My gaze flicked down. I noticed he had to stand on his toes to do so.
It was a nasty habit of mine that I found flaws in the physical appearance of nearly every man.
I was quite certain there was some deep psychological reason why, but none I cared to examine just now.
Frost was hissing in my face, spitting slightly so I closed my eyes in disgust. "You'd be very near the perfect woman, had you no tongue."
"Then cut it out." I suggested spitefully.
"I think I will."
Once dressed, Frost smoothed back his dark hair.
Testament to his vanity.
Then stepped into the stone corridor. "John!"
I heard the lumbering steps of someone huge coming.
A large man ducked under the barred ceiling to enter the dank cell. Absent any furniture but the table.
His dark gaze slid to me. Scanning over me quickly before forcing himself to look at my face.
The fact that he was able to, told me he was either a very powerful monster or human.
"Cut out her tongue." Frost ordered. Giving me a long look. "Shame you've forced my hand."
"Who forced whom?" I said nastily. Hoping he'd leave.
He gave me another lingering look, seeming almost remorseful as his gaze scanned my body fondly. Having to tear his eyes away to leave.
"You don't want to stay to hear my screams?" I taunted.
Hearing no answer, I was assured he was driven off. My green gaze landed heatedly on the Master of Dungeon.
"Come here, John." I whispered. Lowering my head to give him a heated green-eyed stare. Rubbing my legs together seductively to draw his attention to their long, lean shape.
He licked his thing lips and walked to me.
"Take me off these chains, John." I whined. "So, I might..."
I tilted my head and looked meaningfully toward his groin. Licking my lips hungrily.
His brows shot up and he quickly fumbled for the keys.
Human.
I love Skins. They were so much more pliable, less demanding than monsters.
He was quick to unchain me, and a few caresses allowed me to use a bit of tactile sway to persuade him to comply with my desires. Making his eyes hollow until there was nothing reflected in his eyes but my face and the shine of my vibrant red hair.
"Your hair..." He murmured. "It's like fire..."
"Yes." I responded as I walked out of the cell. It wasn't the first time I'd been told that.
Far from.
I pulled my tunic down over me as best as I could. "It is."
I am a Catalyst.
The Spark. At least, that's what the lore calls me.
I was a princess once. Before I got all my people killed.
Now I wander the country, trying to stay from view. Trying to find my purpose.
Trying not to attract every unholy thing I come across.
Which was something I was clearly failing at.
The problem with being a Spark was two-fold.
Monsters were drawn to me. And I'd known so many of them that I found myself unable to be intrigued by any normal, human male. I was drawn to those dangerous breeds like a moth to flame.
You'd think that with my time as a Spark, I'd have learned how to recognize each creature. But there were so many, I didn't know where to begin.
Every male creature lusted for me. And I for them.
The trick I faced was in trying to identify the ones that merely lusted for me. And those that might try to kill me.
As I trudged from Frost's Hold, thankful it was a stone bridge over the moat with an open gate rather than a drawbridge as I made my way, wearing nothing but the shredded tunic. I crossed my arms over my chest to ward off the chill of the foggy afternoon. The moisture on my skin only made me colder. However, I was thankful that the heavy fog and cold had driven most of the inhabitants that might've been surrounding the castle, back near the heat of their fires. Thus why no one had stopped me.
Yet.
Frost would soon realize that I had escaped him and he'd send a militia after me.
And last I knew, the Pyre Army was still on my tail.
And closing in.
I was hoping that Frost's little kidnapping would've at least made them lose my trail.
Or send them back to King Eternus to tell him that Frost had me. I could only hope.
But I knew enough of the Commander to doubt that.
I heard a carriage rattling and looked up to see a young farmboy slapping rein on a couple horses. He brought the horses to a stop to openly gape at me.
I eyed him, noticing he wasn't much bigger than me and he wore a heavy green cloak to chase away the cold.
A cloak which looked very warm.
One I want. I gave him a slow smile and lowered my head to give him a lingering look.
He stared into my eyes until his grew hollow, empty of all but my reflection.
Then I knew I had him.
A travelling merchant had passed me hours ago. Another human who had told me, after some coaxing, that he had passed the Pyre Army camped beneath their tents just as the sun was coming up.When they were heading in.He had told me they were on a trajectory toward the Endless Woods.Still after me. I groaned.Now nightfall was coming.The Endless Woods were getting darker. The leaves bigger, which told me I was broaching the East Side of the Eternus Realm. I stepped over another log. Slipping on a pile of leaves I gasped and caught my skirt. Lifting it from my way so I could catch my balance.My eyes flared orange and I was able to see in the dark. I took off my shoes and let talons extend from my toes to help me grip the muddy earth as I traipsed toward the orange glow of light in the distance.Topping the hill, I saw where the trees parted to reveal the worn wooden tavern. It towered up with two floors.The Immortals Den."Ugh." I groaned. Wanting to go anywhere but in there. But I'd
"How about you go find, Serene and leave me alone!"I could see him past my foot as I yanked my heel in a circle, trying to break his grip. He was now frowning."Serene and I were long ago over!""I don't believe she knows that." I accused panting. Trying to get away. "She keeps trying to kill me.""Who could hurt you?" He whined. Even as his grip on my leg became so vicious that his fingers bit into my skin, raking thin scratches over the side of my knee.His other hand stretching from the puddle, dripping a few isolated drops as he gripped my heel so his other hand could wind up my calf in a long caress. Reaching for my thigh and stretching to reach higher."Get off of me!" I kicked at him, struggling to get free I fell.His hands were still trailing my leg reverently. "Mmm. So beautiful..."He was using the physical contract to draw himself through the water like a portal to get to my location.I knew Orin was always watching through water, waiting to spot me. Obsessed beyond reaso
My curiosity got the better of me. Scanning the occupants furtively I saw dark skin to light skin beings. Some with pointed ears, some with twisted snouts or thing lips exposing fanged teeth.Monsters of every breed here. I noticed.But turning my head a bit further beneath the hood of my cloak, allowed me to glimpse the figure sitting in the west windowsill. His booted feet resting on a chair beneath him. Men surrounding him. Ones that had been happily regaling the group with tales of their feats until I walked in. His hair was pale blonde and mimicked the shade of the moonlight peering in on the wide, indented sill next to him. Blue eyes were fierce as they stared at me unblinkingly.Oh, no.He must've nodded because the barkeep told me where to go.I climbed the side stairs, far against a back wall. Turning twice, before they reached the second level. The railing dusted in gilt. And the steps trimmed in it. I suspected there'd once been a shining gold or red rug which had long sinc
"You're not my slave. But you are one of my subjects.""Don't you mean one of King Eternus'?" I sneered. Feeling a moment of true joy at sending that jab home."It is he they serve, but I that protects them." Gray said flatly. Impossible to rattle.I knew that. But it's still worth a try.In truth, I found him incredibly intimidating when he was cold and calculatedly calm like this. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, or what he was up to. He seemed to operate very different then every other monster I knew.And I found that threatening."Thus, you think they're yours?""Yes. Mine to protect.""I am not yours. Nor do I need your protection." I sneered the word.He stiffened and rotated to stare at the same wall I was locked on. "Just because you don't want it, doesn't mean you don't need it.""Oh, you have me." I looked at him now. Less threatened when his dark blue eyes weren't picking me apart. "I need you, Gray...""So badly." I feigned a yearnful whine.He grunted. "Careful. One
The girl visibly deflated at the sight of him pressed against me."Sorry, Sir." She murmured. Bobbing her head. "Brought the buckets, Sir.""No need to be sorry." Gray said in that dark voice. "Do as you need. You're no bother to me."It was humiliating that she could see us in such a compromising position.I probably looked no better than a common harlot with him molded against me as he was. His fingertips a breath away from fondling me."Is your intent to embarrass me?""No."I eyed him quizzically."It's to keep you right here, right where I want you, whilst she goes in and out."He wasn't jesting.Even when the brawny lad drug in the large metal tub and began pouring the buckets that the barmaid had brought up, he didn't budge.Not until they said they were done. Placing a platter atop our cloaks on the chair.Gray barely grunted in response as they closed the door."They're gone." I reminded. "You can let me go now.""Oh?" He queried. "Should I leap at your command as the Skins d
Baths in general were something I could rarely enjoy, for fear Orin would find me. To fully bathe I typically had to hide my face or cover the majority of the water with a cloak.To keep him from seeing me.I feared that one day, I’d be careless, and he’d get ahold of me.Gray positioned my arms on the outside of the tub as he set me in. Letting them slide down the metal, behind me.Forcing me to sit entirely upright in the water, my back pinned to the metal. Making me feel even more vulnerable than when Frost had me chained to the wall this morning.Because it’s Gray that has me. A tiny voice admitted.My jaw ticked and I was ramrod stiff. Watching as he walked to the chair to remove the platter to the side table before flipping the buckles at the shoulders of his tunic. Letting the glittering gold chain mail fall from his chest and to the floor.He leisurely collected it and set it atop his cloak. He sat on the edge of the bed and took off his boots before standing to unbuckle his b
“No to which, Baby Girl?” He growled against my cheek but I for the life of me I couldn’t remember what we were talking about.“Stop calling me that.” I muttered weakly.“No.” He shook his head. “Never.”“Why do you always do this?” I said desperately. Awash with emotion.Something I hated.“What?”“Make-make me feel…Why can’t you-” My desperate voice cracked, and I gave up.“Make you feel vulnerable?” He queried knowingly. His flat voice devoid of any hint of emotion. Though I knew he basked in mine.“Why can’t you just get it over with like the rest?”“Because I’m nothing like them.” He said darkly. His face written with disdain as he put an arm along the edge of the bin to lean into me as his other hand found my entrance. Slipping one long, slim finger deep into my channel.I gasped and my eyelids fluttered at the pure pleasure of the gentle touch. The coaxing fingers working in and out of me to create slow building.I hated it.And I loved it.Which made me hate him even more.“An
Following his motions, I worked him more vigorously. Determined to not let him do it.Not this time.He tipped his head, waiting.I shook my head in answer. But in that same moment a lightning streak burned through my spine sending my back curving forward until it almost bent in half. My knees shoving down into the bottom of the washbin. My wrists straining at the ropes as my body jerked in tiny tremors. Emerging from where the inside of my body gripped him and stroked along his length. Before bursting through me in white-hot heat.My head fell back, and I was racked with the violence of my climax. Something I hadn’t had in months.He held me down against him, piercing deep as I reached my peak and then subsided from the dizzying heights.Only then did I realize he’d entirely stopped moving.“Damn you.” I said angrily. Knowing he’d caught himself before sating his pleasure. Leaving me feeling strangely unfinished.And even more like he won.He proved, yet again, that he was strong.Wh