Rock Hard Seal: A Navy Seal & A Virgin Romance

by Rye Hart

  At least she didn't think she was dead.

  "Bhradain," she called out into the darkness, but there was no response. She knew she had failed Bhradain, that it was too late. The witch had won and there was nothing either one of them could do.

  Eva shut her eyes tightly, trying to banish the pain from her heart. When she finally did open them, she was surprised by what she saw.

  She was back in her room. The door was propped ajar, her hand still gripping the handle. Grief overwhelmed her and she sunk to her knees, defeated.

  Eva shook her head. "I failed you Bhradain," she said, "and I'm so sorry."

  Chapter Ten

  In the few weeks following Eva's return, she tried her best to conceal her grief. The last think she needed was her aunt and uncle becoming concerned over her sudden change — especially since they had no idea what Eva had gone through. While time had barely passed for them, Eva had met and lost her soul mate.

  At first she felt like a zombie, just barely living. She didn't want to return to his world, didn't want to think about him, and didn’t want to acknowledge that she was the reason why he was gone.

  A week had passed before Eva finally allowed her mind to start to process all that had happened. When she had returned, she must have died in that room. And if she had passed on, her death would have broken the protection curse and have left Bhradain - and his kingdom - vulnerable. That is, if she had actually died. If her time had simply been up and whatever magic had brought her there had simply returned her to this world, then perhaps there is still a chance that she could return to Bhradain and help him defeat the witch.

  Eva began to spend all of her free time at the local library, reading as much material as she could gather on curses and witches. Slowly, Eva began to piece together the information she had gleaned from Bhradain's world, while taking in whatever knowledge she could find on the subject in her own.

  Lady Drummond's imposter had insisted that Eva was a witch, and that was why she was able to cross into a different reality to respond to the druid summons. Eva began to do some digging into her family history and discovered that several relatives had been referred to as witches. Before her journey, Eva would have chalked up those claims as unfounded gossip. But Eva had learned that reality was not always as it seemed, and sometimes the rational answer, wasn't the right one. She took the information she gleaned on the subject and tucked it away for further consideration.

  But while Eva had learned a few things about her family history, she did not find anything that might help her return to Bhradain. Slowly, Eva began to come to terms with the fact that even if Bhradain was still alive in his world, she would never be able to replicate the circumstances that had allowed her to cross the veil of worlds to be with him.

  One bittersweet morning, Eva discovered that she was pregnant with Bhradain's child. While the thought of raising his child without him grieved her, she was still thankful to carry a part of him with her.

  Eva knew that she could no longer rely on her aunt and uncle's generosity. Although she knew that they wouldn't consider her a burden, Eva still felt that it wouldn't be right of her to continue to rely upon them once the child was born. It was time that she moved out on her own, so she found a decent job as a receptionist and packed her bags.

  "Are you sure you want to do this?" her Uncle Mark asked as he aided Eva in the move to her own apartment.

  "This is something I need to do, for myself," she said. She had yet to tell any of her friends and family about her pregnancy. Eva figured she would only cause others to worry about her so until she could work up the courage to break the news she would keep things to herself.

  "You are welcome to come visit anytime," Aunt Marie offered, as she placed a box of kitchen stuff on the dining room table. "Do you want us to stay and help unpack?"

  "No, no," Eva waved them off. "You both have done enough and I am forever grateful," she smiled. "But I am exhausted and would like to rest," she explained.

  Her aunt and uncle nodded their understanding.

  "I'll go take these empty boxes to the car," Uncle Mark said as he left the small apartment.

  Eva's aunt lingered a moment, "Okay honey," Aunt Marie added, "if you need anything don't hesitate to ask."

  "I won't," Eva smiled.

  "Come here," Marie held her arms and enveloped Eva in a tight hug. As Marie walked away, she suddenly stopped just short of the door. She turned back around and sent Eva a serious look. "And Eva, just remember, we are always here for you," she paused for the briefest moment, as if debating her next words, "and the baby." And with those final words, she left Eva alone in her new place.

  Eva was determined to face her current world and all the challenges ahead of her with courage. She knew that it wouldn't be easy, but the fear of the challenge no longer intimidated her. The old Eva would have never been strong enough to be where she was right now. And although she sorely missed Bhradain, their short journey had tested Eva's strengths and taught her to put trust in her own abilities.

  Chapter Eleven

  Eva had been at work when the contractions had started. She had been helping one of the other admins photo copy a set of papers when all of a sudden she felt a gush of water pool at her feet.

  "Sweetie," the elderly admin looked at the floor and then back at Eva, "I think your water just broke.

  "Yes, I should probably get to the hospital." Eva said sarcastically as a contraction rippled through her and caused her to double over in pain. "Call an ambulance," she said through panted breaths.

  "Tsk tsk," the woman teased as she made her way toward the office in search of a phone. As she walked, she started absently telling Eva about the birth of her fifth child, and how he had come so quickly that she ended up giving birth to him in a restaurant. "I gave birth during the second and third course, cleaned him up, and then returned to the table to finish by dessert," she said as she started to dial the emergency line.

  "I'm sure you did," Eva said through gritted teeth. She wasn't in the mood to argue with old Mrs. Matthews about the factuality of her story, as she had a well-known tendency to exaggerate.

  "Annddd," Mrs. Matthews continued, "only after I finished my dessert did I go to the hospital."

  "Great story Mrs. Matthews, but is the ambulance on its way?" Eva asked desperately. Her contractions had subsided for the moment, but she knew that at any second they would return.

  "I'm on the phone with them right now sweetie," she called to Eva from across the room.

  At this rate, Eva feared she would never make it. Come on Eva, you are stronger than this, she encouraged herself. She gritted her teeth and set her jaw with determination. She was going to be just fine.

  ****

  Eva looked down at the sleeping babe in her arms, her and Bhradain's little baby boy. He had a full head of thick black hair and intense brown eyes, just like his father.

  "Drummond," she echoed softly, "I'll name you Drummond, after your father." She pressed a soft kiss on the baby's forehead and gently began to rock him while she hummed a lullaby.

  Eva stopped humming the moment she sensed another presence in the room — a presence that caused her body to respond in an instinctual way. She didn't need to look up to know who was standing in the doorway.

  "Bhradain," she gasped as she brought her eyes up to meet his with fierce intensity.

  Heavy emotions played out on Bhradain's face as he looked down upon the image of Eva holding the babe.

  "He's ours," she said softly.

  "I ken," his voice wavered on the last word.

  Eva smiled at the sound of Bhradain's heavy brogue. She had missed it greatly. "How did you … I mean, where did you?" she had so many questions, but she was too overwhelmed by the surprise to think clearly.

  Bhradain walked slowly toward Eva and baby Drummond, his eyes glistening with the hint of tears. "I cannae believe he is ours," he said gruffly.

  Eva nodded. Her own eyes stung with tears of joy, her mind sti
ll taking its time to fully process that Bhradain had returned to her.

  Bhradain leaned closer and brushed his thumb gently against baby Drummond's cheek. "He is beautiful," Bhradain breathed. He turned his gaze back on Eva. "And ye make a radiating mother," he smiled as he spoke.

  "Would you like to hold him?" Eva asked Bhradain. He looked surprised, but eager.

  "Aye, I would," he said softly. He carefully lifted the sleeping baby out of Eva's arms and brought him close to his chest, cradling him gently.

  Eva enjoyed the site of her intense highlander gently rocking their sleeping babe. Her heart ached with the joy of seeing him, while her mind continued to try and wrap itself around the concept that he was indeed here.

  "I thought you were gone!" Eva said as she was wiping the tears from her eyes. She wasn't sure how Bhradain had returned to her, and she wanted to know what had happened to him these past few months.

  Bhradain looked up from where he had been gazing at their sleeping infant; his eyes locked with hers. "The curse is broken Eva," he said with pure happiness. "Ye broke the curse."

  Eva felt even more bewildered. "But the witch said that it was too late," she added.

  "Nae," Bhradain said. "Ye remember the night when little Drummond was conceived," he shot Eva a heated look. "Ye said ye were willing to pay the price to help me break the curse," he continued. "Our love and the conception of our little babe broke the witches curse and re-enforced the kingdoms protection long before we ever entered that room."

  Eva's eyes widened. "But where were you all these months?" she tried to clarify.

  Bhradain laughed. "Aye, the curse was broken in part that night, but it was not complete until little Drummond was born," he explained. "Until then, I could nae come for ye."

  "But how did you get here?" Eva asked. Her mind kept racing with questions.

  "There are some perks to being a son of a witch," he winked.

  Eva threw her hands up in the air in exasperation, "Well I've officially seen it all," she exclaimed. When she looked back up at Bhradain, she couldn't help but giggle. "I can't believe you are back," she sighed. "Are you here for good?" she asked nervously. She suddenly was filled with the fear that he might leave her.

  "I will stay as long as ye want me here," he said gently. "Although with ye being a witch, it seems that ye too have the ability to return. I can show ye how," he teased.

  Eva nodded as tears welled up in her eyes. "I would Bhradain," she sighed.

  Bhradain moved toward her and brought his lips to brush against hers. "I love ye," he breathed gently against her waiting mouth.

  "I love you too," she echoed his words a moment before his mouth enveloped hers in an all-encompassing kiss.

  Sisters of the South - Books 1-3

  Marianna

  Chapter One

  "Stunning," Amelia breathed. "Kevin will not be able to take his eyes off of you." She reached forward to touch the delicate lace of her sister's dress. "It's so pretty and so romantic," she sighed.

  Georgina snorted. "It's just a dress Amelia."

  "Yes, but it represents the start of their eternal love," Amelia protested.

  "Look, Georgie," Marianna interjected, "I know how you feel about marriage and how it is —"

  "Hogwash?" Georgina finished Marianna's sentence for her. "Look, I get that you want to marry and aspire to be the best wife possible, but I don't know why you had to go and pick Kevin Patrick of all people? He is-," she paused as if trying to find the word that would least offend her sister, "boring."

  "So?" Amelia burst out. "He's terribly handsome and very rich. Marianna could have dozens of dresses just as pretty as her wedding dress!"

  "Those dresses would be worthless if I had to be saddled to the dullest man on earth," Georgina countered.

  Marianna chuckled at her two sisters and their dividing opinions. Marianna, with her grace and calm demeanor, was not one to be offended by them. She knew where her sisters were coming from. Georgie had aspirations that involved a literary career, and Amelia wanted a life of aesthetic leisure in order to pursue her artistic inclinations. They both viewed her marriage through the rose-tinted gaze of their own dreams, which made it difficult for them to see that the reason Marianna was marrying Kevin Patrick wasn't for the domestic life or for the wealth.

  "Girls," Marianna broke through their bickering. "Have you thought that I might be marrying Kevin because I love him?" she teased lightly.

  Georgina and Amelia looked at their elder sister in shock.

  Georgina snorted for the second time that morning. "Love? That is just a fairytale," she said boldly.

  "Don't be so cynical Georgie," Amelia chastised her. "I would love him too if I could live in that big house, and ride around in that fancy carriage, and have a horde of servants to attend to my every whim."

  "That is beside the point!" Georgina let out an exasperated sigh as her frustrations grew with her youngest sister.

  "Just another day in the Wellington household," Marianna teased.

  Georgina and Amelia both turned toward each other, their eyes flaring with the heat of the argument. Once they saw how red and purple the other's face was, they lost their edge and burst into fits of giggles.

  "Your face is all mottled purple," Amelia pointed out to Georgina in between the uncontrollable heaves of laughter.

  "Speak for yourself," Georgina teased. "Your nose is as red as as tomato!"

  Marianna chuckled along with her sisters before turning her attention back to her reflection in the full-length mirror. "I think I am ready to go,"

  "Excuse me?" A young pageboy peeked cautiously around the corner that separated the back fitting room from the front of the store. "I have a message for a Ms. Wellington," he said shyly.

  "Yes?" all three Wellington sisters said in perfect unison.

  The boy looked confused as his face darted among all three women. "I, um," he stopped and started again. "It's for Mr. Patrick's, um, fiancé."

  "That would be me," Marianne descended from the raised platform like an elegant angel. "Thank you," she said, taking the paper from his outstretched hand.

  He lingered a little bit longer before Georgina offered him a tip and shooed him away.

  Marianna quickly tore the crisp envelope open and pulled out a short note. The moment she read the first line, she paled.

  "Are you alright?" Amelia asked cautiously.

  Marianna extended the letter with shaky hands. Her eyes appeared haunted by the words delivered on the cream colored paper.

  Georgina grabbed the letter from her sister and scanned the contents of the page quickly. She let out an abrupt gasp, covering her mouth in the process. "No," she breathed, her expression twisting in horror.

  "Yes," Marianna said in a strained voice. Her eyes had already begun to well up with tears. "He's dead. Kevin is dead," she said as she collapsed into a pile of white lace.

  Chapter Two

  "So, what is going to happen now?" Amelia asked curiously.

  "Hush Amelia, your sister is still in mourning," their mother chastised the youngest Wellington sister for her insensitivity. "We've only just returned home from the funeral."

  "It is ok," Marianna whispered as she placed her black hat and veil on the dining room table. "I don't know," she said in answer to her sister’s question.

  Amelia's eyes grew big as she realized what her sister was saying. "Will we have to move then?"

  "Amelia!" Their mother spoke harshly.

  Marianna knew that her mother was just trying to protect her, but what Amelia was saying was the truth. Although it felt like the hardest part of the day was simply surviving her soulmate's funeral, she knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. It was an unfortunate reality, but the life she had hoped for had been buried along with him.

  Marianna turned toward her mother and two sisters. "I understand that our family had depended on Kevin to keep us financially afloat. And now that he is, is —" she stuttered as she tried to hold back the
tears, "gone, we will have to do our best to make ends meet until I am able to find a job to support us." Marianna looked at their worried faces and her heart ached to remedy the situation. "Where is father?" she asked with some reservation.

  "I don't know," Georgina shook her head. "Probably at one of the many houses he likes to gamble our livelihood away at."

  Their mother, pale and ill, looked distraught. "I'm so sorry girls," she wailed.

  "It's not your fault," Marianna moved to comfort her mother. They had all been through so much. A few years ago their father suffered a large financial loss when one of his investments had fallen through. They had to downsize their house and dismiss all their servants just to try and make ends meet. The blow had damaged his pride and he sought comfort in the many gambling houses in Boston, just outside their smaller community of Valley Springs. He would be gone for days at a time, and when he returned empty handed, it would be up to the girls to try and gather enough funds to cover the minimum of their monthly expenses. Marianna was forced to take a job as a governess for a wealthy family at an innocent age of sixteen. Although the Cavanaughs had welcomed her in and had given her a wage that was just enough to keep their family afloat for the past two years, it meant that the responsibility rested on Marianna to keep her family fed and clothed. However, when she became engaged, Kevin had offered to support her family if she gave up her job. At first she had worried that she wouldn't find another position, as her father's dalliances left a black mark on the Wellington family in good society, but Kevin quickly quelled those fears. She had been lucky that Kevin had cared for her despite her family’s tainted reputation; he had been a Godsend. But now he was gone and Marianna had to find a new way to make sure that her family did not fall apart.

  "I worry that I failed you," their mother wept. Her upper lip trembled slightly as tears filled her eyes.

  "Don't say that." Marianna brought her mother in for a hug, cradling her head in a comforting gesture.