by Nicole Grane
Chapter 24: Raymose
I made it down to the stables unseen. I peeked my head inside to make sure I was alone, but only Rain neighed loudly at the sight of me.
“Hi, boy, I’m happy to see you too.” I gave him a quick rub along his neck. “I need you again. I have to find Marcus, and you’re the only one who can help me.”
I stepped into his stall and saddled him up. Holding onto the reins, I led him to the stable door. I peeked out—there wasn’t a soul in sight.
“Ok, boy, let’s go.” I led him around to the back of the stable and climbed on. We started trotting down the path that led to the pond. It was as good a place to start looking for Marcus as any. Once there, I looked around. There was no sign of Marcus, or Damen for that matter.
“Now what?” I thought aloud.
Rain took off around the pond, heading north. He was galloping at a good pace, so I just let him go, hoping he was leading me to Marcus.
“You know boy, you’ll probably be going home alone. Marcus is going to kill me for sure when he finds me out here.” I patted his neck lightly.
Rain’s speed quickened. I could feel his body tense up beneath me. He neighed loudly.
“What is it, boy?” I asked nervously, looking to the trees. I swear that I saw something brown moving amongst the shadows. I watched closer, squinting my eyes, straining them to see better. It moved along with us, keeping the same speed. It was a werewolf! I watched as it moved in and out of the shadows, veering toward us. I looked to my right—a slightly larger grey wolf was baring its teeth as it joined the chase. We were being herded down the path. Suddenly I remembered: there should be a ravine up ahead . . .
I held onto the reins with one hand, keeping my sword tight in the other. My palms began to sweat. The wolves were gaining on us. I could hear Rain panting loudly and the grunts and snarls of the wolves as they tirelessly kept at my heels. They’d come close to snipping the end of Rain’s tail several times now, but he held strong, always remaining just out of reach of their snapping jaws.
And then something clicked inside my head. A plan formed. The old Phoebe had somehow taken over, and I was glad for it.
Rain needed to be free of me if he was going to make the jump unscathed. I’d have to time this right. We were almost there. I looked at the path ahead and then back to the shaggy wolf on my heel—it lunged at my leg just as I jumped off Rain’s back. I drew my sword up high and brought it down . . . right across the back of its neck.
I sailed through the air, landing violently on the ground. I could hear Rain neighing loudly. I pulled myself up quick, extending my sword. I stared at the wolf on the ground. Aside from its brown fur blowing in the breeze, it wasn’t moving. I couldn’t tell if it was dead or just knocked out.
A twig snapping on the ground behind me caused me to spin around. The grey wolf! I looked for it frantically. It slowly crept out from the trees. It was massive; at least three times my size. Its fur, matted and thick, added to its bulk. It didn’t exactly look like a wolf . . . though, you couldn’t deny the resemblance. It had a much longer body . . . like a man’s. Its eyes were not as kind as Damen’s. There would be no mercy here.
I swallowed loudly. I could hear my heart pounding as it drew nearer, studying me as it stalked forward.
A deep growl came from behind its teeth.
“Come on then!” The words came from me, but they were much braver than my own. I gripped my sword tightly, lifting it high.
A twig snapped from behind—the injured wolf was now on its feet.
I couldn’t defend myself against two. I’d have to choose. The one behind me was closer. He’d attack first. I’d have to kill him and then if I had time—the injured wolf was in the air. I swung my body around, stabbing it straight through the gut. It fell to the ground using me to break its fall.
I heaved, trying to push its massive body off me, but it wouldn’t budge. I rocked it back and forth, gasping under its weight, all the while searching for the grey wolf.
A loud snarl reverberated around me. My heart stopped. He was standing directly overhead, teeth bared. I was an easy kill.
The sound of a horses hooves caused a distraction. A man on horseback was approaching fast. His sword was drawn, and I was directly in his path. I ducked my head just as his horse cleared the dead carcass that rendered me helpless. He swung his sword at the grey wolf, bringing him down with one swipe. He circled its carcass for a moment before stopping several feet away from me.
“Thank you,” I groaned, as I once again heaved, freeing myself at last. I picked my sword up off the ground and stood tall, staring back into the eyes of the man that had just saved my life.
He walked his horse closer. His eyes grew wide. “It’s impossible!”
“Many things are impossible, Sir. We’re roaming the countryside carrying swords and killing werewolves.” I motioned to the dead wolf at my feet.
“That is what I do, Lady Phoebe.” He bowed his head.
I looked at the man closely. “Raymose!”
He pulled back a little on his horse—startled by my excitement.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I know this must seem strange . . . it’s taken me awhile to get used to it too. Seeing people from my past I mean.” I smiled brightly at him.
Raymose dismounted his horse. He was tall like Marcus, broad across the chest and extremely handsome. His hair was jet black, short and combed neatly. His features were soft, boyish. His dark brown eyes stared at me in wonderment.
He touched the back of his cold hand to my cheek. I hadn’t even seen him reach for me. A flood of memories hit me at once. I didn’t know if they were Damen’s or somehow my own. I instinctively closed my eyes and smiled as I breathed in his familiar scent—unafraid that he’d hurt me.
I opened my eyes again to find his lips touching mine. It was not the first time he’d kissed me. That much I knew. And it was every bit as passionate as before.
“How?” He held me close to him, his eyes dancing with excitement.
“Raymose, I’m not the same Phoebe.”
He looked confused.
“I mean, I am Phoebe . . . but I’m not the one you remember.” I blushed. I could still feel his kiss on my lips.
“You are!” He held my face in his massive hands, kissing me once again. His lips were soft and next to mine felt almost warm. He pulled away, leaving me breathless.
“Raymose.” I put my hands on his shoulders, steadying myself. I had been kissed by more men in one day than I had in my whole life.
He had my wrist in his hand before I could blink. His nose pressed against the bandages. He inhaled deeply—his eyes flashing red. “You bleed . . .”
I flinched, trying to break free from his grasp.
“What has happened to you!” he hissed, releasing his hold.
I jumped back—extending my sword between us. I had no idea how I was going to fight Raymose.
Realization crossed his face. “No! Do not fear me!” He grabbed hold of me without hesitation. Ignoring the sword pointed at his middle—I didn’t even have time to react. He took me up in his arms once again.
“Damen bit me!” I blurted out. I didn’t know why I’d told him, other than the fact that Raymose had once taken care of me during my darkest time. He’d been the one to save me—literally.
I could feel the muscles in his arms tense up. He pulled away from me slowly; his eyes were black as coal—frightening.
“Not deep enough to turn me . . . but I have changed, a little.” I admitted softly.
“Damen is here?”
“Yes.” I winced at the expression on his face.
“Where?” he hissed.
“By the pond, this morning. He . . . grabbed me. ”
A look of confusion over took him. “He had you and did not kill you?”
“Killing me isn’t exactly on his mind,” I admitted sheepishly. “He sort of thinks he still loves me. He . . . kiss
ed me. A lot.”
“He kissed you!” Raymose looked madder than Marcus had.
“Yes.”
“I will kill him,” he thundered. “I’ve waited over seven hundred years to avenge your death, and even longer to avenge your honor.”
“My honor?”
“You . . . do not remember?” he looked almost thankful.
“No. Not all of it anyway.”
“I wish I could forget.” He closed his eyes, as if trying to shake away the memory. “I’ll never forget the day I found you in the woods. You’d never been so vulnerable, so scared . . . you were completely undone.”
“You saved me.” My voice cracked a little.
“I found you, yes. But I did not save you.” His eyes smoldered, as they looked long into mine. “Marcus did that.”
“You did! I remember what you did for me,” I insisted.
“I did what was necessary to keep you alive. You and I were inseparable after that, until I . . . well, it was a long time ago. I was young, and very foolish,” he said with a forced smile.
He reached out and touched my cheek softly. His fingers lingered as if he needed the contact. “You’re no longer immortal. I hear your heart. It beats faster now.” He stepped closer. His body was nearly touching mine. Only a small sliver of air separated us.
I blushed. I could hear my heart pounding. Raymose was beyond handsome, and the way he was looking at me . . .
“No.” I admitted as if that were something to be ashamed of. “I am not immortal.”
“Come.”
“Raymose, I can’t ask you to risk your life for me.” My heart sank a little. There were so many who would risk their life for me; it was overwhelming. Despite what I’d thought, chivalry wasn’t dead—not amongst these men anyway. Honor and justice reigned supreme.
“You can’t go alone. You were lucky with that one.” He motioned to the dead wolf beside me. “You’ve forgotten how to use that properly,” he said now pointing to my sword. “Fear not. I will teach you—again!” he half-laughed.
“Hey, I did pretty good,” I said defensively, putting my hands on my hips.
He grinned. “As I said—luck! Rain!”
“You know Rain?”
“You might say we’re old friends.” He smiled coyly.
Rain was quickly beside me, nuzzling me with his nose.
“May I help you up?” Raymose lifted me up into his arms before I had a chance to respond. He froze.
Rain neighed loudly.
“Raymose?” My heart rate had increased. Something was wrong.
His arms gripped me tighter. “Phoebe. I need you to ride as fast as you can,” he whispered under his breath. “I’ll come for you.”
“What? Why?”
“Just do as I say,” he hissed. “There are too many of them.” His eyes darted from tree to tree.
My breath caught. “No. I won’t leave you by yourself.”
“You were always so stubborn!” he snapped.
“It’s called being moral. I won’t leave you.” I lifted my chin up defiantly. I wasn’t going anywhere.
“Fine,” he growled. “But stay behind me. And if I throw you on that horse, you’d better ride or I’ll kill you myself!” I half believed him.
“Well this is a surprise.”
We looked as Damen emerged from behind a tree.
“Damen,” Raymose hissed like he’d just said something vile.
“Good afternoon, Raymose. I see you’re still looking after Lady Phoebe—Luther’s loyal soldier to the end.” His eyes narrowed.
“I’ve always looked after her. Luther never made me.” Raymose’s grip tightened around me.
Damen laughed. “I’m sure Marcus won’t mind you holding his bride to be like that,” he jeered.
I threw my head back, as if bored by the conversation. “Like you care.”
“Careful Raymose, there’s blood flowing through her veins now,” Damen mused—he was enjoying himself far too much.
“I’m aware of her humanity,” Raymose spat. He set me down swiftly, positioning himself between Damen and I.
“You don’t think you can protect her?” Several more wolves emerged from the trees, each baring their teeth. Raymose had one hand behind him, pushing me back, and his sword drawn out in front of him with the other. “I’ve fought more,” he hissed.
“Yes, but have you had to defend a damsel in distress at the same time? One that bleeds no less,” Damen’s words were taunting.
“I’m not in distress!” I moved myself beside Raymose. “I’m not going with you, Damen. I’d throw myself in that ravine before I let you take me.
Damen laughed heartedly. “He wouldn’t let you do that. Raymose has loved you far longer than I have.” His laughter echoed all around us.
I looked over at Raymose to see him looking at me out the corner of his eye—he wasn’t denying it.
This had to be a bad dream, a really bad dream.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Damen growled as he looked at the two dead wolves behind us.
“I didn’t have a choice; he was trying to kill me!” I shouted.
“You?” Damen looked at me in disbelief.
“Yes me.”
“And the other?” he asked.
“That would be my privilege, Beast. Although, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity if he hadn’t been trying to kill Phoebe as well,” Raymose spat.
“They wouldn’t harm her. I’ve instructed the pack to watch out for her.” Damen glanced at the wolves beside him—they were cowering slightly.
“Well, I think I’ll pass on your protection. As you can see, I don’t need it.” I raised my sword.
“You’d kill me?” There was pain in his voice.
“You’re not giving me any other option.” I answered softly. I gripped my sword tighter.
He nodded his head. “There is still hope. I felt it when we kissed.”
“You kissed!” I corrected sharply, as I did my best to ignore the look of outrage on Raymose’s face.
“Same, predictable Damen,” Raymose mocked. “Luther warned you not to harbor feeling for his daughter. He’ll be interested to know you haven’t changed.”
“You fool. You can’t take her to Luther. She’ll be killed! She’s part wolf now, or can’t you tell!” he snarled.
Raymose turned his head slightly, glancing my way.
“I told you I’m not the same,” my eyes dropped.
“It doesn’t matter,” he spoke to me. His voice was soft and gentle.
“You think you have a chance with her?” Damen scoffed, taking a step forward. “Get in line.”
“Stop it!” I could feel tears starting to build. “I’m not a prize to be won! I’m not your Phoebe!” I grabbed onto Rain and started to run.
“Phoebe!” Damen shouted after me.
With great effort, I pulled myself up and dug my heels in. Rain moved like we were on fire. I didn’t know where we were going, and I didn’t care. I cried hard into his fur. I couldn’t believe I ran away like that. I literally threw Raymose to the wolves—Raymose, who was also in love with Phoebe. How many men could possibly be in love with the same woman?
Damen was insane, and Marcus was going to kill me for sure—or was he already dead? God, don’t let him be dead.
“Faster boy!”
It hadn’t taken Raymose long before he caught up with me.
“Phoebe, stop!”
“No! Raymose, just forget you saw me,” I pleaded, not looking back at him. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
He reached over and pulled back on the reins. Rain halted abruptly throwing me off him.
“Phoebe!” Raymose jumped off his horse and rushed over to me.
I tried to roll over, desperately gasping for air.
“Phoebe I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you; I forgot you couldn’t ride well.”
I knew he was trying to comfort me, but I couldn’t
help but shoot him an irritated look. Was there anything I could do right, aside from seducing every eligible hunk around?
“Accident,” I gasped.
“Just try to breathe slowly.”
“Raymose?” A voice called from behind him. I recognized it immediately.
I looked fearfully into Raymose’s eyes. I couldn’t speak yet; I still couldn’t breathe right. I was sucking in large gasps of air that my lungs seemed to reject. How was I going to explain to Marcus why I was here? My breathing worsened as I panicked.
“Do not worry. I’ll stay with you and explain,” Raymose whispered as he smoothed my hair off my forehead. His face looked suddenly sad. “I know you love him.”
Raymose tilted his body so that Marcus could see that it was I he was hovering over.
“No!” Marcus hissed. He flew off his horse with Richard close behind him. “Phoebe,” He put his arms around me, his eyes searching every inch of me. He cradled my head on his lap, trying to calm me. I was still trying to breathe and wasn’t going to be a big participant in this conversation
Marcus turned to Raymose with black eyes. “What have you done to her?” he growled.
“No!” I gasped, as I reached up and pulled at Marcus shirt. “Not . . . his . . . fault!”
“Well that’s not exactly true,” Raymose admitted casually.
Marcus's face was tense. I could see the muscles in his jaw tighten as he glowered at Raymose.
“You see,” Raymose began. “Phoebe was in a particularly hairy predicament when I found her. She was in the middle of a . . . how shall I put this, you know I don’t like to exaggerate . . . fight to the death with a pair of werewolves.”
I sucked in so much air that I started choking uncontrollably. What in the hell was Raymose doing?
“What!” Marcus thundered, ignoring my pleas for air.
“She actually managed to kill one. If it’s dead body hadn’t been lying across hers, she may have had a sporting chance with the other.”
Marcus looked murderous.
“Naturally,” Raymose boasted. “I had perfect timing and was able to slay the mongrel with little effort.”
I tried to make myself smaller, hoping I would disappear into a speck of dust and blow away.
Raymose laughed lightly to himself. A broad smile had taken residence on his face. “We mustn’t forget our delusional friend Damen—he’s the comic figure in all of this.”
“Raymose,” I begged, my breath returning to me. “He’s going to kill me as it is.”
“Nonsense Phoebe, Marcus is really very understanding.” He winked at me.
I tried to sit up but Marcus held me firm—I wasn’t going anywhere.
“Where was I . . .?” Raymose asked playfully, ignoring the tension that loomed over us. “Oh yes. After I realized that it was Phoebe here whom I had just saved—Phoebe, who you neglected to tell me was alive—” Raymose shot Marcus an eerie look. “I planned to escort her to safety, when Damen, being the gentlemen that he is, decided to persuade her to come with him—under the protection of his faithful pack, who had just attacked her.
“Where is Damen now?” Marcus growled through gritted teeth.
“I don’t know,” Raymose admitted, all joking removed from his face. “After Phoebe fled, his wolves attacked me. I only had time to kill one. Damen was already chasing after her. I got to Phoebe as quickly as I could.”
“How are you responsible for this?” Marcus was still gritting his teeth. He hadn’t looked at me since Raymose had begun talking.
“I tried to stop her horse and she fell off. I’d forgotten what a bad rider she is,” Raymose teased.
Marcus turned his attention to me. “What were you thinking?” he hissed angrily. His arms thankfully released me.
I squirmed out from under him. His eyes were dark, deadly, and they were fixed on me.
“You could have been killed!” he shouted.
I instinctively jumped behind Raymose and hid myself. I was such a coward.
“Easy Marcus.” Raymose’s tone was firm as he protectively asserted himself in front of me.
“Step aside, Raymose. She isn’t going to weasel out of this. She nearly got herself killed—again! This isn’t a game!”
I gripped onto the back of Raymose’s shirt tightly. I knew he’d protect me, even from Marcus.
“Stop scaring her!” Raymose growled angrily. “She wouldn’t have risked her life if she wasn’t worried about you in the first place. History is repeating itself—yet again.” Raymose’s tone was sharp.
A cricket chirping broke the silence.
“I’m sorry I made you worry.” My small voice squeaked out from behind Raymose. “I couldn’t stand the thought of you out here by yourself. Richard wouldn’t leave me to help you, so I came looking for you myself. Damen said he was going to kill you. I couldn’t let him take you away from me.”
“There. You see: it was all in the name of love.” Raymose’s tone lightened to the point of condescending.
I peered out from behind him. Marcus had his back to us. His arms were tightly folded across his chest—obviously considering what to do with me.
Raymose looked back at me, winking his eye.
I mouthed “Thank you.” I could feel the tears leaking out the corners of my eyes. I couldn’t explain it, but somehow I remembered Raymose: His never failing kindness. His compassion for others—a strange quality for a vampire, I’d always thought; his endless devotion to my well-being. He did still love me. Damen had been right about that.
I grabbed onto Rain and pulled myself up.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Marcus asked without turning to look at me. His tone was cold.
“I’m removing myself from this equation,” I said flatly.
He turned around. His eyes were dark, unforgiving. “Get off that horse!”
“No!” I blurted out. My face hardened. I stared bravely into his black eyes. I could feel my pulse quicken. I gripped onto the reins tighter for strength. He looked terrifying.
“I explained why I had to come. I won’t keep putting you in the position of having to protect me. I’ll deal with Damen myself. It’s me he wants anyway.”
I could see the vein in Marcus’s neck pulsating. He was furious beyond words.
“Phoebe, you can’t go alone; it’s too dangerous.” Raymose’s eyes were pleading. I knew he’d come with me if I asked him to—he’d follow me to the ends of the earth if that were what I wanted. Part of me wanted him to come with me. I felt suddenly alone and afraid. I couldn’t do that to him, or to Marcus—I wouldn’t!
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. The words had a double meaning, and I could tell by the look in Raymose’s eyes that he understood both.
“If you’re going to fight, it won’t be because of me.” I reluctantly met Marcus's stare. “But you can’t expect me to sit back and watch you die.”
I held my hand out to him, my fist clenched tight. He looked at it cautiously for a moment before he reached out. I could feel a lump forming in my throat. His mouth dropped open as he caught my ring in his hand. I turned Rain sharply, digging my heels in hard. I didn’t look back.