by Willa Hart
“Oh yes,” I whisper. Stretching and taking his hard, thick cock. I lean forward and press my lips to his. He grasps the back of my head, and his lips open to mine. His tongue is deep in my mouth, his hands grasping my hips as I rise up and down on his shaft. He holds me steady. His finger slides to my clit, and he presses and circles. His mouth leaves mine, and he dips his head to pull my nipple deep into his mouth. He rolls my tender bud with his tongue and grasps my hip. I press up and down along his shaft.
“Yes, oh yes,” I moan.
Pleasure threads through my body. A need for release coils within me. His fingertip rubs my clit. My body tightens. He thrusts up into me, and heat explodes through my body. His body hardens beneath me.
I fall forward. His arms wrap around me. He presses his lips to my forehead and pulls me tighter to him.
“I love you, my Queen,” he says.
I settle against his chest. “I love you too.”
He grasps onto me, and with a mighty force he stands while holding me and lifts us straight up. He reaches for a warm towel that lies on a bench beside the tub and wraps it around us both. He gently settles me to the ground and dries my body. His eyes take in every bit of my flesh. His touch, as he dries my body, takes possession of me in a very different way. His eyes look at me as though memorizing every inch, every muscle, every sinew, every bit of me.
He gently turns me around. He slides the towel down my back and my ass. He dries my legs, lifts a second dry towel, and wraps it around me.
“Your bed clothes are in my room,” he says. He wraps a towel around his waist.
“Do you simply not feel cold?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I guess it’s different for me, because I’m a Wolveskin,” he says.
“As am I,” I say.
“Right, but all that human blood must make you feel cold temperature more than I do. Your skin prickles when you’re cold…mine doesn’t. Your skin is also softer in some way than mine, have you noticed?” He turns my palm over and puts it next to his. “They look the same, but my calluses are harder. Feel.”
I press my fingertips to his giant hand. There is a difference. My heart opens so wide for this man. ”We are meant to be bound,” I whisper. “You are just as much a part of me as the sun and the moon are a part of the sky.”
“Yes, my Queen, that’s exactly how it is, and how it is forever meant to be.” He scoops me up and carries me to his bed, where dinner and sleep wait for us both. Because tomorrow, I am to face the greatest challenge I’ve ever known.
Chapter Twenty
Taraz
By the time we’ve circled through the Dark Forest and are near the southern side of Ninaku, night has fallen. We dismount our horses and walk to a bluff next to the river on the south side of the wall. I close my eyes and feel the presence of the Wolveskin. Can you hear me?
I’ve tried this once before, the night that I was cornered by the six Wolveskin with my back pressed against a bolder and my broken arm by my side. Can you hear anything, I think?
There’s no response. A howl pierces the night. One howl, then a second howl, and a third. A chill races through my blood.
The Dreg guards in front of the secret Ninaku entrance pause. They glance around. The howls are eerie. I can easily guess how disquieting the howls are for the two Dreg guards who as little Dreg boys were raised on stories that warned if they ventured outside the Ninaku Wall, they’d be dragged off into the Dark Forest by the Mighty and Ferocious Wolveskins.
“They’ll leave us soon,” Sarkany says. He drops down beside me on the berm overlooking the river and the entrance to Ninaku. “Once we’ve entered the District, the Wolveskin that are to return to the Mountain will go. Those that are to stay as spies will enter Ninaku at a different entrance,” Sarkany says.
“How do you know all this?”
Sarkany smiles. “You are a scientist, brother. I am a warrior. The Wolveskin, while not human, are great warriors. They’re bound to see their mission completed and carry out the orders of their King, and if I was giving the orders, then those are what the orders would be.”
“So you acknowledge that you and Rex are similar?”
“I acknowledge that he’s a filthy dog and I’m a human but that we’re both warriors,” Sarkany says. He lies down on the berm beside me. “And,” he grumbles, “I’d take him as a warrior to have on my side in any fight.”
High praise from my brother. There may be a way yet for Rex and Sarkany to find a grudging peace. One that doesn’t rip Meela’s heart into pieces.
“There,” Jix says. He lies beside me on the berm, with Lorelai just on his right. “That entrance will allow for us to get into the city without going through a main guard gate.”
“And what if we’re found before we get to Kaxon’s? Is it possible that we might be strung up by our necks?” We all look at Lorelai as she was the last one to be in Ninaku.
“There is some order,” Lorelai says. “But I can tell you that there is also wildness in the streets. It would be best if we got to Kaxon before anyone realizes your identities. Many are angry with Vlissimal and that extends to the entire Roya family.”
“Really reconsidering this decision to come to Ninaku to try and raise an army,” Sarkany says. “Thinking we might have been better where we were.”
“Kaxon is a good man,” Jix says. “I’ve known him my entire life. If we can get into the city and to his home, I’m certain he’ll know what to do.”
Across the river two Dregs who we assume to be guards stand at the secret entrance to Ninaku.
“Can’t kill them,” Sarkany says. “That’ll get us strung up for certain. What about if we put them to sleep?”
“To sleep?” Jix asks.
“Right, we don’t hurt them we just daze them a bit, without either of them even knowing what happened.”
While Jix and Sarkany continue to discuss what putting the two guards to sleep entails, I send a mind-tendril to the two men walking back and forth in front of the opening in the wall. The first one is thick and squat. I easily enter his mind and into it press the thought that he is incredibly tired. He yawns and sits down on a log near the fire. The tall, thin guard gives his fellow guard a sideways glance. I split the mind-tendril and press toward the tall guard’s mind. Weave my way to his brain and—it’s blocked. Around the other side—no! That side is blocked as well!
“Uh Jix, did you say that the mind-block technology worked or was in development?”
“In development,” Jix whispers back to me.
“Well, that fellow right there? The one that’s still awake?”
Jix nods.
“He’s got it. I…I can’t get into his mind.”
Sarkany scoots on his belly closer to me. He focuses his gaze on the guard who is still awake. “Let me try.” He closes his eyes; soon his eyebrows crease together, then his eyelids pop open. “Can’t get in. Locked as tight as any Eliterrati mind.”
A smile spreads over Jix’s face. “Well done!” he whispers.
“Right, well done,” I say, my voice a bit dry. “If we could get into Ninaku first, it would be a bit easier for all of us.”
“Okay,” Lorelai says, and stands. “If you two can’t get into his mind and through the gate, then we’ll just have to do it the old-fashioned way.” She pulls off her heavy coat that she’s worn on our journey and drops it to the ground. She unbuttons the top two buttons of her blouse and pulls the tie from her braid. Her fingers pull through her thick black hair, she shakes out her mane, and it falls in long waves around her face.
All three of us stare at the woman beside us, gobsmacked by the transformation that just took place
“What? Stop your gawking! I’m a woman after all. I may not be as fine as your Queen, but I get some looks now and again.”
“Oh, I’m certain of that,” I say with a smile.
“Don’t waste time,” she says. “I have no real interest in this fella. I’m really taking one for the team here.”
She walks toward the rock pathway and over the river bridge. Once on the other side, she waves toward the guard at the gate. Soon they’re both standing around the corner from the entrance, she’s given him my flask, and they’ve had a couple of drinks.
We stand and run quickly and quietly to the entrance. She manages to get his back to us so Sarkany and I can slide by in silence. Jix approaches the doorway through the wall and the guard turns.
“Stop!” the guard yells.
“Oh it’s me brother,” Lorelai says, waving to Jix. “Come to fetch me. Bet I’m in a world of hurt now. Always sneaking out and getting caught.”
“Dad may really beat you tonight,” Jix says, trying to play his part. “Come home now,” he calls, and puts his hands on his hips.
“That one is not ever going to be an actor,” Sarkany says.
“Worst performance ever,” I say, “and yet, it may have just saved our lives.” I glance to the opposite side of the stream; just through the moonlight I spot the silver of the Wolveskin eyes. I lift my hand and wave. A howl comes up from the distance. I know that three are headed back and three will soon be in Ninaku. The guard turns toward the river and his eyebrows lift. “You both best get inside the wall. Not safe out here with the wolves prowling in the night.”
“Thank you,” Lorelai says, and winks. She slips my flask between her breasts. Presses a kiss to the guard’s cheek and turns toward Jix.
I turn the corner and dart down the street. I let out a breath of relief when I see Lorelai and Jix walk toward us on the cobblestone street.
“One down, only all of Ninaku to go,” Lorelai whispers. “You two need to look a bit more inconspicuous.” She grabs some dirt from the ground and smears it on our clothes. She rips my shirt and Sarkany’s. “That will help. Now back streets and alleys all the way to Kaxon’s house. Jix, you know the way?”
“He hasn’t moved?”
Lorelai shakes her head.
“Let’s go,” Jix says. “We need to get there before daybreak. I know the safest way. And don’t forget, if anyone comes near us, you two are drunk and we’re getting you home. Also try to put them to sleep. I didn’t get a good look at the technology that he’s using, but it looks as though it’s a piece that goes just inside one ear. Which is amazing because we were trying the tech at the top of the head and then above the ear but to put it inside the ear canal…that must’ve been the difference,” Jix says, excitement in his voice. “I wonder how many they’ve managed to manufacture?”
“Not many,” I say, “if they only gave it to one of the two guards.”
“Good point. If they had enough units, you’d give it to every guard first, anyone who might run into an Eliterrati.” Jix turns down an alley, then waves us forward. Sarkany and I come after him with Lorelai at the rear.
“They do know that you went to the Wolveskin to find us, don’t they?” I ask Lorelai.
“Far as I know,” Lorelai says.
“Wait, what?” I stop and turn to her. “Are you saying that the Dreg leader, Kaxon, didn’t send you to get us?”
Lorelai drops her gaze. “Nixal told me that he did.”
“Oh frack,” I press my head to the wall behind me and look up at the sky. I roll my head to the right and look at Sarkany. “We are in deep shit.” I look back at Lorelai, “Nixal was the only person you had contact with about traveling to the Wolveskin?”
“Well him and Eregos,” she says.
“King Rex’s brother?” I ask.
Lorelai nods. I glance at Sarkany. “This is bad, very bad. Do you think that Eregos is in on it with Nixal? Trying to hand us over to the Regent?”
“Not only do I think that he’s in on it,” Sarkany says, “but I think that the entire Wolveskin pack in Wolf Mountain is in danger because of it.”
“Meela, we must send a tendril to Meela and let her know—”
“No!” Jix says. “Do not send thoughts until we get to Kaxon’s house. The technology he’s developed to block a Mindslayer was supposed to also alert Dregs when a Mindslayer is present and sends a thought to another Eliterrati.”
“What about when we put the other guard to sleep?” I ask.
Jix’s eyes widen with my question. I glance down the alley. There is the sound of slapping of shoes on pavement and the shadows of a group running down the street in the distance.
“This way,” Jix says, and slides across the alley into a space shrouded in darkness between two buildings.
“So they know we’re here,” I whisper to Jix.
“They may know that someone with mindslay capability is in Ninaku,” Jix says, “but who knows for sure. The tech was new when I left. I don’t know how far they’ve developed it and—”
“Shhh,” Lorelai hisses.
We stop speaking.
I don’t breathe. My heart hammers in my chest. I’m certain the person walking by in the alley can hear my heartbeat. A group of five Dregs pass our hiding spot.
“We’re going this way,” Jix says, and we turn and follow him around a second corner, then stop. The five Dregs stand in front of us.
“And what we got here?” asks the big one who seems to be in charge, and slaps a big wooden cane against the palm of his hand.
“Sarkany, do nothing, do nothing,” I whisper.
“Just out for a pint and talk,” Jix says. “Now back to Kaxon’s house.”
“You three in the Engineers Guild?”
“Aye, sir,” Jix says. “Going on three years now.”
“Even the big one?” he asks. His gaze travels over Sarkany. A burst of anger thrills through my mind from Sarkany. “Big ones are usually dumb and end up in Agriculture Guild.”
A low rumble sounds in Sarkany’s throat. “Say nothing,” I whisper.
“Oh right, sir, well he’s quite bright and very helpful when we’re actually building things.”
“Hmm.” He nods. “On your way, then.”
We start to walk by, and I release my breath.
“Wait,” he calls. We stop walking, and I close my eyes. Dear Goddess, please let us pass. “If you’re going to Kaxon’s, then we’ll need to see your pass.”
“Pass?” Jix’s eyes widen, and he glances from the guard to Lorelai.
“That’s right, was just ordered to check. Unless of course”—he walks around Lorelai and presses the stick of wood up her thigh and leers—“you’ve something else to give us to let you get there.”
“Are you implying, sir, that—”
“Implying?” The guard turns to me and leans forward in my face. “Implying you say? Oh ain’t you a fancy one, in the Engineers Guild and using all them big words like implying. I ain’t implying nothing. I’m saying”—he grabs Lorelai’s arm and jerks her back against his body, pressing the stick to her throat—“that you three can move on nice and easy to Kaxon’s house and leave this little sweet tart here for us to enjoy. Or we can simply kill you three and enjoy her all the same.”
“Kill us?” Sarkany says. His words are a low throaty grumble, barely loud enough to hear.
“Why, yes, even the big one.” The head guard nods to the Dreg beside him who pulls a broadsword almost bigger than the Dreg himself from the sheath at his side. The unsheathing lacks any kind of grace. The younger Dreg stands in front of us with no knowledge as to how one wields a sword.
Sarkany throws his head back, and the laughter that roars from his mouth could awaken the entire district.
The four guards and their leader look at each other uncomfortably; this was definitely not the response they anticipated when the Dreg drew the sword from his scabbard.
Sarkany’s laughter stops. “I suggest you put that away before you hurt yourself and that you give us back our friend before I hurt you,” he says.
The four younger guards look at each other and shift, clearly uncomfortable with Sarkany’s words.
“You think that I’m taking orders from an oaf from the Engineers Guild?” The leader presses the stick even tighter to Lo
relai’s throat.
“No,” Sarkany says. “But I do think that you need to learn some manners and how to treat a lady.”
“This ain’t no lady,” he roars. “This is a tart that I aim to please my pecker with.” He nods toward the guard with the unsheathed sword. “Show him the sharp-end of that sword, boy. Then we’ll see how much this stupid engineer laughs.”
The boy with the swords squats a bit and moves forward like an unsteady cow. The sword tilts down, nearly too heavy for the boy to hold. He glances at me and then Sarkany, then back to his three friends that are more than willing to stand behind him.
“Don’t hurt him too badly,” I say beneath my breath, because even I, as pathetic of a warrior as I am, know that in a pinch I could disarm this poor boy.
Like a lightning strike, Sarkany draws a swing from the boy, twists, turns, and grabs the boy’s arm, takes the sword, then throws the boy to the ground, pointing the blade at the leader’s eye.
Two guards turn and flee into the darkness.
“Release the girl and I will let you live,” Sarkany says.
The fat oaf breathes heavy, as though he has a choice to make. His gaze slides from me to Jix, who stands with a knife at the throat of the third. I have a knife directed at the one that Sarkany threw to the ground.
“She’s not worth my trouble,” he says, and pushes her to the ground.
Sarkany sighs. “You had to do that?” he says. “You couldn’t simply unhand the girl? You had to push her into the cobblestones?”
“Sarkanayyyy,” I say slowly.
He roars and presses the big, ugly man back against the wall. He presses his forearm to the man’s throat. “While you may be a Dreg, and while it may be fucking chaos in the streets, I would think long and hard the next time you decide to lay your filthy hands on any woman.” Sarkany takes the tip of the blade and scrapes the ugly man’s cheek. “They’ll know you by your mark,” Sarkany says. “I’ll make certain of it.” He backs away and releases the man, who presses both his hands to his face where he bleeds.
