Page 42

The Voice in the Marsh

Grace

We touch down near a rushing river in the early morning hours. Its banks stretch wide with boulders breaching the surface, creating new rippling currents. The white rapids are busy as they race across the plains, the churning creating a roar over the lands. The sky is still waking as the smoky grey changes into pale blue. Behind us, an orange ember emerges, casting the first rays of sunlight. I gaze as they gently touch the delicate mist, creating an orange aura over the river. The golden glow dances like flames as it slowly migrates through the gentle wind.

Scattered dew drops are laid precariously across the long viridescent grass. I drop to my knees by the water and watch the micro droplets fall to the ground as I jostle them. I cup my hands and dip them into the racing jade water, letting it warm my hands before I bring them to my mouth, desperate for a sip. The morning is always so peaceful, it is my favorite time of the day. Everything and everyone are asleep and leaves you alone with the fresh beauty of nature. The birds are just starting to wake as I hear the first chirps in the distance.

I look out and admire the long, tall grasses on the other side of the river. Little white flowers dot the green sea, and lavender stalks grow long and wild. Bushy trees dot the plains, but there are only few. I wonder if the bird noises are coming from there.

Acteem’s voice breaks the silence. “We’re only taking a break. My wing is still healing from that little bitch’s nasty bite. I need a moment to go the rest of the distance.”

And just like that, the peace is gone.

It might be the lack of sleep and hunger, or the way he let the Malmog herd chase me, but the way he speaks about Pearl pisses me the fuck off. I pick up a hefty rock, testing the weight in my hand. I stand, looking in his direction, and catapult it at the back of his head.

I watch it plink off the back of his skull and land with a thud in the grass.

His body goes preternaturally still.

Acteem turns to me slowly, malice building in his eyes. “Did you just throw a fucking rock at me, peasant?”

I shrug, a small smirk on my face.

“I have been very nice to you.” He stalks over to me like an animal, his voice turning cold and guttural.

I snap. “You think punching me in the head, kidnapping me, and letting me almost be eaten by Malmogs is being nice?” I shout over the roaring water.

Acteem laughs darkly. “Those Gods have obviously been letting you run wild. You have no manners to those above you. I am a fucking God, and you will remember to address me as such.”

“You’re a fucking baby. If you took better care of your toys, you wouldn’t be in this mess.”

He pauses and smiles at me sweetly. “You’re right. I don’t take care of my toys, do I? I am a God stuck in my old ways. Unfortunately for you, I feel like playing.”

He pounces on me, tackling me to the ground. I thrash under his weight, biting into his arm.

“You little bitch.” Acteem seethes, grabbing me by the throat. My hair gets swept into the warm river as he chokes me until I’m burning for air.

“You think I need you alive? I could kill you just as easily and let your mate go crazy,” he growls.

I claw at his hand, letting my nails carve into his skin. Acteem sneers at me, flashing his sharp, elongated canines. “I do wonder what you taste like. You must be pretty good to finally get the dreary God of Death to mate you.”

Acteem grabs one of my wrists, peeling my nails out of his hand. He smiles darkly as he brings it to his mouth and quickly sinks his sharp teeth into my skin. His eyelids flutter shut immediately as he groans, drinking me in. I scream, his teeth burning into my wrist like white-hot daggers. The pain sears into me as he pulls rivers of blood into his mouth. I hear Ro’s agonized roar deep in my head as I start to lose consciousness.

Acteem lets go of my wrist, dark blood dripping down his mouth and onto my shirt. He lazily licks his lips and lets go of my throat. The God grins at me with blood staining his teeth.

“It has been so long since I’ve had a human. I think if Ro doesn’t trade for you, I will keep you as my own personal little pet. Your blood is delectable.” He relaxes on top of me, drunk on my blood.

“He is going to kill you,” I bite, my head swirling from blood loss.

“Then I might as well get my fill of you.” Acteem chuckles.

His mouth goes back to the open bite mark as he pulls more blood from the wound, the force making me cry out. Both of his hands lock onto my wrist, squeezing tightly as my head spins. The force of his hold tightens, increasing until I feel a sickening crack split in my arm.

I scream at the break, trying desperately to yank it out of his hands.

Acteem comes up for air with a groan. “Fuck, I’ve missed this.” His voice is dark as he rolls off me. The evil God lies next to me, licking his lips, sated with his conquest.

I try and move, but I’m too weak. He took so much blood. I feel exhausted. I roll my head to the side and stare to our feet, breathing heavily.

We lie in the wet grass until the sun rises, turning the stormy clouds white. Both of us recovering. Him from a meal, me from death. I feel my wrist mending itself to my side, but I can feel my body is still weak. I focus on Acteem next to me, he looks as though he is napping.

This could be my chance to get away, but how?

I look around my surroundings, trying to find an escape route, but this side of the river is bare with short green grass as far as I can see. The only hiding places are across the rapid river. The grasses are long and tall there. I can make my escape, or at the very least, hide until Ro gets here.

There is no way I can sneak over there, though, especially with how weak I am. I look back to Acteem, trying to find a weakness, until I come across a sheathed dagger on his thigh. An evil smile graces my lips.

Play to my strengths, right?

I roll onto my side, coming to nuzzle his chest as my hand lies low on his stomach. “Acteem?”

I feel his head turn to me, interested in what I’m doing. “Yes?” he replies hesitantly.

I trace circles gently with my fingers. “You know, you don’t need to attack me for my blood. I would give it to you if you asked. I actually like when Ro drinks from me. It can really turn me on.” I hope I know what I’m doing.

His breathing picks up, but he stays silent. I keep tracing his stomach lightly as I look up to him, biting my lip. Interested blue eyes regard me coolly.

“Why would you give me more? I thought Ro was your mate,” Acteem asks skeptically.

I shrug as I lie, “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you told me about the war … about Ro. Perhaps I’m on the wrong side. If he really committed all those monstrosities, maybe I don’t want him as my mate.” Saying it out loud confirms it for me. I had a moment of doubt after hearing what he did but feeling it on my tongue disgusts me. I know it’s not what I want. Pearl warned me they would try and turn me against him. They all did things during the war they aren’t proud of. He was changed after it, haunted.

But Ro is a good man, he is my mate. He is mine.

Acteem brings his hand to my face, running a thumb over my bottom lip. “I’m glad you’re seeing sense,” he whispers warmly while watching me, scanning my face with his icy eyes.

I part my mouth slightly, letting my tongue dart out and lick his thumb, enticing him into my plan. I just need him distracted enough to reach for his dagger. Acteem swallows hard. “Can I have more?” His voice is husky.

I hate this with all my heart. “Yes.”

Acteem rolls on top of me eagerly and gets between my legs, his eyes falling to my lips. “It has been a long time since I’ve had another woman. We are quite tired of each other here. You are rather beautiful, for a mortal.” The charming God leans his face into mine, so close we almost kiss. He lets his nose gently trail mine, breathing me in. I inhale his scent, fresh yet always changing. A hand intertwines into my hair, caressing me like long-forgotten lovers. He savors me, touching me.

I furrow my brows; this is not the way this was supposed to happen.

Acteem whispers to me, his warm breath cascading across my face, “How lucky Ro has been to touch you, to love you.” And then, he kisses me softly.

His warm lips play with mine, kissing me with such gentle fervor, it leaves me breathless. Acteem deepens the kiss, his tongue dipping into my mouth and dancing with my own. He groans lightly, thrusting slightly between my legs.

I want to vomit, warmth pools in my gut and in my heart. I cannot like this, I will not like this. This is an utter betrayal. He was supposed to be rough. I was supposed to hate it.

“You taste so sweet. I will keep you safe now,” he whispers into my mouth before dragging blessed kisses down my jaw and onto my throat.

A whimper escapes my mouth as my body betrays me.

I think of Ro, imagining it is him touching me so gently. I think of his passionate kisses and the way his rough hands worship my body. I don’t think I can survive this if I see this as anyone, but him. My mate . A large hand starts to reach under my shirt, startling me as it delicately touches me. He remains on my side, but slowly starts to inch up to my breast. I jump, and my hand lashes to his wrist, my heart racing in my chest. He detaches from my throat.

Acteem looks at me, worried. “Did I hurt you?”

Confusion rumbles in my heart. Vengeful Acteem was easy to hate. He was murderous and brutal. This is not the same man that has kidnapped me, hurt me. Is there really something more to these Gods I don’t know about? Is there something Ro has not told me?

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I accidentally blurt out.

Acteem chuckles lightly before furrowing his brows. “I’ve been trying to tell you, Grace,” he whispers. “I’m not the bad guy. You’ve just made me into one. If you just knew them as I do, you would see.” He leans in, kissing me lightly.

“You’re trying to use me. You’re taking me away to the others. They’re going to hurt me,” I speak into his lips .

“I admit, I was harsh. You don’t understand how deep this rivalry goes—the anger between us. It was easy to see you as Ro’s, and I wanted him to hurt. But, honestly, who told you we would hurt you? If you had come to us, with Velaya, we would have sheltered you. Now that you’re starting to see him, truly, I can keep you safe. The others will understand, we’ve all been hurt by Ro.”

Acteem speaks to me with such care, such intensity in his blue eyes, I become lost. Is he lying? He gazes at me with such sincerity, I can’t tell. Ro is a good man. Whatever he has done, it was for the wellbeing of mortal souls. So, why does Acteem make me so doubtful of that?

“Bite me,” I manage to whisper, dragging his hand to my throat.

He smiles at me warmly. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t mind warming you up more. Perhaps taste you in other ways. Can’t I give you pleasure, Grace?”

I clench my legs around his waist as I realize what he’s asking for. I glance to the skull marked on my arm, evidence of my deal with Death. I am in far too deep; this plan is not going the way I thought it would. Instead, I am betraying my mate, the man I love. It should be him asking to give me my pleasure.

I stare back at Acteem with nervous eyes. His face softens to me as he smiles warmly. “I just want to make this nice for you.”

I almost burst out a laugh. Ro would bend me over his knee and spank me mercilessly until I conceded to give him a taste. He would punish me for keeping such a thing away from him. Weirdly enough, it gives me the support I need to continue this.

Infinitely more secure, I breathe, “Being bitten gives me pleasure.”

Acteem chuckles lightly, flashing a beautiful smile. “Alright, my little beast, as you wish.” His blue eyes drag to my throat sensually. I tip my chin back, exposing it further to him. Acteem lays his muscled body on me fully as his hand grips my neck softly. He gives me small licks and kisses on my exposed throat. My gut revolts, but my pussy still reacts. I arch into him, and he chuckles, the vibration from his chest making my heart sputter.

I imagine Ro’s deep rumbling laughter, calming my soul.

My breathing comes in heavy pants as I lead my hand down his side slowly while he plays with me. I run it down his armored shirt, feeling the smooth leather until I get to his pants. My hand gets as far as I can reach, and I realize I have a problem. I can’t feel his dagger.

“Fuck,” I breathe.

Acteem chuckles into my throat. “You want more? ”

I am so fucked right now. I can smell his scent; it’s more woodsy now. One scent continuously chases the other. His hot breath is on my neck, and his tongue licks up my throat. My traitorous body is reacting to him. Acteem thrusts his hips into me, and I feel the tip of his dagger caress my fingers. My heart picks up in excitement as I realize I could almost reach it. And then, it drops into my stomach as I know what I need him to do. My eyes squint shut as my face shudders in disgust. I will hate myself forever for this.

“More,” I bite out.

Acteem moans into me, his teeth grazing my neck as he thrusts into me again. I can feel his hard length grinding into me, and my teeth clench in tension. I reach my fingers, feeling the cool metal once more, but he’s too quick.

“More, Acteem.” My throat seizes.

He breathes heavily on my neck as he thrusts again, groaning deeply. “No wonder Ro likes you, you’re a sexy little kitten.”

I shudder from his voice and silently gag.

Ro, please don’t hate me forever for this.

“Make me come.” My mouth tastes like ash as I speak.

Acteem groans and bites into my throat, thrusting deep as his hands dig into my hips. I hold in my scream, biting my tongue as I feel blood burst in my mouth. I use the distraction to lift slightly, reaching farther for the dagger. I feel the rumble in his chest as he groans into me, thrusting again and again.

My fingers touch the rounded tip of his hilt and grasp at it, but I can’t quite get the slippery metal in my fingers. I feel him pulling mouthfuls of blood from me, my body going tired once more as I wasn’t fully recovered. I reach harder, trying desperately to grasp the hilt. The smooth dagger plays in my fingers until I sit up farther, Acteem too worried about my blood to notice what I’m doing.

I get a hold of the hilt and slide it out carefully in my fingers, getting a good hold. Once in my hand, I quickly thrust the dagger into Acteem’s gut. I slide his sharp blade into his muscles easily and instantly feel him revolt on top of me. His mouth pops off of my throat as he gasps, grabbing for his side. He rolls off of me, gaping down at his stomach. I watch as his face goes from horror to confusion to anger.

Acteem’s face locks onto mine, his furious eyes promising pain. “Oh, kitten.” He clucks his tongue.

I run for it.

I scramble off of the grass and try to stand, but my world spins. I can’t see anything clearly and everything is moving. I immediately lose my balance and stumble right into the roaring river. I have suffered a lot more blood loss than I thought.

I splash, swimming and kicking, caught in the rough current as it carries me down. I try to desperately keep my head above the white rapids, but they grip me, thrashing me around until I’m choking on warm water. I am pulled under the surface as my body tumbles, slamming into a hard boulder and knocked unconscious.

The last thing I see is the sight of my blurred surroundings as I’m being swept away into the ferocious water.