Page 96 of Heirs of the Cursed

He moved faster, taking her as she so begged, until they both found the perfect rhythm. Naithea kissed him again, feeling another orgasm building inside her. She was losing herself in his arms, begging for more, begging for him.

With one last thrust, they both climaxed, feeling the commander’s hot seed spilling inside her without separating their lips from each other.

Naithea’s body was still trembling seconds later, but Ward’s caresses on her neck and shoulder undid her completely, holding her for a long time until she knew that no matter what happened, wherever he went, that was where she wanted to be.

27

Dawnfall

The torches that roared around the ring of the main circus tent illuminated the little faces of the children as Darcia hummed anancient ballad of love, hate, betrayal and greed. A ballad of dark kingdoms and chained fates.

The Ballad of the Desert Dance.

Many years ago, when she was a child, she’d met a merchant with a rather irritating temper. Among the articles he was selling, she found a book. Her friends had thought that buying it was a waste of her money since the spine was worn and most of the pages torn, but Darcia became obsessed. She was so fixated on it that she’d once brought the candle too close to read the traces of the ancient handwriting, unintentionally burning the sheets of her bed with its wax.

It was among the old pages that she found one of the passages intact. She’d read it so many times it was now engraved in her mind.

The children clapped every time Darcia finished a verse, and when she closed the book, they all protested.

“Again, again,” asked Corrin, one of the youngest, whose pale skin had darker patches due to a birthmark.

“I’m afraid it’s time to go to bed,” Darcia said. They all complained once again. “The day after tomorrow I’ll bring books for us to read together, all right?”

The blonde girl on her lap turned to face her. Through the warm flames of the torches, Darcia admired the scars that streaked down her eye and cheek as the little girl looked at her with sadness.

“You promised you would sleep with us one day.”

Darcia stroked her back and kissed her cheek. “I must prepare for this week’s show, but I promise we’ll soon. I’ll even bring chocolate cookies. What do you think?”

“Yes!” they all shouted in excitement.

A few of them rush up to hug her tightly. For Darcia, those kids who treated her like an older sister were one of the reasons leaving Dawnfall was a difficult choice to make.

All the people in the circus were important to her.

She’d been thinking of a way to set them free. On how to cut the chains of their suffering and give them back their freedom. Darcia wanted to be cautious with her thoughts, but she couldn’t help but entertain the idea of asking the young soldier, the one Bassel had feelings for, help.

Her friend had introduced her to Gallen. He’d been kind and friendly as they had strolled around the forest, talking about his new position in the Royal Army. But Gallen’s life could also be in danger if she asked that of him.

“Come on, complain no more. Off to bed.” She stood up, before assuring them, “Tomorrow will be a better day.”

She spoke those words with conviction, wanting to cling to hope with all her might. Yet that flame of faith was suddenly extinguished when thunderous shouts broke out nearby.

The explosions and commotion shook the ridge of the tent. Panic overflowed her as she scrambled to her feet and gathered all the children into her arms. She saw their wide eyes, filled with panic.

“Darcie?” Corrin asked in a trembling voice. “What’s happening?”

“Stay here. Don’t leave unless I tell you to, understand?”

“But Darcie . . .”

“Don’t go out,” she ordered, trying to remain calm. Tabil, the youngest child, began to cry. Darcia went over to him and caressed his misshapen face, placing a soft kiss on his forehead. “I’ll come back for you. I promise.”

The world fell violently on her shoulders as she looked at the children one last time. Innocent souls in an evil world that wanted to break them. She smiled at them, a promise that all would be well, before heading outside the main tent.

Darcia let out a gasp as chaos swept through the circus. People scattered wildly. Wails and cries of panic flooded her ears. Shewatched men and women shouting names in a fit of fear. Some of them fell to the ground, only to scramble back up and flee in terror.

Toward the forest.

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