King of the Seditious

“I must meet this man, in truth!”

“You will.”

“But he has lost his mate. She is turning toward the demons.”

“Is that a concern of yours?”

“I’m making it so. From everything I’ve ever seen of the King of the Castle of Water, all he does is good. All he does is protect everyone around him. For once, I think one should do everything they can for his happiness.”

“And that’s you.” She supplied.

“I’m hoping I can sway her.”

“Why you and not him?”

“She and I are closer to the same.”

“Should that worry me?”

He froze. Blinking rapidly in shock. “Since when do you ever think you have to worry about anything?”

“Merely asking.”

“Never, Murah. You’re all I desire.”

She beamed up at him. “Good to hear. Because it’s mutual.”

“I must ask you something than.”

“What?”

“Have you ever felt as a captive in the Blue Lark.”

Her brow furrowed. “Absolutely not! By whom? You?”

He nodded. Realizing she thought he was crazy by asking. And greatly relieved by the question.

“Never! If anything, you’re my captive.”

“Me?” His brows shot up in confusion.

“I always try to keep you. I never let you leave.”

“I leave anyway.”

“Not because I let you. Doesn’t that still make you a captive.”

“I suppose one that keeps getting away.” He laughed.

“Are you though?”

“Never.” He shook his head. “I’m yours, Woman.”

“Then tell me more.” She dropped one of his hands so she could grip her skirt and back up to where he lay. Sitting down on his bedding, and waiting for him to join her. She was rapt with curiosity. “What are you going to do to try to get this woman back to him.”

“Rationalize with her. Animal to animal.”

“What can I do to help?”

“Don’t disappear while I’m gone.”

“I’m very certain I couldn’t disappear.” She frowned. “Everyone knows who I am. And someone would be bound to bring me back to you.”

“I’m going to destroy the Ocnomad Realm.” He asserted.

“Because of the crowns on me.”

“Definitely.”

“Not for revenge?”

“It will be in absolute revenge.” He announced. “For trying to take what’s most important to me.”

She grinned. Flushing with pleasure.

“I’m going to free my mentor.” He continued. “Chavias Derenoe. I won’t stop until he is free from beneath the demon’s hand.”

She widened her eyes. “You’re going to take Radix head on?”

“If I must.”

She breathed in worry. Nodding slowly. “Okay.”

“Will you be mine now, Woman?”

“You mean before everyone.”

“I mean can I tell them that you belong to me.”

She grinned as though he were very naïve. “They already know, Jax but you may do whatever you wish.”

“I just want to say it.”

“Then say it to whomever you wish.”

He nodded. Lifting her hand and pressing his lips to the back of it.

“I think first you should try to reason with the woman.”

“Easier said than done.”

“I don’t think so.” Dimurah said thoughtfully. “You can be very persuasive. She will come to you.”

“Not this woman.”

“I think she will…” Dimurah said. “If this man is like you, she will want him.”

“I think she does.”

“Then you are the next best thing…”

He was startled, considering that. “Perhaps…”

“Wait for her…” Dimurah said. “She’ll come to you.”

***

Things with Dimurah became incredible.

There was nothing concealed between them. They were no longer at war.

When he walked into Winters Haven, she aimed straight for him and met him at the counter. Much of the time she forgot to even ask what he wanted to drink. Leaning over it and resting her elbow atop it to drop her chin in her palm.

As eager to talk to me as I am her.

The cold season had begun. Snowfall lay over everything like a silk blanket. Shimmering along each treetop and over the ground.

Making everything look skeletal. Bare remnants of what they were in Spring.

“It’s nearly holiday time.” He remarked. Faintly dreading leaving her.

Chilly nights like this were when she was especially close. Enjoying snuggled up to him beneath the furs, savoring his unnatural heat.

He’d taken to splaying his gold wings to fold around them, blocking out any breeze that dared creep into the tent.

She’d curl against him within that shelter.

Hanging on like she didn’t want to let go.

Those were some of his favorite moments.

She picked up a cloth and wiped the sticky dampness of ale from her hands. “You’ll be going out.”

He nodded. “To do the deliveries.”

“Be careful.” She urged. “Come back to me soon.”

He lowered his head in assent and turned. Walking toward the door He gave Phalanx the customary long look from across the alehouse.

Phalanx nodded in understanding. Assuring that he would be there taking care of her, should the need arise.

When he reached the door, he paused to look at her over his shoulder.

She met his glance. Lifting her chin to tell him she’d be there when he got back.

He smiled, turning and stepping into the dark. His eyes flashing gold in the dim light. Crossing the courtyard, he whistled for Delcourt.

The stallion charged from the stable. Not even pausing as it ran a circle around him.

He caught its mane and hauled himself up. Heading out the back gate and toward the direction of Grier Country. Where his men had already assembled with several carriage loads of goods.

He topped the hill just beyond it. Knowing that it was a few days before Sebastian and his men usually arrived with the same.

Though they’d been tapering off in the last year. Guessing he’d beat them to it.

As I’m going to this year.

The Seditious Lot whooped when they saw him coming down the snow-capped hill on his black.

“There ye are, Yer ’ighness!”

Savage’s mouth danced, hiding a grin.

They began unloading. Going to one house than another. Earning his Seditious Lot more than just the feared name they prided themselves on.

Savage rather enjoyed watching marked, scarred, eye-patched miscreants turning into schoolboys as they handed elderly grandma’s bags of treats and food that would last well through the snowy season.