Realizing that small detail freed me.
I no longer have to listen. It’s my choice.
I reached up and caught at his back and shoulders. Pulling him down over me. My eyes widening as I told him what it was, I hungered for. “I want you Hawk, over me, on me, in me.”
His green eyes widened then lit with fire. “As you wish, My Mary.”
He reached down to fully free himself and caught himself in a fist to guide him toward me. Giving me a questioning look with his eyes.
I knew what was in his mind. I could suddenly see it on his face. Fear that I would change my mind. Suddenly jump up and leave.
I could. I could run away.
But it was the last thing I wanted to do right now.
***
I had no more time to think. I felt the pleasant stretching of my flesh and knew the familiar intrusion of his body in mine. As my inner mouth consumed his length. Taking him in. Warm and wet. Savoring the feel o
I nodded sagely. “And what if you can’t find her?”“Our freedom is conditional. Warlord will only keep King Detry’s men from finding us as long as we are searching for her. Finding signs.”“Would he really turn us back over?”“He can be ruthless when needed. I think he’s capable of unbelievable goodness and unbelievable ruthlessness. He’s probably capable of just about anything.”“Then I guess that is what we must do.”“We’re also supposed to report any darkling creatures to him.”“Why?”“For the sake of letting the King of Creatures know where to hunt.”“I’ll help you, Hawk.”“I don’t need your help.” He said softly as he rolled to his side. Resting his cheek on one palm.“I just need you to stay.” He reached out and caressed a thumb over my
THE BEGINNING OF BOOK TWO: WARLORD'S WARDChapter One: Glimpsing DarknessI cowered behind the tree just outside my village. Crouched and covering my ears to block out the sounds of men, women and children dying.And the smell...The smell.I'd done as my uncle had told me and covered my pretty hair in mud and scraped my face with rocks and dirt. Tossing on one of uncle’s oversized tunics and cloak.Hide how you look. Uncle Tom had told me.I did.But I had returned and watched in horror as the sorcerer strolled through our village. Dressed in black and followed by licking black tongues of smoke.He lifted his hand, and a man running at him with a blade was thrown back an impossible distance until he slammed into a tree and slid up it as though lifted by an invisible man. Then his neck craned to the side with a loud snap and he dropped limply."Warlord." King
“Come.” He ordered me and despite myself, my feet were obeying him. Turning me around and heading me straight for that dreaded king.“What have you found me, Warlord?” The King asked.“Power…” He looked at me pointedly. Speaking fragmentedly, in his characteristic way.“Not much to look at.” The king’s lip curled up in contempt. Seeing mud and what might be darker things, caking my hair which hung before my face and smeared across my skin in clumps.I forced my eyes hooded to hide how large and doe-like I’d been told they were.By Clement.***Clement was the village boy. The only boy who’d shown interest in me when I dared sneak out at night.Really the only boy I’d known.Now he was dead in the village square. I’d seen the knights drag a sword through one of his shoulders and nearly sever his shoulder in half.
Entering the bailey was completely different to anything I’d known before. I was surrounded by the smell of fresh vegetables and baking bread.I inhaled deeply. Savoring the scent. I hadn’t realized I’d pause to tip my head up. Until I felt a hand grip my upper arm.I jumped and looked over. Stunned to see that Warlord was tugging me behind him. His head lowered so the brim of the large hat hid his face. Shouldering his way through the crowd of people at the booths.We walked a ways ahead of the mounted soldiers and the king but as they saw the steeds they spilled apart and silenced.Clearly Warlord wants no part of that attention.He wanted to be through the crowd and halfway across the bailey before they noticed.This was why people claimed to hardly ever see him.He was good at being inconspicuous when he so desired.I watched him with interest. Why would the most powerful mage in the
He walked over to a table that was scattered with tied bits of weed and herb and several stoppered vials. He swung off his black mage’s robe and slung it over the back of the chair. Leaving a smoky black haze in its wake.“Why does it do that?”“The haze?” He said absentmindedly as he took off his hat and put it on the corner of the chair before slowly beginning to unbutton his vest.I found myself easing to the far side of the room and trying to distract him with talk. “Yes.”“It’s not the robe. It’s me. My magic leaves a film. Like frost.”“Why?”He turned that blue gaze on me. “Do you truly care or you just buying time to put furniture between us?”I found those keen eyes inescapable. I swallowed hard.“Why am I here?”“For my pleasure.”“But you said-”“I said I wouldn&rsqu
I shook my head from within his grip on my jaw.His fingers tightened. Biting into my chin to hold it in place. "I don't think I was clear. You're here to be a pleasure hole for my cock. That is why I brought you here and that is what I will do to you."No.I had one hand covering my large breasts jutting beneath the chemise. Trying to hide the dusky nipples so obvious through the filmy white material. My other hand was clenching over the dark bit of hair at the nest of my sex. Also, as readily visible.He leaned back to trail his eyes down my form. Still clutching my chin."Away." He pointed with two fingers to my arms which dropped at his command without any conscious thought from me.I whimpered in objection as I fought for control of my suddenly disobedient body."It obeys me now." He murmured down to me.***There was something hypnotic about the dark blue of his eyes. Making the pupil seem like it
I chewed my lip and hesitated a moment too long.“Fine.” He shrugged and he eased that finger between my folds. Slowly beginning to slide it into me.I gasped and my back lurched up as though he’d stung me.“No!” I caught his hand and wrenched it away.He smirked slightly and tilted his head to look at me. Blue eyes searing into my soul as if he’d won.I looked at him, breathing heavily. I knew it made my breasts rise and fall to my breaths. Brushing the top of my rib cage the way I was tilted up. I hesitantly slid my hand down around my ribs, and over the flat of my belly and to the slight fuzzing at the next of my body. I slipped my fingers down beneath the nest to where I was soft. I was stunned at the feel of dampness there.I lifted my fingers to brush them together, examining the fluid.“That,” Warlord snatched my wrist. “is supposed to be there.”Before I could
He thrust against my hand a few more times and I learned the motion he was teaching me. Withdrawing my finger, a bit then letting him push it back in with his momentum.One of his callused palms skid up between us and folded over my breast. Feeling it bobbing in his hand as he pressed forward and back against me.Teaching my finger to fill me and withdraw.Like he’s going to do to me. I was suddenly very sure of it.I was wrong about him not wanting my body. I’d hoped to merely be his slave.“You will be.” He said against the shell of my ear. “For my flesh and your own.”***I glared at him, but the motions of his body were unrelenting. Rocking the table beneath me as his thighs lightly brushed it.My back surged up and pressed my tits against him. A small instinctive sound of pleasure gurgled up my throat.Feeding his intent and making him move more harshly. His brow
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