by Wend Petzler
When the last of his men were on board, he led his mount up the plank. Roaring at the captain, “Get us out of here!"
He handed the reins over to Aaron who led the tired stallion below with the rest. The ship creaked as the oarsmen strained, the load heavier than anything they had ever moved. The captain shouted for the sail to be dropped. Lucian's heart thundered in his chest, almost despairing when suddenly the wind picked up. The white sails fluttered at first, then a mighty force formed them out, driving the ship forward as the sheriff and his men galloped past the gawking villagers.
* * * *
The brightly lit ship was well on its way when Robert hauled back on the reins, his horse's heels sliding along the rough planks of the slippery, snow covered dock. The heavy snow fell faster and harder. He stared at the tall, dark knight, whose sword was drawn, standing defiantly on deck. Startled, he recognized him as Lucian Martine. Robert stared with jaw slacked. Not for the first time, he grudgingly felt respect grow for the magnificent knight known to the world as the Butcher. Martine risked everything for a woman outlaw, and then burned all he owned to save Eiry Savoy's people from harm. With a small, bitter smile, he turned his horse about, knowing he had bigger problems—the bold Robin Hood and his sneaky Foresters.
* * * *
Half an hour out to sea, Lucian bade the captain to drop sail, shouting at Derrick to do the same. When the ships were side by side, a plank was run between them so Lucian could board the other. Once he was safely on the other ship, the sails were quickly raised and the long journey continued for the shores of Normandy. Lucian went to Eiry's cabin, hoping she was better, alarmed to find she wasn't.
The tiny cabin's interior was suffocating from the heat of burning coals glowing red hot in a small, copper brazier. Anne was bathing Eiry's flushed skin, trying to keep her cool while trying to prevent further infection. Brow furrowed with worry, Anne went about mixing several herbs into a cup. Adding wine, she took a red hot poker and stuck it into the liquid and stirred the bubbling mixture. The brew grew pungent and stinging to the eye.
"Milord, please hold Eiry's head up. I must get the medicine down her throat.” Anne wearily wiped sweat from her brow as he gently lifted the unconscious girl where he could sit behind Eiry to hold her upright.
Lucian brushed the damp strands of Eiry's long hair away from her drawn features, cringing each time she fought to take a wheezing, shallow lungful of air. Talking in a low, soothing voice to her, knowing deep in his soul she heard him, he coaxed, “Come on, beautiful, I need you to swallow Anne's potion. Wake up, Eiry. Swallow,” he commanded, caressing her soft cheek, fearful of the unnatural heat radiating from her feverish skin, ‘willing’ her to hear him.
Almost in despair until Lucian felt her squirm a bit in his arms. He held his breath when she managed to force her eyes to open to mere slits, finding it was all she could do. Anne pressed the lip of the cup to her parched lips. He watched as Anne trickled a bit of the warm liquid down Eiry's throat, halting when she started coughing.
When she calmed, Lucian urged, “Drink it all, Eiry. You need it to get better.” Unaware of the tears tracing wet paths down his cheeks, he got angry. “Fight for me! Fight the fever and come back to me. I love you so much. Without you, I am nothing."
Eiry's breathing grew ragged as she fought for precious air. Lucian felt useless. He had fought and kept Death back in so many battles, so many trials until now. He realized no matter what he did, he could not stop the Dark Specter from coming for Eiry. Holding her limp body closer in his arms, Lucian helplessly looked at Anne, seeing the sympathy in her sad eyes as she held the sobbing Lilia tighter. Her look told him it was only a matter of time before Eiry left them forever. Shifting his gaze to Eiry's drawn and gaunt features, he lowered his head and kissed her dry lips. He lifted his head and whispered softly for her ears alone, “I love you, Eiry Savoy. You gave me hope and showed me how to forgive, even though the transgressions were my own. Once, I told you I would pay whatever price you asked for helping me. If my life is what you need, take it. I freely give my heart, my soul, my very life to you,” he whispered hoarsely against her hot cheek, cradling her limp body close. “My love, take what you need from me and come back to me."
His tears fell unnoticed as the Butcher helplessly watched Eiry struggle to live, fighting the darkness, struggling to take a breath—fighting to come back to him.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Epilogue
The sun was shining brightly through the beautifully crafted, stain glass windows. Rainbows of colors fragmented on the polished hardwood floors. Dressed in a pretty gown of pink muslin and white lace, Lilia scampered along the wide hallways of the magnificent, white castle. She had never seen such beautiful windows before in all her young life. The boldly designed scenes of knights riding magnificent warhorses and brightly dressed ladies stretched down the long walkway and upward toward the arched ceilings high above her. They were works of poetry art and of such breathtaking detail, and color, leaving her with the feeling they were watching her play, smiling at her foolish antics.
Peering out of one of the windows, she felt her heart soar when she saw Lucian riding Samson through the spacious courtyard. The wind blew through his jet-black hair, streaming down his broad back. Waving at him until he noticed her, she giggled when he grinned at her, exposing white teeth as he waved back. Ecstatic at having caught his attention, she resumed skipping down the hall, her blonde curls bouncing as she made her way to the great hall. Laughing, she ran into his arms when he entered the castle.
"Lilia? Why are you not at your studies?” Lucian asked. Giving her a stern look, he patiently waited while she searched for a credible excuse. Shaking his head when his mother, Lady Lucinda, regally entered the hall, knowing Lilia would seek her aid.
"I was only searching for your mother to help me.” Lilia looked at him innocently, not fooling him for a second. When Lucian put her down, she rushed over to the beautiful woman, throwing her arms around her slender waist. Lady Lucinda had become her surrogate mother. At first, she thought she was being disloyal to her mother, but she remembered Eiry's words about letting go and loving those who needed them. If anyone needed her more, it was Lady Lucinda.
"Lucian, what goes here?"
"Mother, do not dare make an excuse for the child! She knows she must learn her lessons. She cannot be allowed to use you in order to get whatever she wants.” A smile threatened to break free from his firm visage when his mother grinned unabashed.
"Me? Why would I ever do such a devious thing? I was just coming to tell you that your presence is being demanded, and she is quite piqued. So, do try to be civil."
Rolling his eyes heavenward in mock exasperation, Lucian hurried to the Lord's chambers, grinning as he climbed the stairs, taking two steps at a time. Knocking briefly on the oak door, he cautiously entered, expecting anything from her at this point. “Is it safe to come in?"
Eiry glared at him, obviously in a bad temper. Dark, purplish circles under her silvery-gray eyes made her appear haggard, her skin sallow from fighting the lung infection which nearly took her from him. Heartened when he saw her full lips were pink again, no longer colorless as they were for the last three weeks. Lucian unbelted his sword and carelessly tossed it onto a nearby chair. He knelt on the wide bed and stretched out his long length beside her as he curled up to her emaciated body. Resting his cheek on the flat of her stomach, he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer to him.
When will I be allowed out of this bed?” Her voice still sounded weak.
Lucian abruptly sat up, kissing her hungrily, assuring her he was completely in love with her. Lifting his dark head from hers, he smiled with understanding at her enforced confinement. “The physician was quite firm in his orders for you to remain in bed. By all rights, you should have died on the ship. Woman, you are going to do as he says!” Lucian gruffly informed her, smiling to ease his brusque words. The fright he suffered on the journey home wa
s more than his own heart could bear to live through again, if she were to have a relapse.
Sighing in resignation, Eiry wrapped her arms around his sturdy neck, drawing him down so she could kiss him again and again. Drawing back, she appeared contrite. “I am sorry. I never was one for staying put. You could make it up to me.” She looked at him coyly, flashing him a smile of pure devilment.
Mistrustful, knowing Eiry all too well, Lucian was hesitant to ask what she desired. “What do you want?"
"When are you going to make an honest woman of me?"
"Dearest heart, when the physician says you are completely healed, I promise to wed you in front of the whole world. I swear upon my honor, Lady Thief. How does my plan sound to you?"
Frowning, she shook her head. “Not good enough."
Bemused, his eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Oh really? What would make you happy?"
Relaxing into the propped up pillows, Eiry grinned impishly, using her fingertips to smooth away the furrowed lines along his brow, easing his stern features. “I want to be your beloved forever and ever."
Relieved, Lucian rose on his elbows and touched her forehead with his. “You are my other half, my love. You complete me in ways no one ever has in my entire life. I could no sooner deny you as my heart would wither and die and I would no longer exist."
"I love you, too.” Eiry smiled before his warm mouth swooped down to capture her willing lips, drawing her into his soul as her arms drew him down to her, hungrily answering his need with her own.
From the partially opened doorway, Lilia peeked inside, covering her mouth from giggling to loudly, watching Lucian and her sister passionately kiss.
Lucinda took Lilia's hand, leading her away, giving the couple privacy. “Come, sweetness. We shall give them some time alone. Let us go to the kitchen and see if Anne has any treats for us to steal."
Happiness soared through Lilia when she thought about stealing. It no longer had the same meaning, not when she thought about Lucian and Eiry and how much they had changed.
The Butcher had met his match when Lady Thief stole his heart, giving him much more in return—her own heart.
[Back to Table of Contents]
A word about the author...
I started writing professionally six years ago when Blood Keep just had to come out. My characters, Isabella and Nicolas, gave me the strength to overcome a really bad patch in my life with their courage and love. I am very fond of historicals and paranormal. I love researching through history and finding stories, to breathe life into them and give them a hero and heroine worth rooting for.
Visit Wend at www.wendpetzler.com
[Back to Table of Contents]
Thank you for purchasing
this Wild Rose Press publication.
For other wonderful stories of romance,
please visit our on-line bookstore at www.thewildrosepress.com.
For questions or more information,
contact us at [email protected].
The Wild Rose Press
www.TheWildRosePress.com
* * *
Visit www.thewildrosepress.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.
