It Wakes in Me Read Free Page B

“Of course, Matron.”
    Matron Wink pointed her finger like a stiletto at Flint’s heart. “Now you and I must talk.”
    Flint followed her across the chamber, far enough away that it would be difficult for Teal or Feather Dancer to overhear their conversation.
    Nonetheless, Feather Dancer strained to hear every word.
    With the softness of an assassin’s footfall, she said, “Only you and I know … details … we are taking grave … if Sora dies, we will never … do you …”
    Flint’s black eyes sparkled when he looked down at her. “I understand perfectly, Wink. Did you send … messenger … Strongheart?”
    “Yes, I’ve taken care …”
    A gust of wind flapped the door curtain and drowned out their voices.
    The iron-gray flash of dawn briefly streaked the floor; then it was gone, replaced by the warm gleam of the fire. The clouds must have broken.
    Feather Dancer’s hands clenched to fists at his sides. Flint had mentioned Strongheart, the chief priest in Eagle Flute Village.
Blue Bow’s village. Were they truly taking Chieftess Sora to Long Lance in the far north? His roiling gut told him Flint was engaged in a desperate game that had little to do with Chieftess Sora, but he couldn’t prove it.
    The matron said, “There is one more thing I want to say to you, Flint.”
    He straightened as though expecting something unpleasant. She had not always been kind to him. During the time Flint and Sora had been married, Wink had frequently threatened Flint’s life. Once, when Feather Dancer had seen fifteen winters, Flint had reportedly hurt Sora and Wink had chased him out of Blackbird Town swinging a war ax. “What is it, Wink?”
    “For the sake of the gods, you must keep her safe.” Tears made her voice shake.
    It took five heartbeats before Flint replied, “If your war chief follows my orders, she will be safe. If not, her death will be his fault.”
    Feather Dancer propped his hands on his hips. “My matron has ordered me to obey you. Therefore I will. I don’t like it. I don’t like you. But so long as breath lives in my body I will obey my matron.”
    A faint smile turned Flint’s lips, and behind those dark eyes Feather Dancer saw something akin to triumph. “Good. Then gather your things and let’s be on our way before it’s too late. We must hurry.”

3

    IN THE DREAM, I LOCK MY LEGS AROUND HIM AND HOLD HIM tightly. “I just want to feel you inside me. This may be the last time we …” Tears constrict my throat. I start moving.
    “Blessed gods,” Skinner whispers, matching my rhythm. “You cannot know how I need this. It keeps me here. Here with you. Just as it keeps your reflection-soul home. Tell me what to do. I’ll do anything you want.”
    I sit up with him still inside me and move in frantic fits, bringing him close, then stopping, just petting him, before I slowly begin again. A low moan sounds in his throat. He doesn’t have to do anything except give me the freedom to please him. When my own body flushes on the verge of ecstasy, he rasps, “Harder, Sora. Hurry.”
    I move faster. As the fiery wave builds, he grips my hips and violently shoves me down on his manhood.
    He moans, “Oh, gods! I love you so much.”
    His hands move up my arms and clench around my throat. When I start gasping for air, it is as though white-hot fire explodes inside me. My entire body bucks and quivers. He wraps his arms around me and
rolls us both over so that he is on top. His long hair falls around me like a dark curtain.
    Abruptly, he lifts his head and chokes out, “Who … who’s there? Sora? Do you see him?”
    “Who?”
    “Him.”
    I try to rise to look, but he shoves me down and his fingers tighten around my throat again. “Quickly, before he comes, tell me how you did it.” He glares at me with huge feral eyes, more animal than human. “How did you do it!”
    “Do what?” I beg and tear at his hands. “What are you talking about?”
    “How did you kill her? Did you slip