Hawk's words from last night had haunted me all day. I wanted to banish him from my mind completely. I hated that he consumed my thoughts.
Wouldn't he find that amusing.
It'd been a long day of training. Our Commander, the Warlord was a ruthless task master. Rarely impressed and often cruel in his comments, he left much of the actual mentoring to Hawk.
Who's disinclined to teach me anything but sheet play. I grunted to myself. Unlacing my mages robes as my gaze focused on the steaming metal tub before the fire.
I couldn't wait to sink in and ease my aching muscles.
Hawk was always harder on me than anyone. And every time he was close enough he whispered near my ear. "I'll be inside you soon, Mary Mage..."
I'd growl at him and misfire with my staff, misplace potions and lose my spell book. All of which was causing Warlord to lose patience with me.
"Deal with her!" Warlord had finally said.
Hawk had grinned as he marched over to
"Get off of me." I panted. "Get out.""Oh, Mary Mage." He grinned. "I'm about to get in."I realized what he meant the moment I felt his fingers wrapping the outside of my thighs to hook the insides, dragging my legs further open as his hips dug in. I felt something hard and heavy probing at my center.I shook my head adamantly."It's cute you think you get a say." He half sneered. "You can't even talk..." He brushed his lips along mine.I arced my back and surged up. Realizing my mistake when it forced him into me.He groaned and caught my hips guiding me onto him even as I lifted them."That was a mistake, Mary Mage." He croaked breathlessly.I yelped at the sudden, piercing pain. Feeling like all my insides were being pulled apart as he was planted inside me."I'd have taken you the first time, a bit easier than that." His hips were rolling though. And his hands had cupped mine, fingers gripping my buttocks as he held
"You're just going to have to learn, Mary Mage, that obeying me is far easier than not.""I'll never obey you." I grunted against the door."Won't you?" He pounded harder. Scraping my breasts against the rough wood. "You will..."I shook my head against the door."You will. Once you realize there's no escaping me. I can get in here." He thrust hard and flexed into me. His body shuddering as he came. "Anytime I want.""The Hell you will." I shouted. Praying that he wouldn't. I'd find a spell. A way to keep him out."I hope you don't think this is the last time it'll happen, Mary Mage. Because it's going to happen a lot."Over my dead body!***The next morning was archery practice.I hate archery. I'm no good at it."Everybody line up!" Hawk roared. Pacing the grass in-front of the mansion.We dutifully lined up under his careful watch. His hands were linked behind his back. Feet sho
There wasn't a chance I'd obey him.He can rot. But I was lying in my chamber. Nervous.See you in my bed. That's what he'd said to me.And what Hawk wanted, he often got.He can't have me."Mary Mage..." As if summoned by my thoughts, I heard his voice breathing into my room. "It's time you come to me.""Not a chance." I flipped onto my side and yanked the coverlet over my head. "Go away.""You made a vow.""No one said I was a woman of my word!" I defended impudently."You will be."***"I'm not coming to you, Hawk. Go away!""Remember, Mary Mage...I could take you right where you are. Ravish you as you lie.""No." I squeezed my thighs closed fearfully. Thinking of how he'd entered my chamber as a water dragon and taken me against my bedroom door as I'd tried to escape him."There's no escaping me..." His voice rumbled along the back of my neck as though he
"No..." I whispered. Catching the corner of the wall to try and stop my progress. Though my legs kept determinedly moving.Kerdan. I heard his voice saying the word again and immediately my mind was filled with visions of him leaned over me. Buried in my body and moaning in pleasure as he rode my flesh.Images of him kissing down my breasts and over my belly to lathe at my innermost core.I shook my head. Banishing the images of things I couldn't possibly imagine. Things I haven't experienced before. How could I be seeing them?Despite every bit of my will my fingers released the wall. Feeling my breasts aching and my nipples pebbling, my hands drifted up to cover my breasts. Pressing on them to relieve the strange ache which was rolling over my body in waves."What am I doing?""Coming to me. To sate my hunger.""Stop it! Get out of my head." I growled. Shaking my head so furiously that I saw the blonde waves of my
I was shocked at the sudden feeling of him filling me. Stretching my inner walls and rooting deeply into me. I stared at him stunned my blue eyes huge.His green ones seemed equally as shocked. His fingers gripping my hips tightly now as if to still me. “Are you okay?”“Would it matter?” I asked snidely.“Would I ask if it didn’t?” He tilted his head, sliding it over his down pillow to give me a penetrating look with those piercing green eyes.He’s despicable.“Fine. Have it your way.” He withdrew his hands. Hovering them out near my hips in a big gesture of ceasing restraining me. “Do as you wish.”He tucked his palms behind his head. “Have it your way, Mary Mage.”“My way would be not at all.”“Then perhaps you shouldn’t lose after you make a wager.”“As if that was my intent!” My palms
No. I thought. For once he won’t be in control.I caught his hands and tossed them off me. Giving him a dark look.His brows shot up. Clearly surprised and faintly displeased at my rejection. His lips parted and I could see him preparing to say that cursed word again.The one that made him my master and my loins yearn for him.Kerdan. I slammed a finger to his lips. Unwilling to let he and my body control this unwanted joining.If it’s happening it shall be my way. I slowed way down, set on frustrating him. Rolling my hips in rhythmic circled as I rose onto my knees above him. Until I was perched only on the crown of his erect member.Using the same motion, I swayed back down on him. Taking him back in.His eyelids fluttered and he moaned again once he was all the way back inside me once more.Claiming me.So, if he’s not all the way in, he doesn’t
I was indeed afraid of what Hawk would do to me as penance for my escape.But not enough to stop my mad flight back through the castle. My hands tracing the corners that I’d clung to when I’d gone to his chamber. Using them to find my way back.His fury had felt like enough to bring the bricks of this castle down around my ears.But even that wasn’t as terrifying as the realization that I’d been so relaxed in his presence that I’d nearly fallen asleep on his chest. And he’d welcomed me there like a familiar lover.Not like a less powerful mage he was controlling with his blasted magic.I’m not his toy. I was soon pacing my chamber. His threat ringing in my ears so vividly that I couldn’t sleep.‘I swear by all that’s holy Mary, if you do not finish me, I’ll take you on your knees like a dog tomorrow!’He wouldn’t.W
He was crouched to my level. Nearly nose to nose with me. “Now, summon a bird.”He reached out a hand.I didn’t want to take it.But his eyes narrowed threateningly.He’s going to make me.Better my terms than his. I slapped my hand in his and felt his large fingers fold around it. Seeming somehow final and ominous. Lightning currents poured through me from where he touched me.Glancing at his face I saw a bit of white light shudder across his green irises, turning them briefly white as we both stood. Him pulling me up.What was that?My immediate reaction was to cut the connection, but his grip was unrelenting. And when I tugged backward, he reflexively pulled me in.I was still straightening and was yanked off balance. He used the momentum to turn me, so I faced away from him.He stepped in so he was flush against my back and caught my wrist and lifted it.
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