Arielle Immortal Resolve (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 8)

by Lilian Roberts

  “Eva, wake up!” Arielle’s desperate voice bored through her mind.

  “I’m here, Arielle.”

  “Eva, they have me locked in this room. I feel like a caged animal,” she whimpered. “I have no one to talk with, nothing to do and the telly isn’t working, so I’m totally cut off from the world except from you,” she murmured anxiously.

  “Arielle, listen to me carefully. Don’t be scared of Gaston, he’s not going to hurt you. You need to buy time while looking for that something that will be the key to help us find you. Can you do that?”

  “Yes,” she replied, voice still shaken. The connection was broken once again and Eva cursed. She lay back down, exhaling deeply.

  “What is it, baby?” Ian asked, and pulled her in a tight embrace.

  “We don’t have anything that will help us,” she said regretfully. “She’s going to search and when she has something she will contact me.” The night came and went and she didn’t hear anything from Arielle. Sebastian called first thing in the morning but to his disappointment Eva had nothing new. It'd now been two days and there had been no news. Eva and Arielle remained aware of each other’s existence and thoughts, but they tried to preserve their energy for when Arielle actually found a real clue. Arielle had nothing at this point. She didn’t find anything in her room that would give her a hint of her whereabouts, and she hadn’t been allowed outside the room. She lay down and closed her eyes, gripped by fretfulness. “God please help me! I want to go home,” she prayed, sincerely. Tears trickled slowly down her cheeks, dampening her hair.

  Chapter 14

  ARIELLE PULLED GENTLY away from Sebastian’s kiss and he let her go reluctantly. She sat up and, turning, she set her feet on the floor. She felt Sebastian’s strong hand pulling her back. Arielle turned and let her gaze glide over his faultless body. Her lips curved, she bent down and set her mouth on his passionately in a sweltering kiss. His lips moved underneath hers with ravenousness and his arms wrapped tightly around her pulling her slowly back on the bed.

  “Where are you going baby?” he whispered on her lips.

  “I’m just going to get a glass of water. Don’t move, I’ll be right back,” she murmured and chuckled blissfully. He released her lips unwillingly, and she jumped out of bed, a wide smile spread across her face. Every time they kissed he left her breathless. She was thirsty, so she made a beeline toward the kitchen. She stood naked in the middle of the room trying to decide if she needed to turn the light on or leave it off. It was a beautiful summer night, exhibiting a spectacular full moon that was nestled in the middle of a steely sky. Its brilliant light slipped through the large window and lit up the room. She smiled, eager to get a glass of water and hurry back into Sebastian’s warm embrace. She grabbed a glass from the cabinet and reached in the fridge for the water pitcher. Suddenly an arm of steel held her immobile in a tight embrace and a hand holding a cloth pressed against her face. She felt fear spreading across her body, fighting to breath, feeling suffocated. The glass slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor with a loud crash. That was the last thing she remembered before she lost consciousness.

  Arielle opened her eyes thoroughly confused. She felt drowsy and her throat was dry and raw. She glanced around awkwardly but nothing looked familiar. She was completely alone in a dim lit room. She pressed her eyes shut and shook her head. Where am I? she thought. Am I dreaming? She opened her eyes slowly, thinking she was going out of her mind. She tried to clear the fog from her brain and the haze from her eyes, but the surrounding didn’t change. She was lying in a bed but not her bed. She carefully studied every item around the room, but nothing was forthcoming to her. She shut her eyes tightly in sheer desperation. Where am I? How did I get here? she thought, still a bit lightheaded.

  She lay still for a short moment, reaching deep into her thoughts and suddenly her eyes snapped open, as reality came slamming back into her brain. She sat upright and stared in disbelief. She was sure that she was in what it looked like a large cabin used as a bedroom. She remembered being naked in her kitchen. She looked down at herself and she was in a pair of jeans and a top totally unfamiliar to her. Her lips twisted and she could feel her heart hammering her chest painfully. She took another look around; there were 2 portholes on the panel wall behind the bed and a door directly across. She was sure that she was in a vessel and that door most likely lead to the upper deck. She couldn’t hear any noises, but she could unquestionably tell that the vessel was moving across water. Her eyes narrowed as the last moments of her getting a glass of water in the kitchen flashed clearly into her mind. What in bloody hell happened?

  A vivid memory of a steel-like embrace and a cloth pressed against her face made her shiver. A lump started to form in the pit of her stomach and it was climbing fast up to her throat, as panic coursed across every muscle.

  A face flashed before her eyes and her heart stopped. Fear was swirling like a gale force shearing every inch of her flesh. Oh—my—God—Annabel!—She’s finally done it! She gasped, shocked into stillness. Instantly she reached for her necklace and froze. Her neck was bare. The blood drained from her face and she felt faint. She was her prisoner and totally unprotected. She was now sure that Annabel sedated her and took her from her own home. She'd made a promise to never allow any woman to marry Sebastian and it looked like she'd kept her promise. Swallowing her panic, she tried to gain some control of her senses. Eva, she thought in shear fright. I need to talk to Eva, I need to try and enter Eva’s thoughts, she mumbled to herself. She felt blistering tears burning the inside of her eyelids, as anxiety heaved through her brain. I’ll let Eva know where I am so she can help me, but where am I? Her thoughts were whirling wildly making her sick. Oh—God—! What do I do? Please help me.

  The sound of footsteps descending to the lower level made her stiffen. She forgot to breathe as fear cursed through her body. She glared at the closed door, holding her breath. Her horror was gripping every muscle and anxiety was smashing against her brain cells like thunderbolts. The footsteps were closing in and each step was pulverizing her very essence. She shackled her fear, lowered her head, shut her eyes, and waited with tormented breath.

  “You’re up!” A man’s velvety voice reached her ears. Her head snapped in utter shock. She stared, eyes wide open, a scream stuck on her throat.

  “Ga…st…on…” she finally cried incoherently.

  “At your service, my princess,”the said with a smile.

  “Where are we?”

  “Oh…my sweet, that’s my surprise,” he said.

  She looked thoroughly confused. He took that chance and continued. “You slept most of the way.”

  “Most of the way to where?” she shrieked, “Most of the way to where?” she stumbled this time, the words barely audible.

  “Don’t worry about the details right now, we’ll talk later,” he said; his gaze trapped hers. He moved closer and leaning over her he put his arms around her.

  “No…no…let me go!” she screamed thrashing her hands against his chest.

  “Calm down Arielle,” he said, his voice soft and completely unruffled.

  “What have you done?” she yelled, looking at him with horror in her eyes. “You’re crazy! Where are you taking me?” she cried out again. “I’m getting married in three weeks, you can’t do this.” Her voice was elevated. He put his finger on her lips and she stopped talking. His eyes were now filled with fury.

  “Arielle, you better listen to me and listen well.” He bent down and lifted her out of the bed, as if she was weightless. He set her on her feet right in front of him and bored through her eyes. “You’re never going to marry Sebastian. That part of your life is over,” he said, through clenched teeth. “Do I make myself clear?” His eyes hardened.

  “Gaston, what are you saying?” she asked, eyes filled with anxiety. She was stunned to find herself in his steel embrace, trapped unable to move. She was sure she could escape much easier through a concrete barrier than his embra
ce. He lowered his head and set his lips on hers and pressed hard seductively, demanding, but she didn’t reply. His lips firmed and his demand became haughty, dominant. She could fell his lips hungry, aching, possessive and she felt frantic. She finally pulled back and screamed.

  “Go away, Gaston, I don’t want you now, and I never will,” she was now sobbing hard, eyes pleading with him. “Please, let me go—, please, let me go…” she pleaded again and again gulping back tears. His eyes went cold. The bright blue turned dark and his voice bellowed.

  “You’re going to have a life with me and me only. I’ll have you weather you like it or not, so I’d suggest that you get used to the idea.” His voice was hard and his glare unforgiving. She was still trapped in his embrace, unable to move away.

  Arielle had never felt this angry before. Inside rage fueled and spread across every fiber of her body, drawing a deep breath she shrieked. “I’ll never have a life with you, I’d rather die.” She cursed inward and his answer was another hard embrace and another scorching kiss. As soon as he let go she started to scream again. He moved in that immortal speed and before she knew it she was unconscious again. He laid her slowly back on the bed and, taking her mouth, he ravished himself with another kiss.

  His arrangement was ordinary nothing complicated, but it would be a lengthy one, until he’d convinced Arielle that this was now her new life. She would forget all about her love for Sebastian and the life she had with him. He felt a pang thinking of her rejection, but he knew it would take time to change her mind. Swooping down one more time he pressed his lips on hers passionately. She would remain unconscious until they reached their destination. There is no way that anyone would be able to find us, he murmured. I’ll keep you with me forever. He chuckled blissfully and walked out of the cabin closing the door behind him. He crossed the corridor in a few short strides and climbed the steps smiling.

  When he stepped onto the deck, he saw Oliver Stabelton, his best friend, waiting patiently, sprawled on a lounge chair, dark sunglasses on, and a drink in his hand. He had agreed to help Gaston in this venture.

  Gaston had moved Arielle quickly, using his immortal speed, and met Oliver in his hometown Sidney. From there, Oliver and his crew had agreed to take Gaston and Arielle to their final destination. Oliver didn’t get a good look at Arielle when they boarded, but he knew that Gaston’s obsession for this girl was beyond any limitations, beyond any rational thoughts. He'd known Gaston for over 500 years and he’d never seen him more determined to capture a person’s attention. He was head over heels in love, and that alone convinced Oliver to offer his help and his crew to kidnap Arielle, and take her to his private home in Fiji. Gaston would keep her there until her heart body and soul had surrendered to Gaston.

  “How did it go, mate?” Oliver asked, amused. Gaston shrugged, as reality slammed hard into his brain. Arielle’s rejection enveloped him and he tried hard to mask his agonizing emotion. He realized that it would take a long time to make her forget Sebastian. He swallowed his anger and a low curse escaped this mouth. Oliver’s creepy gaze didn’t falter. “What’s wrong old friend?” he said again, trying to hold back laughter. “I thought after 500 years, you’d have a supreme understanding of how women think. They’ve always been a huge puzzle for us men.”

  Gaston snorted at Oliver’s words. What defined Gaston was his relentless and tireless pursue to capture everything he went after. And now he was on the hunt for Arielle’s body and soul.

  “I was sure I understood everything when it came to women, but Arielle’s different. She’s not like any other woman,” he said, and groaned anxiously but filled with hope.

  “Is she awake?” Oliver asked.

  “She was, but she got hysterical, so I decided to sedate her once again. I want her to remain quiet and stress-free until we arrive in Vatulete.” His lips twisted.

  “Gaston, relax—mate—I’ve never seen you this upset. It’s going to be all right. She’s now here with you and you can take all the time in the world to convince her that she should be with you,” Oliver added and chuckled mischievously.

  “What if she never accepts me?” Gaston paled at the thought.

  “It’s going to take a lot of effort and time to convince her that she has no other options,” Oliver said. Gaston was sure that this was going to be an uphill battle. “We have one more hour before we reach the shore. Sit down and have drink with me,” Oliver furthered. “I know you enjoy having a sip of brandy here and there instead of Salve, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I think I do need a drink.”

  “I must say that your story is an extraordinary one,” Oliver said. “What are the odds of something like this happening to one of us?”

  “What do you mean?” Gaston asked curiously.

  “I mean, when have you ever heard anything quite like this? Arielle’s time-travels weaved such a tight web around your immortal life, that you can’t breathe, you can’t think, you’re trapped.”

  Gaston’s face-hardened. “It’s complicated, but there’s nothing I can do now, I’m doomed.”

  “I hope you’ve thought of the consequences and the detestation that you’ll have to overcome,” Oliver continued. His gaze fell on Gaston’s face. He looked as if he was evaluating Oliver’s words.

  “What exactly are you referring to?”

  “Gaston, you’re not only taking her away from Sebastian. You’re depriving her of her family and close friends. She’ll loath you for days and years to come.”

  “I’ll take care of that,” he said smirking.

  “Don’t even think about breaking the immortal code, because the consequences of that are severe. You know if you do that, you’ll perish in a matter of time.”

  “Yes, I know, and I’ll try everything possible before I get to that point. I want her and I’ll have her no matter what I have to do. I’m determined to risk it all.” His expression was blank. Oliver shrugged and stared down into his glass. Gaston swirled his drink inside the glass in complete silence and sipped slowly without saying another word. The discussion veered to other subjects, but Oliver could tell that Gaston was mentally disengaged, and he shook his head in wonder.

  “I think, I’ll go check on Arielle,” Gaston said, and stood, leaving his glass on the small table next to his chair.

  “I’ll go with you if you don’t mind,” Oliver said. Gaston didn’t reply, he just moved eagerly toward the stairs that led to the lower level. He crossed the corridor with short strides, Oliver on his heels. He stopped in front of the narrow door and turned the nob quietly. He swung the door wide open and crossing the threshold he reaching to his left and turned the light on.

  Oliver walked closer to take a closer look at the girl who’d stolen his best friend’s soul and mind. He stopped next to the bed and looked down on her, his gaze sweeping over the soft motionless body that was lying unconscious. A wide smile spread across Oliver’s face as his eyes traced the gorgeous curves, the bare shoulders, the swells under the t-shirt. His gaze lingered for a long time over that beautiful sight. He forced himself to move his gaze slowly to her face. Her complexion was creamy white, like alabaster. Her hair a radiant wave of sunburn spread across the pillow. Her features were refined; her lips were full and luscious slightly parted, reflecting a shade of pink. Her nose was petite and quite sexy. Her eyes were closed but her lushes were long and he was sure they would complement the gorgeous blue eyes Gaston spoke of so often. A faint aroma of freesia reached his nostrils and he shivered. Silent waves of excitement coursed through his body, and quickly he stepped away from the bed, letting out a muted curse. She was anangel! She was that, and much more, he was sure. After this, he wholeheartedly understood Gaston’s obsession.

  “We should be arriving in 30 minutes,” Oliver said, his gazed roaming over Arielle’s body one more time and, swallowing another curse, he turned away. “I’m going upstairs,” he said, his jaw clenched. He walked outside and climbed the steps quickly. Oliver was shocked by the powerful urg
e that swept over him when his eyes fell on Arielle. He shook his head one more time and groaned in disbelief. This was his best friend’s obsession, not his.

  Gaston remained behind for a few more minutes. He kept his gaze on Arielle’s face. He was dead set to sway her his way. He was ready to offer his body and soul and he wanted to convince her to give him the same in return. This was something he had to have, as he just couldn’t live without her. That was one fact he couldn’t escape any longer. He spent years after she left Calais to try to get over her, but he never did. Deep inside she had remained his one and only desire. He swooped down and pressed his thirsty lips on hers. He ran his hand softly over the swells under her shirt and hauling in a frustrated breath he swung back and left the room closing the door behind him. He climbed the steps and crossed the deck with a few strides, cursing out loud. He reached the small table that held his brandy and with a deep groan he picked up the glass and drained it.

  ***

  Arielle open her eyes slowly. Her mind was in a thick fog; thinking, feeling or understanding seemed to be nonexistent emotions. She tried to lift her arms, but she couldn’t. It felt as if she was trying to lift solid blocks of concrete. Her eyes were burning, her temples were throbbing and her throat was dry. She pressed her eyelids shut hoping that she would snap out of this dreadful dream. She ran her tongue over her dry lips and tried to blink several times to clear the thin film that was obstructing her vision. This has to be one hell of a bloody dream, She thought, and chuckled. I’m trapped in this horrific nightmare and I can’t wake up. Her intuitive intensified, as images started to trickle into her mind slowly at first and then they reeled wildly until they skidded to a halt. She gasped as the recent memories poured in. She was still lying in the same bed but the room was now dark. How long have I been lying here?