The Immortal Takes a Wife

by Pamela Labud

  Seeing them together made her heart ache for her new husband. She wanted that sort of life for them both. It was so unfair that they would be likely pulled apart.

  Missing him more by the minute, she searched the hall for her groom. Realizing that he was nowhere to be seen, she scanned the entrance to the coatroom where she’d left him.

  “Speaking of my errant husband,” she said, “have either of you seen him lately?”

  “Not for a while,” Max answered. “Said something about sending the bounty hunter on his way.”

  “I did see him headed in that direction,” Holly said.

  Fiona’s chest began to ache as panic started to rise within her. “It can’t be,” she started, heading for the coatroom.

  “What can’t be?” Max asked.

  “What’s going on?” Holly tugged her husband’s sleeve. “What has your wooden-headed brother done now?”

  “I’m afraid he’s gone and tried to be a hero, the stupid lout.”

  Fiona didn’t look back at them, anguish and fear now spinning inside of her, but ran through the crowd.

  “Matty?” she called out and then turned to the ghostly servant who was manning the desk. “The groom—did you see him go outside?”

  “That I did, Ma’am. Said he had an errand to run.”

  “No,” Fiona stumbled to the door, her eyes filling with tears, her heart shattering in her chest. “It can’t be.”

  “That rat,” Holly said suddenly beside her. “I can’t believe he did this to you.”

  “I can,” Max said. He turned to Fiona. “Sweetie, I know this hurts, but I rather understand him. Truth be told, I wish I didn’t.”

  “Why?” Was the only word she could manage through her sobs.

  “He loves you, Fiona, and fool that he is, and believe me, he is one of gigantic proportions, he thinks he’s saving you from more pain. This way, if the plan doesn’t work, then you don’t have to watch them take him. Rather noble, even for him.”

  “No,” Fiona sniffed, dragging her lace sleeve across her face. “He is not going to get away with deserting me again. I don’t care what his reason is.”

  Holly took pulled her into an embrace. “I know how you feel, and whatever you decide, Max and I are with you.”

  Looking at both of them, she swallowed back her emotions. “I want to be there with him, no matter what.”

  “I don’t blame you at all,” Max said. “If we do get him out of this, I say we beat him soundly.”

  Fiona couldn’t help a small laugh. “Trust me, there won’t be enough left of him when I’m through. Lucky he’s an Immortal, because I’m going to kill him.”

  “Good,” Max said. “I’ll get the car.”

  “He’s a good one,” Fiona said, watching Max leave.

  “I know that Matty is, too,” Holly said.

  Fiona sniffled, tears finished for that moment. “Well, you can believe I’m about to remind him.”

  #

  It was full nightfall by the time Matty and Hawke had arrived at the rendezvous spot. The empty parking lot had only a single dingy, yellow streetlight to illuminate the area. There was a heavy cloud cover over head and Matty felt claustrophobic from the oppressive atmosphere.

  Having parked half a mile down the road, they walked a dirt path around the parking area, and found a spot on a slight rise in order to observe the area better.

  “You can thank the Druids for such crappy air. They do it for dramatic affect. Think that it makes their victims feel helpless.”

  Matty chuckled. “It’s working.”

  There were at least six Druids below, four of them in brown robes, one in a burnt orange and the last one gold. They were standing in a semi-circle, and in the center Remmington stood facing them all.

  Hawke nodded to Matty and motioned for them to move closer. “I’ve set up a magic band around us.” He whispered. “Hopefully, it will keep us hidden and not alert them to our presence.”

  “What’s the point? I mean, we’re going to have to face them sooner or later, right?”

  The bounty hunter looked over his shoulder. “I’d like to know what we’re up against, is all.” He looked back to the lot. “Don’t worry. You’ll get your chance at them.”

  “I’m thinking it’ll be the other way around, but okay.” Matty settled in behind him. “What do you see?”

  “It’s just Remmington talking to them is all.”

  “Well, that’s disappointing.”

  Just then they heard a branch snap behind them. Matty turned and was face to face with the business end of a rifle. Glancing over, he saw that Hawke was facing the same thing.

  “Hello, mates,” Matty said.

  Minutes later, they’d been walked down to the parking lot and soon stood in front of the Druid council.

  “What do you know,” Remmington growled. “My traitorous bounty hunter has finally owned up to his obligations.” He turned to the Druid robed in gold. “Now, give me my payment and I’ll be on my way.”

  “Not so fast,” Hawke said. “Before you consign my friend to an eternity of Druid service, you at least can come clean on what exactly you’ve been up to.”

  The bondsman grimaced. “Shut your mouth, loser. You’ve brought the lowlife now get out before something happens to you, too.”

  Matty coughed and stepped forward. “As the lowlife in question, I’d like to point out that, my friend here, Mr. Hawke is half werewolf and half warlock. When he’s got his dander up, he can be quite testy. I wouldn’t attract his ire, if I were you.”

  “Matthew Hyland?” The gold Druid said. “You have come to surrender yourself as per the contract you signed?”

  “Not exactly, sir.” Sending a knowing expression to Hawke, he cleared his throat. “I was induced into signing that document because our friend here, Mr. Remmington, is in the business of acquiring volunteers for your legion illegally. He would drug them, knock them on the head and then produce them for you, biddable and neatly procured.”

  “How the recruits come to us, is not of import. We need men for our forces abroad. For you, Mr. Hyland, we paid an exorbitant price. We find Immortals to be most useful on the battlefield.”

  “I’m sure you do. For the record, I’ve been a soldier on the battlefield, many times. As it happens, I don’t like it and have made it my policy to not engage in war ever again.”

  Hawke stepped forward. “I thought the Druids were a moral and upstanding race of magical beings. How can you perpetuate such a crime by allowing it to continue?”

  The gold Druid looked to his companions. “In the past century, we’ve had issues with protecting our interests. Our magic, while strong, can only keep our enemies at bay for so long. Because of our rising number of casualties, we have had need to replenish our forces. Such circumstances make it impossible for us to adhere to the strict letter of the law. At times there must be latitude. These are desperate times.”

  “So, that’s it?” Hawke said. “You choose which laws you want to follow, now?”

  Matty saw the bounty hunter’s anger increasing, not only by his taking a fighting stance, but also the stirring of magic around him. The air began to smell of burnt oranges and air around him take on crimson cast.

  “Hey,” Matty said, starting toward his friend. “This is not the way to deal with it. Leave here and report it to the authorities. Get Remmington shut down.”

  “What about you? You’re just giving up?”

  Matty sighed. “I know you think I’m wrong, but ultimately, I’d let myself get in that position.” He shook his head. “Sadly, that wasn’t the first time. I’ve always been a reckless sort, you know. It was bound to catch up with me sooner or later.”

  “You are such a jerk,” Hawke said. “What about Fiona? Don’t you care how much this will hurt her?”

  “She’s the reason I’m doing this. I mean, don’t get me wrong. It was great playing the groom, thinking that I cou
ld be a good husband to her. Too bad, that’s not me.”

  “Everything we are is based on the choices we make. Don’t do this to yourself, to her.”

  “You act like I really have a choice? Yes, I was hoodwinked by the bondsmen and the Druids, but what’s done is done. Just promise me you won’t let anything happen to Fiona, Max and Holly. They’re what’s important here.”

  With that, he turned to the Druids. “I’m ready to go with you now.”

  Standing straight, he took one step forward and then another.

  “Don’t do this,” Hawke yelled behind him. “You can fight this.”

  “Wow, it’s really hard being a responsible guy. I think I have new respect for my brother.”

  Before him, the Druids waited. The gold one held up his staff with one hand and reached out with the other. All Matty had to do was take it, and they would transport him.

  At the brink of reaching out, he stopped. It was crazy, but he couldn’t seem to take that next step.

  “Mathew Hyland, if you take one more step, I will never forgive you…”

  Turning around, he saw her. Fiona was standing at the edge of the asphalt, still dressed in her wedding gown, she was holding her bouquet, her veil thrown back over her head. But she was full on wolf girl, her body changed, muscles more defined, eyes narrow and sharp, her stance that of an animal ready for a fight.

  “Send her away,” the gold Druid said behind him. “We will not suffer interference. We will end her if we need to.”

  Matty’s mouth went dry. There was only one thing to do. He was going to have to break her heart, this time for real and forever.

  “Let me go to her. I’ll convince her to leave.”

  The gold Druid nodded, and the spell around them weakened.

  “Fiona, my love…” he began.

  #

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Furious at being left behind, Fiona now stood just feet away from Matty, and watching him turn himself in, nearly broke her in half.

  “You left me,” she said. “I thought we were doing this together.”

  She watched as he settled himself, walking over to her, his manner changed somehow. He was no longer the man she’d loved, or at least the one she’d loved recently. The Immortal had a cockiness to his step, an arrogance that was a side of him she’d rarely seen, and never seen directed toward her.

  “You shouldn’t have come, Fiona. I’m telling you, it’s better if you didn’t have to watch.”

  “No. You and I are going to fight this.”

  He laughed, now standing in front of her. “There is no fighting, love. I want this.”

  Stunned, she stepped back. She could hardly believe her ears. “No, you don’t. That’s them telling you…”

  “Fi. I wasn’t completely honest with you. I did sign that agreement, and I think it’s for the best.”

  “You’re lying.” She pushed down a sob. “You married me.”

  “Of course, I did, and it was good fun while it lasted,” he glanced to where Max and Holly were waiting by the car. “Wasn’t it, brother? I mean, you and I have never been closer.”

  “Matty,” Max began. “This isn’t you, brother.”

  “Oh, that’s where you’re wrong. It very well is me. I did a bang up job playing the good guy, didn’t I? I was a dashing groom, and you the beautiful bride. But, it was never serious, love. Admit it, I’m a dashing groom, but I’d make a terrible husband.”

  “No,” Fiona shook her head. The old Matty was there, time after time, building her up only to disappoint her again and again. “This can’t be.”

  “But it is, my love. Look, we were never going to make it. I do love you, but I’m not that guy. I never have been.”

  “You’re wrong,” she said, though her words sounded weak even to her own ears. “We are meant to be together.”

  “That’s the thing, Fi. It was great fun, but I don’t want to be with you anymore. Now, please. Go back to your life. You can stay married to me in name if you want, though I’m sure you’ll meet the right guy sooner or later.”

  Fiona wanted to scream at him, to refuse and force him to tell the truth. It was clear. He didn’t want her, and maybe he never had. She’d been a fool to think otherwise.

  “Right.” She took another step back. “I was a fool, after all. But we could have been so good.”

  Fiona started to turn away, to leave him and all of this behind her forever. But, she couldn’t help herself because she saw the one thing that told her the truth of it all. For, when he turned her, when he likely thought she wasn’t looking at him, she saw the look of pain in his eyes.

  She knew the truth of him, after all. He did love her and by rejecting her, he was trying to keep her safe. To make it easier for to her hate him and go on with her life.

  “Why are you hesitating?” He asked.

  “Because, you are a very bad liar. I told you. I love you and I’m going to stay with you until the very last of it.”

  “You’re wrong. I’m not worth it, Fiona. I never have been, and I never will be.” He looked down at his feet. “I don’t deserve happiness, Fi. I’ve been a screw up my whole life and tonight is has finally caught up with me. I don’t deserve you.”

  “You’re wrong,” She said, walking toward him once again. “I don’t know who hurt you, to make you always run away, but they were wrong. You have worth.”

  “Please,” he said, pulling her into his arms, kissing her gently on her cheek. “You’ve got to go, or they will hurt you.”

  The frustration of it all was too much. “I don’t want to be without you.”

  “Same here, but we’ve no choice, my love.”

  For a moment they stood there, arm in arm, and aching for each other, and Fiona knew she was powerless to stop any of this.

  “Let me walk with you,” she said at last. “I want to hold you until the very last second.”

  He sighed, and she felt the moist heat of his breath on her cheek. “It would be easier to go if you weren’t here.”

  Fiona kissed him. “You, more than anyone, know that I am not about easy.”

  Matty chuckled. “You are right about that, my love.”

  With that, she threaded her right hand into his, “Let’s show these Druids what they’re up against.”

  Max and Holly walked to stand beside them.

  “So, brother,” Max said, “we’re here for you. I’m quite the negotiator, and Holly is a pretty hefty magic wielder. She’s got her scythe, which is a remarkable deterrent.”

  “Thank you,” Matty said. “Both of you.”

  Fiona watched him look once more at those gathered at the other side of the parking lot. “Well, dear, we shouldn’t keep our friends waiting.”

  “As usual, my dear, you are right.”

  “Good man,” Fiona heard Max say behind them.

  Facing forward, they began their walk toward destiny. One thing she knew for sure, she was not going to give him up without a fight.

  #

  It was by far the most terrifying thing he’d ever done. Matty, an Immortal who’d faced down many an enemy over the years, he’d been stabbed and shot, drown on a couple of occasions, but nothing scared him as much as facing the Druids. They were likened to a cult, and yet, far beyond that. They had powerful magic, the kind that had changed the world centuries earlier.

  “You have wasted our time,” the leader said. “It is past time for you to come with us.”

  “Yes, about that.”

  Remmington stepped into the circle. “Wait a minute, there. He goes nowhere until I get paid.” He reached over to grab Matty, but Fiona was there, full wolf-woman. “You touch him, and you deal with me.”

  He stepped back. “I just want my money.”

  Hawke came forward. “You don’t get it, Drax. You’re done here. They’re not going to pay you.”

  “Really?” He laughed. “You have no say in any of
this. Don’t worry. I’ll deal with you later. There’s still a score between us.”

  “Actually,” Matty said. “They don’t have any intention of paying you, because in their eyes, you violated the law, our law that is, so if they pay you it’s against their moral code.” He turned to the Druid leader. “Am I right?”

  “You are correct. We cannot be connected to any criminal enterprise.”

  “No. I’ve worked too hard, taken too many risks to get sent off without my money,” he said.

  “Furthermore, Mr. Remmington,” Matty added. “I doubt they’ll want to do any more business with you. So, you’re going to have to find another line of work.”

  “If I were you, Mr. Remmington,” Hawke said. “I’d leave town. It seems you have a horde of Goblins and Hobgoblins hot on your trail. You might just make it out alive if you leave now.”

  Remmington looked from the Druids and back again. “Fine.” With that he stormed off, like dutiful puppies, his men followed him to the road.

  “Gee,” Matty said, “I miss him already.”

  “Now,” the gold Druid spoke up. “Say your good-byes, Immortal. It is time to go.”

  Matty looked at Fiona, and knew where his heart was, where it had always been and where it would always be. With her.

  “I’m not going,” he said at last. “You obtained that contract illegally, and as such I’m not bound to follow it.”

  “We have a binding agreement. You cannot refuse.”

  “Oh, but I can. I’m not going with you. My new bride and I are going back to our room at the inn, and we are going to begin our lives together.”

  “You give us no choice, we will take you by force. Anyone who tries to interfere will be destroyed.”

  “I don’t think so,” Holly said, stepping forward. She’d slipped on her black robe and now held her death scythe. “I’m the only one who has a say about dying, and I can tell you, it won’t be any of us. Go back to your realm and leave this one alone.”