The Wanted

by Rory Miles

  “Duck!” I screamed, running around Shawn and using him as a human shield.

  “You can’t tell me to duck and then use me as protection.” Shawn spun behind a tree, leaving me vulnerable to attack.

  I screeched, scrambling behind the tree and leaning next to him.

  “Give a girl some warning next time,” I said between pants.

  Three splats of red magic hit the tree next to us. Noah had almost hit us. The jerk. Shawn dived and rolled, stopping a few trees over. He held a ball of magic close to his chest. He peeked around the tree, then our eyes met and he nodded, letting me know the coast was clear. I scurried from tree to tree, dashing like mad when I heard Noah and Bron’s shots hitting branches I’d ducked under.

  Shawn sent a few yellow balls of magic their way. Bron’s grunt made me smile. Only one left. So far, Shawn and I had managed to take down Bron, Kace, and Red. Erik had been on our team but Red took him out when he wasn’t paying attention. Red had suggested the game of magic tag, not knowing how serious the men would take the challenge. Not even an hour after she suggested it, we had split up into teams. Erik, Shawn, and I were one person short, but Noah had sat out most of the game. After I’d tagged Kace, he hopped in to help Bron finish us off. Or so he thought.

  Shawn brushed his shaggy auburn hair from his eyes.

  “We should split up.”

  I nodded in agreement, pointing to the direction I would take. Shawn tucked and rolled to another tree, narrowly missing being hit. Noah was close. Dropping to my belly and fastening the gun to my back, I army crawled behind bushes and trunks until I could see his feet.

  A rapid succession of enchanted orbs hitting trees sounded, some closer than the others. Shawn had engaged him in full-out battle. Using the distraction, I ran at a crouch until Noah’s back was just a few feet away. Tucking myself up against a tree, I took a moment to catch my breath. Bron glared at me from where he sat, watching his comrade about to be ambushed. He couldn’t spoil the surprise, though, otherwise they’d forfeit the game.

  Shawn cursed. Shit.

  Noah still had a chance to win. I had to act quick.

  Dropping into a squat, I spun from behind the tree, firing shots of magic at Noah as he ran for cover. A blossom of yellow paint covered his side. Hell yeah.

  “Game over!” I yelled, rushing after him. “I got you!”

  I didn’t see his leg sticking out from behind a tree until I tripped over it. Noah’s arm wrapped around my waist, stopping me before I face-planted. His pressed his hand to my side.

  “I got you,” I said, eyes widening in disbelief. “The game’s over.”

  “Nothing is over until I say so.” He shot me point blank. The son of a bitch shot me. Never mind that the magic didn’t hurt or do any harm, it was the fact that he cheated.

  “Noah, what the hell?” I shoved away from him and ended up falling over into the mud.

  His eyes sparkled. “I guess you need some help cleaning that off.” His eyes dipped down to the giant brown stain on my white shirt, the mud sticky against my skin.

  “I can’t believe you shot me!”

  He laughed. “You shot me first!”

  “During the game. You shot me after. That’s dirty.”

  “I can make it up to you,” he offered, green eyes crinkling.

  “Just how are you going to do that?” My hand landed on my hip, eyes flicking down his body. I could think of a few ways he could apologize.

  “Meet me in the bathroom.” He spun on his heel, leaving me standing alone in the forest. I flicked the mud off my hand, watching as it splattered over the dried leaves.

  Everyone else sat outside at the picnic table Erik and Bron had made, chatting and eating the snacks Amree had made for us. She sat next to Kace, shooting him a tentative smile as they talked. I wished Dawn could see how far she’d come: no more cowering or crying at the drop of a hat. Kace had taken her under his wing, forging a connection with her when the rest of us couldn’t. He had become her rock, and based on the way he watched her, I didn’t think he minded that at all.

  By the time I made it back to the bathroom, Noah had already filled up the tub with steaming water and bubbles. Seeing him, all hard muscles and dark skin, sitting under a mountain of soapy, hot pink bubbles made me chuckle.

  “This doesn’t seem like an apology to me,” I said, closing the door and pulling off my top. His eyes watched my every movement as I stripped off my shoes, socks, shorts, and underwear. I sashayed over to the tub, swirling a finger in the water.

  He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “This is the apology.”

  “Hmm.” I stepped into the tub, sitting down on the opposite side of the large porcelain bath. “I’m still not sure how you soaking in my bath is fair.”

  A few bubbles popped against my skin as I lay back, resting my head on the ledge of the tub. My eyes fluttered closed, the heat from the water soaking into my body and relaxing me. The water shifted and splashed. I opened my eyes, not at all surprised to see Noah had come closer. After all, there was only one way this bath was going to end.

  We stared at each other for a second, just absorbing the beautiful tension building between us. His fingers skated over my feet, up my calves and thighs, before pulling on my hips to bring me closer. When I landed in his lap, my core pressing against something hard and long, I caved.

  “Fine,” I rolled my eyes at him. “I forgive you.”

  He flashed a smile at me. “Good. Now you get your reward.”

  Early morning sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in a cool yellow glow. I stretched liked a cat on the bed, noticing the lack of warm hard bodies. Usually I woke to at least two pairs of hands claiming parts of my body but today there was only one. Bron groaned when I rolled over to face him. His eyes bore into me.

  “I could watch you stretch like that for the rest of my life and die a happy man.”

  I chuckled, scooting closer to him and flinging a leg over his hip so I could press against him like I wanted to.

  “Good morning,” I whispered, kissing him on the lips before resting my head next to his on the pillow.

  His fingertips dug into my ass, his erection grinding into me. “You’re beautiful.”

  I ran a hand up his arm, squeezing his biceps and tracing my fingers up to his shoulders and down his chest. His abs clenched when my palm brushed over them, my focus on more important areas. Air hissed between his teeth when I gripped his length, stroking him.

  “Someone’s excited to see me.”

  His eyelids fluttered closed as I continued to stroke him. “That is a severe understatement.”

  “Look at me.”

  Heated eyes watched me as I went between his legs, sealing my mouth around his cock.

  “Fuuckkkk,” he groaned.

  I hummed in approval, swirling my tongue over and over until he made me stop, pulling me up so he could push his wet length into me. My hips rocked in time with his thrusts, grinding against him when he came up to meet me and lifting away from him when he pulled back. With a growl that made me shiver, he slipped out from under me, pulling my hips down to the edge of the bed so he could pound into me from behind, one hand holding me in place and the other going to my clit, thumb working over the bundle of nerves until I was quivering beneath him.

  “Good girl,” he said, moving his hand to my other hip and pulling my body back as he slammed into me.

  My lips curled and I glanced over my shoulder. “Pull my hair.”

  He grunted, moving his left hand to my black locks, fingers brushing my head and tugging at the roots. Every thrust of his hips sent a warm ripple of pleasure that chased away the pain. I dropped to my forearms and tilted my hips, letting him lose control as an orgasm tingled down my spine. Our breathing and movements growing more frantic, I felt his cock jerk inside of me, heard him moaning as he came.

  He thrust a few more times, slow and gentle. My body ached with the force of my orgasm and the remnants o
f pleasure from him taking me with such force. I groaned when he pulled out of me, already missing the feel of him inside of me. Taking me with him, we lay back on the bed, snuggling into one another.

  “I could get used to this,” he said, running his hand down my back and squeezing my ass.

  I laughed, wrapping my arm over his chest. “Me too.”

  “How are you feeling?” I settled onto Sloan’s hospital bed, the white sheets wrinkling underneath me. It had been a few weeks since he’d woken from his coma. As the doctors had never treated deep magic wounds before, he ended up staying longer just in case his condition worsened. When his vital signs remained strong, they started letting him exercise. He got tired pretty quickly, thanks to the blood loss, so he’d been asked to stay in the hospital a while longer still.

  He scooted up on the bed, smiling at me. “I’m still tired but the doctor said I could go home tomorrow.” Most of his color had returned and his skin no longer looked ashen. Today, his cheeks were bright pink from the walk he’d just taken with Shawn. His brother had left when I arrived, giving us some much-needed alone time.

  “That’s great!” I gave him a hug. His arms wrapped around me, strong and sure. “We are so excited to have you home.”

  His fingers threaded through mine, his light green eyes tracing over my face. “I’m excited to go home. This food is awful.”

  I chuckled. “It is definitely nothing special. Don’t worry, you will be back home cooking again.”

  Sloan’s cooking was definitely missed by everyone, especially me. Squeezing his hand and wrinkling my nose, I told him about Erik’s dessert disaster and how he’d put way too much salt into his beef stew. Amree had banned him from the kitchen after that mishap.

  When we finished laughing at Erik’s expense, he said, “Winter, I wanted to thank you for healing me.”

  “I couldn’t let you die.” I swallowed and glanced away. “It was so scary.” Before I used deep magic to heal his wounds, there were a few minutes where I’d thought for sure he had died. That was a memory I’d happily forget.

  “A little deep magic wasn’t going to take me away from you.”

  Smiling at his joke, I tried to hide my tears. It had been more than a little deep magic, but he had survived and he was going to come home. That was all that mattered.

  I leaned over and kissed him. “I love you.”

  He smiled against my lips. “I could get used to hearing that.”

  THE END.

  Winter’s Unwritten Rules for Life

  Rule number 1: Always be prepared.

  Rule number 2: Never lose the upper hand.

  Rule number 3: Wield your strength and work on your weaknesses.

  Rule number 4: Know when to ask for help.

  Rule number 5: Everything can become a weapon.

  Rule number 6: Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

  Rule number 7: Don’t take a job without intel.

  Rule number 8: The mark isn’t yours until you bag him.

  Rule number 9: Never underestimate your opponent.

  Rule number 10: Trust with your whole heart, learn from those who hurt you, and most importantly, forgive those who caused you pain.

  Author’s Note

  Thank you so much for reading Winter’s story. I began writing her story and hoping I’d get at least 40,000 words. Well, as you might well know, Winter has a lot to say and I can’t even keep her in check. She is strong, loving, damaged, and funny in so many ways. At the moment, there are no plans to continue Winter’s story, but I have a sneaking suspicion she will show up in a few spin-offs.

  Maligna, Dawn and Amree all have stories to share. Join my reader’s group to stay up to date on their journeys. If you haven’t already read Ezme’s story, check out The Waters written under my fantasy romance pen name A.K. Clark.

  Now it is time for all the thanks. Jenn, Nicole, Vicki, Ashley, Jessica, Leah…you get a thank you, you get a thank you, YOU get a thank you. Thank you’s for everyone! *Oprah scream*. Seriously though, all the support and interest you’ve shown keeps me going! You will never know how much I appreciate what you do and say. You guys rock!

  A big shout out to my editors because without them. Ha. See what I did there? Yeah, the editors are important, you guys. They helped make Winter and the guys shine. Thank you all for the help!

  About the Author

  I’ve been an avid reader my whole life. When I’m not parenting two little children or spending time with my husband, I can often be found reading a book (and drinking a glass of wine). Recently, I found myself imagining worlds and stories to go with them. After a little encouragement from my husband, I bought some writing software and set to work.

  Rory Miles is my reverse harem pen name. A.K. Clark is my fantasy romance pen name. :).

  * * *

  For the latest news about new releases, upcoming books, and giveaways, follow me today.

  Excerpt from The Waters by A.K. Clark

  “Ezme,” a voice full of command said.

  I shook off the fragments of a dream and focused on the person sitting at the edge of my bed. Sleep had rumpled her aqua nightgown and her blond hair was askew from lying in bed. Eyes turbulent like the ocean, deep blue and swirling with the entirety of our home, the Blue Waters, stared back at me.

  "Mom," I whispered in relief though not in surprise. I should have known. Every day for the last ten years I woke like this. Sweaty, out of breath, and empty like the shells adorning the castle walls. What I didn't understand about the dream was my mom always woke me. Why the debilitating fear of abandonment manifested in my dreams was beyond me.

  The mother sitting in front was a stark contrast to the mother in my dreams. Where my mother was pale with blond hair, the imaginary one had dark skin and hair--like me. I’d asked her once before if I was adopted, but the question made her furious and she explained that my father had dark features like me.

  A familiar sadness gripped at me. It was hard to miss someone you never knew; the sadness was more self-pity for having never known what it was like to have a dad, and my mother refused to tell me anything about him. His death had broken her heart.

  My mother's pale hands stroked my hair before tucking it behind my ear and holding my face in her porcelain palms. I searched the endless depths of her eyes, which raged like the ocean itself, for some sign as to why I dreamed of her leaving me. Why do I fear losing you? I wondered but, as always, I saw nothing in her eyes to help me understand. She hardly understood the dream either. But she was here.

  I wrapped my hand around her arm and pulled. She toppled over with an oomph and hesitated before she stiffly hugged me back. Her reaction didn't bother me. It was a part of who she was. While affection made my heart warm, she shied away from and cringed at the thought of physical contact. In some ways, our personalities were as different as our skin was.

  Aside from me, everyone in the Blue Waters was pale like my mother. She never spoke of my father. Every time I asked, she would go silent, refusing to acknowledge the question. The only thing I knew about him was that he was different and had green magic which he passed on to me too.

  She patted my back, extracted herself from the hug and sat back in her queenly manner. Or at least as queenly as she could be on her daughter's bed. She smoothed her nightgown, and I smirked. Even in the middle of the night, she fretted over her appearance. Dressed for day, night, or sleep, my mother was beautiful. Every curve, cheekbone, and piece of hair like sculpted marble.

  Though the only sculptures I'd ever seen were those made from water, but I'd heard of sculptures made on the Lands. Those were the ones I imagined when I looked at my mother. Her face captivated thousands but her heart held love for few. I was lucky to be one of the few. I admit being her daughter probably had something to do with garnering her affection, but there were days when I worried I'd fallen out of her favor. Still, even after the worst of fights, she rescued me from the dream.

  She cleared her throat. "I ass
ume it was the same as always?" One delicate brow arched.

  "Yes." I dropped my head, ashamed. I had turned twenty a little over six months ago. What kind of adult still needed their mothers comfort after a bad dream? "Nothing different?"

  "No." My head shook back and forth so hard I thought it might topple off.

  The softly spoken question didn't fool me. The sharp edge of her inquiry poked between my eyes. I closed my mind to her magic, picturing nothing but the empty halls of my dream. I didn't want her to see the woman in my dreams. I couldn't bear to face her after she saw the mother my mind conjured. A woman who wasn't her.

  Dreams were tricky things and the mind created pearls from the smallest, most insignificant pebble in the ocean. Something told me this woman was important, if only in my dreams. The brief moments I spoke with her were warmer and wrapped in more love than any I'd ever had with the Queen of the Blue Waters. I didn't feel unloved, but I didn't feel completely loved.

  "Same as always." She nodded in confirmation. "You should sleep fine now; rest well, Ezme." Accustomed to my nightly routine, we both knew I was safe from the dream until tomorrow. For whatever reason, the dream only came once a night. I never fell back into its terrifying grip. The sharp probing of her magic eased until it left me with a mild headache.

  "Goodnight," I whispered. I rubbed my temples while she got up to leave. I hated when she used her magic on me. Thankfully I had strong shields. She hadn't just hired magic tutors for me; she had pulled tenured professors from various land institutes to instruct me on the ways of the Lands and magic.

  Professors rotated tutoring duties based on their sabbatical leave. They had each given me a year of their undivided attention and mentoring until I became proficient in magic.

  My defensive skills were lacking, but I had worked hard to become good. I wasn’t the best magic user. That title fell to my mother, but I was one of the more competent users in the Blue Waters. The only thing preventing my mother from discovering the mother I hid in my dreams was the hours I'd spent shielding this last year.