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“Because, if I’m right, they just found us.”
“Very astute of you, . . . ?” the male closing in on them asked.
“Nitierien Kenacdrath, at your service, but you can call me, Nithe. It is much preferred.”
“And the lady? She is?” he asked blandly.
“Able to speak for herself, asshole,” Jezzie interjected.
“Of course you can.” He inclined his head. “Among my people women hold all the power, sometimes my resentment flares. I apologize. Pray, do tell me your name, lovely lady.” Never had she seen a man bow so elegantly let alone with such ease. She felt charmed by the action somehow.
“I’m Jezzie, you don’t need my full name yet. Names hold power, and I don’t know what you all are yet, or if I can trust you.”
“Understandable, I feel the same about you. In fact, that is the exact reason why these measures are necessary. I’m sure you understand.”
“What meas—” Jezzie started, but the tight bonds squeezing about her torso cut off her breath and black filled her vision as a bag of some sort was placed over her head. The swords fell from her grip.
She heard a struggle beside her. Nithe! Her panic doubled. No! She prayed he was okay. If they bound him as they did her, after all he’d been through . . . Would he be okay? A red glow filled her vision and the hood started smoking.
A hand took hold of hers. Long, smooth, strong fingers held tight and a feeling of calm pushed away the panic when she realized Nithe was comforting her.
Breathe with us, Jez. We are okay, and so are you. I feel kin nearby. All will be well, I swear to it. Nithe and his dragon spoke as one in her mind, and the red receded slowly.
“Gather their things, boys, so we can get back home in time for the game.”
It wasn’t long before her upper arm was grasped firmly, and she was maneuvered forward over the once again rocky terrain. What fresh hell was this going to be? Walking for hours to some unknown place through a monster laden wasteland, shrouded in darkness and decay. It seemed fate just felt like doling out more of the same. But she was surprised when she felt a shimmer of dust tickle her nose, her ears popped, and she felt as light as a feather before she heard one last pop and the ground rose to meet her feet. What the fuck was that?
“Sorry about the landing, I’m a little out of practice,” the mystery voice tickled her ear as the hood was removed.
“Welcome to our home. It will either be your hell, or your sanctuary. Choose wisely.”
Her head turned to the voice, and the delicate beauty of his features fit perfectly with the lightness of his voice. Soft, shimmery, translucent wings fluttered at his back, his feet tip-toeing the ground beneath.
“Yeah, yeah. Fairy, I know. Not very scary for a Prince of Nestradia right?” his sweet smile widened, taking on a menacing kind of joy.
Still not so bad . . . until his eyes darkened and his features morphed. Wickedly sharp, spiked teeth replaced his pearly whites, his slightly pointed ears extended. His skin turned greenish-gray, and his nose took on a goblin-like hook as his tongue flicked out to lick thin lips, leaving blood coated teeth in its wake.
From one breath to the next, from sweet beauty to painful death, and back again. He chuckled as he watched her eyes widen. Not much was known about fairies. Not many who encountered one survived to recount the tales, and those who did usually couldn’t pull the words from their muddled minds.
“Never discount the pretty ones.” He winked. “They usually have some nasty tricks up their sleeves.”
“I like you. Can you come to my next party? Well, it’ll actually be my first party. I’ve never had one with actual guests before, but after the last nine years I think I deserve one. What’s your name, pretty fairy?”
“Novarian.” He bowed too. She could get used to manners like this. “Though you can call me Rian. We are going to need to know why you’re here, by the way. We were not warned of any incoming prisoners, and we very rarely get visitors. Though, I think a nice cup of tea might be in order first, don’t you?” he asked, his hand sweeping out toward the large stone castle before them.
On closer inspection, scrap the stone. Blood stained bones and the twisted skeletal remains of countless beings made up the red walls. She’d never seen the like, her inner angel recoiled, her vamp nature liked the bloody sight, the blood imbued power of the place, her shadows queried if they too could make a home like it, oh what fun that would be.
Nithe squeezed her hand gently.
“We must have faith, Jez. He sent us here for a reason. Let’s find out what the fuck is going on, and how we are going to stop it. Plus, I don’t know about you, but I could eat a decent meal, and a cup of something hot and strong to drink sounds divine. If they give us a clean, soft place to sleep, I just might have found a piece of heaven in this hell. Second only to the taste of your release on my tongue. Oh, a bed. I could do so much more with a bed.”
Jezzie’s cheeks heated with a blush at Nithe’s wink. Desire pooled low in her abdomen, and her thighs quivered as she remembered the feel of his tongue between her slick folds.
“We don’t have time for gallantry, Ri. Move your ass, theirs too,” a shaggy, dark haired guy said grumpily.
“Oh shush, you grumpy bastard. The game doesn’t start for another forty minutes. You really do need to get laid, old man,” Rian replied.
“Don’t we all,” Mr Shaggy mourned, before walking dejectedly through the obsidian gates.
