Beneath the Shadows of Evil... Treasured

by Jolynn Raymond

  “I shall not allow this. You need to be able to nurse Katia as well and that will not be possible if your breasts are chewed to bits. Perhaps in time he will lessen the ferocity of his feeding when he comes to have more control, but for now, no.”

  “But he is mine.” Her voice was a wail. She truly was torn in two; having so hoped her plan would work and bring a new way to bond with her son.

  “And he shall continue to be in all ways, love. He knows you are his mother. You spend every moment you can with him, Alliana. I simply will not allow this. Tell me true. Do you truly wish to do this six or more times a day? What of Katia? I shan’t have your body damaged.”

  “I...” Looking down at her little Mikhalen, her heart breaking, she shook her head no. The action caused Mikhal no pain, only relief. She hadn’t rejected the child in his demon form. That wasn’t the case at all. There she was, still holding him close, vampire facade and all. It was a huge step in the right direction; unfortunately, further nursing would have to wait. At least now he didn’t have to fear her rejecting the child if Mikhalen happened to turn before the nurse could be summoned. Now he was certain that Alliana would cuddle him and soothe him until his meal arrived.

  “Please, love. Don’t be distressed. I know how much you love him and he does as well. I shall summon the nurse.”

  “No, I don’t think you need to. He isn’t truly hungry, I wanted to try and see if he would suckle in his human form if his belly was full.” Thankfully little Mikhalen had opened his mouth, and quickly, before he could bite down again, Alliana moved him away from her breast. He gave a small snarl, then calmed, turning back to his human facade. His belly was still full from the wet nurse an hour before; the act of being denied his mother’s breast wasn’t truly upsetting.

  Mikhal beamed; thrilled that Alliana was so very determined to keep Mikhalen with her, and also at her plan to nurse him. Granted it had failed, but that wasn’t the important point. He lay back down next to his family, leaning forward to gently bathe Alliana’s brutalized breast, stopping the blood and healing the wounds, once again hoping that his son could learn to be gentler in the future.

  As he sat back, lounging on his side, propped up on one elbow, Katia began to fuss. She’d been quiet and content all through her brother’s turn, but she would wait no more. As Alliana switched the places of her children, tucking Mikhalen close to her husband, Katia’s outrage increased, and for a moment Alliana was certain the scene from the day she had given birth to her twins was about to repeat itself, but cry as she might, Katia retained her sweet cherub face.

  “Now, now, angel. Maman is ready for you. Such a noisy bit of a girl you are. Here we go.” The babe eagerly latched onto Alliana’s breast and contentedly began to fill her belly as Mikhal watched in awe, the fascination and emotional feelings the scene before him instilled not waning a bit. Time after time it thrilled him to witness such an act of purity and love between his wife and his daughter.

  After a time, not able to simply watch the bonding taking place, but needing to be a part of it in any way he could, he sat up and picked up his son, cuddling the boy and edging closer to his wife, thinking as she did just a bit earlier that Sabina had to be mistaken. How could the sweet babe in his arms harm anyone let alone his sister? He couldn’t. It was that simple. Through love and persistence, they would raise Mikhalen to be an upstanding man with a good heart and strong morals.

  Settling back, eyes half-mast as he grew sleepy, Mikhal allowed himself just a few more minutes of peace, then reluctantly laid his son back on the bed. As he moved away from his family, intending to get up, he felt Alliana’s hand on his arm and turned to see her green eyes looking at him reproachfully.

  “Don’t go. Stay here with us. Tis warm and snug and we shall miss you.”

  “Ah, wife. You do tempt me so, but I have things that must be seen to.”

  “Natalya and Lucian?”

  “Yes.”

  “Remember my wishes, husband.”

  “I shall, but you should remember my words as well. I will do what I think is best for all involved and I do not mean to hear a peep out of you regardless of my final decision. Do not be so quick to forget the reprimand you so recently received.”

  Thinking back on the spanking and the lovemaking it had led to, Alliana blushed crimson.

  “I shan’t, and I shall hold true to my word, even if I don’t agree. With this issue anyway.”

  Mikhal narrowed his eyes and she rushed on.

  “And with all things when we are not alone. Tis only when we are away from prying ears that I shall state my views.”

  “Thank you, Alliana, tis what I wish to hear. Do you intend to stay here or would you like for me to send for a servant to help you back to your rooms?”

  “I wish for a servant.” Mikhal’s face fell a bit, unable to hide his disappointment, until Alliana smiled and continued. “Tis so the cradle can be moved here along with a few of my things.”

  “It does my heart good to hear such words, Alliana. I shall see to it at once, along with having the chambers next door prepared for you. They are joined with mine. Twas my mother’s.”

  “I should like that, Mikhal.”

  “Then it shall be done.” He moved to where she sat, still nursing Katia and placed a kiss upon her forehead. “I love you.”

  “And I love you, Mikhal. You have made me very happy.”

  “And I shall continue to for all of your days. I will return as soon as I am able. Goodbye, sweet.”

  “We shall be here.” She watched him go, her heart a flutter, happier than she had ever been in her life. Demon or no, she was married to a man who was a wonderful and understanding husband and father, and Alliana knew that was a lucky thing indeed.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  The heavy knock, when it came upon his chamber door, was most expected, followed of course by the immediate entry of Lord Arcos. The announcement of his arrival was done as a show of respect for Lucian’s position as first in command, but the immediate entry was done to assert the fact that Mikhal was Lord and Master in the castle.

  Lucian rose at once. He’d been sitting before the hearth, sipping a much needed mug of scotch to dull the pain of his shoulder, while thoughts of Natalya and the decision he’d left her with filled his head. What would the woman he intended to have as his say if and when Lord Arcos asked what she wished between them?

  He bowed his head slightly in deference to his master, and then stood at attention. “M’Lord.”

  “Tis time we talked Lucian. To say I was none too pleased with the events of this night is an understatement. You stepped outside of our laws by touching what is mine, and because of your actions a man from my wife’s clan had to be slaughtered. Tis not that I care about the fate of that stupid lout, but tis that my wife’s feelings are a delicate matter and the ensuing battle between you and Natalya’s husband was not good for her or my children’s welfare. It simply should not have taken place.”

  “My apologies My Lord, but if I may be frank, the man was an idiot who cared not for Mistress Natalya. He was determined to take her from here. I doubt you would have allowed that to happen, so be it I who fought him or you, the outcome would have been the same.”

  Mikhal lashed out at once, striking Lucian across the face for his impertinence. It mattered not that his words held some truth. The issue was that one, not even the first in command, did not speak so boldly to one’s Master.

  Lucian took the blow, harsh as it was, with the quiet dignity he was known for, his face impassive though his lip seeped blood. “Forgive me, Sire for my insolence. I must admit to the fact that the issue of Natalya has me quite agitated and is clouding my judgment.”

  “So be it, but in the future you will give your opinions of my actions and decisions when asked, not before.” Mikhal knew he was being harsh with Lucian, but it was something that had to be. He truly respected his first in command, but order had to be held in the castle and Lucian had broken the law of the
ir kind. Touching Natalya, kissing her, seducing her; then stating openly that he intended for the woman to be his couldn’t be left unpunished. It would not set a good precedence amongst his minions.

  “As you wish, Master. My first duty is to serve you.”

  “Your only duty is to serve me. Do not forget that. We shall discuss this situation between you and my wife’s friend, and then you shall be punished for your crime. Now sit down so we may reach some type of solution.”

  Both men sat before the hearth, Mikhal pouring himself a mug of scotch before Lucian did the same, splashing more of the amber liquid into his half full mug. They both took long drinks, in unison, and then looked at the fire, thinking over the words, the questions, the honest answers that had to be said.

  “The matter that makes me rage is not the one of you killing Natalya’s husband. To be honest, neither my wife nor Natalya seems overly upset by the matter and my children escaped the escapade unscathed. Twas your claim of the woman in question that enrages me; how dare you state that you will have her? How dare you be so bold as to tell everyone, in my presence nonetheless, that she would be yours?”

  “Twas the tender moments we shared and the fierceness of the fight. I was the winner and I claimed my prize. It wasn’t just, but the words came out all the same; to the victor goes the spoils.”

  “And Natalya is but the spoils of the fight? What are your intentions towards her? I have told you, no warned you repeatedly that she isn’t to be trifled with. I put my mark upon her to protect her from all, which includes you Lucian. What do you think my wife would say if her friend’s heart was shattered because you bedded her then shoved her to the side?”

  “No, My Lord. I have no intention of doing that. I... tis and odd feeling inside me, one that is hard to put words to for it has been so long since my human heart beat. I was a rake back then and my cavalier ways have continued through the ages, but she... Natalya has sparked something.”

  “Is it the sharing of blood? Perhaps that is what has made you so bold. You carry hers in your veins and perhaps now feel a bit of claim to her.”

  “I know not, Master. I feel responsible for her that is for certain. I will guard her life with my own, but there is something more, something down right disturbing if I am honest with you. The sight of her fills me with pleasure, the scent of her makes me crave her touch like no other woman, and to touch her sends me reeling. I am no boy, no untried lad, yet in her presence I feel quite odd. She has bewitched me.”

  “What of her bold ways? She has fire and I shall not see that dampened by a heavy hand. I have come to appreciate my wife’s temperament to a certain degree and I hesitate to allow you to claim Natalya for it takes much patience to tolerate such wit and a sharp tongue. You must keep one such as her in place with delicacy.”

  “M’Lord, I am well versed in Natalya’s ways through both experience with her temperament and by hearing her views time and again. I realize that she will never be fully tamed, and it is not my wish to tame her completely. I enjoy the fire inside her and do not want to curb her spirit. Granted as her mate there would be times when my will must be complied with, but I truly believe I enjoy her fire enough to be quite tolerant of it.

  “I confess that at times I find her openness shocking and irritating, but the honesty and passion that drives her make up for the frustration her stubborn ways may cause.”

  Mikhal’s eyebrows had risen after hearing Lucian speak of Natalya’s passion. “Tell me, just what have you done with my claimed female while I was away? Has it gone beyond the few kisses that you once adamantly denied even happened? The scene in her chambers tonight was one of two lovers on the verge of far more.”

  “I admit to touching her, but only when she has been clothed, kissing yes, that as well. I would not have completed the act.”

  Again Mikhal’s eyebrows rose, this time in disbelief. He knew very well how one’s loins could take control and send all matters of the mind to faraway places.

  “Sire, she is yours.”

  “And so you seem to have forgotten.”

  “I beg forgiveness for my indiscretion. I was wrong to touch what does not belong to me, but I also beg for your understanding and generosity. I have served you well, M’Lord, and have never asked for anything in return and I wish to continue to serve you for all of time, but now I ask that you grant me this one request in recognition of that service. I want Natalya to be mine. I wish to mate with her and have her joined to me for life. Please relinquish your claim. I swear you will not regret it. I give you my solemn oath.”

  What Lucian said was true. He had been loyal and wise throughout his years of service without asking for anything in return. Never making demands, never balking at orders, always seeing to the running of the castle with precise efficiency when he himself was unable. A lesser vampire, one without character could easily have attempted to take advantage of Mikhal with everything that had gone on since Alliana’s arrival, but not Lucian. Others had betrayed him. His own sister had defied their laws and turned her back on his wishes, but Lucian had stood at his side. Never had Mikhal doubted his first in commands word, and there was no reason he should do so now. True he had overstepped his bounds in regards to Natalya, but the blood they shared along with the lady’s beauty and intelligence made Mikhal understand why she had been so hard for Lucian to resist.

  He decided in the end that after having a brief talk with Natalya, he would grant the wishes of both his wife and the vampire before him. If Natalya seemed to want to be claimed by Lucian then so be it. He would place her in his first in commands very willing hands and then most likely sit back and watch in amusement as Lucian did his best to handle the fiery woman he’d mated for all time.

  “Very, well. I shall call for her now. If Natalya seems eager to join with you, then it shall be done. Mind you though, I am still Master here, and if I hear so much as one compliant about how Lady Natalya is being treated, mate or no, you will have me to deal with. All who reside here are under my rule, in all matters.”

  “Of course, Sire. I shall treat her well.”

  “If I didn’t believe that we would not be having this conversation. You would be in the dungeon as we speak. As it is, I should whip the skin from your back and feed it to you for your supper for daring to touch what is mine, but bearing in mind the situation, and considering the wishes of both women involved, I shall forgo a brutal punishment and be content with the knowledge that your days are going to be very, shall we say challenging, in the near future.”

  Lucian turned to gaze at Mikhal, shocked by his decision to allow him to go physically unscathed after he committed such a crime as this, but he said nothing, simply relieved that he wouldn’t be spending the next few hours under his Master’s lash. The thought that taking on the responsibility of Natalya with all the passion and frustration it entailed and the incredibly irritating times that may be to come did enter his mind, but Lucian dismissed them. He wanted her, good and bad. Her temperament could be curbed if only a bit to save him from being flayed by her words, and he didn’t wish to dampen her fire in the least. Far from it, he was most eager to fan the flames that burned in her very core.

  While Lucian was mulling over the turn of events, Mikhal went to the bell pull and told the answering servant to fetch the Lady Natalya at once, that done, he rose and stood before the fire to await his wife’s best friend. It wasn’t often that a woman had a say in her future, but Natalya was different. He truly did wish for her to be happy, and his wife’s happiness hinged on Natalya’s joy as well, therefore, it would be in his best interest to at least ask the lady what she wished for her future.

  Natalya arrived, looking nervous and flushed, her eyes darting back and forth between Mikhal and Lucian. The latter chose not to stand, as he didn’t want to intimidate her, wishing for her to be as much at ease as possible considering the situation.

  Lucian was actually glad that Mikhal had summoned the woman and was making her voice her choice. He was
tired of dancing around what he wanted, and to have it brought out in the open here and now was a good thing. Let her speak of her wish to be with him, or let it be done with. He couldn’t stand to be around her and not have her as his. If she denied wanting him for a mate then he would request that another take his place as her protector, at least for now. There was no reason for her to venture out at night and their enemies had been slain, Natalya wasn’t vulnerable anymore, at least during the light of day.

  In time perhaps he would once again be able to stay by her side and be the aloof rake he once was, but for now, he knew she would have to be avoided at all costs if she chose to keep Lord Arcos as her owner.

  “Do you know why you were summoned, Natalya?”

  “Yes, M’Lord.”

  “Tell me.”

  “You wish for me to speak of what I want in the matter of Lucian and I.”

  “That is correct. He killed your husband in a lawful battle, relinquishing that bond, but there is another that keeps you from being free. You have a choice to make and you shall make it now for I believe that what is in your heart will not benefit from having time to mull this over.

  “Tell me now, Natalya, which of us to do you choose to belong to. You must make a choice of one or the other, for having complete freedom is out of the question, not here within these walls.”

  Natalya looked at Lucian and then gazed at Mikhal, her eyes imploring him to give her more time or at least voice her wishes in private, but Mikhal would not relent.

  “Now, Natalya. Shall I govern you or do you wish to be mated to Lucian? What are your feelings for him?”

  “Sire, I value my freedom and you are very generous in that regards. It is something I treasure.”

  “So be it then, you shall remain mine.”

  “NO! Tis not what I meant, I... I wasn’t finished.”

  “Go on.” Lucian’s dead heart had twitched with pain when she had spoken of her freedom, but now it filled with hope.