“Chavias didn’t punish me.” Savage argued.“But neither of you talked much.”“We didn’t need to.” Savage sighed. “We were two animals of a breed. We understood each other as best as anyone could. He was the closest thing to a father I ever knew.”“Did he love you like you love him?”“I don’t know if I’m capable of love. I don’t know if he is.” He said thoughtfully. “I’m not sure what it feels like. I think he probably did. As much as anyone could…” He paused before adding. “I’m hard to love.” He turned his head to look at her pointedly.“You’re not hard for me to love.” She reached to caress the blonde hair near his forehead endearingly. Making the wooden kill beads in his hair rattle together.“You use the word so flagrantly.”“Only in reference to you.”“That’s not how you act in Winter’s Haven.” He murmured.She acts like a viper in a den.“I have to protect myself!”From who? Them or me?“No, you don’t.” He looked forward again. Stating it as fact.“Because you do?” Her voice rose
His stomach clenched as he arched up.“Do it.” She ordered in her sultry female voice.“No.” He forced himself back. His head thudding to the ground so he could watch her. “Not until you do.”He followed her vicious lead. Guiding her hips more roughly forward and back until there was a sheen of sweat coating her body. A rivulet trailing into her cleavage and down her soft belly. Her fingers were flexing into his chest as she gripped him like searching for something to cling to. He flexed his ass to lift higher into her until he felt the barrier of her furthest entrance.She tossed her head back. Red hair falling down her back in a curling mass that brushed his fingers on her hips. Her breasts jutted. The pink crests turning to hard pinpoints. Her inner walls clenching him like a hand massaging him. Growing fiercer in its grip as she came closer and closer.“Give it to me, Murah.” He growled. “Give your body to me. Surrender.”***“I…I…” She was breathing raggedly. Making those beautif
He could feel her frustration, knowing he was considering leaving.“What?” She sat up behind him to demand. “Rushing off to your other lover so soon?”He gritted his teeth. His eyes flicking over his shoulder to give her an icy blue look. “I am faithful to you.”How quickly she’d returned to the former subject.“You’re a killer.” She argued.We both know that.She said it like an accusation. As if that unconscionable behavior was evidence that he wasn’t loyal to her.I suppose in her mind that makes some semblance of sense.“A cold blooded one.” He agreed tonelessly.“You’re ruthless and brutal.”When necessary.“Without blinking.”“You never listen.”Not when I have good reason not to.“No, I don’t.”“You do whatever you want.”I wish I had such freedom.He tossed her another look. Profile outlined starkly in the darkness. “I do nothing I want. I do what I must.” It was the one point he would argue aloud.“Which is?”Nothing I can tell you.“Too complicated to explain.”“Because I’m
Blue Lark, Dread HideoutSavage sighed. Relieved to be back through the gates of the Blue Lark.And away from the demons for a while.He strode the inner courtyard. Hearing the haggling from the Trader’s Market to the side of the fortress. Women’s voices raising commandingly above the rest.That made a slow smile curve his lips. Dimurah’s barmaids are now some of the most vicious hagglers.Especially Adrea.Belline, the blonde, was usually too busy trying to peddle her other wares to worry about the Trader’s Market.He stepped into Winter’s Haven and smelled the aroma of fresh wood, ale and…Dimurah.I miss her scent when I’m away. He took it in like a drowning man’s first breath.Then he caught the acrid stench of something else. Cimmerii. His head whipped.A demon in The Haven?He proceeded into Winter’s Haven. Heading for his usual spot on the corner of the counter where he had the best vantage point to see the whole tavern. His eyes roved upward to see the high support beams. Quick
Peak Mountain, Black Mountains, Battling BorderCHAVIAS“Chavias…” Radix, the Demon Master’s crooning voice called through the cavernous lair like a dark wind.The former Forever Knight rose from his sparse cot and walked to the barred door of his prison cell. “What?”“You should know…” Radix teetered side to side, his arms outspread like a child mimicking flight. “I’ve found your boy.”“Savage?”“But of course…” Radix’s arms dropped to his side, and he gave a toothy, triumphant grin. Revealing his pointed teeth overlapping each other to close the jaws of a wolf trap.“And?” Chavias asked. Feigning boredom as he turned and wandered back to sit on the side of his cot. Eyeing the dank stone floor between his feet.“Libby is already there. I’d hazard a guess she’ll get a chunk out of him before he makes her.”“I wouldn’t bet on that.” Chavias lifted his dark head. Black hair and beard catching bits of meager light as did his gray eyes to make them glint maliciously. “He’s the instincts o
He rounded to the back of the alehouse and saw Dimurah crossing the floating dock. Her green skirt flying as she drew near the back wall. Mounting her gelding near, the fortress’s back wall.She’d had someone ready her horse before she even stopped me. Savage’s eyes narrowed on her.The dark dress of the woman who ran behind her whipped in the wind. Dimurah pulling her arm to lead her.Dimurah smoothly mounted her gelding and pulled the other woman up behind her. That one turned to look back at him through eyes which turned black with a sparking orange rim.Demon eyes.There was another crash as the back door of Winter’s Haven slammed again.Dimurah’s bodyguards were pouring out the door behind her. Running for the front-gate.Two other men ran from the alehouse.She’d obviously summoned them all to help her.They’re going to meet her somewhere. But he didn’t have time to follow them.I need to get her away from the Firoque woman. Before the barmaid takes her straight to Radix, the De
Savage figured it’d be a long time before she spoke to him again. If at all.He drew a steadying breath. Scooting backward until his back rested against a tree trunk. Knees drawn to his chest as he eyed the onyx blade he twirled between his fingers.A Cimmerii blade.Savage had found it tucked in the cimmerii woman’s skirts. Already unsheathed as she rested inches from Dimurah’s back. That left a bitter taste in his mouth.He recognized such a weapon. From Radix’s armory. Savage toyed with it. Recalling its sharpness. Remembering how they were both fierce and delicate.Like her. His eyes slid back to Dimurah.He asked himself how much he’d do for her. No answer came. And he realized that it was because there was no limit. I’d do anything for her.Another man walked over and slid down the trunk in a different direction. “You were right. That’s all of them.”Phalanx.“They didn’t even wake.” Chavias gestured to the bodyguards sleeping soundly in a circle around her. Somewhat disappointe
Blue Lark Guild, Dread Country SAVAGE JAXSON It’d been two days of utter silence since they returned to the Blue Lark. She won’t speak me. Savage had, had it. I’m done with this silence. I’d prefer her ranting. Last night, Dimurah had served him at the counter in Winter’s Haven. He’d thought perhaps it would force some words from her. Force her to speak something to me. But she’d said nothing. Not a word. Won’t look at me. Won’t talk to me. *** He’d left quietly and waited until she was closing up. Returning to see if she’d offer some latenight conversation as she often had in the past. The Nauvree came and sat next to him. Despite that the barmaids were securing the shutters and turning the inside lock. He knew he and RedBayne were welcome here after closing. Both Savage and Dimurah had encour