Blessed By The Maiden

Copyright © 2023 by Demi Clorissa. Published by Whisper in the Wood Press. ISBN: 978-0-6456822-2-9 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this novel are fictitious, and are not based on anyone living or dead. Cover Art by Fay Lane (https://faylane.com/) Edited by Krystal Nicol (Krystal Nicol Editing) Map By Alec M (https://www.fiverr.com/alecmck?source=inbox) For those who love unconditionally, ferociously, and with their whole heart. Content Warning Blessed By The Maiden is not intended for those under the age of eighteen. There are scenes that can be triggering in nature. The following is a list of content warnings: blood (excessive amounts), graphic violence/gore which includes whipping and hitting, violence against women, swearing, consensual explicit sexual scenes, mention of abortion (no on page abortion occurs), mention of sex work, sexual harassment, threatened sexual assault, manipulative relationship, mind control, mention of race (xenophobia), and a brief mention of suicide. Pronunciation Guide NAMES AND PLACES NAMES: Aereen - Ah-reen Lili - Li-lee Maryn - Ma-rin Jenissa - Jen-issa Tomas - Tom-as Isabel - Is-a-bell Konar - Kon-ar Gerrick - Ger-rick Ruven - Ru-ven Alwin - Al-winn Nilas - Ni-las Lura - Lur-aa Belanor - Bel-anor Roshia - Ro-sh-ia Delana - Del-lane-a Kalian - Cali-an Elora - E-lor-ra Evelyn - Ev-e-lyn Lais - Lai-as PLACES: Apearath - Ap-per-rath Shaydenhall - Shay-den-hall Westwend - West-w-end Infrinn - In-fer-rinn Contents Prologue I. Out of the Wood Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 II. Fears Faced and Blood Spilt Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 III. The Final Choice Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Acknowledgments About the Author Prologue The Mountain Cat Inn was a beacon in the stormy night, glowing lanterns beckoning all who wandered through the constant downpour. With trembling fingers and blood slick between her thighs, a hooded woman struggled towards refuge. Lanterns blurred around her. Clutching a precious bundle of furs closer to her chest, her voice was soft as she murmured, “Only a few more steps, little blossom. Then we will be inside, out of this wet.” A pair of broad shoulders attached to an imposing figure stepped into the rain, obscuring the light. Rain darkened the figure’s hair to a rusty orange, his hand across his brow shielding his eyes from the constant pebbling. She took another unsteady step, legs giving way. Her body swayed but didn’t meet the muck around her feet. Hands had gripped her biceps. “Let me pass…” She reached out to push him away, exposing the bloody mess under her cloak. The man’s squinted eyes trailed down. “By the Hunter, what happened to you?” Her eyes raised to meet the man’s eyes—brown, with a surprising kindness, radiating back. “Move,” the woman demanded through a clenched jaw, voice now harsh, cutting. “Let me pass.” A raindrop splashed on the bundle in the woman’s arms, awakening a sleeping infant. At its cry, she lurched, head spinning. She was losing too much blood, leaking precious life fluid into the mud. The baby squirmed, wriggling against her iron grip. “Here. Let me help you.” The man wrapped an arm around her middle, taking her weight. With each guided step, he pulled her away from the burning beacon. Her arm weakly pushed at him. An unmoving wall. “Someone is waiting for me. Please, I have no money, nothing.” He ignored her protests. She peered over her shoulder, the lanterns now disappearing specks in the pouring rain. “Where are you taking me?” “Out of this weather, miss, and into the stables. Where it is warm, and I can have a good look at you.” Her hand slipped under his cloak to find a grip on anything to push him away. Her fingers brushed over a pommel of a sword. A soaring eagle carved from cold metal. A mercenary. Her muscles tensed. She wrapped her hand around the leather grip, pulling the sword from the scabbard. She ripped her body away from the man. Her hood falling in the process—her true identity exposed. Using the last of her strength to raise the point of the sword to his throat. He raised his hands, gaze lingering on her bare face. “Get back, you mercenary prick. Who sent you?” she demanded, the blade digging deeper. “I’m Tomas,” he motioned to himself. “What is your name?” “I don’t give a fuck who you are. Did he send you?” she asked, her voice raising. A confused frown curled at the corners of Tomas’s broad mouth. “No one sent me—” “No.” A voice came from the darkness as another man stepped out. “He sent us, Lady Isabella.” Men stepped out of the shadows, hands on swords. Sneers across their dark faces. One stepped forward, their leather-faced, sour-lipped leader. Elijah. Isabella turned, sword glinting in the obscured moonlight. “Back all of you!” she yelled, her voice wavering. Her eyes worked in their sockets, taking in each man. Remembering each ugly detail. The baby’s wail grew louder, filling the void of strained silence. Her arm rocked her, shushing her in desperate pleas. Tomas stepped forward, sword digging in. A drop of blood ran down the sword. “Give me the sword, woman,” Tomas urged in a hushed whisper. His eyes flicked to the men, then to her. “Before, one of us gets hurt.” “Come with us,