Rocked by Passion

By Jennifer T. Alli

A tormented soul...
Cursed from birth Kieron has only ever known loathing and fear, the spirit of earth that he carries within him cursing him to a lifetime of solitude. He stumbles upon Estraya, his connection to her strong and instantaneous but he fights against it knowing that it's impossible for a monster like him to touch the stars.
A kindred spirit...
Sold into slavery by her family and hunted by a man crazed with the need to possess her, Estraya trusts no one. When she meets Kieron she sees him as nothing more than a means to achieving freedom but the wall around her guarded heart falls to his gruff words, her heart seeing him for the man he truly is.

A love strong enough to move worlds.
Determined to keep his curses from the only woman to see him as a man not a beast, Kieron vows to keep her safe within his arms. But as the past catches up to the present Kieron will have to use everything at his disposal, including the curses that have caused him nothing but misery, to save the woman who has given him his first taste of the fruits of passion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennifer T. Alli
• Release date: Jun 7, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458154187

Jennifer T. Alli

So I'm a writer, it's what i love to do and always have done. The thing with me used to be that I could never finish what I started, an idea for a new idea would come to me and push all other thoughts out of me head but that all changed when I discovered fictionpress. I finished my first novel, A Wolf's Duty and went on to complete a trilogy! I couldn't believe it just like I couldn't believe it when my work was plagiarised three times! It was the third time that made me decide self publishing was the right route to go down. No one steals something they've had to pay for and so here I am. Five complete books under my belt and a sixth well underway. My genre is paranormal romance, werewolves, vampires and all other types of supernatural beings...if that's your cup of tea then you're in the right place. (n_n) http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-T.-Alli/e/B00502KITQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Book preview

Rocked by Passion

Jennifer T. Alli

Copyright 2011 by Jennifer T. Alli

Smashwords Edition

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter One – When Worlds Collide

The night air was cool against Kieron's damp skin, a fact he was eternally grateful for from his crouched position on the forest floor. His body was hot, feverish, sweat glistening against his skin. His heart was racing within his chest, the blood pounding in his ears blocking out all other sounds. His eyes were closed tightly, eyelids hiding captivating green eyes. He was still as stone, unmoving despite the uncomfortable position as he let the cool air wash over his fevered skin while trying to regain control over his trembling limbs. He cursed softly as his mind was bombarded with fragmented images of what he’d done the night before. The images though vivid were strange, the memories unfamiliar and illusive. When he tried to grasp for a fragment, to hold on to it and see the damage he’d caused, it slipped away his mind unable to process the strange sights.

Will I never be free? he growled, standing on wobbly legs.

Naked as the day he was born and feeling as weak as any newborn, Kieron stumbled away from where he’d woken and went in search of his clothes. The ritual was one he’d been doing for years and he loathed it as much, if not more, than when it had first begun. He could hear insects moving faintly in the distance, birds flying overhead and small woodland creatures scurrying about underfoot and while normally the sounds would have been calming, his senses felt as though they were on fire and even the sound of his own breathing was too loud, grating painfully on his ears. The woods around him were pitch black, the pale light of the moon obscured by thick, heavy clouds but Kieron walked confidently through the trees letting the sounds of nature wash over him silently hoping that soon he would be able to find peace in the sounds of his environment. His head was bowed in fatigue, dark strands of hair falling into his eyes.

Uncaring, Kieron continued walking, all too aware of the rising sun. Lily would be waking soon, he needed to be home before then. While she accepted that her brother was very different to those around them, he was unsure if her caring and open heart was because she didn’t care or because she couldn’t remember how terrifying he could be. Uncertain of if she loved him because of the latter, Kieron did his best to ensure she never again saw the creature that his birth had forced onto him. At eleven years old Lily was still surprisingly innocent despite how intelligent she was. Her innocent smiles were one of the only bright spots in his long monotonous days of being universally hated and he was determined to ensure she remained exactly as she was for as long as he could manage.

Despite the darkness Kieron knew exactly where he was and where it was he needed to go. The walk back to his clothes wasn’t far from his current location though his home was considerably further away and a sad smile came to Kieron's lips. His legs would probably be on the verge of utter failure by the time he reached his destination but the further he had to walk the better it was for others. The forest at night was empty; blissfully devoid of people he could harm or vent his anger onto. By the time he reached his clothes he would have calmed down, the dangerous impulses that filled his mind having subsided. While he couldn’t care less of what others thought of his black moods, with their father absent on another of his trips, he was the only person Lily could rely on and she didn’t need to be exposed to the horrors that lurked within him.

Calm, he said to himself as he continued walking. Stay calm, he instructed knowing full well the likelihood of success was slim. Stay focused and calm. The words were familiar, another step in the ritual he was trapped within. More images assaulted his mind, the calm he had been trying so hard to attain slipping away. An angry growl slipped past his form lips and his step quickened. His legs pumped hard, pounding against the earth as he sprinted, moving as though he was trying to outrun his anger.

Maybe I just need some sleep. I might be calmer once I’m not so tired. The words were a lie and he knew it. Nevertheless he said them to himself each time the thing inside of him was unleashed. Hope kept him going, one day he was going to be free of this curse, he was doing everything in his power to make it possible and the heavens couldn’t be cruel enough to sentence him to a lifetime of such a gruesome ordeal.

The woods around him were familiar now and he rushed to the hollow stump where his clothes were hidden. The air, which had initially been welcome, had turned chilly and he was beginning to shiver. It wouldn’t bode well for others if he became ill, his black moods would darken even further, the change making violence increasingly likely. His hands reached into the dark hole, his shirt the first piece of clothing he came into contact with. He pulled the soft white material over his head and reached inside for the rest of his clothing. Breeches and boots quickly followed suit but when he reached inside for the final and most important article he was met with nothing but air and hard wood. His eyes darkened in anger, an angry growl rising up his chest. He spun on his heel, his eyes trying desperately to pierce through the darkness and find who’d been brave enough to steal from him.

Whoever it is I’m going to skin them! he spat.

Running a large hand over his face, Kieron cursed. He couldn’t enter the town without his hood. His accursed face would be on display for all and sundry to see. There might once have been a time when he could walk the streets freely, when he could feel the sun against his face without having to hide deep within the woods but that time had long passed. Now the thought of anyone looking at him without his face hidden by the dark shadows the multiple layers of his hood created sent shivers of apprehension racing down his spine. His face was not one that people should ever see, that fact had been made abundantly clear to him.

The faint sound of branches breaking forced Kieron to pay attention to his surroundings. Turning around made him notice the pack of hyenas closing in on him, their mouths salivating at the prospect of such a ready meal. Emerald eyes narrowed when he saw his hood being sniffed by a few of the animals. His scent had clearly led them to await his return. Standing his ground Kieron eyed the animals carefully, his eyes aglow in a silent command and he held out his hand expectantly. Their eyes locked, green with brown before the hyenas bowed their heads in submission.

Give it here, he ordered.

The shirt held tight in its jaws a hyena trotted eagerly towards Kieron who bent down, quickly reclaiming his shirt. An enormous sense of relief washed over him the instant he touched the dark material. Sighing, he pulled the shirt over his head, drawing the heavy hood over his hair to hide his face in shadow. With the hood covering him, no one would be able to see exactly who or what lurked beneath. He had learnt quickly that his face was not one the world should be exposed to. The lesson had been beaten into his young body and had almost cost him dearly on more than one occasion. His hood was now as much a part of him as any limb and it was only when the heavy but familiar weight settled around his shoulders that he felt comfortable enough to begin the final leg of the journey. His home was still far away, the secret hide away for his clothes deliberately difficult to reach. Once, years ago, someone had followed him when he’d stolen into the forest and from that night on he was forever changed. He’d nearly killed the person who had witnessed what he became and the life he’d been building for himself had vanished right before his eyes. Shaking his head to dislodge the unpleasant thoughts, Kieron forced his mind back to the present. The past was gone and though he would never be free of its grip all he could do was move forward.

******

Swirling white mist filled the air, obscuring Estraya’s vision and with each step she took serving only to take her further into its depths, frustration quickly welled within her. A string of expletives flowed from her lips as her eyes strained to see through the fog but despite the danger of her position, she continued, running frantically. From the high tops of the tree branches she could hear Amir’s men trying to catch up to her and she would rather die than fall back into his clutches. She felt as though she’d been running forever and though she hadn’t been a fugitive her entire life she might as well have been. From her very first memory her life hadn’t been her own and she’d spent years in perpetual flight, escaping her cage momentarily only to have her freedom snatched away time and time again. Her captor, Amir, was nothing if not persistent but then again so was she.

The terrain beneath her feet was unfamiliar but that was to be expected, she had spent most of her life in the searing heat of deserts. Trees with such thick foliage and cool fog were things she wasn’t accustomed to but she didn’t let that fact deter her from her escape. When Amir had announced that they’d be travelling from their homelands to visit the earth elementals in a land far away she had grasped the opportunity he’d presented with both hands and she wasn’t going to let it slip away. Her attempts to escape had always been hindered by Amir’s influence within her homeland but things would be different here she’d decided. She had bided her time, continued to act submissive while remaining vigilant for any opportunity that might present itself and tonight had been the night. The guards had been inattentive and she’d slipped away into the swirling darkness at the time thankful for the thick fog that sheltered the earth elementals from harm. Amir’s men had soon realised she’d escaped, they always did, and once again she was on the run.

Her body was agile and lithe, she’d trained it to be so and she leapt gracefully through the trees despite the fog and the darkness. Her normally steady gait was however hindered by her impaired sight and her heart fluttered wildly as the sounds of Amir’s men grew closer.

No! Her mind screamed. I’m so close this time. If I can just stay hidden for long enough then he’ll have to go back to the desert and I can be free. I can start a new life here away from that him and everything to do with him. I won’t let him catch me. Not this time. Never again! The words served to spur her on and her step quickened. It was difficult to move in the dark, she had to anticipate where she thought branches would be and she had no idea where she was going except for as far away from Amir as possible. A gleeful chuckle bubbled threatened to spill from her lips and give away her position when she realised the distance between her and her pursuers was increasing.

The clouds overhead parted allowing faint glimmers of moonlight to shine on the world below a fact Estraya would be eternally grateful for. She stumbled, forcing herself to halt her forward momentum and stay rooted to the thick branch beneath her feet. The distance between her and the nearest tree had doubled and had she continued blindly her fall would have been assured. Her eyes were drawn irresistibly to the ground below, her mind assessing the damage that would have befallen her if she’d plummeted to earth.

The fall wouldn’t have killed me, she decided. But I don’t think I could just walk away from it either. For a moment she contemplated descending and continuing onward closer to the ground but the thought was quickly discarded. If she were any nearer to the ground she would be an easy target for Amir’s men. She lifted her head skyward, pleased to see that the clouds were dispersing. Turning her eyes back to the next branch she contemplated her next move. I’ve made bigger jumps, she concluded.

Arms outstretched, Estraya leapt from the branch. Flying through the air a sense of freedom filled her. She was going to do it. This time she would finally be free. Her hands clasped the branch tightly as she collided with the dense wood before she lifted herself up and leapt again. Alive with sensation, she continued her dangerous journey. The clouds drifted through the sky once again hiding the moonlight. Estraya’s heart jumped into her throat as her target disappeared from sight mid leap. She stretched her fingertips out as far as she could but dreaded what would happen in the next few seconds. While leaping through the air was a skill she had acquired when she was young and honed by years of practice, she needed to see her target if she wanted to reach it. Whenever she’d tried to leap even short distances with her eyes closed she always missed and she knew without a shadow of a doubt that this time was going to be no different to all the others.

Her fingertips grazed the solid bark of the tree and though she tried to curl her fingers and hold on, she had missed by too far a margin and began plummeting towards the earth. She squashed her body’s instinctive reaction to scream in terror, very aware that the noise would attract the guards to her exact location. She crashed through the foliage, branches and hard bark scratching her skin unmercifully leaving bleeding wounds in their wake. Her hands scrabbled for purchase but she was moving too quickly and all she succeeded in doing was creating deep gashes on her flesh. Once she was through the thick foliage, the ground rushed to meet her and with nothing to break her fall, she closed her eyes, gritted her teeth against the oncoming pain and curled her body into as small a shape as possible.

Estraya hit the ground with a resounding thud and she couldn’t help the muted cry that spilled from her lips. The pain was excruciating. She let it wash over her, taking shallow breaths to centre herself and assess the damage that had been done. Rolling over onto her back, she tried to stretch her limbs only to find the pain doubled when she moved the left side of her body. Lying against the ground, her eyes watered in pain.

Her heart began to race again when the voices of Amir’s guards floated through the air now much closer than they had been before. The moonlight that had helped her was also helping them and with the path now visible to them they were quickly gaining on her. Thoughts of freedom filled her mind and though the pain was almost unbearable, she forced her body to sit up. Sweat beaded on her brow from the effort such a simple move had needed. Panting, she tried to stand using the thick bark of a tree as her anchor. Her trembling limbs collapsed beneath her and her head began to swim in a pain-induced delirium.

It can’t end like this, she cursed.

You shouldn’t be here.

The deep rumbling voice came from overhead and her heart automatically went into overdrive. Her head moved slowly, unwilling to see the means of her demise. The man was tall, towering over her prone form, and his shoulders were broad. His body was muscular, the thickness of his arms worrying her instantly. She tried to see his face but his features were obscured by shadow despite the returning moonlight.

The woods at night are a dangerous place.

As his words sunk in Estraya’s racing heart calmed. Even though she couldn’t see his face she knew he wasn’t one of Amir’s men. He sounded nothing like the men from her homeland and she had never been so relieved to hear a foreign accent before. He turned to walk away, ready to leave her to her fate and despite the danger it posed, she spoke, calling out to him.

Wait, please don’t go. Help me.

Chapter Two – Caged

Scowling deeply, Kieron continued his journey home, his steps brisk and filled with anger. This just isn’t right, he cursed. He closed his eyes, clutching his head as more fragmented, disturbing images flashed through his mind. Rather than subsiding as they normally did, memories of the night continued to assault him and his mood darkened with each step he took. This close to his home he was beginning to worry. If something didn’t happen to change his frame of mind soon then Lily would be exposed to the darker side of his nature. Venomous curses flew from his lips in an attempt to dispel the worst of his temper but his anger continued to rise.

I wish there was someone I could vent all of this onto but no one is stupid enough to come here at night. Especially not for me to just pound them into the earth. The words passed through his mind but he was well aware that the wish was an impossible one. Everyone knew better than to venture into the woods at night, all sorts of predators roamed the lands around the city and even skilled warriors could find themselves overwhelmed. The sound of a crash rung in his ears and he turned to find the source of the noise, a cruel smile emerging on his lips. Maybe I was wrong and there are some really stupid people in the world.

He stalked closer to the source of the sound, stunned by what he found. Rather than a drunken idiot or a group of adolescents trying to prove their worth, a woman lay panting heavily against the ground. The moonlight faded, obscuring his vision and he moved forward silently, curiosity compelling him to discover more. She rolled over as the light from the moon was revealed again and Kieron sucked in a stunned breath. He’d never seen a woman so beautiful in all the years of his life.

Her skin was a glowing brown, warm and inviting to the touch. Her hair was cut short, the colour a strange mix of orange and red, and a stunning contrast to her skin. Her lips were plump, her cheeks high and her features cherubic in appearance. When she opened her eyelids, revealing startling violet eyes, he could have sworn his heart stopped. The clothes she wore were strange and combined with her unique appearance; he quickly concluded that she didn’t originate from the lands he lived in. Her breeches were made of a thin gauzy material, the loose cloth sticking to her skin and highlighting the shapely nature of her legs. Her shirt was made from a similar material, revealing the bare skin of her now injured arms while clinging to her firm breasts. She struggled to get to her feet and Kieron moved closer. She grunted in pain when her legs gave out beneath her sending her tumbling back to the ground.

You shouldn’t be here, he began. Her head spun round to look at him and he shifted his hood, ensuring she couldn’t see his face. The woods at night are a dangerous place.

Kieron’s actions shocked him. He rarely spoke to any one outside his family. When he did it was only because someone else had initiated a conversation and he never spoke to women, especially not ones as beautiful as the one that lay at his feet. Silently he swore at himself. Nothing good could come from this meeting. He was cursed; all he did was bring pain and misery. He turned to walk away, though she was clearly injured it was safer for this strange woman to be left alone in the forest rather than spend any more time in his presence.

Wait, please don’t go. Help me.

Her voice was musical, moving through his body like a calming breeze and Kieron let himself have the small pleasure of savouring the sound before he realised what he was doing. He hardened himself against her pleas, turning to face her, his frosty expression hidden by the swath of material covering his face. Why should I do that?

Her brows drew together in confusion as though she weren’t used to having her requests denied. Why should you help me? she said slowly as though trying to fathom the reason for his refusal.

Yes. I don’t know you nor do I care to. Why should I help you?

Because it’s the right thing to do, she argued, violet eyes flashing. When an injured person asks for help you’re meant to give it to them.

And what if I don’t want to? Kieron snarled becoming annoyed with the conversation.

The few words he’d exchanged with the feisty woman on the floor were more than he’d said to another living soul outside of his family in what felt like a decade. People normally went out of their way to avoid any and all interaction with him, the woman before him only spoke to him because she didn’t know better. If she knew what she was getting herself into by merely speaking to him he was certain the conversation would end abruptly. As it should be, the logical side of his mind reasoned. There was no way for anyone to be around him without misfortune befalling them. Kieron’s reactions to the strange beauty in front of him baffled him and a scowl appeared on his face as a result.

What sort of man would refuse to help an injured woman? she hissed, all too aware of Amir’s men closing in on them. Despite the fact that she couldn’t see his face it was obvious that Kieron didn’t want to help her but she didn’t have any other options. It was better to leave with the reluctant stranger and be taken further into unknown lands than wait for Amir’s men to catch her and return her to his clutches. Any fate had to be better than the one she’d left behind.

Who said I was a man? Kieron demanded becoming frustrated with her. "I could be a beast. Are you still so eager to have me help you?"

Yes! she cried. Black spots were beginning to appear before her eyes and she knew her time was short. Soon she would be rendered unconscious by the pain, she needed to ensure his cooperation as soon as possible. I don’t care if you’re the devil himself, I need to get out of here.

I might not be the devil but I’m close. Trust me, it’s better for you to stay here and have someone else find you. You’re very persuasive but I’m not one to be swayed by words. Good luck.

When Kieron turned to leave, Estraya leapt into action, reaching out to grab his ankles tightly within her hands. Her eyes watered as pain radiated through her body because of the move but she forced herself to hold on, looking at him with beseeching eyes. Please help me. There are men after me. If I don’t hide they’ll catch me and they’ll kill me. Amir’s guards would never kill her, what they would do was far worse and she couldn’t help but shiver as unwanted memories rushed to the forefront of her mind. Please, I’m begging you.

Her words touched Kieron, compelling him to give her aid and his scowl deepened. It was quickly becoming obvious that the woman inspired strange feelings within him and that was a dangerous fact. His emotions and powers were volatile enough as it was, he didn’t need an unknown element adding more instability. He moved forward nevertheless, preparing to lift her body into his arms and carry her to safety. Frowning when he realised how tender the hold might seem to this strange woman, Kieron placed both hands around her waist, lifting her from the ground and placing her over his shoulder. A muffled scream left her lips and she clutched his shirt trying to anchor herself against the pain. Hardening his heart to the sound, Kieron strode forward, unsure of what exactly he was going to do with the woman.

Estraya’s body felt as though it was being overwhelmed by pain but a smile appeared on her face. She was moving and anywhere was better than here. The black spots in front of her eyes multiplied the longer they moved, her mind succumbing to the pain radiating through her body as she bounced on Kieron’s shoulder. Finally, I’m free. The words whispered through the corridors of her mind, hope filling her addled mind.

When Estraya went limp, her every muscle involuntarily relaxing, Kieron breathed a sigh of relief. His actions were beginning to confuse him and if she spoke to him again he would only become more bewildered by what he was doing. He never willingly spoke to people let alone ventured his help. Not only had the woman tied his mind in knots but she was doing the same to his body as well.

Despite all he had gone through Kieron was still only a man and his will was being sorely tested by the gentle curves of the woman pressed so closely against him. She smelled intoxicating, like the rarest lily and her scent called to him calming him while angering him. She was a contradiction the likes of which he’d never known. Her eyes and voice had pleaded with him, imploring him to help her with an innocence he rarely saw in women but her body was well toned, the body of a fighter. He didn’t doubt that under normal circumstances she could take care of herself. Everything about her piqued his curiosity and made him want to learn more about the circumstances of her arrival. It was obvious from the way she looked that she had travelled a great distance to reach his shores, which only begged the question, why?

The sound of men calling to each other reached his ears and he frowned remembering her desperate words. Would they really kill her? he thought, halting his stride. He was sorely tempted to leave her behind, to pretend the entire incident hadn’t happened and continue living his solitary and predictable life. She doesn’t belong here. I’ll be doing her a favour by giving her back to her people. No one would want to hurt someone as beautiful as she is. She’ll be safe. Even as the words formed something within him protested, rising and becoming dark, ugly…dangerous. Shaking his head, Kieron resumed walking immensely disturbed by what had just happened. Clearly he couldn’t leave her behind either.

Well I’m not taking her home, he groused. Lily wouldn’t understand. How can I explain it to her if I can’t even explain it to myself?

From beneath the depths of his hood, Kieron’s sharp eyes spotted the opening to what looked like a cave and he sped up as an idea formed inside his mind. When he stepped over the threshold he was pleased to find that the area within was large, spacious and most importantly impregnable aside from the entrance he’d just used. Laying Estraya against the soft grass, he couldn’t help but stroke her cheek, his eyes closing to better savour the sensation. Her skin was unbelievably soft and for someone so deprived of human contact, it felt like heaven against Kieron's work roughened fingertips. Scowling angrily, he snatched his hand away from her face, forcing himself to step back and leave her alone. He walked backwards to the cave’s entrance, unable to take his eyes from her.

Placing his hand against the solid stone, he summoned the power within him and the earth moved. The rock shifted, spreading from the ground upwards until the entrance slowly disappeared from sight. When he was finished the cave entrance looked to all appearances like a sheer stone wall. The dark rock looked as though it had been there since the beginning of time, no normal person would be able to find it and only the most skilled earth elementals would be able to make the entrance appear again. His hands moved again, rising higher against the stone and closing his eyes he created a small hole in the roof of the cave for air and light to enter. After all the effort he’d gone through the last thing he wanted was for her to suffocate alone and panicked in the dark. The woman, whoever she was, was safe.

All this and I don’t even know her name, Kieron chuckled ruefully.

Finally away from the strange effect Estraya had on him, Kieron was acutely aware of the rising sun and the young girl at home that would soon be waking and wondering where he was. He took off running, his power spreading out before him touching every element of the forest in front of him and communicating his desperate need to move swiftly. Branches moved, lifting out of his line of sight and falling neatly back into place once he’d passed, overgrown roots pressed themselves flush against the ground to prevent him from tripping over their thickness. The trees themselves even moved, rising from the earth to create a straight path for Kieron to travel on.

With the earth obeying his every command, Kieron moved swiftly, his long legs eating up the distance between him and his home. The wind moving past him futilely to push his hood away from his face but the heavy weights embedded in the material kept it in place, hitting his forehead as he ran. Frustrated, Kieron threw the hood away from his face confident that no one would see him this far from the city. Minutes passed and the forest around him gradually gave way to flat fields where animals grazed quietly and crops grew to sustain the needs of the city that he was fast approaching. His lungs began to burn from the strain of having to run for so long and he sighed in relief when the towering gates that led into the city appeared.

Kieron stopped, sparing a final glance over his shoulder as the image of Estraya lying peacefully against the cool grass appeared at the forefront of his mind. The wilds of the woods were where he belonged, he knew it with every fibre of his being, but he was well aware that should he surrender to the call of nature he would bring nothing but chaos and disaster. Turning his back on the woman who called to his darker side and forcing himself to ignore the seductive call of the wild, Kieron pulled his hood over his face. His domestic collar now firmly in place, he walked towards the city gates.

The gates towered over his head; the large doors wide open signalling that the city was prepared to trade. Paddington was a city intended for trade, which was why it was so heavily populated with earth elementals whose skills with nature made them craftsmen of the highest calibre. Guards patrolled the walls around the town, their torches lighting the way for travellers and citizens alike.

Who goes there? a guard called from high above his head.

This early in the morning the only people who tried to enter the city were farmers returning with crops to sell at the market and his lone silhouette on the brightening horizon was clearly not that of a farmer.

It’s me Manny, Kieron, he called up to the guard walking calmly through the open gates.

Oh. The guard’s tone of voice was clearly disappointed but it was a tone of voice that Kieron had grown accustomed to over the years.

There wasn’t a single soul except for Lily and Julie who wouldn’t be delighted if he never returned from his trips into the forest but there was nothing out there that could kill him and it was beyond even his power to escape the mists that tied him to the land here. Putting Manny’s clear disappointment to the back of his mind, Kieron walked into the city, his head down to avoid meeting the gazes of any of the city’s residents. He needn’t have bothered. His hood was well known and people moved out of his path as soon as they saw him coming.

This early in the morning the city was coming to life. Market stalls were being set up, the sellers loudly extolling the value of their wares. The noise grated on his sensitive ears but he forced himself to continue walking, to move through the emerging crowds and ignore the voices and smells that were assaulting his senses.

Kieron! Kieron!

The loud sound of his name being called forced him to look up from the ground and a faint smile graced his features when he realised who was calling him. Ignoring the looks he received, Kieron made his way towards Julie and her stall. The simple stall was covered in bright colours, advertising the uncomplicated but useful pottery she made. Julie was a short woman, wide in the hips and chest with a softly rounded face. Wrinkles lined her aged face, her long greying hair tied messily at the nape of her neck. Despite her years, her blue eyes shined with youth and vitality, the smile on her face constant, especially when she saw Kieron. Julie had stepped into his mother’s shoes when she died, doing her best to protect Kieron and Lily despite the lack of blood that connected them. Her son had been Kieron’s best friend when they were young but Jack had gone to war and never returned. Thoughts of his best friend saddened Kieron to this day and he had to shake his head to dispel the melancholy that had settled over him.

Good morning Ju– He cut his sentence off swiftly, realising the mistake he’d been about to make. Good morning mother Julie.

She smiled widely at him, pulling his much taller frame into her arms and embracing him in a motherly hug. The eyes of the other merchants were drawn to them but Julie refused to relent and he reluctantly placed his arms around her round body placing a tender kiss to her weathered cheek.

Where have you been? she scolded fondly, pulling him from the street to stand behind her booth. If I didn’t know better I’d think you were avoiding me. I haven’t seen you in days. Whenever I come round to visit you’re not there. Poor Lily, she always seems to be by herself.

I’m sorry mother Julie, the King is looking for me and I won’t go to the palace. Not after what happened with Annabelle.

When will that man leave you in peace? she frowned, blowing a stray strand of hair out of her face. Never mind, you’re here now and that’s what matters. Kieron froze when her hand entered his hood to cup his cheek. Tutting, she pulled her hand back, running it over the muscles of his chest. Kieron! You’re skin and bone. You’re not eating properly. What’s a mother to do? You need to take better care of yourself. You’re going to take years off my life if I have to worry about your health.

Sorry mother Julie, he mumbled. I just haven’t had time to buy anything for the house recently.

Rubbish! she exclaimed. It’s not that you don’t have time, it’s that some of these fools aren’t willing to serve you. I’ve known you your entire life Kieron don’t try to lie to me, I can tell when you’re being honest and when you’re not. The ignorance of people astounds me sometimes. I should have words with them.

Don’t! he cried.

She sighed, hugging him again. You’re too kind for your own good Kieron. If they knew the real you they wouldn’t dare act this way.

They have reason to fear me mother Julie and so do you.

Nonsense! You’re like a son to me Kieron and there’s no mother that fears her own child.

If only you knew how untrue that is mother Julie.

Don’t worry about them anymore Kieron. I knew that something like this would happen so I bought you some essentials. Julie reached under the table of her booth and pulled out a large basket filled to the brim with food. Her arms quivered under the weight of her basket and Kieron was quick to take the heavy weight from her fingers. Thank you Kieron. I bought you what I could but money is tight at the moment, I can’t craft things quickly anymore. There are some eggs in there, some bread and some ham. I think that should tide you over for now but Kieron you need to stop letting people take advantage of you. You’re the kindest soul I know, there’s nothing dangerous about you and it’s about time they realised that.

Beneath the layers of fabric that hid his face, Kieron rolled his eyes. Julie was always blind to his faults, protecting him even when others had reason to treat him as they did. Mother Julie, you didn’t have to do this.

Of course I did Kieron. You’re the only son I have left. I have to take care of you.

If you think of me as your son then let me help you. You don’t need to work here anymore, I can provide for you and Albert.

I like working Kieron and I’m not going to stop until I can’t do it anymore. How many times will I have to tell you this before you let the subject go?

At least a million more, he chuckled softly. Taking her hand into his. He reached for the