“Gentlemen, I’m sure we could discuss our plans until the sun rises, but I’m afraid I must retire.”
Dominick stretched his legs and arms and let out a large roaring yawn. “I think I’ll do the same. If I don’t get some sleep, I will have no strength for training tomorrow.”
Randolf nodded in agreement. “I will give the gatehouses one more check before I retire.”
“I will go with you.” Erik stood up.
Eleanor reached the stairs. “Good night,” she bid them, then wearily ascended with Dominick not far behind.
Once inside their chamber, Dominick fanned the embers in the hearth and placed new logs on the fire. The room glowed in a warm light. Eleanor looked toward the bed. The broadsword still lay in the middle. She shook her head silently. If only she had the courage to remove it. Watching Dominick undress reminded her of her desire for him. His hard cut body was a sight to behold. It nearly took her breath away.
But there was more that lay between them than his broadsword. Painful memories of McPhearson’s hands on her body. Bile and disgust rose to her throat when she thought of it.
Dominick said it was a matter of time before she could put those memories behind her. It had been nearly a year, since Eleanor’s near rape and the wounds still felt fresh. She looked at Dominick lying in their bed and saw the question in his eyes.
Her shoulders slumped in resignation that her problems would not be solved that night. Quickly she undressed and climbed into bed, pulling the bed robes over her shoulders. She turned toward him and gently touched his shoulder.
“Dominick, I wish I could.”
There was no question that he understood her words.
His large hand covered hers. “I know, my dove. In time.”
He kissed her lips tenderly, then rolled away from her. Soon he was sound asleep.
Eleanor lay in the quiet room watching the shadows of the firelight dance on the ceiling. She touched her lips. His kiss left her wanting more, but she knew it would lead to intimacy, and that she was not ready for. Not yet.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dominick...Dominick...Dominick
The voice came from all directions, surrounding him like a fog. A ghostly hand reached out of the mist and laid its death-like claw upon his chest. The cold settled in his bones. He tried to get away, but his body would not respond.
There is a fire, the voice echoed around him.
Panic drew him to the surface of his dream. Opening his eyes, he found Isolde standing over him.
Her mind reached out to his. There is a fire . . . in the stables.
Then, like the mist she faded away.
He bounded out of bed and dressed in a hurry.
Eleanor stirred then sat up. “Dominick, what is it?”
“There is a fire.”
Eleanor sat up in alarm. “Fire, where?”
“In the stables.”
“How would you know that?”
“I had a visit from your mother.”
Eleanor gaped for only an instant. Quickly, she jumped out of bed and began dressing.
“What are you doing?” Dominick asked.
“I’m going with you,” she said as she slipped on her gown.
“No, Eleanor, it’s too dangerous.”
“Is it no less dangerous for you?”
“That’s not the point.”
“Then what is?” she said, slipping on her boots.
He didn’t have an answer. “Fine, we will go together, but you will follow my every order.”
“I will.” She threw her wrap around her shoulders and headed out the door.
By the time they reached the stables, smoke was pouring out of the doors, and flames were licking at the roof. The smell of burning wood and straw filled the courtyard. Chilling cries from the animals rose up over the roar of the flames. Their hooves drummed against the walls of their stalls as they tried to escape. Men scrambled with buckets of water to put out the flame, others ran into the burning building to free the animals.
“Stay here,” Dominick shouted as he ran into the stables.
Eleanor twisted her gown as she watched him inside the fiery building.
“Bring buckets,” she shouted.
She organized men and women to form a line, passing the water-filled buckets toward the stables, and then the empty ones back toward the well.
The scene was all too familiar. Only a few months before, she and the villagers had lived that same nightmare. Anger stirred in the pit of her stomach, moving her into action.
Dominick ran in and out of the stable carrying buckets of water. Randolf brought out her Arabian along with two other horses. To her amazement Erik managed to get dogs, geese, and milk cows to follow him to safety. Even some cats brushed along his ankles as he led the animals out.
“Keep moving!” Eleanor encouraged people to bring more buckets of water, but no matter how much water was thrown on the fire, they were losing the battle and could not keep it from consuming the building. She found Zenon carrying people away from the smoke.
“Zenon make sure everyone is accounted for. If anyone is missing find people who will look for them. We have to make sure everyone got out.”
She looked around for Dominick, but he was nowhere in sight. The stable was now nearly completely engulfed in flames. The smoke drove everyone back. But there was no sign of him.
An ominous creaking ripped through the air.
“It’s about to fall! Came a voice from the crowd. The roof was about to collapse. Her eyes darted from one side of the bailey to the other, trying to find her husband. With frightening clarity she knew he was still in the stable. Without thinking she ran toward the inferno. The heat was suffocating. Grabbing one of the men who had just come out of the barn, “Where is Lord Dominick?” she asked desperately.
The man was ready to collapse. “In there, my lady,” he choked out. “He was holding a beam that was about to collapse so the rest of us could escape.”
Eleanor felt the blood draining from her face. “Dominick!” she screamed, running toward the stables. “Dominick!”
The heat was unbearable.
A few feet from the flames Randolf ran toward her and held her back for the burning building. She struggled against him. “No. Dominick is in there!” She fought harder. “Let me go. Dominick . . . Dominick!” she shouted.
Panic coursed through her veins when she heard the snapping of wood, and the roof collapsed. Smoke, ash, and sparks billowed up toward the night sky.
Eleanor dropped to her knees bringing Randolf with her. “No!”
Randolf wrapped his arms more tightly around her and buried his head in her shoulder. He cried out his brother’s name, but she couldn’t hear it over her own screaming.
She watched the fire in disbelief. Hot tears ran down her face uncontrollably. This couldn’t be happening, he couldn’t be gone. Randolf’s arms grew tighter, his grief wrapped around her as though they were one.
The fire raged on. Suddenly, a shadow moved among the flames. At first she thought it was a play of the light. It moved again. The dark shadow rose above the smoke and ash, stumbling away from the flames.
“Dominick?” Eleanor whispered in disbelief.
The dark form of a man stumbled toward them.
“Dominick!” she shouted.
Eleanor’s heartbeat thundered. “Dominick!” she shouted again as he collapsed to the ground.
Tears pouring down her face, Eleanor ran to his side and dropped to her knees beside him. Laying her hand on his chest, she felt his uneven and labored breathing. Still she was reassured he was breathing.
He was barely conscious. Eleanor shook his arm. “Come now, Dominick. You had your fun, frightening us. Now wake up.” He barked a cough. “That’s it, open your eyes and look at me.” Eleanor couldn’t keep her voice from shaking. His eyes fluttered for a moment. “No, Dominick. That isn’t good enough. Open your eyes.”
To her relief he did exactly that. Randol
f sat silently with tears in his eyes.
Erik knelt beside them. “How are you doing, old friend?”
Dominick reached up and wiped a tear from Eleanor’s face. “I’m fine.”
She couldn’t hold back a sob. She was scared, she was angry, and most of all, she was in love. Laying her head on his chest, she cried uncontrollably.
He stroked her hair. “It’s all right now, Eleanor.”
Anger bubbled up inside her. “It’s not all right.” She grabbed a handful of his scorched tunic and twisted it. “You nearly died before I could tell you . . . I love you.” She put her head on his chest.
He went back to stroking her hair. “Shh, my little dove.”
Finally, the tears ran out. She looked at his face. A quiet smile resided on his lips. “Those were the words I lived for.
“Can you stand?” Randolf asked.
“I believe so.”
Erik and Randolf helped him to his feet. Once steadied, she stepped between Dominick and Erik and wrapped her arm around Dominick’s waist.
A cheer rang out from the villagers once Dominick rose to his feet. At that moment she realized they loved him, too.
The four hobbled back to the castle. Martha and Zenon met them at the door. Zenon’s face and hair were covered in soot and ash. His hand was bandaged, and his shoulders were slumped in exhaustion.
“Zenon, have yourself some ale and go to bed,” Eleanor ordered.
“I will, my lady. Just making sure the master is all right.”
“The master is fine,” Dominick stated. “Now do as your lady said and get some rest.”
“Aye, my lord.” Zenon took his ale from Martha and headed toward his chambers.
Martha wore the same exhausted expression as Zenon. “Is there anything you need, my lady?”
Eleanor followed Dominick to a big chair in the great hall. “No Martha. You get your rest as well. If I should need anything, I know where to find you.”
“If you’re sure,” she said hesitantly.
“I’m sure.”
Martha bid them good night and left the hall. Dominick, Eleanor, Randolf, and Erik sat in silence for a long time. Each pondered the night’s drama. Eleanor hung onto Dominick’s hand like a lifeline. Every now and then, she gave it a squeeze making sure he was really sitting beside her.
Dominick gave her a reassuring glance. It told that her he was there and always would be.
Erik finally broke the silence. “This may be the wrong time, but I have to ask. How did you get out of the fire unscathed?”
Dominick turned toward Eleanor and squeezed her hand. He paused for a moment. “Isolde.”
“What?” Eleanor started in surprise. “How could that be?”
“I don’t know.” He relived the memory when he closed his eyes. “The fire was hot, and the smoke so thick I could no longer draw a breath. Then suddenly I felt my body begin to cool, breathing became easier. When I looked up, I saw your mother. She wrapped around me like a protective blanket. When the roof caved in, she guided me out, all the while keeping the flames away from me.” His head rested in his hands. “I know that sounds like madness, but it’s the truth.”
Erik grasped Dominick's shoulder. “It’s the only explanation, my friend. No human being could have survived the heat of that blaze.”
Randolf smiled. “You know this adds to your legend. ‘The Immortal could not be killed by fire.’” He stopped for a moment and looked down at his hands. Eleanor felt the emotion that crossed his face. He squeezed Dominick’s arm. “I’m glad that the legend lives on.”
Dominick pressed his hand against his brother’s shoulder, both caught up in the moment.
Eleanor watched the unspoken words that passed between them. These men were closer than any she’d ever seen. Randolf loved his brother. Randolf’s loss would be insurmountable, and there was no doubt that Dominick felt the same.
Dominick chuckled, breaking the heavy emotion of the moment. “Well, this legend is going to bed.” He stretched his back as he stood. Then reached out to Eleanor, who took his hand gladly. Together they walked arm and arm up to their chambers.
Once inside, Eleanor spied a pitcher of ale and a large basin of water. Martha. The woman always had her best interest at heart. A groan from her husband as he removed his tunic drew Eleanor’s attention back to him.
“Here, let me help you with that.” She ran over to remove the tunic the rest of the way. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?”
“My arms and legs are a bit sore.” He bent to unlace his boots, but she sat him down in a chair and began unlacing them for him. “Eleanor, I don’t need a hand maiden.”
“No, you just need someone to help you right now.” She pushed his shoulder back against the chair. “Be still, this is no hardship for me.”
An exhausted sigh blew out of his body. After removing his boots she set the water basin, soap and a cloth closer to him. “You might feel better when you wash away the grime of the fire.”
He caught her wrist before she turned away then pulled her between his knees. His intense gaze captured her heart.
“Eleanor, did you mean what you said tonight?”
She touched his face and softly brushed his hair from his brow. New tears stung her eyes. “Yes, Dominick. I love you. I'm sorry it took nearly losing you for me to realize it.”
His arms circled her waist, his head pressed against her breast. “I promise I will not make you regret it.”
A large lump formed in her throat. “I will hold you to that, my lord.” She pulled away, “Now wash, you smell like smoke.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Dominick’s heart leapt with gladness. Eleanor was in love with him. His mind repeated her words over and over again. Surrounded by flames in the stable, he believed that he would never live to see her again. Until then, when faced with death he had never felt fear. That night he nearly choked on it. He had so much to lose. His throat constricted at the thought.
Then, miraculously, Isolde had saved him from the fire, and just when he thought there were no more miracles to be had, Eleanor told him she loved him. He had all but given up hope of hearing those words from her mouth. The smile that drew his lips upward couldn’t be stopped. He placed the cool cloth across his face. The clang of metal hitting the floor startled him. He drew the cloth away. Another miracle. Eleanor had pulled his broadsword off the bed, and its weight had made her drop its tip against the floor.
“Eleanor, what are you doing?”
“We won’t be needing this any longer,” she said as she struggled to lean it against the table.
Dominick held his breath for fear he might be misreading her intentions. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
Pulling off her gown she stood before him in only her chemise. Walking closer, she took his hand and tugged him out of the chair. She moved his hand to her breast and pressed it there. “I have never been more sure of anything in my life, Dominick.”
His heart raced as the heat of her body penetrated her gown He looked down at her. Her green eyes spoke to him of her resolve. “But what of your fears?”
“My fears died in the fire when I nearly lost you.”
The void that only she could fill was getting smaller.
“Ah, my dove.” He bent down and kissed her.
Time stopped. Every moment he lived was in that instant. Her arms circled his neck, pulling him closer. Her hunger fueled his desire, yet he held rein on it. She pressed her body into his, sending shards of passion through his veins.
He broke from her only long enough to pick her up and carry her to their bed. As he laid next to her, he stroked her face and neck. Then he moved his hands cautiously down to her breast for fear she might still harbor bad memories. Their eyes never looked away from each other. Dominick wanted to memorize each caress, the softness of her lips, and the love glowing from her face.
Eleanor was consumed by the magic of the moment. She could not yet believe the miracle that had b
rought Dominick back to her from the fiery hell. Reaching up to touch his face, her fingers trailed down his neck, over his shoulders and across his chest. He closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. When he opened them again, they smoldered with passion. It was then she understood that because he loved her, she had all the power to move him with desire.
Her fingertips swept across a nipple, sending it into a tiny peak. A groan escaped his lips. Eleanor was surprised to find that she found great pleasure in giving him pleasure.
His hands moved gently on her breasts. His fingers fanned an unfamiliar flame in the pit of her stomach. Stroking her nipples, they peaked under the fabric. It was Eleanor’s turn to moan. The fabric of her chemise became an annoyance. She wanted to feel the warmth of his hand on her flesh. Moving away from him, she pulled up the gown and threw it over the side of bed, getting it as far away from her as possible. There was no self-consciousness when she lay before him naked. Every inch of her body craved his touch.
His mouth came down on hers like the hunger of a starving man. Their tongues dueled, sending wanton fire through her veins. He left her briefly to remove his breeches. She felt empty when he pulled away. Wanting to keep contact, she ran her hand down his spine.
His manhood was hard as steel when he lay back down. It made her heart stir with excitement. Tonight he would belong to her completely. Her hands traveled the length of his chest and hard stomach. He leaned over and sent a trail of kisses from the curve of her neck down to her shoulder. Her arms pulled him down next to her. He continued kissing her until he reached her breast. His tongue circled her nipples, taunting them and driving her insane with desire.
The fiery passion raged on as he stroked her thighs, kneading her hip and across her stomach, as his lips moved back to her neck. She raised her chin to give him greater access. With his hand he moved closer to her woman’s flesh. Her legs spread of their own accord, every nerve charged with the hot lightning of passion.
Immortal Love Page 18