Only in Her Dreams

by Christina McKnight

  “But you will if you have to. You and Lucessa must get back to Guy,” Maxim whispered, his stare penetrated hers in the waking dawn, his eyes a glowing blue, no doubt.

  “Okay.” She finally nodded.

  The tension eased from his body at her agreement. He moved in the direction of the shack, a thin line of light was visible around the sides of the doors. Keeping low, he moved down the side of the dirt road. He saw Marie moving in the same crouched stance as his own, a serious expression on her face. Her floral dress collected foxtails from the underbrush as she progressed.

  Ahead of them, Alexander and Greg opened the door to the building and light flooded out. Maxim saw flames in the fireplace and Lucessa curled up in a large armchair. She’s safe. Marie had seen her too, judging from her intake of breath. The door swung shut. Maxim signaled Marie that they’d approach the shack fast, stationing themselves close to one of the windows.

  As they got closer, he noticed the plywood boards nailed tight over each of the windows, preventing the escape of light but, hopefully not sound. He held up his hand, signaling Marie to stop.

  “We’ll move to the window.” Maxim pointed to the window closest to the fireplace, where Lucessa sat. “No one seems to be in danger at the moment, but we should listen to be sure Greg keeps his end of the deal.”

  With Marie’s mute nod, they moved forward.

  The smell of burning wood permeated the air as they neared the shack. Weeds covered the ground below the boarded window he’d picked. Maxim trampled down the overgrowth before he and Marie perched to wait.

  Voices from inside drifted through the plywood boards.

  # # #

  Darius reclined in the armchair next to the warmth of the fire. His gaze alternated between the flames licking the dry logs and Sandy. His concentration faltered every time he set eyes on her--she was beautiful--so much like his Lauren.

  The door creaked and Darius went on alert. His hand slid across the cold metal of the handgun resting on his lap. The door opened to reveal Greg.

  “Back so soon. What’s my brother’s answer?” Darius asked. His eyebrows rose in question as the pair shuffled into the room.

  “Just as you said. He wants her back and he looks desperate,” Flynn paused and Darius sensed there was more.

  “But...” he prompted.

  “He wants to meet with your eldest brother before he gives his answer.”

  Darius’s teeth ground together and his blood boiled. “Then why in the fuck are you back here? I said not to return until you have an answer!” From the corner of his eye, he saw Lucessa flinch. That she should, Darius’s patience was running out. He turned his attention to Greg. “Well?”

  “I don’t know. He said he’d let us know his answer as soon as he met with Guy. He told me to come back here.”

  With a flick of his head, Darius motioned Alexander outside. His second in command got his meaning immediately and left to survey the outside of the building. So his brother thought he was going to rescue Lucessa on his own. Always the hero. He was probably outside now.

  Just as he’d thought, Greg got the deer in the head lights look when Alexander left the shack.

  “Yeah, I don’t know what his problem was, throwing me out of Lucessa’s house,” Greg gushed.

  He’s sweating, what a pussy! Darius had picked up on his game correctly. Maxim lurked outside, waiting to strike, listening to their conversation. He’d play along...for a while.

  “Sit down, Greg. I guess we have no other option, but to wait.” He looked between the three humans sitting around him. Lucessa stared straight ahead quietly, never looking in his direction or at the other two occupants of the room. Sandy, on the other hand, couldn’t keep her eyes off the others, her gaze moving between Greg, Lucessa and himself. Greg kept his eyes toward the ground in a submissive way.

  “So, we just sit here and wait?”

  Darius shifted his eyes back to the beautiful Sandy. “Yes, we wait.” He relaxed in his chair, his grip on the handgun also eased.

  The sound of shuffling feet and a loud crash outside had Darius immediately resuming his clutch on the weapon. The plywood over the window flexed inward as a heavy object smashed against the wall, the shack shook from the impact.

  The noise outside stopped and all eyes in the room moved to the front door, waiting. Excitement coursed through Darius’s veins in anticipation.

  # # #

  “Open the door.” The command, issued by the emotionless Alexander, had been directed at Marie. When she hesitated, Alexander twisted Maxim’s arm painfully behind his back. He’d been on them so quickly Marie didn’t have the chance to run.

  She turned the handle and pushed the door wide, her head held high as she crossed the threshold into the room. Maxim’s respect for her increased.

  “And who might this be?”

  Maxim recognized the snarky, smooth voice of his twin.

  “Mother!”

  “Well, the one and only Mrs. Sarcona. I thought you were safe and wasting away in that home,” Darius said.

  Maxim held tight to his control, but his body screamed to lash out at his twin’s disrespect of Guy’s wife and Lucessa’s mother. In that instant, Maxim’s nagging question was answered. Darius hadn’t bothered taking Marie because he’d judged her worthless. His brother had underestimated Marie and her state of mind just as Maxim had. The comparison between him and Darius hurt, maybe they weren’t so different.

  Alexander tightened his grip on Maxim’s arm and pushed him through the doorway after Marie. “And my younger brother, Maxim. I’d like to say I’m also surprised to see you but alas, your moves are wholly expected.”

  “Hello, brother.” The words hurt passing his lips.

  He searched out Lucessa. Her head turned slightly to the side and her lips pursed. Her gaze fixed on her mother. Look at me, Maxim’s inner self commanded. Her eyes reluctantly left Marie and traveled in his direction. Her mouth opened, as if to say something, but she uttered nothing.

  “Come in and join our party.” Darius gestured toward the couch, mostly taken by Greg and Sandy.

  Maxim chose the seat next to Greg, and Marie moved to the overstuffed armchair Lucessa occupied. Lucessa’s arm went around Marie’s shoulder and she leaned her head close whisper to something in her ear. A small smile passed over Marie’s lips.

  “Darius, what’re you doing? This is suicide. Taking Guy’s family hostage.” Maxim attempted to talk some sense into his brother. “Give this up. You’ll never win. Erebos will never be yours.”

  “This isn’t about Erebos, at least not for me. And you’re wrong, brother.” The term spit forth from Darius’s mouth as if he was cussing. “This isn’t about winning.”

  “Then what?”

  “This is about getting what I deserve. I worked hard my whole life, sequestered from others, working day and night to learn all I needed to know. And then to have an outsider, a brother neither of us knew existed, come in and claim Erebos.” Darius paused, but not for long. “I knew I’d be met with opposition, but to learn that my younger brother, the only friend I ever had, was the one who brought him.”

  Maxim didn’t know what to say. His brother’s eyes radiated hurt and years of pain. “You weren’t going to lead Erebos as father wanted. I had no other choice.”

  “You’re right.” The aloofness reentered Darius’s face. “Father and I didn’t agree on many things. I’m sorry things turned out the way they did, but his death gave me the opportunity to give the people what they wanted.”

  What is he talking about?

  “You never suspected...you’re too trusting for your own good.”

  “What are you saying, Darius?”

  “Aw, I see you’re beginning to understand.”

  “I’m not sure I do.” Maxim shook his head, not wanting to know more but unable to let the subject go.

  “Must I spell it out to you, as if you are an infant?”

  Maxim nodded.

  “It sh
ould be no surprise to you that father didn’t agree with my ideas for Erebos. He had the nerve to tell me he’d changed his mind and wanted you to take over Erebos, completely stripping me of my right...what I had trained all those years for.”

  Maxim’s breath hitched. His eyes never left his brother. He knew Darius was not their father-nor Guy for that matter, but capable of murdering their father? He wouldn’t believe it.

  “We’ve all underestimated each other it seems. Must I come out and say it?” Darius raised his arms in a questioning gesture. “While I hadn’t intended to kill him, it happened. And, now I’m not opposed to killing all of you if that’s what it takes.”

  “Oh my gosh!” Lucessa said.

  Maxim looked to Lucessa, her mother perched next to her. Looking around him, everyone’s attention trained on Darius with shock, all except Alexander.

  “You knew?”

  Years ago, Maxim had considered Alexander his friend.

  “Yes, I was there. It didn’t happen exactly as my Master said, but yes. We met on the road and your father was killed.”

  “You served him, Alexander! You took an oath to protect the leader of Erebos.” Maxim pointed his finger at Alexander.

  “I swore to protect the ‘rightful’ leader of Erebos. That should’ve been my Master.” Alexander’s emotionless gaze held Maxim.

  Every person in the room disappeared and Maxim focused solely on the man who could’ve saved his father.

  “Enough!” Darius commanded. “It happened long ago. My guilt faded along with my banishment.”

  Regaining his composure, Maxim addressed his twin. “You don’t need all these people to get what you want. Let them go and keep me.”

  “Let’s not underestimate Guy, either. You mean nothing to him...but his daughter--and now his wife--mean everything. He went to great lengths to hide them from me,” Darius said. “You’re expendable, my dear younger brother.”

  # # #

  Lucessa watched the scene around her, completely helpless. Her family dysfunction ran deep, very deep. Questions bounced around in her head. Questions for Maxim and questions for her mother. She risked a glance at him, sitting on the couch next to Sandy with Alexander standing guard behind him, daring any of them to make a move.

  Her mother sat tensely beside her, taking in the scene. She probably had no idea what was going on. She’d recognized her when she’d walked in...that was odd.

  Lucessa had seen little hope of escape before Maxim showed up, and now there was zero chance. Maxim sat confidently on the couch opposite her, Marie, and Darius. His eyes penetrated his brother’s, the same stare pushed back at him.

  “What do we do now?” she asked on a long, low sigh. “We’re all here and no one is there to await an answer from my father.”

  “That’s a good point, my dear,” Darius said. “Am I correct in assuming you never told Guy I have his daughter?”

  Lucessa wondered if Maxim had told her father what was going on. From the presence of her mother, she suspected her father was well informed. At least she hoped so. He may well be our only chance.

  Beside her, Marie rested heavily against her shoulder, her head against the back of the armchair. She looked up, her eyes were closed. How can she fall asleep?

  Her mother was ill and probably confused.

  “You’re correct, brother. I thought I could handle this situation without dragging Guy away from his responsibilities in Erebos,” Maxim said.

  Lucessa’s heart sank. They were on their own.

  She looked at Maxim, making eye contact for the first time. And he winked at her.

  Winked!

  Her heart lifted.

  Chapter 39

  The roses opened in the early morning heat. A breeze blew across the grass and through the tall oak tree. She turned to smell the calla lilies, lavender, sweet peas, and jasmine surrounding her. She only felt safe and at peace when she was in her garden. In her garden anything--and everything--was possible, her family would stay together and their love would continue to flourish.

  The sound of familiar footsteps on the pea gravel behind her drew her attention from the blossoms to the approaching figure. “Hello, Guy. Is Lucessa off to school already?”

  Marie’s smile disappeared and she whimpered. Guy stood in front of her, shaking uncontrollably.

  He took the final few steps and scooped her off the ground into his protective embrace. She sighed and melted in his arms, her body flowing with the curve of his.

  “Oh Marie! I thought I’d lost you.”

  “Lost me? I’ve only been tending my garden.” Her smile returned. “What is that look for? You’re scaring me.” A nervous laugh escaped her lips.

  “Marie, you’re dreaming, my dear.”

  “As long as I’m in your arms, I’ll always be in a dream...the perfect dream.” She lifted her lips, expecting his to press against hers, to fill her body with warmth. But nothing touched her lip, but the early morning breeze as it continued through the flowers and trees that surrounded them.

  “We must talk,” he sighed.

  Her eyes popped open and cold dread flooded her body.

  “Marie, this is a dream. You’re asleep.” At her look of confusion he continued. “You’re with Maxim and Lucessa...think Marie! Where are you?”

  “Yes, I remember. We’re in danger, Guy.”

  # # #

  Guy inched down the dusty lane, following Marie and Maxim’s foot prints. No sound and barely any light escaped the building at the end of the path. No matter the outcome, he’d bring his family home--for good. And destroy Darius. The time had come.

  He’d stilled his rage at his middle brother. Maxim cared deeply for Darius, their twin connection created a strong bond. A bond Guy could not share with the pair.

  Guy had forced Darius’ hand. He felt responsible for the danger Marie and Lucessa where in and the choices Maxim would be forced to make

  He maneuvered around the car parked in the driveway and crept to the side of the house, trying to pick up any sounds.

  “How did it happen?” Maxim’s question drifted through the shuttered window.

  “Do you really want all the gory details, brother?”

  Guy listened intently to the voice he hadn’t heard in over twenty years. A voice he’d only heard raised in anger.

  “I think you owe me an explanation. He was my father too!”

  “I owe you?” Darius chuckled. “I think you have that twisted, brother.”

  What are they talking about? Guy wondered. He laid his ear against the plywood barrier to hear every word.

  “Tell him, Master.”

  “It really was a misunderstanding. Alexander and I were recruiting men to force our father out of power.”

  “A mutiny?” Maxim asked.

  “Lovely way to put it! Father happened upon our efforts. We argued, again. His horse startled and he was thrown...his head landing solidly against a boulder.”

  He killed my father. A rock formed in the pit of Guy’s stomach. If Darius had killed Morpheus, then he wouldn’t hesitate to kill again.

  # # #

  Lucessa couldn’t believe Maxim still sat there, after all he’d just found out. His twin was responsible for his father’s death. What a selfish prick! Because of one act, Maxim had lost his father and been forced to betray the only other relative he had. Any other person would be crushed, seeking answers for the injustice in the world. When Lucessa had lost her father she’d felt like it was the end of the world, but she still had her mother, even if she’d been forever changed, damaged.

  Maxim’s had been left with no one.

  Instead, he sat across from her, his head held high and his face holding no expression. He’d believed his twin could change, would change--that in the end, Darius would do the right thing. Did Maxim think he can still save him?

  If it were she, she’d be unable to contain her hatred for Darius and his kind, his Melas Oneiroi. The man had not only taken Morpheus from Maxim,
but also Lucessa’s father from her. And possibly her mother.

  Maxim’s strong jaw held almost an innocent look; his hair fell softly in front of one eye and down one rounded cheek. Muscles bulged under his t-shirt. She couldn’t help but think of the pictures of her and her father when she’d been young. They held many of the same features, as did Darius. But where Maxim and Guy had the faces of men in their early thirties, Darius’ face and body were dissipated. His arms were covered in track marks and his face was pockmarked from years of abuse. His cheeks were hollowed and his eyes were sunken. Maybe it was malnutrition or just an unhealthy lifestyle that made him appear so much older than Maxim.

  A noise not far behind her had her body stiffening. Something rustled against the side of the building, so faint that neither Alexander nor Darius heard it. She turned her gaze back to Maxim, careful to keep her expression as emotionless as his. Maxim’s eyes captured hers and willed her to keep quiet and not make any movement. Then he looked away.

  “But the situation is out of my hands now,” Darius said.

  “What do you mean it’s out of your hands?”

  “Well, I was forced to make a deal with the devil, so to speak.” Darius’s chuckle sent tendrils of fear snaking up her spine.

  “What did you do, Darius?” Maxim’s lips pulled back, baring his teeth.

  “Only what I had to do.”

  “All you had to do was stop fighting Guy’s way of leading and come back to Erebos.” Maxim’s mouth relaxed, his hands pushed his hair back.

  “We both know that was not a possibility.”

  “I knew no such thing! I’ve waited all these years to have my twin back.” Maxim’s hands fell from his head, to lie limply on the couch.

  “It doesn’t matter now, anyways. I don’t want Erebos, I’ve set my sights a little higher.”

  The gentle scraping, almost as if the breeze pushed the tall, dry weeds against the building, began moving down the wall, away from Lucessa and toward the only entrance to the shack. She barely registered the conversation around her, concentrating instead on the light sound moving along the walls at an agonizingly slow pace. The hair on her neck stood on end.