I reached the edge of the cleansing pond and his hard grip caught me around the ribs and wrenched me from the safety of the water. No! Put me back. And in a flash, I was on the ground, in the dirt on my back. His hands were everywhere. Caressing over me expertly. That nearly reverent touch smoothing along my legs as if they were his favorite part. He dropped his mouth over mine in an all-consuming kiss. His tongue invading my mouth in the same way I knew his cock would soon be invading my body. No! I’ve just healed. Just banished your abhorrent touch. Let me go! But despite all the screaming of my mind, my body was a wanton. My hands caressed over him. Pushing at his shirt to bare his browned flesh and trying to pull him down over me. How did anyone ever believe he’s that old Magistrate? Nothing about his stature, movements or build indicated old. But I reminded myself that what I was seeing now wasn’t what passerbyers saw on the road. They see something else. I glimpse the re

As my body began to relax, I felt movement low in my pelvis near my left hip. I put a hand over it and felt a small lump which seemed to be jerking. No. I lifted my nightdress to examine the area in the slivers of morning light creeping in through the shutters. I saw the tiny dark egg and wisping black veins emerging from it that I’d seen on so many of those women dangling in the WitchFall dungeons. Mathis’ seed. The thought sickened me. Making my whole world seem darker as I realized I was already infected with his evil. I dropped the back of my wrist against my forehead in frustration. Feeling so hopeless that I felt the heat of a tear trailing my cheek. And another soon after that. It wasn’t long before I released the tidal wave and let them pour from my eyes. Finally in a safe sanctuary I was able to grieve who and what I’d lost. Who I was before Mathis began his tormenting. So many names rolled through my mind. Mathis, Bethanie, Veline, Udora…And countless others whose name

I could feel his breath on me as he’d somehow, impossibly, moved even closer to my side. Blocking off the edge of the door that would’ve opened if I could’ve pulled it. Now he’s leaned against it. “They,” He cupped the rounded mound on my pelvis toward my hip. Cradling it almost violently. “do all the work for me. Bring you straight to me…” “I’m not here for you.” I said resignedly. “I’m here for them.” I nodded over his shoulder toward where I could see the outline of Bethanie’s body. Now silent on the bed as if she’d passed out from the exhaustion and pain. It is mostly true. But my words sounded weak even to my own ears. I don’t even know how I got here. Or why he’s all I can think about. Right alongside the lust growing in me was the hatred. I was resenting him more and more. And disgusted by the power he had over me. “Are you?” He glanced over his shoulder and back at me. Beaming so broadly that his white teeth gleamed in the darkness. “And what are you willing to do for t

“You think I’ve another man?” I didn’t want him. Much less any other after all the torment I’d experienced at his hands. “Who knows what you do when you’re not with me?” “Do you worry about it?” I was stunned at this hint of vulnerability. A strange note that may’ve been jealousy seeped into his voice. “I don’t wish to think on it.” “It disturbs you?” “Because you’re mine.” He said matter-of-factly. “It won’t matter. Soon enough your skin will be marred with my seed, and you’ll no longer be as fair as you are now. No longer be so desirable to the village lads. And I’ve plans for you one day. When you submit to me wholly.” “And if I don’t?” “You will.” “But if I didn’t?” “Then I’d likely pursue you forever. You, one woman, could probably charge me all I’d need with your power and the force of your will...If you were capable of that.” He ended quickly as if he’d given away too much. He dropped to his knees behind me and pushed one of mine forward so he could access my most in

“Go to it.” He said in a coaxing voice. Immediately, my instincts were screaming. I can’t do this! I knew what happened to people in the stocks. They were left out in public. Forced to be bent at the waist or on their knees. Their neck and wrists pinned between the notched wood and locked closed. And sometimes cruel people threw rotten food at them and persecuted them for whatever crime had led them to be there. Or for simple entertainment. It looked painful on one’s body to be in that position for so long. Terrifying to be locked in. And horrifying to have the indignity of being made into a public mockery. The last thing I wanted was to be in that thing. “Do you know what it’s for?” Mathis asked me darkly. “Public shaming.” My voice sounded choked even to my own ears. “You, who are so afraid of feeling shame.” He chuckled. “What an exciting experience, aye?” Exciting was the furthest thing from my mind. Terrifying. He was starting to circle me like a hungry vulture. His ch