Hey muse. See anything you like? Author, Lea Griffith’s muse certainly found a story in this picture. Read on!
First of all a big THANKS to Nulli for having me today. I loved doing this and hope she invites me back for more. Of course, now I have plot bunnies hopping all around and this is not good for the stories I have to finish, but there ya go! Nulli sent me three pics and I picked the woods because it spoke to me immediately. My muse took over and what’s below is the product. Hope you enjoy!
And, Nulli? Thanks for letting me spill my words in your reader’s minds. A lot of fun for me and a nice little break.
The During
The fog crept in, insidious and heavy, dampening the sunlight until all she could think, all she knew was its heavy blanket. Everything dulled and it seemed even the trees yawned, great branches crackling in the stillness of the sun’s departing rays.
There was no breeze yet the fog forged on, pressed forward by some ghostly hand that spread its smoke over the green grass and rocky shores of the lake beyond. She was tired. So very tired. Nothing had happened today and she was weary of wondering when, if, it would. It seemed a hundred years she’d been forced to linger here. The truth was she’d been here less than a single day.
A whippoorwill cooed—its dulcet tones reaching out to the drawing grayness then whispering a warning.
To her.
Tonight would be it. There would be no endless, ceaseless waiting. The vague warmth of the setting sun played hopscotch between the trees, finally falling in front of her eyes under the fog’s persistence. The leaves swished against each other, quiet lovers in the bowers of the giant sentinels. Caressing and sliding, speaking in tones no mortal could hear, they played in the realms of the huge oaks, loving.
Once she’d been loved like that. Skin stroked, licked, feathered with the softness of his beard. Once, she’d known that peace of her lover’s body slipping and sliding, resting within hers.
Then the fog had come and taken everything Daley loved away.
The sudden cessation of sound mocked her. “Come out,” it whispered. “Come play with me.”
Daley was well aware of what kind of play it offered. The heat of a thousand suns shining down on your head, suffocating you until the breath you craved was filled with endless gray.
“I will not play, Death,” she shouted. The echo was bounced back over and over, off the tress around her, and winging away to that never-ending silence.
Her ears popped and the ground shook. Daley struggled to remain on her feet even as the sentinel’s roots tugged at her feet and legs.
“I will not play!” She would fight.
Beyond the water she could no longer see lay the Cliffs of Forlorn. To make it through theValleyofDeathwas to preserve your place in eternity. The cliffs offered freedom but then a new fight would begin. She would not perish. She had a soul to save. He called to her every second of every hour of every day.
“Child, you have no idea of what awaits you. Let me make your travels easier.” The whisper was beside, around, inside her.
She clenched her fists, the bonds of the rope nothing but a reminder that she would have to fight to free herself. Aric was gone, taken by Death, wasting in this very valley.
“I will not play,” she screamed. Daley infused all of what was left of her heart and soul into the sound, felt the boom rock through the earth beneath her.
The roots fell away and there was a pop as the ground swallowed them. Her ears rang, drums trembling even as thick wetness leaked from her nose. Her wrists burned as she was lifted by her arms up, up, up. The trees whispered and Daley heard their apologies. They hadn’t asked to be messengers for the fog. They had been pressed to service.
Twin branches tickled her bare abdomen before sliding to her sides and puncturing her flesh. Daley screamed as the pain burrowed deep, white hot but not as virulent as she knew it would get. Before day broke the sky again she would be tested in all ways.
She had no choice but to pass. Aric’s call was too great. He needed her and she alone could find him. Tethered at the soul, one could not survive without the other.
“You will play, child. You think yourself smart but my scythe scents your blood. The leaves drink it even now and when the fog passes YOU WILL BE MINE!” Screeches, the caws of thousand flights of crows, and finally Death appeared.
The trees holding her wept. She felt their sticky sap dripping down her arms a benediction to her lacerated and broken skin. Slowly, they lowered her, their roots forming a platform for her body to rest on under their canopy.
“I will not play,” she whispered, lips broken and swollen her own tears burning as they tracked down her face.
“I love you, mo gra. My soul is yours forever.”
“Aric?” she ventured, unsure if she spoke aloud. The absence of sound in this place was deafening.
“He cannot hear you child. Look…” Death taunted and before her eyes the trees were burning, clearing a path for thousands of shadows to writhe and advance.
“They are not real.” If she was trying to convince herself she failed miserably.
The roots beneath her trembled and still the trees burned. She felt the flames, heard the timber splintering under the force of the heat, their wails pitiful. The roots began to sink even as one shadow separated itself from the others and came closer.
It moved with purpose and in the lines of it she knew…Aric.
“No, I will not play!”
Laughter, husky and seductive saturated the air as the shadow drifted over her, touched her body, and slid over her face, down her neck, over her breasts to her hips. The touch was warm; at odds with the cold blackness that floated in its infinite space.
“Do not do this thing, Aric,” she pleaded. Her body had softened, becoming pliant and heated. Pain forgotten as the warmth of desire curled in her belly.
The shadow threw back its head and for a second azure blue light split the darkness of its face. Then it was gone, as fleeting as their time together had been.
The shadow began to work on her bottom wrap, slicing the fragile silk with one wickedly ebon claw. Then the real test began.
“I.Will. Not. Play,” she bit out though the strength was gone from her protestation.
He began to stroke her legs, the feeling a mist of tactile pleasure, suffusing her, making her want. She barely held back her moan, gritted her teeth against the need.
A light flicker of a wet tongue on the arch of her foot, a tiny nip at her knee and she was the one writhing, the hard roots beneath her cutting into her skin.
“Aric, no!” Frantic, feverish, she begged him to overcome.
A claw traced her breast, outlined the furled nipple and drew blood on its path to her navel. Daley hissed in a breath as fire trailed the claw. Another slow, wet lick at her hip and it seemed her heart stopped.
“Mo chroi,” the shadow breathed out, agony in the words, a lifetime of need and desire unfulfilled. Then he vanished.
Daley screamed. No pain suffered on her body could be greater than his loss. “I will never play. Face me.”
The roots dropped back into the ground and her bonds dissolved. She hurt everywhere. Cuts, punctures, claw marks and bruises mottled her body. She scrabbled to her feet, pushed the pain aside and reached for the only thing that had ever afforded her strength.
“I love you, Aric.” It was an affirmation of their bond even through his death. There was no past tense. She’d struggled through a year without him, waiting for the fog to reappear. She’d journeyed here for him and she wasn’t leaving without his hand in hers.
The shadows shrieked and moaned, the trees, no longer on fire clicked their branches together above her, a genuine show of support.
She swayed but kept her feet and the sound of Death approached. She was bleeding, weak and her eyesight was beginning to dim but she stayed upright.
Slowly, Death advanced whistling a merry tune as it tossed its scythe in the air and caught it with a single finger.
“On the edge of my scythe is the blood of your man. You have struggled, but the dawn is some hours away, yet. Tell me, girl, will you die for him?” The voice was kind and it threw her for a moment. Right until Death’s gaping maw opened and the screams of a million souls rent the night sky.
“I will do more than that,” she whispered, knowing she was heard above the cacophony. “I will live for him.”
An eternity passed as she waited. Finally, Death threw off his robe and gestured to her. She advanced—no weapons in her hand, body broken and dying. One step in front of the other, she walked with a straight spine and a call in her heart.
He took her head with one fell swoop.
But the last thing Daley saw was dappled sunlight chasing the fog away.
The After
He was there, standing on the cliff at the edge of Forlorn. Big body lovingly outlined by the silver moon. No longer a shadow, his bronze skin glowed over firm muscles. She had managed to make it until the dawn. Now they would know the light. She called his name and he turned, blue eyes piercing her heart even in the darkness.
His arms opened and even from the edge of the Valley she felt his warmth. She’d journeyed here for him, given up everything to know him once more.
“Mo gra.” His deep voice trembled as he called out to her.
“Forever,” she whispered and listened as it carried to him.
Then he was there in her arms, the scent and feel of him wrapped around her almost more than she could’ve dreamed for.
“Always,” he affirmed rubbing his thumbs along her cheeks. “We should be off. It is a long way and our journey has just begun.”
Daley grabbed Aric’s hand, so big and strong as it cupped around hers.
“Yes, we should.” She smiled up at him, heart nearly bursting with love for this man.
He nodded. Together they walked away from the Cliffs of Forlorn, bypassed theValleyofDeath, and settled on the path that would lead them to Eternity.
The End
Mo gra – Gaelic for ‘my love’
Mo chroi – Gaelic for ‘my heart’
———————————-
LeaGriffithbegan sneaking to read her mother’s romance novels at a young age. She cut her teeth on the greats: McNaught, Woodiwiss, and Garwood. A firm believer that love makes the world go round, she still consumes every romance book she can put her hands on, but now she writes her own.
Lea lives with her husband and three teenage daughters in ruralGeorgia. Two dogs, a cat, and a Betta fish named Coddy George complete a family always in motion. When not working at the EDJ, she’s usually at her keyboard, using every spare second to write. Science fiction, paranormal and contemporary romance, oh my! Nothing is off-limits when it comes to her writing.
Want to read more of Lea’s work? Her latest book, Retrieval is available now.
Blurb
Skylar is the hunted. Fashioned for the sole purpose of destruction, she has spent her entire life running from the evil scientist who created her, her father. When a team of retrieval experts hired by her father track her down, neither Skylar nor the team’s leader is prepared for the magnetic attraction that will not let them go. In the midst of danger, with their lives on the line, they forge a bond so tight only death could break it. Together they will fight an egomaniacal scientist as well as their explosive desire for one another to discover what true power is.
Buy Link:
http://www.lsbooks.com/retrieval-p750.php
Thanks so much for stopping by, Lea!
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
will read this later!
can already hear the mind slowly getting to work !
and i can work with this
I can’t wait to read what you come up with ;D
ESCAPE
“I have to be quiet. I can’t let him find me. So close, so close to freedom.” Jarrick thought as his heart pounded. He managed to get away from the cabin and escape into the woods. He found a strong oak and took shelter in its canopy.
She used to be different. Not like this. Not so mean and hateful. Last night she didn’t like what he’d made for dinner, so she took out Mr. Pooter. He hated Mr. Pooter. Mr. Pooter was his fahter’s service belt. It was thick, black, and made of pure leather.
He recalled his first beating. She felt so bad. For days afterwards, she begged his forgiveness. She bought him new toys and he had all of the cie cream he could eat.
At first, the beatings were few, as time went on they became more frequent. This last beating was the worst. He thought he’d die. So as soon as Momma fell asleep he ran. She woke up and now she was searching for him.
He wouldn’t go back there. No matter what he’d live in the woods, on the streets before he returned to her home. Hiding in the tree he heard Mr. J calling out for him. He wouldn’t answer. As soon as it was dark, he’d make his way to the highway and hitch a ride out of here.
Poor Jarrick.
I forgot to say this: that was intense and well done. I can feel his fear, his desperation to stay hidden. Makes my heart hurt for Jarrick.
Nulli, I just love this feature. Thank you for continuing it.
Oh Lea, this is fantastic. You could really develop this into a novella or novel. *clapping*
I told Nulli it gave me plot bunnies. Stupid bunnies, lol! Thanks, WAB. You’re awesome.
Wow that’s crazy! You have a very vivid imagination, Lea!
ok i got round to finishing this part. it came rather fast, just getting it into words took a bit longer. could have added more but want to keep some of it for the next part
Part 9 :
Slowly she landed next to the lake. Time had passed more rapidly than she anticipated and she could see the sun set between the trees. Thomas still held her strongly but she didn’t sense any fear or hesitation. He seems to be taking this in a lot better than she hoped he would.
“You can let go now,” she said with a chuckle.
“Who says I want to?”
She felt him loosen his hold on her only travel up her back and bury his hands in her long hair at the nape of her neck. His grip was firm but without pain or force. Looking up at him she saw the admiration in his eyes.
“Then don’t…”
She wasn’t able to finish her sentence as Thomas had captured her lips and started a slow exploration. His tongue lapped over her lower lip then pushed slightly, demanding access. With a purr she opened for him and gone was his tenderness. His raw need washed over her, his desire clearly pushing at her abdomen.
All she was able to do was give back what she was receiving and thus she folded her wings around them both, creating a little cocoon. The rays of the sun gave them an unearthly red-orange glow and added more to the scalding heath between them. One kiss flowed into another with only small break when one of them needed to refill their lungs with a breath of fresh air.
After a long while Thomas stopped kissing her and gazed into her bright green eyes. “How is all this possible? I mean, somehow I think I should be freaking the hell out but something inside of me just clicked, there is no fear, none at all. And what are you? The language? It’s not from around here I gather. And most importantly where do we finish this?” His last words were accompanied with him thrusting against Jenifer, hinting very clearly what he wanted finished.
“We could stay here. Nobody would interfere and if they happen to wander to close they would find themselves wondering what they’re doing here, make a one-eighty and walk away. We could go home and settle there.”
“How fast can you get us there? Not that I’m not trusting you sway over those few the might wander close, but I just want to have some privacy. Today’s been strange and thrilling at the same time, these last few months have. Right now I would prefer to be home and explore more of what we started.”
“I agree full heartedly. Hold on tight, a’maelamin.”
Before he realized what she wanted to do he had to strengthen his hold as she took a huge leap upwards and started flying.
“Ahum aren’t you forgetting our clothes?”
“Don’t worry, they’ll be at home, I have other things on my mind now. Like getting you in bed and on your back and inside of me.”
“Dear Lord, what have I unleashed?” His smile told something entirely different. Daring a look to the side he could see the trees rolling by, the rays of the sun peeking between them. Her wings had taken on the same color. His smile broadened, that was what she reminded him of: a phoenix. She’ll tell him soon enough once this desire in their blood was sated. Trusting her to get them to their destination in one piece he couldn’t help but bury his nose just under her ear and inhale her scent. She smelled like fire but at the same time he also got a whiff of forest and animals.
He should feel overwhelmed, and he was, but not to such a degree that he’d turn away from her or what had transpired today. He knew well enough today was the start of something new, something that was for them both. Something he craved.
“We’re here.” Jenifer didn’t even sound winded or tired from the trip.
He saw they were at her place.
“Though this was the better option, for now. When I get to explaining more there are one or two items here that I’ll need and it will safe me a trip later.”
“Fair enough and when you do I’ll promise to be a good boy and listen very carefully. Now I’m a lot more curious as how you’ll get me on my back.”
With a strong push he’d opened her front door, captured her arms and drove her inside. A kick closed the door and cocooned them inside the house. Aware they were both still naked he didn’t hesitate to push her against the wall and ravish her mouth. He felt her legs locking themselves around his waist, his hands traveling south to cup her buttocks. Her hands were clawing and pulling his hair as he deepened their kiss.
Reluctantly he pushed back a little. “Bedroom?” was his one word question.
“Upstairs, second to your left.” Her answer sounded muted as her lips traveled over his cheek to his neck.
Thomas bit back a curse as he felt shivers run down his spine when she started nipping him playfully. “Keep this up and you may have a shot at getting what you stated earlier.”
“Quit stalling, bed, now!” were her only demands in between her love bites.
Thomas repeated the same as with her front door, only now he didn’t push her up against the wall, he strode towards her bed and with her still wrapped around his waist, moved towards the middle. Seated on his knees, he let her fall back. He sat there for a moment, in awe how radiant she looked with her red hair surrounding her like a halo. She looked like a dream come true. She wasn’t shy about her body either. He felt her legs loosen and fall open even more guiding his eyes to the red tuff of hair that was like a beacon to more hidden treasure.
Slowly his hands travelled up her legs, over her thighs, his thumbs briefly brushing over her soft red curls. They moved up to her breasts, who were a perfect fit for his hands. Bending down he took one taut nipple in his mouth and sucked hard at the same time flicking his tongue back and forth. His other hand kneaded her other breast before he pinched her nipple. He felt her arch her back, almost begging for more. He played for a little while, sucking, licking, even biting her alabaster skin. He adored the tiny red marks he left behind.
All this time he hadn’t even paid attention to any other parts of her beautiful body. “I really can get addicted to these two treasures, soft, tender, so responsive to my touch.” His breath of the whispered words acted as an extra stimulation.
“They’re yours to do with as you please.” Her eyes were glazed, a deep pink blush covering her light skin.
“You didn’t mind the bites?”
“Does it look like I minded? You should check, a’maelamin. I loved every bite, just a shame they’ll be healed fairly quickly.”
Her words surprised him somewhat. Her breast looked very well marked by him, her nipples straining, begging for more. He let one hand travel south and with a curved finger he slowly stroked her drenched outer labia. “It sure smells like you enjoyed it.” He licked his own finger. “And you taste divine. Maybe I should divert my attention for a little while?”
Jenifer whimpered as his lips started a downward path, deliberately missing her nipples, towards her soaked pussy. He didn’t do very much but part her wet lips and dove straight in for her clit. He was brutal in his advances but the moans, whimpers and leadings that escaped her mouth where more than enough encouragement for him to continue his assault. He smiled as he tasted her on his lips, he almost growled as she tumbled over the edge and had a death-grip on his head but he didn’t give up, he kept on licking, sucking and biting.
Hmm, I still want to know exactly what Jennifer is.
Greetings, all! First time participant here; I’ve just recently been introduced to the beauty of Nulli’s work, and am thrilled to be able to participate. This picture instantly brought to mind a story that I just put the finishing touches on, and I’d like to share part of it with you.
“Love, Be-Were!” – Chapter One, Pt. One
Tendrils of mist curled lazily between the trees towering overhead, undisturbed as was the quiet morning air. A shadow passed through the underbrush; a well-muscled harbinger of destruction moved swiftly on four padded feet, his hackles rising as he caught another faint whiff of his prey’s scent. Hunger gnawed at him, ripping at his insides as he forced his feet to tread lightly. He dropped into a slow stalk, every inch of his body taut as a spring as he closed the distance between himself and his next meal. Disappointment washed over him as he peered through the last bit of foliage and realized exactly what it was that he’d been tracking so diligently.
Piercing yellow eyes studied him with an intense stare as he brought himself up short, abruptly dropping back on his haunches as a small whine escaped his throat. His prey was, indeed, a rabbit as he’d thought…but it wasn’t just a rabbit. Unfortunately, the keen human intelligence in that gaze identified this particular fuzzy treat as a Were: a shifter, a hybrid between the animal realm and the human world. Although the massive creature would feed him for a long time, he knew without hesitation that attacking it would mean the end of his own life. As hungry as he was, that wasn’t a price he was willing to pay.
Rhochlan watched the wolf’s motions carefully. He wasn’t worried for his personal safety, but he was concerned about the beast’s state of mind. He could sense the aura of desperation radiating from his stalker. Despite being heavily muscled, the wolf appeared malnourished and the way it was licking its muzzle while watching him indicated that hunger may force it into action. He was relieved to see the decision to stand down finally reflect in the animal’s eyes; he wouldn’t have to euthanize it to protect the other members of his colony.
Struck by inspiration, he hopped slowly toward the wolf where it was reclining with its chin on its paws. The large animal raised its head as he approached and watched him with a wary alertness, body tense and ready to flee. Rhochlan dipped his nose to the ground, nodding his head at the wolf as he turned and hopped away. He paused and inclined his head again, hoping the canine would get the message. He waited patiently as the animal finally realized he wanted to be followed, and slowly padded over behind him. The Were lead the wolf deeper into the woods, pausing every so often to make sure he was still trailing behind.
Finally making it to the copse of laurel he was looking for, he hopped to the side of the entrance and motioned for the wolf to precede him. If he could have smiled while in his animal form, he would have done so at the incredulous look he received from the other animal. While on his rounds in the early dawn, he’d run across the freshly killed carcass of a small deer that had most likely run afoul of another wolf. The dew had been heavy, making identification of the hunter difficult at best.
He’d been contemplating ideas on corpse disposal to keep the younger members from running across it. He figured that delivering it as a meal to another hunter, one who was capable of showing common sense and intelligence even in the midst of its hunger, would be a prime solution to his dilemma. The wolf bowed its head to him in silent gratitude as it walked toward the corpse, settling in for the best meal it had eaten in weeks. Satisfied that the mess would be taken care of, Rhochlan turned his back on the grisly scene and hopped back through the forest to pick up his rounds where he’d left off.
After an uneventful hour, the large Were slowed as he crept toward the most dangerous area of his route. One edge of the colony’s territory fringed a local state park, and it was the one area where accidental contact with humans typically occurred. While contact with humans wasn’t forbidden (after all, the Weres led human lives as well outside of the warren), such contact generally led to dire consequences so close to home. As Alpha Buck of his colony, it was his responsibility to be both judge and jury when such infringements came to light.
Rhochlan froze. A strange scent floated across the breeze, and his entire body went perfectly still except for his whiskers. Suddenly thankful for the light cloud cover that kept the sun from gleaming off of his bright white-tipped fur, he crouched low to the ground as he tried to decipher what had alarmed him. He could hear the voices of a group of children in the far distance, but he knew that wasn’t what had triggered his fight or flight response. No, there was something disturbing his sense of natural balance…and that something was very close.
When a visual search didn’t alleviate his tension, he closed his eyes and concentrated on his other senses. The scent was familiar, yet not; almost as if it was similar to something he’d smelled before, but just different enough to make it unique. His long, tapered ears moved independently of each other as they twisted and turned, listening for the slightest nuance of sound. His sharp hearing picked up a muffled whimper off to his side, and he held his breath as he opened his eyes to trace the sound to its source.
After gathering as much information as he could without moving, he slowly eased his rigid posture and crept towards the sound. He paused after every step, his ears constantly swiveling to vector in on the sound’s location. After several such steps, a bright flash of color caught his eye, and he instinctively dropped back to the ground. Soft sounds of misery made his ears perk; as his eyes adjusted to the darkened area he’d crept into, he realized he was looking at the bowed head and hunched shoulders of a small child.
Quickly scanning the rest of the area, he was certain that they were alone. He crept closer, taking care to remain silent as he approached. He could sense the fear rolling off of the little one in waves, his small frame shaking with barely repressed sobs. One hand appeared to be clutching a plastic bag filled with plastic Easter eggs, while the other showed evidence of melted chocolate. Rhochlan paused to observe the child, taking in his disheveled appearance.
The boy was covered in mud, evidence of his tears visible in the small clean stripes cutting through the dirt on his face. The bottom of his red shirt was ripped, and there were scratches all over his tiny arms that were probably made from branches as he ran through the woods. His hair was longer than normal, brushing the collar of his shirt and feathered back from his face. Rhochlan’s eyes narrowed as he noticed that his hair was dark at the roots, graduating out to light blonde at the tips…very unusual coloring for a human.
He took one step further, his whiskers twitching as he tried to catch the child’s scent again. As fate would have it, his paw fell on a brittle twig and the resulting sharp crack caused the child to cry out in alarm as he darted a few steps away. As the child hesitated and looked back over his shoulder, his eyes fell on the large rabbit for the first time. He turned slowly, a tentative look of wonder creeping across his delicate features. Rhochlan was amazed at how quickly the boy moved, and as his scent washed over him, his amazement continued to grow.
The child—lost, alone, and staring down a “wild animal” that outweighed him by at least three hundred pounds—was a Were.
Welcome, and great post!