Warlord's Ward

What's Next

I'd blinked up at Killian. Unsure how I could possibly respond to him confessing that I had made his heart beat again. And that he suddenly wanted to live the remainder of his life.

I'd given him something to look forward to again. That warmed me in deeper places than even those he currently stroked.

I sucked in my lip as I fought a twining climax which rose higher and higher like a great wave that would inevitably come crashing down in a wild tirade.

When it did, I lifted my head to let him watch me. My lips parting as I panted desperately for precious breaths of air which now seemed far too hard to collect.

The night had been filled with lovemaking which had been completely different then all before.

Warmer. More sultry and filled with a sort of emotion he hadn't revealed before.

Only in the middle of the night, did I sit up as I fully took in what he'd said earlier in the day.

When morning came I was pleasantly exhausted and feeling closer to him than I ever had anyone...

His touches had been so intimate that they melted my very soul. His caresses on my hair and face had been promises to cherish me. And the way he took his time sliding into me and ensuring my pleasure before his had made my hurt heart tremble then fracture.

He's making me feel things too.

***

After he'd killed my family and Clements, I'd doubted I'd ever be able to care for someone again. He's the last one I'd thought I might develop feelings for.

"So what is your plan, Killian?" I asked.

He stiffened and gave me a startled look.

I peered up at him from where I was huddled against his bare chest. "What?"

"That's the first time you've used my name without prompting."

"Perhaps I don't see you as the vicious Warlord any longer."

"I am nonetheless." He said in a soft voice.

"Perhaps to those who don't know..."

"Well, I like the sound of my name on your tongue."

I gave him a tender smile.

"What did you ask me?" He seemed so lost in his surprise he hadn't tracked my conversation.

"You're not quite on your toes, as usual today, are you?"

"Someone threw me off balance last night." He grinned at me.

"I asked what we're going to do today. With the book? Are we going to get your sister."

"That is my plan for this evening. But I need to see what's going on in the Training Gardens and how many I might be able to take with me."

"You'd take the mages?"

"They're as much my people as the wolves."

"I don't think any of them would ever expect you to look out for them like that."

"They've no idea how long I've been looking out for them."

"When King Detry began slaughtering them, it was I that persuaded him to recruit them for his Guild. As rough as their lives have been. They got to live...And some even got their freedom back."

Hawk. I remembered him telling me.

"What about the wolves?"

His eyes grew hooded, and he looked away. "I tried just as hard to persuade him they'd be useful but he's so afraid of them. His hatred for wolves and mages is beyond anything I've ever seen. He'd kill us all if we weren't so useful in spreading his terror throughout the kingdom."

An effective tool at terrifying his subjects into submission.

If one does not obey the King...Mages may come hunting. That would've scared even me. Had I known that was even a possibility. But my Aunt and Uncle had kept me so carefully sheltered, I'd had no idea.

"But the wolves he saw as rogue beasts that couldn't be managed." He finished. Aggravation making his eyes brighten to a wolfish yellow sheen.

"Why?"

"Because of their indomitable spirit."

"Because he could barely control you?" I guessed.

"Only by using my sister and the threat of harming her. Then after he had by the threat of killing her. He says now that should I not obey him, he'll puff out her little wisp of smoke like blowing out a candle."

I held my breath. Horrified at the prospect. And seeing Killian in a different light. He's chosen to be a slave. To keep her alive.

And how it must've killed him to know he could slaughter that King any moment but not before one of his subjects succeeded in getting to BailaLae.

"Please be careful down there." I chewed my cheek. "If you're right, some of those mages would have you dead."

"It's possible they'd believe that my death would buy them their freedom. They don't realize the King's grip on me."

I suddenly felt such sympathy for him. Wanting to do more to help him be free. I imagined how fierce he'd be when the King held nothing over him.

He'd be a hell of an adversary for King Detry. Even standing alone...If he was free.

And I suspected I'd get to see that playful grinning side of him which had seemed so rare so far. When his blue eyes danced and a wide grin split his face. Making perfect squared teeth gleam like pearls in the morning sunshine.

Wouldn't he be a sight to behold then?

And I imagined what it'd feel like to walk next to someone so powerful. For others to look at us and know I was his.

And he's mine... That little bit was the hint of my she-wolf wanting to claim what she was already thinking of as her mate.

You don't know that. I reminded her. Be patient. Be cautious.

Don't let your heart run away with your head.

You are just a captive. I reminded myself. Making my stomach sink. I hated remembering that. I was rather enjoying us as different people in a different world.

Where I was free...

***

Killian kissed me. Pulling on his black pants, shining black boots, flowing black shirt and topping it with his overcoat which split down the tail and ran to sit along his knees. Tossing on his buccaneer hat and swiping the brim in a little wave toward me. Offering me a roguish grin.

"I'll be back soon, Sweetheart. Then I'll see what freedom I can give you..." And there was true hope in his voice now.

I watched him go but something didn't feel right. My gut was tight. My chest felt constricted, and I abruptly wanted to shriek for him not to go, just as the door closed. My instincts were screaming that danger was coming.

I slid to my feet and found myself going to the door. Putting my hand against the wood and sensing he was already gone. I tried the lever but found it wouldn't give.

I'm still locked in. For some reason that stung deeply.

But more than that, it caused me grave alarm.

Something is wrong. Very, very wrong.

I wondered if King Detry had already realized the book was missing.

Doubtful. I told myself. Remembering the layer of dust that had surrounded it and the film of it resting on the cover.

He doesn't pull it out often.

Only when he's of a mind to be cruel.

What if he went looking and found it gone? But, I told myself, he'd be looking for a chubby maid that didn't exist.

Not me.

Not Killian.

I hoped...