Maiden and the Monster

by Michelle M. Pillow

“Raulf, I cannot,” he heard his wife’s delicate voice protest. “What would my husband do if he found out? I cannot…help you with this. At least not now.”

  That damned wench! Talking of cuckolding me as if ‘twas nothing.

  Vladamir fumed as he crept closer to listen more intently. His nostrils flared and his fists clenched at his side.

  She is just like Lurlina.

  “But, m’lady, I need you,” Raulf persisted in a hushed tone. The desperate entreaty of his words was unmistakable.

  That is it!

  Vladamir growled in outrage. His body shook, begging for a fight—any fight. Hearing no more of their words through his mindless fury, he swept down upon them.

  Raulf, you are a dead man.

  * * * * *

  Eden smiled pleasantly at the young knight. He seemed so full of hope—hope in her power over her husband. Only, Eden hated to tell him she had barely seen, let alone talked to, her husband nigh the last two fortnights. If not for the reports of a few servants, she would’ve thought he disappeared completely from the castle. He didn’t even join her in the main hall to dine. She wondered where he ate and made sure the servants sent a bundle to him, though she’d never been so bold as to ask where they took it.

  She knew from a few discerning comments made by Raulf that her husband spent a lot of his time manning the wall. The siege was of great concern to his dukedom, but she thought his dedication a bit obsessed considering there had been no aggressions made from the surrounding army. However, Eden knew she wasn’t well versed in the rules of war and it wasn’t her place to question Vladamir’s leadership, especially not to his knights.

  “Raulf, I cannot help you.” Eden shook her head in denial. “The duke won’t be swayed by my opinion. You must talk with him yourself.”

  “But, m’lady, please.” Raulf ran his hand through his short hair in frustration. His eyes pleaded with her for help. “Then you must help us to marry in secret. You could write to the priest under the Lakeshire seal. I must have Lizbeth. I love her so much. You cannot know what ‘tis like to love someone so profoundly and not be able to have them.”

  Eden sorrowfully thought of her husband and bit her lip to keep from crying. The physical ache in her stomach subsided enough to be replaced with an ache in her heart. His possessive touches, rough and unbridled as they were, only left her longing for more. She wanted to feel him against her again, wanted to hear his voice, wanted to look at him, to smell him, to have him kiss her.

  “M’lady?” Raulf insisted at her silence. “Will you help us marry?”

  “Raulf, I cannot,” Eden protested against the pain in his voice. She desperately wanted to help the young couple. She’d grown fond of them both. “What would my husband do if he found out? I cannot…help you with this. At least not now.”

  “But, m’lady, I need you,” Raulf persisted in a hushed tone.

  “Raulf, I—” Her heart stopped in her chest as Vladamir rounded the corner. She felt the color drain from her cheeks.

  Though she’d looked for Vladamir, she hadn’t glimpsed him for days. Circles darkened the duke’s eyes and lines of stress edged their corners. His lips were set firmly in place to curl in a rigid path of anger and his tunic was crumpled and dirty. The long waves of his black hair were disheveled. Eden thought him the most beautiful of creatures. She drank in the sight of him and tried to smile her welcome, but she couldn’t force the gesture to her lips.

  His gazed turned deadly as it alighted on her, swirling the depths into a black abyss. Eden held back from him in fear. He looked ready to kill and he was heading for Raulf.

  “What—?” Raulf began in agitation only to stop at the look of anguish on her face. He turned around just in time for Vladamir’s fist to meet his jaw. The younger man sprawled back onto the ground in confusion, taken off guard by the unsuspected blow. Pushing himself up, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

  Eden jumped up from the bench as the man-at-arms went sprawling. She moved to stand defiantly in between her husband and her friend. “What are you doing? Are you mad? What has happened to you?”

  Vladamir turned his cold stare to her at the sound of her voice, narrowing his lids over the demon black of his eyes as he folded his fingers once more into hard fists. His chest rose and fell with deepened breath and his accented voice crackled, as he ordered, “Move.”

  Eden trembled at the frightening command but didn’t obey. Bravely she held up her hand, desperate to calm him. She knew by the bloodthirsty light in his eyes that she risked much standing before him but she couldn’t back down.

  “Yea, m’lady, move. Don’t protect me,” Raulf said softly from behind. He’d managed to stand and now faced the angered man before him. Walking around Eden’s protective shield, he placed her behind his back. Eden frowned and stepped once more into view. Her hand strayed to Raulf’s sleeve as she passed him. Vladamir narrowed his eyes into slits as he watched. “M’lord, what is it I have done?”

  “You dare to ask?” Vladamir raged. “I have eyes, I can see. I have ears. I know what you’re about.”

  “M’lord, please don’t be angered. Raulf only does what he does for love. Surely you can—” Eden stopped at his heated laughter. She took a step back as his face contorted to that of a monster. His eyes were dangerous and his lips curled into a savage snarl.

  “Love?” Vladamir spat. “Woman’s nonsense! What of honor? What of respect? What of loyalty?”

  She felt as if her heart was being slowly ripped from her chest at his offhanded dismissal of love. It was obvious her husband thought little of the emotion—so little it seemed that he didn’t believe in it, was in fact incapable of feeling it. She’d been foolish enough to believe that Vladamir had mayhap been avoiding her because he was struggling with the emotions he was feeling for her, but that obviously wasn’t the case.

  “What of them? I don’t see how this concerns your honor, nor any respect due you. At least not in any large magnitude,” Eden argued. Her heart was breaking into painful tiny pieces and she was hard-pressed to hide it. If he’d been struggling with his feelings for her, she could’ve waited a lifetime for him to come to terms, but this indifference was intolerable. Pain tore through her chest, worse than any physical injury Luther had given her.

  Vladamir growled and grabbed her by the arm, throwing her aside. “I’ll deal with you later, deceitful wench!”

  Eden stumbled and fell into the stone bench. Her leg bounced off it as she toppled to the ground, rolling into the soft cushion of herbs. She shook as she pushed herself to her knees. Looking to her husband, she saw that his hands were wrapped around Raulf’s throat. He was strangling the young knight.

  “Nay,” Eden yelled, coming to her feet only to hurry forward. “Vladamir, stop. You’re killing him!”

  Raulf’s face turned blue and he lost some of his fight. His legs gave under his deadening weight and a trail of spit ran down his cheek as his throat gurgled.

  “Vladamir,” Eden breathed as she reached the two men. She put her body between them, placing her shaking fingers to her husband’s face. His eyes were coldly blank and monstrous in their rage and his skin flushed red with his anger. She yelled again, but his ears were deaf to her pleas—until she touched him.

  Eden rested her hand on Vladamir’s cheek to get his attention and the duke let go of his prey. Raulf fell to the ground, gasping for breath. The young man’s hands went to his throat to protect the forming bruise. He looked warily around as he was unable to push himself from the ground.

  Eden heard the bustle of people around her. Some of them went to collect the fallen man. She kept her eyes trained on Vladamir and didn’t move her hand from his face. Tears brimmed her eyes but didn’t spill over. The heat from his body enticed her closer. She’d missed him terribly.

  The gathering throng grew quiet, watching as the duke and duchess stood transfixed.

  “I told you, he is a monster,” several of the servants exclaimed in excited wh
ispers. “M’lord is a beast!”

  “Look at how m’lady tames him. She stopped him with her touch.” Eden recognized Haldana’s voice in the back of the crowd. The sound shook her from her trance.

  Taking a deep breath, Eden didn’t move her eyes as she commanded the crowd, “Begone!”

  The servants hurriedly obeyed, whispering anxiously among themselves about the power of their new duchess. Eden didn’t watch them leave, choosing to keep her eyes trained steadily on her husband. She waited for their footfalls to lighten. The redness faded from his face and his dark eyes appeared to lighten and clear. Despite the fear she felt at what she’d seen him do, it felt so good to touch him again. His whisker-stubbled skin was warm under her palm, almost fiery.

  “M’lord?” Eden questioned warily as she dropped her hand from his cheek. He didn’t look well.

  As soon as her touch left him, Vladamir came out of his trance and scowled at her in anger. His voice was a demonic yell, as he demanded, “You dare protect him?”

  Eden stumbled away from him. Moisture gathered in her eyes and she didn’t bother to wipe it away.

  Is this because of Lizbeth? You’d kill him because he dares to love her? Because he wants to marry her and treat her honestly for the rest of their days? Oh, if I was given such a marriage. But, nay, my husband doesn’t believe in love. Or does he? Oh, Blessed Virgin! My husband is in love with Lizbeth. That is why he doesn’t want Raulf to have her.

  Eden felt a hot tear stream down her face at the thought. She’d suspected once that Lizbeth was his lover. It made sense for Lizbeth was ravishing and graceful in her willowy beauty. Many men of nobility would love such a mistress.

  That is why you haven’t sought me out. You were with her.

  Eden felt nausea rise in her throat. Lizbeth hadn’t let on.

  “You monster.” It was the only insult that came readily to mind. Shaking her head, she backed away from him. She ignored the pain in his eyes, no longer believing it to be real. Her heart beat in dull aches, as she spat, “You almost killed Raulf. And for what? Your own misguided sense of honor and pride. Why can’t you allow someone else happiness? Just because we are condemned to a life of misery, doesn’t mean you have to torture others.”

  Vladamir studied her through veiled eyes, not moving to comfort her but something in his gaze made her feel like he wanted to. With stalking purpose, he followed her retreat across the bailey. She didn’t turn her back to him.

  Eden opened her mouth as if to yell at him, but her words died before they were spoken. She turned her head sharply to the side as they heard the gate being raised. They hadn’t given the order to have it lifted. She momentarily forgot her anger as she turned a frightened eye to Vladamir. Her words were spoken through a breathless calm, as she stated, “You’re giving me back. You’re going against your word.”

  Vladamir frowned at his wife’s accusations but didn’t answer. He pushed past her to go to the gate. Several of the men eyed him cautiously as he approached, Eden close behind him. She knew the men all liked Raulf and probably didn’t understand their master’s sudden anger.

  Eden naturally drew closer to the duke’s back, panicking when she saw Luther ride under the gate. Behind him was a farmer’s cart filled with hay, pulled by a large horse and led by an old peasant. Eden ignored the rickety cart, knowing it was a delivery of straw for the stables.

  Luther never dared to come to the castle before, even to escort the farmers. His doing so now could only have been a bad omen. Eden shivered as she watched the knight’s advance. She had a small glimmer of hope that he was only communicating a threatening message to her husband, but that hoped died as she caught the possessive look on his face. His eyes traveled over her and he smiled.

  “I don’t care what you say. I’m not going with you,” Eden yelled as the man swung down from his horse. She couldn’t stop the words from leaving her mouth. Her limbs trembled in anger, thinking Vladamir might actually try to send her back. “So turn back around and go home. Begone, Luther!”

  “Careful,” Luther warned in smooth confidence as he moved toward her. Pulling lightly at his leather gloves, he freed his fingers. When he saw that Vladamir did nothing, he grew bold. “Your father is not here to protect you, m’lady.”

  “You’re lower than a pig,” Eden flung out in a disagreeable tone. Her eyes flashed with hatred. “Nay, lower than pig dung!”

  “I’ll remember that when you belong to me.” Luther laughed. He reached his hand to her cheek and pinched the flesh hard. Eden jerked her face away from him but held her ground. “And then we will see who is beneath pig dung. Have a care or I’ll make you sleep in it for a sennight—with the pigs for company. You may even have to dine from their trough.”

  Eden swatted his hand and took a step toward Vladamir. “I’ll kill myself afore I belong to you. You and your disgusting friends will never touch me again.”

  “See what a viperous tongue she has? Methinks I’d cut it from her if I were you,” Luther recommended to Vladamir, keeping his eyes on Eden. “Are you sure you still want her? I’ll take her now and mayhap the king will spare you his wrath. Other than the girl, I have no quarrel with you.”

  Vladamir didn’t answer. Eden feared it was because he considered Luther’s offer. Shivering, she studied the snide older man. Luther’s lanky form towered possessively over her.

  “Did this whore tell you what she did?” Luther continued, taking advantage of the earl’s absence and his growing audience. “She came to me and my fellow knights during a hunt. She begged us to take her like a dog in the forest, only when she saw her father’s servant watching did she change her mind. She tried to scream like she was being defiled. Damned wench ran off into the forest afore we could catch her. Methought to see her back at her father’s castle—pouting.”

  “That isn’t what happened and you know it,” Eden said in shock. She looked to the growing crowd in horror.

  “Whatever happened to that poor servant girl, m’lady?” Luther asked, empowered by Vladamir’s continued silence. Eden stumbled away from them. Luther followed her retreat. “Methinks you had her killed for her interference.”

  “You know that is not what happened.” She pushed her fists over her chest as Luther leered at her. Turning her pleading gaze to Vladamir, she protested his silence, “He is lying!”

  Luther smirked, leaning in so only Eden could hear him. “Mayhap. But ‘twas your protesting that got her killed. You were quite the passionless wench. Tell me, has the monster been able to light a fire in those frigid loins?”

  Eden gasped in revulsion. The pain in her heart expanded tenfold as she looked at Vladamir. She knew that there was something wrong with her performance in the marriage bed—so much so that it sent her husband running. He would rather spend his nights in discomfort on a black wall than spend them next to her.

  Luther came forward to stand between Eden and the duke. She looked about for help but none came forward. The men looked to Vladamir for guidance and the duke wasn’t moving. Taking another step from the men as Luther continued to hiss, she made ready to run.

  “All you had to do was die. Then your father would have blamed him.” Luther tossed his head over his shoulder without looking back to the duke.

  “You brought me here?” She wasn’t surprised. “How? Why?”

  “Why else?” Luther gave her a smug grin. “He’s a foreigner. He’s Vladamir of Kessen, Monster of Lakeshire Castle. Just look at him. He’s not one of us. He doesn’t belong in Wessex. By hell’s fire, he doesn’t even belong in the civilized world. He’s a monster. Really, Eden, how could you have taken him to your bed willingly? Any respectable maid would have killed herself first.”

  Eden glanced over Luther’s shoulder and frowned. Vladamir drew closer. He did indeed look different than the Saxons, but she didn’t care. She liked that about him.

  “I cannot believe you preferred bedding that monster to me.” Luther shivered in disgust as he continued in his hush
ed tone. “Think of it. He kidnapped you. He ravished you and murdered you. We found the crest torn from your cloak as proof. Your father hates him anyway. Clifton talks too much when he is far into his cups, and it didn’t take much to learn that he hates Vladamir and hates that the monster was given land so close to his. The king would have readily believed the duke capable of such atrocities for he is, after all, a foreign monster.”

  “But then you wouldn’t have had your alliance with my father. You would lose your precious title and land.” Eden smiled triumphantly, though her victory felt weak and hollow. “And now you shall never have it.”

  “Nay, it would’ve gone to me. Your father is too old to have heirs and I would be his son-by-law by right, for I’d avenge you against Vladamir,” Luther said softly, clearly proud with his well-thought-out scheme. “Besides, you soon forget, your father needs my money.”

  “And you soon forget that you’re speaking to my wife,” Vladamir stated from behind Luther, his expression was deadly in its brutality. His cold hard accent fell over the hushed onlookers. The serving girls who lingered nearby backed away. The pages ducked behind the knights. Eden knew that the duke had heard every word the man said and was glad for it.

  Luther jumped at the sound of the duke’s voice. It was obvious he thought the man was still far away, ignoring his taunts. He turned to Vladamir sharply. “Give her to me. You cannot still want her. Surely you have had your fill of her—”

  “But I do want her. You said it yourself, there is much hatred between Clifton and me,” Vladamir snarled. “Mayhap I’ll kill his daughter, but then I’d be his rightful heir and you wouldn’t set foot on my land.”

  “You wouldn’t dare. King Alfred would hang you.” Luther shook his head doubtfully at Vladamir’s claim. “You don’t have the guts to kill her.”

  “Mayhap he would hang me—if he knew of it. But if ‘twas an accident…” Vladamir’s let his words trail off coldly in mid-sentence. The implication was enough to cause Eden alarm.

  A chill raced through her veins as the men calmly discussed her demise. Backing away from them slowly, she noticed that they no longer paid attention to her. She was just a pawn to them. Seeing Lizbeth crouching over the quickly recovering Raulf by the castle wall, she turned her back to the quarreling men. Defiantly, she stormed away from them.