Faere Warrior: Passion's Price Pt. 5

Dr. Mubarak seems to have more than one secret she's hiding.  Sometimes the unexpected can nearly be expected.  Fate has a way of throwing those things in front of us that we just can't seem to escape.  The question is, is Salena gong to be a saviour or a destructor? 
Just when you thought things couldn't get any weirder, never under estimate the powers of the Dark Fae. 

Faere Warrior

 

Pt 5

 

by Ellie Mack

Keegan fidgeted all through class, keeping his head down. Her voice played havoc with his memories. While laying out the outlined schedule for the class, Keegan envisioned her beneath him, straddling him, on top of him, and kneeling before him, using her mouth. He squirmed in the seat. He noticed the jock next to him rubbing himself and was furious. He shot him a dagger stare, then tossed out a quick spell. By the end of class the guy was nearly doubled over with stomach cramps. It would ease when he was fifty yards away from Dr. Mubarak.

He closed his notebook and bound down the steps, taking three at a time. “Salena?"

She spun around, an expression of shock at hearing her name, saying “It’s Dr. Mubarak,” as she turned. When she saw that it was Keegan, she couldn’t help the gasp that came out. “Keegan.”

“So that’s how you treat your best. Hate to be your worst.” He was furious. He was nearly sick pining for her, and she was carrying on as if he meant nothing. “And I’ll no be addressin’ ya as Doctor.”

“Keegan. I--” her hand went to her throat, brushing the delicate skin there. “I went back to your hotel and you had checked out. I didn’t know how to find you.”

“Aye, so ya say. No numba, no nothin’. I’ve been out of my mind wantin’ ya. Now I have to wonder if it meant nothin’ to ya.”

“Of course it did! I wasn’t lying when I wrote that. I had to leave, had to get in early preparing for the semester and all. Like I said, when I went back you were gone. I even went back to that club.”

“Aye? Did ya now?” He reached for her hand. She busied herself with organizing her papers.

“Not here; I could lose my job.” She stuffed papers into the briefcase. “But, if you were to follow me to my house.” She gave him a coy look, motioning him to follow.

He was helpless to do anything else. He followed her to her car, then followed her to her home. His mind raced!  He knew Lee would harass him for his behaviour but he didn't care.  All he could think about had been Salena, and there was no way he was going to walk away. It was more than the sex, although the sex had been off the charts.  She had gotten to him, gotten under his skin, affected him in a way no other woman had ever managed. Although, to be honest it was his own doing.  He never allowed anyone to get close.
He pulled into the drive of her house, and shut off his bike. His heart was pounding and pulse racing.  He was already hard just being near her again. Once inside the door, it was instant heat. Salena closed the door behind them then turned as Keegan pinned her to the wall, her hands over her head as he plundered her lips.

When he finally came up for breath, nuzzling her ear he said “God, lass, I’ve been crazy for ya. Can’t think of naught else but you.” He licked her neck from collar bone to her ear, she shivered.

“You affect me like no other woman.” His lips on hers again as he raised one hand massaging her breast, kneading, cupping then rubbing over her hard nipple leaving her breathless.

“Keegan, I’ve thought of you as well. I keep reliving that night in my mind.” She kissed him aggressively, biting his lip. “Making me crazy with your touch, your kisses.”

He lifted her, her arms falling around his neck. He raised her up, allowing her legs to wrap around his waist, then pressed her against the wall. He couldn’t stop if he wanted to. Salena was finally his again.

He carried her, her legs wrapped around him as she directed him down the hall to her bedroom. He laid her gently on the bed, following her with his full weight, pressing against her fully as her legs were splayed.

She moaned he growled. Her hands clutched the comforter, his hands frantically unbuttoned her shirt. She trailed her nails down his back causing him to arch, pressing into her harder. She nearly screamed.

    A flurry of clothes fell to the floor as they kissed and licked each others bodies. He scooted up against the headboard and she straddled him, her legs wrapped around him. They moved together as if they’d been lifelong lovers, matching movement for movement, anticipating the other’s needs. It was a magical relay, unspoken cues for when they handed off the lead to the other, reaching the pinnacle together.

    As he lay there with Salena, his chest heaving trying to recover from the intensity, he saw a movement at the foot of the bed.  It was just dark enough that it was hard to distinguish. 


            *              *                 *                *

    Master would not be pleased!  His human had brought a male home an allowed him to not only touch her, but she enjoyed him immensely. Siann was to watch her, keep an eye on her, protect the master's property.

    Siann decided, she'd have to punish the humans.  Punish the male that touched the master's property, and punish Salena for her betrayal.  She crouched, shifting her shape into a different form.  Her flesh rippled, the inner parts vibrating as she focused her energy and thoughts into the new form.  It had been a while since she'd taken this form, nearly two centuries since she roamed the Sahara.

    She crept closer, silently edging to the male's leg.  Her mouth watered.  She wanted to taste his blood. She could feel the warmth coming off his body in waves, pulsating with his heart beat.  Her mouth salivated, she wanted to taste him but if she did chances are he'd move before she could sting him with her venom. She edged closer, the battle waging within her whether to bite and taste his blood or to sting him and punish him for touching the master's property.  

    Siann moved closer, she had to move quick.  If she bit and stung at the same time he wouldn't stand a chance.  She crouched, hidden in the folds of the sheets, carefully edging near his flesh. Her mouth watering as she sprang into action, clamping her pincers into his flesh and lashing her scorpion tail over her head, burying her stinger into his leg.  She lapped at the blood, sucking fiercely; knowing it was only a matter of seconds before he would fling her aside to allow her escape. 

   She sucked in deeply, waiting for the intoxicating rush that it gave.  Suddenly a rush of pain shot through her.  She released him before he could brush her aside and scrambled from the bed, falling to the floor.  Shifting as she moved, changing from scorpion to cat as she ran for the door. 

   The Pain!  It was so intense.  Nothing felt this painful except Seelie Fae blood.

   Once outside she halted, turning, spinning around.  Fae blood!  But he was human. Yet, unmistakably Fae blood.  Her insides clenched, she was going to be sick for days with Seelie blood.  Last time she prayed for death, it never came.  Siann slinked off to the cool damp cave on the edge of the woods and reverted to her natural form. Gone was the sleek lines of a feline, in it's place was her rough dark skin, the bulging eyes, her razor sharp teeth, and grotesque form that she despised. Instantly the waves of bile rose within her and she hacked, sputtering blood from her system.  Every nerve was on fire, every cell throbbing with the pain.  She slumped against the cool earth.

   As soon as the sickness passed she'd report to the master.


          *              *                *                *


     Keegan let out a scream!   He smacked at his leg, seeing a giant scorpion scurry across the floor.  "Fuck!"  He clamped his hand over his calf, the pain shooting up his leg.  As he took his hand away, a smear of blood came with it.  He glanced over at Salena, she barely stirred.

    He stepped towards the door determined to squash the stupid scorpion.  'How the hell did it get in here anyway?  Scorpions weren't native to California, were they?' When he stepped to the floor, intense pain overwhelmed him as he buckled to the floor.   He felt nauseous; waves of bile rising, churning his inside.  He drug himself to the bathroom.  The smooth tile floor felt like fire against his skin.  Just a few more feet. 

    He drug himself up to the edge of the toilet, a mere second before his stomach emptied it's contents.  A wave of fire ripped through his insides, and as he glanced at his leg, blood trickled down his leg from bite marks as well as a spot above it.  The blood from the spot above it was thick and greenish. Unseelie blood, but from where?

    "Leevander Traherne!"  He yelled, then collapsed on the cold marble tile. 


Read chapter 4 here
Read chapter 3 here
Read chapter 2 here
Read chapter 1 here

 

Replacements

Welcome to my newest story.  This is going to be something of an experiment for me, as I'm going to write this as it needs to be written every week, and not work it as I would my other projects.  It'll be interesting, if nothing else.

That said, this is always a first draft, and if I missed something in editing, don't beat me up too bad.  Remember:  you get what you pay for.

Replacements

Part Five

I was now Martha's mistress, for better or worse.  It seemed she didn't care about my performance, because over the next three weeks of dom/sub bonding, she professed her love for all I did.  Or was it for me?  She said it was for what I did to her, but sometimes I thought otherwise . . .

I had her come over for that first weekend, which surprised her.  Weekend play was something that didn't occur that often, I gathered, so when I made the offer, Martha didn't refuse.  She must have thought it was going to be all whips and kneeling and . . . well, whatever the hell it was people in "The Life" did when they were together.

I was a novice: I had no experience with the things these people did for entertainment.  So I had to learn--fast. And having Martha around for an extended period of time would help.

Or expose me for the fraud I was.

Mostly what I did was give Martha directions--excuse me, "orders"--and she would follow--excuse me, "obey". As a somewhat manager of my own department before becoming a full-time director of so much more, I knew the difference between barking out orders like a dictator, and issuing orders in such a way that a person doesn't mind doing what you demand.  That was how I treated Martha:  I worked with her in such a way that when I told her to lick the kitchen floor clean, she would relish the task.

Something told me, though, that she would have done that without too much prodding.  I was also under the impression that she held a great number of feelings for me, for Olivia.  It was possible: Olivia had run our division for the last three years, and Martha had worked next to me almost as long.  Assume they'd had a year working together before they discovered they shared a mutual . . . interest . . . which would leave two years for them to develop that interest.

If Martha knew I was different, she didn't let on.  She never showed any puzzlement when I gave her orders, or had her dress me in appropriate wear, or when we even shared a moment together, with her at my feet, and me petting and caressing her, speaking approvingly of her all the while.

Being together in bed would be something entirely different.

Even there, Martha didn't indicate there was anything amiss in this relationship.  Friday night had been easy:  I got up from the sofa and said, "Come with me," and off to the bedroom we went.  I was worried, though--just a little.  My sexual experience with women had been a few nights before, but that night . . . Martha had awakened something inside, and though I was afraid I might flinch, or react badly to something she'd do--or something I might not be able to do--or any number of things that would give up the game; as we disrobed, I felt strangely at ease with her.

We stood facing each other, both naked, and she smiled as I lightly touched her arms, her chest, her neck . . . her breasts.  I'd never realized how soft a woman's skin was, particularly under my soft, moisturized fingertips. Silk on silk, smoothly gliding over each other.  It was an incredible sensation, and Martha was responding to my ministrations in ways far differently that any man I've touched--

The deep blush to her face, visible even in the darkness of the bedroom.  The quivering in her hands and knees.  The light sheen of perspiration just under the curve of her breasts.  The misty glint in her eyes . . . that was one I cherished.

When I'd been with men, and touched them, there hadn't seem to be any concern but rather a look of bored detachment as they waited for me to "get to the business," so to speak.  And when I did get to touching them right where they wanted, they didn't look upon me like a lover with whom they were pleased, but rather a pet that was doing something good.  Half the time I expected to be given a biscuit once I had finished.

Martha's responses were real, heartfelt, genuine.  Every little thing I did for and to her caused her body to react a certain way, for her to feel a certain way, all working in turn with her emotions.  It was a whole different world of love making--though I wondered if she thought of this as "making love," or more along the line that we were going to fuck, and fuck hard, as had happened the other night.

She uttered a soft moan.  "The way you're touching me . . ."  Martha's eyes were half closed as she exhaled slowly between pursed lips.  "So much different than other times, Mistress."

So I am doing things a bit differently, I thought.  "Please, Martha . . ."  I know I was breaking convention here, but I needed to hear something besides titles.  "Call me Olivia."

This opened her eyes, and I expected that.  "Are you--?"  Martha was very confused:  addressing me on a first-name basis was something she obviously hadn't done in years.  "You want this, Mistress?"

I mustered my best 'mistress voice,' without letting my tone break the mood.  "If you call me 'Mistress' again tonight, I'll make you sleep at the foot of the bed."  I smiled as I spoke, letting her see that I wasn't angry.  "That's an order, my lovely sex toy."

That last perked her right up.  "Oh, thank you . . . Olivia."  She reached out to me, touching me lightly, pulling me closer.  "You're so different tonight.  Work getting better?" she whispered.

Yes, it was.  I was dealing with far fewer questions about an employee who tried to commit suicide, and I was dealing with a co-worker who was my personal submissive--

Martha's right hand slid down my side, stopping only when she reached the swell of my hip.  "I feel different as well.  It's having to take over so much--"  She was doing some of the work I used to do in the lab, and I knew she was struggling a little with the responsibility.

"You're doing fine."  I ran the tips of my nails over her cheek.  "You're going to be up to speed in no time."

"But, I--"

"Hush."  I leaned in and kissed her, softly, our lips barely touching, yet making a connection that hadn't been there before.  "This isn't work; there's no talk of business here."  I looked into her eyes.  "There's just us."

Yes, that was that:  no talk of business, no feeling as if we were clumsy with each other, no need to worry if one or the other wasn't acting too differently--

There was just love.  Between us.

The entire night.


Read Part Six Now Read Part Four Again

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The Final Battle!!

(And here it is!! Part Five of "You Belong With Me!")



“Abrica get your stuff. We are leaving in 10 minutes, don’t argue with me!” I ran into my bedroom and tugged on the cloth my alter was on and it folded up into a handkerchief for travel. Next I walked over to my wardrobe and tapped the door three times before saying “collapse”. The wardrobe collapsed in on itself and became a little square. I placed both items in my pink purse and went out to the living room.
“Abrica you ready yet?” I sat down on the couch and wondered if I should put a spell on my furniture and shrink it also. I shook my head deciding to get new furniture in my new home, maybe one with a yard for Abrica.
“Abrica?” I stood up when something fell onto my leg, I looked down and saw Andrews sweater from earlier. I bent down and slowly picked it up. I remembered this sweater, I gave it to him for Christmas last year. He was always complaining he was cold and had no good sweaters. I sighed and sank into the couch where we had sat all curled up like a pair of lovers on a cold winters night, watching reruns of Doctor Who and Leverage.
“Oh…Andrew…what am I to do with you? Grandma! Why couldn’t you tell me the truth…” I leaned back against the couch and took a deep breath of  the sweater. It smelled like Andrew, I laid my head back on the head rest and stifled a yawn. I needed to go see what was taking Abrica so long, he was probably trying to pack the whole fridge.



“Grand ma ma, why can I do all these strange and weird things…but my friends can’t?” I look up at my Grand ma ma who is stirring a potion.
“Because my sweet, you are a witch. You and I are both witches, the last of a dying breed I’m sorry to say.” She let out a little sigh before she put down her spoon.
“Was Ma Ma a witch?” I took a look inside the cauldron, it had to be the size of me.
“Yes…my sweet, she was.” She smiles at me and pats my head.
“What ya cooking Grand ma ma? I hope it’s not dinner.” I make a funny face at the smell coming from the cauldron. Grand ma ma giggles at me and sets me on the floor.
“No my dear, not dinner. Grand ma ma must make spells and potions in order to pay for our home.” She picks up the cauldron and carries it over to the stove, setting it down she lights the stove.
“Oh…ok.”  I sighed as I turn the pages in my Grand ma ma’s Book of spells.
“What’s wrong my sweet?” She looks at me and hands me my favorite orange pop.
“The girls at school were making fun of me…they said I wasn’t special and I was stupid.”  I sit down in the chair and sigh.
“Oh my poor sweet! You are far from boring or stupid, you are the most specialist person in the whole widest world!” She smiles and tackles me, I squeal and fall into fits of giggles.
“How am I special Grand ma ma?”
“You are very special! One day you will fight to save the one you love and by winning you will save our species from extinction!” She smiles and hugs me, I was confused. What did species and extinction mean.
“Grand ma ma, what does species and extinction mean?” I look up at her as she slowly morphs into Andrew who’s smiling down at me like I was the only person in existence.
“You are very special Tay, well at least to me you are.” He smiles again and I can feel my cheeks burning.
“Andrew…you are such a suck up.” I smack his arm and then lift it up so I can snuggle against him while he turns on the new episode of Leverage.
“I know, you love it admit it.” I felt him laugh, I smile and duck my head so he can’t see.
“No comment, now hush we’re missing important dialogue.” I get all comfy against him and let out a sigh of content.
“I meant it Tay, you are the most specialist person in the whole wide world.” I hear him say, I smile and turn back to Leverage.


“Meow…meow!” I hear Abrica calling me, I slowly open my eyes and much to my disappointment, Andrew isn’t beside me holding me. I sit up slowly and fight back the tears I feel welling up inside of me.
“Oh…Andrew.” I look at Abrica who has his things ready for me to pack, I glance down at Andrews sweater and I feel a deep powerful urge to ram it down Rowendras throat.
“Abrica…the trip is off! We are going to taken down Rowendra or die trying!” I got up and grabbed my purse.
“Come on Abrica we’re going back to that store and we aren’t leaving until we can cast offensive spells easily.” I picked up Abrica and walked out of the door determined to not stop until she was defeated or dead.
It was a long ride to the store, I didn’t remember it being that long the first time, or maybe this time I’m just impatient to get there. I couldn’t believe I’d only been there two hours ago, it felt more like two years ago.
“Hello?” I pushed the door open and noticed it had gone back to a dry-cleaning store.
“Umm….ma’am?” I stepped inside and walked over to the counter. “Abrica check in back…” I set him down on the counter and watched him jump down and run off into the back.
“I hope she didn’t leave…or we’re screwed.”  I sighed and laid my head on the counter, doubt was starting to creep into my mind.
“Why would I leave? This is my home…” A voice said in front of me, I jumped up and saw the old lady from before.
“You’re here! Thank goodness, I’m sorry I ran, please teach me.” I used my best begging voice, it worked on Grand ma ma and Andrew.
“Of course my dear, I knew you would return. It was a lot to take in.” She smiled and set the box on the counter I looked at it and nodded. I slowly lifted the lid and saw the pendant once more, It was just as beautiful as I remembered it, ok so not much changes in two hours but still.
“Put it on, then we can begin.” The old lady who’s name I never caught said, I took a deep breath and picked up the pendant, it came alive in my hands. I placed it around my neck and jumped slightly when I felt it’s power intertwine with my own until they were one.
“Wow!” Was all I could say, the old lady smiled and walked to the back. I followed her much quicker this time and saw Abrica near the table and chairs drinking a saucer of milk.
“Abrica…really? She got you just by giving you milk? You’re so easy.” I sighed and followed the lady to the spell range.
“Now, this spell is a very advanced fighting spell. But, we do not have time for you to learn all the basics and such. It’s not hard, it’s just like regular spells…just more volatile.” She smiled and had me take a step back. She closed her eyes and muttered a word, her hand glowed a bright green, it slowly floated up in the air and flew faster then I could follow to the dummy and exploded onto it, causing it to catch on fire. But, a deep green colored fire.
“Wow! How did you do that?” I looked at her and she smiled, and revealed her own pendant, it was green.
“The pendants allow us to skip the prep work and go straight to the casting stage.” She smiled and hid it again. “You try. The word is “enflame”.”
“Umm…ok.” I took off my bag and placed it on the chair beside Abrica before going over to the range with her.
“Ok…” I closed my eyes and pictured the dummy on fire. “Enflame…” I threw my hand out and jumped when something exploded. I opened my eyes to see the dummy next to the one I was aiming at one fire, but it was pink fire instead of green.
“That’s great! Aim needs a little work. But, once you get used to the spell you can cast it with your eyes open and you won’t even need to concentrate.” She smiled and threw her hand out, the dummy burst into green flames once more.
“Whoa! You didn’t even say the word!” I jumped back and gaped at her.
“I thought the word, that’s all you need to do.” She smiled and put the fire out.
“Are you ready?” She held out her hand for me, I smiled and took it.
“Ok, Abrica I need you to go hide until this is over. I don’t want her to hurt you” I cuddled Abrica and gave him some nuzzles, he purred and licked me before running off.
“I’ll be ok…I hope.” I set down my book and a picture of Rowendra I cut out of a photo of the three of us. I was going to do a summoning spell, so she would come to me, instead of the other way around. I needed every advantage I could get.
“Oh dark one, I summon you to my place. Come to me and let us end this finally!” I set the photo of her on fire from the special summoning candle I got from the old lady.     “Come…come…come…come!” I held the burning photo as I rocked back and forth concentrating on her coming to me, whether she liked it or not.
“Who dares summon the Great and Powerful Rowendra!” A voice pierced through the air, I opened my eyes to see Rowendra step out of the shadows looking very cross.
“Oooo….it’s the ickle witchy. Taylor…come to save your boyfriend have you?” She smiled and sneered at the summoning spell I’d created for her to come.
“Yes, and no.” I waves a hand over the supplies and they vanished, sent back to my apartment. I did not need them, I had all the spells I needed in my head, and all the power I needed from my amulet.
“Yes & no? Well, which is it.” She seemed bored and leaned against the wall and picked at her finger nails. But, she couldn’t fool me, I saw how scared and angry she was that I was able to summon her, a mere ickle witchy.
“I am here to save Andrew, but I’m also here to put a stop to you.” I stood up and saw her face go hard before her mask popped back up.
“Stop me? You…you don’t even know any offensive spells my sweet.” She smiled and pushed away from the wall, I rolled my eyes and forced myself not to act on it. I need the element of surprise.
“So, you going to stop me with the power of love? Your love for Andrew…” She sneered and walked around me, I blinked.
“I don’t love-” I started but Rowendra cut me off mid sentence.
“Whatever…” She stopped in front of me and smiled again.
“Well, do your worst.” She smiled and back away from me, I took a breath and pictured vines growing all over her and threw my hands out to her, I heard her laugh. I opened my eyes and saw her pulling them off one by one easily.
“That all you got ickle witchy? You’re dead!” She smiled and threw her hand out at me, I suddenly felt very hot. I knew what was coming a fire spell, I clenched my eyes shut and imagined a white barrier protecting me. I opened my eyes to see the fire hit the wall and fizzle out.
“I’m guessing defensive spells aren’t so bad after all!” I sneered at her. Her face turned ugly and she did a long drawn out arm gesture and threw her hands towards me. I waited but nothing happened, she just smiled and did not move. Slowly the air around me became thin and I could barely breath, I had just seconds to get out of the way before I was trapped. I took as deep a breath as I could and dove to the side. I landed hard on my back and winced as my remaining air whooshed out of my lungs. I looked over to where I was standing and saw a giant globe type thing, I guessed it was a sucked the air out of the area spell, I’d seen it at the store.
“Hmm…smarter then I thought. No matter, it will just make killing you more fun.” She smiled and turned to me, having dissolved the spell.
“Really? You’re pathetic, I can’t be killed that easily. Where’d you learn your magic…Magicians kit for children?” I sneered at her and got up, still wheezing from my landing.
“You child are starting to really anger me, and you don’t want to see me angry.” She growled and I saw her eyes flash black.
“Oh really? Maybe if I see you angry, then I will see real magic…not this pathetic any child can do magic.” I smiled and stepped back a bit.
“That’s enough! I will not let you child or not even 20 years, insult me…The Great and Powerful Witch Rowendra…oh 3000 years!” She said this all while pulling her self up to her full height, I just smiled.
“No wonder you look like crap. 3000 years, really? No wonder you look so old and brittle.” I giggled and pointed at her wrinkles.
“You know what! Sucking you dry is to good for you, you need to die…by my hand!” She closed her eyes and starting chanting in some strange language, while making some more weird hand movements.
“What you trying to do fly?” I laughed some more and made chicken noises while flapping my arms. I knew she heard me as the skin around her eyes tightened.
“Bobombtartical!” She cried to the heavens as lightning hit all around her, I took a deep breath and readied myself. She took one look at me and threw her arms at me, sending all the lightning straight for me. I smiled, I was ready for this.
“Portal…” I muttered and waited for the last second before dropping into it, letting the lightning hit the ground where I was and explode. I heard her scream and cheer and probably do some lame victory dance, I wouldn’t put it past her.
“How about a smart ass remark now you little brat!” She screamed at the spot where I used to be.
“If you insist. Is that all you got?” I smiled, standing behind her. Having popped up from the portal while she was cheering and screaming at the spot I was.
“You?!” She spun around and jumped back like five feet, she looked terrified before her mask came up, but I could tell it was cracked. She was scared.
“How…how…did you?” She looked at the fire and then back at me.
“I told you, not all defensive spells are useless.” I smiled and folded my arms and waited.
“This time you will die!!” She screamed as some hair fell out of her bun.
“Bring it bitch!” I did the whole head jab and finger snap at her, I could tell it just pissed her off even more.
“Abacratious!” She opened her eyes and threw her hands at me, I waited and waited but nothing happened. She seemed confused by this, I just smiled.
“What’s wrong? Where are your pathetic spells?” I smiled and folded my arms again waiting patiently as she tried again, and again.
“Uhh…what’s going on!” She screamed and stomped her foot.
“You’re out of juice my sweet! You’re all dried up like a shriveled up prune. Look like one also.” I smiled at her, she blinked confused.
“But, I’ve…I’ve never gone dry before…How?” She looked at me scared and I just smiled thinking back to the shop with the old lady.


“The key to defeating her, is not with offensive spells, or beating her up. Her magic come from her anger and hatred. If you get truly angry she will put more magic into her spells then needed. So if you can get her to do a massive spell after a few minor ones, she will be all dried up. You can’t use any offensive spells on her, it will only add to her magic stores. Only use defensive, you know plenty to avoid all her spells without much trouble. She won’t understand what’s going on, so be nice and explain it to her. Then use this.” She hands me scroll tied closed, I could feel the magic coursing through it.
“This is a one off spell, only use it when she is at her weakest and can no longer fight back. Good luck.” She smiled and walked me out of the store.

“I drained you, just like you have done to thousand and thousands of witches before me.” I smiled and pulled out of thin air.
“How…how did you do it! Tell me!” She screamed, I sighed and decided to let her in on the secret.
“My tactics where not just sheer cockiness, it was a plan of attack. Get you extremely pissed off with me and instead of putting 1% into your spells, you put 10%. Then when you did that massive lightning spell you put everything you had left into it. You are drier then a well in the desert during a drought.” I smiled at her and opened the scroll slowly.
“What’s…what’s that?” She looked at the scroll in my hands and took a step back. I smiled and held it up.
“A one off spell a friend gave me for you. It does the most horrible thing you can ever do to a witch.” I looked down at it and read the spell in my mind and mentally prepared for it.
“…Kill me?” She said with nothing but a squeak. Without her magic she was pathetic.
“No, that’s to good for you. I’m going to suck you dry of your powers. They will get stored in this scroll, that is until I destroy it.” I looked at her shocked and terrified face, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Rompasis…sergicoso…absorb!!” I turned the scroll to face her as a bright light shot out and went straight into her heart. She blinked for a second before she keeled over in pain and let out a scream I had never heard from a living being. I didn’t care, how many witches had she done this exact thing to in the last 3000 years? Well, never again!
“Please…stop…” She collapsed to the ground as she glowed white and the glow turned black and was sucked into the scroll, which then folded and tied its self shut.
“It’s done, you are Rowendra the Great and Powerful no more. FYI? No one called you that but you.” I placed the scroll inside a cauldron that had appeared out of nowhere.
“No!” She screamed and tried to lurch for the cauldron, but she was to weak and just landed on her face.
“Say good bye to your powers.” I threw my hand at the cauldron. “Enflame!” The inside of the cauldron burst into pink flames. Slowly the scroll was set on fire, I jumped back as a wail erupted from the cauldron and a black plume of smoke erupted from it, it was sucked back in and was gone. Even the fire was put out…all that was left was scorch marks.
“Life as a mortal is to good for you, but I think I will be happy knowing you can no longer harm anyone. Goodbye Rowendra…and good riddance.” I did a little twist on the spot, I and the cauldron were gone.
Epilogue

“Abrica, I’m home. I did it, she’s done forever!” I ran in through the door to the living and froze.
“Andrew…Rowe- Alexis isn’t here.” I said a little flat.
“I’m not here for Alexis, I’m here for you Taylor.” He smiled and got up, he walked towards me and I frowned.
‘Me? So, the spell on him is broken? Yes, now we can…can what?’ I looked up at him as he drew up to me, he smiled. I let out the content sigh I always let out when he’s near.
Yes, yes…I understand now, why I did it all…it was for him, because…’
“I came here for you, because this morning I felt freer then I have in months. I could finally think straight, and all I could think of was…” He started, but I cut him off and sighed.
“Alexis…” I was surprised when he laughed.
“No Taylor. You…all I could think of was you.” He smiled and took my hands.
“Me?” I blinked and he kissed them.
“Yes, you. I wanted to tell you this months ago, but then I met Alexis and…everything became blurry. But…I love you.” He smiled and I couldn’t help but stare into his gorgeous blue eyes.
“Yes…yes…I love you too.” I found myself saying, his smile grew and he took me in his arms to, well, I’m sure you can fill in the rest for yourselves.

Replacements

Welcome to my newest story.  This is going to be something of an experiment for me, as I'm going to write this as it needs to be written every week, and not work it as I would my other projects.  It'll be interesting, if nothing else.

That said, this is always a first draft, and if I missed something in editing, don't beat me up too bad.  Remember:  you get what you pay for.

Replacements

Part Four

With Martha here I was in a near-panic.  I now knew why Olivia had a closet full of bondage gear and sexy outfits, but I had no idea she was bi-sexual.  Or . . . could it be she was a lesbian, and what I saw passing between her and Cragi only my overheated imagination at work?

If I was going to end up a lesbian, I was going to be the shittiest one on record, because the idea of being with another woman had never entered my head.  I wasn't bothered, or disgusted, by the thought:  it was just that I'd never, ever, given it any thought.

And Martha was going to realize this the moment she did something like kiss me.

Ten minutes later she emerged from my bedroom.  She was naked save for a thick, black collar around her neck, black stockings, and platform pumps with the most outrageous heels I'd ever seen.  She set some clothing on the sofa, then turned to me, smiling.  "May I undress you, Mistress?' she asked sweetly.

As long as Martha was asking questions, it would be easy to answer.  "Yes, please," I said with some tone, trying to sound like I was in control of--something.

The moment I spoke I knew I'd done something wrong, because the look on Martha's face was priceless.  She didn't quite frown, but it was so close as to one.  In a moment I understood:  I did something she didn't expect--I said, "Please".  Now, she was trying to figure out what was wrong without asking me.

People in control don't say "Please", I thought.  They give orders.  This isn't work; this is your house, and Martha's following your every order--

"Come," I said with a bit more sternness.  "Undress me, and let me see what you've picked up."  I clapped my hands.  "Move, girl!"

This was more like it, because Martha nodded and said, "Yes, Mistress," then began undressing me.

Martha was very careful with her movements, and careful with my clothing.  Though I'd worn yoga pants and a pull over tee shirt, she treated them as if they were the finest garments.  Of course they were:  they belonged to her mistress.  I understood this was something they'd done for some time; Martha's actions were not those of a novice.  This made me a bit more nervous than I had been moments before . . .

Then she slipped my panties down to my ankles, and gently lifted my feet.  I was naked, with her.  I'd not been naked with another woman since--well, years.  And never like this:  always in a locker room, a shower, somewhere communal.  This was far more . . . Personal.  Private.  Sensual.

When Martha stood, her gaze was centered on my breasts.  It was only when she smiled that I felt, rather than saw, what amused her:  my nipples were painfully erect.

It wasn't a reaction I expected--but it wasn't one that I was ready to ignore.

She asked if she could dress me, and I told her to begin.  As nicely as she undressed me, she did the same fitting me into my--"mistress attire".  A short, black silk dress; matching long gloves; black stockings, and ankle boots with very high heels.  I expected something more--I don't know, stereotypical?

Martha stepped back, taking me in.  My nipples were driving me crazy; I wasn't wearing any undergarments, and the dress was making my oh-so-sensitive nipples intensely more painful.

But in a great way.

Martha stood there as I examined myself with my eyes and hands.  "This is so nice, Martha."  I stepped closer and touched her left cheek with the palm of my hand.  "You know how . . . to please me."

Martha's grin was infectious, and I felt the same grin spreading across my face at the same time.  She was happy, and that made me feel as if I was giving her what she needed--even though, at that point, I had no idea as to what she needed.

"I'm always happy to please you, Mistress," she said.  Her hand slid up and touched mine.  "There is something wrong with you, though; I can tell."  She leaned against my palm.  "I know your moods so well, you know."

Her statement gave me some information I could use:  obviously, they'd been involved in this mistress/submissive relationship for some time, so Martha knew Olivia in . . . very intimate ways.  But by saying she knew her moods--  This was going to be tricky, because I could slip up and give myself away if I wasn't careful.

Or, if I didn't come up with a convincing lie.

I walked over to the sofa.  "I don't feel right tonight," I said while sitting.  "I don't know why--I'm just off tonight."  I looked up, smiling.  "Not very mistressy, I guess."

Martha came over, but rather than sit next to me, she knelt before me.  I should have expected that, but her action still surprised me.  "It's everything with work this week," she said, and there wasn't any need to elaborate.  "Your mind isn't on us tonight."

"You're right," I said, but I was thinking, Will it ever be?  Could I ever be the mistress that the real Olivia was?  Would I ever fool Martha?  Was she going to figure out that I wasn't who she thought I was?  "The last couple of days have been overwhelming.  I don't have . . ."  I shook my head.  "My head isn't in the right place this moment."

Martha smiled.  "Maybe I could do something that would get it in the right place?"

I thought, Here comes the offer of sex, but tried not to let that thought show on my face.  "What do you have in mind, dear?"

The "Dear" confused her once again, but only for a moment.  The expression vanished as she stood, then came and sat next to me.  She put her hands upon my shoulders, and began to position me so I was sitting away from her.

Martha started massaging my shoulders and back.

It would be easy to say, "I'd been ages since I'd last had one," but this was a first for me.  But so was stealing another person's life, so surprises were expected.  It felt so good, though, with Martha's fingers working my neck and shoulder muscles so expertly.  She'd worked beside me in the lab for a few years, and never once would I have imagined those skilled hands of hers capable of this sort of activity.

She was causing me to purr with pleasure.

"Mistress is enjoying herself?" she asked.

"Very much, love."

She unzipped my dress and shrugged it from my shoulders, sliding my arms out and letting it fall to my waist.  "Allow me--"  Martha started in on my back, and her experienced fingers worked my taunt muscles with what I imagined was a near-professional level of technique.

As I was falling under her spell, Martha leaned against my back.  "Mistress?" she whispered into my right ear.

"Yes?"

"I so want you to fuck me like the sex toy I am."

It was a good thing she was behind me, because I know my eyes bugged out for a second.  I said nothing, imagining how I would do such a thing.

"I want to taste your fragrant cunt."  Her voice was soft, secured--almost demanding.  "I want to feel your fingernails pinching my nipples.  I want to bathe in your piss--"

I turned my head and looked at her.  "You do?" I whispered.

"I want you to fuck me with your biggest strap on."  She smiled.  "I want you to completely own me."  Martha nibbled on my shoulder.  "I never want to leave you."

I was wrong when I said my life changed when I became Olivia D'avana.  Nor did it change when I returned from the bedroom.  Nor when I laid a naked Martha Kring on my dining room table, yanked her legs open, and fucked her with the ten inch strap on I wore.

No, my life changed the moment I finished fucking Martha on my table--bringing myself to the most intense orgasm--then dragged her off the table and into my kitchen, straddled her prone body, and pissed on her while she moaned in ecstasy--

My life changed as I found myself enjoying every fucking second of what I was doing to her.

How the hell could this happen?


Read Part Five Here
Read Part Three Again

Faere Warrior: Passion's Price Pt 4

People are never what they seem.  Isn't it amazing the things you find out when you look beyond  the surface?  Of course what did you expect with a man who is contracted to the Fae, and a woman who is, . . . how old is she?

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Faere Warrior: Passion's Price

Pt 4

by Ellie Mack

     Salena stood in the steaming shower, the pulsing water massaging her skin.  After slaying she felt the effects of age.   She'd managed to reach six of the demons before a guardian showed up.  There had been one in Versailles that she managed to avoid. They were on opposite sides, the guardians and slayers.  

     Guardians worked with the demon masters; protecting them, using their own magic to send their lower caste brethren back through the portals to emerge from the next opening.  Slayers were sanctioned by the church.  Their mission was clear -  destroy the demonic hoards. 

     The Guardians used Seelie weapons to send them back.  What were they thinking?  They would only return at a different location. The lower caste demons were mindless for the most part, depraved evil with single minded focus:  destroy human kind.  It was her calling to protect the human race.  She'd been chosen.

    Salena stretched her neck while leaning against the marble enclosure.  Her body ached in places that she didn't know was possible to ache.  With a heavy sigh she shut the water off, and grabbed the towel.  She rubbed herself with minimal effort, dripping a trail of water as she forced her steps to the bed.  Tired, so very tired. Exhausted, she flopped on the bed, her towel falling open.  It didn't matter, she was too tired to care.  Her last thought was the knowledge that she'd have to use more of her precious elixir, or add another glamour tat, before the new moon.

   As she slipped into black oblivion, the masking spells faded.  The flawless physique was a maze of glyphs and runes.  A ring of glyphs encircled each breast, making a bra of sorts of the tattooed protections.  A series of runes covered the bottom fullness of each breast.  A maze of glyphs covered her lower abs, down over her triangular patch of hair, down between her legs, even over her labia.  the tops of her thighs were covered with long Celtic knot work that had been spelled.  His mark was on her inside thigh, on the top of her left breast just above her heart, and on her ass cheek.

  She sighed, exhaling deeply, with thoughts of Him. 

    She touched her breast. The scarred textured skin of his insignia ring branded into her skin, the reminder that above all else, she was His.  Instantly she was transported to stand before Him.  She knelt, naked in full submission to her master.  she waited until He recognized her.

    "Salena"  His voice rough and scratchy. "Why have you been so long in coming?"

    "I've been searching for the cuffs and torque that would free you, my Lord."  Her head remained down.  She was not allowed to view Him until he commanded her.

    "Any progress?"  A soft rustling of fabric, a slight jangling as he rose, then clipped footfall approaching her.

    "Not yet, my love.  I've come across another guardian."

    He moved her hair aside, and kissed her neck.  She shivered; this made it all worthwhile.  His touch was exquisite.  "How many humans have you offered yourself to since you've come to me?"

    Her mind raced. she knew better than to lie.  "Three, my Lord.  None that compare to you."

    He jerked her hair back pulling her head up.  She quickly squinted her eyes closed, but couldn't help the gasp that escaped her.   "Fucking whore!  YOU'RE MINE!" He roared over her, then slapped her so hard it knocked her to the floor.

    "Always yours, my Lord."  She knelt in full submission, her body folded over itself, head laid on the floor."

    "And what of this guardian?"  He circled her, she  knew the whip was coming.  Her body tingling in anticipation.

   "I only saw him from a distance.  I avoided contact, but I took out six demons."

    "Look at me!" He commanded.  She raised her eyes, viewing her lover as if it were the first time.  He was magnificent.  No human could ever compare to Him.  Salena swallowed hard, her mouth already salivating for his touch, for his pleasures.  She'd do anything for Him and He knew it.  

  "You'll stay close to the guardian.  He'll lead you to the torque."   He bent to her kissing her rough, demanding.   She was instantly wet.  He would torture her, beat her, whip her, but bring her to paradise more times than she could count.  It was worth any pain to be His. To be pleasured by Him, to have Him claim her as His own.  She was forbidden from using His name until she had managed to free Him from this Fae prison. 


             *                                     *                                       *                                         *

    Her body spasmed on the bed, naked in the moonlight. Welts appeared, beaded lines of blood rising.  Siann sat crouched next to her body, licking the blood from each line as it appeared.  The human was never aware during these episodes.  The taste of blood stirred the beast within her small form.  She could sink her teeth in fully, and this pathetic human would never know.  It would serve her right.

    Siann thought of the irony, the human giving her self over to His pleasure, while allowing Siann her own pleasure with her earthly form.  Humans were easy to toy with.  Once given over to their sensual pleasure, they could do whatever they wanted with them.  Siann sank her teeth into the full roundness of Selena's breast, feeling the tear of her flesh.  she lapped at the flow then suckled, drawing more of the elixir tainted blood from the helpless form.  the elixir was never meant for humans.  It only drove them to madness quicker. 

    Blood lust overcame Siann, and she bit her human again, lapping at the flow. A third time she bit, practically tearing a mouthful of flesh away.  It had been ages since she was allowed to feast, but she knew He would banish her if she destroyed Selena's human form.  She lapped eagerly until the flow ceased.  Siann growled, desiring more.  She watched as Selena's body spasmed and twitched in the moonlight. She needed more.  More blood to satisfy her taste.  She lept from the bed, and sauntered down the hall towards the atrium.  The small door that had been installed for her feline form allowed he to come and go as she pleased.  Although her taste was for human blood, a rabbit or squirrel would have to suffice.  She glanced at her reflection in the glass door as she passed.  Her mouth covered in the red blood just fueled her desire for more.  The sleek lines of a Siamese suited her well.  she rolled her shoulders with grace and power as she stalked towards her next prey.


           *                                          *                                   *                                         *



   Keegan always hated the first day of class.  He'd spent one year at the Uni back home; since then, it was a different place every semester.   He only had three classes this time:  Dr. Mubarak's Archaeology of the United States and Egyptology in the Modern Era, and Dr. Kincaid's Studies in Mythology.  

    He chuckled; if the professors had only seen half of what he had seen, it would change the way they taught.  If not for the fact that in the real world he needed the education to land the job of his dreams he'd fore go the headache.  It was a sweet deal really.  The Fae funded his college, provided a sizable bank account, and whatever ride he desired.  They funded all travel expenses in exchange for fueling his body with immortality in order to fulfill his role as Guardian.  Well, he hadn't quite made it to Guardian level yet he was still a Warrior.  Still, the benefits were sweet. 

    He took his seat at the back of the lecture hall.  His large size often made it difficult for his more petite classmates to see around him.  Inevitably one of these petite beauties were always drawn to him.   It was okay, he enjoyed the attention.  They were often fun, sweet girls that filled his time.  But he couldn't get Salena off his mind.  He combed his fingers through his hair as we watched the students filing in, thinking of his night with Salena. 

   "Hey, heard the professor's pretty hot.  You here for that, or to actually study this lame ass subject?"

   He turned to the voice beside him.  It was  one of the jocks he'd seen at the bar the night he'd met Salena.  "What?"

   "The professor.  Suppose to be super hot.  Or are you a Joneser?"

   "You want to nail some old man?  What the hell is wrong with you?"

    "NO!  Asswipe.  Dr. Mubarak's a chick.  A super hot stellar."  He scooted back in his chair. "There she is."  He motioned to the front of the class with a head nudge.

    Keegan opened his notebook, adjusting it on the desk shaking his head at the jock. He heard the movements at the front, and out of the corner of his vision saw a form moving about.  He raised his eyes noticing the spelling of the name on the blackboard.  He scanned the area.  Bent down, fiddling with wires, was the instructor.  When she rose,  Keegan's mouth about hit his desk.

Twin Desires Part 3

Change of plans.  I know you were expecting Replacements, but  . . . we're switching gears. Today's installment is from Macie Snow.  Replacements will appear on Friday in Macie's usual spot. 
Now, let's find out what Justin and Katrinna are up to.

Twin Desires pt 3

by Macie Snow

I jerk upright in my saddle, blinking sleep from my eyes. The first thing I notice is my sore backside. Cursing the poor construction of saddles, I rub my aching tailbone before realizing that Justin is calling my name.

                “-inna! Katrinna! Are you awake yet sleepyhead?” Justin laughs, seemingly in much better spirits than I.

                I moan and stretch, attempting to release some of the tension from my muscles. I had never been a morning person, and usually ended up being extremely irritable until well after the sun had made its way past the horizon.  My mood was improved none by the fact that dew had soaked through my clothes overnight, leaving me chilly, and grumpy.

                “So nice of you to wake up.” Justin grins. “We are approaching the town of Tarneth. Once there we can buy you some more appropriate clothing.”

                “What counts as appropriate?” I ask, hoping with all my might that I would not be required to wear a corset and dress, and briefly thinking about getting some skimpy clothing, but deciding against it as they would more than likely get me the wrong kind of attention, and from the wrong person.

                “A tunic and pants most likely, something easy to move in, and light. We might also want to buy you a cloak.” Justin says. Apparently I hadn’t hidden my shivering very well. I grit my teeth and force myself to stop trembling.

                “That’s perfect,” I say. An idea pops in my head and I blurt it out before thinking twice. “Will I get any weapons? A dagger at least?”

                Justin surprises me by chuckling. “I plan to get you a bit more than a dagger. While I will protect you, you will have to be prepared to defend yourself in case I am otherwise occupied, or something makes its way past me.”Justin says, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “How about a sword? Yes, a sword should suit you nicely; perhaps you would do well with two one-handed swords…” Justin continues to ponder as we approach the town. I bite back my excitement as I mull over what he had said. Justin had said if ‘something’ gets past him, not ‘someone’. Suddenly I find myself rethinking my plan to rush after Adrinna’s kidnapper to save her.

                I clear my throat, causing Justin to look towards me. “You would need to teach me to use them.  The swords I mean. I learned basic defenses, with a dagger, but I’ve never been taught to fight.”

                “Of course you weren’t! You are a princess! You wouldn’t need to know how to fight!” Justin pauses and sighs, before continuing in a calmer voice. “However, I suppose I must teach you, to suit our… Unique predicament,” Justin says, the corner of his mouth twitching up in amusement.

                I duck my head to hide a blush. Teaching me to fight would require the two of us being in VERY close proximity to each other. Suddenly I was very anxious for this evening.

                “We are approaching Tarneth now princess,” Justin says, stopping Flinn. I pull Zypher to a stop and watch as Justin climbs off Flinn and starts rooting around in his saddlebags. Justin pulls out a dark mass of cloth and walks towards me with it.

                “Here princess, we will have to lay low for now. I don’t know if anyone would recognize you, but I don’t want to risk it,” Justin says, holding the cloth out to me. I grab it, and it unfolds, revealing a cloak.

                “Very well,” I say, swinging the cloak behind me. I lift my chin as I tie the cloak at my collar. Once the cloak is secured I pull my hair out from under the cloak and twist it around to lie over my right shoulder.

Justin gasps. I look over to see him staring at me.

“What?” I ask looking around frantically to see what is wrong.

“You-, your hair!” Justin exclaims.

“What? Is there a spider in it?” I ask, swiping furiously at the top of my head.

“No, no.” Justin says, grabbing my wrist. I look down at his warm hand around my wrist. He was so much darker than I. My skin tingles where his fingers touch it.

“Your hair has golden streaks in it.” Justin says, still staring at my head.

“Is that all?” I ask, distracted by his warm skin.

“I just never noticed before,” Justin says, trailing off. He lets go off my wrist and walks over to Flinn, mounting the buckskin mare without even breaking stride. “Let’s go. Pull your hood up princess.”

I smile, and pull my hood up. My brown hair did have golden streaks, but no one ever noticed with Adrinna around. Adrinna was blonde, golden blonde, and with her blonde hair, all people ever noticed about my hair was that it’s brown. That was our one difference, physically that is. We both had bright blue eyes, and the same build.
Before I could start missing Adrinna, we arrived in Tarneth.

I duck my head to hide my face, and peer out from under the hood at the little town. I had never been outside of the castle and its surrounding town before, and I am surprised to find that I love this bustling little town. People and animals are everywhere, running every which way. Justin leads the way to a tailor shop a little ways into the town. I see mothers holding their infants, buying the mornings eggs. Children play in the street. Dogs bark at passersby’s. This town was wonderful.

We stop just short of the tailors, at a hitching post. Justin unties Zypher from Flinn and I start untying the ropes holding me in the saddle. Justin finishes, and ties both Flinn and Zypher to the post near the store. Once he finished tying the horses to  the post, he realizes I am still in Zyphers saddle. He chuckles at seeing that I was still struggling with the ropes before coming to help me.

“Stick close to me Katrinna,” Justin whispers reaching around my waist to unhook the ropes. “The tailor is right here, and the blacksmith is across the way,” Justin says, gesturing across the bustling street. I see a faint line of smoke rising from a building towards the outskirts of town, and assume that is the blacksmith. Justin frees me from the ropes and helps me down. I trip, and Justin catches my arm.

“You okay Katrinna?” Justin asks as I waver unsteadily.

“Yeah, fine, just give me a minute to get my footing,” I say, clutching to Zypher’s saddle.

As soon as I’m steady, Justin reaches behind me and roots around in Zypher’s saddlebags, before pulling out a bag of gold coins. Bouncing the bag on his palm we walk toward the tailors shop. People scatter, avoiding Justin, and pay no notice of my presence. I find myself having to practically jog in order to keep up with Justin’s long strides. We quickly arrive at the tailors and I pause outside the shop. I look up at the sign, causing my hood to fall back. I sigh and, after pulling my hood back up, walk into the store, wishing Adrinna could be here with me.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

“Thank you!” I call behind me, as I leave the tailors shop. I was now adorned in a dark green tunic that is remarkably soft. The tailor had called the fabric cotton, said he found the stuff in fields just outside of town, and that his wife spun it into thread and fabric. I also had a leather belt fastened around my waist. The belt had diamond patterns circling it, and inside the diamonds were roses that had been tooled with incredible detail. Tight black pants and tall leather riding boots completed my new attire. The tailor’s wife had helped me braid my hair so that it wrapped up around itself, and hung in a short ponytail on the back of my head. It also made my hair look shorter, which would help me not to be recognized.

                “Well that is definitely an improvement!” I hear Justin call. I turn to see him riding up to me from the blacksmiths. “I’m glad Mr. and Mrs. Tyler didn’t mind dropping everything to help with our unique predicament.” Justin says, smiling as he dismounts.

                “Well, it probably helped that you are the best knight in the kingdom. You intimidate people.” I giggle.

                “Ha-ha princess,” Justin says. His voice sounds angry, but I see his eyes twinkle in amusement. “I had the blacksmith make these.” Justin says as he turns and pulls two gleaming blades off the back of his saddle.

                I gasp and run over to him. The blades were perfection; sleek, and beautiful.

                “Make no mistake,” Justin says chuckling at my reaction. He holds the blades just short of my eager reach. “Despite their hasty production, these are very dangerous weapons Katrinna.”

                I sigh in defeat. “I understand.”

                Justin grins before turning and tying the swords to the back of my saddle.

                “When can you start teaching me?” I ask, eager to have an excuse to get up close and personal with Justin, not to mention learning to defend myself. I was tired of playing the damsel in distress. It was high time I would be able to take care of myself.

                “I can begin your instruction tonight. But first,” Justin turns around and presents me with a dagger. “I believe you might want this.”

                “You got this for me?” I ask, barely able to keep from squealing with excitement as a blush rose in my cheeks. “But why? You got me the swords!”

                “Until you reach a certain level of proficiency, the Damascus blades are as dangerous for you as you enemies.”

                “Damascus?” I ask, reaching eagerly for the dagger, but Justin held it out of my reach.

                “That’s the type of swords they are. Very time consuming to make. Which means they are all the more impressive because they were formed so quickly.”

                “Will they be weaker as a result of their quick formation?” I ask, starting to worry. How horrible would it be if my sword broke in the middle of a fight?  No matter what the circumstances, that situation would have no happy ending for me.

                “No, they are as strong as any blade that took weeks to make. The blacksmith assured me, and I tested them thoroughly.”

                I sigh, relieved as Justin passes the dagger to me. I pull it from its sheath and stare at the blade. It was clear as any looking glass in the castle. The handle was simple, yet beautiful with the metal worked so that it twisted around the handle.

                “This dagger is perfect for you, at least until I am able to teach you the… art of swordplay,” Justin says, climbing onto Flinn.

                I smirk, and re-sheath the dagger before fastening it to my belt and mounting Zypher. Even under the circumstances, Justin insisted on being proper. Art of swordplay my ass. Justin was going to teach me to kill. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. “So when will you start teaching me?” I ask.

                “Tonight if you wish, but for now we must move if we are to stay ahead of search troops.” Justin says, situating himself in the saddle.

                “Justin?” I say softly. Justin glances over his shoulder at me. “Thank you,” I murmur.

                Justin’s eyes soften as he smiles warmly. “You are more than welcome, princess.”

                “Katrinna,” I correct.

                “Katrinna,” Justin says softly. I nod, blushing.

                Justin smiles, and looks ahead. He clicks his tongue and starts Flinn forward. It seemed as if we would finally be starting our search for Adrinna.