LOGINShare
The Importance of Secrecy
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56“What are you going to do when you find her?” Hawk asked quietly.
“Everything I can to protect her. Like I promised her.”
“Yes, Commander.” Hawk acknowledged.
“And, Hawk?”
“Yes?”
“Send Magus to meet me in the secret hall. I have direction for him as well.”
“Yes, Commander.”
I realized Hawk’s footsteps were drawing near the base of the stairs.
I fled up them. Catching my mage’s robes to run as fast as I could. Swinging around the banister and trying to make it behind the wall before he saw me. Reaching it I flattened against it to catch my breath.
When I didn’t hear his darkly taunting voice, I knew I was safe. Sighing as I straightened and quietly walked down the corridor to my small chamber.
Unaware Hawk still stood at the bottom of the steps. One hand on the railing as his shrewd green eyes had watched me vanish
Related chapters
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages Dangerous Times
Because King Detry is already leaning toward having me put down. I understood Hawk’s meaning.He wasn’t pushing me so hard because he was an ass. He was pushing me because he didn’t want to have to kill me.Or any of the others. I was shocked at the revelation.“You always had my attention. From the moment I realized how clever a mind you were hiding behind the fumbling practices. You lack confidence but what you miss in that you have in spades of strength.”I was searching for his shadow in the blackness. Peering around, as I wondered.“Haven’t you figured it out yet, Mary Mage?”“What?”“What is so obvious I have to work every moment to hide it.”“What?” I was blinking into the night dark chamber.His voice seemed to be moving around rapidly and I was having a hard time keeping track of him.Where i
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages His Touch
I’d never thought I’d have hungered for Hawk’s touch. But feeling it now was a heady sensation. I was afraid I could find myself addicted to it.A tiny part of me admitted that I had always wanted his hands on me. Despite how much I’d resented his cruelty.But everything has changed. Especially considering everything I know now.He’d stripped me of my nightdress and in moments I felt the heat of his nude body sliding over me. The scent of him was wild and untamed.Like an animal caught in the woods.A creature fighting for survival. Willing to hide or fight…Whatever…Just to live.As he settled over me, I found my legs instinctively parting to allow his hips to rest between. His hard, pulsating length already ripe and ready to fill me. I could feel his eagerness rising in heady swells which rolled over me.He kissed my temple and I was intimately touched by the smal
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages A Nightmare
I didn’t know when I’d fallen asleep, but I awoke when my bed began moving beneath me. I blinked my eyes open and was stunned to realize Hawk was still next to me, staring at the ceiling. “What’s wrong?”He won’t tell me. I chided myself for even asking.“I have to get up and get down there.” He sighed. Sounding like he wanted to do anything but that. He rolled his head to look at me. “So do you.”His voice was quiet, and he reached up to tuck a waving blonde tress behind my ear. “Be careful today. And do well.”“You keep saying that.”“King Detry is watching you very closely. If he decides you’re not up to par…” He sat up and began searching for his pants.“Then what?”He gave me a quick look over his shoulder and resumed roving the floor.“What, Hawk?” I asked again.He dropped t
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages What Hawk Did
“It was a mage once. One Detry decided he no longer had a need for. At least, not as she was…” Hawk’s voice dropped, and he looked sad. “Now she serves another purpose.”A mage? What possible purpose! Before I could ask, Hawk was speaking again.“As she is…” His voice quieted so much he was nearly inaudible.In this form, he means.“King Detry couldn’t curse someone like that!” I expostulated. Knowing the King possessed no magic.“No, he had me cast the spell when I was new.”New? New to magic.Why would the King make him do it? And why would he agree?“Why would you do that?” I stared at him, appalled.“I didn’t know then what I was doing.”“Who was she?”“Someone far more important than I knew…To some.” His face showed deep r
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages Sealing My Fate
Why can’t I get it right? I stared at the untouched stake resentfully.I didn’t know why it was so hard for me. It was endlessly frustrating that it seemed I should be able to do this easily. I’d read enough to know precisely what to do.How to hold my hands. How to move. What to think.But I always doubted myself just as I should be cutting through the stake. And I failed.“Make them concentrate!” Warlord roared from his balcony.Drawing my eye.And I noticed motion on the balcony above him. The glint of the King’s crown and Hawk’s familiar face peering haughtily over the balcony down on us. His expression was stony. Unforgiving as he watched me.What is he thinking? I tried to touch his thoughts now but found them locked. I was sealed out.Oh, no. Something was making my stomach sink. My instincts were screaming that I wasn’t safe. Panic swelled
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages Uprising
Magus had not been wrong.I was running to keep up with them, but the inside of my body was still sore from Hawk’s brutal taking. I knew he hadn’t meant to hurt me. He’d meant to be fast.But he’s a lot bigger than me.“We’re never going to make it.” I told Hawk but still I felt some exhilaration that Hawk was taking me with him.Even if we don’t make it out, that means something.Magus was on my heels. Looking very much like he was having fun, rather than scared.Doesn’t anything disturb him.As we were fleeing, I found myself watching Hawk, sword in hand in the moonlight. Looking furtively from one end of the hedges bordering the Training Gardens, to the other.Dark lashes, vibrant eyes, and a disgustingly perfect profile. Looking powerful and ready.Like a snake coiled for action.***We paused behind the h
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages Under Attack
I turned slowly around and saw one rushing at me with a sword at hip level. Bringing it around in an arc that would surely take off my head.Before it could I heard the gargle of water again. Rising from the dead knight just behind him and from the fountain and in the distance, in the trees I could hear more coming.But I felt nothing. They can’t be right!I’m not doing this.It was effortless.I recalled all the long-suffering concentration I had been immersed in while trying to do all the things Hawk had been teaching. Reading about magic and discussing magic and testing on magic was easy for me.But real magic isn’t an animal I can’t tame.Then I had an epiphany. Maybe that’s the problem. Maybe I’ve been trying to take it, control it for too long. Rather than let it be what it is. In the form it desires.It made me wonder how many mages like me, Hawk had
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages A Tale of Wolves
Reassured that whatever he’d heard was no threat to us, Magus continued talking about the wolf that had lived so long ago.“Once torn from his pack he sought refuge with humanity and found them kinder than his own beasts,” Magus gave me a pointed look. Reminding me that only those who were, could refer to their group as such. “had been.”“And?” Hawk sighed. Clearly losing patience with the story.“He yearned to be human enough that the Green King, who controls all things nature and sky sensed his suffering. The Green King offered him a bargain.”“I’ve never heard of such a person.” Hawk said.“He exists.” Magus said. “He gives you magic from the land as well as the other creatures like us our extraordinary gifts.”“What was the bargain?” I asked.“He could be human. But he would retain his wolf spirit. And under c
Latest chapter
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages Send Word
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?
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages Future
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
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages Cursed
“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.
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages Into Battle
“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
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages Indoors
“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. “
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages My Choice
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
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages Not Him
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
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages Mine
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
Warlord's Ward & Managing Mages His Moment
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
