Betrayed
Jamie K. Schmidt
Published by Jamie K. Schmidt, 2018.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
BETRAYED
First edition. November 16, 2018.
Copyright © 2018 Jamie K. Schmidt.
Written by Jamie K. Schmidt.
Also by Jamie K. Schmidt
Hawaii Heat
Beach Happens
Beach My Life
The Emerging Queens
The Queen's Mystery
The Truth & Lies Series
Truth Kills
Truth Reveals
Standalone
Trinity
Flash Magic
Samurai's Heart
Betrayed
Watch for more at Jamie K. Schmidt’s site.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Also By Jamie K. Schmidt
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Sneak Peek of The Seeker
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Further Reading: The Queen's Mystery
Also By Jamie K. Schmidt
About the Author
Chapter One
“You’re having a nightmare, my queen,” Guy said. His voice was far above her. Rhee heard it through the horrible images that pinned her to the damp earth. But she knew this wasn’t a dream. It was a sending. Her child was in danger.
Rhee’s eyes opened and she took in the midnight sky. The stars blinded her and she bolted to a sitting position. Her fists clenched clumps of grass, as she forced herself to breathe normally. When her eyes focused, she found herself looking at Guy. He was crouched by her feet, one banded glove on the hilt of his sword. He must’ve been on watch because he was still in his chain mail.
His gray eyes regarded her as she sat there stunned. Guy’s eyes were familiar and real. Rhee forced herself to concentrate on them to bring her back into awareness. Guy’s large body blocked out most of the moon’s light. It framed him like a halo and gave his shaggy appearance an ethereal beauty. Guy, who had been with her since childhood, whose face was familiar as her own, brought her the comfort she needed to bring herself together. She touched his sun bronzed cheek and tugged on a lock of his longish brown hair.
“Irena needs me,” Rhee said and watched him blink at her in surprise.
Then in a flurry of movements, Rhee tossed aside her bedding. Guy quickly averted his eyes as she wrapped her heavy cloak around her nightclothes. Looking around the campfire, she saw the rest of her friends sleeping soundly. She began to rummage through her packs.
“What are you doing?” Guy said.
“Wake up Kess. I’m going to build a circle.”
“Here?” He said. Not receiving an answer, Guy hurried over to the sleeping priestess.
Rhee’s fingers were shaking as she grabbed the bottles and components she would need. She stumbled over her cloak as she made her way deeper into the forest. She knelt by two large pine trees and began to sort through the magical powders. Trying to concentrate, she had to banish the image of her young daughter calling for her. As she prepared to draw her circle, she felt Kess and Guy return.
“Oh bless this area, sweet Dara and let all evil be repelled who approach this sacred place,” Kess chanted to her Goddess and a hush of peace descended upon them.
Rhee looked up wildly, unsure if she was calm enough to travel the leagues back to Winterlore. She saw Kess, her face uplifted to the night air in silent reverence. Kess’s long blond hair was out of her usual braid and hung almost to her lower back. She looked like a fairy, in the moonlight. Concentration touched Kess’ gentle features and sparkling light danced off her high cheekbones and upturned nose. The aura of serenity transformed Kess into a receptacle of her Goddess’ glory. Swallowing hard, Rhee closed her eyes and allowed the tranquility to calm her breathing.
At her back, Rhee could hear the whoosh of the Guy’s sword as his wrist flipped it in angry directions. Behind Kess, Rhee sensed the shadowy presence of Evan, who no doubt had his bow nocked. Opening her eyes, Rhee was calmed and pleased to find she was correct.
“I’m sorry to wake you all,” Rhee said. “But my daughter has called me.”
Guy stopped his swordplay and stared.
“Yes, she has the Talent. I suspected, but I didn’t know until now. Someone is testing the wards I have set up to protect her, and I’m afraid she’s in danger.”
“But Nigel is there,” Guy said.
“I know. But Nigel is undercover and he may not be able to reach her in time. Since Kamal banished all Larkspurs, he can’t show himself to be her guardian.”
“If her life was threatened, Nigel wouldn’t care what Kamal decreed,” Guy argued.
“Are you two talking about King Kamal?” Evan asked. From the sound of it, the thin, athletic man had perched in a nearby tree.
Rhee turned to look up at him. She found him easily with mage sight. “Yes, Kamal’s my former husband.”
She got the impression that if Evan hadn’t been firmly seated in the tree, he would have fallen off.
“By Dara, you’re Guy de Larkspur!” Kess gasped making the translucent, but dazzling display of sparkles dim.
Evan’s voice was full of laughter. “Well, when you told us you were banished from your homes, I assumed you had powerful enemies. I didn’t realize it was because of your husband’s jealousy.”
“You are treading on dangerous ground.” Guy warned him.
“My feet are not touching the ground, Sir Knight. And your feet seem to be made of clay, my noble friend.”
Rhee ignored the friendly banter. She knew Evan better than he thought she did. The small man could have easily passed for a youngster, with his boyish good looks and love of jokes. But he was far older than all of them in experience and hid his truer feelings behind a smirking mask. Slightly elfin with bright, bright eyes and a pointy chin, Evan loved a chance to tease Guy. Even if it was at his own risk.
“You have to come down sooner or later, Evan,” Guy warned.
“Stop it, you two.” Kess intervened. “Can’t you see this is going to be hard on Rhee enough without you idiots at each other’s throat? She will be vulnerable to attacks and will need all her concentration.”
“Nothing will come near her,” Guy said.
“Not here, you dolt. The evil that is awaiting her in Winterlore.”
“What do you know of this evil?” Rhee asked.
Kess shrugged helplessly. “Just that Dara has warned me. There is something black and evil reaching for you.”
Rhee swallowed hard and nodded. “And for my daughter.”
“What can you possibly accomplish by travelling there tonight?” Guy said. He liked things he could swing a sword at, not shadowy things from the other planes.
“I can see for myself how she is and I can warn Kamal.”
Guy snorted.
“And I can find Nigel and make sure he knows there is trouble.”
Guy sighed. “It’s Maron again. I just know it.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“Who’s Maron?” Kess asked.
“She’s the High Mage of Winterlore.”
Evan whistled low. “Be careful, Rhee.”
“I will,” she said and then set her spirit free. Rhee saw her body slumped slightly inside th
e protective circle. Kess’ blessing shone brightly around them and Rhee left them all, secure that they would be safe.
She would’ve known the way back to Winterlore without the ties that attached her spirit to the place. It was where her heart was. She shot towards home like an arrow through a bow. The castle loomed over Winterlore like a benevolent giant. Tears stung her eyes as she flew to her daughter’s window. The protective wardings let her pass through and she strengthened them with a bit of her soul. Nothing would breach them now without her knowing. If something did, she would sense it and be able to confront it.
Her daughter’s room hadn’t changed. It was slightly messy, full of toys and books. Rhee’s throat got tight as she hovered over her daughter’s bed.
“My baby,” she murmured. Irena lay sleeping, her thumb in her mouth and her arm wrapped around an embroidered pillow. She would turn five this Midsummer. How much she had grown in the past year! The fact she was safe nearly weakened Rhee with relief. Perhaps Irena had a nightmare and because she was untrained, triggered the wards.
Sleeping beside her daughter was her playmate and future guardian Wynne de Larkspur. As far as Kamal knew, she was the only Larkspur inside of Winterlore. Irena had cried and cried until Kamal relented. Her mother must be banished, but Irena could still have her best friend. What Kamal didn’t know was the Larkspurs would not abandon a 1,000-year-old pledge because of the whim of a King. Nigel de Larkspur, Guy’s cousin from another country, would watch over the two girls until Wynne was ready to protect Irena herself.
Rhee glanced around the room, but couldn’t see the evil that Kess had spoke of. She glided past her wards through the door of the bedchamber. Guarding the door was Nigel. Looking up and down the corridor, it appeared he was the only one around. She materialized in front of him.
After a brief moment of surprise, he knelt before her. “My queen.”
“Stand up Nigel, I am no one’s queen anymore.”
Nigel stood and put out his arms to hug her, but they passed right through her. He looked sheepish when she laughed lightly at him.
“I am just a projection.”
“I’ve missed you. How fares my cousin?”
“He is fine. Probably sick of me dragging him all over the world.”
“I doubt that,” Nigel said. “But why haven’t you returned to your parent’s keep.”
Rhee’s laugh turned bitter. “Return in disgrace, you mean. I wouldn’t sully Ferriskeep with my reputation. I couldn’t bear the smirks and whispers and I wouldn’t subject Guy to that either.”
“A dead man doesn’t smirk,” Nigel said solemnly.
“You are just like your cousin. You can’t kill everyone you don’t like.”
“Why not?”
Rhee just looked at him, but he was serious. She sighed. She was too used to Larkspurs to try and talk sense into them. “Have you heard from my parents?”
“Not much, just that they are worried for you and Guy. And they do not believe a word of what you have been accused of.”
“That’s good.”
“And even if you had . . .” Nile’s ears turned red and he looked away. “It wouldn’t have mattered to them at all. Or to us.”
“I know. Thank you.” Rhee took a deep breath. “Look, the reason why I’m here is that I have sensed that Irena is in danger.”
All casualness left Nigel as he listened.
Rhee briefly explained the sending and Kess’s warning. “I am at a loss of what to do. I feel so helpless and powerless.”
“I will send for Tamar.”
Rhee’s eyes went wide. “How could you get her into the city?”
“What makes you think she isn’t here already?” Nigel smiled.
“But she is well known. She was at our trial. She will be recognized! I can’t allow her to come here. If Maron senses her presence, Kamal will execute her.”
“Tamar can disguise herself. And Kamal wouldn’t dare harm her, not unless he is prepared for a war with both Ferriskeep and Larkspur. Which as a soldier in his army, I can tell you he is not.”
“Thank you, Nigel. With Tamar here, I’m sure that my daughter has nothing to fear from a magical attack.”
“It is done.”
Rhee faded from his sight and passed along the walls to the royal bedchamber. The protective wards were of an impersonal nature. As she was not going to harm the King, she was allowed to pass them without sounding an alarm. She released the breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding when she found Kamal alone in bed.
He looked like a sleeping God. His black hair fell across the pillow like a fan. She wanted to press her lips to his bearded face, but stopped herself in time. This was the man who hadn’t believed her fidelity. She tried to bring up all the rage and hurt at his betrayal, but watching him toss in his sleep she could only feel tenderness and a gaping sense of loss.
“Kamal,” she said softly.
He stirred and opened sleepy blue eyes. He gave her a lopsided smile that made her heart skip a beat. “Rhee,” he sighed pulled her on top of him.
She was a projection, but he was still dreaming. Against her better judgment, she faded into his dream.
"Fuck me, Rhee," he moaned.
What was the harm? It was only a dream. And it had been so long since she touched her husband—even before he banished her.
She allowed herself change her appearance so she was naked, and lay on her side next to him. Running her hand up his thigh, she paused to admire his thick cock.
Kamal's fist clenched in her hair and he dragged her head up to meet his mouth. The sharp pain was swiftly coated over by the rush of pleasure as his mouth took hers. He liked to fuck rough and Rhee hadn't realized how much she missed the quick thrill of excitement.
His tongue plunged in her mouth while his fingers plucked at her nipples. Rhee gripped his arms feeling the flex of muscle there.
Guy's arms as he swung his sword in practice flitted across her mind. Mentally forcing the image back, she tried not to think of him. She could pleasure herself with that fantasy later. Right now, this was as close to real sex with Kamal as she was going to get.
Kamal's mouth left hers as he plundered the curve of her neck.
Moaning at the rasp of his beard on her throat, she gripped his cock and tugged on it. He was thick and familiar. Rhee's eyes closed in bliss when he tongued his way to her nipples.
Sucking on them hard, Kamal drove his fingers in between her thighs.
"Such a fucking whore."
Rhee flinched.
"Look how fucking wet you are."
She used to like his dirty talk. When she knew he didn't really mean the things he said. She rubbed him faster, which encouraged him to do the same to her clit.
She needed to get this over with before he woke up. Or before her spell energy faded. But it felt so fucking good to be fingered, even if the rough caress left her wanting a more sensual touch. Rhee wasn't sure what was wrong with her. She used to love coming while he did this.
He stopped playing with her pussy and gripped both her breasts hard.
Rhee groaned in protest, not because she didn't like his manhandling, but because she was throbbing down there. She had been so close.
"Goddess, I've missed these tits." Kamal grabbed her ass and turned, hauling her on top of him.
He slapped her ass hard and she grunted. This wasn't as much fun as it used to be. "I said fuck me."
She straddled him, easing his thick cock inside her.
Oh. Closing her eyes in bliss, Rhee took back that last thought. He felt incredible sliding deep inside her. She sat fully down on his cock and enjoyed him.
"Bounce," he commanded. "I want to see your tits jiggle."
Easing up, she loved the friction his big cock made as she worked her pussy up and down.
Kamal gripped her nipple and twisted. Rhee hissed in pain and sank down hard on him. He laughed at her. "I said bounce, bitch."
She frowned at him. His hands
ome face was sneering and she wondered where this was coming from. Something was off about Kamal, but she was too greedy for his touch to dwell on it. It had been a year since her husband had wanted her. She could almost close her eyes and pretend things could go back to normal.
Pleasure jolted through her and she placed her hands on his shoulders, rubbing her breasts over his face. Maybe that would keep him occupied. She didn't want to see that nasty smirk on his face. It was bringing up too many memories of their last few days together.
She just wanted to come and pretend that this could happen again. That he could come to his senses and recall the banishment and they would live happily ever after.
“Yes. Yes,” Rhee moaned whipping her head back. She hated selling her services as a mage for money. She hated living from job to job, wondering if they were going to be killed or worse, captured and sold into slavery.
“Did you miss me?” she purred.
For a moment, she thought she was going to get what she wanted. That he was going to admit he made a mistake. His prickly beard rasped over her tender nipples. They were hot and needy. She needed more attention, rotating her hips on his cock, that was almost enough. Her clit ached for some attention. She pounded into him faster, slamming down on his cock.
"Take it slut," he gritted out, sucking hard on her nipples.
Grunting, she pulled away from him. She should have known better. Sex had never been a problem for them. Her nipple was stinging, but the sweet pounding of his cock made it more pleasure than pain. Leaning back up, she kept rocking on his cock, but she traced her clit as she did so.
"What's the matter, whore?" Kamal grunted. "Isn't my cock good enough?"
She flicked her clit faster, trying to concentrate only on the sweet sparks of pleasure. Slamming down on his cock, she used his body like a cheap dildo. Frustration tore at her. She needed to come.
"Does Larkspur fuck you better?" he snarled.
Crap. This was turning into a nightmare.
Kamal lunged up and put her flat on her back, her thighs pressed flat against his chest.
Betrayed: A Sexy Sword & Sorcery Short Story Page 1