Peak Mountain, Black Mountains, Battling Border
CHAVIAS
Since Chavias had heard Radix leaving in Danbury’s coach he had been fingering the iron key tucked under his cot and wrapped in Calisto’s cloak.
Perhaps I am wrong.
Perhaps she doesn’t deserve to die, as I’d thought.
Have I gotten so dark that I seek vengeance where it’s not needed? But then he remembered overhearing Radix telling Deiti, the redheaded temptress who tormented him, to stay close to the caves because soon he’d be sending her after a Winter Dread.
Sabine.
The precious creature Chavias was protecting.
Breathtaking Sabine who dances in snowflakes and invites danger into her bed. A wondrously gorgeous creature who seemed innocent of all evil in the world.
Deiti wanted to hunt her down and steal her powers until the innocent girl was seared from the inside out.<
“Eternally.” Dimurah hissed up at him in answer to his question. His gaze roved her agitated face. “I dearly hope not.” Unable to resist he dropped a quick kiss to her cheek. She twisted her head away and stalked back behind the bar. Still angry with me. Annoyance made his jaw twitch as he watched her. “That’s the way it is to be then?” She tossed him a quick look. Jerking her head to one side in assent. “Fine. I have other things to attend to anyway.” He stomped across Winter’s Haven, to stand perilously close to where ColdKill leaned against the pillar laughing as he jested with one of the benched tables. Savage was unmoving until the entire table quieted, and all eyes lighting on him. At length, ColdKill slowly turned. Tankard in hand. “Ah, you’re still alive! I heard you were ambushed.” “You heard wrong. An ambush implies you didn’t know it was coming.” Which I did.
How did I ever think she was lovely? Chavias pondered as he stared at the lustful whore. Radix’s most favored pet. She’d sent him away into some idiotic delusion simply by baring her flesh. But Sabine’s mere presence in this world, had drawn him back. Back to the things I believed in. Back to pieces of me. He thought sadly. Closer to who I was once. Sabine doesn’t deserve to be contaminated by any of our darkness. Chavias fisted the cold iron key. Feeling the grooves of it biting into his palm. He strode to his cell and stuck an arm through and wrapped it around toward the lock. Inserting the key, he gave it a grating turn and aimed straight for Radix’s chamber. He felt a swell of victory at taking her from Radix. The way he’s taken countless things from me. He quietly lifted one of the hooks off the wall just inside the entry to the narrow room. He was almost to Deiti before she se
I know the feeling. His twitched with the urge to get ahold of her. And have my way with her. Right now. But it was clear on her face. “That was a bit brutal.” RedBayne said from a corner of the alehouse. Though his tone indicated only approval. He likes a bit of violence every bit as much as me. “Care for a dram?” He lifted his tankard in offering. Savage nodded. Happy to have an escape from Dimurah’s wrath. For now. Savage slid into the seat opposite him. “You’re already good and sodden brother.” “Indeed!” RedBayne declared triumphantly. Savage’s eyes narrowed on him. “What’s wrong with you?” “Tis an anniversary, Ol’ Friend.” “Of what?” Savage already sensed that this wasn’t a celebratory date. “Of the day me wife murdered me babe and bolted.” “She ran?” “Fled me like a doe in the heart of Fall. Taking what parts of me were whole, with her.”
“Your shoulder.” An assassin pointed as Savage’s skin seamed together over the wound. Overlapping the blood inside and then sealing over it. “How-Savage-You just-” “How did you do that?” Wildling was unsettled.“That is devil magic!” “Dread magic!” Another assassin whispered in a hushed voice. “That’s how he does it.” Someone else said conspiratorially. There were awestruck gasps and everyone was staring. Savage didn’t glance at it. Didn’t blink. “I can do a lot more.” He confided. Cracking his neck ominously. Wildling glared at him a moment, face jerking, before striding from Winter’s Haven on thudding boots. “You’re just going to let him go?” Dimurah cried. Lunging against Phalanx’s strong arms as she shouted at Savage.Her voice cracking in betrayal. Savage skid a blue-eyed gaze at her over his shoulder. There’ll be no consoling her. He knew. Patience woman.
Blue Lark Guild, Dread Hideout SAVAGE JAXSON Dimurah returned with the Sleep Duster. “Here.” Savage scooted across the bench to offer her room next to him. She tossed a hasty glance around. “There’s no one here that would care.” He assured. Her eyes landed on Phalanx, who’d restrained her last night. Her face darkened. Clearly still mad at him. Savage covertly passed him an apologetic look. Knowing the man had done it for him. To keep her from hurting herself trying to slay the man on her own. Phalanx looked to have a bruised cheek for his efforts, this morning. But he stayed far enough away and avoided looking directly at Savage to hide that they were allies. He’s loyal. Which was something Savage greatly appreciated. It seemed that manner of man was getting harder and harder to come by. “Thank
“Dimurah.” He waved as he strode past the counter. Heading for the backdoor. The command had her leaping to obey, despite herself. She stepped through a swinging half door and headed through a few men parting to make a path. Once outside, she quickened to catch up to him crossing the floating deck to round the front of the structure. “What is it?” She asked urgently as he rounded to face her. Without a word he spun and grabbed her cheeks. Slamming his mouth to hers as she ran into him. Consuming her in a kiss that bordered on violent. She reared back startled. Probably because I’ve never touched her harshly. “You have to go.” He gave her a piercing look. “No.” She shook her head, brows lowering. “No…” You must. “I won’t leave.” She read his face. “Dimurah…” I knew she’d be difficult. “No, Jax. I’ve done everything you ever asked me to. You promised me you’d neve
She nestled in, rolled over to scoot back against him and tugged his arms tight around her. He was quiet. Deathly still. Holding her. Listening until her shuddering sobs stopped and she subsided in slumber. He took in the scent of her. Her smell, the texture of her hair and skin. Lightly caressing his fingertips over her shoulder and down her arm. After a time, she rolled over to snuggle against him. Wiggling her hips and arms in until she was cuddled against his middle. Once she was still, he slid back enough to see her face. Caressing her cheek and outlining her brows and the slope of her nose with a reverent fingertip. Moving to the sharp lines of her defined cheekbones. I’m going to miss her face. He couldn’t imagine the Blue Lark, nor Winter Haven without her. Her vibrant red hair and fiery nature made this place feel alive. Makes me feel alive. He’d always had her here, ever since he’d first gotten
At first light he bundled her into his arms and pressed kisses to the top of her head. Sliding his large tunic over her head and pulling a pair of his breeches up over her shapely legs while she sat on the edge of his cot watching him with a mournful expression. He rolled the breeches up at the cuff, so they’d be short enough to her. Despite the slightly bagging waist. He wrapped her in his heaviest fur and carried her out of the tent. “Jax. No…” She whimpered into his bare collar. Face tucked into his neck as she clutched him. “You need to go, Murah. Don’t make me be cruel. You know I will.” “You’ve never been cruel to me!” “I know.” “Don’t…” RedBayne was waiting in the foggy courtyard. Holding his arms out for her, but when Savage went to hand her over, she shrieked loud enough to wake the fortress. Savage’s face crumpled. “Dimurah.” RedBayne chastised. “Ye know I won’t hurt ye.” “I won’t go!” She leapt from S