His mana coursed strongly through his veins, burning to a heat that once was released would mean utter harm to whatever it came in contact with. He could feel it seeping within, rising like steam to his head. At that moment, he knew his eyes were blood red. He knew because each and every one of the soldiers stopped what they were doing and stood gaping at him.
He wondered a moment about their surprised expressions. Hadn't they ever been to battle before? Haven't they ever seen a Marujan angry? A face-splitting grin transformed his face. Today would be their lucky day. He took one step forward and—
Gideon! Hadaen's voice pounded in his head again. Have you lost your fucking mind? I told you to stay put!
I need to do this.....
No, you don't. You need to keep your ass quiet and alive...for Esyth. Leave the soldiers up to us.
Sorry, big brother. Too late.
Gideon! Damn it, I am going to beat the shit out of you when this is all over. I can't believe—
Gideon shrugged and rolled his shoulders as the soldiers came to full attention before him. He'd pretty much blocked out everything Hadaen said pass that point. Quite frankly, he didn't care about what his brother had to say. He was going to do this his way or no way at all.
"So which one of you assholes are up first?" he chuckled softly. None of them moved. Gideon shrugged. "None? Okay. Then I nominate....." He pretended to search through the terrified group and then pointed directly at one soldier who was shaking so badly, he looked as if he'd piss himself at any moment. "You."
The Kankul soldier shrunk back, neither of his colleagues looking sorry for him, just sorry that they would have to watch what was destined to happen to them in a couple minutes. Gideon chuckled at this realization. It was going to be an easy conquest, alright.
He lifted one arm just barely...and every man scattered as far away from him as they could. It was a hilarious sight, really, but he did not feel in the mood for laughing one bit. He was in the mood to kill....to destroy, to unleash total obliteration on all things Kankul. He inhaled deeply, summoning the full strength of his mana.
And then he let it go in one full thrust of his arms. Red light crackled fiercely in waves of sizzling electricity as it struck the earth between them, refracting intensely onto all that it was meant for. Gideon closed his eyes, reveling in the feeling; the sensation of satisfaction. The sweet taste of revenge was like icing on his tongue with an extra touch of whip cream.
He could hear the agonized cry of the men; it only served to push him further. He blocked out all else and focused on the task at hand: vengeance. Well-deserved vengeance.
It brought him back to those years as a boy; his very first glimpse of war. The war that had taken his father. The pain was still lodged in his heart and only this would take it away. Images flew through his mind; some broken and some as clear as daylight. He could see their last attack all those centuries ago when Hadaen had just lost Amelia. So many of his people had been murdered doing just what they ought to be doing: protecting their own. Deorci had swooped in without mercy, without an inkling of remorse. It was a day not very different from the rest; a day when villagers were out doing their regular businesses, nobles were busy overseeing the villages...and children were out playing. So many children...
Gideon's jaws clenched tighter. He decided that no amount of remorse or apology could erase that. He would not forget and he would not forgive either. Too many lives were involved and too many were already at stake. This feud against Deorci would end today.
But he continued to strike out at the Kankul soldiers, even knowing that they would be like char by now. A tear trickled down his face but he kept his eyes squeezed shut, afraid that if he opened them, he'd feel the pain even more. Or that he'd feel some form of regret.
And then he saw her face. Gideon gasped, the tears flowing freely down and over his cheeks now. He could see her face, beautiful as ever, her long blonde tresses flowing over those slender creamy shoulders. His eyes flew wide open. Was he dreaming? No. Nothing so sweet and pure could ever be unreal. Esyth stood firmly across the field from him, her radiance calling to him like Heaven's light to his soul. She smiled. He smiled back through his tears, swatting them away with his hands.
Esyth held an arm out. She beckoned to him, telling him to come to her. His feet moved instantly, bringing him across the field and to his lover in a heartbeat. She gazed up into his face with such loving eyes he thought his chest would burst open with joy. Her small hand reached up, cupping his left cheek.
"I love you..." he murmured hoarsely, barely managing to find his own voice. And she just looked at him, staring blankly up in his eyes. Esyth blinked twice, a frown transforming her beautiful face. No. Gideon held his breath, hoping against the possibility that she might not recognize him. That alone would crush him to a pulp of no return. His heart tugged at his chest painfully, a heavy lump lodging in his throat as he spoke. "Say something..."
Her small lips parted, moved as her mouth opened as if to speak. But nothing came out. Gideon reached for her, gulping frantically as Esyth's eyes filled with thick tears.
What was going on?
An explosion echoed fiercely behind him and Gideon lurched forward, his hands rushing to cover his eyes as smokes of dust blew up around them.
"Gideon!" It was Hadaen's voice.
"Over here!" he yelled back, despite the fact that he could not see him. "Esyth is--" He coughed. "Esyth is right here!"
"Esyth?" Amelia's voice came a abruptly, shaky with concern. "Damn it, I can't see a thing!"
"Just stay where you are, Gideon. We'll come to you!!"
Gideon nodded and squinted but he still could not make out his brother or sister-in-law. But they were there and at least that made him feel a bit better. Now all he had to do was make sure Esyth was all right. He spun back around.
"Esyth, are you—”
His eyes met large white teeth spread into a wide grin that bordered on wolfish. He then looked up instantly, gaze meeting those of the cold eyes of that ruthless bastard: Deorci.
"It's amazing what a simple illusion can do, isn't it?" the bastard uttered.
Gideon shrunk back a step, his thoughts going wild now. What the fuck--? For a moment he felt as if he was going to black out. His brain felt like jello right then. He was finding it so hard to come up with something coherent to say. Every damn time he thought he'd found her... This was it. He's had enough of this bullshit now! What he wanted was to get Esyth and retire from all this bullshit hunting all over the fucking place. He needed closure from all this crap; and then enjoy a well-needed rest from reality. Just for a while. Gritting his teeth, he narrowed his gaze on Deorci. "Fine!" He even made a show of throwing his hands up in defeat. "You've got me right where you want me, don't you? Give it your best shot."
Deorci grinned, a devilish flint in his dark eyes as he rubbed a hand over his beard. "Does not sound altogether bad at all, Gideon Maruj. Especially since I've noticed how you and your friends have...ambushed my dungeon." Deorci crossed his arms and peered viciously across at him. "I don't like it one bit. The recognition itches me deeply in the ass."
Gideon gathered up all the phlegm he could garner from deep inside his throat and spat it at his enemy's feet. "I don't give a fuck about what itches you. I'm here for Esyth and I'm not leaving without her." He took one careful step closer. "You might want to—"
"Gideon! Where the hell are you, man?" It was Hadaen's voice. It sounded just a few meters away. He could hear the harsh crunching and grinding of gravel below boots.
Gideon swallowed thickly, never averting his gaze from Deorci, not even for the slightest second. He wanted to catch every blink the bastard took. So he kept his mouth shut despite the desperately concerned bellowing coming from his brother and sister-in-law. If anything were to happen, he'd want Deorci to take him. At least he'd know his family would be desperately following behind, trying to find him. And the odds were that Hadaen would catch up eventually.
; Gideon's eyes narrowed on the bastard as he hissed softly, "Where is Esyth?"
Deorci grinned softly. The arrogant ass-wipe. "Precisely where I left her, Maruj. Care to join her? And please say yes. You would simply ruin my day if you refuse."
"I don't give a fuck—"
"I take that as you giving consent."
And before Gideon could manage another intake of breath, he was snatched harshly by the throat, the living breath almost knocked right out of his lungs. His hand reached out, trying to wrestle out of Deorci's death grip but he couldn't. They were spinning... It was like he was being carried by a swift moving tornado. His head spun, his stomach churned…. He could almost feel the metallic taste of vomit rising in his throat.
Gideon gasped, his vision dulling to a hazy blur as he tried to make sense of what was happening to him. Was this death?
And then he came to a sharp stop, the grip loosening from his so abruptly, he almost started to miss the painful support. Momentarily swaying on his feet Gideon clutched his belly, feeling sick to his stomach. He had just slumped quite heavily to his knees, the pain of that outweighed by the sudden pounding in his head, when he heard a subtle cry.
"Gideon!" He knew that voice. Gideon groaned loudly; sweat now beading his forehead and neck. What was happening to him? Then he felt two very small hands circle his waist from behind. "Gideon? Say something goddamn it!"
"Esyth?" he managed to croak, hunching over as a cold tremor shot through him. Oh shit, he was going to throw up!
"Yes, yes it's me." Then he felt her pushing him down towards the ground. It was then that he managed a look at her. She looked like an angel. Just as he'd remembered her; that long unruly mass of blonde hair that he loved so much, those beautiful green eyes. Maybe he was dying. But her eyes were frantic as she looked up away from him. "We have to get out of here! Where's Deorci? Did you come alone? Why would you come alone?" Her lips trembled as she spoke and then she looked down at him, frowning fiercely. "Why aren't you answering me? Are you sick?" Her palms patted swiftly against his neck and forehead. "Oh hell, you're burning up! He did something to you?"
Gideon stared up at her, his head now snuggly resting against the softness of her lap. She really was beautiful. So beautiful. If only he could get back the feeling in his arms..... He reached up to touch her cheek.
Esyth swatted his hand away. "How exactly are you feeling, Gideon? Dizzy? Weak? Nauseous??"
Gideon groaned, wincing as another pained sliced through his gut. "All of the above." His mouth was over-salivating now, just like it always did before one was to throw up. "Ohhh shit..." He swallowed down the salty fluid gathering in his mouth. "I hadn't...pictured it being like this."
For a moment she looked confused; dainty brows, just a shade darker than the hair on her head, knitting into a deep frown. Then her face fell almost dramatically, eyes watering now. Esyth sniffled as she cupped his cheek gently. "I love you too, Gideon. I've missed you and now that you're here, I don't want to waste any time that could be used to get us out of this place. I...I want to be able to tell you I love you over and over again until you get tired of me saying it."
Gideon chuckled weakly. "If I had just a little more strength, I'd show you exactly what it means to me to hear you say that." Then he coughed, his face growing paler and paler by the second. "If only I..."
Esyth gritted her teeth and clasped his face in her hands. Her voice shook with desperation and anger as she spoke, the pent-up tears now escaping their barrier and spilling down her face. One wild teardrop splattered heavily against his forehead.
"Don't you dare say it!" she almost shouted. "Don't you dare tell me goodbye." Gideon opened his mouth as if to speak and she crushed her lips against his, afraid of what his words might have been. She kissed him deeply too, all the frustration, love and hurt poured out into the one act. She loved this man and she had no intention of losing him. And Esyth knew her love was returned. She didn't need to hear the words to know exactly how Gideon felt about her. His actions alone told her all she needed to know. He'd risked his life to save her. When she did break the kiss, her eyes were narrowed to determined slits. "I mean, Gideon! Don't you...dare. I will slap the shit out of you!" Then she pressed her forehead against his, smiling as she inhaled his scent: all man. "I forgot how stubborn you are..."
Gideon chuckled and tucked a few hair tendrils behind her hair, the glitter of her eyes promising a hope that he knew he could rely on. "And I forgot how dangerous you are to my ego..." He groaned and stretched upwards to sit, flexing his fingers as the feeling was slowly creeping back into them. "Will you ever give a man a break? How do you tell a dying man you're gonna slap the shit out of him?"
Esyth sighed dreadfully and rolled her eyes. "You weren't actually dying. You were momentarily weakened. Deorci must have drugged you or something. That's exactly how I felt when I first got here that night three years ago." Esyth paused when she saw his eyes darken and rushed on. "I guess it only lasts a few minutes so you'll be fine. In the meanwhile, we have got to get out of here. Deorci intends to use you to lure Hadaen and the others here so he can trap them!"
Blowing out a firm whistle, Gideon managed to reach to his feet, flexing his slightly fatigued legs. "Nice plan."
She nodded. "Yeah. His regime is blown to pieces. He only has a single team left down in some field, I heard him talking about."
Gideon smirked. "There is no team. I blasted those fuckers back to Hades some time ago. But if what you're saying his true...." He paced back and forth a moment. "Then that means Deorci is all alone."
Esyth tugged on his arm impatiently. "Yes! But we've got to get out of here. Haven’t you been listening? I think there is something weird going on about this room. My powers are not working here.” She gave the room on quick onceover and shuddered. We have GOT to leave!"
Gideon nodded, forcing back a grin. She was as bossy as she'd always been. And he wouldn't have her any other way. He pulled her up to the only apparent exit he saw: a large wide door that seemed as if it was welded in. Hell, he'd need his mana at its peak to open this one. Gideon took one look at the goddess next to him and smiled. She made him feel as if he could accomplish anything.
He had taken a deep breath, summoning his mana from his core, and his right palm pressed against the cold exterior of the door when he felt her arm circle his waist. He looked down and saw her looking back, eyes glossy and damp. Aw hell, she wasn't going to cry again, was she?
Esyth opened her mouth to speak, bottom lip quivering, and then slammed it back shut. Swallowing down the lump of emotion lodged in her throat, she sighed and met his eyes firmly this time. "Th...thanks for c-coming back for me."
Gideon felt something twitch inside him, an electric bolt running up and down his spine. Damn, this woman certainly knew how to make him feel. A small burning reached its way to his eyes. Oh shit, now he wanted to cry! Tugging her into his arms, Gideon crushed her slender curves against him, running his hands along the curve if her back and over his ass. Esyth blinked, gripping into the front of his shirt.
"Baby, I couldn't stay away even if I wanted to!" he hissed, to tone of his voice, begging her to see this. He then captured her lips in a swift kiss, his tongue exploring and getting a taste of all the promised pleasures that was yet to come. He could stand here kissing her forever if he had his way but like she'd said, they needed to get out of there. "Now let's go wring the neck of a certain asshole so that I can get some of this ass!"
He gave her a firm slap on the butt and grinned. The delighted shriek that had escaped her lips only made him harder.
* * *
‘He didn’t know what was defeating him, but he sensed it was something he could not cope with, something that was far beyond his power to control or even at this point in time comprehend.’
― Hubert Selby Jr., Requiem for a Dream
Even his feet were threatening to fail him!
He had to think of something quick! Deorci marched down the long dark hall le
ading out to the open field that marked the exit of his dungeon. His plan was not working. The other Marujans were supposed to follow the fool. It would have been an easy capture then for he had incensed that room from floor to ceiling. Yeah, he knew that much about the Marujans’ life source—their prana. Incense weakened them, made them momentarily disoriented. They would not have access to their powers for minutes and that had been his plan all along: to get them all together in that room and set it ablaze with a roaring endless fire.
His right foot slammed hard against a rock near the wall and he growled heavily, cursing all the gods to hell. He was screwed. No…he was fucking screwed and even he knew when to admit that. His regime was completely wiped out so he had no one there to use to buy him more time for escape. He had to leave before they caught up on him. Perhaps then he’d manage to find a new hideaway, some new willing men and plot a new scheme all over again. Deorci nodded to himself. Yea, that would work. That’s what he’d do. He would not go down like this. Before he took his very last breath—and that’s if he ever did anyway—he’d see to it that the entire Marujan kingdom was obliterated.
Taking a sharp turn, he shrugged off his annoyingly flapping coat and flung it to the ground. He didn’t need it anyway. Sweat beaded his nose as he dismissed the sudden feeling of defeat that was slithering its way into his head. He did need such thoughts now. He turned right now, nearly flying around another corner and slammed straight into a wall.
“Going somewhere?”
“Fuck!” Deorci let out a furious breath and shook his head fiercely as he looked up. Okay, so it wasn’t a wall. Quite frankly, he would have preferred if it had been a wall that he’d slammed into because at least then he could just shrug it off and get on his way. He sighed and ran a hand over his then loosened hair. This is going a long day! He clenched his jaws tightly, trying desperately to maintain his composure. “Malakai, I thought you were dead.”
Gideon [The Marujan Brothers Series] Book Two Page 15
