. Seeing Roderick staring over his head at the bleak mage still standing in the center of the camp. “I suspect, our future.” “What are you thinking?” “I’m thinking that is a King that I’d serve.” “Why?” “Did you see the way the others rushed to defend him. His own willingness to be in the thick of battle?” He looked over his shoulder at their retreating King. “I did…” Callum said thoughtfully. “You’re thinking on joining h
“I cursed myself.” Irasus proudly admitted in answer to Killian’s question. “To what?” She smiled evilly. “To feel nothing.” He murmured. Eyes widening on her. Sensing she was about to strike, he moved before her. Sending lashing strands of smoky magic out to devour her. But she bent the trees to her will. Forcing them over to weave and intertwine before her. “No, you don’t.” She heard a feminine whisper somewhere near her right but didn’t give it the credit she should’ve. Suddenly the trees ripped from her grip. Leaning away to weave behind her. Pushing her forward and out into the opening. Despite all Irasus’ efforts at using magic to hook into them, they no longer obeyed her. She spun her head and saw the pretty young woman touching a tree far too her right. She sent rocks flying that direction but that smoky magic struck first. Blocking them with an invisible barrier. So, they toppled haplessly to the ground.
“What is she doing?” Callum coughed. The young knight fighting to breathe as he sent the older knight, Roderick a worried look. “Making the perimeter. They won’t be able to breathe if they try to leave.” “We have to ride through that!” “We can get through faster than they can. We’re on horseback. Just hold your breath boy.” “This is foolish.” Callum jerked his horse’s rein. Tempted to turn back. Despite all his brave words from the night before. Rodrick didn’t argue. “Forward.” Detry waved. But he waited for Roderick, Callum and many of the others to go through first. There was much coughing and gasping. And many knights immediately turned back. Afraid of the place where breathing became nearly impossible. “What are you waiting for!” Detry bellowed. Drawing his short sword to point in the direction. “Get through!” They were surely creating enough racket that the wolf pack would be sure to know they were
“I’m a very good Healer.” “Yes, you are.” Killian remarked. “I envy the Asara for your presence.” “They’ve been very good to me.” But she was already looking off into the distance. Looking for Fury. I realized. Wondering if her suffering under the Mating Moon had been as great as the rest of ours. “Come, Jade.” He lifted me into his arms. “I want to get you back indoors until you feel a bit better.” “What are you going to do?” “First I’m going to send my sister and those vicious mates of hers, after the NightHunters trail.” “You want her to get out of this camp before Detry gets here.” I called him on the truth of his intentions. He gave me a chiding look. “You know me a bit too well.” “I know how protective you are.” “I wish I could send you ahead.” “I wouldn’t go.” He snorted. “I know.” “Which is why you wanted to lock me indoors.” I gave him a pensive study. “
I swung my back end around and knocked the door closed. Jerking it from his hand. He freely let it go. Giving me severe study. “You understand what you’ve done, She-Wolf?” I bobbed my head. Walking further in, I lowered to my chest on the pile of clothes. Dropping the front of my body but leaving my backside up in offering. He didn’t hesitate. Turning he lunged across the room. Black fur peeling through his skin along his arms and shoulders then up his neck and along his cheekbones until those blue eyes were entirely surrounded by midnight fur. Just as striking as I’d first guessed he would be. He loped the last couple steps and climbed over me. Catching my scruff in his teeth as he slid into me again. The night was rough. And I was sore. My mate returned to human form just as daylight crested. He was exhausted and disheveled and barely managed to slump to the floor. Fur falling away and skin smoothing i
I nibbled along his throat. Knowing that if I wanted to, I could’ve torn it out. He was entirely vulnerable to me in that moment. Naked, exposed and ball deep in my core. I entirely possessed him. Just as much as he did, me. “Yes!” He growled primally. Agreeing that he was what I decreed. The great Warlord. Mine. Mine to give pleasure, mine to harm. Though I would never do so, the fact that I could get close enough to, reminded me of how intimate the act we did just now was. How connected we are. Then we both erupted. I hooked my legs over his hips. Digging my heels into the backs of his thighs just as he slapped the wall next to me. Raking it with wolf claws as he fought for control of his wild body. Together we slid to the floor. Spent. Or so I thought. He barely paused to catch his breath. Before rolling me onto all fours and mounting me from behind. His ches
And watching him standing there. Streamers of dark magic seeping from him. His blue eyes nearly fluorescing in the dark. I’d never yearned so much for a male. Or to claim one. "We’ll sate our beasts for tonight and tomorrow we hunt!” He rotated within the circle of light cast by Aviari’s fireball. “The mages will guard us until morning.” He gave Hawk and Magus long looks. They nodded back at him. A wave of relief washed over me. I found myself feeling weak. Not only because Killian was okay but because he was declaring for all eyes to see that I was his... Killian finished his announcement and crossed the camp to embrace me. I nearly threw myself into his arms. My skin feeling as though it were on fire. “Come.” He whispered. Palming my cheek and covering my face in small kisses. “I can hardly stand looking at you, just now.” I gave him a wide-eyed look. “I want you so badly.” He assured. “Right
He was kind, patient. Then there was the first time I saw him smile. Everything I’d thought about him before that had shattered and I’d felt true desire. Beginning to realize he was far different then he’d first seemed. “There’s more to it than just guarding me.” I said to Aviari, watching his face carefully. “You’re right.” He said in a strained voice. “Though he would rip my throat if I let something happen to you, this is not my fight.” “But it’s your sister!” I argued. “Yes. And she knows I love her. But this,” He gestured to the entirety of the camp. “All of this. Is his night.” His? Killian’s? “For what?” “To become what he really is.” Aviari smiled proudly. Looking up at the pink moon he added. “Under a Mating Moon, no less. Isn’t that fitting?” His head dropped and he was giving me a pointed study. “Why are you looking at me like that?” “Because