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I do what I always do when I am angry. Press my knife to his belly. He smiles in appreciation before taking it from me. Sebastian and Christian are the only men who have ever bested me and made it look easy.
“Whoever trained you, trained you well. But you will never be as fast as I am.”
“I could have already killed you if I wanted to.”
“It will take more than this pig-sticker to kill me.” He laughs, pinning my arm behind my back. “I will live for thousands of years after your Christian is a pile of dusty bones.”
“Not with me by his side. As long as the sun is shining, he will live forever. We will be around to watch your skinny body buried in some musty old tomb.”
I cannot say how we end up kissing each other, or atop the big table grabbing at each other’s clothing. I cannot say why I am under him pushing his dark shirt back off his shoulders. I cannot say when I decided to become his mistress. I am not stopping him. I want him too much. I want him to make me cum and I want to make him cum with me. That is why I break the kiss to lick my way down his body to his bright cock. He groans when I put my lips on it. That makes me smile from ear to ear. I lean over to take him fully into my mouth.
“No.” Bash stops me. His hand locks in my hair. “With your eyes open so you do not forget whose cock you are sucking.” He pushes my face down, so that I have no choice, but to open my mouth. “Now suck it like you fucking mean it.”
His crassness and vulgarity add to his appeal. They make me want to be vulgar with him. I suck his cock until my jaws hurt and he finally lets me up. Only then does he push me back and lay between my legs. Our eyes are locked together when he enters me. They stay locked as he moves within me. They stay locked until he kisses me. When I cum this time, it is his name that I cry. His body that I find pleasure in. His lips that I taste.
“I want you to stay with me, Maeve.”
Sebastian whispers as we lay here on the table being close and thinking about us.
“As much as I care for you, it would never work between us. Your people are suspicious of me and they do not respect me. How can they, after what happened?”
“They will if you are my wife.”
I laugh at his suggestion until I realize he is being serious.
“I mean it.” He kisses me gently. “I am in need of a wife Maeve, and I want you. Why chase a man who does not want you when I am right here? We will raise your child here together and have more of our own. You are not marrying anyone else but me.”
“I am a ruined woman and you are a king. We cannot be wed.”
“We can be wed.”
“Are you sure?” I ask fearfully. “Are you sure you want me?”
“In every way.” Sebastian rolls me on top of him guiding me down on his straining cock. “I want you more than I have ever wanted any woman.”
He does not care about you. Do not let him tempt you with his cock. It is your child he wants. Bedding him was smart, he will not expect you to run now. Do not believe his pretty talk and offer of marriage. The Bloodtaker King will do whatever he must to keep you here. You are a fool if you fall for it. Have you not been misled and used enough? We cannot forget how he treated you. We cannot forget you are humiliated.
My conscious is speaking to me again. I know my own voice from when Christian was trespassing in my thoughts. My voice sounds like me. His sounds like him. Maybe I did use my body to ease Sebastian’s jealousy. If I am ever going to leave, he needs to trust me. He needs to believe that I want to stay here with him.
“You treat me poorly. I want to be loved, not degraded.”
“I do love you, my sweet. Give me a chance to be a husband to you.”
“Yes.”
“You will?”
“I do.”
We share a smile before he kisses me again. Bash stands up and lifts me down. We dress slowly with him helping me into my old gown. The two of us leave the hall hand-in-hand to the shock and disappointment of his guests and villains. They matter none as we walk back to his chamber where we spend hours talking, kissing, and planning our fictitious life together. As far as they know, I am getting married again and this time will be the last time. I tell him if Christian wanted me, he would have come for me after I was stolen away from him. My eyes manage to squeeze out a few tears when I curse him crossing the border to tell me that he was finished with me. Sebastian is convinced that I am prepared to enter a marriage while in love with another man. I promise to be a good wife to him and to be faithful until the end. The more he is convinced, the deeper I get myself into the lie. The more promises I make, the more dangerous leaving him will be. He will want my head for tricking him.
What if I marry him in truth? In time I can convince him that war with the church is unnecessary. He can kill the Cardinal and save all sides from a massacre. As my devoted husband, he can be brought around to my cause. My child will be sent to the palace to be raised by his or her father and safely out of Sebastian’s reach. I can stay here to make certain of it.
I tell Ramsay when I see him four days later after avoiding him. The first thing that I have to admit is how good he looks in his green and silver. His face could launch a thousand fairytales.
“The king and I had an interesting conversation last night. He told me to stay away from you. Did something happen that I should know about?”
“I am marrying Sebastian.”
“What?” He is shocked and dismayed. “But, why?”
“Because he loves me, and I care about him. We have known each other since childhood.”
“Loves you?” His voice is tight with anger. “Sebastian vowed to never love another woman after his wife died. He is not marrying you for love.”
“This is between Bash and me. You do not have to like it, but we are getting married.”
“And the Christian?”
“He is not for me.” I lie to us both. “The Beaumont was a mistake.”
My husband was not a mistake. He was my greatest joy and now he is my greatest heartache. Christian is the empty place in my life that I fear will never be full again. It hurts thinking about him when I know that we will never be together again. I have to move on with my life and learn to live and love without him. I used to be fond of Sebastian, but nothing will ever compare to the love I have for my Beaumont King.
“You are lying.” The Antonov does not skirt around it. “And I want to know why? Is he blackmailing you? Are you choosing to stay with a Bloodtaker who does not deserve you when you can be with me? I know what is better for you and that is me and my family. You will never be happy here.”
“Some marriages are not about being happy. They are about being safe and comfortable.”
“You should marry a stone wall, if that is what you expect from a husband.”
I purse up my lips at him. He is funny when he is being serious.
“My hope is to get over Christian one day and grow to love Lockton. Sometimes it takes time to get things right. Marriage is one of them.”
“I will give you a week and I am leaving without you. But knowing Sebastian, you will change your mind before then.”
He walks away whistling.
Bash has given me no reason to doubt him since he asked me to be his wife. In fact, he treats me like he loves me. As the games near, the castle is full to the rafters, and tents are set up as far as the eye can see. Males have come from every corner of the land to test their strength and skill on the battleground. The Blood-takers, the highlanders and their wolves, the woodsmen, the magi and warlocks. They have gathered here to prove who is best. The women have come in search of husbands. I am excited to see the wizards battle it out with their witchcraft and spells. The Bloodtakers with their fists and swords. Neo’s pack of wolves with their claws and shiny fur. The warlocks with their magic and strength.
I stopped breathing when a small group passed me the other day with their long hair and ethereal beauty. The leader has hair as white as snow and eyes that stopped me in my tracks. His long, black cloak was odd and made of animal hide. It fit his body closely accentuating his lithe form. He smiled at my reaction to him and winked as he passed me. I quickly learned that his name is Eldred Erikson and that is all anyone, even the nosiest maid, can tell me. No one knows much more about him, or his tribe except, how damn handsome and deadly they are. The women swoon when they pass with their braided hair and bold confidence. Including myself. I want to know more about him. I have to know.
It is something that I am working through, because I have more men than I can handle right now. A jealous fiancé, an absentee husband, and an arrogant blonde who thinks he knows what is best for me. But there is something about the Erikson that I cannot get out of my head. My sister is in man-heaven and will have no problem finding a husband among the visitors who are taken with her beauty. Payne women age so slowly that only those closest to us know how old we really are. My sister is in her thirties but carries the youth of her teens. The same as our beautiful mother. Beth-Ann has found a way to hide the silver in her hair and she behaves as if she is a young maiden and not an executed witch. My gift passed over them, but they have their own type of magic and the powerful Payne blood.
My mother’s ancestors found themselves in the same situation once when our family was hunted down like animals and forced to flee. Mother was the last of us, and she birthed five children; two living. Two boys and a girl who died in infancy. Now it is up to Beth-Ann and me to carry on our line. As much as people frown on the babe in my womb, I am already in love with this half-Beaumont child. A daughter will be strong and proud like me, and beautiful like her father. A son will be strong and fierce and will champion the innocents.
I find my place on the hill where the view is far, and the wind blows hard. This is my new favorite place. It is where I feel most at peace and most connected to the Creator when I exercise my body. It is where I met Ramsay Antonov. I move my limbs like a willow in the wind. I stretch and sing. I dance wildly to the whistle in the reeds. I dance a dance of seduction with the wind. Lightning strikes in the distance in response. Thunder rolls across the hills in applause. I continue to dance. A chill touches the wind causing me to shiver. The sun has gone, and the moon is rising. I am alone in my thoughts. Until I bump into a body standing behind me. He grabs my hand before I can touch my knife. He is fast...
“It is not safe for you to be out here alone with so many killers walking about.”
He is including himself and I am at a loss for words. I never expected to be this close to him, yet, here he is. The man in black. Eldred Erikson.
“Are you going to kill me?”
His smile makes me blush and smile with him. The Erikson’s straight hair is a banner in the wind and his long cloak flaps around his legs.
“No.” His answer is simple and to the point. “I am no witch hunter.”
“What are you?”
“I am a guardian.” He reaches out and pushes my hair back to see my face clearly. “I make sure that balance is kept among the species. And you are the Payne woman that I have heard so much about. You are to marry Sebastian Lockton, is that correct?”
Not unless he wants to marry me himself... I shake the thought out of my head. I do not even know this man, or what he is. He looks like man, but something tells me that he is much, much more than that. My gut tells me that he is everything.
“Yes.” I answer. “I am marrying Sebastian.”
“Does your Beaumont approve of the union?”
“I see that you have fallen victim to the gossip.”
“Gossip?” His eyes light with amusement. “The Butcher spoke of you himself.”
“Do you know Christian?”
I go from flirty, to desperate for word. Any word. Whatever he knows about him.
“I know everyone. I was present when he announced his engagement to the Princess Tamia. It was a lovely reception. They should be wed by now.”
I sway on my feet when the pain hits me. Christian is married? Already? Has he moved on from me so soon? The Erikson holds me up by my arms as I try to catch my balance. Christian has found another and has truly given me away. Some other woman is living and sleeping with my man. A tortured sob escapes me before my knees go out from under me. The Erikson holds me against his chest as my whole life comes tumbling down. I cry so hard that my body shakes in agony. My Christian is lost to me.
“I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt you so.” He cradles my head as he hugs me tightly. “I thought you knew. If it is any consolation to you, he looked miserable. I could tell he is suffering. It is from losing you.”
“How is he otherwise?” I need to know. “Is he well?”
“He is fine.” The Erikson rubs my back comfortingly. “Everyone knows that he would be dead if not for you.”
“Do you believe he still loves me?”
“Only Christian can answer that.” He speaks honestly. “How can you marry Sebastian Lockton, when your heart is with Christian Beaumont?”
“Because I need his protection, and he accepts my unborn child.”
“But will he love your child, is the question?” The Erikson wonders. “Will he love you?”
It is the question that I never thought to ask. Will Bash love the Butcher’s child as his own? Can any man love another’s child after the things his father has done? What if he hates my child but accepts him because he wants me? I cannot do that to my baby.
“Your son will need a father in his life. Choose wisely.”
“Are you married?” I ask him. “Or looking for a wife?”
His smile is distracting. “No.” He admits. “I am betrothed to another, but maybe my mind will change when the right woman comes along. It will take a very special woman to make me break my word as an Erikson.”
The way he looks at me makes me wonder if that woman could be me? He wipes my eyes and takes a step back. I take one forward. And another. The Erikson backs away again.
“You are upset and lonely. I will not take advantage of you. Return to the castle and find your intended. It is he who you need right now.”
“Why did you come to me?”
“Because I had to.” The Erikson looks off into the distance. “I had to meet you. I believe you are a treasure that must be protected at all costs.”
“You do?” I am skeptical of that.
“Does your Sebastian, not tell you so?”
“He is not one for pretty words.”
I look away so that he will not see the disappointment in my eyes. My Christian told me that I was special and beautiful every day, and I saw the truth in his eyes. He believed it. I do not know why, but he did.
“A man is supposed to remind his woman of how precious she is. He is supposed to keep her happy and make sure she needs for nothing. Especially the attention of another man.”
“I should go.” I turn away from him.
“Wait.” His hand closes around mine. “Stay and talk for a bit if you can stop throwing yourself at me. The rain will pass us by, and I will walk you back if it gets late.”
He removes his strange cloak and drops it around my shoulders. It is warm, and smells like him. I bury my face in its warmth and inhale. Damn, but he smells good. He sits beside me in the high grass and we do not speak for a long while, even though that is why he asked me to stay. We sit side by side, arms touching, watching the moon and the stars. I feel safe with this guardian. I belong here with him where no one can hurt me. I lay my head on his shoulder and his arm comes around me protectively. His hair is soft and tickles my face pleasantly. I sigh in contentment. I could stay here with him forever, if he lets me. I snuggle closer. He holds me tighter.
“My name is Maeve.”
“I know.”
That makes me smile. It means that he took the time to find out. He raises his head in alarm long before I hear footsteps approaching.
“My Prince.”
“Yes, Uri?”
“The men are fighting, and Salim’s tribe is setting their wolves on them again. Blood has been spilled and the Bloodtaker king is searching for you.”
He stands up and lifts me to my feet. We walk back hand-in-hand, as if we have known each other forever. His men are killing wolves, but he is in no hurry to reach them. We are in no hurry to separate. I am confused. Why am I so intrigued by him when I have Sebastian and Ramsay, who have both offered me their hands in marriage? We separate as we near the castle and enter from different sides. I hunt down Sebastian, who is drinking with a group of men including Anthony and Neo, who is discussing the fight between the Erikson and the wolves.
“Grady started it by calling them pretty and asking the dark-haired one if he sucked cock. The Erikson cut him down so fast that we all missed it.” Nickie says disappointedly.
“They are strutting around here like they are kings, and the women follow behind them like ducklings. It is disgusting.” Another man adds.
“They have even caught the eye of your Celia, Sebastian.”
“Celia has never been with another man besides me, and she never will.”
“What will you do with her when you wed the Payne woman? She does not seem like the sharing type. Things could get ugly.” Anthony chuckles.
“She is lucky that I am taking her to wife after whoring for that Beaumont. The woman is not even decent in bed. This is a marriage of necessity, and she knows it.”
“Necessity?” Neo queries. “Do you not want to wed her?”
“I will marry her if it means she will not fall into Antonov, or Beaumont hands. We need her powers on our side when the war begins. Not healing the enemy.”
“She is a kind woman, Sebastian. I do not like the things I have heard about you mistreating her. Mae is no whore to be used in such a way.”
“She is not your concern, Neo.” Bash snaps at him. “You worry about getting your mutts in line before the Erikson make pelts of them.”
“Do you care for her at all?”
“Yes, I care for her.” He admits. “But my throne will always come first. I am sure she learned that from the last king that she bedded. After her bastard is born, I will send it to a convent to be raised by Christians. Then I will get a witchling from her every year and build my own army of Payne women.”
“That is some plan. What if the Beaumont changes his mind and wants her back?”
“She can never return to them. The church has a bounty on her head that would make even me turn her in if I did not despise Christians so much.” Sebastian sneers. “Besides, he believes she does not want him and soon, he will receive word that she is dead.”
“You do not deserve her.”
The familiar voice is dripping with the same disgust that I am feeling right now. Is that why Sebastian wants me? To keep from his enemies? Why am I surprised when I already knew?
“What did you say?”
Sebastian does not care for the words spoken to him. He believes that he deserves whatever he wants. Who is this outsider to tell him different?
“I said that you do not deserve her, and if I hear of you abusing her again, your brother will be inheriting the throne. I am disgusted by you and the things you spoke here tonight.”
It is the Erikson. He is in there with them. The man moves too fast. We were together moments ago. I hear chairs scraping and men standing.
“Go ahead and call me out Bloodtaker. I will kill you and set her free.”
“You and your men are outnumbered Erikson.” Bash laughs. “You cannot defeat us all.”
“Wrong, Sebastian.” Eldred laughs. “You have the numbers, but we have the skill. I have a hundred men waiting aboard my ship. I despise Bloodtakers and I enjoy putting them down.”
“You and your men are banned forthwith.” Bash hisses at him. “Leave my land while you still can. You do not want a war with me.”
“Wrong again. I do.” Eldred assures him. “The wolves are of no significance and the warlocks will join with me. As will the Antonov, if I call them to arms. You are the one out-numbered here.” His hand touches his sword. The disrespect makes me gasp. “Why war when you and I can end this ourselves man to man?
“What concern is it of yours how I treat my wife?”
“The woman is not your wife. Maeve Payne is a free woman. She is not a pawn to be used against the Cardinal or hurt to spite the Butcher. This will not end well for you, Sebastian. I am departing this musty tomb and the woman is leaving with me.”
“How soon can we leave?” I step into the chamber and into the light. “I am ready.”
“You are not going anywhere with him.” Sebastian says coldly. “Seize her.”
The Erikson draw their swords and form a circle around themselves with their blades. What manner of fighting is this? The guards hesitate, looking to their king with uncertainty.
“Attack!” Sebastian commands angrily.
There is only one man who I have seen parry faster and more gracefully than they, and that is my Christian. The Erikson are graceful, and so damn methodical in their warring that it is glorious to watch. Bodies falls, and the floor grows slick with fresh blood.
“Have you had enough, or do you want to die with them?”
Neo, Anthony, and Nickie raise their hands in surrender. Eldred laughs.
“I thought so.” He turns to me. “Is there anything that you care to bring along?”
I shake my head no. “My hands were empty when I was brought here. I should say goodbye to my sister, and with your permission, ask her to join us.”
“She is in the solar with the women. I will take you to her.”
“You too, are banned forthwith, Maeve Payne. You are an outcast, a traitor, and a dead witch, if you cross our borders again. The Christians do not want you. We no longer want you. You are a whore with no land or home. These Eriksons cannot keep you, and they too, will leave you. I will be waiting for you to crawl back when they do.”
“You say those things to frighten her.” Eldred calls him on his lie. “They are untrue. I will take her home with me where she will spend the rest of her years as one of us. If you ever leave this tainted land and take to the sea, it will be you who is a dead bitch, Lockton. I rule the sea.”
I am nervous as I walk surrounded by the Erikson tribe. They are stone-faced and unafraid of anything that we pass. My sister stands when she sees me. I run to her.
“I am leaving, Beth-Ann.” I take her hands in mine. “Please come with me.”
“You are leaving with them?” She nods her head at the group standing behind me. “You know nothing about them.”
“Yes, I am leaving with them. The Erikson promised me a place in his home, and you as well if you choose to leave with me.”
Her eyes scan over the beautiful men again. “What are we waiting for?”
I smile in relief when she squeezes my hands. My sister is leaving with me! We hold our heads high as we leave with the Erikson. The attack that I expect from Bash’s men does not come. But I feel the hate in the eyes of his people as we pass them. The walk to the river is long and cold. Eldred gives me his cloak again and the dark-haired man beside him wraps his around my smiling sister. She stares at him for so long, that she trips over a fallen tree. I wonder if she tripped on purpose when he grabs her and lifts her up into his arms. I shake my head when she winks at me. My sister is such an actress. Their ship is waiting in deep water. We board the boats and are rowed out to meet it.
I am in awe of their ship. It is finer than the King’s barge. The sails are black when they are unfurled, and we go sailing toward the sea. Beth-Ann and I stand at the rail together unsure of where we are going, or what will happen. All I know is that, we are together and safe and that is enough for now. The dark-haired one comes for my sister and the Erikson takes her place at my side. I reach out my hand not knowing if he will accept. The Erikson’s closes around it.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask him.
“I am taking you home where you belong.”
