“And what on Earth makes you think I’d consider that?” The King demanded.
“I’m good. Real good.” Tanya said.
“At what?” The king slid a purposeful look down her length again. Noticing the long length of leg despite her small stature and breasts which strained at her mage’s robe as if it needed ripped open to free them.
King Detry was already envisioning himself pounding into the tiny woman. Imagining how she’d feel wrapped around him.
“My King, I’m a very skilled mage. And now that Hawk is gone, I feel I could command them mages. They know me. They fear me. They’d abide by my directions.
The King’s eyes narrowed on her thoughtfully. He grabbed her arm and yanked her into the chamber. Slamming the door behind them so she couldn’t get away. “Perhaps we could see if such a thing would even be possible.”
“A woman, My Liege?” The advi
“Here, I won’t be so rude as another might’ve been.” King Detrypressed a thumb into Tanya’s puckered hole, just as she’d feared he would.She yelped and lurched forward.“Whoa, whoa.” He coaxed. “Nearly threw yourself off the balcony and I’ve yet to feel your sweetness. Wouldn’t that be a shame?”“You’re evil!” She cried.“You’ve no idea...” He was pushing his thumb in and out of her. She clenched her teeth against the burning sensation.“That ought to have you warmed up enough for me. Certainly, a never-used hole.” He sounded satisfied with that knowledge. Leaning forward he gripped the railing on each side of her. Nuzzling his nose into her shoulder blades. His rough blonde beard scraping slightly.“I will, indeed be the first.”He leaned back enough that his heavy member probed at that puckered h
Warlord knew nothing of one of his mage’s games with the kings. He only knew that the woman standing in-front of him was the most argumentative, difficult little creature he’d ever laid eyes on.“You’d take me with you, if you ever escaped?”“Yes.”“How could we ever free your sister?”“We can’t, there’s no way to do so. We’d have to get the mage that created it to find a way to unwind it. And they couldn’t without the same ancient spellbook that the king possesses.”“So, someone would have to get it from the king?”“Impossible, Jade.” Warlord said coldly. “No woman enters his chambers and comes out unbroken. I’d never allow you.”***Allow. I didn’t like that word. But I could see the gravity in his eyes. Something close to…Worry.For me?&ldqu
I found the most worn dress in the trunk. Tossing it to him. “Rip this up for me.”He obediently wrenched it into pieces. Grunting with the effort it took. And making his wound bleed more profusely.I snatched up a few of the long strips. “Sit up.”He groaned, lurching into a sitting position.I scooted onto my knees next to him. Winding the makeshift bandage around his torso and over his shoulder. Tightening it along the back to hold the wound shut. “Do you know someone that can sew this shut?”“Would you like me to find you a needle?”“I’d have no idea how to do that!”“Nor would anyone else in this castle. So, you’d do as well as anyone else.” He rubbed his thumb and one fingertip together purposefully. Giving me a long look.Something silver began sliding up between those fingertips.A needle.Oh, no.*
“Who is she?” I asked him the moment he walked back through the door. I was sitting in the chair near the open shutters. Watching out the side of the castle.Refusing to watch the rest of the interactions in the Training Gardens.“Her name is Tanya.”“I didn’t ask her name.” I said a bit waspishly. Looking at him sideways.He took off his long-tailed overcoat. Setting it atop the table. He paused there, his hands till on it as he sent me a quizzical look. “Am I missing something?”“Such as what?” I turned on him fully.“Such as whatever is causing that note in your voice.”“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I dismissed. “Are you going to answer my question?”His hand dropped to his side and his stance levelled as he eyed me. “I had two sisters and a mother. I know what it means when a woman&rsq
“How determined are you to get that book?”“Very.”I wasn’t exaggerating. I was already thinking that first chance I got, I was going to go downstairs and try to take the staircases up to the highest level and see if I could find the king’s chamber.“Will you let me protect you?” He was almost hesitant in asking. Making my eyes shoot to him.At first, I wasn’t wholly certain I’d even heard him correct.He wants to protect me?He’s going to go with me? I had never thought I’d be able to persuade him to that.My brows shot up. “You’d work with me to do it?”“No. I don’t think it’s possible. They’d spot me a long way away and know I’m not in the tower where I belong.”“You’re going to let me go?”“Let is a strong term for it. I’m simply learning
Warlord walked over and opened the door. Giving me a clear view of the tower stairs.“Go little maid. Straight down.” He pointed.“Then straight up.” He pointed outward toward a floor parallel to the tower.“Third chamber on the left. Red and gold. Make certain,” He emphasized the word. “He is not there.”“What does the book look like?”“I don’t know. But old, I’d imagine.”“How will you know which spell?”“I will know.”“But if he finds you. I need you to shriek like you intend for the ceiling to collapse. Don’t you dare hold your silence.” His face grew hard.“Why?”“Because many women have, and no one even knew what happened to them in that room.”“I’ll not let that happen to you.”I bobbed my head in understanding. Startle
I stretched to lift it. Careful not to slide it or to unbalance the stool. I was petrified that if it were to clunk or the book drop, he was going to wake. And though I didn’t personally know how awful he was, of all the things Warlord had told me, he’d seemed the most sincere about his worry of what would happen to me if the King caught me.Warlord would kill me now if he knew the risk I was taking.He’d made me swear to avoid the King and now here I was.In the very same chamber with him. Trying to steal his book from the very same room he’s sleeping in. I was still as I listened to ensure I was still hearing that consistent snore before I twisted with the book and clambered down off the stool. Not even bothering to move it back as I tucked it down the bulky front of my dress.I knew it gave me a square appearance and it was obvious something was there but carrying it was even riskier. I lifted my skirts and hur
“A potion.” He turned to the next page. His head moving as he read down the page. He was leaned against the table. One fist propping him up, atop the table next to the binding. His legs were leaned back, and his shoulders were bent forward to hover over the book. Showing his intense interest in what he was reading.And his clear disinterest in my current panic.“I’d gathered that. But what?”What’s going to happen to me?Did he just poison me?He listed off several contents that sounded relatively harmless. Before looking up at me. His fingers still propped behind one page. “Relax. If I intended to kill you, I could’ve done it long before now.”“No, you couldn’t.” I said softly.“What in all this country, would make you think that?” His brow furrowed.“I’d raise the roof screaming.”“No o
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