Worse than that he remembered...
Madame Lili sighed with growing displeasure at the Moor standing in front of her, struggling to assimilate the meaning of those words. She hadn't heard the name Lilandra for a long time.
She was still a young woman. Beauty still stood out in the well-made body with suggestive curves. In her youth, Lili had been a young woman like any other until difficulties put her dreams in total destruction. She was a survivor of the first attack on Glenhouse. For years the orphaned girl had lived sheltered among sorcerers. She had been created by Lady Koriander's company. Everything happened after that.
The intervention of the wolves had been a mercy for a young woman again without a home or family. Lili had all her life been protected by Koriander and would feel as if she were the death's daughter of the lady and queen of sorcerers. Only the king was never so merciful. James of Macgrover had hoped that the sentries responsible for the wife's safety would be condemned. Lili expected to have the same fate when Lizandra decided to spare her at her brother's request.
She even after years remembered the child born that day, bringing the mother's death. He was a child of special blood. Just as they spoke like prophecies.
For a long time, the welcomed girl had lived in Scarlet Castle. Long enough to witness other tragedies because of that endless war. Like the clan, she too had mourned the murder of Rory Morgan. There were orders that no one was spared. Women or old people. Willian survived to grieve the loss of his sister and sister-in-law. In addition to his wife.
As the only adult survivor of the family, the man had taken in his nephews. That was how the Council of Elders had established its power over the leadership of these people. Lili had cherished the wildest dreams then because of the passion she had for that man. They had helped to raise the girls, though the difficulties between them had only gotten worse. The way the younger was treated was absurd.
Kassumim. Lili sighed deeply. Many times she had observed the rebellious and wild nature of the woman. She had much of her father's temperament. She was suspicious and unfortunately for everyone an empath. She could pick up on the thwarted emotions her presence caused among the elders. It was never possible to please them. That had been forged into her behaviour a compulsive need. The woman never followed orders. She was a natural rebel who defied orders.
Once again, Lili was surprised. The gaze of the large, black slave beside her was guarded. Lili knew that Mouro would do whatever she asked. He was her trusted man. He owed that man his life. Since she'd left Scarlet, life had held many obstacles when arriving in Chabone. She had with difficulty established herself in a tavern that received privateers arriving from a trip. The place also housed girls who entertained and entertained the new arrivals.
Friends of hers already knew the severity of the tavern and how careful she was with the older girls who worked in the function. Lili always did everything to ensure their safety. They were generally women abandoned after society considered them too old for marriage after the age of twenty-one. Whenever possible, they all enjoyed privileges within their establishment and were always sought after in the region. When an opportunity to achieve a more secure and respected life presented itself, the occasion was celebrated with festivities.
-You know, keep calm. You'll find her sooner than you think. Chabone isn't that big of a deal and the woman is a natural attractor of trouble. But I suggest you do it differently. It usually works out. - Mouro showed white teeth in a smile as he shook his head, getting up.
-Do what? - Morgan gets angry.
In fact, Richard's irritation only grew. He hoped to have found his wife still inside the castle. A battle had cost the lives of good warriors to regain power in the fortress. And yet...
It wasn't possible. Damn jealous woman. And damn taunts from Padraic, the ex-father-in-law.
-To beg. Say you love her. It usually works out. Morgan.
- Come on, don't believe in that nonsense that women talk about. Love? It was going to be another miserable night. I'm certainly not a begging man. And I doubt by my wife's furious temper that it will please her. You can be sure of that.
She was in his bed.
Morgan could hear her passionate sighs as her mouth sought his, the small, delicate body beneath hers enveloping and enveloping him. It was so much better than he could remember. Not even with Katie was the experience so pleasurable.
She was his. Only his. Her muscles tensed and he was lost in her with the knowledge that he was home, knowing that a woman shuddered contentedly in her arms. Oh Kassuim...
He could never have imagined the complete union wolves experienced until she came into his life. It wasn't just physical satisfaction though sex was heavenly with her. It was the communion of thoughts. He knew exactly what she wanted when he touched her silky smooth skin. She was everything he wanted. Or we could wait.
The woman looked sadly at him, sleepy and terribly provocative in his arms, their bodies intertwined after their lovemaking.
She was on her feet. She was looking at him so surprised by the revelation that he was her husband Richard Morgan could rant. Damn James and all his offspring. The woman was walking away from him. Thalagar watched her with satisfaction. Kassuim starts to walk away, hurt, away from the immense and sad eyes too big in the contracted and haggard face. It was becoming just an image just fuzzy and distant.
Not! Do not do this! It wasn't because of Will. It was never Will, he thought in despair.
His green eyes mirrored only hurt when she had turned away, giving him her back to walk away.
He was going to explain. He hadn't expected to discover that a young woman who had saved her life was an independent woman capable of taking care of her own life. God, she handled swords and pistols as well as he did. How could he protect her if she couldn't trust him and risk anything? If anything happened to her... Mercy. Did that fool know about the difficulties that people like her suffered? She wasn't even of the majority faith.
-Cassie, don't go. I love you. I don't want you to go...
She was simply gone. Believed that marriage was just an obligation for him and single-handedly decided to save him from a grievous burden. He could no longer see her, and Thalagar's laughter was outrageous as he made light of her pain.
Cassie!
She was gone forever. No way could he find her.
Morgan awoke, startled and frightened, in the dark of the dying dawn.
It was a curse. It was just a dream. Very vivid and erotic. Her body was tense and heated, still aroused by the few images that faded from her. He muttered in annoyance as he sat down on the bed. He had become a fourteen-year-old again. Just imagining the feel of that hot mouth on his body made him curse.
Absurd. I'm a man. You can't act like that.
He looked around the crestfallen. It was another day. Without her. Even in the darkness, he was thinking as he remembered the details of the dream. Cassie always liked to tease him. She used the natural telepathy between them to surprise him, making his fantasies come true. Despite the emptiness that oppressed his chest, the dream had been so real that he had become uncomfortable in bed.
She was hurt by him and was trying to pull away because of her. He deserved the pain that gnawed at him without any mercy.
He closed his eyes and went back to sleep. As soon as day broke, he would reassemble his men and start searching again.
The cave was almost dark and the silence was peaceful and comforting. All he heard was her breath calm and soft against her chest as he slept. In the morning they would leave. Richard imagined the reaction of the brothers when he returned accompanied by a wife. As soon as he arrived in Scarlet, he would arrange for the wedding and a big party to celebrate. He hadn't felt so satisfied or happy in years. What you don't think about... He didn't remember Katie. She was Gypsy.
-Gypsy, I need help...- His voice came in a plea.
And there was no answer. That time the spirit of the witch did not respond to his call.
And everything had gone wrong. The marriage he had never worked out. He was making the same mistakes as Cassie.
He wouldn't sleep either. This time he would be waiting for Thalagar. The bastard wasn't going to have the opportunity to find Kassuim alone and helpless to take her by force away from there.
For a moment his eyes closed and he shifted on the bed disoriented. The bed was empty. Kassuim was not beside him.
She couldn't have gone that far. Her screams echoed through the cavern walls and only the echo of her voice is the lonely answer to your worst nightmares. The woman had disappeared. God, Thalagar was going to... His breath caught for a moment as he thought of what could happen to her. If Thalagar got his hands on his woman...
He sat up in bed panting. Another damn nightmare. He could hardly believe that the night was over and that the overcast day was starting to lighten in the overcast, drenched sky.
"You let her go. You left her alone...".
His reflection in the mirror was strange and distant as he scratched his stubble. Where could she be? At the very least he should have given her nightmares after everything that had happened. She would probably hate it.
Morgan can't remember feeling this depressed or unhappy since the morning he found out that Katie had died because of him. How could he not have considered the possibility that Thalagar would have the temerity to search the corsairs' camp, taking advantage of his being away from the woman? Hell, Thalagar was the damn omega of the pack and trying to measure strength with him.
Dismayed, he fetched his clothes and washed, wetting his weary face. The nightmares were becoming a torture routine after the gruelling days of torture. She wouldn't stay in town.
Morgan remembered the last time she'd run away and… The cave… Maybe she'd have the shelter there until she decided what to do.
Small hope buoyed him as he put on his clothes and checked weapons and ammo.
He needed to find her. He was going to explain that he had nothing more to do with Mayra. He wasn't the type of man used to making decisions based on obligations. He wanted the woman more than he wanted to breathe. He was going to have to find a way to work this out and convince her. But before that he finds her.
"Where are you?"
It was complicated. A witch? How did he handle it?
-You do not look well. - the female voice sounded disguised as she approached the table.
Morgan's gaze fell on Michael and Jackie grimly. The tavern was full and it was still night. For the past few days, Cassie had kept him so busy that she hadn't had time to think about anything other than the frustrating searches.
He was embarrassed and embarrassed forced a smile. Mayra. God!
At least Kassuim wasn't there to be jealous and get carried away by that damn irritating temper. She was the fairest of all. The spirit of a burned witch...
Mayra smiled as she hid her smile behind the fan she was fanning herself with and adjusted her embroidered skirt. She was considered one of the most beautiful women in Madame's tavern. At twenty-two, she was unusually beautiful and her skin an exotic porcelain colour did not deny her origins.
He found himself once again lost in the sands of time. It was the city of Salem again.
Cursing, he shifted restlessly. After all, it might have been the perfect occasion to make it clear to Mayra that from then on there would only be friendship between them. Even so, he doubted Kassuim would welcome the idea. She certainly wouldn't tolerate any relationship between you and that woman. Even more so if the beautiful courtesan was blamed for her sister's death. She shook her head.
-How are you, Mayra? - if with forced calm.
Mayra smiled wider without paying attention to Michael or Jackie.
-You arrived in Chabone a few days ago and from a wrong impression I can assume that you avoided me, chéri? she teased coquettishly as she flung her arms around his neck.
Morgan rolled his eyes. He was going to kill the first wretch who decided to spill the beans. Padraic would be first on the list. If he could find his wife.
-That's not it, Mayra... I need your help. Can you help me find...
She watched his drawn face and tired expression.
-You've been better. she-she teased her before kissing him on the mouth and was surprised by his reaction.
Michael beside him cleared his throat tensely while Jackie smothered a smile.
- Mademoiselle, our gallant Commodore has been abandoned. – The pirate sipped rum while winking generously at the courtesan.
Mayra's eyes widened in surprise. Lately, the magic was much stronger. She could slowly begin to take physical shape.
-Were you able to find your missing beautiful wife? - she laughed. - Come on, my dear. For the love of the Goddess, look around her. Anyone would be happy to share your bed, though the honour is mine. If she was so futile as to believe Padraic's taunts... Her miserable ex-father-in-law, Rick... It was a regrettable mistake of hers.
Offer me beautiful flowers. And a nice bottle of cider. I like red flowers. And maybe you can think about helping him. You hate it when your wife goes around acting like a man and uses the nickname Kassuim, doesn't she? Well then. Cassie was never one to take teasing too easily.