I was indeed afraid of what Hawk would do to me as penance for my escape.

But not enough to stop my mad flight back through the castle. My hands tracing the corners that I’d clung to when I’d gone to his chamber. Using them to find my way back.

His fury had felt like enough to bring the bricks of this castle down around my ears.

But even that wasn’t as terrifying as the realization that I’d been so relaxed in his presence that I’d nearly fallen asleep on his chest. And he’d welcomed me there like a familiar lover.

Not like a less powerful mage he was controlling with his blasted magic.

I’m not his toy. I was soon pacing my chamber. His threat ringing in my ears so vividly that I couldn’t sleep.

‘I swear by all that’s holy Mary, if you do not finish me, I’ll take you on your knees like a dog tomorrow!’

He wouldn’t.

Warlord wouldn’t like the distraction from training. Warlord was known to be a rigid task master.

Even more so than Hawk.

But Hawk had implied that he didn’t fear ramifications from Warlord.

Does he fear nothing?

Warlord was terrifyingly powerful. So much so that everyone knew he generated it like frost. Clinging to everything he past and floating behind him like a black fog.

My filmy white robe swept behind me as I turned again. Clutching it against me. Fearing what he’d do to me today.

But one thing was certain. He’s going to make me pay on the training field tomorrow. One way or another.

***

I was certainly not wrong.

“Mary Mage! You’re by far the worst Indo-Mage I’ve yet to come across!” His expression was wrathful. His slashing black brows drawn low over his fierce green eyes.

I’d been the target of his fury all morning.

Everyone had gone from first being amused at my expense, to now shooting me pitying looks.

It was at least the fifth time He’s shouted across the grassy training garden to call me out before everyone.

“It is simply to invite a bird.”

It truly was a basic enough task, but I was exhausted from lack of sleep last night and distracted from thoughts of him staring at me so heatedly while I’d caressed my own body and writhed atop his smooth brown flesh.

Now he stalked across the field, his flowing dark green shirt nearly the same shade of his angry gaze. Was pushed halfway up his corded forearms. Black breeches were tucked into polished black boots crushing over the spring grass. His sun-browned skin was tightly muscled and shining with health in the morning light.

Same as it had been when slick with sweat last night. Grimacing I banished the thought.

He looks fit to choke me.

But as he reached me, he was already yelling as he often did at me. “This is not a hard task! All the other Indos have managed it this morning. You open your hand and call a bird.”

He lifted his finger pointedly. “One bird. That’s all! Why are you finding it so hard?”

I’m insanely distracted! Which is your fault!

He reached me and I took a hesitant step backward, but his hand snapped out to snatch the edge of my gray mage’s robe and haul me back before him. “Where do you think you’re going! I’m trying to teach you.”

“Get your hand off me.” I hissed up at him. “Then listen!”

“I don’t have to listen to a think you say.” My lip curled in contempt. As I glowered boldly up at him.

What the hell am I thinking?

He’s going to strike me down right here.

“Knees.” He pointed to the ground.

And without any direction from me, my legs folded and dropped me to my knees on the ground.

I yelped. Suddenly very much reminded of my place.

His magic was overwhelming. He could command me with a single word. Overtaking my body to obey his commands.

I looked around furtively. Afraid of what he’d do. I was now on my knees on the grass, and he’d said he didn’t care who watched him take me. I peered around him to see everyone standing a distance behind him.

They were slinking backward to put themselves as far away from him as possible.

He crouched down before me. Dragging a hand down the thick tree trunk next to me, in a way I found incredibly intimidating.

“Don’t worry, Mary. Not yet…” That was all he said. No promise for a reprieve. No vow that he hadn’t meant it.

He meant it.

And he’s going to do it.

“But I will get you, Mary Mage…”