Jack - A Grim Reaper Romance

by Calista Taylor

  “What’s taking them so long?” Hours had passed since Pierce left, and Lilly’s mind kept thinking the worse, the steady stream of whiskey doing little to calm her. “He should never have done it. He should have let me go with Nelson. And Jack, curse him, should have turned himself in to the Elders.”

  Corwin took her hand and forced her to sit by the fire, taking the seat next to her. Even though she remained there by his side, her body was coiled tight with tension, her muscles in knots. At least he didn’t start questioning her about Jack.

  “If Mason had allowed ye to come to harm, what sort of man would he be?” Corwin shook his head. “No, love. I may not be happy about ye marrying him, but at least he’s proven worthy of yer affections.”

  “The pain’s excruciating. Nothing from the land of the living even comes close.” A tear escaped and slid down her cheek. “And to endure hours of it?” She shook her head, for words escaped her.

  Corwin’s brow furrowed in question, while she saw the comprehension and horror dawn upon him. “Lilly… please tell me ye didna experience it firsthand.”

  She shrugged and took his hand into her lap. “I’d have done it all again given the chance… though now I don’t have to.”

  “I dinna understand, love.” He searched her face. “What did ye do to warrant such punishment?”

  Some of the tension slipped free as she smiled at the memory. It had kept her going for years, and she had not an ounce of remorse. She cupped his face, his stubble rough against her palm. “I kissed you.”

  His eyes went wide as realization and guilt set in. “The dance? Lilly, ye shouldna have done it.” He grabbed her arms and all but shook her. “Why would you do such a thing? What were you thinking?”

  “I’d do it all again, love. My only regret is that I did not have the chance to tell you of Emma. I just wasn’t sure how to broach the subject when you did not know my true identity.” She let him pull her into his embrace, and leaned her head against chest. The strong beat of his heart lulled her, took the edge off her nerves unlike the drink had been able to do.

  “I thought of that kiss often.” He ran a soothing hand down her back. “There was something about ye that seemed so familiar. When ye disappeared that night, I was beside myself, though to be honest, I knew not why. Tried to find ye even, but no one there seemed to know much about ye.”

  “I didn’t want to leave like I had, but Mason found me. It’s strictly forbidden to pursue any relations with the living, and even worse to contact those from your past.”

  “Is Mason the one that punished ye?” Corwin pulled back to look at her, anger creasing his brow and lining his face.

  “The Elders were already aware of what I’d done. He had no choice but to bring me to them.” She fought off a cold shiver that travelled down her spine. “But what I went through is nothing compared to what he’s now enduring.”

  She fought back tears that once again threatened. He held her until she quieted, her lids now heavy from all her worrying.

  “Perhaps ye should try and get some rest, love. Staying up all night, tormenting yerself will do ye no good. He’ll need ye at yer best when he gets back.”

  When he lifted her off the sofa and headed towards the bed, she did not protest. The stress of the day and the whiskey had her head spinning.

  “I’ll stay in a spare room.” Corwin turned to go, even though she saw his hesitation.

  All Lilly wanted was for Mason to come back to her safe and sound, but she knew the reality would be a far different matter. Not wanting Corwin to see her distressed, she rolled over and turned her back on him, burying her head in the pillow, hoping he’d leave.

  “Och, love. I canna leave ye when ye’re so upset.” He laid down by her side and pulled her into his arms, ignoring her struggles to push him away.

  “Leave me be, Corwin. Just go.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” He cradled her against him and held onto her until she finally quieted down, her mind now numb. “Mason will be all right, love. He’ll be back to ye before ye know it. Now try and get some rest. He’d not want ye worrying.”

  She knew he was right, and with her head swimming in drink, it was too easy to just listen to Corwin’s heartbeat once more and close her eyes. He stroked her hair while he muttered to her in Gaelic, the soft words soothing her further even though she knew not their meaning.

  However, every time she drifted off, images of her ordeal mixed with images of Mason, jolting her awake. She was finally so on edge, sleep would not come despite the exhaustion that left her head spinning with images of Mason’s pain.

  Corwin kissed the top of her head. “Ye remember that home ye liked so much? The one that sat at the top of the hill up by Morenish.”

  She let out a ragged sigh. “Of course.” Though it’d been just over ten years ago, it felt like an entire lifetime. She went back through her memories, happy for the distraction. “It’d been lovely.”

  They’d found the large stone house while on a walk through the woods. It’d sat high enough to overlook the forest, with glimpses of the loch and glens below. Such a view—unlike anything she’d ever seen before.

  She had met Corwin only months before, the son of her father’s business partner, and had fallen for him from the very start. She’d jumped at the chance when he invited her and her aunt, to visit for the summer, her father too busy with work and her mother not wanting to venture into the Scottish wilds. A few weeks later, at the end of her stay, he’d proposed just before he’d set off to sea for the year. Soon after his proposal and with his impending departure, they’d found themselves in a naked tangle of limbs, succumbing to their passions.

  “I bought the house, love.” He brushed a stray lock from her eyes, his touch lingering. “It was meant to be a surprise for ye on our wedding day.”

  “Oh, Corwin.” She didn’t know what to say, the revelation taking her completely by surprise.

  How many times had she thought of the life and family they could have had if she hadn’t died. She knew they would have been happy together—and she could not have asked for a sweeter, more considerate and caring man. To know he’d bought the home so they could start their lives together, made her heart ache and long for what could have been.

  “I ne’er stopped loving ye, Lilly, and I ne’er will.” He ran a finger down her cheek and then kissed her sweetly. His lips lingered, but it took all the strength she had to pull herself away. “I’m sorry, aye? I shouldna have done that.”

  She looked away, for she knew she was too weak to resist him. Her heart still skipped a beat at the mere sight of him, even if her heart also belonged to Mason. And though she wanted to sort out her feelings for the two of them, above all she needed Mason to be home safe. “I think it’s best if you go. I’ll be fine on my own.”

  He closed his eyes for a moment and then nodded. “As you wish, my love.”

  ***

  Lilly knew not what time it was when she heard voices in the hall outside her room. Dizzy from sleep and drink, she rushed to the door and yanked it open, her heart shattering at the sight of Pierce and Corwin carrying Mason’s broken body to his room.

  Had she not known better, she’d have thought him dead, his unconscious form now lying upon his bed. She tried to go to him, but Pierce put an arm around her shoulder and prevented her from going any further.

  “Lilly, get back to your room. There’s nothing you can do for now, and he’d not want you to see him like this.” Pierce looked over at Corwin and gave him a nod.

  “Let go of me!” She tried to break free of Pierce’s grasp desperate to get Mason, but matters were only made worse when Corwin joined the fray and pulled her away.

  “Come, love. ‘Tis for the best, aye?” His strong arms held her with an iron grip infuriating her further.

  She glared at him with fire in her eyes and venom in her voice. “He’s my husband, damn it. And I swear, Corwin, if you don’t let me go to him, I’ll never speak to you again—a
nd that’s a cursedly long time, given that we’ll live for an eternity.”

  He glanced over at Pierce for just a moment, and then turned back to her as he released his grip. “As you wish, love.”

  She went to Mason’s side, Pierce and Corwin forgotten. Now was not a time for tears or hysterics, though she was unsure of what she could do to help. Quickly, she looked him over, taking in his injuries.

  He had taken quite a beating—his eye swollen shut, his jaw purple, dry blood smeared down his face from a broken nose, and she could only imagine the injuries hidden under his clothing. However, Lilly knew most of what he endured would leave no physical marks, just scars on his soul.

  “Pierce, get me a bowl of freezing cold water and a cloth.” The least she could do was clean him up and make him comfortable, maybe control the swelling. Time would have to heal the rest. “Also some drink. The strongest you can find.” Pierce left the room to get what she needed.

  “How can I help, mo chridhe?” Corwin took a step forward, but she waved him away.

  “I’ll manage.”

  Her fingers made quick work of the buttons on his shirt, but she could not hold back a gasp when she exposed the mottled skin below the cloth. The bruising was extensive, reds and purples mixing in blackened patches.

  And then Mason reached for her hand and sent her heart tripping over itself. “Don’t look so worried, love.” His raspy voice cracked as he tried to get out the words.

  “Mason.” She gently touched his face and her composure crumbled, unable to mask the distress in her voice. “You should not have gone, love.”

  “There was no other way.” He swallowed hard, his face lined with pain. “If I had waited, it would’ve only made matters worse.”

  She shuddered at the thought, for she could not imagine it.

  Pierce walked in and put the tray down by the bedside, his entire body stiff and his words clipped as he fought to hold back his emotions. “You should not have gone.”

  “You’re starting to sound like her.” Mason tilted his head in her direction, pain cutting his humor short.

  “Here.” She poured him a large glass of a drink she didn’t recognize. It was amber in color like a fine brandy but thicker and smelling faintly of something herbal. Whether of this world or not, she did not know, but Pierce had fetched it, so she assumed it’d do the trick.

  She held the glass to his lips and he took a long drink, though it was clearly painful. He’d likely cut the inside of his mouth during the beating, and the thought of it left her cursing under her breath.

  “I swear I’ll wring Nelson’s neck if I ever see him again. Tell me the Elders are going to do something about him.” She hoped he’d burn in hell. Mason would still be whole if Nelson hadn’t overstepped the bounds of his authority.

  Mason’s mouth twitched into a smile. “He’ll get his due, love. Damon’s seeing to it, though the situation’s rather complicated. In the mean time, he’ll see about building a case for having Corwin’s death come up before his time.”

  She had yet to tell Corwin that his death was a result of Nelson’s hatred for Mason—and now, he knew the truth. Lilly looked over at him, her guilt plaguing her. Had she not been involved with Mason, Corwin would still be alive. “I’m so sorry you were dragged into this mess. Your death should have never happened.”

  Corwin stepped closer. She could see he wanted to reach out to her, but Mason’s presence made the situation awkward.

  “Ye need not worry yerself, a ghaoil. It’s all worked out for the best, aye?”

  All she could do is nod.

  From the corner of her eye she saw Mason frown. It was a difficult situation all around, with emotions running high for everyone involved. Yet what were they to do? She wished it was an easy decision, for it’d be far easier to love just one of them.

  Corwin looked from her to Mason and then back. “I’m going to head back to the guest room. Give ye some privacy. Ye’ll let me know if ye need any help, aye?”

  “Thank you.” Lilly watched him go, and then turned a questioning gaze on Pierce.

  He rolled his eyes. “Very well. I’ll be back to check on him come morning, but if you need anything or if he takes a turn for the worse, you’re to call me immediately.”

  Finally alone with Mason, Lilly felt more at ease, the tension in the room now gone. She dunked the cloth in the freezing cold water and then wrung it out. “I’m sure this will hurt, but it should help with some of the swelling.”

  He cringed when she touched it to his lips, the white cloth now crimson with his blood. He took it from her and dabbed at his lip before tossing it back in the bowl. “Don’t go worrying yourself, love. I’ll heal by morning. The worst of it is over.”

  She couldn’t bear to think of what he’d endured, so she decided to focus instead on the positive. “Will Damon really try to build a case against Nelson? I cannot believe he’ll get his due.”

  He leaned in and kissed her, but there was no smile upon his lips, and no relief in his eyes. “He will, but I have a feeling this is all far from over.”

  ***

  Lilly stirred from her slumber as Mason pulled her close from behind with an arm wrapped around her waist. He’d not slept well at all, waking more than once due to nightmares. His physical injuries wouldn’t take long to heal, but she could only imagine what they’d done to him once inside his head.

  Mason pulled her from her thoughts by trailing kisses down her neck and shoulder. She still found it odd to think of herself as married, and even odder that Mason had sacrificed so much for her sake. It seemed he’d finally let the chancellor take a step back—at least for now.

  She spun in his arms so she could face him. The bruising and swelling had gone. Even the cuts had healed, leaving little behind but redness. It was remarkable, really.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “I’ll manage.” He bent his head to hers and kissed her, his lips hot like coals. “Listen, love. Things seem to keep escalating with Nelson, and I’m afraid he may use you once more to get to me.”

  He brushed her hair from her eyes and then nipped at her lips before continuing. “I’ll do all I can to protect you, but I fear there’ll be times when I’m not around. It’s best if you learn how to defend yourself from him.”

  Her gut roiled at the thought. “Is that even possible? If he thinks I’m putting up even a bit of a fight, it’ll only make matters worse.”

  He let out a deep ragged breath. “You may be right, but if he’s intent on harming you, it may be your only defense.”

  Despite the serious nature of their discussion, his hands seem to have a mind of their own. “Mason… you’re injured.”

  “I’ve healed.” As if driving his point home, he gripped her arse and pressed himself against her. His hard length searched her out, her body’s response to him immediate.

  Need rose within her, but she tried her best to ignore it so she could concentrate instead on their conversation. “But how can I fight him? He’s a chancellor. I’ll not stand a chance.”

  She bit back a moan when he gave her nipple a squeeze that rippled all the way to her quim. He shifted her onto her back and parted her knees with his own, flaming her desire.

  “You will stand a chance once I’m through with you. I’m also a chancellor. No? I’ve got more than one trick up my sleeve, love.” He buried himself in her, letting out his own grunt of need. “You’re my wife, and I’ll be damned if I’ll not do all I can to keep you safe.”

  His wife. It still didn’t seem real, and she suspected it wouldn’t for some time still, given that she’d yet to commit fully to the whole blasted affair.

  He covered her mouth in a greedy kiss, her thoughts obscured by his ministrations. When he nipped at her ear, a shiver coursed through her and set her nerves alight.

  “Are you ready, love?” His words were but a whisper, his breath hot against her skin.

  The way he held her in his arms, she was ready for anything. In re
sponse to his question she wrapped her legs around his and ground her hips against him, her lips closing around his nipple when he arched his back.

  He let out a moan around breathless words. “That’s not what I meant, aye?” She bit his nipple in response, and he choked back an anguished laugh. “Bloody hell, woman.”

  She shifted her weight and he rolled them over to switch positions, so she now sat straddling his hips, his hard length buried deep inside her. Healed, indeed.

  She chewed her lip to keep her mind from wandering. “Are you trying to tell me you were going to teach me how to protect myself during our coupling? You’re unbelievable, Mason.”

  A lusty grin spread across his lips.