Chapter 8
Merlon stood before his father’s desk and waited for King Assgard to look up from his pile of documents. He knew that it was unwise to say a word before his father asked him to speak. Finally King Assgard moved the papers aside and looked up.
“Son.”
“Father. I would like to go to Abyssus to stand at Volcan’s side in his battle against Exesor.”
“You understand that you could be killed?”
“Yes, father.”
“And you know your responsibility to your people? You will soon be king. What will happen if you are killed?”
“I don’t think that you’ll need to abdicate very soon. Moreover Mawrek is old enough to take my place if I should …”
“Of course! But it would cause your mother great sorrow if anything should happen to you.”
It was typical of his father not to say how he would feel under such circumstances. He very rarely expressed his feelings. Nevertheless Merlon knew that his father loved him.
“Father. Even Prince Rrandon is fighting at Volcan’s side. Ought Amarantus to hold back? Ought we to look like cowards?”
He knew that he would conquer his father with these words. Amarantus and Kanninera had been enemies for a long time and they had only attained a shaky peace a few years ago. Amarantus would not look very good if it did not send a prince to the battle, too. As Mawrek was still too inexperienced, Merlon was the only possibility.
King Assgard sighed.
“OK. I herewith give you the royal command to represent Amarantus in this important matter,” he said.
“Thank you, father!”
His father nodded and Merlon turned to leave. When he had almost reached the door he heard the brusque voice of his father:
“Fight well, son!”
“I won’t shame you,” answered Merlon without turning.
***
When Merlon entered the world of Abyssus he actually stumbled over the first warriors of the dark abyss who lay motionless on the ground. They had been slaughtered. There were severed limbs and smashed skulls, but to Merlons immense relief none of his friends were lying on the battle field. He hoped that he was not coming too late to be able to participate in the deciding battle. This here had clearly been just an initial skirmish. Without counting he knew that there must have been about two hundred warriors. He had information that said that Volcan’s army numbered twice as many warriors. But Exesor would definitely have saved his best warriors to defend the castle. There the deciding battle would be fought and it would be anything but easy.
Merlon knew that he was getting close to the castle. On the way he had come across further fallen warriors, but it was clear that each battle had gone in favour of Volcan and his men. Merlon’s adrenalin rate was rising and he could hardly wait to finally be able to fight, too. It was frustrating getting to one battlefield after another where the battle had already been fought.
When, from behind, he finally approached Volcan’s army, positioned on a hill before the castle, he involuntarily tightened his grip on his sword. The soldiers watched him in silence as he moved through their ranks. Some of them respectfully lowered their heads. Merlon saw his friends standing on a small plateau. He could hear them discussing the battle that lay before them.
“Good. Let’s get on with it. Let’s give these buggers a taste of death. Even if it is only for nine days,” he heard Volcan say.
“Hey! You can’t start the fun without me!” shouted Merlon.
Volcan turned round abruptly. He stared in disbelief at Merlon who stood there in full armour with his sword pulled, grinning from ear to ear.
“Merlon! How the hell have you managed to get here?”
“The same way as you. I must have slipped through the time seal shortly after you did. I orientated myself by the long trail of corpses to follow you. A few times I did think that I’d lost you, but it seems that I’ve found you. So! Shall we show the damned buggers?”
“It’s good to see you, old man!” Aerios greeted him, grinning, and slapped Merlon on the shoulder.
“To battle!” cried Volcan and gave Merlon a huge smile. Then he looked forward, raised his sword and gave the battle cry.
With Volcan, Aerios, Humos, Beta and Merlon taking the lead, the warriors stormed down the hill and ran across the plain.
***
Cherry studied her reflection sceptically. The dress that Ellie had lent her made her look much too sexy and she felt a little uncomfortable about leaving the house like this.
“I don’t know,” she said doubtfully. “It looks good on you but I don’t think it suits me.”
“Rubbish!” Ellie contradicted her. “You look absolutely stunning in it. The blokes will be fighting over you.”
Cherry made a face. It was precisely this that she did not want. She did not plan to meet a man. It was one thing to go out with girlfriends and have a bit of fun. But going out in search of a man was quite another thing. She was beginning to regret agreeing to go out with her friends. And anyway, what was she going to do at a party where she did not know anyone? She would just not belong there.
“Actually, I don’t want to have anything to do with men at the moment.”
“Hey! No one’s saying that you have to drag off a man tonight. Just relax and have fun and perhaps you’ll like one of the blokes at the party. I know a few really nice singel …”
“Oh, no! If you try to pair me off with someone, then …”
“I’ll do nothing of the sort. I swear.”
Cherry sighed, giving in.
“OK, I’ll come with you.”
Ellie grinned happily.
“So let me do your hair now. After that a little make-up, then …”
“No make-up,” Cherry interjected. “This dress is eye-catching enough.”
“OK! No make-up,” sighed Ellie, and she directed Cherry to a chair by the window. “Sit down and I’ll do your hair.”
***
“You damn fool! You hadn’t recovered enough for such a battle,” scolded Volcan.
Merlon grimaced.
“Hey, I killed at least six of the buggers. And I’m still alive,” he defended himself.
“If Rrandon had not been at your side to stop that man putting his sword into you a second time then you may now be dead. You were damned lucky that he hit your rib with the first thrust.”
“Out of here now! All of you. So that I can finally begin Prince Merlon’s healing,” scolded the old healer.
“Get well soon,” said Coreena gently.
“I’ll try,” promised Merlon with a smile contorted by pain.
“Come on,” Volcan urged his chosen one.
“See you later,” Aerios said as he left.
Rrandon, the Kanninerr of few words, nodded to Merlon and Humos slapped him lightly on the thigh as he walked out. Then Merlon was alone with the healer and his assistant. Without delay the old man began the healing.
***
Merlon strolled through the hall with his drink. A lot of guests had come to his friend’s wedding. It had been a beautiful ceremony and Volcan and Coreena made a stunning couple. He was pleased for them but it also reminded him painfully of the fact that he would probably never be so happy. Cherry had made it clear. She did not want to share the future with him. It hurt him but he could hardly force her into happiness. If the days of love and passion could not convince her, what else could he do?
He must have been mistaken where she was concerned. Perhaps she was not his mate after all. Maybe he would meet another woman at some point and sense that she is the right one. – No! The thought of another woman just felt wrong. He could not imagine ever touching another woman. Every fibre in his body fought against this image. She was the one! But she was clearly not aware of this and he had no idea how to change that.
“Damn it!”
He needed to get out into the fresh air – away from this throng of celebrating people, all of these happy couples. He needed t
o be alone for a while to sort his thoughts. So he set off towards one of the exits.
To his disappointment he was not alone on the terrace. Someone was standing at the other end, staring at the star-filled night sky. Then he realised that it was Coreena and he wondered what she was doing here alone. She seemed to be a little melancholy although he was certain that she was happy with Volcan. Curious, he moved closer.
“Are you missing New York?” he asked quietly.
“Yes. How did you know? Can you read minds, too?” she asked, without turning around.
Merlon laughed quietly.
“No. But you’re not particularly good at hiding your feelings. I could tell by the way you were looking up at the stars that you were longing for something. As Volcan has hardly left your side the whole evening, and you will soon be sharing his bed, I don’t think this longing was for him.”
“You’re right,” answered Coreena quietly. She turned round to him and looked at his face. “And what longing has brought you out here?”
“For a woman. Her name is Cherry.”
“Volcan’s told me about her. She called Aerios when you were injured, didn’t she?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Why haven’t you brought her here?”
“She’s not that far, yet. She has …” Merlon sighed.
Coreena put her hand to his cheek and looked up at him full of sympathy.
“Volcan told me that she’s with someone who hurts her?”
Merlon nodded. He had gritted his teeth and clenched his fists in order to keep his feelings under control.
“The man isn’t the main problem. He’s in prison right now. But Cherry …” Merlon sighed.
“Does she have feelings for you?” asked Coreena.
“I think so. We … we’ve …”
“Slept together?”
“Hm”
“What do you want to do now?” asked Coreena gently.
“What can I do? Force her? Like hehas?” he grumbled. “She’s told me clearly that she wants to be free. She’s left New York. Left him – and me!”
“Do you know …” said Coreena, smiling. “… sometimes a woman has to be forced into happiness.”
“What do you mean by that? I’m not the type of man to take a woman by force.”
“Is it true that you can render a person unconscious with your eyes?”
“Yes, that’s right.” Merlon looked at her sceptically. What did she mean by that? What was she getting at?
“Why don’t you find her, render her unconscious and bring her to Amarantus. As you’ve slept with her that means that she’s not immune to your charm. So use it. Seduce her. Convince her that she doesn’t want anything other than to enjoy, forever, what you can give her.”
A sensual smile appeared on Merlon’s lips.
Without warning he suddenly pulled Coreena into his arms and kissed her exuberantly. Before she could protest he put her back on the ground and grinned at her like a Cheshire cat.
“Thank you!”
“You’re welcome,” she answered, laughing.
Merlon disappeared into the darkness. He was suddenly in a great hurry.
Chapter 9
The music thumping out of the speakers was too loud for Cherry. She was not really a Heavy Metal fan anyway. It was a very lively party and the atmosphere was chilled, but she felt a bit out of place. As it was a private party there were quite a few drugs being passed around and alcohol was also flowing plentifully. Cherry had strictly stuck with lager. She knew how much of that she could take. She was also making absolutely sure that no one put anything into her drink. She had no wish to be rendered powerless by some bloke with drugs. She should not have come here. It had been a stupid idea.
Cherry spotted Molly coming out of the toilet and went up to her.
“Hey, Molly!”
Molly turned round to face her and swayed a little. She was clearly beyond slightly tipsy.
“Hey, sweety! Are you having a nice time?” she babbled and giggled as a bloke smacked her bottom as he walked by. “Later, sweety! I just need to chat with my friend,” she called after him.
Cherry rolled her eyes.
“What is it, my lovely?”
“I don’t feel good. I’m going home now,” explained Cherry.
“Should someone go with you? It’s dangerous for a girl on her own.”
“It’s not necessary. I’ll take a taxi.”
“Good! Do that.” She hugged Cherry and gave her a kiss on her cheek. “Take care!”
“I will,” Cherry assured her.
Luckily she did not have to wait long for a taxi to arrive. She raised her arm and waved. The taxi stopped near her. Relieved, she got in and gave the driver the address. It was a relatively short journey, but as Molly had said, at this hour it was dangerous for a woman to walk the streets alone. Cherry was not a nervous person, but she preferred to go by taxi. Caution was better than hindsight and Cherry had had enough bad experiences with men.
“Here we are, miss,” said the taxi driver, pulling her from her thoughts.
Cherry paid the driver and got out. She quickly unlocked the front door and hurried into the hallway, locking the door again behind her. Then she mounted the creaking stairs to the second floor. As always it smelt musty in the old stairwell.
As she entered the flat she breathed a sigh of relief. She closed the flat door and turned the key twice. For some reason she had a strange feeling today, as if something was going to happen. It did not help that she was now completely alone at home. The others would very probably not come back till early morning.
Perhaps a glass of warm milk would help to calm her, so that she could sleep. As she put on the light in the communal kitchen she uttered a startled cry.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her eyes wide open in shock.
Merlon looked at her with concern. She was so pale. If she were to faint into his arms then he would not need to use his special elf-look to make her unconscious.
“I can’t live without you,” he said simply.
“I … I wrote to you to say that it wouldn’t work for us. It’s just …”
She did not manage to finish her sentence. Merlon took her up in his arms. It was definitely safer for him to make her unconscious than for her to faint. Then she would not wake up again until he wanted her to. That would give him time to arrange everything so that she was comfortable. His hunting lodge was a little neglected and he had had no time to tidy it beforehand. Merlon smiled as he realised that he would previously have never wasted a thought on whether his lodge was tidy or not. What would his mother say to that? He shook his head over the strange path that his thoughts were taking.
***
When Cherry woke up it was dark. She had clearly not slept for long. It did not look as if it was going to get light very soon. She turned her head to look at the clock but there was no digital clock shining green through the dark. It was altogether much too dark. She could not even see the window that was usually lit up by the neon advertisements and the street lamps. Her heart began to beat rapidly. She was certain that something significant had happened that she could not remember. Had someone put something into her drink after all and was she now lying in a dark cellar or something? No! She was definitely lying in a comfortable bed and it was pleasantly warm. It did not smell like a musty cellar either – but rather of wood smoke and a little of leather and animals. To her relief she was at least clothed, as far as she could tell. She sat up and felt around her. She seemed to be lying on silk sheets, or at least satin. In any case, these were not her simple linen sheets. Suddenly she touched warm skin – silky smooth, firm skin over hard muscles. She screamed in shock.
The person next to her suddenly got up.
“What is it? Were you having a bad dream?” sounded a voice that was well known to her.
“Merlon?” she whispered, confused.
“Yes. I’m here. Don’t be frightened.”
Suddenly she remembered. He had been waiting for her in the kitchen. She had said something to him and after that she could remember nothing. As if she had fainted.
“What are you doing here? What’s going on? Where am I, damn it? Put the light on, now!”
Merlon put his arms round her but she pulled herself away from his embrace.
“Put the light on!” she cried almost hysterically.
“It’s OK. Wait!” said Merlon, and she felt him getting out of bed.
He could clearly see in the dark because she could hear him rustling and rummaging about until a match was struck, and a little later a candle shed a gentle light. Merlon lit two more candles and the room became bright.
She was in a small room with wooden walls on which there hung various furs, stuffed animal heads and antlers. It was clearly a hunting lodge. Where had he dragged her off to? How long had she been asleep? She carried on looking round the room. The bed that she was sitting on was a large four-poster bed. There were several trunks and a small table with two cushioned chairs. She could see a fireplace, but there was no fire burning in it. Her gaze finally returned to Merlon who, in his elf form, was leaning against the table, his arms folded over his naked chest. He was wearing tight, knee-length trousers, and was otherwise unclothed.
“Where are we?” asked Cherry, her tone sharp.
“In my hunting lodge.”
“Where? Where is your hunting lodge?”
“In Amarantus in the Smarag mountains.”
Cherry grew pale and her heart began to beat rapidly.
“Does that mean, … that we … are in your … world?” she uttered with difficulty.
“That’s right,” Merlon calmly confirmed.
He watched her with his elfin eyes with their unusual golden pupils. Cherry did not know whether to laugh or cry. Should she throw herself around his neck because she had missed him so badly? Or should she throw herself athis neck for simply abducting her?
Tamed by the Prince (Elven Lover) Page 7
