Chapter Twenty-Two #2
“It’s simple when you don’t have a conscience.
We Equitae are proof of his hunger for power and dominance.
Did you know there are fewer than a thousand of us left in Heartwood?
We once numbered in the hundreds of thousands, with hundreds of herds roaming across Kaladia.
If you could have seen us then—free to remain in our Horse Forms for months, even years. ”
I watch him now—this large, strong, intimidating Equitae with moisture brimming in his eyes. I gently place my hand on his knee and nod for him to continue.
“Then The Corruption came, and our herds turned on each other, all fighting for the same scraps of fertile land to survive. But while we battled amongst ourselves, King Malaxor began destroying entire herds—not out of necessity, but because he believed Earthbound Fae were the true protectors and Guardians of Kaladia and all we deserved was annihilation.”
I feel his tension beneath my hand and withdraw it.
“I’m sorry that happened to you,” I whisper.
“Don’t be. I don’t hate you personally for what he’s done, not like some do.
I’ve always suspected he twisted history to serve himself.
What matters now is our fight to keep Heartwood and its Equitae safe.
If you’re a means to that end, I trust Reth will do what needs doing.
” He huffs out a breath, and his yellow eyes flash in my direction.
“Now I feel like a right bastard for saying that to you.”
“I understand. I might not be so easily willing to lose my life, but I know what my captivity means for the Equitae.”
He huffs and tips his glass back, finishing the Fae Wine in one gulp.
“Want another? Then we dance.”
“I’d love another, but I don’t dance.”
“I’ll change your mind.” He winks, striding across the tent to grab more drinks.
I watch the children steal cakes from the food table while I wait for him, when my chair jerks backwards and I tumble to the ground.
Before I can understand what’s happened, a strong hand grabs my arm and yanks me under the tent’s edge.
My hair falls in a chaotic mess around my face.
I try to brush it aside to see who’s grabbed me when a heavy boot crashes into my stomach, knocking the air from my lungs.
I curl around the pain, clutching my belly as another kick strikes my back.
I cry out as agony radiates through me in sharp waves.
A hand wraps around my throat, pulling me to my feet and slamming me against a tent pole. I cry out again at the fresh jolt of pain in my back.
“You dirty fucking whore,” a voice hisses into my face. All I can see are the blinding glow of green eyes and long curly black hair.
Ceira.
“I—I don’t know what you mean,” I say, her fingers biting into my skin.
“Don’t play coy with me, bitch. I’m his Beta Mare, held above all others. You think a sniff of Earthbound pussy will save you?”
She brings her other hand to my throat, tightening her grip. Black dots dance in my vision as I struggle to breathe. I grip her wrists, trying to pull them away.
“I—don’t—think—that,” I manage between gasps.
She roars—a guttural sound that tears through the air—and slams her fist into my face. My cheek and right eye explode with pain, and my head fills with a dull throb, compounded by the lack of air.
My knees buckle as my legs lose all feeling. Numbness spreads from my fingertips up my arms, and my feeble grip on her wrists falls away, my arms hanging useless.
The blackness creeps in like a hunting beast, slowly stalking its prey. I try to draw a breath, but there’s nothing. My lungs clench painfully in my chest as darkness reaches my eyes, and they flutter shut.
Then I hear his voice—seeming far away yet whispering in my ear.
“I suggest you remove those damn hands from what is mine before I slit your fucking throat.” The order delivered low and controlled—a promise.
I manage to open my eyes and see a short silver dagger resting at her throat, held by a dangerously furious Domanikk.
Her grip loosens, and I manage a small, sweet breath of air.
“If I have to say it again, it won’t be a promise—it’ll be reality. And I’d rather not piss Reth off right now.”
With a hiss through clenched teeth, Ceira drops her hands, and I collapse to the ground.
Rawson appears from inside the tent, his mouth agape as he looks between Ceira, Domanikk, and me.
“What in the name of the Gods is going on?”
“That’s what I want to know, Rawson. You were supposed to be watching her. If I hadn’t come to find you both, Ceira would have killed her.”
Ceira turns to leave, and Domanikk grabs her forearm.
“You lay a hand anywhere on her again, and I’ll make sure Reth rips that Enchantra from your chest and exiles you to the Barrens.”
“Keep your bitch on a shorter leash,” she spits back, shrugging free and sauntering away between the tents.
“Hey, I’m sorry, Dom, but—” Rawson starts.
“Don’t. Just don’t. I’m one second away from putting my hand through your face.
And if you breathe a word to Reth that I have this dagger, I’ll shove it so far up your arse your breath will smell of shit.
” He sheathes the dagger back into its scabbard with a slow, deliberate motion, his eyes never leaving Rawson.
“Take her back to my tent and stay with her until I return. I need to speak to Reth immediately. I’d rather not leave her at all, but this can’t wait. ”
Rawson’s strong arms lift me, and I cry out as pain shoots through my body. The agony makes my head spin, nausea flooding my belly.
Soft lips press to my forehead.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can, my love,” Domanikk says, his voice soft and reassuring as he gently brushes a strand of hair from my face.
Rawson lays me gently down on the blankets. I close my eyes and just lie there, not daring to move. I can’t see him, but I feel Rawson sitting next to me, the air tight with his tension.
“Im—” he starts, voice tight “Damn it … fucking Ceira! Sorry I let you down.”
“You didn’t try to strangle me.” I reply, my voice flat.
“Did you at least have a little fun before that?”
“I did. Thank you, Rawson.”
We fall back into silence.
When Domanikk returns, he tells Rawson to leave. The blankets shift as he sits down beside me. His hand cups my right cheek, and I hiss with pain, my eyes flying open to find Domanikk’s concerned face hovering above mine.
“I’ve brought you a gift,” he says, motioning towards the tent door.
“Hey.” Viveen smiles shyly at me.
“She can help you heal—at least take the pain away and reduce the bruising. Our Enchantra works slightly differently on Earthbound Fae, but it should help.”
I nod, already feeling my body start to stiffen.
“Watch those roving hands,” Domanikk jokes with Viveen as he moves aside to make room for her.
“Your bruises are coming out fast,” she says in a soothing voice.
“I’ll do what I can.” Her hands hover over my cheek, and a warm tingle blooms beneath my skin.
I moan softly as the pain eases into a dull throb.
Viveen’s Enchantra glows from beneath her top—a soft, bright purple light that’s almost comforting.
“Where else?”
I rub my stomach, and she moves her hands over it. The same tingling sensations as before swirl in my belly, and I start to feel much better.
“That all?”
“My back.”
She gestures for me to flip over, and as I do, the full-body aches almost disappear entirely.
“That should do it. I’ll leave some ointment with Domanikk for the bruising,” she says as she finishes, then leans over and lowers her voice “Though I wouldn’t mind being the one to apply it myself.
” Her eyes meet mine, a playful smile curving her lips.
“Ceira is a vicious bitch. But you …” She brushes a strand of hair from my face, her touch gentle. “You’re far more interesting.”
Domanikk’s voice drops low, edged with possessive heat. “Careful, Viv. Keep those hands on her much longer and I might get jealous.”
Viveen’s lips curve up as she trails one last finger along my collarbone.
“Oh, I’m counting on it, Dom. Besides …” Her eyes rake over me slowly before meeting his.
“Something this delicious deserves to be savoured.” She winks at me, her touch lingering just a heartbeat too long before she saunters towards the door. “See you at the Gathering.”
After Viveen leaves, Domanikk holds out his hand, helping me to my feet.
“What the hell was that with Ceira?” I ask as he unscrews the pot of blue ointment.
“She’s Reth’s Beta—his main mare. She’s always been viciously protective of her role and him.”
“She is jealous?! Of what? That Reth punishes and humiliates me whenever he can?”
He pulls my shirt up and motions for me to raise my arms. He lifts it gently over my head, careful to avoid my damaged face.
“It’s more complicated than that. I spoke to Reth, and he’s going to discipline her.
” He purses his lips tightly, his jaw clenching for just a moment before he looks away.
There’s something in his eyes—a flicker of hesitation—and I feel like he’s keeping something from me.
Whatever they discussed, it wasn’t just about discipline.
His fingers are deft and tender as he rubs the ointment into my cheek—cool and soothing against my skin.
He then kneels in front of me and swirls it over the large bruise on my stomach. I let out a small gasp as his fingers tickle over my skin.
“I like this position. So close yet so far.” His eyes drag slowly up my body, dark with intent, before locking onto mine. Keeping eye contact, he leans between my thighs and takes a deep breath, sighing. “So addictively sinful. A corruption I will gladly savour.”
Rising, he moves behind me to apply the ointment onto my lower back, his touch sending a tiny ripple of pleasure below my waistband. His hand comes up, moving my hair aside, and he trails small kisses from my ear down to my neck—still sore from Ceira’s tight grip.
His other hand snakes around my waist, his palm splaying over my belly and pulling me back against his chest. It slides smoothly up towards my breasts, cupping me as his thumb swirls my nipple. My head tilts back to rest on his shoulder as I moan softly—yearning for his gentle touch.
“You smell so fucking delicious,” he whispers, his hot breath soothing against my ear. “I could devour you right now, but we need to get to the Gathering.”
When he lets me go, my disappointment becomes another weight in that locked corner of my heart.
He passes me back my shirt, which I pull on. Then he laces his fingers through mine, kissing our entwined hands as we leave the tent together.