THE NAUVREE Dimurah came down the stairs. Her hand clinging to Savage Jack’s as he walked behind her. Staring at the back of her head. Face unreadable as always. What happened? What is he thinking? Rhyers took in the sight of them and shook his head. “I will never understand romance.” He blinked in bafflement. “I don’t think that’s romance.” The Nauvree tossed a quick look over his shoulder back at the couple who soundlessly walked behind them. Their heads lowered as they were both lost in thought. Dimurah still leading Savage like a woman with a pup on a rope. What in Ardae? “I’ll go have some dinner prepared.” Rhyers walked away. “Can you take them to the Dining Hall, and I’ll have some refreshments sent in.” The Nauvree nodded. Butler for a day. He thought ruefully. The Nauvree waved over his shoulder and they followed demurely as he took them a couple room

Home. That was how Savage saw the Blue Lark anymore. Especially when she’s there. He looked across the carriage at the woman he’d so dearly missed for this long month. The longest we’ve ever been apart. She was sleeping. Her head lolling limply as the wheels turned through the rough terrain of Dread Country. She rested soundly. She’s exhausted. He felt the hint of guilt for being the reason she was so tired. Though he’d never admit to her, he knew how she worried about him when he was away. And how I worry for her. Knowing she was in the Guild surrounded by assassins should terrify him but at this point, it felt like the safest place she could be. Though that wasn’t what he’d thought a month ago. Though that was before they promised to help me. Redbayne and The Nauvree had both vowed that they’d conduct frequent checks at the Blue Lark

Making him yelp before he swung around the tree. The next two dropped, aiming their wings along their sides to drop like rockets. Before he could move from their path, they hit him from two different directions. Sending him careening from the trees. Spinning until his head aimed at the ground. He managed to tuck his head and land on his shoulders and back. Grunting at the impact. Snakes immediately sunk in venomous teeth. He grimaced against it. Feeling his gaze blur. He climbed to his feet shaking his head. “Fine beast ye are…” She cooed. Reaching to caress his chin. “If you’re intending to draw a blade on me, please do so…” He invited. Not seeing one anywhere on her at a glance. Blinking against his blurred vision. She outstretched her arms as she turned. “I ‘aven’t one on me.” She turned. Displaying her arms. As she turned a slow circle. “Hard ta ta’e a blade from an unarm woman, aye? Me know ye Code, Savage Jack.” She lisped. His gaze flit

Some things a woman just knows. She’d spoke. Now he knew what she’d meant. Savage’s lips tightened. “My mother told me she had an affair. And he knew nothing of me.” “I did not!” Bast proclaimed. “All this time…King of the Blue Lark, and I’d no idea…” “You do now.” Savage shrugged. Unwilling to engage in some emotional moment. He turned and headed for the door. “I’ve a woman I must get back to.” Bast’s brows lifted in interest. “I’d like to get to know you, Boy.” “Start by knowing, no one calls me boy.” “Fair.” Bast straightened. Restraining himself from approaching. “I’m not an easy man to know.” “I wish to just the same…” “You know where to find me.” Savage shrugged. “How do I get there from here.” “This is a secret place.” “I keep secrets well.” Sebastian gave him a long study and was convinced no amount of torture would wrench something from this stubborn man’s lips if he wer

Dread Hideout SAVAGE JAXSON Beaten and with a bad injury to one knee, Rhyers had moved slow. Until Savage slung one of Rhyers’ arms over his shoulders and helped him walk the winding road to the Blue Lark. “Can we say we’re even?” Rhyers gave him a wink. Savage tilted his head in acknowledgement. “I owed you for saving that which is most precious to me.” Rhyers’ expression changed. “She means that much to you?” Absolutely. He thought I was as black-hearted as everyone else says. Savage wasn’t particularly surprised. “She does.” He said off-handedly. “Had you not shown up and soundly slaughtered both the advisor and the pugilist, I doubt there’d be much of me for my brothers to salvage.” “But the creature got away.” Savage grumbled. The pasty white thing running on all fours. Unsettling little bastard. Savage recalled gl