“I agree that it is odd the way I allow Alliana to carry on. She should be silenced, and I admit that if her belly wasn’t swollen with my son, my demon may very well have done just that, but there is another reason I am permissive.
“On the night she fled the castle and subsequently became very ill, my dear sister bestowed an Empathy curse upon me. It was her intent to make me love her again by having me ‘feel’ her emotions towards me but as we know, magick often doesn’t work as planned. The Mage assisted her because he thought the spell would make me weak. Both were mistaken. What it did was make me see and feel what was going on around me very clearly. I saw Marishka for what she was. A manipulating woman who only loved herself, and the Mage, well we know what happened to him when I sensed in him his disloyalty, so you see, the spell turned out to be somewhat of an advantage instead of a curse like the Mage intended.
“It has affected me in another way as well. They cast it upon me just as I was leaving the castle to find my wife, it hit me there, as she was far off in the woods, freezing to death, scared, in pain, filled with anguish, dying in the water, and all she felt fell upon me like a stone when the curse came into being. Her feelings of hurt, or terror and desperation, hurt I had caused her fell upon me and crushed me Lucian. They crushed me and they changed me.
“I had forgotten what is was like to feel, but no more. The spell hasn’t given me feelings, but I can now feel through humans. I experience what they do, know their pain, and in most instances it doesn’t matter to me in the least, but not with Alliana, and tonight I found out, not with my son. Not with my mate not with my child. Their pain and terror is too much to bear. I look at her, feel her hurt, her mistrust, her fury, feel my son’s fear of his own father, and I wish for it all to go away. You may feel I am weak because of it, but I can assure you I am not. No one else has the ability to make me care, only her and the boy.
“That may be a downside though, I have had many mixed emotions because of the girl, many nights of confusion, but as for the running of my castle, everything is clear. No one can hide their true feeling from me Lucian; no one can plot against me without me knowing it. No one can feel hatred or pity or feel as if they need to seek revenge, because when they are in my presence, I can feel their emotions. That is why I need that girl. If I can only get near her, truly near her I will feel her duplicity at once.”
Lucian was gazing at him in wonder at his revelation, and feeling very grateful that he had never decided to betray his Master. He wanted to ask things, wanted to know more of what it was like, but he knew time was of the essence so he stayed to the subject at hand.
“And today, in Natalya’s chambers? What of then?”
“Twas all too confusing. The girl was terrified of me to be sure, but she would have been under the circumstances. I need to get her alone, question her about Marishka, ask specific questions and then I will know if she is lying.”
“So what do we do, Sire?”
Mikhal sighed. He didn’t know. All he did know was that his wife was occupying the same chamber as a woman who was most likely on a mission from his sister.
“Take some men and search the caverns under the castle. The dungeon guards haven’t seen Marishka or Andor in the main section but there are many tunnels that run who knows where. Search them well. None, no matter how small, are to be ignored. Then, when it is dark, you and I shall go hunting.
“I have been waiting for her to come to me, fearful of leaving the castle unguarded, but I cannot wait any longer. Half the men will stay here, surrounding Alliana’s chamber and guarding all the entrances to the castle, and the other half will come with us and scour the countryside. Marishka has to be somewhere, and it has to be close by if Hannah and she have been meeting. Leaving here will leave the women vulnerable, but it must be done. I have faith in Natalya’s ability to protect Alliana and the guards will be in place as well. My sister is sly, and I imagine she can charm her way inside past some foolish minion who thinks with his cock, but once within these walls, she will be up against more that she bargained for.
“Besides, it is my hope that she won’t be ready for us. Hannah has only been locked in the tower room for an hour. I doubt she went on her visits to see my sister during the day. Her absence won’t be noticed until this evening, and by then we shall already be on the move.
“Go now and do as I bid. I will meet you at the stables at dusk.”
“Yes, My Lord. One thing though My Lord, Mistress Natalya, she will be upset about not seeing to Rowen in the village. The woman is truly unstable in her pregnancy.”
Mikhal’s brow creased and he looked over at Lucian, remembering that he needed to remind the vampire in no uncertain terms that Natalya was claimed.
“My wife’s companion seems to fill your head, Lucian, even at a time like this.”
“I am simply trying to foresee any problem that might arise M’Lord. Natalya will want to see the village woman. I know she will. She is quite headstrong about her wishes.”
Mikhal studied Lucian carefully and detected only sincerity coming from him. He cared naught for the village wench at a time like this, and he didn’t think Lucian did either, but Mikhal knew he needed Natalya’s support in the coming days so it would be best to pacify her.
“Very well, I was intending to go and speak to her about Hannah’s habits, and now I will ask her about this Rowen as well. If she insists it is necessary for her to go to the village tonight, then you shall accompany her there while I lead the search party for Marishka.”
“Very well, Sire.” Lucian couldn’t hide his disappointment in Mikhal’s decision. As delectable as he found Natalya, he didn’t wish to play nursemaid to her no matter how lovely she was on this particular night. Tonight he wished to be the one to find Marishka and deliver the crazy bitch to his Master.
Lucian saw Mikhal scowl and remembered that his Lordship knew exactly what he was feeling. “Forgive me, Sire. I only wish to serve you, and bringing Andor and Marishka to justice would be the ultimate gift.”
“I appreciate your loyalty Lucian, but I have made my decision. Go, and remember, not a single passage is to be left unexplored.”
“No, Master. I shall search each one and meet you at dusk.”
“Very well.”
Lucian departed and Mikhal stood for a moment collecting his thoughts, then went the way of his first in command. He needed to speak to Natalya. It would cause more strife between he and Alliana to be sure and would probably cause his wife to become angry with her friend as well, but that couldn’t be helped. He needed to get to the servant girl.
Mere hours after the confrontation in Natalya’s room, Mikhal appeared in Alliana’s chamber, ignoring his wife’s indignant look and cry of outrage, and insisted upon speaking to Natalya. Alliana immediately tried to put a stop to the request, but her protests fell on deaf ears, and one look at Lord Arcos’s face was enough to convince Natalya that listening to him was the right thing to do. While it may enrage her friend, Natalya still harbored suspicions of her own about the servant girl, and she was more than ready to hear any proof Mikhal the Merciless had found against the girl even if Alliana were not.
Mikhal, knowing Natalya would be put in a difficult position if she simply acceded to his wishes without a quarrel, made a show of growling out his orders and demanding in no uncertain terms that he was to be obeyed, helping he hoped, to ease Alliana’s anger over the fact that her closest friend was about to willingly go off with her husband who was now seen as the ultimate of evil.
Mikhal called for the guard to enter the room and told him he was to sit in a chair unmoving inside the door until he returned Natalya to the room. This angered Alliana as well, but once again Mikhal was not to be turned from his decision. He would not leave his wife alone with a girl he suspected of fraternizing with his sister, no matter how angry Alliana might become. The situation had spiraled out of control. Tempers would flare, feelings would be trod upon, and anger would abound until he was able
to get to the truth of things, and there was simply nothing to be done about it. Unable to admit defeat, Alliana tried once more to stay the retreat of her dearest friend as Mikhal led her away, though all knew it was in vain.
“Natalya, you don’t have to go with him. Listen to me. He will speak lies and twist things around in your head. Stay here where it is safe.”
Natalya turned, searching for the right words to soothe Alliana. What could she say to make herself look like less of a traitor in her friend’s eyes?
“Alliana, I’m certain Lord Arcos merely wishes to speak to me about my thoughts, and I shall tell him the truth. I know what has happened here. If he has other things to discuss, well, it will be my duty as his subject to hear him out. I cannot refuse, but I have a mind of my own to judge him nonetheless. Please don’t be fearful. I have no doubt that I shall be quite safe and will be returned to you soon, for I have done nothing wrong.”
“You are still in shock. Mikhal, how can you drag her about when she is in such a state? You are heartless.”
“Alliana, do not test my patience. Walking to my chambers will not affect Natalya’s health. She looks quite well.”
“She needs rest.”
“Alliana, please. I am fine. The burns are healed. Lucian...” She trailed off. She wasn’t certain just what the vampire had done to her, how he had healed the burns she had allowed him to bathe with his tongue, and she didn’t want to dwell on such things now.
“See, she is faltering when she speaks.”
Natalya knew Alliana was grasping at straws to stop the inevitable. She hated the fact that her friend was going off with her husband. It showed once again how unafraid Natalya was of the fearsome Mikhal the Merciless, and now more than ever wasn’t the time for Alliana’s own fears to be disregarded. Still, his Lordship had requested her to come with him and she could hardly refuse.
She broke away from where Mikhal had his hand on her arm, and went to her friend, needing things to be right. “Really sweetie, t’will be fine. I shall return soon. Nothing he says will change my feelings about you.”
“But he will poison your mind about Hannah, and she is innocent.”
Natalya was about to speak when Mikhal held up his hand to silence her. This had gone on far too long and his patience was wearing thin. Time was of the essence.
“You would not believe me even if I told you facts that proved the girl a traitor, wife. I would be better served speaking to the walls. I come to speak to Natalya about her views on the events and Hannah’s habits of late, because her heart and mind are not clouded by events of the past.
“I know it disturbs you, Alliana, and for that I apologize, but I am determined to find out just what is going on here and Natalya may be able to help in my search for the truth. You have every reason to doubt my honesty, I deserve your suspicions, you are well aware of what I was capable of when my demon was in control, but that isn’t the case any longer. I have my reasons for doubting the girl just as you have your reasons for doubting me, and those issues cannot be dealt with at this time. Now, like it or not, our conversation is best done in private, so we must go.”
Mikhal could feel anger and jealousy coming from his wife. He knew it galled her that he would speak to her friend and not to her, but what choice did he have? She truly wouldn’t listen to reason at this point; the suffering she had endured at his hands blinded her, Natalya’s vision was not colored by past injustices, and he trusted her instincts. It hurt him that Alliana was once more so angry when they had made such strides in their relationship, but he had to place her safety and the safety of their son above her feelings at the moment.
When Alliana said nothing after his last proclamation, and simply stared at him with eyes full of contempt, Mikhal looked away and hardened his heart to her pain and anger. He couldn’t give in now. Her stubborn ways might very well get her killed if he gave into her wishes simply because she was upset.
“Come Natalya. I have much to do today. Alliana, I shan’t keep her from you long.”
Natalya gave Alliana one last hug, which wasn’t returned in the least, then followed the Lord of the castle out the door, wishing she could appease them both, and hating the chasm that had once again formed a gap of pain and misunderstanding between their hearts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mikhal kept a light hand on Natalya’s arm as they went to her chamber next door, reading the woman who walked beside him. He felt no fear, no fury, and no mistrust, only the pang of regret caused by Alliana’s anger. Mikhal truly did feel for Natalya’s distress, for he knew he was the ultimate cause of it, but he hurriedly reminded himself that this was as it had to be. Alliana was acting like a spoilt child, refusing to listen to reason regardless of her safety, and if she were upset by this recent development, then so be it.
He paused and opened the door like a gentleman and allowed her to go in first, showing the manners that his mother bestowed on him so many years ago, then followed the red headed Gypsy into the room. Natalya stood and looked at him once she had entered, not certain where to go or how he would react. It wasn’t lost on her that the man before her had a caged beast inside, roaring to be let out.
She knew Mikhal had to be fighting a war within his body, battling the demon that wished to protect its mate and child above all else. She wasn’t afraid for herself, not really, just... cautious of him. If she spoke of things that might set his anger off, he would perhaps have a harder time keeping control at a time like this.
“Sit, please. This is no inquisition. I simply wish to ask your views on Hannah. Tis you who have spent the most time with her.”
Natalya settled into one of the chairs before the blazing hearth, pulling her shawl around her. “That is not entirely true, My Lord. The girl came and went as I bid but she never remained in my chambers with me as Thalia does with Alliana.”
“Tell me more of this.” Mikhal sat beside her, forcing himself to be patient, to let Natalya explain in her own way.
“The two women are hardly similar and the relationships they have with us are different as well. Thalia cares for Alliana, it’s very clear. They spent many hours together doing the things women do to occupy the time long before I came here. Hannah... well Hannah has never expressed the desire to stay and chat or do needlepoint. She is a Ladies’ maid but not a Ladies companion like Thalia is.”
Mikhal looked at her with piercing eyes, taking in each word.
“Now I am not saying this badly, My Lord. The girl is friendly enough, she babbles on when she talks, over much so in fact, and she almost always answers her summons, but.... she seems to have no true desire to stay with me beyond her duties which could be looked upon as odd. You would think the girl would prefer to spend her days in the opulence that is our chambers rather than in her maid’s quarters. I should think she’d view time with us as being safer as well.”
Mikhal’s eyebrows drew together at her words as his suspicion mounted.
“This could of course be because I have Alliana to do things with. It may not be a reflection on her at all.”
“I sense your unease, Natalya, though you speak highly enough of the girl. What of that?”
“She seems to possess a certain nervousness. It could come from many things though and it certainly isn’t enough to convict her of treason. She is simply skittish by nature.”
Mikhal could sense that Natalya was being reserved in her opinion of the girl, and that she did have her own reservation about her. “But you trust her?”
“I cannot say, My Lord. She has not done anything to cause me not to, not really.”
“What of the unanswered summons. Lucian said he found you battling with your own stays last night; Hannah was nowhere to be found. Does that happen often?”
Natalya blushed at the memory of Lucian in her chamber and the color of her cheeks didn’t escape Mikhal. “Sometimes we are very late in returning, I summon her, but if she doesn’t come to assist me I simply assume the girl is asleep and I do not
ring again.”
“How often does this occur?”
“Perhaps two or three times a fortnight.”
“And what of her tale about her whereabouts last night? Did you ask her to dig for roots for your potions? Did you express your need for more gowns? Was there any reason why she should be carrying on with such things instead of being abed or assisting you?”
“No, My Lord. Her story... well I am not as certain as Alliana that she is telling the truth. I travel to the village daily and can obtain anything I need from one of the women there. As for gowns, I have plenty really. I come from a humble background. I do not need a wardrobe filled with finery, and the thought of wearing something that belongs to your sister appalls me.”
“Would she have done it just to please you? To make you happy with her?”
“Again, My Lord. I have to say that we are not overly friendly with each other. She serves my needs and that is all. Would Thalia go out of her way for Alliana? Yes, in a heartbeat. Would Hannah feel the need to go out in the cold and dig in the half frozen dirt at night when there is danger about simply to please me? I cannot fathom her ever feeling that devoted. No, my Lord, Hannah appears to be a simple, sweet, uneducated girl from the village, but I fear she may be more. Now may I ask you some questions?”
Mikhal was feeling very impatient to get back to Alliana’s chamber. He knew the guard wouldn’t allow Hannah to harm his wife, but he would feel much better if Natalya were at Alliana’s side. But, he believed in Hannah’s guilt now more than ever, and if Natalya had some ideas of her own, they were worth listening to.
“Yes, of course.” Though one leg jiggled and his hands were curled into fists, Mikhal turned his attention and piercing blue gaze to the woman sitting next to him and did his best to put Alliana out of his mind.
“Tell me more of what makes you so certain Hannah is guilty and not simply the foolish girl she very well may be?” Natalya knew she was playing a bit of the devil’s advocate here but she wanted to get the facts.
Beneath The Shadows of Evil... Torn Page 26
