SeductivePersuasion

by Frances Stockton

  “Edwina, take some to the healer,” Zotikos further ordered.

  “Must I? You know I dislike her.”

  “Do my ears deceive me? Did you question me?”

  “Nay,” Aisley said. “Leave her be.”

  “Be very careful, woman. You shouldn’t meddle in matters that do not concern you. You’ve much to worry about as it is,” Zotikos warned.

  Aisley lowered her head. “Forgive me for interfering.”

  Zotikos glared at Edwina. “Do as I say, wife.”

  “As you wish, m’lord,” Edwina bid.

  Edwina was trembling by the time she brought Aisley a hunk of dark bread.

  “Are you hurt, Edwina?” Aisley asked.

  “You needn’t worry, witch.”

  “Are you certain? I see the mark he has left on your face. I saw you limp. You are hurt and your husband is responsible. A man so cruel is not a true husband.”

  “I provoked him,” Edwina said. “I’ll not speak against him.”

  Aisley shook her head, wanting to help the other woman. “I can help you if you let me.”

  Edwina tossed the bread in Aisley’s lap. “I am now Lady Welford, I need nothing from you. You’ve been raising my niece to become a witch. Soon, all will know what you’ve done.”

  “I thought Angelica was your daughter.”

  “I meant my daughter,” Edwina corrected. “Being near you confounds me.”

  “Is it I that discomfits you, or your husband?”

  “I warn you, witch, if you continue to say such things, I shall have him beat you!”

  With shaking hands, Aisley bit into the dark bread. Finding it dry, she swallowed and wished for some wine or mead to wash it down.

  “Thank you for the food. I know it was difficult for you to bring it to me.”

  “You know nothing.”

  “I do know one thing,” Aisley prodded, lowering her voice. “If you tell your husband to leave you, he must go. If you don’t believe me, test him. Tell him you want him to leave you…see what happens. Be strong Edwina. Don’t let him hurt you again.”

  Edwina glared at Aisley, then straightened and walked away, limping as she went.

  “You did very well,” Zotikos praised Edwina.

  “I mean only to please you, m’lord,” his wife replied.

  “Won’t you come and sit beside me? We can share my meal.” Zotikos patted the ground next to him.

  Edwina suddenly halted. “I wish to remain here.”

  “Edwina, this is not the behavior of a baroness,” he rebuked. “I’m ordering you to come here!”

  Edwina trembled. “Treat me in such a way and I’ll—”

  “I know what the healer told you,” he interrupted. “It would be unwise of you to try.”

  “What would happen if I did?” she asked, her hand to her cheek. “You promised never to strike me and you did. I can never trust you again.”

  “You really don’t want to know what will happen if you disobey me. It would ruin everything you’ve come to enjoy as my wife.”

  Lowering her hand, she lifted her chin. Where she found the courage to face her husband, Aisley couldn’t say, but the whole encampment stayed silent as the Baroness finally spoke. “I don’t want you as my husband. I want you to leave.”

  Zotikos shrank back the moment ‘leave’ left Edwina’s lips. He looked frightened, as if those simple words had taken his courage.

  “Edwina, what do you mean by this?” he demanded.

  “Sss…sorry…mm…m’lord,” she stuttered. Hearing herself, her hands flew to her ears. “Na…! What…aping t’me?”

  “It’s her!” Zotikos blasted, pointing at Aisley. “You cast a spell upon my wife. Lady Welford cannot speak.”

  “The healer needs disciplining!” Sedgewick Haywood shouted.

  “Edwina, tell him again,” Aisley urged.

  Edwina managed to mutter, “Go, go…”

  “Nay!” Again, Zotikos drew back, fury aging his face.

  “Look at him,” Johnson mumbled, pointing.

  “Bloody hell, Welford ages as we look upon him,” Dutton grimaced.

  “She’s cursed the Baron!” Sedgewick pronounced.

  “Nay, I didn’t, Sedgewick. If you tell Zotikos to go, he must leave,” Aisley said.

  “Sedgewick, help me. I’ve given you everything. Do not forget what I’ve taught you about Danford and the healer. Find her mark. Check her neck if you must.”

  “Aye, milord.” Sedgewick stormed toward Aisley. “Stand, healer!”

  Aisley tried to do as ordered, but weakness held her fast to the ground. Just as Sedgewick grasped her shoulders, pain sliced down her spine, rushing outward from her rib cage to her limbs. Helpless to fight the pain, she let Sedgewick lift her to her feet.

  “Take back your words or I’ll reveal your marks,” he threatened.

  Aisley refused. She had to continue the fight, for she knew Garrick was changing into his leopard form. As difficult as the pain was, it was also a miracle. She could feel his change, his weakness had abated and she could feel waves of reassurance and confidence coming from him. He didn’t speak to her, but she knew he was reaching out to her.

  When she found her voice, she demanded, “What marks do you speak of?”

  “The ones that prove your penchant for evil,” Sedgewick said, using one arm to hold her still and the other to rip her gypon at the neck.

  “Sir Sedgewick, do not harm the healer,” a soldier insisted. “She might cast a spell upon you.

  “I’m revealing proof of her wickedness,” he replied and grabbed Aisley’s bridal gift.

  Without strength, Aisley lost the fight. Her precious chain, the symbol of her marriage to Garrick, was torn from her throat and thrown to the ground. “Nay, nay, that’s my bridal gift.”

  “I need a torch,” Haywood ordered, crushing the blue opal with his booted foot as Aisley’s pain wavered, her bones aching for Garrick. “George, go fetch me a torch,” he commanded of Valiant, still donned in George’s armor.

  A soldier shouted from a distance. “Milord, George is dead! George is dead!”

  “You’re mistaken. The man’s standing before me,” Sedgewick shouted back.

  The guard stomped into the camp, his face pale. “I saw him myself. His throat was cut.”

  Dutton closed in from behind, sword drawn. “Remove your helm!” he demanded of Valiant.

  Bravely, Valiant complied. It took him but a moment to unfasten the helm and lift it from his head. His long, tangled tawny hair fell about his face and shoulders.

  Musk and cinnamon pulled Aisley’s gaze from Valiant. By a group of trees, she spotted a familiar dark figure creeping toward the camp. Slow, methodical and silent, Sir Knight revealed nothing of his presence to the others.

  “God help us, he’s gone!” Johnson alerted, waving toward the gilded cage. “Danford’s gone.”

  “Fools, the healer bewitched you while her lover snuck away. Find him,” Sedgewick ordered.

  “I’m not going after a man who can turn into a wolf!” Johnson refused.

  Back, back, back he went, heading right into Sir Knight’s path.

  “Lord Danford, if you near us, the Countess dies!” Zotikos warned, looking about, but seemingly unable to see anything.

  “I’ll do it now, unless the healer wishes to confess.” Sedgewick snickered, dragging Aisley closer.

  Bound and weak, Aisley allowed her body to fall forward, causing Sedgewick to drop her flat to the ground. “I confess to nothing!”

  “Then why does your neck glow with the mark of a beast?” Sedgewick questioned.

  A sawing roar split the air, saving her from answering. The men scattered and Edwina screeched. The gnarling rumble continued and a man’s terrified scream echoed into nothingness.

  Dutton drew forth his sword. “Johnson!”

  “He’s dead,” a soldier cried.

  “There’s a beast out there! God’s teeth, it’s huge and it ain’t a wolf,�
� another soldier stated.

  “It’s Danford, defend yourselves, defend me,” Zotikos commanded well away from the others.

  Looking to and fro, Sedgewick’s sword wavered. “Why does John stand so far away? He knows Danford’s weaknesses.”

  From the ground, Aisley answered. “He doesn’t want you to see his face.”

  “You’ve cursed him. I’ll not wait ‘til trial to burn you. My sword through your heart will do.” Lifting it high above his head, he began to plunge.

  A tawny-haired figure in armor rammed Sedgewick from behind, sending him tumbling to the ground. Valiant didn’t wait for Sedgewick to aright himself before drawing his weapon and holding the dastard still with the point of his sword.

  “Stay where you lay!” Valiant commanded in a deep, resonate voice, sounding much like his father.

  “The beast is charging,” Dutton alerted.

  Soldiers began to cry in opposite directions. Sir Knight’s sawing roar intensified. Another roar joined the repetitive sawing. Surprised he could make two sounds at once, Aisley tried to see what was happening.

  Hindered by the gold manacles, she attempted to push to her knees, failing to see anything other than the dark figure charging by. A soldier fell, then another.

  “Kill it,” Zotikos grumbled, sounding very distant.

  Frightened, Aisley began to pray. Rolling to her side, she pressed her ear to the ground, feeling the earth shake. Because she could do nothing but rely on her leopard’s instinct, she listened closer. The thunderous sound of armored men and horses was nearing fast!

  “Baron Welford, riders are approaching,” someone warned.

  “Nonsense, the witch wouldn’t have ordered more guards to come. Danford Manor and Village would be left defenseless.”

  “Men, draw your weapons,” Sedgewick cried from his place on the ground. “Defend yourselves.”

  Zotikos’ followers disobeyed, scurrying away like frightened rabbits. Soldiers withdrew, some having the mind to draw swords or knives, but many horses approached.

  “It’s Sir Lucien Hunter!” Andrew White declared.

  Aisley gave everything she had to turn her head. Riders charged toward them, a tawny-haired giant in the fore. Sir Brandon Mathews rode slightly behind and to Lucien’s left.

  She was equally surprised when a dozen mailed soldiers trembled and fled, their fear of hearing Lucien’s name making her think they were Saturian. Zotikos must have added Saturians to the number of soldiers he’d gathered from Welford.

  “Come back, defend us,” Sedgewick pled.

  “Quiet, or my hand might slip,” Valiant forewarned, inching his sword point closer to Sedgewick’s heart.

  The riders came upon them in a blur, some stampeding after those who’d fled.

  “Aisley,” Valiant said. Once he caught her eyes, he tossed her the keys he’d still managed to have without anyone’s notice.

  Aisley caught them by will alone and stuck them between her teeth. With her mouth, she fiddled with the locks of her manacles, concentrating on the task. All around her men were shouting, screaming, some terrified and some victorious. She knew not what was taking place until she found freedom.

  Still weak, Aisley managed to push herself to her knees. As she did, she found Sir Knight. Dear Goodness, she’d missed him! She hadn’t seen Garrick’s leopard half since they had wed.

  At the moment, he was stalking an immobile Edwina. Whatever her faults, Edwina could not defend herself against a giant leopard.

  Thinking it best to speak to the panthera within Garrick, Aisley prayed he would hear her. Nay, Sir Knight, she cannot defend herself against you.

  Sir Knight halted, glanced her way and roared. Loving that familiar sawing, Aisley nodded, wishing she had the strength to smile. But a dark figure lunged and knocked her flat, sending her breath from her lungs.

  “Milord!” Valiant called out.

  “I’ll kill you now, healer,” Zotikos threatened.

  “John, your face has melted,” Sedgewick muttered in horror.

  Unable to look away, Aisley screamed, “Agh.” Zotikos was no longer the man of wealth and privilege he’d pretended to be. His face had aged centuries. Skin wilted from his chin, nose and cheekbones. His eyes were sunken and black, as though his face had become a skull. His body had become rank with sweat and decay, his flaxen hair sparse and frail.

  “Get off me,” Aisley shouted.

  Failing to understand why he looked this way, she grimaced as he hissed like a serpent, revealing long, jagged teeth suitable for tearing flesh. Revolted by his fetid breath, she nearly vomited.

  Aisley, close your eyes. Garrick whispered in her mind, soothing her sudden fear. Believing in him, she obeyed.

  “You cannot kill me,” Zotikos moaned even as Sir Knight ripped him from her body and she was free.

  She didn’t have to watch to know what would happen to the Saturian. The sounds of crunching bones and tearing of flesh spoke loud enough. A terrified scream echoed about the clearing. The gurgle of life spewed from Zotikos’ throat, and then he was silent.

  By the time more saviors arrived and captured the remaining soldiers, a muffled rumble filled her ear, warming her heart. Hope returned as Aisley opened her eyes to find Sir Knight staring down at her.

  As he’d done in the stream, he started to lean in to tickle her chin with his whiskers, but halted. Shaking his head, he must have known his face bore the evidence of his kill, though to her, he was her hero.

  Boldly, Aisley lifted her hand and tickled his ear, knowing he favored it when she did. “My dear Sir Knight, I have missed you.”

  Rumbling louder, Sir Knight plopped to the ground beside her, keeping guard while Lucien led the charge against Zotikos’ remaining men. Valiant kept hold of his prisoner as Sir Brandon locked the gold manacles about Sedgewick’s wrists.

  When the melee ended, a silvery dawn edged the horizon. Aisley watched and felt comforted knowing that Garrick witnessed it too. He’d told her once that silver represented justice. They’d found justice during the night and a new day was about to begin.

  “Father, it was good of you to come,” Valiant said.

  Aisley lifted her eyes to Lucien.

  “It is my understanding that it was you who freed Garrick,” Lucien said. “You did well, my son.”

  “Aisley suggested that I follow after her at a distance,” Valiant remarked.

  “Valiant, you are to be praised for following. You did what I asked,” Aisley insisted.

  “You are gracious, milady,” Valiant said, bowing low.

  “Unchain me. I’ve had enough of these shackles.” Bound and kneeling, Sedgewick complained.

  “Sir Brandon, come and put Haywood in the cage. Let him get used to it. He’ll not see freedom before he’s tried and executed,” Lucien directed.

  Sir Brandon moved to obey Lucien’s command, but Sedgewick struggled. “Valiant, I may need your help,” Brandon said.

  “Aye, Sir Brandon.” Valiant lifted Sedgewick over his shoulder and stalked away with Sir Brandon’s sword lifting Sedgewick’s gold-shackled wrists away from Valiant’s broad back.

  Once they’d gone, Aisley looked around and spied Edwina sitting on the ground, shamed. “Lucien, Edwina needs care. Zotikos beat her. Might I attend her?”

  Sir Knight answered with a roar. A large, black paw landed on Aisley’s knee, keeping her in place.

  “It’s all right, my friend. Go, I will watch over Aisley. You have my word, I’ll not let anyone harm her while you’re gone,” Lucien said.

  Sir Knight looked from his friend to Aisley. Finally, he stood on all fours, nudging her face as he went.

  The leopard quickly crossed the field, heading for the copse of trees. To her dismay, another leopard joined him. Not quite as large as Sir Knight, but bulkier, the leopard walked slightly behind, protective and respectful.

  “Lucien, is that…” Aisley said, gesturing with her chin toward the disappearing leopards.

  �
�It’s Grayson,” Lucian whispered.

  “How can you be here? How can any of you be here?” she asked.

  “I was on my way home and felt it necessary to turn back. I’d reached Grayson’s estate a sennight ago. Grayson sensed that something had happened to Colton and we thought we would need Garrick’s help, so we made for Danford right away. It was a miracle that we met Brandon in Fernley when we did.”

  Aisley inclined her head, wondering what had happened to Lucien’s wife. “And what of Lady Hunter, did she remain in Somerton?”

  “I sent her on with a dozen of Grayson’s guards,” he said.

  “Whatever it was that made you come, I know it was a miracle, Lucien,” Aisley commented, pleased that his Abcynian gifts had brought him back to England in time to lend his aid.

  “Aye, it was,” Lucien agreed. “Might we assist Edwina now?”

  With one last look at the departing pantheras, Aisley caught sight of their dark tails entering the copse. Relieved to know they were safe, yet worried for Colton and Jillian’s fate, she began to stand, strength returning as she did.

  As she made toward Edwina, Aisley stumbled over the remnants of her torque. Saddened by the loss, she stooped to retrieve it as pain tore down her spine. By will and her panthera’s strength, she bore it. Garrick would be returning the moment the pain ebbed. It took a moment to gather what remained of the torque, but when she stood tall, she no longer felt her mate’s change.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Aisley was talking with Valiant, Brandon and Lucien when the Danford and Somerton soldiers chanted in unison. Drawn to the sound, the trio turned to see the Earl of Danford and Baron Somerton advancing.

  Mildly alarmed by their rumpled, filthy clothing, Aisley braced herself for the questions bound to be asked by the men. Surely they’d witnessed the leopards amongst the chaos.

  “Lord Danford, Sir Grayson, are you both well?” a soldier from Danford said as they neared him.

  “You can see we are. We went to cage the leopards.” Garrick looked at two soldiers standing off in a distance. Aisley didn’t recognize them as soldiers from Danford. “Go and see they are taken to Danford.” The men did as they were told.