Page 6

FLUMPH

Oronrel

Once again, I finds myself back in this shithole Unseelie palace for the millionth time since we brokes Aima and Kolvar outta the dungeon the first time.

I sick an’ tired o’ bein’ ass-deep in Unseelie soldiers while runnin’ for my life all the time.

An’ this time... somethin’ don’t smell right.

.. We hidin’ like always, usin’ Noni’s creeper powers to walks through the corridors till we gets where Pyre was tellin’ us to go.

But what I sees in the throne room done burnt out my poor little eyes. I slaps a hand over Noni’s eyes as the Mother Heifer rides Variant on Theren’s old throne. That can’t be too comfortable, with her ass slammin’ down on him’s lap like that. For fuck’s sake! Can’t they find a bed or somethin’?

When theys done makin’ ugly faces at each other, I move my hand from over my eyes, but we still listenin’ to what they’s sayin’.

I ain’t never gonna be able to unsees Morrigan’s ass flappin’ around like that.

It seared itself into my brain an’ it can’t get out.

Good thing she puttin’ on a robe, or else I’d be blind for the rest of my fucked-up life.

“Theren is set to be executed, then?” Morrigan ask, all snobby-like. “It’s a pity he won’t be there to see his sacrifices bear fruit in our mission. I had hoped to stand beside the both of you when we tear open the Veil.”

“I’m sure he’ll be sorry to know he disappointed you,” Variant answer all sarcastic like.

Morrigan don’t seem to notice. “I know it won’t be long now. I already sensed Silvanus.”

That grab Variant’s attention. “Silvanus?” he repeats.

“He must be out of hiding, but he’s moving quickly. I can’t get a trace on him.”

“My men are already scouring every inch of the realms,” Variant say. “We’ll find him.” Then he sigh real hard like. “As for the Unseelie, I may be ruling Oronrel, but the Unseelie Court still has power.”

“So?”

“So, whoever is leading the Unseelie needs to be found and brought to our side, lest we wish to court danger.”

“Yes,” the Mother Heifer say while she nod.

“Take full control over Oronrel and the court while the search for Silvanus continues. I will find a new artificer and search for a bloodline compatible with our ritual. Let’s hope those vermin who attacked the Threst have suffered too much to be any threat to us at the moment.

We have more important things in which to tend. ”

“And what of Eilish?” Variant demands.

“What about her?”

“You said you saw her with wings, but not those of an angel, yet she also possesses her angelic wings.”

“So?”

“Is it possible for a creature to possess both types? Furthermore, no succubus I’ve ever heard of had wings, except the—”

“Incubae?” Morrigan laughs. “Indeed. Our little angel is also the last daughter of the King of the Succubae . That means she possesses traits and abilities that are not only different to any other creature but also more powerful…”

“Fascinating...”

Morrigan don’t seems to like the expression on Variant’s face. She got them eyes full o’ jealousy when she turn ‘round an’ sneer at him.

Noni pull me over to the side an’ whisper real low, all secret-like. “We got to save Theren from the naughty king, Mr. Flumph. Master will be upset if we let him die.”

“FUCKS THAT!! Ain’t no way in hell I’m riskin’ my ass for that fuckhead. He can rot or gets hanged up by him’s throat for all I care—”

Noni cover my mouth and squint her big, freaky eyes at me. “We tell Master what we hear and then we help. No more hiding, Mr. Flumph.”

Noni flash us back to the mercenary stronghold an’ it still hot as shit outside.

I was hopin’ we’d get a nice cool breeze or maybe some rain, but even the clouds seems dehydrated.

Noni lead me to the vamp an’ Pyre to tells them about what we hears in Oronrel.

I really hate that fuckin’ mask Pyre always wearin’ outside o’ the Veil.

Never thought I’d miss that place, with its big scary dragon an’ winged hags with them large claws an’ shit! But I do. Ain’t no fresh-baked cookies in this rotten desert!

“Noni think we should save Theren, Master. You say he important, right?”

Pyre nods, an’ Noni an’ me follows him an’ Baron over to the gargoyles that ain’t doin’ much o’ anythin’ but lookin’ at books. Shadow King know somethin’ up ‘cause he get that real pissy look on him’s face that make me laugh. When he unhappy, I happy.

“Guess what, fuckers? We’re goin’ to save Theren!” I call out.

“What is the fool sprite going on about,” King Shadow Dick ask.

“That’s right, King o’ all cocks!” I say an’ I get right in him’s face. “O’ all the dicks in the realms we could be savin’, we gotta waste our time on that slimy sack o’ goblin balls. An’ for the life o’ me, I can’t understands why.”

“Theren’s role in this situation is not yet complete,” Masky say in him’s deep, rumbly voice.

For once, Shadow Dick an’ I seems to be on the same side. “Let him rot,” the gargoyle say. “We can make do without him. We’ve done just fine so far without the likes of Theren, the son of—”

“A bitch?” Everyone turn an’ look at me all funny-like.

“What? Ain’t that what he was gonna say?

If not, then he shoulda! Ain’t no good woman givin’ birth to that forked-tongue bastard.

Not to mention, somebody gots to put a wrench in the Mother Heifer’s plans.

I don’t wanna see her ridin’ Variant’s dick no more. ”

All o’ them make a ick face, an’ I agree.

***

DRAGAN

Mercenary Stronghold

“No, I’m not going,” I say. “Theren can rot in that Unseelie dungeon from here to eternity for all the shits I give.”

I walk over to the weapons rack in the barracks, but they follow, of course. Mercenaries train with a sense of vigor I haven’t seen in some time. They breathe new life into the rebellion. Now that we no longer stand alone, I see no reason to free Theren.

“Pyre says,” Baron starts.

“Fuck what Pyre says!” I yell as I turn around to face him. “We fight alongside lycans, wraith warriors, and golems now. What help can Theren really be to our cause?”

“There’s more to this than brute force, Dragan. We need information and strategy. Theren can give us both, not to mention a healthy dose of magic,” argues Baron as he glares at me.

“Of all people, I would think you would stand against this idiotic plan the most.”

“And why is that?”

“Because fucking Theren betrayed us, Baron!” I yell at him. “He fought beside the man who carved out your heart with a dagger, and yet you’re willing to risk your life all over again to free the prick? Nah, I think I’ll stay behind for this one.”

“You and I know our way around Oronrel,” he insists. “We may have to fight our way out, but we have an advantage now. And with Pyre, things won’t be as difficult.”

I glare at the vampire over my shoulder.

“I’m still healing from the fight at the Threst .

And our chances of making it out of Oronrel alive are slim to none.

It’s a suicide mission. Theren was the Unseelie King—that means he’ll be heavily guarded and the wards will be near impossible to break through. ”

“Variant is now king, and we all know how sloppy he is.”

“But he commands both the Seelie and Unseelie armies now,” I counter. “What hope is there?”

Pyre speaks up, appearing out of nowhere as he’s wont to do. “Silvanus has come out of hiding.”

“He has?” I ask.

“Yes, I can feel his ethereal footprints and I know he’s come back,” Pyre says. Then he clears his throat. “That means Morrigan is also well aware of this fact. Which, in turn, means Variant and the Midnight Queen will have all their men hunting Silvanus.”

“Why would Silvanus have come out of hiding?” I ask.

Pyre shrugs. “I don’t know, but whatever his reasons, it’s buying us time. We need you, Dragan.” I’m quiet as I consider it. Pyre continues. “We could be at the southern outpost by dawn.”

They walk away and Myerdoth gives me a strange look—one that feels as if he can see inside my soul and I don’t like the feeling. “What?” I demand.

“I believe we should go and help,” he answers with a shrug.

“Ugh, fuck you, dickhead,” I respond as I glare at him. The gargoyle says nothing, but he walks away with a smirk on his face. The fucker.

I find Eilish leaning over the table in the main room of our headquarters. A map is spread across the table and a candle flickers beside it, casting enough light so she can read.

“You look busy,” I say, startling her.

Eilish’s smile is most beautiful when it’s aimed at me. She stands up straight and stretches her arms above her head, making her large breasts ride even higher. I can’t help but focus on them.

“You men are all the same,” she says with a laugh.

“You have perfect breasts… can you really blame me?”

She giggles and saunters over to me with swaying hips. She wraps her arms around my middle. “And you look grumpy.” She reaches up on her toes and kisses the tip of my nose. “What’s wrong?”

“Theren’s in trouble and the others want me to join his rescue party.” I take a big breath. “And I don’t fucking want to because I don’t fucking like Theren.”

She smiles up at me. “But are you going to, regardless?” The press of her curves causes my heart to thunder.

“Only if you ask me to.” My hand toys with a lock of her pale hair. She’s close enough to kiss, but I tease us both with just a faint brush of my lips.

“Then I’m asking you to, Dragan.”

I nod, not surprised, but I’m annoyed all the same. “What exactly are you asking?”

“I’m asking you to bring Theren here and we can decide together whether he’s guilty or not. But we should at least give him a chance.” She pauses. “You and I know how it feels to be manipulated by Morrigan.” She presses a soft kiss to my cheek and turns back around, returning to her work.

“You do that on purpose,” I say.

“What?” she asks as she remains bent over the table with her ass facing me.

“The way you bend over like that.”

“Oh, do you like it?” she continues with a giggle.

“You know I do.”

“Um, Dragan,” she starts, glancing over her shoulder at me.

“What?”

“Don’t you have somewhere to be or someone to rescue?”

“Yes, and when I return, you’re going to be the first person I visit.”

She turns around to face me before pulling herself up on the table so she’s sitting and facing me. Then she spreads her legs and I wish to fucking hell that she weren’t wearing pants. “Is that so?”

I take a few steps nearer her. “Yes, and however much bullshit Theren forces me to put up with, that’s how hard I’m going to fuck you.”

“Promises promises.”

***

DRAGAN

“So, when will you open a portal to Oronrel?” I ask as I face Baron and Pyre, who both just chuckle to themselves like I just told the best joke. Flumph and Noni have already gone to Oronrel ahead of us to find the safest way for us to get inside.

“We’re walking , aren’t we?” I continue as I frown at them both.

“Yes, and we’d both appreciate it if you wouldn’t complain the entire way,” Baron says.

“There isn’t enough magic in the mortal realm to create a portal there,” Pyre explains. “And though Baron is being an asshole in telling you not to complain, it should be noted that there are still Precincts and demons in the air,” Pyre starts.

“So, shut up or we’ll be forced to gag you,” Baron finishes with a polished smile.

“I’d like to see you fuckers try!” I respond.

We walk for what feels like an eternity plus a few years before we reach the gateway leading to Earlann.

Finding the entrance is easier than before, but when we arrive in the fae realm, I immediately notice the numerous scouts in the forest surrounding the city.

Sentries with enchanted bows walk along the walls and the roofs of the homes within Earlann’s walls.

“We must move quickly,” Pyre says as he crafts a portal to send us directly into Oronrel. Baron passes through immediately, and I follow him. Pyre comes through last, in order to close the portal behind him.

We appear near what seems to be a bathhouse for members of the Unseelie court. Naked Unseelie women with supple curves splash about in the waters. I can recognize the beauty in their naked forms but I feel nothing… no sexual desire, no stirring of my cock… nothing.

I glance down at my crotch and frown.

Baron takes notice and gives me a knowing expression. “I see Eilish has a hold on you, as well.” The vampire’s words are almost pitying.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I ask.

He shrugs. “It seems we both have been beguiled by the angel as much as we’ve been seduced by the demon.”

“Then you feel nothing for those women either?”

“Nothing,” he affirms with a quick nod. “And what an exquisite fall from grace it’s been.” He glares at me. “It’s a shame I have to share.”

“You didn’t seem to have a problem sharing her before,” I fire back.

“Yes, that was an experience I don’t regret. Pyre and I were able to give Eilish the most incredible sexual encounter she’s ever had.” He finishes his comment with a deep smile and I want to smack it off his face.

But, all the while, I wonder if it’s true. Does Eilish prefer fucking Baron and Pyre over me? It’s not a thought that’s plagued me before but now I can’t rid myself of it. At the thought that Baron does things to her I don’t… I almost can’t handle the possibility.

Pyre leads us through a door that was barely visible to the naked eye. As we turn a corner, Flumph and Noni reunite with us. The sun sets beyond the palace as we creep through the halls, undetected so far

But when we turn the next corner, Baron lifts his hand in the air in order to stop us. I listen to the sound of retreating footfalls as they disappear down the corridor. Noni directs us to a part of the dungeon I’ve never seen.

Noni stutters to a stop outside a large iron door. “Theren in there, Master. But iron not good for faeries like Noni and Mr. Flumph. We can’t go inside.”