Page 29 of Dawn to Dusk
The hands on my hips yanked me closer to him and wrapped me into a yeti hug that relaxed me from head to toe. He laid us down on my bed and held me like that until I fell asleep.
When I awoke, we were still in the same spot. He looked so peaceful with his hands behind his neck. My finger traced the blue tribal tattoo on his chest and the various scars splattered across his alabaster skin. Most of the marks were bites ofall shapes and sizes from fighting other beasts for food or to maintain his alpha status. Beasts weren’t the only ones after him. Evidence of blade slices took up a good amount of real estate on his body too.
A burn was permanently branded into the skin of his arm. My fingers slid over the raised skin remembering how I panicked when he chomped my entire thigh into his humongous jaw. I believed he would tear me apart. In pure terror, I burst out the flame as a last effort to save my life. I still had scars where his teeth sunk into my outer thigh like I was made of butter.
“I hate that one.” He told me with a sleep-filled voice.
“Why?”
“At first, it was a badge of honor. I survived you. Now I remember how I attacked you, and it makes me sick.”
“It was war.”
“That concept isn’t doing anyone favors.”
“Probably not.” A vicious circle of hate that created hurt that only made more hate. A wagon wheel of conflict. Exactly how my mother wanted it. “But I don’t hold it against you.”
Later that afternoon, as I minded the wards, Ziam came to my side. “Good afternoon, Enchantress.”
I laughed at the new nickname. “You make it sound like I’ll lure you to my bed and trap you there.”
“I’m hoping for it.”
“Then say that, Ziam.”
He winked at me.
“Did you enjoy playing with yourself while Edur fucked me?” I asked him knowingly. I suspected that was why he creeped behind a tree.
“I did.” He leaned to whisper in my ear. “I’ll enjoy it more when it’s my turn.”
A smirk tugged at my lips. Every day here grew better and better. Maybe I didn’t ruin my life by committing treason after all.
A job I liked. Two beasts keeping me entertained. Lots of knowledge to learn. What was the downside? Other than being outcasted from my home and family, which was not the worst loss I experienced.
“Who said you could have a turn?” But my core grew wet with just the idea.
“Your eyes. Your scent.” He inhaled and rolled his eyes back. The sound in his chest reminded me of a stallion when a mare was in heat. “If Edur was into sharing, you would have invited me then.”
“I don’t think sharing is his problem.” Edur invited me to join an orgy after all, but I also didn’t understand why he dismissed Ziam either. Ziam shrugged and put my arm through his in a gentlemanly fashion. “What is your actual job here? I assume it is not carrying groceries.”
His long purple hair blew in the wind, making him look like a genuine stud. He grinned at me. “I use my support magic to help the warriors, and I lure game to the area for the hunting party. Unicorns attract most species.”
“Who is the succubus now?” I gasped playfully. “Is that how you keep attracting my attention?”
“It does not work on witches, unless you count the fact that their endless curiosity and sex drives lead them to me.”
I laughed with him. He kept me company as I checked on the northern wards, and the man wasn’t joking. Deer, squirrels, and hogs appeared a lot more frequently than usual. Lots of animals even followed us around.
“Are there any other special perks that come with being a unicorn that I should know about?”
“Would you like to ride me?”
I stared at him. When I couldn’t tell which way he meant, I finally answered. “Yes.”
His lips twitched with amusement. “Do you even know what you have signed up for?”
“Not really.”
