D.D. Ward is Writing

The witching hour had passed and Blair knew she needed to sleep. But she didn’t want to face the countess in her dreams once more. Blair considered her options.  She had two silver potions. If she drank one that should protect her from anything the countess might attempt. But she had only two such potions. She wore one silver potion around her neck, and kept a larger silver potion in her bandoleer. It didn’t seem wise to waste either so early in her ordeal.  Should she wait until dawn to sleep? She would lose part of the day, which meant she would be more likely to encounter the countess in person. Blair didn’t know which was better. Better not to sleep. But that wasn’t wise either. Still she knew she could go one night without sleep. She could postpone the issue one night.  Blair cursed and stalked in circles in her room. Finally she left her room and headed for the dining hall. Nadia had gone to bed. The other girls were still up. They clustered about Blair as she enter...

Blair stalked through the halls heading back to her room. An argument raged in her skull.  Blair knew that she shouldn’t trust Nadia. Blair did trust Nadia, but knew that she shouldn’t. Nadia could be under the countess’s control. Nadia could be unaware of that control. Blair knew how subtle and how powerful the mind control of some elder immortals could be.  Blair shook her head as she remembered the kiss. She had lifted Nadia and pushed her against a wall. She shouldn’t have done that. She hadn’t meant to do that. But she had done it. She couldn’t let herself fall in love with Nadia. It was too dangerous. It didn't matter how sexy Nadia was. It didn't matter how much Blair wanted Nadia’s soft skin pressed against her own. She could not fall in love with Nadia. Blair slammed a fist against the wall. She shook her head. She could feel Nadia’s lips pressed against her own. She could smell Nadia’s perfume. The memory of the kiss left her dizzy. No. No. No. Regardless of how much...

Nadia stared at Blair, breathless and dizzy.  Blair shook her head and looked away. Nadia grimaced. They weren’t through the doubt stage yet. Nadia had hoped the kiss meant Blair had dealt with her misgivings, but no. “What is it?” Nadia asked.  “So many things.” Blair answered. “I don’t think you’re an agent of the countess. But you’re right, she might be manipulating you. But that’s not the problem.” Nadia cocked her head in surprise. “That’s not the problem?” “No. If we survive and escape or kill the countess, then her hold over you breaks. Simple.” “Then what?” “There are problems that will remain even after we leave this castle. You’re Thulean. And I’m Yssian. I don’t care about that. But we’re both nobility and our families will care about it. You’re also a princess, and of much higher standing than myself. Your family may not even approve of the match, it’s so lopsided.” “Your grandmother is a baroness.” “And I’m distant in the line of succession.” “You’re still from a ...

Blair watched Nadia as they separated. Tears welled and rolled down Nadia’s cheeks. Blair flinched. She didn’t want to hurt Nadia.  “All right.” Nadia said. “I’ll tell you the truth.”  Blair froze, Nadia had been lying. Blair scrambled to figure out what this meant. Was Nadia actually spying on Blair? Was Nadia actually an immortal, as in Blair’s dream? Blair resisted reaching for her saber. Instead, she nodded.  “Go on.” “I did plan to escape. Once. I had been planning an escape. I wanted to do what you said, get all the girls out. This was my excuse, what I told myself was the reason I remained the countess’s favorite.” “What changed?” Nadia ran her hand from her right ear down to her collarbone in a clawing motion. Blair flinched as she realized what Nadia meant by the gesture.  “The countess found out. She punished me. And then she left me on the floor, almost letting me bleed out. This, even after I surrendered. She did it to make a point. I felt like a dying mo...

Nadia felt her frustration rising. She understood the desire to escape. But she knew escape was impossible. Unfortunately, she couldn’t convince Blair of the futility of attempting escape. Blair was still talking. And then Nadia heard Blair say, “Maybe the other hunter can help. I’m going to go talk to her.” Nadia gasped. Blair couldn’t associate with the other hunter. The countess might decide that Blair wasn’t cooperating as well. Nadia needed to stop Blair. “It’s too late in the day.” Nadia said. “The countess could wake at any time.” “I’ll be quick.” “You’ll get caught.” Nadia said. “I’m going.” Blair said. “You’re not!” Nadia stepped forward and pushed Blair against the stone of the castle. Blair grunted and stared down at Nadia. They stood close, Nadia’s hands on Blair’s shoulders. Nadia could feel Blair’s breath against her face. She smelled lavender. Blair wore perfume. Again the hunter surprised Nadia. They stared at each other, and Nadia realized how close they stood. The sil...

Nadia went to bed early that night and woke in time for a proper breakfast. She wouldn’t do this most days. But Nadia knew Blair would be up, taking advantage of the countess’s absence. Nadia hurried to the dining hall. Blair sat in the spot Nadia had sat yesterday. The hunter ate a breakfast of egg-toast and cheese. Blair waved to Nadia as she entered the hall.  Nadia placed her order with the kitchen and rushed to the table.  “May I join you?”  Blair smiled. “I would adore that.” Nadia settled in beside Blair and slid up until the two of them were touching. Blair shuffled a little, but did not move away. Nadia grinned.  “How did you sleep?” Blair shook her head. “It was an eventful sleep. Full of confusing dreams. You?” Nadia considered for a second, and then decided to be bold. “I dreamed of you.” Blair started and turned to look at Nadia, face crimson. “You did? In what capacity?” “A brave knight on horseback swept me off my feet and carried me away to safety.” “...

Blair went to bed after the witching hour, but before dawn, in the coldest hours of the night. The dawn had not broken when a sound startled Blair. She sat up in her bed in Castle Wanderlust and looked around. Nothing in her room seemed out of place. But the window lay open. Blair rose from her bed to shut the window. She reached the window. Beyond the window she saw something flying out among the Agarthan mountains. Agarthan mountains? Something was wrong with that, but Blair couldn’t think what it was. The thing flying out in the night looked too large to be a bird. Blair guessed that the thing was about the size of a person. She squinted. But as she did, the thing swooped and launched itself at the castle. Blair stepped back from the window. The dark shape flew in the window and landed before Blair.  Blair recognized Nadia standing before her. Nadia stood, dressed in a black corset, black stockings, black opera gloves. And nothing else. The sight made Blair catch her breath. Nad...