Beneath the Shadows of Evil... Treasured

by Jolynn Raymond

  Hear me Osiris

  Hear me Death

  Hear me Del

  Let this creature of darkness into your realm

  Cast out his life

  Let it pass

  Let him cross over

  Let him live anew

  Hear me now!

  The heart under Katia’s palm burst even as her finger trembled and sparked, her magick animating the flesh that once was Earth and dust. She took Mikhal’s head in her hand and tilted it back, then opened his mouth. She reached inside herself, casting deep for her power, seeking to harness the air and breathe new life into her papa’s lungs as she pressed her lips to his and blew out.

  His body was still as only death could be, his skin fragile, so near to being the dust that his kind became when they were slain. She breathed again, then lifted her head and called out in a voice neither her husband nor her maman recognized. It was a voice borne of her magicks, borne of the powerful Drabenji she had become in her life. A Gypsy healer but so much more, a woman powerful beyond belief, one able to master the elements, to make them bow to her will.

  “I beseech you

  Let him live

  You have his life eternal

  Give me what I seek

  Return his flesh to live anew

  Let him cross over”

  Her fingers curled over Mikhal’s heart as she bent again to breathe the breath of life into her father, summoning all of her power as she did so, controlling the dust of his body, controlling the air that renewed his life’s breath, moving the water in him, the blood, commanding it to move through him and give him life.

  “Let him cross over!”

  Her voice was guttural, a low growl that dared to command the spirits and Death. Nothing existed beyond the circle and the ritual taking place inside it. Immortality had vanished, and in its place came the spark of life. Katia felt an answering spark to the power that emanated from her hand. She cried out in joy and again bent to breathe life into her papa as her magick harnessed the very air and filled Mikhal’s lungs. She felt the flutter of his heartbeat against the heel of her hand and spread her fingers wide, coaxing it, trying to empower it, but helpless to do so. The part of Mikhal that had been near dust when his undead existence had left him was now flesh, and flesh was out of her control. His flesh depended on those she had called upon.

  “Del embrace the life that comes forth

  Death, return be gone

  Take that which was given

  Osiris, close the gate.”

  Once more Katia gave her father the breath of life, and was rewarded with the flutter of his heart becoming a steady beat. Tears flowed down her cheek, as the beating remained strong. Mikhal trembled, then coughed, and then gasped for air, breathing in that which his dead lungs hadn’t needed in over a hundred years. His eyes fluttered open and color stained his cheeks, chasing away the pallor of death, as his heart beat and spread warm blood throughout his body.

  Alliana made to rise from her chair, but Emillian placed a restraining hand upon her arm and shook his head. Katia’s success and Mikhal’s life were too new, too fragile. He was afraid Alliana would break the spell before Death was surely gone.

  Mikhal coughed again and blinked rapidly, he was filled with confusion. Pain raced through his body as the spark of life rejuvenated him. He turned his head to see his mate, and then looked up at Katia, his brain slow to connect with what had happened.

  “Papa? Oh papa. It worked.” Her tears bathed his face as they flowed freely down her cheeks. Katia looked up at her maman and her husband, nodding, smiling, through her tears. She took another chalice full of pure spring water she had made ready and held it to her father’s lips, then dipped her fingers in it and touched his temples, the pulse point in his neck, his chest over his heart, as she said the words to thank the God of Old Del for keeping them safe and for his part in answering her request.

  She poured the rest of the water unto Mikhal’s chest, sluicing away some of the blood, then rose and blew out each of the white candles, saying thanks once again as she did so, and then turned to her maman and husband.

  “He needs rest. The bed is ready but he needs to be cleaned off. I told the kitchen to make a broth. Emillian can you...”

  “Katia, is there any more magick needed?” Her mother’s voice quivered, but she had the look of a woman who was ready to be strong in order to protect the one she loved no matter what may lay ahead.

  “No maman.”

  “He needs all the care one would give an ailing or weak man, nothing more?”

  “Yes, I mean no. No more magick, he’s weak.”

  “Then let me care for my husband. Send a girl up with the broth and something for me as well. I must eat though I am too stunned to feel hungry.” Alliana saw the look of hurt in Katia’s eyes and guessed that the hurt was because she felt as if she were being dismissed.

  “Baby, what you did is... wonderful. I can hardly believe it. I don’t have enough thanks to give, but you said yourself he needs quiet. Let me tend my husband and we will call for you when he is able. You know how grateful he’ll be. Katia, this was his most fervent wish, just let him rest for now.”

  Emillian had risen along with Alliana. After Alliana stripped the wet clothing from Mikhal and wrapped him in a bath sheet, he helped her get Mikhal to his feet, allowing her the most contact with the confused man though he bore much of Mikhal’s weight. They led him to the bed and laid him down, and Alliana quickly covered Mikhal with the fresh linen and furs. Even though his body was covered with a mound of furs, Mikhal began to tremble.

  “Alliana, ... cold, so cold.”

  Mikhal had been immune to changes in temperature for over a hundred years, his vampire body feeling heat and cold, but impervious to it. Now his body was like that of a babe. Everything was new, the vitality that had been resurrected was taking hold and had breathed life back into him, but his living flesh was new and tender.

  “Katia, send for a servant to stoke the fire, and make certain they hurry with the broth. Is there a tonic that he needs? He is so weak.”

  “It’s already here by the bed, maman. It will give him strength. I’ve not done this ritual before, but Natalya’s note forewarned of this. He will quickly regain his strength, but his body will injure easily. In his vampire state he healed himself, now he cannot. I imagine the sun will burn papa easy as well, but not like before.”

  Alliana’s eyes widened in shock at Katia’s mention of the sun, but then they filled with wonder. Mikhal was human again. He could die, but he could also enjoy the wondrous feeling of sunshine. “I… Thank you Katia. Is there anything else?”

  “No maman, at least not that I know of. I read Natalya’s words over and over to be certain all was prepared. Just treat him as if he is recovering from a harsh sickness. The confusion should pass and so will the weakness. I don’t know how long it will take.”

  “Then we shall be fine. I’ll send for you if we need anything, otherwise, we will see you when your papa is feeling better.”

  Katia again looked hurt but she nodded and turned to go. “Katia” Her name was said in a near whisper and quivered with the effort it took Mikhal to speak, but it made Katia stop in her tracks. She turned and came back to the bed, dropping to her knees at its side and taking her papa’s outstretched hand.

  “Katia, you did well. Thank you.” She looked up into her papa’s deep blue eyes, and saw happiness and pride there. It was more than enough to chase away any feelings of being dismissed.

  “Thank you papa. You need to rest. Please do as maman says.”

  Mikhal only nodded, his eyes becoming heavy, just that simple bit of exertion overpowering his strength. He closed his eyes, grateful that his family was with him.

  Katia slipped her hand from his and quietly left the room with Emillian. Alliana directed the servants as they fed the hearth and brought the broth, hot spiced wine, and more furs. When they were gone and she had fed Mikhal nearly the entire bowl and had a
morsel of bread and cheese as well, she stripped bare and crawled under the mound of furs, snuggling up against her husband, feeling the heat of his body for the first time.

  He stirred, feeling her silky skin against him, and they wrapped each other up in loving arms, she nuzzling his chest, he burying his face in her hair. Mikhal nuzzled her as well, parting her hair and kissing the mark of claim upon her neck. To both of their delight, the familiar sensation shot through them both. It was a thrum upon every nerve, their blood connection of mate to mate still strong. It had survived his transformation. They were still truly bound for life, and now their lifetimes would both be measured in years. He would not lose her and face an eternity alone.

  They whispered of love in the darkness, Alliana having pulled the drapes around the bed closed, sealing them in their warm and loving haven, and though Mikhal no longer had eyes that pierced the darkness, or ears that could hear each beat of Alliana’s heart as it fluttered in her pulse point, he heard her words and felt her emotion.

  Mikhal drifted off into a deep sleep, and Alliana followed soon after. They slept deeply; both of their ordeals had been frightening, the uncertainty of Mikhal’s fate had been oppressive upon them both. Alliana was attuned to her husband even in sleep, and woke whenever he stirred, getting him anything he needed, seeing that he ate, and drank of the tonic. She was also seeing to it that he continued to rest despite the fact that he wished for other things when he was feeling stronger and felt his wife’s nude body curled up beside him. Finally, two days into their seclusion, Mikhal refused to be put off any longer. The servants had brought up a steaming bath, in the tub that was large enough to fit them both. Though Alliana had planned to help Mikhal bathe then put him back in bed, he had other plans. He was feeling stronger, much stronger, and his need for her was intense.

  Smiling his most charming smile to put her off guard, Mikhal reached up and pulled her into the tub when she turned her back to fetch the soap. Alliana shrieked then burst out with laughter as she landed on his lap, the water sloshing over the side. It soaked her thin dressing gown, making it transparent, and Mikhal wrapped her up tighter and pulled one delectable nipple into his mouth fabric and all. Laughter turned to whimpers of pleasure as Mikhal masterfully stroked her body and alternated between kisses that fiercely possessed her lips and then lit fires along their path as he kissed her neck, breasts, and suckled each nipple.

  Alliana felt his hard shaft pressing upon her bottom and wiggled the best she could in the wet cloth that bound her, wrapping her arms around his neck, answering each fierce kiss with one just as wild. She pressed her palm against his chest and thrilled to feel the pounding of his heart, the heat of him still gave her untold enjoyment. They petted and kissed, and loved each other in the darkened room by the light of the fire.

  At some point the dressing gown was peeled from her body and tossed aside and soap was retrieved, making their caresses slippery and even more enticing. They soaped each other, and then rinsed, still a mass of loving arms and wandering hands; finally Mikhal moved Alliana off his lap and stood. He bent to pick her up, intending to lift her out and wrap them both in the bathing sheet, but a wave of fatigue made him dizzy. Alliana saw him sway and leapt up at once, steadying him, a look of fear and worry clouding the blaze of passion in her eyes.

  Mikhal held onto her but smiled his cocky grin to try and put her at ease, even going so far as to move to lift her again, but Alliana protested.

  “Mikhal, you will do no such thing. Let us get out and dry. You need to be back in bed.”

  “I may not be as strong as I’d like wife, but you’ll not deny me. I have a powerful need for you.”

  “I’m not saying I don’t wish to love you, Mikhal, just that you should let me help you back into the bed.”

  “I’ll not be coddled.”

  “Coddling isn’t what is on my mind.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed him hard, making her own need clearly known. “Now let me help you.”

  He complied with a growl that she’d heard a million times before, and suspected she would hear a million times more as he adjusted to his new weaker body. It was more than clear that Marishka’s use of the ritual that had given life to Mikhal would indeed leave an enemy weak, but this was what he’d wanted. There was a price to pay for this gift of life, and it had been the great strength and immortality he’d had as a creature of darkness.

  They rubbed each other with the bathing sheet taking extra time in the places that stoked the flames that had been built in the tub. Soon kissing ensued and the toweling was forgotten. Arm and arm they went to the bed, pausing every few steps to kiss and hold each other. Mikhal could finally take no more and lifted his mate into his arms. She sputtered but he silenced her with fierce kisses and laid her on the bed. His intent had been to fall upon her and ravish her with wild abandon, but the weakness overcame him again though he did his best to ignore it, it turned his fierce passion into one that was slow and sweet.

  Hands stroked, lips nibbled, kisses, and moans of pleasure spilled from their lips. Alliana grasped her hand around his hard silken shaft and stroked him, needing him desperately. Both wanted their loving to last, but the emotions of the past days were filling them with an intense need to be joined as one. This was a new joining, one of flesh to flesh, it was wild and wonderful yet deeply emotional as well. Mikhal was warm and alive. His breath caressed her skin, the heat of his cock pulsed in her hand and his warm fingers slid between the lips of her cunny, teasing and sliding in the wetness that attested to her readiness.

  The time for foreplay was gone, they had played in the tub, loved and teased as they walked to the bed, caressed and kissed upon the sheets, and now it was time to complete their joining. Mikhal rolled Alliana onto her back, one hand coming up to tangle in her hair, the other holding her open as he thrust forward and buried himself in her scorching depths. His arm wrapped around her hips, tilting her up as his lips found hers.

  It was a tender mating, slow measured thrusts, ones full of reverence and love. Alliana marveled at the heat of him inside her and it made her thrill with the knowledge of his renewed life. Never before had his body had seed that could create. Their one act that had resulted in the twins was borne of magic, but now, now he was alive.

  “Mikhal, you can give me a child.” The words were whispered and made him stop. He held himself still and looked down at her, the firelight catching the tears in her eyes. The thought of creating a child in her belly was overwhelming. He’d often wished he’s been able to give her more children and now that wish could come to pass. He was alive, alive and full of vitality. The knowledge thrilled him and he began to move within her again, slowly, ever so slowly, all of his love and pride of her, his reverence showing in each movement.

  They moved together in the age old dance, her rising up to meet him, he thrusting deep but soft and slow. It was a tender dance, one that was slow and sweet. There was no fierceness, not rush, no frenzy; it was the dance of blissful and complete love.

  When she was crying out and moaning with each of his thrusts and he felt the walls of her womb fluttering, signaling her orgasm, Mikhal increased his pace and wrapped her ever so tight in his arms. Lips claiming lips, bodies joined completely, small swift movements of his hips rubbing her clit and sending them both over the edge.

  Alliana felt his hot seed deep inside her and made a silent wish for a child to be created from their union. She clung to Mikhal like a child who had been lost, holding him fiercely as she tumbled through the incredible feeling of pleasure rushing through her. He pumped once, twice, and then shuddered, clinging to her as well. Raining kisses down upon her lips and face, loving her, kissing the tears upon her cheeks, and knowing how very deeply she was feeling the joy of their love. This time was different. It held a meaning it hadn’t before. They would be together in life and perhaps again in death for eternity. He would never be a lost soul existing forever without her. She was his now and forever.

  Mikhal held Alliana and ro
cked her, giving sweet kisses and whispered words of love. He told of how he cherished her, how she meant all to him, how he loved her so very much. She answered in kind, kissing holding, nuzzling softly as they both drifted off to sleep wrapped in the safety of each other’s arms. They slept the sleep of the deeply content, the sleep of those who are at peace and those who are surrounded by love.

  When she woke, Alliana slipped out from the tangle of Mikhal’s arms, careful not to wake him. She opened the heavy drapes over the window and saw pale daylight peeping through the cracks of the nailed shut shutters. Smiling, she went back to the bed and roused her sleeping husband with kisses, then scooted out of his reach when he made to pull her back in bed.

  “Come here wife, you are a tease.”

  “No, I wish for you to get up. Come with me. I have a surprise.”

  “Could it be that my nurse is going to allow me to set foot out of these chambers?” Mikhal placed his hand upon his chest and opened his eyes wide in mock shock, making her laugh and shake her head.

  “Yes, tis simply a small bit of walking I will require of you. We’ve been abed for a long time and you proved your renewed vigor last night. Now come, husband.” She grabbed his arm and pulled. He made one more attempt to grab her but she was quicker. He gave in, knowing he would grant her what she wished anyway. Besides, he was thrilled to see her so happy once again. The shadow of Natalya’s death was gone from her eyes at least for now.

  They dressed quickly, and Alliana took his hand, leading him out the door of the chamber and down the hall. His eyebrows rose in surprise when they came to the door that led to the inner courtyard. “Alliana, what?”