Like most of the Mages in King Detry’s Guild, I’d come to be here because Warlord, his Commanding Mage, had spotted me and seen me for what I was.
For the magic I was capable of.
King Detry, as was his practice, had slaughtered my family and brought me back to the castle to serve under Warlord and, more importantly, his Second in Command who trained us.
Hawk.
Damn, dreadful, cocky, despicable Hawk. I hated everything about the man.
But it just so happened he was the best mage in the country, other than Warlord who had some strange accentuated power no one could explain.
I’d heard whisperings he was less than human though.
He could be a demon.
Hawk certainly acted like a demonic minion. I made it a point to always go out of my way to avoid the striking man.
The other mage’s fawned over him.
But I just want him to go the hell away.
But Hawk was Hawk. And he did whatever the bloody hell he wanted. Which obviously meant torturing me at every opportunity.
And the more I disregarded him the more awful he got.
He was a ruthless trainer and I was having a hard time mastering the techniques though my magic was incredibly strong, I had problems focusing.
Even I know that.
But it seemed instead of helping me, Hawk enjoyed distracting me even further and making me increasingly terrible.
Which boded ill for me.
If mages couldn’t perfect their craft they were sent to the dungeons to refocus and if that didn’t work then they were slaughtered as useless.
I was petrified of both options. I’d heard tales of the torment that awaited mages in those dungeons.
So I studied harder.
But stayed awful at all the physical training.
Which drew Warlord’s eye. I’d seen the Master Mage come out several times and watch me with a disparaging look. Clearly not impressed by my lack of skill.
“Fix her!” He’d yell at Hawk.
“I’m trying.” Hawk would call up the balcony overlooking the training yard.
“Do more!” Then Warlord, in his usual quiet fashion, would turn and walk away.
Terrifying and quiet and barely touching the ground.
***
Hawk was the second in Command at the Mage's Guild Academy. He was only a couple years older than me but it was a fact which he regularly reminded me.
"I'm older, stronger, and more powerful...As I should be."
Ugh.
"You're insufferable, annoying and ridiculous!" I countered. Watching him walk past me to drop onto the settee in the mage's Main Room of King Detry's Castle.
This room was special. A sanctuary.
Where we all tend to flock to be around kindred. I, however, often avoided this room because of him.
He's always around.
Especially when I'm trying diligently to evade him.
"When are you not in this room?" I asked pointedly. Wanting to know when it was safe for me to come down and read my spell books.
"When you're not." He said flatly. Pinning me with his penetrating green gaze.
"Are you ever going to get bored with this little game of cat and mouse?" I tossed straight blonde hair over my shoulder.
"Not in the least." He ran a hand through his curling black hair to push it back from his head. "Are you ever going to give in and come to my bed like a dutiful little Indo-Mage?"
Indo. I hate that word.
It was true I was a beginner in the magic arts compared to him but I hated the term Indo which meant I was less than or newly born.
He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. Black leather pants creaking with his movement. As his intensity focused on me. "Just think of the things I could teach you."
His gaze skimmed over my oversized brown gown before he slumped back. "Were you not in that ugly thing."
"Well," I huffed. "too bad I am."
I smirked and put my hand on my hip.
But seeing the hooded look on his face I instantly knew my mistake. "No, Hawk!"
I put out a staying hand but he snapped his fingers. Sending my dress disintegrating in a puff of dust. "Damn you!"
I ripped a cloth off the nearest table and used it to cover myself. Trying to hold it closed near my backside while his eyes shamelessly roved me. "You're the absolute devil."
He stood. Boots thudding with each step across the wooden floor as I watched him in dread. He towered a head and a half over me.
I glowered up at him.
"Then come..." He caught the bit of wisping fabric between his fingers near my thigh. "And let the devil's heat charm you."
He lightly tugged and the fabric slipped between my arms. Billowing to the floor in a swaying motion.
Leaving me exposed.
I squawked and covered myself while reaching to catch the bit of cloth.
"Illoway." He waved his hand in a motion which made me straighten and freeze where I stood.
"No." I shook my head wide eyed. Realizing I was standing naked in the Mage's Main Room. My only saving hope was that it was nearly midnight and likely no one else was awake.
But that also means no one can hear me call for help. Looking up at him I worried how far he'd take this little game of his.
***
He hooked a finger under my chin and lifted it. Making my blue eyes meet his vicious green ones.
"Let me go, Hawk."
"Now, why would I ever do that?" He smiled cruelly. Green eyes flaring yellow with the power that surged through him at touching another mage.
He could steal my magic. He was powerful enough to do it.
And that'd leave me weak and vulnerable. Would he really take our rivalry that far?
He let go of my chin and brushed my arms aside.
My body was solid, mechanical. I was unable to command it. I stood there stock still while he lifted his hand to scoop a heavy breast. Testing its weight thoughtfully as he massaged the pink crest.
"It is interesting..." He murmured. "That you think you're competition for me. Rather than a plaything."
"I'm not your plaything." I hissed up at him. Jaw tightening.
"Aren't you?" He tugged my nipple pointedly. "Just think how much I could do to you."
He gestured around. "Right here in the Main Room. Or there," He pointed to the small table I'd stolen the cloth from. "on that table."
I swallowed hard.
"Don't forget, Little Mary Mage. I'm Commander of the Mage's here."
"You don't command me, Hawk." I hissed."Don't I?" His lips turned. Eyes still yellowed with dark intent. He let his hand trail down from my breast. Molding the flat plane of my belly and over my hip.I knew a moment of fear. Realizing I'd baited him too far. What would he really do to me?I looked past him toward the doorway. Wondering if summoning someone to help me really was the wisest course.He leaned to whisper near my ear, brushing blonde strands. "Tough, decision isn't it?""You're despicable.""You don't even know the half of it, Mary Mage.""My name is Mary.""Not to me." His gaze roved my face intently. As his hand molded around the inside of my thighs. His fingers slipping between as he ran his hand up toward my tender lower lips. Turning his hand to just brush his fingertips."Hawk!" I jumped. I tried to force my body to run away but it wouldn't move."Challenge me again, Mary Mage." He slid a finger
I hated going to breakfast.I didn't want to go.But I was hungry. As my stomach loudly reminded me. I was praying just once, Hawk had better things to do then linger down there waiting for me.I threw on my Indo-Mage Gown. A dress that came to my knees. I'd graduate to a full length robe once I was recognized as a Full Mage.Like Hawk.I put on my heavy gray Seer's Veil. One many of the females wore to hide their features. So they can be recognized for their magic rather than how pretty of face they are.I in particular favored wearing the dense veil pinned to the back of my head and folded over the front. My long straight blonde ponytail poured from beneath it down my back in smooth lines.I hurried down the steps. Intent on grabbing a quick bit of bread and cheese and escaping the Mess Hall.I crept in seeing a cluster of the more senior mage's near the egg table I veered to the bread counter. Scooping off a heavy loaf and a
I lay sweating in my bed. Dreaming of Hawk's callused, long fingered hands caressing over every inch of my flesh.Testing the weight of my breasts as he had in the Receiving Room a few nights’ past. Then sliding between my thighs and curving a finger up to enter my soft heat.I moaned in pleasure. Back arcing in my sleep. A sheen of sweat coating my body and making my thin chemise cling to my flesh. I writhed in discomfort, trying to escape my arousal. Even now I felt like I could feel him touching me.I sat bolt upright. Blonde hair flying over my shoulder as I panted in terror. My eyes skimmed the room. Landing on his fluorescent blue ones staring back at me, from the wall opposite my bed."What are you doing here?" I curled the blanket up and around me."Watching you, My Pet.""I'm not your pet!""Ah, but you are." He inspected his fingernails thoughtfully. "How was your dream?""You put the dreams in my head." I accus
Hawk's words from last night had haunted me all day. I wanted to banish him from my mind completely. I hated that he consumed my thoughts.Wouldn't he find that amusing.It'd been a long day of training. Our Commander, the Warlord was a ruthless task master. Rarely impressed and often cruel in his comments, he left much of the actual mentoring to Hawk.Who's disinclined to teach me anything but sheet play. I grunted to myself. Unlacing my mages robes as my gaze focused on the steaming metal tub before the fire.I couldn't wait to sink in and ease my aching muscles.Hawk was always harder on me than anyone. And every time he was close enough he whispered near my ear. "I'll be inside you soon, Mary Mage..."I'd growl at him and misfire with my staff, misplace potions and lose my spell book. All of which was causing Warlord to lose patience with me."Deal with her!" Warlord had finally said.Hawk had grinned as he marched over to
"Get off of me." I panted. "Get out.""Oh, Mary Mage." He grinned. "I'm about to get in."I realized what he meant the moment I felt his fingers wrapping the outside of my thighs to hook the insides, dragging my legs further open as his hips dug in. I felt something hard and heavy probing at my center.I shook my head adamantly."It's cute you think you get a say." He half sneered. "You can't even talk..." He brushed his lips along mine.I arced my back and surged up. Realizing my mistake when it forced him into me.He groaned and caught my hips guiding me onto him even as I lifted them."That was a mistake, Mary Mage." He croaked breathlessly.I yelped at the sudden, piercing pain. Feeling like all my insides were being pulled apart as he was planted inside me."I'd have taken you the first time, a bit easier than that." His hips were rolling though. And his hands had cupped mine, fingers gripping my buttocks as he held
"You're just going to have to learn, Mary Mage, that obeying me is far easier than not.""I'll never obey you." I grunted against the door."Won't you?" He pounded harder. Scraping my breasts against the rough wood. "You will..."I shook my head against the door."You will. Once you realize there's no escaping me. I can get in here." He thrust hard and flexed into me. His body shuddering as he came. "Anytime I want.""The Hell you will." I shouted. Praying that he wouldn't. I'd find a spell. A way to keep him out."I hope you don't think this is the last time it'll happen, Mary Mage. Because it's going to happen a lot."Over my dead body!***The next morning was archery practice.I hate archery. I'm no good at it."Everybody line up!" Hawk roared. Pacing the grass in-front of the mansion.We dutifully lined up under his careful watch. His hands were linked behind his back. Feet sho
There wasn't a chance I'd obey him.He can rot. But I was lying in my chamber. Nervous.See you in my bed. That's what he'd said to me.And what Hawk wanted, he often got.He can't have me."Mary Mage..." As if summoned by my thoughts, I heard his voice breathing into my room. "It's time you come to me.""Not a chance." I flipped onto my side and yanked the coverlet over my head. "Go away.""You made a vow.""No one said I was a woman of my word!" I defended impudently."You will be."***"I'm not coming to you, Hawk. Go away!""Remember, Mary Mage...I could take you right where you are. Ravish you as you lie.""No." I squeezed my thighs closed fearfully. Thinking of how he'd entered my chamber as a water dragon and taken me against my bedroom door as I'd tried to escape him."There's no escaping me..." His voice rumbled along the back of my neck as though he
"No..." I whispered. Catching the corner of the wall to try and stop my progress. Though my legs kept determinedly moving.Kerdan. I heard his voice saying the word again and immediately my mind was filled with visions of him leaned over me. Buried in my body and moaning in pleasure as he rode my flesh.Images of him kissing down my breasts and over my belly to lathe at my innermost core.I shook my head. Banishing the images of things I couldn't possibly imagine. Things I haven't experienced before. How could I be seeing them?Despite every bit of my will my fingers released the wall. Feeling my breasts aching and my nipples pebbling, my hands drifted up to cover my breasts. Pressing on them to relieve the strange ache which was rolling over my body in waves."What am I doing?""Coming to me. To sate my hunger.""Stop it! Get out of my head." I growled. Shaking my head so furiously that I saw the blonde waves of my