Krystellina's Crisis

Blurb

After spending three years as sex slave to the twisted Kadin, Krystellina finally escapes, with the underlord’s horde hot on her heels. But when Sarek, guardian of the misted forests, rescues her, she wonders if she escaped one evil master only to be thrust into the arms of another. Krystellina has never learned to trust, and she’s not sure now is the time to start. Sarek believes she is his soulmate and destined to become his wife, but he also realizes her servitude to Kadin does not make her particularly interested in exchanging one master for another, no matter how perfect that someone may appear to be.

Discovering her life is in danger again, Krystellina flees once more, only to be saved by another dweller of the misted forests—Gar, who bears the title of companion-apprentice to the Master Magician Sarek. Suddenly, Krystellina is torn. These two seductive men are nothing like Kadin, and within the forest spun with sensual magic, she’s finding the misted forests, and their guardian and his companion, very hard to resist. Obviously, this is a crisis Krystellina must resolve one way or the other.

Can she truly love Sarek, who claims she is his soulmate from another life? Will Gar help her to resolve her dilemma, or only confuse her more? Or will she find herself running yet again...but this time, from her own heart?

Excerpt

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Krystellina’s eyelids snapped up. She wasn’t certain exactly what had awakened her so abruptly, but the urgency would not abate. She scanned the darkened bedchamber. All was silent, except for the sound of deep breathing coming from the two men she was tightly sandwiched between, who still appeared lost to their dream world.

Carefully, she turned to gaze at the man who had been her lord and master for the last three years. Did evil men such as him even dream? Krystallina decided she didn’t even want to know if the man held darker fantasies than he exacted upon his slaves.

Krystellina slipped from between the two warm bodies. She focused her thoughts to masking her movements from the two men. It was important she not disturb either of them—the large, dangerous man to the left, the powerful Underlord Kadin, ruler of the black underworld, or the one to the right, As-ya, another slave like her. As-ya appeared to sleep peacefully, probably just as exhausted as her from the activities of the night before.

The underlord had chosen the two of them to entertain him last evening. If they performed to his satisfaction, he rewarded the slaves by inviting them to share his meal and his bed. If he wasn’t pleased, it would mean a cold night in a wet cell without food or water and then seven days to follow with only bread and water to sustain them. It could include a session with the whip if the Master was so inclined.

Last night the Master had been well pleased with his two possessions. He had used both of them in many and varied ways until he had drifted off to sleep after too much wine and more than an abundance of sex. Krystellina finally managed to disentangle her sore body from the males and black silk bedding. With caution, she tiptoed across the shiny black floor to where her clothes, what few there were, lay scattered about the room.

Kadin had enjoyed her dance the night before. He had sat in his huge, golden throne chair, stroking his immense erection as she undulated and drifted across the floor, her clothes discarded here and there as her body was revealed for the Master’s pleasure.

Krystellina had learned the dance in her home province of Jovantu. It was meant to be a marriage dance, one designed and practiced for her intended. She shook her head, trying to break loose of the painful memories of what should have been the planned path of her life. If the caravan carrying her to her intended hadn’t been attacked. If Kadin hadn’t found her appetizing enough to add her to his human collection of sex slaves.

The first year she had fought him to her very last breath, determined to die rather than remain his slave. But that was not in Kadin’s plans, and she had paid a high price. The second year she had drawn on a strength she hadn’t known she possessed and had turned her mind to outwitting the man who enslaved her. It was either that or lose her mind. And this last year, after finally managing to gain a glimpse into the underlord’s thoughts—apparently without him realizing she had the power—she had given herself freely to the Master in all ways. Enough to bind with his mind and access the map to the labyrinth that represented her key to freedom.

There was not time to return to the slave’s quarters to find heavier clothing. She would only have one chance to break free of the underworld. Although she didn’t know where the voice inside her head came from, out of instinct she knew this was the day she must make good her escape. She would have to don the seductive outfit she had worn the night before and make her best gamble for freedom.

She slipped on the blood-colored corset, lacing it up the side. Then the matching transparent skirt. And, finally, she pulled on the matching ruby and emerald encrusted gold sandals.

Taking a deep breath, she surveyed the tangled bodies and bedding, but saw no movement to indicate either man might be waking.

Tiptoeing to the private side door Kadin’s mind had revealed to her—one hidden within the framework of the stone wall—she searched for the hidden release. This was the only door in his underworld kingdom not guarded. Its presence was veiled from discovery, blending into the unblemished ebony stone facade of the wall.

Encountering the hidden catch with the pad of her index finger, she pressed and the door slid open, revealing a torch lit passage beyond. Thank Goddess. Just as she stepped a foot over the threshold, a strong hand clamped down on her shoulder. She stifled a scream.