Tamsin Eventide:
He moved without telling his body to do so. The illusion of control he had over his curse broke. The safety of the new moon was a lie. He moved stealthily through the trees, his sea green eyes slashed with silver crescents. He could feel himself change, not wholly, but enough.
Enough for what? He didn’t know.
His lips peeled back from his teeth, now sharper, elongated, and his nostrils flared. He tracked the Dain through the trees, intent on killing the monstrous son of Carmun if he must. Nothing could touch his woman. His mate.
His curse demanded he have her. Possess her. No treaty made in heaven or hell could stop him or stay his hand. Tamsin had never wanted anything so badly in all his life. Just this woman. River. Though he couldn’t see her now as he moved, silent and deadly, through the trees, his mind supplied him with the picture of her beautiful, tear-stained face. Her sweet cries for help.
The rational part of his mind, what little of it remained, told him this was likely an elaborate trick. A trap devised by the Witch Queen and the Fae Cinder. Cinder was the Queen’s consort. There wasn’t much the Fae wouldn’t do for his vile mistress. And the Queen would be delighted if the treaty were broken.
She’d have his brother Aelnith then. In whatever capacity she desired.
But even those thoughts, those dire consequences, couldn’t stop him. Every step forward was a step closer to her, to River. He’d take her from this dangerous woods to his manor. There, he would make her his. He couldn’t accept anything else. Wouldn’t.
Ah, he could smell her. So sweet. So afraid. But he wanted it all greedily for himself. Even her fear. Her submission would be to him, not the monstrous son of Carmun. It wasn’t her death he wanted. It was her. All of her. The thought of it drove him further into madness. Tamsin felt a shift was inevitable. Only the sight of her, standing there atop the stone, the Dain so near he had mere moments to act, kept the curse at bay. But only barely.
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River Black
It crashed through the trees, breaking huge limbs and branches, and rushed towards River, snarling, growling, making noises she’d never heard before. She could feel it’s thudding footsteps as it hurtled towards her.
There was no time to run or react. Terror froze her in place. Locking her to the stone. It would be over in moments and her last thoughts would be blank, just screaming horror.
It moved so quickly, River couldn’t even see it. All she could track were those baleful, huge red eyes as they got closer and closer. She didn’t want that to be the last thing she saw. She closed her eyes as tightly as she could.
River swore she could feel its breath huff over her. It stunk, like rotting flesh left to fester in the summer sun. This was it. It would kill her, whatever it was.
Something grabbed her around the waist, yanking her off the rock. It knocked all the breath out of her as she hit the ground with bruising force. She didn’t mean to, but she cried out in surprise and pain and fear. She’d thought the next thing she’d feel were the jaws and teeth of the creature with the red eyes, but instead, hands helped her to her feet.
“It’s okay,” a hushed whisper came in her ear. A male voice, a deep rumble. “You’re safe with me.”
Whoever this was, stood behind her, hands on her shoulders. Dazed, River looked ahead of her and saw ‘it’.
The creature stood at least fifteen feet tall and had leathery, patchy skin stretched over jutting, jagged bone. It’s face was a skull with razor sharp teeth as long as her forearm. Gore, blood, and ichor dripped off its patchwork body and flesh hanged from the uneven antlers that protruded from its skull. It’s glowing red eyes were wide and fixed on her. Drool spattered to the ground as it watched her, unmoving.
“Oh...my god,” she breathed, feeling sick, the world spinning. Its stench alone made her head swim.
The beast raised up on its hind legs and gave a mournful, rage-filled howl. It hurt her ears, and she slapped her hands over them in pain. Every instinct she had screamed at her to run, but reason won over panic, and she stayed put. The stranger behind her kept a firm grip on her shoulders. His hands were warm.
“Wh-what do we do?” she sputtered, wanting to back up. But with him standing there she had nowhere to go.
“Just stay still,” the voice said calmly, right in her ear. “The Dain won’t hurt you if you’re with me. As long as I’m touching you. He’ll go away in a moment to resume his hunt.”
“His hunt,” she repeated through numb lips.
The man didn’t answer, but kept his hands on her shoulders. At first, that had scared her too, but now it was reassuring. She felt oddly safe, even with ‘the Dain’ bearing down on them.
The Dain snorted, tossing its great head, flinging slobber and drool. It gave one last, great cry full of rage and frustration before it turned and plodded off into the trees from whence it came.
River stayed still long after the Dain retreated back into the forest. The man kept still too, his hands still on her shoulders. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he slowly turned her to face him.
She held her breath, fear returning all over again.
He was tall, almost a foot taller than her 5’4 frame. His skin was pale and his cheeks were dusted with freckles too. His hair was long and tied in a loose tail at the base of his neck and wild waving curls spilled down his back and around his shoulders. It was a sandy brown, almost blonde. He looked young. Her age. Maybe a little older. Even in the dim light she could tell his eyes were sea green. The man gave her a shaky smile.
“I’m sorry I grabbed you like that,” he said, finally dropping his hands from her shoulders. “There wasn’t time to explain.”
“That’s okay,” River stammered unsure of what to do or say next. The man she’d met previously seemed amused that she was about to be eaten by the Dain.
“I’m Prince Tamsin Eventide,” he said with a short, little bow. Just like the previous man, he was dressed strangely. He wore dark blue velvet set with twinkling silver stars. At least he had a shirt on, she thought.
She caught the prince title. It had to be some live action role-play or a festival or something, she thought. She was too tired and shaken to argue or ask. She would later.
“I’m River,” she said, her voice still trembling. “And I’m lost. I don’t know how I got here, but I shouldn’t be here.”Tamsin nodded solemnly and seemed to believe her. “You were chosen,” he told her. “You’re the tithe.”
Frowning, she shook her head. “I don’t know what that means.”
“I’m sure you don’t. It’s all right. Will you come with me? I’ll take you to my manor. It’s...safe there.” He said it with some hesitation. River didn’t miss it.
Normally, she wouldn’t go off with some stranger in the night. But what other choice did she have?
Chapter SixRiver BlackHer mysterious savior led her by the hand through the dense woods. Sometimes, he would look over his shoulder at her, his gaze intense. His expression remained neutral and friendly so she tried not to read too much into it. She was still shaky, still unable to process not only what she’d seen, but what had happened.Tamsin, didn’t speak as he helped her along. It seemed the whole forest held its breath as that -thing-, the Dain, hunted the woods. It had been hunting for her. She was chosen, Tamsin had said. She was a tithe. River didn’t know what all that meant, but it filled her with fear and dread. Still, this all felt like some unreal nightmare. She was half sure she’d wake up any minute, safe in her tent with her parents.It seemed like they walked forever. She wanted to fire out a thousand questions in quick succession, but didn’t know where to start. She’d open her mouth to ask one and it w
River BlackHouse Eventide was a sprawling manor surrounded by a wrought iron fence dripping with crimson roses. Four stories and made of marble, it was the most beautiful building she’d ever seen in person. It did look like a prince would live there. Something about it was sad too, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Most of the windows were dark, heavy curtains drawn. The gardens in the courtyard were a little overgrown. It looked to be a grand place forgotten. She supposed that’s what made it sad.Tamsin helped her from the carriage and took her into the manor, sneaking her in almost. He said that though he hadn’t seen his brother in a long time, he wasn’t keen on visitors and had a fiery temper. Plus, he’d broken the treaty, and he was sure his older brother would be angry with him. He promised her he would deal with it and told her not to worry.River was too confused and dazzled to worry. Opu
River BlackRiver held the candelabra in her hand, holding it aloft, looking around the huge room. It was so big, it dwarfed her living room back at her parents’ house. Everything was draped in white cloth and for a moment, she felt lost in that room too. It had no windwos and seemed to be below ground, in a basement level, though she wasn’t entirely sure. It had been a disorientating walk in the dark mansion. River hoped it was nicer during the day. Less confusing. In truth, she hoped that when she woke up, she’d be inside her tent, safe and sound and all this would be a strange dream.Finally, she found the bed. It too, like the room, was a huge, down stuffed four-poster monstrosity. It looked like the bed a queen would sleep in. It smelled regrettably musty, but it was soft and dry and better than any other option she had.She set the candles on a shrouded dresser and tugged off her dirty, wet socks. Her jeans were torn and
River BlackThe man just collapsed. She’d been asleep only to wake to someone standing over her, threatening her. Scaring her. His surname was Eventide, just like Tamsin’s. It was likely his older brother he’d kept mentioning.She didn’t really see the family resemblence. Where Tamsin was lithe and athletic, this man was taller, broader, more muscular. Despite his masculine frame, his face held the same delicate beauty that Tamsin’s did. He had an aquiline nose, high cheekbones and eyes fringed with dark, sooty lashes. His hair was a bloody auburn, like polished mahogany.He’d cut a powerful figure but now, crumpled to the floor, seemingly lifeless, he looked ill at best. River feared he was dead. She tugged on her filthy jeans and knelt beside him, brushing his long, silky hair from his throat to feel for a pulse.There wasn’t one.With great effort because of his muscular bulk, River grun
Tamsin EventideHe’d left her far away from him for a reason. He felt the change coming. It was the wrong time and he didn’t understand it but he wanted her far enough away from him in case it happened anyway.Tamsin stripped out of clothes hurriedly, not wanting to ruin them if he were to change. He stood, bare, in the bathing room of his personal chambers in the manor. It was a dark night, no moonlight and dawn was still a few hours away. He looked at himself in the polished silver mirror. His taut, muscular body was slick with sweat. Tamsin trembled, his eyes fully silver.He closed them. He had to control himself. He’d been around beautiful women before and hadn’t lost control of himself like this. It fully set in what he’d done. Damned his House to war. Over what? A pretty face?But even as he thought this, he knew it was something more. Something beyond words and time. He had felt so lost, trying to pus
River BlackTamsin didn’t give her a chance to respond to his proclamation, he just took her by the hand, leading her up several flights of stairs and down winding hallways. River felt dizzy. Everything happened so fast. She didn’t know what he meant by mate. Did he mean...wife? She wasn’t ready to be married and besides, she didn’t even -know- him. Sure, he was handsome and charming and a prince, but it didn’t seem like she was being given a choice.Maybe things worked differently here, she thought, though that was no consolation at all. She did notice how perfectly her small hand fit in his much larger one and the way he looked at her with his beautiful, sea green eyes did make her heart skip a beat or two, but no, she would have her say and her choice.River stubbornly stopped walking, forcing him to accidentally pull on her arm. Frowning, Tamsin turned around.“Something wrong?” he asked. &ldq
Tamsin EventideHe hadn’t expected any resistance at all. No woman had ever refused an invitation to his bed. He was a prince, perhaps one day a king. Whispers of his prowess of a lover spread beyond his forest. So, when River had balked at the very idea of being his mate, it had angered him. The beast inside him wouldn’t be denied. He didn’t know how to explain it to her. It wasn’t that his Beast and himself were different entities, but they were of different minds.She excited the man and soothed the Beast. He had no way to express this. And if his experiment proved correct, it would turn his curse into a boon. The way the Witch Queen’s curses worked were simple but insidious. She couldn’t doom him with no way out. There had to be a counterbalance. As above so below. Black and white, Yin and Yang. All things equal. Carmun could make him transform into a monstrous wolf every full moon where he had no control over hi
Aelnith EventideJust that little drop of River’s blood on his tongue, her sweet body on top of him, pressed against him, told him much and empowered him more than he thought possible. Even with dawn pinking the horizon, the burning sun rising into the sky, he found he could move, he was awake.He was very weak, true, but he wondered how much he could move during the day if he’d had just a little more of her blood, or more, if he made her his queen. As with his brother, Tamsin, his curse had another side to its coin too. With a queen by his side, inflicted with the same curse as he, bound to him for all of forever, the sun would no longer immobilize him. It could still burn his flesh, true, but he could move indoors or underground. He also wouldn’t need to feed but once a month on the night of the full moon. As it stood now, he had to feed every night, or he would descend into madness, becoming a mindless ghoul that fed on whomever he