Just as dawn broke, Valteri and Ariel entered the bailey.
Honestly, Ariel was happy to be back, even though she knew she should still be running.
Valteri slid to the ground with her in his arms. Embarrassed by his continued embrace, she tried to squirm from his hold, but he tightened his grip.
“I can walk, milord.”
“Aye, and run as well.”
She stopped moving and gave him a chiding grimace.
His gaze blank, he said nothing more as he carried her inside. The people were just waking and they paused in their morning routines to stare at them.
Ariel averted her gaze, embarrassed by the speculative gleam in their eyes. Heat crept up her cheeks, and despite the need to insist Valteri release her, she kept her silence.
At last Valteri entered their chambers and deposited her on the bed. “I should chain you,” he said, his voice as empty as his eyes.
She swallowed, her heartbeat slowing in guilt. He would never do such to her, and she knew it. ’Twas only his pain that made him threaten it.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
His gaze seared her. “Damn, Ariel, if you did this much harm to me unintentionally, then I’d hate to see what you could do if you actually applied yourself.”
His sarcasm cut deeper than any sword stroke.
He had a right to be angry.
When he spoke again, his voice was barely more than a whisper in the quiet room. “You told me you wouldn’t leave.”
“That was before a chandelier had almost killed you.” Why couldn’t he be reasonable? “I was trying to find a way to break the curse, but when the chandelier fell, I realized I was tempting fate by staying here. I only wanted to protect you.”
Valteri braced his hands against the back of the chair in front of him. Still facing the wall so that she couldn’t see his expression, he sighed. “I don’t want your protection. I only want you.”
She closed her eyes against the warmth his words brought to her heart.
Don’t let him weaken your resolve.
Whatever she did, she must keep her mind unclouded by those tender emotions. “Please, Valteri, understand that I cannot stay here and be responsible for your death. I just can’t.”
She crossed the room and placed a hand on his rigid shoulder. His muscles bunched beneath her fingertips, but he made no move to pull away. “How can you ask this of me?”
He turned about and held her by her arms. His pleading gaze searched hers. And beneath his rage, pain flickered in the odd-colored depths, stealing her breath, her will. Ariel swallowed, her chest tightening in fear and apprehension.
“I don’t want you to die,” she begged.
“And I don’t want to live, unless I have you.”
She closed her eyes, unable to face the sincerity of his gaze. Why was Valteri doing this? Why was he being so stubborn? “Are you willing to damn yourself for a moment’s worth of pleasure?”
“For one sweet moment with you, aye! Point me to the road to hell and I’ll gladly walk it. Never once in my life have I ever expected to grow old, and I would rather live one day held in your arms than to live out the rest of my life in the empty void that has followed me since my birth.”
Ariel pulled away from him, his words branding her. It would be so easy to stay, so very easy to give her pledge that she’d remain with him for whatever time fate had set aside for them.
But the price was too high and she was unwilling to pay it.
Her thoughts whirled through her head as she sought some argument that would make him understand her side of the matter. If only he could see things as she did.
Aye, that was it. She must show him.
“And what if the curse said that I was the one destined to die in your arms, Valteri?” She touched his cheek, his whiskers gently scraping her palm. “Would you be willing to take your pleasure in the present if you knew that any day my life would end and that you might have to live out the whole of your life without me? Could you stay by my side knowing that was the price?”
Valteri opened his mouth to speak, then stopped. He’d never once thought of it that way.
“As I thought. You’d never take such a risk. Yet you expect me to.”
Damn it, she was right. But still, he didn’t want to admit it. “It’s not the same.”
“It is, and you know it.”
Valteri clenched his teeth, the knot in his stomach tightening even more. Aye, he did know it. He knew it and cursed it. “Then what’s left?”
“I don’t know.” She walked away from him, her shoulders slumping. Her obvious misery sliced through his conscience and brought a painful burning to his heart.
Indecision racked him. Life had never been more than a grueling burden for him that he’d gladly leave behind.
He’d resented every fucking breath he’d ever drawn.
Yet it would be selfish of him to ask her to live on with the guilt of knowing she’d caused his death.
How could I do that to her?
Valteri sighed, uncertain what to do. He clenched his teeth and cursed himself. He was a selfish bastard, but not so selfish that he would hurt her so needlessly.
So be it. He’d had his time with her. He wouldn’t ask for more. Since death was his sentence, he would meet it bravely.
Away from his Ariel.
I came into this world alone and that’s how I’ll leave it.
Not exactly true. He’d had a twin brother, but even his own brother had abandoned him in infancy.
Because no one wants you.
It was time to let her go.
“Very well,” Valteri said at last. “You stay here where you’re safe and protected. I shall make terms with my brother for your welfare. I’m sure he’ll appoint a steward loyal to him, but you will retain final say in all things. This will be your home and you will be the one in charge.” Clearing his throat, he pulled his gloves from his hands. “I’ll leave for London on the morrow.”
Ariel gasped as she finally won her war.
’Twas what she’d wanted, so why did her heart ache to the point she feared she’d die from it?
“Come, milady. Neither of us has rested. I doubt I shall die in my sleep, so let us take our slumber.”
Ariel nodded, her throat too tight for her to speak. Inside, her heart shriveled up. She bit her lip to keep her tears from falling.
It must be this way.
And yet she cursed their fate.
Fully dressed, she lay on the bed, her soul crying out for her to keep him near.
Don’t let him go.
I can’t ask him to stay!
Valteri pulled his tunic from his head and joined her. His strong arms reached around her and drew her closer to his warmth, his hard chest.
She shivered, wanting nothing more than to stay like this forever, but knowing how impossible a dream it was. His breath fell against her neck and she trembled. Was there truly no way to break this damnable curse?
Perhaps in his absence, she might find some way, then she could send for him.
Aye, that was what she’d do. ’Twas only a temporary separation. As soon as he was away and safe, she’d do whatever she must to dissolve the pact, and then they’d be together.
Forever.
I will find a way. So help me!
Valteri came awake to Wace’s insistent shaking. “Milord, forgive me,” he whispered, “but a sickness has come over your horse. The groom bade me to fetch you.”
Valteri pushed himself up, careful not to wake Ariel. Retrieving his tunic, he frowned. What could have happened to Ganille?
He pulled his tunic on and excused Wace. His destrier had been fine this morning when they’d returned. What ailment could have come upon his horse so suddenly?
Narrowing his eyes, he knew the answer.
Belial. The beast had probably poisoned his horse to keep him here. His anger rising, he made his way out of the hall and to the stable.
As he pushed open the door, his anger dissipated.
How would Belial know he’d planned to leave? Ariel had said Belial couldn’t read minds. Yet what else could have tainted the stallion if not Belial’s mad schemes?
The avener met him in the stall, his face grim. “Must’ve been bad oats, milord.”
Sweat covered Ganille’s body, and the horse struggled for breath. Valteri stroked his velvet nose, wishing he could alleviate some of his old friend’s obvious pain. “Will he be all right?”
“Hard to say.” The avener wiped at his cheek with a grimy hand. “Don’t know exactly what ails him.”
Valteri let out a tired sigh. “Keep an eye on him and do your best.”
“Aye, sir.”
His heart heavy, Valteri stood. Ganille’s illness wasn’t enough to preclude him from leaving. He could easily use another horse to reach London, and once there buy another destrier.
But he’d been through much with the stallion and he hated to lose such a well-trained animal.
He’s more than that to you and you know it.
Aye, he was. Ganille had been the best friend he’d ever had.
With one last pat to the horse’s head, he started to leave the stall, but something solid struck him across the back of his head.
Pain exploded through his skull, and he stumbled to the ground. Shaking his aching head to clear it, he tried to rise, but a strong blow across his back knocked the air from his lungs.
What the hell?
Rough hands seized him and tied ropes to his wrists. Anger burning through him, Valteri struggled against his attacker. But he was too dazed by the blows.
“Hold him!”
Two large, burly Saxons pulled him against the front of the stall. There they tied his hands to the wooden posts and forced him to kneel before the friar.
Edred stepped forward with a vial of water and splashed his face and tunic with it. His voice rang out, the words of exorcism all too familiar even to Valteri’s dazed senses.
“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in our battle against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places!”
Are you fucking kidding me?
“What do you think you’re doing, Friar?” Valteri growled, his sight still hazy from the blows.
“Watch the door,” Edred called to one of the men next to Valteri, ignoring the question. “He might summon one of his minions to save him.”
Edred turned back to face him. “I saw you last night in my dreams and I know you for what you are!” Again he slung water across Valteri’s face.
His breathing ragged, Valteri glared at him as they gagged him.
Whoever stood behind him slit his tunic, and exposed his back. Valteri clenched his teeth against the fury boiling inside his veins. Memories surged through him and without being told, he knew what would follow.
Damn them for it!
Valteri pulled against the ropes until his wrists burned. He lunged at the priest.
You better kill me, old man. When I get out of this, I’ll feed your entrails to you!
Edred stumbled out of his reach and began reciting his call to God. “Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee bands of enemies. May Thy mercy, Lord, descend upon us. As great as our hope in Thee. We drive you from us, whoever you may be, unclean spirits, all satanic powers, all infernal invaders, all wicked legions, assemblies, and sects. In the Name and by the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ, may you be snatched away and driven from the Church of God and from the souls made to the image and likeness of God and redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb. Most cunning serpent, you shall no more dare to deceive the human race, persecute the Church, torment God’s elect and sift them as wheat. The Most High God commands you, He with whom, in your great insolence, you still claim to be equal. God the Father commands you. God the Son commands you. God the Holy Ghost commands you. Begone, Satan, inventor and master of all deceit, enemy of man’s salvation!” He paused and nodded to whomever stood behind Valteri.
Pain ripped through his back as he recognized the familiar burning of a lash strike.
As hard as he could, Valteri pulled against the ropes, and once more they held fast. Over and over, the whip crossed his back, pain exploding through him until Edred’s voice died out and all around him faded.
Ariel stretched and yawned. She reached out for her husband, but met only emptiness.
“Valteri?”
Had he left her without saying good-bye?
Nay … surely he wouldn’t have done that.
Why not? You’ve done it to him enough.
Afraid that he might have gone, she stepped from the bed and opened the shutters. Stunned, she realized it was late afternoon.
How had she slept so late?
People rushed about below, busy with their chores and duties. But there was no sign of Valteri among them. She left her chambers and entered the hall.
Wace sat in one corner, carefully wiping Valteri’s armor with pumice.
That relieved her instantly. There was no way he’d have left his armor or squire behind. And if anyone knew where Valteri had gone, ’twould be Wace.
“Good day,” she called, drawing near.
Wace looked up from his task with a smile. “Good day, milady. I trust you slept well?”
She nodded, returning his smile. “Have you seen Lord Valteri?”
“I wouldn’t seek him if I were you.”
She stiffened at Belial’s voice. How had she missed noticing his stench? “And why not?”
Belial paused by her side, his hands held behind his back. “He was terribly angry at you when he found you gone. Wasn’t he, good Wace?”
“Aye, milord.” Wace paused in his task as he looked from her to Belial.
The demon gave a wistful sigh. “He even swore he’d beat you for your actions.”
Ariel scoffed at him. “He didn’t seem so angry when we went to bed.”
A crude smile curved Belial’s lips as he raked a snide glare over her body. “Few men hold their anger when a beautiful woman lies beneath them.”
She wrinkled her nose in distaste, disgusted by his crudity. “Where is he?”
Belial shrugged. “How would I know?”
“Milady?”
She faced Wace.
“He went to the stable nigh on an hour ago to check on his horse. I haven’t seen him since.”
“Thank you, good Wace.” Turning around, she found Belial blocking her path. “Excuse me.” She tried to step past him, but he refused.
A tremor of fear shook her body.
What was the demon up to? Something must be amiss.
A knowing light glowed in his eyes. “Remember, he can’t die unless he does so in your arms,” he whispered.
How could she forget?
Suddenly, she caught his meaning. Valteri was in danger! Ariel started to leave, then paused. If she sought him, would that cause his death?
And yet she felt a pressing need to find him and make certain nothing had happened to him.
An entirely new fear seized her. Could Valteri die even without her present? What if he was merely injured?
By not going, would she cause his death?
Go to him.
There was no mistaking Raziel’s voice. “Wace, come with me!” Lifting the hem of her kirtle, she ran for the stable.
As soon as she reached it, she pushed against the doors, but they held fast. Panic ripped through her.
Something was wrong, terribly, terribly wrong.
Wace joined her and he, too, tried to open the doors. “They’re locked?”
“Is there another way inside?”
“Aye, milady. There’s a small door in the rear.”
Determined to find it, she hurried around to the back. Wace rushed ahead and had it opened by the time she got there.
He waited for her, and together they entered.
Ariel stopped dead in her tracks. Unable to believe the sight before her, she went numb for the flicker of a heartbeat, then anger pounded through her.
“Nay!” she roared.
“Holy Mother,” Wace breathed, then crossed himself. “I shall get help!”
Ariel barely understood his words through the horror filling her.
Dazed, she raced toward her husband.
Brother Edred looked up and caught her before she reached Valteri’s side.
“Milady, please!” He held her back. “You must not interfere. ’Tis God’s business we’re about. He must do penance for his evilness, if we’re to save his soul.”
Tempted to beat the imbecile, she twisted out of Edred’s arms. “’Tis you who are evil! Move!” She fell to her knees and reached for Valteri.
He rested on his knees, his entire body soaked in blood. She cupped his face in her hands and raised his head.
His fevered skin burning her, she recoiled in horror. A filthy gag covered his lips.
“Milady, please do not interfere!”
The main doors burst open. She looked up to see Wace with Thorn and Shadow, leading a group of Valteri’s men. They seized the three men with Brother Edred.
The friar was indignant as he fought against them. “You’ve damned his soul with your actions.”
Shadow slapped him. “Just wait until you meet the friends I have waiting for you.”
Ignoring the friar, Ariel pulled the gag from Valteri’s lips. His breath fell in shallow, pain-filled gasps. “I’m so sorry.”
Thorn came forward and sliced the ropes holding Valteri up. He fell into her arms and she held him close, her entire body shaking in fear of losing him.
“He’s the son of Lucifer!” Brother Edred insisted. “I can prove it to you, milady.”
She looked up at him, her rage dulling her sight. She wanted his heart for what he’d done. “You can’t prove what isn’t true!”
“Look beneath his hair and you’ll see the devil’s mark. Why do you think he wears it long while others of his kind wear it cropped?”
Her anger doubling, she grabbed the friar by his sleeve and forced him to kneel beside her. Cradling Valteri’s head against her breast, she pulled his hair back and showed Edred what mark rested there. “’Tis the mark of a cross he bears, brother, not the devil’s mark.”
Brother Edred’s jaw dropped, and shock darkened his eyes.
Thorn grabbed the friar by the scruff of his frock. “’Tis an innocent man you’ve punished, you old fool.”
He exchanged a look with Shadow to let her know that the friar wouldn’t get off so easily.
Her heart aching, Ariel reluctantly released her hold on Valteri and allowed his men to carry him out of the stable. Rising to her feet, she stood before the friar. “Were I you, brother, I’d worry about my own soul … and my hide.”
She left him to Thorn and Shadow, and followed after Valteri.
Hours went by as Ariel tried to stanch the flow of blood and brewed poultices to fight infection.
Valteri remained unconscious. He couldn’t die, not like this.
Long after the hall had settled down to sleep, Ariel left Wace to watch over Valteri, while she went to seek Belial.
During the last hour she’d tended her husband, a new way to break the curse had come to her.
One she’d never thought of.
Though the mere thought of it terrified her, she realized this price was one she could afford.
Ariel found Belial in the little garden outside the main hall. She drew her cloak tighter about her, amazed he could stand the coldness as yet another chill wind blew across her face and took her breath.
Without a cloak for warmth, he sat on a wooden bench, staring up at the sky. “’Tis a lovely view, isn’t it?” he asked as she drew near.
Ariel glanced up, shocked he would even notice. “I couldn’t care less for the view this night.”
“Nay, I guess you couldn’t.” He looked at her, his red, glowing eyes unreadable. “How is he?”
She stiffened at his audacity. “Why do you even ask?”
He shrugged and looked back at the stars. “Valteri is an exceptional opponent.”
“Is that all people are to you?”
He laughed, and tilted his head back. “Look who’s accusing me of callousness. The little psychopomp?” Sitting up straight, he pierced her with a malicious glare. “At least I don’t dump their miserable souls in the respective hells. I’m not the one they cling to and beg for forgiveness. How many souls have you left to final agony?”
She swallowed, his words hitting a little too close to home. “None. That’s not my job.”
“No. You hand them over to fight in an army where they’re nothing but sacrificed pawns.”
She winced at a truth she didn’t want to face. “I have no choice.”
“And neither do I.”
Not wanting to think about that, Ariel approached him, and, in spite of the part of her that urged her to flee, she sat down beside him. “What is it like to be damned?”
He quirked an eyebrow at her question. “Well, it’s not fun.”
“I’m serious, Belial. What’s it like in Azmodea?”
“You cannot imagine.” The bitterness in his voice took her off guard.
“Why not?” she whispered, wondering what it was like in the place he and Thorn called home.
“Because there’s nothing like it in this world or in yours. There’s no place where you’re safe. No one you can call friend.”
She nodded, her heart pounding in fear and remorse. “Do you ever regret what you’ve done?”
Belial looked at her, his red eyes haunting in their pain. “I regret every decision I’ve ever made.” He stiffened as if suddenly aware of her for the first time, and again he looked up. “So, what brings you out here?”
Ariel drew a deep breath for courage. “I have something to ask of you.”
“Of me?” He laughed incredulously. “I find it hard to believe that you would deign to ask me for a favor.”
“Believe what you will, but here I am.”
“So you are, Arel.” He chewed his lip and glanced her way. “What is it that you want?”
“A trade.” Then she rushed on with her practiced words before she lost the courage to utter them. “If I willingly give you my soul, will you spare Valteri’s life?”