“I’ve seen your powers,” she implored. “I know what you’re all capable of when you put your minds to it. You simply must try again, and then again and again and again, if that fails.”
Aunts Lark and Briar hung their heads while Aunts Aryanna, Ally and Audrey simply stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. Even Aunt Laycee looked anywhere except directly at her. And her cousins? To the last one, they averted their eyes, embarrassment coloring their cheeks.
It was as if they’d all given up, not just on renewing the spear but on Mia herself, and it was more than she could bear.
Desperation threatened to close off her throat, and her words came out in no more than a squeak. “You don’t understand. I promised the leaders of the ogre nation you’d be able to fix it. I told them I’d return Queen Adrina’s spear to them good as new. Their entire civilization depends upon the magical tip of pure ice power being made whole and unmeltable once more. It’s the only thing that keeps the molten lava at bay.”
Her mother shook her head. “We simply aren’t powerful enough to imbue that kind of magic back into the spear, my dear. It’s a very old magic, and not one I’m entirely familiar with. Not directly anyway. I can make you more ice daggers, however. And I’d be happy to supply the ogre nation with as many as they need until Queen Adrina’s spear can be mended properly.”
Mia shook her head. “That will take way too many daggers to accomplish the task for very long. It’s an entire volcano of lava this spear keeps solid. You said the magic needed is very old. Then, if not you, to whom can I take Queen Adrina’s gift to have it mended?”
Loud gasps could be heard coming from every corner of the room, but it was Lizbeth Hammerstrike who answered her daughter’s question. “I won’t allow it, and neither will your father. There is only one place in all of Albrath where that kind of magic can be found, and you, of all people, certainly aren’t going to go anywhere near there.”
Her mother began to pace. “Only the breath of an ice hydra found deep in the barren outreaches of Vile can breathe new life into the spear once more. Since history tells us it was an ice hydra who gifted the spear to Queen Adrina in the first place. Perhaps when your brother comes home for a visit, he, Talon, and your father can take the spear south and see what can be done. Until then, I’ll make ice daggers, and that’s all there is to it.”
For the first time since being home, Mia was infinitely grateful she hadn’t told her family where her next quest was taking her. She’d even gone so far as to swear Uncle Leeky, Pierced, Wally, and even Talon to silence. She hadn’t wanted to make her family worry unnecessarily.
So instead of arguing or even begging her mother, aunts, and cousins to continue trying, Mia simply nodded her head. What her parents didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them. And whatever choices and mistakes she’d make from here on would be her own and no one else’s.
She was almost glad the decision as to whether to go to Vile or not had been taken out of her hands. There really was no choice in the matter.
But one question did remain.
Would she fulfill the dictates of the council and procure the heart of an ice hydra and become the next ruler of the barbarian nation, or would she somehow convince an eight-headed monster to breathe magic back into a very, very old spear and save an entire race of people?
Either way, both paths led only one direction, and that direction was Vile.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Mia followed the winding hallways of The Academy’s underbelly toward Uncle Leeky’s residence with a heavy heart and an equally heavy tray in her hands. The two full to the brim mugs of mulled cider she’d obtained from The Academy’s kitchen threatened to spill over with every corner she maneuvered, but still she didn’t slow down. Time was of the essence, and Mia Hammerstrike was on a little side quest of her own.
She’d wasted the turning of eight hourglasses in Alaria, and though she couldn’t find it within herself to be sorry for what could possibly be her last visit home, she did realize time was quickly running out. Soon, very soon, the night would be over and the sun would rise high in the sky. And sooner than she’d be ready for, her last quest would begin in earnest. A quest she meant, with the help of a little spiced mulled cider, to do all on her own.
This time, no one else she cared about would be put in danger for her benefit.
She glanced at the mugs and smiled. Procuring a powerful sleeping drought from the bag of herbs Aunt Briar always kept in her possession had been a chinch. With all the people roaming about and all of the noise and confusion, the hardest part had been making sure she plucked the right packet from the right pocket. And then getting the kitchen to brew her up two mugs of cider on short notice had taken no more than a few spare platt.
The really hard part, however, still lay ahead. How was she to convince cousin Pierced she was simply bringing him a midnight toddy because she was thoughtful that way? The little gnome was bound to be suspicious. And if by chance she did get Pierced to drink his cider without question, how was she ever going to get Talon Starkweather to do the same?
Talon certainly wasn’t as trusting as Pierced. Suspicion was part of what made Talon the great warrior he was. But she was pretty confidant she’d figured out a surefire way to make him lower his defenses.
The thought brought a smile to her face.
Precariously balancing the tray in the nook of one arm, she was suddenly startled when the door to her uncle’s residence swung wide open before she’d even had a chance to raise her other hand to knock.
She jerked backwards, and precious cider sloshed onto the tray.
“What the wet willy applied to the under garments of a fast-talking, dark elf debutant trying ta play at being a seductress are ya thinking, lass. Don’t ya be standing around gaping. Get on in here out of the draft. I’ve gotta go repair a broken pipe in Headmistress Seychelle’s private, umm, dungeon. It seems Ray got a tad bit rambunctious during their, er, game of fetch and broke one. But Laycee and Lavender are still up and about. They’ll be glad ta see ya.” He held up a purple, fixing pipes, gloved hand and waved her inside. “Make yaself at home. I’ll be back in a little while.”
Mia nodded but hesitated. “Uncle Leeky, is Pierced also still up and about by chance? I’m really thankful for all the help he’s been with my quests, and I’ve a small token of my appreciation for him.
Leeky cackled. “Oh, he’s still up, for sure, lass. Just probably not the way you think. Been making enough racket in his room ta wake the dead all evening.”
The little gnome took off down the hall, and Mia was left staring at his retreating backside and wondering what he meant. She didn’t have long to contemplate his words, however, as an ear-piercing screech rent the air.
“Mia,” Lavender rushed forward. “It’s so good to see you. It’s been ever so lonely with Ohfeelya gone. I haven’t had anyone ta talk ta for days, except for Ma, and we both know how boring she is.”
“I’ll show ya boring, little missy.” Laycee Shortz swatted at Lavender’s bottom with a kitchen towel, and the pigtailed teen giggled.
Leeky’s wife smiled up at Mia and shook her head. “Sassy daughters, what ya going ta do with ’em except love the stuffin’s right outta ’em? But she’s right, ya know. Get on in here. Ya are a sight for sore eyes. And I’ve got a fresh pot of chili simmering on the stove if’n ya’re hungry.”
Mia shook her head. “Normally I would. You know how much I love your chili, Aunt Laycee, but sadly I don’t have time tonight. I was just bringing a warm night cap to Pierced because we have a very long day ahead of us tomorrow and I wanted to make sure he got a good night’s sleep. I made one for Talon, too, so I need to get back to my rooms before it grows cold.”
Laycee pointed toward Pierced’s close door and chuckled. “Enter at ya own risk, lass. That’s all I’ve gotta say on the matter. There’s been strange sounds coming from there for hours.”
Lavender nodded. “Yeah, very strange sounds, even for Pier
ced.”
Mia took a deep breath and quickly turned the doorknob leading to Pierced’s inner sanctum before she lost her nerve. She wasn’t sure what she expected to see, but the sight that met her eyes certainly wasn’t it. She blinked twice, swallowed convulsively, and then blinked once again.
It was a…a gnome sandwich. There was no other way to describe it.
Pierced Shortz had Bruno, his barbarian blow-up doll, impaled upon his tiny pecker while he himself was impaled upon someone else’s not so tiny cock. The trio were pumping, gyrating, and thrusting wildly. That wasn’t what disturbed Mia, however. It was the third someone that had Mia blinking, swallowing, and trying to retreat from the room as quickly as possible.
She had to admit, at least Alistair Daggertoss had the decency to blush when he finally looked up and noticed he, Pierced, and Bruno were no longer alone.
“Surprise,” he uttered loud enough that Pierced looked up.
Pierced, though, didn’t blush one bit. He simply grinned from ear to ear. “Hiya coz. Come on in and take off those unnecessary clothes. Bruno still has a stiffy going ta waste at the moment. Ya might as well take advantage of it while it’s still inflated. I’ve decided ta leave him behind when we head ta Vile tomorrow. The possibility of flaming, hot cinders landing on his pretty, pink plastic arse while we’re that close ta VoT makes me cringe.”
Mia gulped. “Umm, no, thank you. No plastic penises for me tonight. Talon’s waiting, and I really didn’t mean to interrupt anything.” She pointed toward one of the cups of cider. “I brought you something to help you sleep.”
She glanced at Alistair, and then quickly looked away. “If I’d known…if I’d suspected, I would’ve brought two cups.”
She gulped again. It was so clear. She understood why the barbarian son of a duke had acted as he had when they’d been dating. Why the man had never once wanted to have bodies-touching, parts-in-parts, hot, down and dirty sex with her. Why he’d only ever kissed her on the cheek as if she were his sister. Never with any passion and never with need. Even when she’d all but begged him for it.
She shook her head. How embarrassing.
For three years, she’d thought there was something wrong with her. Something that prevented men from being attracted to her. When all along it had been nothing more than being the wrong gender and possibly the wrong species? Why hadn’t Alistair simply been honest with her? She would’ve understood.
Pierced winked. “Why thank ya, coz. Leave ya concoction there on the nightstand and Alistair and I will share. I have no doubt we’ll be mighty thirsty by the time we get done.”
****
She was up to something. Of that, Talon had no doubt.
But then, hadn’t she been up to something since the moment they’d left her father’s castle in Alaria for The Academy? He’d seen it in her eyes and watched as the wheels began to turn in her mind after her mother had told her they couldn’t repair the spear.
Oh, yes, Mia Hammerstrike was certainly up to something. The question was, exactly what was the something his pretty, pretty little princess up to now? And when would she reveal her hand?
For she would of course.
The princess and future queen of Alaria and the entire barbarian nation was many things, but thankfully, being sneaky and deceitful weren’t among her more honed talents.
He almost chuckled, eager to play out her little game.
The last few days had been trying, to say the least. And it was good to see the gleam back in Mia’s eyes. After they’d been forced to leave Ohfeelya behind, he’d feared he’d never see that gleam again. But there it was, more a glimmer than a gleam really, but he’d take what he could get.
She stood before him, her head held high and her spine ramrod stiff with a mug of something steaming in her hand, smiling at him as innocently as the day she’d been born.
He did chuckle then. He couldn’t help himself. Mia might not be sneaky or deceitful, but there was nothing innocent about her either. On the contrary, the woman knew exactly what she wanted and how to get it. And if that secretive smile and glimmer told him anything, he was about to become a very happy man, at least until the other shoe dropped.
“I brought you a hot toddy to help you sleep.” She giggled. “After all, we have a very long day ahead of us tomorrow and I want you—need you—well rested.” She sighed and stifled a yawn. “I’m afraid I couldn’t wait until I got upstairs to drink mine. It smelled so delicious I downed it in the kitchen.”
He took the mug from her outstretched hand and sat it on the small table beside the bed. Then he reached for her, pulling her in close to his heart, enveloping her in his embrace. “A tonic isn’t what I need to help me sleep, Mia. What I need, what is better than any concoction ever made, is to be deep inside of you.”
She sighed and snuggled closer. “Well, we can do that, too, after you drink what I brought you.”
He shook his head. “I’m not thirsty yet.” He grinned right at her. “Give me a reason to be.”
Mia sighed again. “Perhaps we could partake in a little playtime before slumber.” She looked up and stared him straight in the eye. “But then you will drink your toddy, right? After all, I did go to the trouble of mixing it with my very own hands.”
He grinned. “Deal. You first, and then your concoction. What more in all of Albrath could any man ask for?”
She melted in his arms, her lips caressing and teasing at the tender skin of his neck. She nipped him, and his cock roared to life as shivers of anticipation skittered down his spine. She nipped at him again, and with a growl, he flipped her onto her back in the middle of their big bed and followed her body down.
Talon made short work of their clothes, and within the space of a hand full of heartbeats, they were both naked, panting, and ready.
She tasted of sunshine with a hint of moonbeams thrown in for good measure as he plundered her lips and drank of her essence. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, her fingers skimming down his back, her hands fisting themselves in the soft sensitive skin of his ass. She pinched him, and he bucked against her. “What are you waiting for? An invitation? Fuck me, Barbarian. Fuck me, now.”
In one quick, hard thrust, he entered her. The moist heat of her sheath welcoming him home. His toes curled, and his balls contracted. A fine sheen of sweat broke out on his brow, and his mind became a haze as the red fog of barbarian lust descended upon them both.
He pumped her wildly, and she answered him stoke for stroke. In and out, over and over, he plundered her pussy, and with every thrust made, she clung to him as if this were the last time they’d ever be together in this way.
Something niggled at the back of his mind, something important he should comprehend, yet couldn’t quite grasp. It was almost as if she were saying goodbye with her body. But that couldn’t be the case, could it? She wouldn’t really go off and do anything foolish, would she? Of course, she would. She was Mia Hammerstrike, a pretty, pretty princess who was too VoT stubborn for her own good.
He was on the verge of slowing down his pace and it was on the tip of his tongue to demand to know exactly what she was up to, but she chose that very moment to slap him on the ass and wiggle her sweet pussy against him.
“Quit dallying and fuck me like you mean it, Barbarian. Your toddy’s growing cold.”
The red fog descended once more, and this time Talon forgot everything, even his own name.
****
He really was much too handsome for his own good.
From the light of the two crescent moons shining through the tower window, Mia could see his face almost as well as if it had been the middle of the day. The strong, arrogant jaw she loved to nip, the two full lips she so loved to kiss, the intense dark chocolate eyes that saw her, really saw her as no one else had ever before.
Even the hair upon his head was prettier than any man’s should ever be. Dark brown locks caressed his cheek and curled about his ears. Her fingers itched to run through them, to tug the
m, to tug on him, to kiss those lips once more, to kiss every inch that was Talon Starkweather.
She sighed, perhaps later, but right now she was much too busy.
She sat straddling him with the mug in her hand, slowly feeding the man she loved sips from a cup that held not much more than dregs.
Guilt filled her for drugging him. Tomorrow afternoon, when he awoke, Talon Starkweather was going to be more than a little angry with her. It couldn’t be helped, however. It really was for the best. Enough people had been put in danger for her cause. Never again.
His eyes fluttered closed, and his breathing became regular.
Mia sat the mug back on the nightstand and was on the verge of climbing off when he suddenly grasped her ass with both of his big strong hands and began rubbing her still tender clit against his rapidly growing cock.
“Again. Please,” he whispered. “Once more.” He yawned. “But you do the work this time.” He yawned yet again. “For some reason, I’m almost too VoT tired to keep my eyes open.”
Tears threatened to spill. Oh, yes, tomorrow he was going to be so mad at her.
Perhaps she hadn’t had a choice but to deceive and drug the man she loved, however, the least she could do tonight, even though she should be getting up, getting dressed, and getting on her way, was to leave him with something to offset her betrayal. Wasn’t it?
She rose above him and, with her right hand, grasped his solidly hard cock. She positioned it at her opening, and slowly slid down its length, moaning with pleasure when he filled her to the hilt. The muscles of her thighs contracted, and her insides tingled, demanding she ride up and down and take her pleasure. But Mia resisted. If this was to truly be the last time they were ever together in this way, she was bound and determined to make it a memory neither would soon forget.
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