Immortal Love

by Victoria Craven

  McPhearson’s smile never wavered. As fast as a lightning strike, he slapped her hard, knocking her off balance and into the table. She quickly recovered before she fell.

  Instantly her anger flared. “You bastard. Only a coward like you would hurt a woman. You would probably wet yourself if you had to face a real man.”

  The smile disappeared. Her words struck with precision. She stepped away from the table, knowing she would pay for her defiance.

  “When I’m finished with you, there will be no doubt of my manhood.” He hit her again, hard across her face.

  Her cheek exploded with pain as she fell across the bed. He was on top of her in an instant. Bile rose to her throat when his hand cupped her breast, and she fought to push him away.

  His stinking breath assaulted her senses, making his close proximity all the more vile. His mouth came down on her neck, biting down hard, forcing her to scream. The tearing of fabric and exposure of her skin made her fight more desperate.

  His hands pulled on her skirts, and icy fingers ran up her thighs. Futilely she tried to push them away. He began to pinch the soft skin of her inner thighs. Another scream escaped her lips. Squirming toward the top of the bed, she reached underneath the pillow.

  With all her will she forced herself to be still. McPhearson looked up, and with one swift move, she slashed the blade across his face. Blood seeped down his cheek. Screaming profanities, he sat up in an instant. She tried to strike again, but his hand caught her wrist. He slammed it onto the table so hard the pain shot up her arm, causing her to drop the knife. His fist came down on her jaw.

  “You bitch!” Picking up the dagger, he eyed the tip. He seemed fascinated by the candlelight’s reflection off its surface. “You want to play with knives?” He leaned toward her. “Let’s play with knives, shall we?”

  Eleanor’s blood ran ice cold. Edges of darkness threatened to render her unconscious from fear. Shaking her head violently, she tried squirming away from him, but his hand came around her throat, pressing her against the bed. As he leaned over her, blood dripped down his cheek, splattering on her face.

  He eased the knife down upon her breast.

  “No, please don’t.”

  He smiled a wicked smile. By pleading for her life, she’d given him exactly what he wanted. She was sickened with herself.

  “An eye for an eye, my dear. But I wouldn’t want to ruin such a beautiful face.”

  The blade cut into her chest, sending a trail of fiery pain. It wasn’t deep, just enough to draw blood. She knew he intended to torture her slowly to add to her agony.

  With all her might she tried to pull his hand away, but with his weight on top of her and his other hand at her throat, he couldn’t be moved. The next cut went deeper. Eleanor could not help herself. She let out an ear-piercing scream that came from her gut, more out of fear and anger than of pain.

  Suddenly the door burst open. Before Robert could react, Liam had pulled him off her. Eleanor crawled to the farthest corner of the bed as Robert turned on Liam. Robert McPhearson swiped with the dagger, but with ease Liam knocked the weapon out of his hand then pummeled Robert into unconsciousness. Dark rage clouded his features. Finally, her rescuer looked up at her, his breathing hard and ragged with rage.

  Eyes narrowed, he took in her appearance. Fury flared in his eyes.

  “You son of a bitch!” He gave Robert’s unconscious body two more kicks. Stepping to the bed, he held his hand out to her. “Come, we have to get out of here.”

  Instinctively, Eleanor took Liam’s hand. She jumped over the body of her guard who lay face down on the floor. Liam led her down flights of stairs that took them deep into the bowels of the castle.

  Grabbing a torch out of its holder at the bottom of the stairs, he held her hand and kept her close as he led her through a tunnel. Eleanor didn’t want to think about the scurrying sounds around her feet, or the nearly overpowering smells, nor the cold dampness that seeped through her clothing.

  Once out of the tunnel, she saw the handful of men she’d traveled with sitting on horseback, waiting. Liam quickly threw her onto a horse, mounted his own, then took the reins and led them away from Aurora.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  It was near dawn when Dominick met up with Randolf and his men. They waited just outside McPhearson’s border.

  “Tell me what happened,” Dominick said as Randolf approached.

  Regret shadowed Randolf’s face. “I allowed her to go berry picking.” He shook his head. “The patrols I sent out that morning came back without sighting any trouble. I sent Eleanor and her maid with four guards. They were ambushed, and Eleanor was taken.”

  “I know, brother. You did everything you possibly could to make her safe. Now we have to concentrate on getting her back.

  “We will wait for nightfall then approach the castle just the three of us. We can better assess what we’re up against," Dominick said.

  The shadows of the forest hid their presence. Dominick, Randolf and Erik approached the castle walls with caution. He watched the guards standing near the portcullis. Torches illuminated the opening. He was about to move closer when a familiar cold touched his shoulder. Looking over he saw Isolde standing in the moonlight.

  She’s not in the castle.

  “Where is she?” he asked.

  Erik and Randolf stirred behind him, but remained silent.

  This I cannot see. She has been taken to a place I’m not permitted.

  “I don’t understand. Why can’t you go there?”

  I cannot explain. Find her. Isolde disappeared.

  Anger and frustration nearly split him in two, and he struck a tree with his fist.

  “What’s wrong?” Randolf asked.

  “Eleanor isn’t here and I don’t know where to find her.”

  Erik turned toward Aurora. Dominick and Randolf observed him closely as his eyes closed. They knew his mind was reaching out to any animal that would answer inside the stone walls. Moments passed before Erik turned back to them.

  “McPhearson’s brother Liam took her away,” he stated.

  “Liam? Why would Liam take her?” Randolf asked.

  “Because Liam hates William,” Dominick ground out. “He would do anything to see him lose the throne. He turned to Erik, do you think you can track them?”

  His friend gave him a sly grin. “What do you think?”

  “Have the men mount up. We will find Eleanor before the next night fall, I swear it.”

  Liam’s party rode through the night and most of the next day. As they got further away from Aurora, Eleanor felt her fear begin to dissipate. The beating Liam gave Robert would only set him back a day or two. Robert was an evil man bent on revenge. He would have his soldiers combing the land to find Liam and kill him.

  When they entered the village the night before Eleanor saw the faces of the people. They looked as though they had suffered years of torture and abuse, and had been taxed into poverty. These people had no more to give.

  Robert had to be stopped, but with only a handful of men, Liam was outnumbered. If he took her to Godwin he would have allies there. But Liam’s hate for the King wouldn’t allow such an alliance.

  Finally, after they had put enough distance between them and Aurora, they stopped to set up camp. The men dismounted, gathered wood for fire and tended to their horses.

  The weight of what had happened to her finally sunk in. Her cheek throbbed and the gashes on her chest burned with every jarring turn her horse made. She sat there listening to her breathing. She was conflicted. She was safe from Robert, but she was still Liam’s captive.

  “Eleanor, would you like to come down now?”

  She stared off into the distance. Liam squeezed her hand. “Eleanor, it’s time to come down off the horse,” he said patiently, but more insistent.

  His voice drifted into her mind and she was pulled outside of her dark thoughts. He held up his arms and she willingly slid into them. Once on the ground, she quickl
y stepped away.

  “Will you be taking me to my husband?”

  “No Eleanor, I won’t.”

  He confirmed what she thought. “Then you still intend to take Godwin from my husband?”

  “No. I don’t want Godwin.”

  “Then why do you keep me?” she asked in frustration.

  “I want your husband to send a message to the King, that we will no longer tolerate any more invasions on our land.”

  “And if he doesn’t?”

  “Then you will continue to be my guest until he does.”

  Moments passed. She could feel the tears welling in her eyes. “Thank you for saving my life.”

  Eleanor surveyed her surroundings. They were camped near a group of stone pillars standing like sentries in a circle around what looked like an altar. An ancient forest was just outside the strange monument.

  “What is this place?” she asked.

  “It’s where the ancients held ceremonies celebrating Mother Earth.”

  “How did you find it?”

  “It was more like it found me.”

  Confused, Eleanor shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

  Liam stared at the great stone structure. “Nor do I.” He looked back at her. “Come, a tent has been set up for you. You must eat something and rest.”

  The thought of food made her stomach turn. Fatigue weighed heavily on her shoulders. “I think I will rest first.”

  Liam led her to a small tent at the edge of the forest. He held the flap open as she walked in. “Sleep now. If you should need anything, I will be right outside.”

  Once alone, Eleanor collapsed on the pallet. Her jaw and cheek throbbed. Pulling away the torn fabric, she looked down at the cuts McPhearson had made in her flesh. Upon inspection they weren’t very deep, and they had stopped bleeding.

  Tired. She was so very tired. Laying her head on the pillow, she wrapped herself tightly in fur robes. Her body trembled when she thought of Robert McPhearson. Bile rose to her throat at the thought of him. If Liam hadn’t rescued her, she and her unborn child wouldn’t have survived. Her hand went to her stomach.

  “We will be all right, little one, we will see your father soon.

  Dominick’s image came to the surface of her mind. Her throat tightened. How she longed to be lying in his arms. The pain of their separation gripped her heart, and despair threatened to settle in, but she pushed them away. Dominick would find her soon and take her home.

  To keep thoughts of McPhearson at bay, she fantasized about Dominick wrestling with his son, or doting on his daughter. She imagined the look on his face when she told him she was with child. All these pleasant thoughts led her into a dreamless sleep.

  She came instantly awake when a hand came down on her mouth. A scream balled in the back of her throat. In the darkness, she could not see her attacker and fought against him, until she heard him whisper her name.

  “Eleanor, it’s me, Erik.”

  “Erik?”

  Instantly his hand was back on her lips. “Shhhh.”

  He pulled her off the pallet and through a slit in the back of the tent. Once outside, he led her away from the camp.

  The forest was pitch black. He pulled her close, so as not to be overheard. “Eleanor, I want you to trust me. Don’t worry that you can’t see in the darkness. Allow me to lead you safely.”

  “I trust you.” Confused, but knowing Dominick’s friend wouldn’t lead her into harm, she followed.

  “Good.” He held her hand and pulled her quickly through the forest. At first she struggled with her instincts, but the farther they went without mishap, the more willing she became to blindly follow his lead.

  Her inability to see heightened her other senses, and she could have sworn something ran ahead of them. She could hear the rustle of bushes. Erik stopped often to turn and lift her over a fallen tree or bush. She wondered how he was able to see them. Deeper and deeper they went into the forest. She heard an owl hooting in the distance. Night creatures stirred as they ran by. Eerie cackles and whistles pierced the darkness. Frogs croaked in a nearby pond. Eleanor had to force her childhood fears of the night aside and concentrate on keeping her feet under her.

  Her lungs began to burn, and her legs grew tired.

  “Erik, I have to stop.”

  He never broke stride. “Just a little farther.”

  Ahead she could see a dim light through the trees. It grew brighter as they approached. She saw Dominick’s gigantic form standing near the campfire, and her heart nearly burst with joy. New life flowed into her legs.

  “Dominick!” she shouted.

  He turned toward her. She didn’t stop running until she leapt into his arms. He clasped her tightly, lifting her off the ground as she hugged him like a lifeline.

  The dam holding back her emotions broke away. She no longer had to be strong or live in fear. Everything inside her let go. Tears ran down her cheeks. She felt like a wine skin being emptied of its contents.

  Dominick buried his face into the nape of her neck. His warm breath solidified the reality that she was safe. She kissed his cheeks, his nose, and his forehead then, finally, his lips. It was beyond passion. It was affirmation that she was alive and everything would be all right.

  A cheer rose up around them. The laughter bubbled up inside her.

  Dominick’s large hands gently moved her hair from her face, and she watched the smoldering embers of anger grow in his dark eyes as he saw her bruises. Her right hand went to her cheek even as she put her left on his chest to reassure him.

  "I’m all right, Dominick.”

  His expression softened as his fingers gently traced her cheek and jaw. Then to her surprise his hand went down to her stomach.

  “And what of the babe? Is it safe?”

  Eleanor had to step back. “How—how did you know?”

  “Isolde.”

  “My mother knows?”

  Dominick pulled her back into his arms. “Remember, she’s not of this world.”

  “Yes, but she ruined the surprise.”

  “Eleanor, you have not answered my question.”

  “The baby is fine. It must be strong and stubborn,” she raised her head to look up at him, “like its father.”

  Dominick smiled. Pulling her close, she stood in the circle of warmth, listening to his heartbeat. This was where she belonged.

  When she opened her eyes again, she saw Erik petting a large gray wolf. She pulled away. Understanding dawned as to Erik’s strange behavior. The hawk that had found her in the meadow was Erik’s hawk. Then the kitchen cat, and now the wolf. Slowly, she approached him.

  “You can talk to them,” she stated.

  He rose to his feet, and she saw the pain behind the mask of indifference.

  “Yes.”

  Moving toward him, she stopped close enough so only he could hear. “Thank God for such a wonderful gift.”

  His façade slipped away to be replaced with genuine surprise.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him into a tight embrace then kissed him on both cheeks. “Thank you for coming after me.”

  “You’re most welcome, my lady.” His face beamed with a warm smile.

  Randolf walked into view. She hugged him gratefully.

  “I’m so sorry, Eleanor.”

  His remorse was palpable.

  “This was not your fault. I was well guarded, and the ambush was unexpected.” Eleanor suddenly realized, “Martha.”

  Randolf held her hands tightly. “She was alive when we found her, but I don’t know of her condition now.”

  Sickness swept over her. Dominick was quickly at her side. “Martha, she has to be all right. She can’t die, Dominick. She can’t.” Her voice pleaded for it to be so.

  He rubbed her back. “I’m sure she will be fine.”

  “I pray for that.”

  Still holding on to Eleanor, Dominick turned to Erik. “Are they ready?”

  “The pack will keep the
m busy until we get there.” Erik turned and signaled to the wolf.

  It bounded into the forest, and soon the pack’s howling and barking could be heard in the distance.

  Eleanor turned to Dominick. “What are you doing?”

  “We are paying Liam and his men a little visit.”

  Alarm shot through her. “You can’t do that.”

  “He stole you away from Godwin." Muscles flexed in his jaw. “This will not go unpunished.”

  Urgency tugged at her. “No, Dominick, don’t do this. The man saved my life.” He strode away from her as though he didn’t hear.

  She followed him to his horse, pulling on his arm when he was about to mount. “Dominick, I would not be here if it weren’t for Liam saving me from McPhearson.”

  Dominick’s voice boomed. “If it weren’t for Liam, your life would have never been put at risk.”

  Eleanor had no answer.

  Dominick mounted. “My men will take you home.”

  She stepped in front of Aries. “No Dominick, I cannot let you do this. He is a good man.”

  He dismounted and pulled her aside. “Don’t presume to tell me what I can and cannot do.”

  Her own anger flared. “Somebody has to when you’re making a fatal mistake. Liam is not your enemy.”

  Dominick’s nostrils flared. “He took my wife and gave her to a man that nearly killed her. For that alone I will destroy him.”

  Her voice caught on a sob as he glared at her. “I thought you were a man who wanted peace, but all I see before me is a bloodthirsty warrior.”

  Dominick stood as still as a rock.

  Eleanor couldn’t keep herself from crying. “Go. Go bloody your hands with innocent lives. Liam knew what he was fighting for. He was fighting for what he believed in. Can you say your motives are as clear?”

  His fists clenched at his sides. She knew her words struck at his core, but she didn’t care. He was about to murder a man she owed her life to, and that she could not allow.

  “My men will keep you safe.” He spoke as if he didn’t hear her. He turned and walked away.

  Deep despair washed over her as she watched a company of men ride out toward Liam McPhearson’s camp.