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23
She took a deep breath. “We were attacked, as you know. The two of us were riding a stag together. When they came, our stag shied and threw me. You stayed on for a moment longer and fell off the other side. I assumed you’d run into the brush when I couldn’t find you, but I couldn’t get to you. Our own guards pulled me into their circle to protect me…” She let out a shaky sigh. “Most of them died in the battle, too.”
Wiley watched her mother, and then turned her eyes back to the cup. That was not what happened.
Something made her look at Jayems. Whatever he saw, he gave her the faintest of nods. Knowing Jayems, he wanted to talk. Maybe the nod meant he would listen, too.
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Dark Lands Homecoming 24
Wiley exited the salon with her hair in a French braid, a mild concession to her mother’s quest for a new look. Of all the good luck, a merchant was selling guitars across the street. Brightly enameled and oddly shaped, they drew her like cotton candy to a child. Picking up a hot pink and red model, she tuned it by ear.“Oh, you play?” Portae said curiously, seeming relieved. Maybe she thought she was about to hear some ladylike ditties she could show off to her friends at teatime.Wiley grinned wickedly, played a few warm up chords, surged into a couple of hard rock riffs, and opened with Van Halen.Rhapsody’s eyes got big. She looked left, then right, paling as she real
Dark Lands Homecoming 25
The manic shopping was wearing her down. To escape, she said, “I’m starving. Is it lunch time yet?”They had lunch in a classy, energetic café that catered to an upscale crowd. The walls were white and decorated with flowering plants, mirrors and stained glass lamps. Green wrought iron chairs graced each table, and the seats were upholstered in red-and-white striped canvas.Wiley had to admit the food was good, though her mother was doing her best to give her a bellyache. It wasn’t anything she said, it was the way she watched Wiley’s posture, scrutinized the way she ate. Wiley had never been accused of being Miss Manners, but she’d never seen the point of having no elbows on the table or chewing her food one hundred times. Co
Dark Lands Homecoming 26
Jasmine was poisoned that night.They’d been at dinner with Wiley’s family. Jasmine had taken one drink of Wiley’s wine and stiffened. The delicate glass had shattered as her hand convulsed, and moments later she’d been screaming, doubled up on the floor.Keilor and Fallon had worked frantically to help her, and somebody had called the medics. Jayems had dragged Wiley back from the scene, calming her frantic struggles with gentle force. Even now, after they knew it had been Jasmine’s dessert that was poisoned and not the wine, Wiley couldn’t shake the feeling that she was responsible. Jasmine wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for her.Wiley sat i
Dark Lands Homecoming 27
She could not lie still. She gasped in pleasure, the sounds coming from her mouth getting louder and louder until she was shouting, a prisoner pinned between his hot, slick mouth and the couch.Finally he slid up and ripped open his fly. He fell over her and looked her in the eye. “I told you I wouldn’t ask again.” He slid inside.She arched up and dug her nails into his back. It was so tight, and he was huge. It hurt, and a lot at that, but he worked his way in, kissing her neck, running his tongue over her ears, massaging her thighs and breasts. The look on his face was mindless, but it was obvious he knew what he was doing. Desire built inside her, though he barely moved. Just the thought of him there, of what he was about to do…she threw ba
Dark Lands Homecoming 28
The climax hit her like a sledgehammer. She went crazy, bucking against the couch, screaming until she thought she would black out. He joined her, driving into her like he’d been shot up with molten lightning.As she trembled with aftershocks, he slipped a hand under her and pressed. She splintered into another climax, jerking uncontrollably.She didn’t know where he found the energy, but he carried her into the bedroom and shed the rest of their clothes.The first time must have been a warm up, because he slid into her again, pinning her arms above her head, lacing his fingers with hers. His kiss was wild and tender, restrained yet ardent. He drove her crazy with his kisses, yet mad
Dark Lands Homecoming 29
“Didn’t think you’d go there, Wi.” She was sitting in an armchair when she made the comment, propped up more by force of will than anything else.Wiley could see she was getting tired. “Well, I’m glad you’re amused. Shouldn’t you go back to bed?”Jasmine glowered tiredly and moved her chess piece. “All I do is lie in bed. I can rest after I finish this game, and stop trying to lose on purpose so I’ll go there quicker. At least Keilor doesn’t do that.”Wiley smiled and deliberately moved her queen into jeopardy.Jasmine ignored the queen to take a pawn instead. &ldq
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The next few weeks passed in a happy blur. Jasmine and Keilor’s romance progressed, Wiley became better at fending off her mother and Jayems found endless ways to make love to her. Wiley was even starting to make some friends among her peers, though she gravitated to the ladies her mother found less than suitable.Oh, they were ladies all right, but they were into sports and highly physical, or else had a wicked sense of humor. Worse, they had little rank. Two of her favorites were Shanra, daughter of a preeminent musician, and Kayless, whose mother designed many of the dresses for women of status.In their middle twenties, the women still lived with their parents as was the custom. When they weren’t hanging out at Wiley’s suite, they visited at each
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“I’m tired of my friends getting hurt,” Wiley grumped to Jayems that night.“With luck, you’ve met your quota,” Jayems soothed her. “That sort of thing doesn’t happen every day.”“Thank God.” She sighed. “So, are you ready for this wedding thing?”He laughed and snuggled her close. “I’ve already had my ‘wedding thing.’ The celebration is just in honor of it.”He smelled so good. She snuggled her nose into his chest. “I’ll be glad when it’s over. I don’t like being the center of attention.”
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