Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) (201 page)

Striking the cobblestones and bending her knees to absorb the impact, she stood and twisted to peer at a wall of fur just inches away.

“Good morning, beast, where might my husband be?”

“Beast is it, my queen?” Borrik replied with an almost jovial tone. “Can you not simply track your husband by scent as I do?”

“I could if you weren’t smelling like that! Yes, I called you a beast. Borrik, you are absolutely horrendous, please take a bath.”

“It has been a while,” Borrik admitted.

“You think? You smell like rotting meat and donkey piss.”

“Oh, so you jumped down here because you were attracted to my scent. Gotcha,” Borrik joked.

“What has gotten into you?” Sara asked with a smile, jabbing a finger into the great werewolf’s chest. “And where on Thurr is my husband?”

“Sorry, my queen, we’ve been playing with the children and I have to admit it’s put me in a good mood.”

“Playing? With children?” Sara almost couldn’t believe her ears. That was something she wanted to see with her own two eyes.

“Yes, my queen. They were playing in the street out front so we joined them for a while. The king has since decided that he should go meet those children with blessings in the academy.”

“Has he now? Well I suppose I will go and introduce him then, as I have met most already. You just concentrate on that bath, beast man.”

Without so much as another word, Sara turned and walked out the gate to the street beyond, smiling at her run-in with Borrik and the thought of the giant werewolf playing with children along with her husband. What was this world coming to?

Standing inside the academy antechamber, Sara looked across the vast room as her husband stood before a group of children seated on the floor. She was beginning to realize that months of peace had changed them all. Grinning at the revelation, she realized that she had never before seen Seth around children. Not like this. She’d seen him alter and augment teens with his abilities, but never just talk to them, and certainly never play with them. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was a natural part of his persona that she’d never experienced before. She could certainly see it being so, at least before all the war and killing. It was nice to see a bit of the innocent, pre-war Seth returning to the forefront. Too bad it wouldn’t last.

“So here you are!” Sara said overly loud, feigning surprise.

“Alas, I have been discovered!” Seth jokingly replied. “Guard me, my miniature heroes, from the wrath that is my beautiful wife.”

Sara smiled as the children giggled and turned to watch her approach, none of them rising up for mock battle.

“It seems you have been betrayed, my good king,” Sara taunted. “These be my minions.”

With that the younger children laughed more excitedly whilst the older of them simply smiled and nodded in agreement. Walking to her husband’s side, she held her hands out as a pair of the youngest children rose to hug her around the waist. At just seven years old, they were too small to understand the dangers and consequences of their blessings. Such was Sigrant’s kingdom, however, that young children had been forced to worship one god after another in hopes of gaining a blessing in order to claim wealth for the parents. In large part it had been a great success for bolstering his army, but now it left behind a legacy of children sworn to and blessed by the very gods that wished them dead. Even now Sara could see the pain and anger behind her husband’s smiling eyes. This was why he had come. Not to meet and greet the children, though she was certain he enjoyed it just the same. No, it was to steel his resolve. It was to remind himself why he couldn’t give up, why he couldn’t give in, and why he couldn’t let the gods win.

Looking from the children, whose arms were still wrapped about her waist, to her husband, she met his eyes and they shared a knowing look. Soon Seth would need to focus himself once more in order to begin the next stage of his plan. Sara knew her time with him was limited, and as such she wanted to make the moments memorable.

“Remember when I said that King Seth would allow each of you to fly?” Sara asked, to a cacophony of shouts and applause. “Well, here he is, who’s going first?” She asked, grinning at her husband’s astonished look.

It was just seconds later when Seth leapt up into the air in the giant antechamber, holding a young girl who clung to him like a cat about to get a bath. There he hovered with her in his arms, flapping his tremendous wings just below the rafters. Once, Sara imagined, he could have grown to be a wonderful father. The gods had likely stolen that future from him now, but at least it was nice to get a glimpse at what could have been.

* * * * *

Lowering the last of the children to the ground, Seth settled his eyes on Captain Xander who had arrived some time ago, but had gone ignored until present. Patting the young boy on the head who had been the last to accompany him into the air, Seth watched his wife and the captain converse in hushed tones a moment. It was obvious that whatever they discussed was important. Both faces were drawn and serious, but that did not deter Seth from smiling in appreciation at the woman he adored. She truly was something else.

Crossing the room, careful to move at a snail’s pace lest he frighten the children, he wondered if an average mortal was even a threat any longer. Even now, if he wished, he could walk to Xander, pick him up, turn him around, and set him back down before the man would even realize any of it was happening. So powerful had Seth become, that he lived at a different rate than other mortals. Time was becoming less and less consequential. With the expansion of his mental capabilities he could ponder for hours and only moments would pass for those around him. But that too was something he had to be cautious of. So disconnected from the flow of time, it was difficult to keep track. Moments could be months or the reverse.

Approaching his allies, Seth nodded as they both turned to greet him with stern faces.

“Your Majesty,” Xander began, “A large force is marching upon us from the northwest.”

“Yes, I know,” Seth admitted, reaching out with his power to check the progress of the invading force for the fifth time in as many days. “It is not clear whether they are a threat or not, Captain. No need to worry ourselves about it yet.”

“But they will be here in just a few days’ time. Should we not prepare for their arrival?”

“And what would we do, Xander? Bring in the herds? Man the walls? Then sit for the next three days waiting?”

“We should be doing something,” Xander replied, obviously feeling helpless.

“We are,” Seth answered. “We are waiting until they grow nearer. They’re in no big hurry, and as such have to realize that we have seen them coming. They are not trying to catch us by surprise, so are likely not a threat.”

“Or they are trying to arrive feeling rested and ready for battle,” Xander shrugged.

“You may very well be right, but the vast majority of their force do not command blessings, and we have already seen what happens when I strip those who do.”

“Very well, my king, but I still intend to increase scout patrols.”

“Utilize Borrik’s men. They can relay information instantly.”

“And what of me, Seth?” Sara asked.

“I thought you could join me on a short trek to the west. I want to take a look at something.”

“Are we to visit Goldenfingers?”

“We may indeed, but our purpose lies yet beyond his new palace.”

“Valdadore?” asked both Sara and Xander.

“Not quite so far as that. I just feel this strange tugging, and need to investigate just what it is.”

“How long until you return?” Xander asked, his mind still on the invaders.

“We’ll be back long before we are needed, Xander.”

Xander obviously took this as Seth’s last words, and as such the king watched him step back and salute before bowing and turning to leave. Allowing Sara to say farewell to the children, Seth then took her hand and they walked together at a human pace, leaving the building behind them. Once back in the street, Seth looked up to a high noonday sun, feeling the warmth of it on his face. Spring was coming soon. Any day would bring enough warmth to melt the last of the snow and then it would be time for farmers to begin preparing their fields to plant. Seth looked forward to it. Spring felt like a renewal. A new beginning. A chance to start over, upon a new path.

Leading his wife down the street, they replied to those who greeted them, and waved to those who waved. They had been accepted here despite their glaring differences to the humans from whence they came. Stepping through the city gate, Seth saluted the guard, a practice that still felt foreign to him, and watched with his vision of the gods as his second-in-command plummeted from out of the sky behind him.

With a great gust of air, Borrik settled to the ground just feet away and turned to face his master.

“Where are we going?” Borrik asked, his question more a growl than words.

“Sara and I are headed west so that I can see what my brother is up to. Something has changed. You’ll be staying here to ensure that Xander doesn’t do anything drastic.”

“He fears the approaching force, as he should,” Borrik replied.

“How do you know something has changed in Valdadore?” Sara asked.

“I can feel it like a tugging on my brain. Something there isn’t right. And you are correct, Borrik. He is wise to be wary. Just be sure that the city remains calm.”

“As you wish,” Borrik grinned, baring the rows of razor-sharp teeth that lined his maw. “I’d feel better if I was going with you, though.”

Seth knew Borrik was worried about him, and was glad to have such a friend and ally. The giant wolf man was invaluable.

“I’m sure Sara will keep me out of too much trouble.”

“I doubt it. That one likes trouble, I think,” Borrik joked.

“This is also true,” Seth added to the jest, turning to look at his bride who stood with an incredulous look on her face. “Why else would she be with the likes of me?”

“It’s a question for the scholars, no doubt,” Borrik said, stretching out his wings and bending his knees. “Keep each other safe. I’ll see to it that Drakenhurst is here when you return.”

With a mighty leap into the air, Borrik flapped his immense wings and began to climb. For a moment, Seth watched him go before grinning to himself.

“You’re dismissed,” the king of Drakenhurst said to the retreating form of his friend.

Sara simply giggled at his jest before adding, “you do not run a traditional court, my love.”

“No. But speaking of running,” Seth began, reaching about himself with his power and dismantling his black robes on a molecular level before consuming them to reveal a simple tunic and breeches beneath. “We need to get moving.”

Chapter Two

Climbing down the stone stairs in silence, Zorbin grumbled inwardly at the current world around him. Valdadore was in shambles. The knights of Gorandor, disbanded. The king, off his rocker. He dare not ask what was next. Already, Garret wanted him to tear down two whole districts of the city, two of those with the least damage, even. It felt like insanity, but from the king’s perspective it all kind of made twisted, uncomfortable sense.

Reaching the base of Valdadore’s defensive wall, the dwarf turned north towards the castle. He was late for a meeting with his engineers already, and wanted to face them about as much as he wanted to have a repeat of the lovely conversation he’d had earlier with the king. Overworked and under-manned, it was all the engineers could do to produce enough work crews to keep the progress moving, and now he had to add to the list of their duties.

Reaching fifth square Zorbin paused, looking ahead at an irregular sight. There, just a square ahead, was what appeared to be a unit of Garret’s Lycans, marching down the street with precision. Though they bobbed up and down with an odd gait and lacked the telltale armor and weaponry of soldiers, their matched strides and timed footfalls were evidence of their purpose. People fled at the approach of the creatures, and Zorbin watched as a small child chasing a kitten across the street was yanked backwards off his feet, his collar securely in his mother’s grasp as she hauled him safely away from the feral monsters.

Halting in their steps without so much as a spoken command, the regiment of Lycan troops turned and broke ranks, filtering into the abandoned homes of the wealthy as the sounds of crashing and destruction filled the street. Those men and women nearest the beasts began to panic and flee, shouting as they ran from the scene. And though the fleeing humans cried for help, Zorbin was forced to ignore their call. With the deed seemingly right in line with the king’s plans, he knew disrupting the creatures would only anger Garret, and as such, drive the wedge between himself and the king all the deeper.

Fighting the urge to summon his blessing and lay waste to the filthy beasts, Zorbin turned east, feeling as if he had turned his back on his duties. It was unnatural, turning away from those who were afraid, those he was sworn to protect. It was just as unnatural that he was at such great odds against his king. But there was nothing to be done about it. Not yet at least.

Striding the final block with his head down, Zorbin looked up from the cobblestones as he approached the tavern and took a deep breath. It was time for his soul to be crushed yet again as he was forced to tell the engineers to abandon their progress and begin dismantling Valdadore’s roots.

* * * * *

Climbing from her lover’s lap, Anna stood and took in the peaceful visage of the very satisfied king upon the great throne of Valdadore. The man seemed at one with the chair, both of them all angular edges with deep ridges and bulk. Anna grinned at the memory of the king’s prowess. She’d had many lovers after becoming the abomination she was, but none with the stamina of the king. It was a terrible shame his mind and will were broken. He was likely an amazing man once. Now only the shadow of that man remained, but a shadow would have to be enough. It was, however, still quite creepy to be called Linaya while in the throes of passion. Giving the king a wry grin as he slumbered in the great stone chair, Anna turned, reaching down to snatch up her simple gown as she strode across the stone floor with renewed hunger growing within her. Heaving the door open, she cast the gown over her shoulder, striding down the hall of the keep without an ounce of modesty. It was a sick game, she knew, but it was fun nonetheless. She wondered who it was that would be playing with her this evening. A guard? A servant boy? A messenger? Only time would tell.

As she strode down the great hall, she focused inwardly, feeling the slow but steady increase of power coming from all her little disciples out there in the world. Growing stronger and faster every day, she couldn’t help but wonder how long she would be able to keep concealed the strength that she carried. There would come a time, she knew, when she would have to give up this little charade in order to fulfill her vengeful desires. Soon, she imagined, it wouldn’t matter if she were exposed. Her strength already rivaled that of a warrior blessed by the gods. She healed from injuries nearly instantly. She no longer had need of things like sleep or food, although feeding gave her great pleasure. Hearing the ruffle of fabric around the corner, she felt the urges within her, knowing that the very pleasure she desired was soon to be realized.

Striding around the corner, Anna came face to face with a young servant girl who stood wide-eyed in disbelief trying her best not to take in all Anna’s bare curves.

“My lady, are you quite alright?” the young maiden asked, fear in her tone.

“I will be,” Sara said, “but I need your help.”

“Anything, my lady. I know it’s not my place, but you shouldn’t be wandering around like…this.”

Reaching up and grasping the girl behind her neck, Anna pulled the pale, blossoming woman to her, sweeping away her auburn hair with her free hand. “I could really use some comfort. You have no idea what I have been through,” Anna feigned.

“My lady, it must have been terrible,” the girl replied, seeing the blood between Anna’s legs, “we should tell the king or the guard.”

It was a curse, having been turned while still a virgin. Having to be torn each and every time she let a man inside her, and now, with her ability to heal it was with nearly every thrust. But, then again, at times like this, the stain of blood between her thighs could add a whole new level of reality to her game.

“We can’t go to the guard,” Anna professed, “It was they who held me down for the beast to have me.”

“By the gods, my lady!” The girl began to cry at the imagined nightmare. “A beast?”

“Yes,” Anna sobbed, pulling the girl who was likely about her own age, closer. “The guards held me while the monster had me again and again,” she added, wrapping her arms around the servant’s lithe frame. “He tore me so badly and laughed at my cries.”

“That’s terrible, surely the king will kill the beast and the guards.”

“No, the king would have no part in bringing me justice. I just want to feel safe and loved right now,” Sara exclaimed through feigned sobbing. She could hear the girl’s heart race faster and faster, could smell the blood rushing through her arteries. Fear and sorrow smelled so much like arousal it was making it hard for Anna to contain herself.

“You are mistaken, Lady Anna. The king adores you, everyone can see it.”

“But who would have me now? Like this? Tainted?”

“Anyone would be lucky to have you, my lady.”

“You? Would you have me?” Anna asked, luring the poor girl into giving permission for her own death. Not that it was required, she just enjoyed it.

“Of course, Lady Anna. You’re…”

Without waiting for the girl to finish her sentence, Anna reached up with both of her hands and grasped at the back of the girl’s simple gown. Clutching the fabric she rent it in two with little effort, pulling it down and away from the girl’s soft flesh. Small, perky breasts escaped from the cheap linen as Anna pulled further. Gasping, the girl reached up to clutch at her nakedness but Anna was faster. Grasping both of the girl’s wrists, she let the shredded gown fall discarded to the floor before driving the girl back against the wall. Pushing her hands well above her head, Anna grasped both the trembling girl’s wrists in one of her hands, holding her pinned against the stone. Stepping back slightly, Anna took in the girl’s purity and her beauty, and licked her lips.

Although still a few years from obtaining her womanly curves, the teen was well proportioned. With a narrow waist and wide hips all swathed in milky white flesh, the girl might have born some nobleman many bastards someday. But such would not be the case now.

“Please, Lady Anna. We shouldn’t,” the girl pleaded, “It’s unnatural.”

Anna smiled. The poor girl still hadn’t put the pieces together. Stepping near again, leaving but a fraction of an inch between them, Anna dipped her head into the nape of the girl’s neck and drew in a deep breath, taking in the girl’s scent. “But we must. I desire it.” Anna whispered hot breath onto the girl’s neck and watched as the tiny hairs stood on end.

Pressing her lips to the warm flesh, Anna kissed her long and soft before moving up and kissing her again behind the ear. Already the girl’s scent was changing. She had obviously thought about an encounter like this before. Could she be becoming aroused?

Shifting again, Anna slid her free hand down, gently gliding her fingers down the girl’s face and neck to her collarbone. Careful to measure the pressure she applied, she continued her fingers’ path down, over the girl’s firm breast, feeling her hardened nipple slide between her fingers. Down still she caressed, twisting her hand to let her fingernails slide across the girl’s waist and hip, grinning to herself as the girl shivered in anticipation. Anna could hardly contain it herself. Down the teen’s thigh her fingers continued until she could reach no further, and brushing above the kneecap, Anna began her hand’s ascent back up the blossoming woman’s inner thigh to cup her now moist womanhood within her delicate fingers. Beginning to slide them back and forth between the girl’s folds, Anna knew the girl wanted this. Her body was asking for it.

Thrusting her fingers inside the girl, Anna bit deep into the soft flesh of her neck, sucking in her hot lifeblood as it poured generously from the wound like fine wine from a bottle. Lapping it up and drinking it down, she could feel the surge of life within her as the euphoric effect of their mingling fluids took hold of the girl in her grasp. As she thrust deeper and deeper into the girl again and again, her prey’s hips writhed in rhythm to her thrusts, matching in intensity as well. Anna could not help herself any longer, and sliding her own leg between the girls, she began grinding their bodies together as she fed, bringing them both precariously close to climax.

Not wanting to waste such an indulgence, Anna dug her fangs deeper into the girl’s flesh, suckling hard as the tingling sensation grew in her belly to uncontainable proportions. Their bodies entwined together, Anna felt as much as tasted the girl’s release as she moaned loudly and tilting her own head back she let go for an instant, of her control, and let the waves of pleasure wash over her. Panting, Anna released the girl’s wrists, watching her prey’s arms fall limply to her sides as she struggled to catch her breath and remain upright on trembling legs. Grinning, Anna kissed the girl hard, letting her tongue explore the teen’s mouth before grasping a fistful of her hair. “Thank you for that,” Anna said, admiring the look of the girl’s own crimson blood on her lips.

Without awaiting a response, Anna jerked the girl’s head forward, and releasing her hair, shoved hard against the girl’s forehead driving it into the stone wall with a sickly crack. “You were absolutely divine,” Anna complimented the girl as she slid down the wall, landing upon the floor with her appendages bent at irregular angles.

Turning from the corpse, Anna retrieved her gown off the floor and slipped it over her head. It was time to get back to work creating her lover’s army.

* * * * *

Walking west at an inhuman pace, Seth knew that they would barely be perceptible to any humans watching the countryside. He was glad to have some time alone with Sara, not for any other reason than to simply be by her side. It was where he felt at home. Using his vision of the gods he marveled at the size of her aura. He’d been studying it a lot as of late. Not just hers, either. Every aura within his vast reach had come under his scrutiny. He could understand them better now. He could tell the blessed from the unblessed. He could even tell those who were worthy of blessing and what god they were likely to be accepted by. The covers on the world of creation had been opened to him, and he had drunk deeply the information from its pages. Every creature, every blade of grass, was unique, amazing, and perfect, yet he was given the ability to change them… Make them imperfect.

“I can put you back, you know,” Seth began.

“Back how? Sara asked with her mischievous grin.

“Back the way you were before I made you like this,” he answered, wishing he could see the thoughts swirling in her head as her expression changed from one of delight to one of stern concentration.

“You mean weak and fragile?” she finally answered after what was likely only several moments.

“No. I mean back the way you were when I first laid eyes on you, when you were as the gods created you,” he replied, wondering what effect his words would have. She was strong, and she enjoyed her strength. He knew that. She was ferocious and gorgeous, a dangerous combination and one she commanded well. He doubted that she would ever accept his offer, but hoped she might, simply to ease his conscious.

“It’s not that I haven’t thought about it, or even wished it, but I just can’t,” Sara said with pleading eyes, as if begging him not to do it against her will. “I know you feel as if you have placed this great burden upon me, but I feel good like this. I feel like I am more. It makes me feel worthy of you.”

“You were worthy before, and it is I that fears that I am not enough,” Seth admitted, meeting her gaze. Her eyes and expression wore the concern they had months ago and it pained him to see the look on her face. “I just thought I would offer. I can put you all back the way you were, Borrik, Jonas, all of the werewolves and rat troops could go back to their old lives.”