I walked back to my bed with a groan and flopped down to commence staring at the ceiling.The last thing I needed to consider, was the most dangerous on my mind.Especially when I don’t know who is peering in on my thoughts.Magus had spoken about fleeing the Guild as if he knew a way. And he’d talked about Hawk wanting to go.But if I brought it up and it was a trap, Hawk could have me killed.Warlord would destroy me for even perpetuating such an idea.But if it was true and I said nothing, no one would take me with them.And I could hardly remember how sweet freedom had tasted at this point...***But it came down to how much I truly trusted Hawk.The man who’d violated me.The man who was training me.The man who’d unlocked my power. Who’s sharing his with me.Yet, he was still the devious, dark bully.Bu

“What are you going to do when you find her?” Hawk asked quietly.“Everything I can to protect her. Like I promised her.”“Yes, Commander.” Hawk acknowledged.“And, Hawk?”“Yes?”“Send Magus to meet me in the secret hall. I have direction for him as well.”“Yes, Commander.”I realized Hawk’s footsteps were drawing near the base of the stairs.I fled up them. Catching my mage’s robes to run as fast as I could. Swinging around the banister and trying to make it behind the wall before he saw me. Reaching it I flattened against it to catch my breath.When I didn’t hear his darkly taunting voice, I knew I was safe. Sighing as I straightened and quietly walked down the corridor to my small chamber.Unaware Hawk still stood at the bottom of the steps. One hand on the railing as his shrewd green eyes had watched me vanish

I’d never thought I’d have hungered for Hawk’s touch. But feeling it now was a heady sensation. I was afraid I could find myself addicted to it.A tiny part of me admitted that I had always wanted his hands on me. Despite how much I’d resented his cruelty.But everything has changed. Especially considering everything I know now.He’d stripped me of my nightdress and in moments I felt the heat of his nude body sliding over me. The scent of him was wild and untamed.Like an animal caught in the woods.A creature fighting for survival. Willing to hide or fight…Whatever…Just to live.As he settled over me, I found my legs instinctively parting to allow his hips to rest between. His hard, pulsating length already ripe and ready to fill me. I could feel his eagerness rising in heady swells which rolled over me.He kissed my temple and I was intimately touched by the smal

“It was a mage once. One Detry decided he no longer had a need for. At least, not as she was…” Hawk’s voice dropped, and he looked sad. “Now she serves another purpose.”A mage? What possible purpose! Before I could ask, Hawk was speaking again.“As she is…” His voice quieted so much he was nearly inaudible.In this form, he means.“King Detry couldn’t curse someone like that!” I expostulated. Knowing the King possessed no magic.“No, he had me cast the spell when I was new.”New? New to magic.Why would the King make him do it? And why would he agree?“Why would you do that?” I stared at him, appalled.“I didn’t know then what I was doing.”“Who was she?”“Someone far more important than I knew…To some.” His face showed deep r

Magus had not been wrong.I was running to keep up with them, but the inside of my body was still sore from Hawk’s brutal taking. I knew he hadn’t meant to hurt me. He’d meant to be fast.But he’s a lot bigger than me.“We’re never going to make it.” I told Hawk but still I felt some exhilaration that Hawk was taking me with him.Even if we don’t make it out, that means something.Magus was on my heels. Looking very much like he was having fun, rather than scared.Doesn’t anything disturb him.As we were fleeing, I found myself watching Hawk, sword in hand in the moonlight. Looking furtively from one end of the hedges bordering the Training Gardens, to the other.Dark lashes, vibrant eyes, and a disgustingly perfect profile. Looking powerful and ready.Like a snake coiled for action.***We paused behind the h