Maiden and the Monster

by Michelle M. Pillow

  “Yea, Gwendolyn.” Eden stared at him as if he were daft. Brushing the tangle of hair from her eyes, she crossed her arms defiantly over her chest.

  “How is she?” Vladamir asked, the parental concern apparent in the tired edges of his expression.

  Good! Let him think about what he has done.

  “She just saw her father slay a man,” Eden raged in her most menacing tone. She put her hands on her hips as she’d seen her husband do. Taking a step forward, she tried to intimidate him. “How do you think she is, m’lord?”

  “Eden,” Vladamir began in warning. He obviously wasn’t frightened. In fact he looked a little amused.

  “Nay,” Eden broke in, angry. “Don’t take that tone with me, m’lord. She is an innocent young girl and you have her wrapped up like the dead in that—that death shroud. Telling her that she should hide her face. How dare you? She is beautifully charming—a delightful child. She should never be made to feel otherwise. So long as I’m around, she’ll be treated as if she were the most beautiful girl in the world. A little spoiling won’t harm the poor dear one bit.”

  “Eden,” Vladamir warned, trying to interrupt. “I never said for her to be—”

  “Do not!” Eden held up her hand, unmindful of the few men who were listening above them. The knights brazenly leaned over the side of the wall, hoping to get another show. She heard their snickering and looked up at them from the ground. The men looked shamelessly to the sky and one even whistled. She ignored them, not caring about their blatant insolence at the moment. Seeing the duke also look up, she grabbed his jaw and forced his eyes back around to meet hers. “I’m not finished yet.”

  “You are for now, m’lady.” Vladamir said under his breath. He jerked his jaw from her grasp with one hard pull. Grabbing her arm, he led her to the side of the castle and into the kitchen garden, dragging her past the chamomile, which was still crumpled from when he’d flung her away from him to attack Raulf. He forced her to the large tree that grew by the wall only to stop. They were alone.

  Eden pulled her arm angrily out of his grasp and continued as if they hadn’t moved, “And about that, what is going on? Why does she look like me? Did you think we wouldn’t notice the resemblance? Who is her mother? For I have no older sister, only brothers and they were all dead at birth. I know she is not mine. Or did I have an older sister or an aunt? Did you marry a sister to my mother? Is that why she looks like me?”

  “Eden,” Vladamir stated calmly. His words were low and composed compared to the torrent of hers. He smiled, a faint gesture as he studied her. “May I speak?”

  “Finally,” Eden spat with a huff. She put her hand on her hips and turned to face him expectantly. “Only you had better say something of worth, lest I strangle you worse than you did Raulf. And about that—”

  Vladamir forcefully pulled his angry wife into his arms with a growl. Eden gasped as he pressed his lips firmly to hers, cutting off her incensed words. She tried to pull away, but his arms were too strong as they wound passionately about her back. Leaning her head away from him, she felt his tongue flick across her bottom lip. It was too much. She couldn’t help but give in as her fiery protest turned into a soft moan. He massaged her mouth into opening and kissed her deeply before loosening his grip enough for her to breathe.

  “But, I wasn’t…” Eden complained in breathlessness against his mouth. Her words were a useless entreaty compared to his onslaught. Unable to resist, she flung her arms about his neck and ran her fingers into the long black waves of his hair. Her eyelids fluttered closed. She’d longed desperately for him to hold her like this.

  Vladamir chuckled at her eager response.

  “…finished,” Eden breathed at last, completing her thoughts. She pulled slightly away from him, filled with longing. “What is going on? Why did you stay away for so long?”

  “Does m’lady always fall so eagerly into the arms of monsters?” Vladamir said as if he couldn’t help the snide remark.

  “Don’t bait me with your ill humor. It won’t work this time.” She shook her head in sad denial before pressing her body more firmly against his solid length, refusing to let him go. “Would appear, m’lord, that there is only one monster who captures me so.”

  Vladamir laughed, looking surprised but stopped when she glanced sadly away.

  “Why did you do it?” Eden let her hands fall from his head to his shoulders. “Why did you have to act so cruelly?”

  “Methought you wanted Luther punished.” Vladamir withdrew slightly, moving his hands from her back to her waist. “Dead, he can cause us no more problems.”

  Eden held him tighter, afraid he might try to pull away again. She didn’t want him to go, not yet. The hard texture of his body felt too good. Twirling her fingers into the tie that bound his overtunic together at the neckline, she said, “Nay, Luther challenged you. I know you had a right to fight him, though methinks your hasty actions will bring the king down harder on you. It won’t help your cause.”

  “Do you not mean our cause?” Vladamir frowned.

  “Naturally.” Matching his growing scowl with a playful one of her own, she dropped her hands to his chest, rubbing lightly. “I had meant—why did you try to kill Raulf? Methought he was your friend.”

  “Friend?” Vladamir’s brows shot up in surprise. “Why would you think he was a friend? I’m his master. He’s a hired soldier sent here by King Alfred. There is no friendship to be had in such an arrangement.”

  “Is that all these people mean to you? They are all merely servants and soldiers sent here for your pleasure by a king who imprisons you?” Her eyes teared. “I have truly married a cruel monster for ‘tis what you are if that is how you feel. Have you no compassion?”

  Her words were not accusing, nor were they fearful. They merely stated what she was slowly coming to believe as fact. She looked mournfully to the chamomile. It reminded her of his hard marriage proposal.

  “You dare to cry for him?” Vladamir spat as he let her go, forcing her to take a hasty step back from his anger.

  “I cry for everyone here under your command. I cry for myself and your daughter. I mourn for us.”

  “Will you try to get out of this marriage? With Luther gone…” Vladamir’s eyes narrowed in fury and he didn’t bother to finish the thought.

  “Nay, you’ll have to send me away. I have given my word. The people need me here, if only to protect them from you. Your daughter needs me.”

  “Eden the nun, trying to save the world,” he taunted with a short sneer, taking an aggressive step toward her as he silently dared her to back down. She didn’t. “Mayhap I was mistaken about your temperament.”

  “Nay, I’m just trying to save your dukedom, monster,” Eden scoffed back, unflinching. “And as my first order of business—”

  “You dare to dictate to me?” he interrupted with an incredulous laugh.

  “As my first order, you’ll let Lizbeth and Raulf wed. I don’t expect you to apologize to the man for your wrongful actions, but this deed you’ll permit them will have to suffice.”

  “Why do you care if they marry?”

  “I don’t, but ‘tis what they wish and is what they shall have. Now, I understand that you wanted to keep Lizbeth for yourself, but she is no longer yours to have. You’ll just have to make due with me until you find another concubine.”

  A curious look passed over his features. “Are you jealous, wife?”

  “Don’t ask such things of me for you haven’t the right. My feelings are my own.” Eden frowned and turned away from him. Staring into the distance at a passing soldier, she continued, “As my second order, your daughter is in need of new gowns and underclothing. So am I. I know that we don’t have the gold for aught grand, but I’ll need something more befitting my station—something you won’t tear to shreds. I have already decided that there is enough material left from the wedding gown to sew a tunic or two for the child.”

  “Gwendolyn has gowns,” Vladamir answe
red, moving closer to her back. She felt his heat and the memory of how he tore her garment from her willing body only made her all the more hot. She ached, growing wet and needy between the thighs. Her hands felt nothing like his against her sex and no matter how she thrust, her fingers couldn’t make her feel as full.

  “If you mean that trunk that is in her chamber…” Eden pulled her shoulder away from his hot breath and stepped further away from him, trying to be strong against his sensual pull.

  “Chamber? What chamber?” Vladamir asked, sounding confused. She felt him pursuing her as she again tried to step away. Something brushed against her hips and she stiffened, wondering if he touched her. She waited for him to do it again but felt nothing. Swallowing, she thought of how easy it would be for him to lift her skirt like he did on the wall, touching the bare flesh underneath. She started to sweat and her breathing deepened. It took all her willpower to concentrate on the conversation.

  “Yea, the chamber I ordered readied for her,” Eden said, forcing an exasperated sigh. “If you hadn’t tried so hard these past fortnights to hide from me, I would’ve told you of it.”

  “I wasn’t hiding,” Vladamir interjected, touching her shoulder.

  “‘Tis of no concern to me.” Eden jerked from him once more. “The gowns in the trunk are too small. If you didn’t take notice, your daughter has grown some. They won’t do. However, I’ll salvage what material I can from them.”

  “Fine.” Vladamir lightly skimmed his finger over her flesh just below her ear. She shivered and her pulse beat quickened. “Gwendolyn shall have gowns.”

  “And what about me?” Eden asked, hesitant.

  “You shall oversee sewing them or you can do it yourself.” His lingering finger moved down over her neck in slow circles and he drew closer to her. “If you’re in need of gold, you have but to ask. ‘Tis your fault you have no gowns. I bid you to sew the clothing or have it overseen. ‘Tis part of our arrangement afore the marriage.”

  “Then you don’t mind?”

  “Nay, I don’t have time to oversee woman’s work. If m’lady wishes this castle and herself to be presentable, m’lady will have to tend to it. Otherwise, let it fall back into ruin. I care not.” The duke continued the circles down to her collarbone and across her quivering throat. He dipped his head to whisper against her throat, “And ‘tis not necessary for m’lady to try and command such things of me, if you’re in need of something all you have to do is ask.”

  Eden felt like a dolt for not remembering. Her breaths deepened to silently urge his fingers lower. She’d thought Vladamir was just being insensitive. She forced herself not to give him the pleasure of seeing what he did to her insides. They were melting as was her resolve against him.

  “What about Raulf?” she questioned timidly.

  “Is his marriage what you were discussing with him?”

  Eden shivered as his lips moved blithely over her skin. “Yea.”

  “Then he shall wed with Lizbeth,” he answered.

  She leaned her head back against his chest and let her body fall into his for support. Her eyes fluttered closed, blocking out the sun as its rays brimmed over the black stone of their home. The thoughts that swam jealously in her head came unbidden to her mouth, “And you won’t take Lizbeth to your bed again?”

  Vladamir chuckled as he drew his hands to her waist. He nuzzled a piece of her hair aside with his nose. “Nay, I’ll not take Lizbeth to my—”

  Eden cut off his words, turning frantically in his arms. Weaving her fingers into his hair, she pressed her fevered mouth to his for his kiss. She thrust her breasts forward against his tunic as she moved to undo the lacing at his neck. Pushing the black material aside she ran her fingers onto his hot chest and back.

  “Why do you wear all these garments?” Eden asked in a rush as she moved her hands downward to pull up his tunic. She forgot her purpose in being mad at him. His nearness was driving her crazy with need. Since he didn’t wear two tunics, it was easy for her to find the flesh at his muscular waist. She wanted him inside her, wanted to feel his body, see it. Her fingers trembled as she was allowed the feel of his finely tuned body for the first time. He hadn’t allowed for exploring during their first coupling.

  Vladamir groaned at her touch and glanced over her head to the bailey wall. Grimacing, he pulled her hand out from under his tunic only to clasp them together in front of him to hold her still.

  “I,” Eden began in a fluster. She tried to pull away from him, confused and a little hurt. Then she saw him peering past her. In bafflement, she turned to where he stared. Soldiers watched them from the wall. Vladamir lifted his arm in a long sweep to command the onlookers away. As the men trailed off laughing, the couple turned to each other. Eden bit her lip as she backed away from him.

  “You once asked why this place was called Lakeshire when ‘tis not by a lake,” Vladamir said quietly. “Would you still like to know?”

  Eden nodded her head, unable to speak. She wondered what possible significance the statement had. Had they not been in pursuit of more passionate aim? And a moment before that had they not been quarreling?

  Vladamir smiled as he held out his hand. She glanced at it hesitantly before accepting it, wary of his changed mood. He seemed almost lighthearted.

  “Come.” He led her to the large oak tree. The branches swept down low against the outstretched bailey wall. Eden knew that beyond the wall was nothing but untamed forest. She’d seen it from one of the higher windows.

  Vladamir walked around the tree, leading her deeper into its branches. It grew shadowy as he pushed forward to the backside of the large trunk. Eden ran her fingers lightly over the rough bark. She hesitated as Vladamir tried to pull her behind it with him.

  “I don’t see,” Eden began, but quieted as he dropped her hand to reach behind his waist. Curiosity made her step closer to watch. Pulling out the small pouch, he undid the laces and produced an iron key from within the leather.

  Only then did Eden notice the small door hidden within the castle’s black wall. The door was old and made of thick, black iron. It blended into the wall, so that at a casual glance it would be overlooked. The old metal latch in the iron made no noise as the duke turned the key in the lock and neither did the hinges creak as he slowly pushed it open.

  Vladamir had to duck his head under the low archway to fit under the short frame. Once through and able to stand, he held his hand out from the darkness for Eden to join him. Her insides bunched into knots as she took his offered hand. Her fingers touched his scars.

  “What is this place?” she asked as she leaned under the low arch. “Why haven’t I been told of it?”

  “Because only a few here know of its existence,” Vladamir answered under his breath. “And they were instructed to tell no one. King Alfred showed me when he bestowed the castle on me. I too asked why it was called Lakeshire.”

  “Is this a passageway?” Eden narrowed her eyes to adjust them to the dim light. As her vision focused, she saw nothing but a long passage of dark stone. The stone molded with the blackness until she couldn’t distinguish where the hall led.

  “Yea,” Vladamir answered. Eden stepped deeper into the passageway. The door swung noiselessly shut behind her, blinding them with darkness. As he pulled her forward, he added, “Watch your step. Some of the stones are loose.”

  Eden smirked at the thoughtful advice. She felt as if they were entering a place where their outside concerns didn’t matter. Following him slowly, she ran her hand over the cold damp stone of the wall. Suddenly, in the darkness, her fingers ran over what appeared to be another iron door.

  “M’lord, methinks I found what you’re looking for.” Even though she spoke in low tones the sound rang ominous in the dank passageway. Her own voice echoed back to her. She quieted to a hush. “‘Tis a door.”

  “Nay, that leads under the castle.” Vladamir stopped to place his hand over hers on the cool metal entryway. “That isn’t the door I was seeking.”r />
  Eden could hear the frown in his voice. “Dungeons?”

  “Yea, m’lady,” he said by way of confirmation.

  “Are there prisoners there?” she questioned, straining to hear beyond the iron.

  “Nay, m’lady.” Vladamir chuckled. “I’m the only prisoner at Lakeshire.”

  His fingers searched her hand in the darkness, running along her fingers as they pressed against the door. Her ears continued to strain, trying to detect any sound of prisoners beyond the barred entryway. She struggled to keep her voice from wavering as she inquired, “M’lord?”

  “You asked for a secret, to be trusted.” His voice was loud in the cold passageway. Eden shivered, her brave smile lost in the darkness. He laid his hand flat over hers, his warm palm against the back of her fingers as they pressed her into the chilled iron door.

  “Yea, I did.” It seemed like ages since she’d made the request, yet standing with him it was as if no time had passed between them. The hardship of the last fortnight fell from her mind.

  “Then I shall grant your wish.” He moved closer to her. “Though I believe you’ll have to answer two questions.”

  Eden naturally drew closer to the heat of his chest. Her mouth angled up, longing for his kiss. “What is your first question?”

  “Nay, not yet.” Vladamir dropped his hand from hers. She heard him moving about before he continued, “I’ll tell you what secret is underneath the castle. ‘Tis not prisoners, but my personal treasury, holding within it all of my great fortune. Or should I say our fortune?”

  “But, m’lord, we have no great fortune save the beating of our hearts.” Eden gave a small laugh. She took her free hand and laid it on his chest so that she may feel the steady beat of his heart under her palm. “What does that have to do with Lakeshire’s name?”

  “Naught, only you found the door.” Vladamir kept his hand over hers on the iron, running his other hand deftly down her arm. Reaching her fingers, he searched her in the shadows. His voice was almost a lost whisper as he stated, “You still wear that ring.”