King of the Seditious

Rhyers’ House, Mane Country

THE NAUVREE

“Oh no…” Dimurah shook her head frantically. Having just been told by a man she called friend, The Nauvree, that Savage had arrived here.

In Rhyers’ country house. Where he’d taken her after finding her wandering the perilous land bridge between Sourthern Vale and Sanctuary Island.

She backed up still shaking her head in denial. Refusing to accept that he’d found her already. “No. No!”

She turned and fled from the parlor into the entryway, heading for the stairs. “He’s not taking me back! He won’t find me!”

She was barreling up the stairs.

“Far too late for that, Murah.” He boomed from the entryway.

When did he come in? I didn’t hear the door. The Nauvree frowned.

The bloody man is as quiet as Rhyers. The Nauvree glanced at the tall dark-haired man who seemed as startled as he was.

He didn’t hear him either…That’s unsettling.

She froze on the stairs. Ducking her head. Holding very still.

“What is she doing?” Rhyers asked. “Why isn’t she turning around?”

“I don’t know.” The Nauvree shrugged. “People tend to this around Savage Jack.”

“Freeze?”

“They seem to think it will make them invisible.”

“Certainly, that’s never worked.” Rhyers looked at him astonished.

“Never…But they keep trying.”

“I see you.” He announced. Voice crystal clear in the dead silence.

She remained unmoving.

“Don’t make me chase you up the stairs.” He sighed.

She stiffened.

“Don’t. Don’t do it.” He warned.

But The Nauvree was certain they all knew what was about to happen. No one was shocked when she jumped into motion. Clutching her blue skirt and diving up the stairs, two at a time.

Growling, Savage Jack rushed up the stairs after her.

She squawked and ran faster.

“Is he going to hurt her?” Rhyers looked worried. Taking a step forward.

The Nauvree put a hand to his chest to stop him. “I don’t think so.”

I hope not.

But he’ll kill you for trying to intervene either way.

“The look of him was depraved.”

He’s not wrong. The Nauvree considered what it’d look like to see Savage Jack’s for the first time. Black hide clothing, dirtied boots, kill beads clicking in twisted lengths of hair, a fierce expression, and cutting blue eyes.

He does look brutal.

But not nearly as much as he is.

The Nauvree cleared his throat before urging. “Let’s just wait down here.”

“What if he harms her?” Rhyers gnawed a cheek. “That didn’t move like a normal man.”

“It’s not.”

“What was it?”

“Well…”

How the hell do you describe Savage Jack. You could describe a hundred men but when you pointed to Savage Jack you’d pause and say… “And then there’s that…”

“He is the King of Assassins.” The Nauvree reluctantly admitted.

“And you brought him here?” Rhyers’ light green eyes rounded to nearly the same extent as Dimurah’s had.

“Well,” The Nauvree winced. “Once I told him I knew where she was, I had little choice.”

“Why?”

“I think their mates.”

Kind of.

“Like we have mates?”

Sort of.

“Yes…” The Nauvree shifted uncomfortably.

“You sound unsure. Is she his mate or he hers?”

The Nauvree mulled over the question. His blue-green eyes shifting upward and side to side as he considered both options. Unable to make a determination. “I’m not wholly certain…”

“So, he may be kidnapping her?” Rhyers’ voice rose.

“Perhaps…”

“I find you less than reassuring. I’ve told you she’s like a young sister.”

“Well, that’s good. I fear if you found her as much else, he’d be trying to cut your throat.” The Nauvree nodded to the floor above where there were several thumps. And a grunt like someone had been punched.

They both stared at the ceiling apprehensively.

SAVAGE JAXSON

“Dimurah!” He shouted as he topped the stairs.

She sent a furtive look over her shoulder and ran faster.

“Stop this idiocy.” He slowed to a jog to persuade her but seeing her determination. He tossed his head and amped up his speed.

Running past her, to step into her path.

Gasping she leapt backward and turned to change directions.

More sure-footed he danced around her and slammed a palm to the wall to intercept her.

She reared back and switched direction again and he put an arm to that side, backing her until she was flush against the wall.

Panting she looked both directions desperately.

“Don’t.” He warned.

She opened her mouth to scream.

He slapped a gentle hand over her lips. “I don’t know that man down there.” He gave her a pointed look. “Don’t make me kill him.”

If he comes to your rescue, he’s going to bring a weapon.

Looking mournful, her shoulders fell in defeat.

Are you willing to listen now?

She put both hands against his chest and shoved him hard.

He didn’t budge so she began to hit him in the abdomen and chest. The way I taught her to.

He grunted as one caught him in-between breaths. Snagging one wrist made her flail harder with the other. He caught the other as well. Leaning forward to pin them between their bodies. His eyes narrowed on her. Expression cool. “Why are you running from me?”

You’ve never fled me.

“You’re not taking me back.” Blue eyes were desperate.

“No. I’m not.”

She blinked rapidly looking very confused.

He released her wrists and lifted his hands to cup her cheeks. Pressing his lips to hers until she returned the kiss. Tossing her arms around his shoulders to get closer. Pressing against him so fiercely he had to back up a step.

He returned her passion. Kissing her as fervently and walking her back against the wall again. To kiss her viciously until he relented. Slipping sideways against her right shoulder to look at her profile from a few inches away. “Don’t run from me. I won’t make you go back.”

She nodded. Brow knitting with emotion as she stared back at his smooth handsome features.

“I missed you.” He confessed. Stroking those gentle fingertips along her fine brows in his characteristic way.

She tilted sideways to tip her forehead against his. He met her in the motion.

Telling me she missed me too.