Beneath the Shadows of Evil… Torn
Book Two
By: Jolynn Raymond
Copyright May
All Rights Reserved
Kindle Edition: Amazon
Paperback by Createspace
Edited by Lilith Kyper
If you are an author in search of reasonable editing and proofing services, write to her at
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Other Books By Jolynn Raymond
Lessons of Love: An Erotic Historical Romance
Elizabeth’s Destiny: A Kinky Historical Romance
Sweet Agony: A Collection of Erotic BDSM Short Stories
Dining In: A Taste of Erotic Food Play
Dark Obsessions: A collection of Lesbian BDSM Erotica
Taken… Book One in the Beneath the Shadows of Evil Series a Paranormal Historical Romance
Soon to be released
Treasured… Book Three in the Beneath the Shadows of Evil Series
Coming July 1, 2013
Websites
My Books on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jolynn-Raymond
Jolynn Raymond’s Dark Obsessions: http://jolynnraymond.com
Beneath the Shadows of Evil… Torn
Book Two
By: Jolynn Raymond
Hungary, 1500’s
Chapter One
Mikhal walked down the corridor with his usual stealth, not seeking to intrude or listen upon the conversation between his wife and her friend, but at the same time, unable to keep from eavesdropping because of his enhanced hearing. As he got ever closer, he heard them clearly, they were whispering, but he could still make out the words. He paused outside the door, unable to help himself as his curiosity got the better of him. What would this woman, this stubborn, fiery thing with the blazing red locks say to his wife? How would she describe the night she had been taken, and their journey to the castle? Would she tell Alliana that he had confessed to having feelings in his heart?
All during their ride home Natalya had bombarded him with endless questions, trolling for answers he wasn’t prepared to give. Did he truly love Alliana? If so, how? Wasn’t his kind supposed to have a heart as dead as the rest of their bodies and be twice as evil? Had something happened to him to make him care? On and on she went, digging into the place where his soul had resided, searching for answers, trying to get at the truth of the matter, even as low growls rumbled in her ears. She truly had no fear of him and that was something he couldn’t fathom. Where did this little bit of a thing, this woman, get the audacity to toss her terror to the wind and be so comfortable around him?
He didn’t know, but he didn’t care for it one bit. He had held his tongue for the most part, growling his displeasure softly, but one time she had pushed him too far. He had changed into his beast, turning her to face him and snarled at her to be silent, but it hadn’t truly helped. The sight of him had sparked a brief moment of startled fear, but it had come from shock at seeing him transform, not from any true terror for her well-being.
Was she a witch? Did she have some gypsy magicks to read his mind? If that were true, she wouldn’t need all the questions. No, it was something else. He’d questioned her about her talents, her magick skills and knowledge of potions and herbs, and she’d told him that she was no healer but had been taught to tend the sick. She’d also made it clear that she was quite capable of seeing to Alliana throughout her pregnancy, but he had rebuffed that notion at once. Now, he wasn’t so sure.
He would have to watch and see what skills she had. Perhaps take her to the village when some serf’s wife was about to deliver and watch her to see if she was fit to tend to Alliana, and then perhaps he could pass judgment accordingly. The health and safety of his wife and son were of utmost importance to him, and he wouldn’t dream of letting them be tended by someone not fit. At the time he had thought that though Alliana despised Enid, the midwife was the best one to see to her care, now that notion had been turned upside down and he knew he may very well have to depend on the skills of the woman who was sharing secrets with his wife.
Natalya had also continuously regaled him with unsolicited advice on how to convince Alliana that he did truly care for her. She’d told him he would have to woo her. Stop being so harsh and domineering and show her his tender side. How Natalya knew he had one was beyond him. He certainly hadn’t made it apparent during their ride. Natalya had told him to be patient, to court her like a lover and give her time to see that he had no intentions of hurting her. Let her know in subtle ways that he did indeed want Alliana and their child to be happy in their new home.
He’d openly scoffed at her and told her to be silent. His demon raging that this woman should have the nerve to tell him what to do in regards to his wife, but he listened all the same. The man in him knew he would do anything, give anything, to have Alliana feel the lack of fear Natalya did, let alone express an ounce of love. So many things the new human in their midst had given him to think about, and now, with the nasty business of punishments having been taken care of, he was ready to see how well Alliana would accept him.
As he was about to enter, he heard Natalya say something that shocked him. She’d just told Alliana that perhaps he, Mikhal the Merciless, wasn’t as evil as Alliana thought he was, and that perhaps Alliana should try and give him a chance.
Alliana’s shout of outrage was immediate and Mikhal cringed. “Have you gone mad? Haven’t you heard anything I’ve told you? And what about what he did to you? You said he hurt Danior, he threatened the children, he...”
“Alliana please, I know he is an evil being and you have every right to feel as you do. The things you have gone through here are horrifying. All I’m saying is that I sense something else in him and he... Alliana he told me he cares for you.”
“He is a demon, Natalya. Demons are evil and vile and have no hearts. They cannot love or have compassion. What he said, he said to fool you. His heart is cold and his tongue knows nothing but lies.” Alliana’s hands shook as she said these things to her friend. She curled them into fists at her sides, furious over her own reaction but angrier still that Natalya may have believed her husband. It was unthinkable that she might think of him as anything but the despicable thing he was.
“It’s all right Sweetie, I’m sorry I upset you. I just, well you know I can read people and I feel something in him. Something good.”
“You are wrong. You are wrong, and you should be terrified of him.”
“But I’m not, Alliana. I know he won’t hurt me and he would never hurt you. Not anymore.”
“No, Natalya. He chose to put on a show, chose to be a gentleman when he took you, because he needed you, but don’t be fooled. If you displease him or he feels you have outlived your usefulness, then he will cut you down in an instant. You haven’t seen him change. Not like I have. The handsome man can turn into a vicious beast in a mere second. He has done it to me over and over and I won’t ever let my guard down again. I have to protect myself and my child from him. I’ll never trust him, never!”
The vehemence in her voice cut Mikhal to the core. How could she believe for one second that she had to protect their son from his wrath? If he ever hoped to win Alliana’s heart, it was going to be a long arduous task; one that would require patience and gentleness to make her see that he truly had changed. No more would he batter her emotionally or take her against her will. He would have to fight his demon tooth and nail to keep it at bay no matter what his wife did to infuriate him if he wanted to win her heart.
Knocking softly, not wanting to intrude or to have the women know he’d overheard them, Mikhal waited a moment then went in, and the sight before him went straight to h
is heart, causing the long dead vessel to swell with love. His wife was standing before the blazing hearth, having risen from the bed in her anger. Her feet were bare, her hair flowing down her back in a cascade of gold, her cheeks glowing from the heat of the flames and from her anger. The light cast from the blaze made her nightgown somewhat transparent, and he could see the swell of her belly, their son, and the roundness of her breast. She was stunning, a picture of celestial beauty, a goddess, and the sight made him draw in an unneeded breath.
He stared, mesmerized for a moment, and then came back to his senses, protection for her flaring up inside him. Yes the stones before the hearth were warm from the fire, but still, she shouldn’t be bare foot in this cold, shouldn’t even be out of bed for that matter. He had yet to find out how well she truly was. Looks could be very deceiving. Just because she’d regained some of her spirit, didn’t mean her body was strong.
He moved to her side quickly, scooping her up into his arms despite the anger that flashed in her eyes and radiated from her soul. “You should be in bed, wife. It is where I put you, and where I expected you to remain.” The old domination had come rushing to the surface, and Mikhal was unable and unwilling to tame it. Not where her health was concerned. She stiffened in his arms, bristling at his reprimand, at his tone. She was not a child.
“Am I not allowed to walk about my own quarters? Not allowed to get just a bit of exercise for my stiff limbs? Enid never said I must remain bedridden day and night.”
Mikhal growled as he looked down at her, the mention of the old midwife causing his demon to scream in fury. “Enid is not to be fully trusted. I shall wait until she examines you to hear for myself if you are fit to move about.”
“So she lives?” The venom in Alliana’s voice dripped from each word as she questioned him and stared at him in disbelief. He had said those who harmed her would be punished, but still his old friend, the hag who had allowed her beating, would tend to her.
“Yes, for the time being. But only as a means to protect you and our son.”
Alliana pushed at his chest, furious, struggling to free herself from his arms, then pounding her fists upon him when he refused to let her go.” Protect me! You can’t be serious. Why? How could you? Did you not question Lucian? Did you not make Enid tell you the truth? She allowed your insane sister to beat me! Where is my justice, Mikhal?”
He held his tongue as he placed her squirming body back upon the bed and covered her with the furs, the pain she felt at what she considered his betrayal hurt him deeply. He hadn’t betrayed her at all. What he’d done, he’d done for her. Mikhal would have liked nothing better than to have choked the life out of Enid ever so slowly as she thrashed and struggled, her eyes pleading for mercy that would never come, but he needed her still.
Once Alliana was properly tucked in, safe and warm, he looked at her, pleading for understanding, but she turned away, not willing to even consider his request. There was nothing good in the man before her, and he had just shown that fact once again by choosing his dear old friend over his wife. Defeated, knowing it was useless to argue the point, Mikhal turned to Natalya who had stood silently, witnessing their battle.
“Leave us.” Natalya’s eyebrows rose at his curt order, but then nodded slightly; it was best to leave them alone. It was going to take many battles of wills for them to find the road to love.
“NO! You shan’t order her about. I won’t allow it. Natalya is my friend, not a servant, and if you insist upon forcing her to live within these walls, then she shall be shown the respect that is her due.”
“Silence woman!” The words came out in a thunderous roar, and Mikhal immediately regretted them as a wave of terror washed over his wife. She paled as she stared at him, her fear clearly evident. After all she had suffered; all it took were a few harsh words or a small sign that he was going to turn from man to beast to send her into a flurry of terror. Mikhal groaned and clenched his teeth in frustration. This is not what he had wanted to happen at all. Why must she be so impertinent? Why must she push his demon over the edge? Women weren’t supposed to behave in this manner. They simply were not.
Everything in the room turned silent as Mikhal struggled for control. He closed his eyes and ran his hand back through his long curls, damning the beast inside him that would not let him be. He took deep unneeded breaths to calm himself, and then finally looked at his wife with eyes full of regret.
“Alliana, I’m sorry I raised my voice. I didn’t mean to frighten you. It wasn’t my intent. I wish Natalya to leave us so we may have this discussion in private. I assure you, I do not think of her as a servant. She will be given all that you are, gowns, fine food; opulent quarters, a servant of her own, anything she wishes, and I promise that she will be treated with respect as well. She is marked as mine and word will be given that she is special, a Lady, and as such she will be given the honor that is due that position.”
Alliana said nothing, just crossed her arms across her chest and glared at her husband, her eyes shooting arrows as the flame of unwanted jealousy again flared inside her at his use of the word mine in conjuncture with her friend. Mikhal felt it and couldn’t help but feel just a bit pleased, but he carefully hid his reaction to his mate’s possessiveness of him. Now was not the time for selfish feelings.
During their emotional struggle, Natalya looked from Mikhal to Alliana, then back to Mikhal and gave him a meaningful gaze. It was one that said; don’t hurt her, one that said to be gentle, and above all, one that begged him to give her a chance. Keep your demon in check and give her a chance to see the man you are. It also said she, Natalya, had faith in him, and for that Mikhal was grateful. Woman or not, human or not, he had some respect for the red headed Gypsy. Her belief in his inner man pleased him.
Mikhal stared back somewhat coolly regardless of his feelings, not ready to admit that he would indeed do as her wisdom prescribed, but Natalya knew he would. He knew what she was feeling, how she thought he should deal with his wife, and he agreed, but time would come to an end before he would admit to taking advice from a woman.
“Alliana, I am weary from our journey. I would like to go to my chambers and rest. I’ll return later to check on you.” Natalya went to the bed and leaned down to place a quick kiss on Alliana’s cheek, and gave her a pleading look as well. Then whispered, “Just try.”
Alliana turned away. How could Natalya ask that of her? She simply did not understand what life was like here, not yet anyway, but unfortunately, Alliana believed in her heart, that Natalya would learn. Nothing had shown Alliana that her husband had changed. His words might be sweet, but he flew into a rage as easily as ever if she dared to voice her opinions. He may not have touched her, may not have struck her, but the fury still raged within, the demon still lived. Yes, Natalya would see and it would be a harsh awakening. In the meantime, Alliana was determined that she would protect both of them and her son as well, here in the castle of evil.
Both of them were silent after Natalya’s departure; Alliana sitting in bed staring at Mikhal with eyes cold as steel, him feeling the full onslaught of her wrath but showing no expression. His beast was reacting though. It wanted to subdue its mate. Wanted to drive away her anger and replace it with the little mewls of pleasure that should be issuing from her lips at his return home. He knew he could make her mewl, make her react as he wished. His hands, his lips, his body could master her and make her the warm creature he desired, but they couldn’t give him her heart and that was what he wanted above all else.
Had Alliana been aware of his thoughts, of his demon’s desires, she would have shrank back under the furs, seeking solace from his gaze, words of protest spilling from her lips at the thought of his intimate caresses. Though she had indeed missed him, though a spark of jealously had burned in her breast at the thought of some other woman, even her own dear Natalya, being ‘his’, she would never, ever, admit to herself or to him that she wanted him here in her bedchamber.
The woman in her, the
expectant mother, the frightened girl, wanted to share what she’d been through and what she would go through in the future, wanted him to know how their son had been growing and changing and moving within her, but the part of her that had suffered so dearly at his hands and the hands of those who resided in his castle under his rule, rebelled.
Mikhal felt her turmoil; her pain, her anger and the man in him, the Mikhal who had a heart that still felt pain couldn’t keep from trying to bridge the chasm that loomed between them. “Must you be so very angry, Alliana? I had hoped you would be somewhat happy to see me.”
“I would never be happy to see you.” Her eyes were frigid but inside he felt the tremors of tension that told her words as a lie. This pleased him to no end but it was a small pleasure for it was still mixed with her hatred. Again, he forced himself to hide his reaction; she couldn’t know he was aware of all she felt.
“Regardless of your feelings, my dear, I am home and by your side I shall stay. I will be here for you Alliana. You have nothing to fear, we will experience your pregnancy and the birth of our child together.”
“I was under the impression that you kidnapped Natalya so she could be the one to provide companionship. I certainly do not need you when I have her.”
A low growl escaped him at her words. Her defiance, her blatant refusal of him grated on his heart and his pride, and it drove his demon mad with fury. How dare she? How dare she. She was but a mere slip of a woman yet her tongue had the ability to flay him. He forced back his irritation and focused on the fact that this was what he had wanted. The woman before him was far preferable to the one he had left lying at death’s door.
This Alliana was vibrant and full of fire, just as she had been when he’d first brought her here. This Alliana was alive and spiteful or not, she was amusing and full of wit. No more were her cheeks pallid, no more were there dark circles under her eyes. Her skin was flushed and her eyes sparkled, yes it was with rage, but fury was certainly preferable to the horrid apathy and lack of life, which had filled them before and driven him to fetch Natalya in the first place.
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