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.“Are you a wizard?” Duh, that was stupid.This wasn’t the Wizard of Oz.Yes, her given name might be Dorothy, but she was stark naked, strapped to a cross, minus the oh-so-important ruby-red slippers and magic words that had taken the real Dorothy home.The man’s laughter was gentle, soothing her fears.Colors and shapes began to form around him until he was standing in a field of knee-high grass.A gentle breeze caressed the green blades, making them sway to the tune of a lullaby playing softly in her head.In the distance was a verdant forest.A lazy stream curved along its border, then disappeared around a bend.The scene was blissful, placing her slightly off-guard.She sighed.My pretty, you do not need red shoes and nonsense words.You need a friend—a man who cares, who knows how you got here, and who knows where to find the door between the realms.I am such a man.I can fulfill your dreams and desires.More hope rose within Abby.The knot of tension began to unwind.She’d give anything to believe the dark stranger.“Who are you?”He hesitated before he said, I am Balin, ruler of the Kingdom of Malachad.The image of the field of grass shifted, replaced by a majestic castle surrounded by imposing mountains.Balin stood in a wooded area, a part of his realm.He was proud and formidable, a king.The picture made Abby catch her breath.If I were not a friend, would I share with you a name that enrages Lord Kir and all his clan? Again he reached out to her.Again she heard his hypnotic voice whisper, Take my hand.Come to me.Abby was so confused.She didn’t know what was real and what wasn’t any more.Through the haze she struggled to think.“Then you aren’t Lord Kir’s friend? Not one of his allies?”His laughter filled her head with warmth and reassurance.I think not, my pretty.The smile he flashed her almost made Abby’s toes curl.God, he was gorgeous.So is Kir, said a tiny voice deep in her mind.There’s more to that wolf-man than you’d like to admit.His blue eyes…The way he looked at her…His tender caress…His kisses…His genuine frustration at not being able to make her cower and heel…Yet the light in his eyes each time they butted heads.He relished the fight as much as she did.Yes.There was something about the damned annoying wolf-man.I have lost my mind.No way! I’m not letting Lord Kir seduce me.Arrogant bastard.“You’re saying you’ll help me escape?” Her bound body shivered with hope and sorrow, as if she didn’t really want to leave.Now where the hell did the sorrow come from?Yes.Balin’s voice was deep and reassuring.Escape.Yes.That’s what she wanted, right? Of course.She didn’t belong here.Kir was a possessive jerk.These wolf-people were alien, too different…Or am I the different one?Either way she was tired, confused, and so very lonely.Abby blinked and the scene within her head changed yet again.A gentle snow fell on an already white haven, Balin’s castle, his kingdom.Delicate flakes floated gently before her eyes.Now sleep, my pretty.Sleep.When you wake, you must convince Lord Kir that you are willing to do his bidding.She felt the thrust of his words lulling her to sleep.Should you fail you will not be allowed freedom, freedom which will lead you to me—to where you belong.Abby’s eyes grew heavy.She tried to fight the voice’s strong push to obey, but she yawned and her eyes watered.“How will I get in contact with you?” she asked, her words coming out almost slurred.Not to worry.I will find you.Now sleep.Sleep…Chapter Eight“Please don’t leave me,” Abby whimpered as Balin’s voice grew faint.Her tone sounded desperate and youthful to her own ears as she felt the tug of slumber pull her deeper and she sagged against her bonds.She snuggled into a light caress across her cheek.“Please don’t leave me,” she murmured.“I would never leave you.” The whiskey-deep voice of Kir jerked her fully awake again.This was not the man who offered to help her after Kir had left her alone for who knows how long.This was the bastard.Her enemy.A single tear of disappointment rolled down her cheek.Lord Kir’s tongue slid across her face wiping away the tear.“My little kitten, don’t cry.It is difficult to accept a new world, a new Master.”Abby startled at the light pressure against her mouth when his lips met hers.“Do not continue to fight me.” He kissed her again.“If you give yourself to me, if you submit, it will make the adjustment easier.” He continued to stroke her face with his fingers
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