Jack - A Grim Reaper Romance

by Calista Taylor

  “He’ll understand you had no choice. He’ll not blame you, love. Not when the consequences meant you’d come to harm.” His tone then hardened. “And if he’s too selfish to understand that, then he was never worthy of you.”

  She spun in her seat to glare at those cursed hazel eyes. “You’re awfully hard on him, Mason. Not only is he dealing with his death—which took place barely two days ago—he’s also got to contend with the fact that he’s now a reaper, and the woman he was betrothed to is with another man. We’re not all as pragmatic and logical as you.”

  “Is that what I am, love? Pragmatic? Logical?” He threw back his head and laughed, but only for a moment. He leaned forward with darkened eyes, his hand clasping the back of her neck as he nipped at her lips. “My dear, if that were the case, I’d have stayed well and clear of you.” He kissed her then, hard, his lips an assault of passion. When he finally pulled away, he left her breathless. “Not that I ever stood a chance. I could never stay away, even when I tried my best to do just that.”

  They said little more, and by the time they walked through Mason’s front door, her gut was in knots, while her mind raced incoherently. Mason gave her hand a squeeze, though she knew not if it was to offer support, or to make sure she’d not shake him free.

  Corwin was already at Mason’s, pacing the floor of the sitting room, while Pierce lounged before the fire with a drink.

  “Och, lass, I was worried when ye didna return last night.” Corwin closed the distance between them in two long strides, and pulled her close only to have her stiffen in his arms. When he pulled away and looked into her eyes, his face darkened with concern. “What’s happened, love?”

  She turned to Mason, her face feeling numb and her head dizzy, as if all the air had been sucked out of the room so she could barely breathe. When she spoke, she barely got the words out, her voice unsteady. “Could we have a moment alone?”

  Mason’s lips pursed together in a worried frown, but he did not deny her. “Very well. Pierce, there are a few things we need to discuss.”

  Pierce stretched out his lanky form, in no hurry to leave the room. As he passed by, he paused and took her in, then shifted his gaze to Mason, suspicion in his eyes. Concern darkened his features, but he said nothing, quietly following Mason out of the room.

  “You need not have worried. I hope you didn’t have too difficult a day with Pierce.” Lilly knew not how she’d broach the subject of her marriage, when Corwin had already been through so much.

  “I’m more concerned about ye looking so upset, love.” He took her hand and stepped to her side, but when their bodies brushed, she turned away. “Lilly… what’s happened?” He put his hand under her chin and gently tilted her head up so she was forced to look him in the eyes.

  Her heart ached, for he was still the same man she’d fallen in love with so many years ago. Even if his appearance had changed some, his eyes, his soul, had not. Her emotions raced to the surface and she blinked back tears, unsure of how she’d get the words out.

  “Och, love. What’s happened to have ye so out of sorts?” He gathered her in his arms and sat them down on the sofa by the fire. “Is it Mason? Has he been giving ye any difficulties?”

  She shook her head no, and let out a ragged breath. She couldn’t put off telling him, for it would only make matters worse. Already he was jumping to conclusions, and it was not fair to leave him wondering.

  “Matters are complicated, I’m afraid.” She took both his hands in hers, the weight of them heavy as she laid them in her lap, so large in contrast to her own. She struggled to get the words out, not sure how to tell him. “We had no choice, love. You must believe me. If there had been any other way, we’d not have done it.”

  She let go of his hand and showed him her palm. Though the blood had been washed off, a thin red line remained. Handfastings were still occasionally performed in Scotland. Would he recognize the cut as something similar?

  His hand curled into a fist, restrained anger in his voice. “Who hurt you, Lilly?”

  She shook her head, hoping he’d understand. “It was the only way to keep me safe. We had no other option.”

  He kissed her forehead and pulled her into his embrace, though she could still feel his anger and concern in every agitated move. She stayed there in his strong arms, while the warmth of his body and the solid feel of him helped to calm her down. With her eyes closed and her fists grasping his shirt, she took a deep breath of his scent while he ran a hand over her hair, holding her close.

  With her head swimming, she looked up into the greenest eyes. Eyes that pleaded with her for answers. She could only hope he would someday forgive her.

  “I’m married, love. Mason… he married me so I’d not come to harm. There was no other option.”

  His face fell, defeat in his eyes as he looked away. “I dinna understand, Lilly. When? You were gone but a day, and the last time we’d spoken, you made it clear you had no interest in marrying anyone anytime soon.”

  “We hadn’t planned it—never even discussed it. But I swear, the alternative would have been unbearable with no escape from the pain. Nelson wanted to go through two years of memories. I’d not survive it, love.” She held his face in her hands, her heart breaking. “However, we’ve agreed to not let the marriage change our relations.”

  “How can it not, Lilly? Was it Mason’s idea to get married?” His eyes filled with suspicion, but she couldn’t imagine Mason going to such extremes just to keep her from Corwin.

  “It was, but… what else could we do?” She pushed her doubts away, for she had seen Nelson’s anger first hand and did not doubt he’d have made her suffer. “There was nothing else we could have done to keep me safe.”

  He nodded. “I know ye had no choice, love. It just comes as a bit of a shock. I thought I finally had a chance to be with ye again, a chance to try and rekindle what we once had.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, but the pain in his eyes left her heart aching.

  “Mason knows I’m not yet committed to this marriage, and we’ve agreed that for now things will not change between us though the Elders must still think this a true and proper marriage.”

  His brow furrowed and he shook his head. “By the gods, I dinna think I’ll e’er understand this world. Ye’re either married or ye’re not, aye?”

  She shrugged, feeling defeated. It all felt overwhelming once again. “I don’t know what to tell you, Corwin. I do love him—I’ll not lie to you—but I’m not ready to be married even if I already am.”

  He ran a rough hand through his thick locks, and then there was a spark of hope in his eyes. “Is it the same as a handfasting then?” She at once knew what he was thinking.

  Lilly nodded. “Similar. The vows are dissolved or renewed in a year and a day.”

  With a smile, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’ve waited ten years, and can certainly wait one more. I’ll not give ye up so easily, love. Losing ye once was bad enough.”

  “You may be willing to wait, but I’m not.” Frustration had her fighting back the urge to scream. “I cannot give myself fully to a marriage if I’m constantly wondering if I should be with you. It’d not be fair to Mason. And though our current arrangement is less than ideal, at least I’m not just biding my time with him. I need to sort out my feelings for the two of you and I’ll not wait a year to do so.”

  “So where does that leave us?” He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.

  “I guess that’s up to you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “I cannot believe you. You’ve lost your mind—of that I have no doubt.”

  Mason ignored his lieutenant’s ramblings. “I’ll need to speak with the Elders before Nelson has a chance to twist things around.”

  “I swear, you’ll be the death of me.” Pierce threw back his drink and then glared at him. “You outright manipulated the situation and went against their wishes. And for what? Don’t think I don’t know,
Mason.”

  “Pierce.” His tone warned him not to drag Lilly into the conversation.

  “I’ve no problems with the girl. You know that, aye? But I also see that marrying her goes well beyond keeping her safe.” He sat by Mason’s side, not ready to let the matter go. “Never mind what she’ll do to you if she finds out your true motives.”

  “You need not worry. She’s refusing to commit to the marriage until she can sort out her feelings.” The words left him with a bitter taste in his mouth. He cursed himself for not insisting she give up all other relations. But she was too panicked and skittish over the whole affair. Pushing her any further with his demands would have only made things worse.

  Pierce glared at Mason and shook his head, spitting mad. “So what’s all this for then? She may still not be safe, and it’s also put you in grave danger.”

  Mason took a deep breath, his knuckles white around his drink as he thought of Lilly coming to harm. “It has to keep her safe, because she’ll not survive what Nelson has in store for her. As for me?” He shrugged. “I’ll manage. I heal quicker than most.”

  Pierce pursed his lips, his hair now disheveled from his hand running through it. “Let’s hope you’re right. Trying to put you back together after the Elders have torn you to pieces is not my idea of fun.”

  “You worry too much.” Mason drank his brandy, desperate for a bit of fortification, for he knew Pierce had every reason to worry about him. “As for Lilly and this marriage, she’ll come around.”

  Pierce let out a ragged sigh, and sat back against the sofa, his head cocked to the side. “You know, that bloody Viking still loves her, aye?”

  “And Lilly still loves him.” He shrugged and pretended it didn’t bother him even though it stuck in his side like a splintered arrow. “I’m not blind, nor am I stupid, Pierce.”

  Pierce’s eyebrows shot up in question. “You may not be blind or stupid, but I’d question just how sane you currently are. You’ve lost your head over her, and the Elders will make you pay for it.”

  “Speaking of which, I need to go while Lilly’s still distracted. She’ll make an even bigger fuss than you once she finds out.” Mason finished his drink in one large gulp, and then got up to leave.

  Pierce also stood and grabbed his hand. “Don’t go, Mason. I’m begging you.”

  “You’re to keep Lilly safe while I’m gone, and she’s not to leave this house. Can you promise me that?”

  “Curse you to hell, Mason.” Pierce kissed him hard on the lips, and then stepped away, worry in his eyes. “You have my word.”

  ***

  Mason debated which of the Elders he should go see, but in the end, knew he was closest to Damon, even if it was likely Nelson had already spoken to him. Hopefully, by addressing the issue instead of running away from it, he could negate some of the consequences.

  The ride was a short one. Before he’d even gathered his thoughts properly, he was shown into Damon’s sitting room where the Elder waited for him. “I was hoping you’d come and see me. Drink?” He poured himself a glass from the tray on the end table, and then without waiting for Mason’s response, poured him one also.

  “Thank you.” Mason took the drink, and then sat across from the Elder. “I want to file a formal complaint against Nelson.”

  Damon barked out a laugh and shook his head. “You’re so cocksure. I’ve always admired that about you, Mason.” He tilted his drink towards him with a nod. “It’s why you’re so good at your job.”

  “Am I?” Mason knew he was playing a dangerous game, yet he could see no other way of approaching the situation.

  “You’d not be chancellor if it weren’t the case.” Damon’s gaze bore through him like the heat of a thousand suns. “I’ll admit, putting Nelson in charge of your case may have been a bit hasty, however it does not dismiss you from your current behavior. You disobeyed our given orders.”

  “I did not think your orders included the torture of an innocent reaper.” He sat forward closing the distance between them. “She was willing to help, and had done all he’d asked up until that point. But I’d be damned if I was going to let him go through two year’s worth of memories. She’d not have been able to endure it, Damon.”

  Damon didn’t look concerned as he sipped his port. “Perhaps not, but there were alternatives to you undermining my orders.” He shook his head, and plunked his glass down on the end table. “Do you understand the position you’ve now put me in? You leave me no alternative, Mason. You’ll need to be punished for your disobedience, for I cannot have my chancellors disrespecting the authority of the Elders.”

  Mason felt a cold sweat break out across his neck, though he was careful to not change his expression. “Promise me Lilly will not be harmed.”

  “Mason… you’re in no position to be asking such favors.” He shook his head in annoyance. “Honestly, man.”

  “None of this was her doing. If you’re to blame someone, blame me and that bastard, Nelson.” He sat back annoyed. “And what will his punishment be in this affair?”

  “He’ll get his due for the part he played in the death of that man—the one that’s your new reaper. But as for this incident?” Damon sighed and shook his head. “If you had let him go through with interrogating her, it’d be easier to make a case against him. But now? It’s your word against his, and he’s the one sharing Amara’s bed.”

  Mason’s head lolled around as he groaned to himself. It all made sense now. Of course. Here he’d thought Nelson had been whispering in Damon’s ear, when instead it’d been Amara. “That fucking bastard.”

  Damon pursed his lips, his eyes locked on Mason’s. “You’ll need to hold onto that anger if you’re to get through your punishment. There’s nothing to be done for it, I’m afraid.”

  “And what of Lilly?” He couldn’t let anything happen to her.

  Damon said nothing for a long while, but finally gave him the answer he needed. “I’ll be sure she remains safe.” He stood and Mason followed suit. “I must say, you’re the last one I expected to get married.”

  Mason’s lips curled into a warm smile. “Can’t say I expected it either.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “How could you let him go?” Fear and panic swallowed Lilly whole as she tried to break free of Corwin’s grasp so she could strangle Pierce.

  Pierce glanced at Corwin in a way that got his meaning across without any words. When Corwin let her go, Pierce pulled her close and held her to him until her struggles ceased and the tears came.

  “He left me no choice, Lilly. You know I’d do everything in my power to keep him here, but there was no alternative. Matters would only be worse if he avoided the matter.”

  Her mind raced through all they could do to him, and having experienced some of the punishments first hand, she could only imagine what he’d have to endure. She looked up into his eyes and pleaded with him. “We need to go find him. Please, Pierce. He’ll not survive it.”

  He shook his head, and she could see her despair and worry reflected in his eyes. “I’m afraid, my dear, that death will not be a mercy he’ll be afforded.”

  His words left her choking on a sob.

  “What are ye trying to do to her, aye?” Corwin pulled her back into his arms protectively, but she shrugged him off, not wanting to be coddled by either of them.

  “I’m going to the Elders.” She’d be damned if she was going to sit idly by while Mason was punished and tortured. “He only wanted to protect me. He did nothing wrong, Pierce.”

  “I know, but there’s nothing to be done for it, and I gave him my word that you’ll not leave this house. Do I make myself clear? He did this to protect you, and I’ll be damned if I’ll have his sacrifice go to waste by having you get yourself in trouble.” He ignored her cries of frustration and looked past her to Corwin. “Can you take her to her room and make her see sense?”

  “Aye.”

  “He’ll do nothing of the sort.” She glared at the two of th
em. How could they just stand here and do nothing to help Mason?

  “Lilly, come, love.” Corwin gently took her by the elbow to try and guide her out of the room. “Pierce will go and see what can be done for Mason.”

  She turned to Pierce, hopeful, her heart in knots. It was likely the best she could hope for. “Will you?”

  He nodded. “If you promise to not leave the house, I’ll go and find Mason. I don’t know that there will be any way to stop his punishment, but at least he won’t be alone.”

  When she nodded, Corwin pulled her close and led her away.

  ***

  Lilly paced the floor of her bedroom—the one she’d stayed in when she first came to live at Mason’s home. It hadn’t seemed right to bring Corwin into Mason’s private quarters, even if she’d been sharing Mason’s room as of late.