“What the hell is going on?” demanded the voice she recognized as the owner of the bookstore that she frequented, borrowing books that she smuggled home to read by candlelight when everyone else was asleep.
“Mind your own business, shop keeper,” Malachi growled.
Persephone dared a peek and noticed that a crowd was growing at the shouts of Master Daniel Drake. Malachi fumbled to tighten his belt once more, turning his back on her to face the people of the village. Taking the chance, Persephone crawled over to her torn dress, pulling it back on and tying the straps back together.
“Just go about your day!” Malachi was practically screaming as more townsfolk gathered, whispering to each other. “This has nothing to do with any of you. We were too eager to wait until our wedding night. That’s all.” His answer seemingly satisfied most of the crowd, though she knew it was more out of fear that they left, and soon only Master Drake remained, arms crossed as he watched Persephone shake her head.
“I think I should escort Miss Persephone back home,” the book maker stated, holding his hand out towards her. She ran past Malachi and grabbed the hand of the kind old man, thankful for his interference. They left the mayor’s son fuming in the alley, his fun having been spoiled.
“Thank you, Master Drake,” Persephone gushed. “I couldn’t fight him, there was no room.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. And please, call me Daniel. How many times must I insist?”
She looked up into his face, weathered from age but lit up by his gentle smile. “Thank you, Daniel,” she replied, returning his smile, although hers was wobbly.
“Do you want me to take you home?” he asked.
“I’d like to take some time to myself in the woods before I go home, actually. I need to recollect my mind. I’m a bit scattered after…”
He nodded, and she was glad she didn’t have to finish the sentence.
“Just you be careful,” he warned her. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out a dagger, a weapon she knew was his favorite for sentimental reasons. “Take this to protect yourself.”
Persephone tried to deny his request. “I couldn’t take your father’s knife from you, Daniel.”
“I insist,” he demanded. “I couldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t give you a way to defend yourself after that attack. My father would have wanted it to go to someone worthy, and you’re the most worthy person I know, since I don’t have any children.” He pressed the bone hilt into her hand, curling her fingers around it. “Take it.”
Her eyes full of grateful tears, she threw her arms around the older man. “Thank you,” she whispered once more. Leaning in, she kissed him on the cheek, then turned to run to the woods, hoping Adrian was still waiting. She looked back once, to see the old book maker touch his cheek where she kissed him, smile, and turn back towards his store.
***
Adrian paced in front of the tree where he’d met Persephone just yesterday. He knew she was something special as soon as he’d laid eyes upon her when he visited her village a few weeks ago while escorting his mother and fiancée to their markets. Persephone had wandered past the stall the women were browsing, and he couldn’t take his eyes away from her. She was beautiful, but it wasn’t just that. There was something else about her; a dignified air. This woman wasn’t like any other, and he yearned to know her name.
Since that day, he’d ached to see her again, and took to walking the forest, hoping he’d wander close enough to catch a glimpse of her, maybe even be able to speak to her. He hadn’t expected to actually get to talk to her yesterday, and had come across her quite by accident. He had to know more about her, had to touch her, had to kiss her…
He sighed and leaned against the birch tree, starting to think she would stand him up. “Why, though?” he asked the forest. “I know that kiss was electric for her as well. Why would she make plans to meet me here, today, and then not show?” He resumed pacing, telling himself he would wait just a little longer before giving up for the day.
Adrian heard footsteps stumbling towards him from the direction of Mythosandria. He spun around, his heart in his throat. The sight of Persephone running towards him warmed his heart, until he saw the red mark on her cheek and realized that she was clutching her dress as though it would slip off her shoulders. Frowning, he stepped forward to greet her, arms outstretched. She raced into them, slamming against his chest so that he staggered back a couple steps. Allowing her to hold on to him for a few minutes, he was concerned with how fast she was breathing and the pounding of her heart.
He untangled her arms from around him and stood back just enough to look her over. “What the hell happened?” he demanded, wincing at how harsh he sounded. She didn’t need to be scared more right now.
Her eyes were watery and her breath kept hitching, but she lifted her chin and fought back against her emotions. Her pride and strength warmed his heart, as well as other parts of him that he tried hard to ignore. She didn’t need that right now, either.
“Do you still want to wait a couple of weeks before leaving?” she asked, her voice slightly shaking, whether from anger or being upset he wasn’t sure.
His heart leapt again, wanting to take her hand and just run, leave everything behind them now! However, his brain remained in control and he rubbed his hands gently up and down her arms, as though it would help her relax. “I can leave anytime you want, as long as I have time to get Gypsy. It’s up to you. But I want to hear what happened. Was it your father again?”
Persephone bit her bottom lip and shook her head so her hair fell in front of her face. “No,” she mumbled. He fought the urge to lift her chin, instead allowing her to talk in her own time. “It was that pig, the one I’m supposed to marry.”
Rage flooded his limbs, setting him on fire. His next words barely escaped his lips, sounding in a raspy hiss. “What did he do?” Adrian had an idea of what had happened, but he wanted confirmation before acting.
She shook her head again. “It doesn’t matter. I want to leave. As soon as possible.” Her voice quivered again as she dared to ask, “Now?”
His heart ached at how vulnerable she sounded and he wanted nothing more than to sweep her away. He cursed his brain for stepping in once more. “Honey, I would love to, but we need supplies. Clothing at least, and I won’t leave Gypsy. She’s too good a mare to be left behind and be mistreated by people who don’t care. I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He pulled her close again, holding her tight as she reluctantly nodded her head.
A few moments later, she pulled away. “Well then, we should get back to our villages and carry on like nothing happened. We’ll meet here tonight under cover of darkness. I will not wait another day, I can’t.”
Lifting his hand to her face, he gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear before leaning forward to kiss her plump lips. Adrian found it hard to not get lost in her willing mouth, but they both knew they had to get back to avoid raising suspicion. No one from either village knew anything about their meeting and he wanted to keep it that way.
“Tonight,” he promised as he leaned his forehead on hers and looked into her vivid green eyes, sprinkled with gold flakes. “When the moon touches the tops of the trees, and everyone is asleep, we’ll meet here and leave. But if anything should happen, head to the sea. If I’m not here when you arrive here tonight, head towards the ocean. Trust me,” he begged her to understand how much he needed her to listen to what he was saying. Her nod sent relief rushing through him. With a final kiss, they departed. The entire journey back to Adiron, he couldn’t shake the feeling of dread in his gut, but he didn’t know what was responsible for it. He hoped that it would ease soon.
***
Persephone had almost reached the edge of the forest when she heard raised voices. While she couldn’t make out the words, the angry punches of noise made her nervous. She paused, picking at herbs she’d hastily grabbed as a cover for her presence in the forest. She was close to where Daniel had left her to return to his
store, which was only four buildings away. The sight of the mob in front of the book store made her feel ill. She immediately recognized the figure standing in front of the mob, shouting about how the old man must be some sort of dark magician, for surely his description matched recent news of a man performing wicked magick on young women to corrupt them for his own twisted perversions. Malachi was still furious about the man interrupting his fun, and was exacting his revenge in the way she knew would doom the man to a painful death. All because he stood up for her.
She crept forward, ducking between shadows cast by the buildings on the opposite side of the street, so that she could hear what Malachi was saying. It devastated her to hear murmurings of the crowd, agreeing with what was being said. She couldn’t believe they were buying what Malachi was spitting at them. This man had lived in the village for as long as she could remember, and he had been nothing but nice to her. Shaking her head, she noticed Daniel’s face at the window of the store, looking out at the crowd, defiance smoothing the wrinkles on his face and making him look younger than he was.
It was difficult to see, but she watched him scan the crowd, and returned the slight smile he gave when he spotted her. She pulled the dagger out of her pocket, showing him she still had it, then held it close to her chest, hoping he got the message: Thank you for everything. He acknowledged the message with a tiny nod. They both knew he wasn’t getting out of this alive. It broke her heart.
She turned to leave and tripped over a stray pup, the yelp from the miserable creature bringing the crowd’s attention to her. Persephone froze, straightened, and faced the mob. Heart pounding in her chest, she lifted her chin, refusing to let the large group of villagers intimidate her. Turning her gaze to Malachi, her eyes narrowed into a glare. His own eyes widened before returning the look.
“There’s one of his victims now!” he shouted, and she knew that she had to run or be cornered like poor Daniel. She bolted back the way she came, drawing the crowd away to give Daniel a chance to escape and hoping that Adrian wasn’t already back home yet.
She heard Malachi urge the crowd to follow her. “We have to save the poor girl, hurry after her and bring her back!” he screamed. Persephone knew that if she was caught, she’d never escape. She’d be confined to a life of servitude, a slave to Malachi’s every desire. There was no way she would allow that to happen. She had to catch up to Adrian and they had to leave now.
Trees flashed by as she ran, her breath coming out in hard puffs as her ribs, still tender from yesterday’s beating, started to complain. The cool spring air of the forest stung her nostrils and eyes, but still she kept running, knowing the moment she slowed down, she’d be overcome by the mob she could hear crashing through the undergrowth right behind her. A man yelled at her to stop, his voice so close she thought he would grab her. Fright increased her speed as a sob burst from her mouth. She prayed with all her might that Adrian was close by.
***
By the time he returned to Adiron, Adrian’s horrible gut feeling had all his nerves wracked to snapping point, but he still couldn’t pinpoint what exactly was bothering him. He was unsettled, and decided not to push it. He’d pack a bag with the excuse of going hunting for a few days. It wasn’t out of character for him, so he didn’t think he’d raise suspicion.
He paused in his room for long enough to jot down a note for Persephone, should anything happen. Adrian had already told her to head for the ocean but he wanted to explain some things further, and this feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach told him that he needed to write this letter.
With clothes packed, some food supplies and the dresses his mother had purchased for his bride to be on his behalf, Adrian loaded Gypsy’s saddlebags, tacked her up, and mounted. He couldn’t wait until tonight to leave, and was already regretting telling Persephone to go home. He’d packed the dresses because he didn’t intend to give her time to pack her own clothes. There was no time to wait, they had to go.
Mounting the grey Hanoverian mare, he nudged her forward, pausing to look around Adiron one last time before riding into the forest towards Mythosandria at a canter.
It was only a few minutes later that he heard the shouting. Reining Gypsy in, he listened for the direction of the sound. He didn’t get time to pinpoint it, however, as Persephone came into view, only a few steps ahead of an angry mob. Kicking Gypsy to a gallop, he quickly closed the distance and he pulled her up behind him. Before they could escape, the crowd began to surround them.
“I think I’m missing something,” he whispered to Persephone.
She was panting, trying to catch her breath but managed to reply. “They think I’m under some sort of spell.”
He tried to turn enough to look at her, and she took the hint to explain further.
“Malachi. He convinced them that the man who interrupted… you know, he convinced them that Daniel was a dark magician, perverting girls with his magick and that I was one of his victims. They”, she nodded towards the villagers pressing around them, “have instructions to bring me back alive, but they won’t be easy about it and will probably try to hurt you to do so.”
Gypsy whickered uneasily, side stepping and turning as she tried to find a way out. Adrian patted her neck, trying unsuccessfully to settle the mare. He scanned the mob, seeing no openings and so decided to try to forge his own path. As he approached a small group of people, a rock was thrown from the back of the crowd. He ducked and it sailed harmlessly over him. The next rock struck Persephone hard on the temple, and she was knocked off the horse. Adrian swung down to her side while Gypsy stood over them protectively. He held Persephone in his arms as blood gushed profusely from the wound on her head. The lucky shot that was surely aimed at him would have devastating results.
As her life blood drained from her, he knew it was time to reveal the truth to her before it was too late, and if this crowd of people knew it too, then so be it. He didn’t care about rules anymore. Adrian lent down and kissed her near the wound, a long kiss that would give her everything she needed. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell you,” he whispered. “And I’m sorry that it’s going to be like this, but I won’t let you die.” As a tear ran down his cheek, he kissed her lips one last time.
***
She hadn’t seen the rock as it sailed towards her head. The impact sent her vision spinning, knocking her to the ground and leaving her in immense pain. Something warm and wet rain down the side of her face, and when she tried to sit up, the world tipped sideways. Persephone thought she was going to lose the contents of her stomach.
When Adrian swung down beside her and held her in his arms, she tried to reach up to him, but her arms were too heavy. The world was swiftly going dark, and she wanted to tell him that she loved him before the blackness claimed her, but try as she might, she didn’t have the energy. All she could do was watch as tears formed in his eyes, and he promised her that she wouldn’t die.
Die? Why would I go do something like that?
Persephone watched him stand, and wanted to pull him back down. She didn’t want him going anywhere, and no longer cared about the people who had chased her so far. When she had seen him riding towards her, she could have cried with relief. If only the villagers hadn’t been so close behind her, they could have escaped before being trapped.
Suddenly she realized the world was slowly getting brighter again, and energy gradually returned to her limbs. She could hear Adrian’s muted voice shouting at the crowd, and his voice slowly became clearer.
“Look what you’ve done,” he screamed. “An innocent woman lies here bleeding because you believe some pompous fool. He is the guilty one. He couldn’t wait until the night he was to wed Persephone. He tried to take her in an alleyway by force! The man he’s accused of wizardry was nothing more than a hero when he interrupted Malachi’s attempt to rape this woman. He is the one you should be after, not Persephone!”
Her heart warmed at his words. The warmth soon spread throughout the rest of her body,
and her foggy mind struggled to comprehend what was happening. Keeping her eyes on Adrian, she could have sworn he was starting to glow. Persephone shook her head in an attempt to clear her vision, only for her vision to be sent swimming again. Blinking rapidly, she attributed the glow to a shaft of sunlight angled strategically, as though nature itself was putting Adrian in the spotlight.
Turning her gaze towards the canopy, she saw that there was no space between the branches for such strong sunlight to penetrate the space below. Befuddled, she looked again upon the man who was her hero. The glow was still there, and now, she could vaguely see wings faintly outlined by the light surrounding him. The longer she watched the more solid they appeared and she heard gasps from the crowd, a sound that told her she wasn’t imagining it. Adrian had wings.
Persephone watched the crowd grow fearful of the man standing before them, a man most of them didn’t know. Pride soared through her heart, which continued to beat stronger with each passing moment. Adrian took a step forward, still admonishing the crowd for their naïve and barbaric behavior. Most of them were starting to listen to his words and guilt twisted their faces into ugly masks. A few of those people looked at her apologetically. She wondered which one of them had thrown the rock, then thought that it didn’t matter. Not anymore. Adrian would sent them home, regretful, and they would ride into the sunset to live their lives together in a cute little cottage on the plains, no one to tell them what to do.
Movement to the side caught her attention and she would have screamed to Adrian if she had the strength. His words obviously hadn’t reached all of the villagers, and she recognized one of the mayor’s most vocal supporters charge at Adrian with a sword to the side for a strike across the belly.
Beyond The Veil: A Paranormal & Magical Romance Boxed Set Page 273
