“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
I absolutely am. Savage rotated on his heel and lowered into the dark stairs of the hold. Poking his head below to see her sparking blue eyes glittering in the dim light. Observing the face of the woman that was so dead set against being left on this island. She was straining the chain, its length pulled tight. “You said I wouldn’t get you out of the Blue Lark either…” Yet I did. “You bound me and tossed me over Delcourt you filthy Whoreson!” She rained a shower of curses down on him. Still angry apparently. “Dimurah it’s-” “No, it’s not!” She cut him off. Knowing him well enough to know where he was going. Better for you. He finished inwardly. “I’m trying to-” “You’re failing!” Save you… There was another bump on the side of the ship. “Floater!” Thank God. “I need to go deal with that.” Savage pointed over his
Road Outside LandingTown into MidGale City, Nightway “They’re there.” Phalanx pointed out the three carriages circled in the clearing. He and Savage wereresting on their bellies, peering over a grassy hill to watch the ongoings. “Easy pickings.” Savage watched. Face unreadable. Though it had been nearly a month since he’d dropped Dimurah off on Sanctuary Island, he still found himself thinking of nothing else. Wondering how she was. Where she is... What she’s doing... He struggled to focus today. The image of her pretty face kept cropping up in his mind. “Brother, are you with me today?” Phalanx murmured. Giving him a green-eyed study. “Aye.” Below they could hear the tall blonde man giving directions. Savage recognized him from the year past. In this same location… They’d followed the Nauvree here last year, curious as to what he was so c
“What?” “His Seditious Lot call him ‘My King.’ And the Weldons just described the bunch.” “The boy running the Blue Lark Guild?” Bast’s brow knitted. “Why would he-” “I don’t know.” The Nauvree cut him off urgently. “But there’s a method behind everything he does. He did it for a reason.” Bast shook his head in confusion as he returned to the Weldons. “Well, whomever it was I doubt they got the things you love imported from the Isle. So have your pick and we’ll be on our way.” The elderly couple wound hands and hobbled to the carriage to peer inside. They selected a few items and the sailors carried them inside for them. “Sebastian?” Ms. Weldon’s soft voice rose again. He paused to look at her, waiting. “Could you take our extra goods to that Boy. To give to the others.” “The Boy that brought you the Goods?” “Yes. He says there’s more in the Blue Lark. Plenty more so we should take whatever we wished.” S
The day came that the gates opened to let in a mass of slaves that had been rescued from trader ships headed for the Isle. Dimurah was quick to weave into the crowd. Twisting enough to look like she was moving forward but making her way further to the back of the crowd until she was able to get out the gates and across the bridge. Scampering over the boulders bordering the fortress and along the ridge. She hissed through her teeth at the sight of the sheer drop. And down below, in the murky green water, she could see the pink bodies floating as they plopped against the rocks and returned with the waves. She grimaced, having no wish to join them as she lifted her skirts and took care of her footing. Making her way around the edge of the castle to get behind it. As she’d expected, it wasn’t long before a guard shouted a warning announcing her presence on the boulders. But no one ran out to get her. Though they often watched for intruders