Maiden and the Monster

by Michelle M. Pillow

  She nodded her head with a grim look of disdain and pushed insistently on Gwendolyn’s shoulder to hide her from the earl’s view. Hurriedly, she led the child away.

  * * * * *

  “Vladamir,” Eden whispered, coming into their bedchamber. The king’s men brought the duke there and shackled him to the bed like the prisoner he was. Nevertheless, Eden was grateful that the king didn’t throw him into the dungeon. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at his beautiful form on the bed. His position reminded her of their earlier lovemaking—only their positions were reversed and these binds were for real.

  At the sound of her voice, he opened his eyes and pulled up to sit on the bed. His strong arms lounged back behind him and his legs stretched out over the mattress. There was no fire in the cool chamber only a torch that sputtered dimly in its sconce.

  Eden ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck as she planted fervent kisses on his forehead, chin and lips. She pulled him to her. Feeling him in her arms, she finally breathed.

  As Vladamir lifted his hands to hold her, the chain that bound him to the bed clanked. Eden pulled back to study his shackled wrist in anguish. She let him scoot back from her so that his arms would reach fully around her.

  “They didn’t have to bind you.” She endeavored to hide her tears so that he wouldn’t see them. She tried to be brave for him, but her anguish reflected from her moist round eyes. “I’ll tell them to unchain—”

  “Yea, they did,” Vladamir broke in with a soothing whisper. He nuzzled his head against her hair. “I’m a foreigner. To them I have little keeping me here.”

  “They’re fools.” Eden sighed as she pressed her trembling lips to his scarred chin. “I defy all of them.”

  “They are afraid I might try to escape,” Vladamir answered, his soft accent music to her heartsick soul.

  “And we shall,” Eden said, smiling with a spark of hope through her grief. “I’ll bite through these chains if I have to. We will run away, all three of us. Give me the key to the secret passageway. I’ll take as many gold pieces as I can carry and give them to Ulric. He can meet us outside the castle wall. If we ride all night through the forest we can be free of this place. The king will never find us and in ten years when the winds of politics have again changed we might venture back. But if I never see my homeland again so be it, for you’ll be with me.”

  Vladamir closed his eyes at her words and shook his head. “I cannot ask you to live as a pauper in some foreign land, for make no mistake we would be poor.”

  “I don’t care. If we have to live in the trees like squirrels, I don’t care! So long as we are together.” Taking his face in her hands, she pleaded with him. “I don’t care.”

  “Nay, even if I were to agree it would never work. Your father guards the castle and would never let Ulric pass. The gates will have been closed until the morrow.” Vladamir ran his hands over her face, to the back of her hair. She’d bound it back once more to stand before the king. Again he pulled it free. Unraveling the waves with one hand, he pulled the silken strands to fall all around her face. He smiled sadly as he looked at her.

  “Then we break down the wall around the secret lake. We will climb over it if we must. Or find a way out beneath the water.” Eden tried, nonplused by his objections. “And then we will run away on foot.”

  “Nay, wife. I wish that it could be so.” He gently touched her stomach, massaging it with his strong hand. “But don’t think of us. Think of Gwendolyn and of our child you carry. Would you raise the children in poverty? Would you have them think their father a coward?”

  “Yea, I’d live in poverty if it meant we lived as a family and the children would never believe their father a coward. I’ll tell them of your bravery.”

  “Fleeing is not honorable. My life is not worth that of my family. You haven’t lived in the world without privilege of station. At Lakeshire, you’ll have a home. You’ll have money—more money than you and the children could spend in thirty lifetimes.” The duke smoothed back her hair and a sad smile of finality crossed over his face. “And don’t forget. I’m a hostage here for King Guthrum. If I were to escape the peace treaty would be broken. Many would die.”

  “The king said that many would die in Wessex if he didn’t punish you. But ‘tis not fair. Wouldn’t King Guthrum be angry at Alfred for hanging you? If we had more time, I could petition King Guthrum for asylum. We could go to Northumbria, to your castle there. We—”

  “Nay, I know King Guthrum well. He won’t interfere,” Vladamir broke in with a sad shake of his head. “What else did the king say?”

  “He said that we only had to find one worthy man of Wessex to clear your name. Your men say you’re innocent. Those of my father’s men who were questioned say you’re not. But I could find such a man. I will find such a man.”

  “Who? The earl is a respected nobleman and his men are loyal. You’ll find no one. If there were any here to clear my name it would have been done already.”

  “I must try. I cannot let you give up. You must live.”

  “I have lived, my darling wife, for the first time in my life—with you.” He leaned against the head of the bed, a soft smile came to his face as he said, “I’m still owed two questions.”

  Eden nodded, knowing her husband too noble a man to run from his fate. She hated that he wasn’t even willing to try an escape but that stubbornness was one of the very reasons she loved him—his honor, his stubborn pride, his loyalty, his fierce passions.

  “Ask.” She couldn’t stop the tears that welled up in her eyes as she nodded her head, looking at his chest.

  “Do you love me?” Cupping her chin in his hand he lifted her eyes to his. His black gaze captured her with its gentleness. “If you do not, don’t lie about it. Do you love me? Or are you just scared that you’ll be left to face your father’s wrath alone?”

  “How can you not know? I care naught for my father’s wrath. I care naught for the will of a king. I care only for you. I love you. I have always loved you, only I have been too foolish or too afraid to tell you. And I know you’ll never care for me half as much as I do you. I know that you have no reason to trust me or believe me. But I love you. I love you. I love you.” Eden shook him hysterically by the shoulders. “And because I love you, you mustn’t die. You cannot. I won’t let you.”

  She let her love shine from her face, no longer hiding it. Grabbing the back of her head, he drew her to his eager lips, kissing the breath from her lungs with his desire. The chains rattled, but she didn’t care. “I love you, Eden. I always have. I always will.”

  Eden felt as if her heart would explode at the admission. Pulling her face away to study him, she nodded blindly through her tears. “What is your third question? You may ask anything of me.”

  “Nay, I have no need to ask it of you. Naught else but your love matters.” Vladamir sighed against her trembling mouth. Their breath mingled as they silently gazed into each other’s eyes. “It will give me the courage I need on the morrow.”

  “Yea, husband. You save your question. I expect you to ask me it on the morrow and everyday following.”

  “And if not on the morrow,” Vladamir put forth gently, “then in the afterworld where you’ll someday come to meet me. I’ll wait for you if it comes to that.”

  “Nay,” Eden sobbed, pulling him once more to her embrace. She shook her head against his shoulder in painful denial. The agonizing heartache that filled her overwhelmed her soul. She couldn’t lose him, not now. They hadn’t been given enough time together. “I won’t hear it.”

  Vladamir said no more as he held his wife in his arms. For the moment, he was content with that. The feel of her would keep him strong for what he must face and the memory of her would sustain him in the afterlife. Her tears moistened his hand as it fell from her closed eyes. Vladamir sighed, pulling her closer. Whatever happened, in this moment, he had everything.

  He pulled her mouth to his, passionately kissing her. Even
if he lived for a hundred years he’d never get enough of her. She was his everything and he poured his soul into her. Vladamir didn’t want to die. He didn’t want to leave her behind. She was his soul, his life and he would carry her into his death.

  A silent need passed between them as Eden straddled his waist. Her hand worked the laces at his hips, freeing his body. His chained wrists made it hard to move, but he managed to inch up her skirt. When she’d freed his cock, she lifted her knees, helping him to lift her skirts. Without bothering to remove their clothing, or part from the kiss, she rose above him.

  His body was hard for her, always hard, and he was sure that being inside her was as close to Heaven as anything on Earth could be. The first touch of her slick flesh made him groan. She seated herself on him, embedding him deep. Pulling back, she looked into his eyes as her body kept him in.

  “I love you,” she whispered, making his heart soar. Keeping him deep, she made shallow thrusts, riding him.

  “And I love you.” He breathed deeply, savoring the soft feel of her body holding him tight. Tears streamed down her face and he hated to see her sad but there was nothing he could say. If all they had was this one night together, then he would make the most of it. As their bodies climaxed, shaking with the bittersweet pleasure of release, he whispered, “I’ll love you for an eternity, Eden.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  The dining tables were set up and the castle dined on the great feast Eden arranged for the king’s visit, though none in the hall looked to be enjoying the banquet of food when she came to the main hall. She wrinkled her nose at the smell of roasted pigs. It wasn’t the celebration she had in mind when she ordered the meal prepared.

  Vladamir was spending time with his daughter. The child was having a hard time of it. Gwendolyn didn’t understand why her family was once again being torn apart. Eden smiled sadly at the thought. The girl didn’t cry over her fate, both father and daughter were strong that way.

  The hall was eerily quiet. Many of the duke’s knights looked solemnly to their trenchers when she entered. A few glanced wearily at her. One, a short balding man with missing front teeth, even dared to approach.

  “M’lady, the men would speak with you. We have a plan,” the knight said under his breath. “We will fight the earl’s soldiers tomorrow if they try to take our lord. We will lock the king out and all die within the walls if need be.”

  Eden eyed the man gratefully. He had never dared to speak to her before. As she looked over to the long tables filled with Lakeshire knights, she saw his determination was shared by all. The men nodded grimly at her before turning back to their barely consumed meal and menacing whispers. She laid a hand on the burly man’s arm. “I have spoken with my husband. He doesn’t wish bloodshed on either side. His order would be to stand down. He’ll act honorably and won’t run from death.”

  “And you, m’lady?” the man spoke insistently. His gaze narrowed, awaiting her command. “What is yer order fer us?”

  Eden hesitated. It would be so easy to goad the men into battle for she saw the ready light in their eyes. Closing her lids for a moment to block her tears, she breathed slowly. Then, directing a calm stare forward, she spat, “I care not what blood sheds on my father’s side. I’d take up arms with you if I could.”

  The man nodded in approval of her heated words. A bloodthirsty glint entered his gaze as he glared to the platform where the king sat alone. Eden knew the man was one that hailed with her husband from Northumbria. The Saxons didn’t dare to show such open disapproval of King Alfred.

  “But as I wouldn’t lose my husband by the noose,” she looked steadily to the man, “I wouldn’t lose him by dishonoring him. Stand down.”

  The man didn’t like her order but agreed with a curt nod. He turned to leave, clearly intent on telling the men her decision, but his frown turned to a grim smile, as she whispered sharply, “For now.”

  The men listened intently as the messenger repeated her words. She didn’t wait to see the men’s reaction to her orders, knowing they were ready to fight and that she was ready to join them.

  Spying the king sitting alone at the head table, she walked toward him, her face set with a determined frown. However, she couldn’t make it to him before being halted again, this time by Lizbeth. Eden fairly glowered in frustration as the maidservant beckoned to her, “M’lady.”

  “Yea?” Eden stopped briefly at Lizbeth’s soft voice. She didn’t care to dine and she didn’t care to direct the servants, having only come to the main hall to greet the king as their guest and to once more plead her husband’s case.

  “Are you al—?” Lizbeth began as she studied her mistress with concern. Eden shot her a hard look, not having time for such conversation. She had to save her husband.

  “Not now, Lizbeth,” Eden broke in through clenched teeth. Her eyes were hard as she turned them briefly to the stunned girl. Seeing her distress, Eden gave the servant a disheartened smile before she continued walking.

  “Your Majesty.” Eden’s voice was strained. She halted at the bottom of the platform, curtseying. Her eyes met those of Alfred. His brown gaze shone with sorrow as he motioned her forward.

  He sat alone in the main hall and didn’t seem to mind it. Eden took her place in a chair next to him. He offered her a goblet of mead and she shook her head in polite refusal. She couldn’t drink.

  “How is he, m’lady?” the king asked, picking up his own goblet to take a leisurely sip. His motions were relaxed but they belied the turmoil in his eyes.

  “Better than I, Your Majesty,” Eden admitted. She looked demurely to her lap. The king nodded sadly and Eden noticed that his trencher of meat hadn’t been touched. Looking for some time at the royal seal that encrusted the ring on his finger, she watched as he again raised his goblet to his lips. When he finished his drink, she said, “Majesty?”

  “Yea, m’lady?” Alfred turned his full attention to her. He placed the goblet on the table and leaned to a pitcher to refill his own drink.

  “May I speak plainly?” Eden asked in a blunt tone. She dared a direct look at him and didn’t take her gaze away.

  “Please.” Alfred smiled slightly. He wasn’t offended by her directness and didn’t pretend to be.

  “My husband is a rich man.”

  “M’lady, don’t think it. I cannot change my mind for money.” The king shook his head in denial and gently took her hand in his. Her fingers were cold but didn’t shake. “There is not enough coin in the realm for such a decision.”

  “Then what will change it? Me?” Eden bowed her head. She tried in vain to hide her desperation. Her hand trembled in his.

  “Methought m’lady would lie with no one but her husband.” The king didn’t release her hand but squeezed it gently.

  “I’d lie with anyone that methought could save him,” Eden said boldly. “Though I somehow knew you’d not be bribed, you understand that I had to try.”

  “And what would your husband say to that?” the king asked with a disapproving scowl. “Do you think that is the way he would have it?”

  “I care not what he would have,” Eden declared so none would hear but the king. She refused to think of Vladamir’s first wife and the betrayal the woman put him through.

  Besides, ‘tis not the same thing. I do this to save him. I love him. I have to do something. I cannot lose him. He is everything to me.

  “I’d have him alive. I could spend the rest of my life making him forget it,” she said. “No matter how distasteful the act might be to me.”

  “There are some things in this world that men cannot forget or forgive,” Alfred answered, still not bothering to pretend her words offended him. He patted her hand and let it go. “I much admire your courage, m’lady. You’ll need it.”

  “If there is naught I can say to you to change your mind I should go to my m’lord husband,” Eden returned, not acknowledging his compliment. She stood on her unsteady feet. The king nodded in agreement.

  Eden
strode away from the head table and the hall with a solemn dignity, holding her chin up high and not letting her distress show to the people who watched. They would be looking to her on how to act and she couldn’t disappoint or dishonor her husband. But as she neared the stairs, she narrowed her eyes to keep them from tearing over with despair. She was running out of options. King Alfred was as honorable as her husband was. Although she respected that honor, she also cursed it.

  * * * * *

  “What are you doing here, my lord?” Eden spat. Her eyes rounded in anger as she saw the earl by her husband’s door. Glaring at him, she spoke through clenched teeth. “You’re not welcome in my home. You’re not welcome in my sight. Begone!”

  “Eden.” Her father rolled his broad shoulders as he took a step for her. Eden stood about an inch above him, so he only had to tilt his head slightly to talk to her.

  “Nay, sir,” Eden argued before he could even state his purpose. She placed her hands boldly on her hips, daring him to try and lay a hand on her. “I’m a duchess. You’ll address me as such. I’m no longer your daughter. You have ruined my life.”

  “So you did marry him to spite me,” the earl concluded, though the bitterness had disappeared from his words. “Methought as much.”

  “Nay, I married him to be free of Luther. I married him because I love him.” Eden skirted to the side in an effort to move past him. The earl’s hefty weight blocked her way. Coldly, she said over his shoulder, “An emotion you know little of.”

  “Don’t speak to me about love,” Clifton said, raising his voice slightly. He poked his finger in the air as he spoke. “I buried twelve sons afore they even took a breath. I buried a wife.”

  “That is not love, that is loss,” Eden claimed, shaking her head. Again she tried unsuccessfully to move past him. He placed his hand on her husband’s door to stop her from leaving.