by Editor
Serina’s heart immediately went out to Lucian. To carry such a burden and such love for his sister, showed true unconditional love. Serina closed the distance and embraced him. “I’m sorry,” she offered as she glanced directly into his chest. She couldn’t help the small curl to her lips. Their height differences made standing together somewhat awkward. “I should have asked, not just presumed I would provide her care.”
Lucian grabbed Serina and held her. He even went as far as to plant a small peck on the top of her head. “It is I who should apologize, m’lady. I am just so used to doing everything for her. It is hard to let go. Harder to let others in.”
“Possibly you could start now, by letting me help you. Maybe in time Raven could grow to trust me as well.” Serina backed out from Lucian’s grasp and left to get water.
Lucian felt a small piece of his soul relax. This little woman he’d found was a rare, special creature. Her caring and generosity took him by storm, but then again, everything about her had.
When she came back into the room he asked, “Are you certain you want to see this? It is truly inhumane.”
Serina braced herself for whatever Lucian revealed as he lifted the covers. Serina stared in disbelief at Raven’s scars for some time. And then tears flooded in her eyes.
“You all right?” he asked.
Serina shook her head no.
Lucian tilted her chin to bring her face into view. “Maybe now you understand why Raven doesn’t want anyone to see this.”
“Lucian?” Raven called out.
Lucian dropped the coverlet in haste. “’Ello, Beauty. How you faring?”
Raven licked her lips. “Parched comes to mind. A cup of tea would hit the spot.” Her smile was weak, but there. “Mind filling me in why I’m in a strange bed?”
“I’ve got the tea. You two catch up.” Serina offered a little too fast. On her feet and headed out, Lucian grabbed her wrist as she passed him.
He whispered, “Nice. You’re leaving me with the real dirty work of explaining?”
“Beauty and brains, m’lord. A rarity to be sure.” And with that she scooted out the bedroom door.
Lucian eyed his sister with great apprehension. “You certain you want tea? Not blood?” he asked absent of any humor.
Raven backed up on the pillow. She eyed Lucian oddly. “What the ’ell is wrong with you? ’Ave you lost your mind?”
“What do you remember of last night, Beauty?”
“You tucking me and then I awoke here, only minutes past, so begin your explanation, dear brother. You’ve piqued me curiosity. And don’t even attempt to tell me any more vampire tales.”
“Oh my fair, Raven.” Lucian lay beside her, and plucked one of the pillows from behind her head for himself. “Lie back and allow me to attempt to explain the unexplainable.”
Serina returned with a tray filled with steaming Earl Grey tea, crumpets and garden-fresh, raspberry jam. She fast realized she’d be dining alone. Raven lay curled within Lucian’s strong arms, both of them sound asleep. She briefly wondered what it would be like to nestle within his arms, and wake every morning beside him. Heaven came to mind.
Early evening, Lucian ventured to the kitchen to find Serina with her nose buried in a book. Noticing a tray of food on the counter, he bee-lined for it.
“’Ello,” he said as he jammed a mouthful of a crumpet into his mouth.
Serina wiped a few crumbs from his cheek. “Hungry? Duncan and Molly are across the road cooking supper for us. They’ll be here shortly. How’s your sister?”
“Burning up.”
Serina slammed the book closed, crossed her kitchen and pulled out a canning jar filled with yellow powder.
“Curry?”
Serina shook her head no.
“Mustard powder?”
Another nod side to side. Deep in thought, she placed a finger to her lips and shushed him.
“I placed more cool cloths on her forehead and changed her again. She comes and goes.” Lucian told her as he followed on her heels.
Serina tapped her finger to the jar. “I’ve got something to reduce the febrile state.” Minutes later she had a cup of tea and the powdery substance beside it in a small apothecary bowl.
Lucian dipped his finger into the powder, tasted it and scrunched his face. “’Tis bitter. What is it already?”
Serina smirked at his facial expression. “Salicylic acid. It comes from a willow tree’s bark. Not to worry. It’s not black magic or anything so medieval. I’ve sweetened her tea so when I add this, she’ll never taste it.”
They took the tea to Raven. Lucian scooted behind Raven and held her steady while Serina helped her take small sips until the cup was empty. Within minutes, Raven’s eyelids fell closed.
At the sound of her back door opening, Serina picked up the empty dishes. “I think our supper is here. Will you join us or shall I bring yours to you?”
Lucian stretched out his legs and yawned. Without censor, he glanced at Serina and said, “You are truly lovely. Would up here be all right? I don’t want to leave her.”
Serina nodded. “You don’t have to make up compliments to get me to do things for you.”
“I made up no such thing, m’lady.”
Tray in hand, Serina curtsied, wobbled on one leg, which caused the china to topple over into a heap on the floor. Serina plunked down beside the broken dishes, too embarrassed to move. “Would you like to replace lovely with lubberly? I am a true klutz.”
Lucian crossed to her, and slid his arms underneath hers. With a little lift, he had her on her feet again. “No I would not. Maybe you should get some rest.”
Before she had time to protest, he cleaned up the broken china and carried it down stairs.
Serina traipsed behind this time.
“Supper’s in here, Luce,” Duncan offered from the dining room.
“Old man, what have you cooked up? It smells…”
Duncan covered Lucian’s mouth as he looked him dead in the eye. “Molly made us some steak and kidney pie, Luce. Been a long time since we’ve had that, hey?” The grin, if it was really one, warned Lucian to tread lightly.
“That it has,” Lucian answered. Just not long enough! “I’m going to take mine upstairs if you don’t mind. Ray’s in a state, and I need to be there when she wakes fully.”
The twinkle in Duncan’s eye faded. “Your clothes are in the washroom. I’ll be up shortly to relieve you.”
“We’re good, Duncan, but thank you.” Lucian turned and hugged Molly for her thoughtfulness and carried his bowl of steaming organs up the stairs, holding it an arm’s length from his nose.
Serina looked between the flaky pie and her half-eaten crumpet. “Molly, please save mine for later? I’m going to take Lucian up on his offer and rest. You two, make yourselves comfy. There’s some of Father Butler’s homemade wine in the pantry. It packs a wallop, so be careful.”
“Serina!” Lucian yelled from the top of the stairs. “Come quick!”
Serina hiked up her skirt and took the stairs two at a time with Duncan one-step behind her. They entered the room and found Raven hunched over the bed in distress. Serina rushed to her aide. Lucian knelt down in front of his sister, and swept her hair from her face.
“What is it, Raven?” Serina asked.
“The tea, it’s poisoned. It’s ripping me stomach in half.” Raven vomited, covering her brother in curdled tea. “I’m sorry, Luce.” She began to cry.
“It’s all right, Beauty. I’m getting used to it. I’m going to draw a bath for you.”
Raven nodded. “Serina, I’m sorry I’m making a muck of your home.”
“Raven, everything is washable, your brother included. I should’ve known better. Sometimes the medicine gives people an upset tummy without food.” Serina hugged Raven to her. “Come on. I hear Lucian and Duncan trying to draw your bath. Since when does it take two men to turn on a faucet?”
“They are joined at the hip. It takes one to thin
k of something and the other one to act upon it.” Raven attempted a grin but it never left her lips. Instead, she finished emptying her stomach.
After Serina helped her into the bathroom, Duncan offered, “I’ll take her from here, Serina.”
Serina pointed. “I’ll be right in that room.” Her bedroom was adjacent to the bath.
Raven grabbed Lucian’s and Duncan’s hands. “I’ll be fine on me own. Really. I’m feeling a bit more human since I tossed that stuff up on you, Luce. You need this bath more than I do.”
Lucian swept his arm from Raven to the tub, gesturing, “Ladies first. Holler if you need me. I’ll be right outside.”
“Hey, Ray?” Duncan tapped her on the shoulder, “Want some pastries? I’ll run out and grab them. No problem.”
“You’re a love, Duncan.” Raven pushed everyone out of the room and locked the door behind her.
One hour later, Lucian sat with his back against that very door, his leg bouncing off nervous energy as he waited to hear any signs of life. Worried, he knocked on the door. “Raven?”
No answer.
“Raven?” He pounded louder.
Feeling the walls vibrate from Lucian’s fists a-rat-a-tat-tatting on them, Serina ventured out to the hall.
Annoyance defined Lucian’s face. “She’s locked the door and isn’t responding.”
“I’ll go grab the key. Don’t bust anymore doors down.” Serina tried to lighten his mood, but Lucian didn’t respond. She returned holding the key out. “Here you g—”
He snatched the little skeleton fob from her hand, twisted the key and pushed on the door. It didn’t budge. “Raven?” he screamed.
“There’s a door from my parents room. Give me the key back.” Serina took the key and ran down the hall. “Lucian? Get in here fast.”
Raven’s unresponsive silhouette was a bold contrast against the cold white tile. A steady stream of blood flowed from an open laceration on her calf with a straight-edged razor beside her foot. Serina grabbed a few towels and placed a pressure dressing across the wound, then sent her energies inside to cauterize the wound without anyone the wiser.
Lucian’s jaw dropped. “She tried to kill herself?” Confused he mumbled, “Ray? What the hell are you doing?” He picked her up from the floor and headed back to the bedroom.
Serina eyed Lucian. It was a toss-up as to who looked worse. Serina grabbed a clean cloth and dabbed sweat from Lucian’s brow, then lifted his thick mane of curls from his neck and wiped the cloth across him. “Feel better?”
Lucian gave her a sluggish nod. “Why? Why would she do this?” Once he had Raven tucked in, he walked to the hearth, knelt down, and gathered some kindling. It didn’t take long for the room to fill with a sweet aroma of black cherry wood once the fire took hold. Tired, Lucian rested his head on the side of the bed.
Understanding the type of day he’d had, Serina suggested, “Lucian, why don’t you go freshen up. I’ll make us some hot tea.”
Lucian lifted his head to meet Serina’s gaze. “Better idea. You go freshen up and I’ll make the drinks. I’ve seen your balancing act. I’d like to drink it, not wear it.” He winked. “You’ve done more than humanly possible for us today, Serina. I can ask no more of you.” Lucian stood and walked to her. He snuggled her in his arms and regardless of circumstances, a shudder of need engulfed him. With his head atop of hers, he let his lips linger. This, he could get used to. Forcing himself away, he told her, “I’ll draw your bath. Stay put.”
“Don’t you need Duncan?” Serina asked.
Lucian smiled. “Funny!”
With a few minutes to kill and a sore back, Serina stretched out next to Raven. The heat from the fire found her a welcome target.
After filling the tub with some of Serina’s scented oils and placing rose petals in the water, Lucian sought out Serina only to find her sound asleep beside Raven. He looked over both his ladies. He loved one dearly, since the day they were born. The other, he knew he would love until the day he died.
He grabbed Raven’s toes and wiggled them. “Ray, wake up. We need to chat.”
Serina stirred. “Lucian?” She climbed from the bed and motioned him to follow her. “Come to me.” She opened her arms to him and waited.
Lucian wiped his eyes, but he didn’t move. Because right now—if he moved to embrace her, he was certain he couldn’t stop himself. He needed Serina right now more than he needed air. He wanted to lose himself in the woman and forget the day’s past events, and that wouldn’t be fair to her. When he did make love to Serina it would be from passion and a mutual trust, not sympathy. Lucian stood, took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her palm. “I’ll send Duncan up now.” He walked out without turning back.
Serina’s arms fell to her sides. Her tears followed, stinging her cheeks. She moped down the hall like a scolded dog with his tail between his legs. Serina wanted to comfort, to hold him close and let him know she was there for him, that whatever he needed she would provide. Instead, she’d been cast aside like a pair of old shoes that were too small or not the right color or just plain ugly.
“Hi, Doc,” Duncan said as they passed. “Guess I’m on watch for the night. Lucian left. Said he needed air, a lot. Want to fill me in?”
“Not really.”
“Anything specific I have to do?” Duncan asked.
“Just be there when she wakes. I’m turning in for the evening.” Serina entered her room, closed the door, threw herself atop her bed and attempted to drown herself in tears.
Chapter Four
Magpies squabbled outside her bedroom window louder than a marching band. Serina pulled the covers over her face. It didn’t lessen the boisterous birds’ cackles, but it did knock out the sunshine telling her it was well past her time to rise and shine. Eyes clamped shut, she attempted to go back to sleep. She found no reason to hurry out of bed and subject herself to one, Lord St. James. She couldn’t face him, certain he’d laugh in her face after his blatant rejection last evening. He was probably still rolling on the ground laughing.
“I must have appeared so fatuous to him. Why would any man want me? I’m color blind, clumsy and a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y ignorant to men and their needs,” she said to no one.
Her toes wiggled without her doing. “Oh, God no!” She rustled all her courage and inched her way from under the safety of her covers.
“G’afternoon, m’lady. Definitely color blind and clumsy, but ignorant doesn’t become you.”
Serina’s eyebrow shot upward. Lucian had a definitive drawl that one acquires after consuming more than their fair share of spirits.
Lucian stared at Serina from the foot of bed, glassy-eyed, his hair windblown and his breath...Well it wasn’t as fragrant as Serina remembered two nights past. She was willing to bet he’d found Father Butler’s stash of wine and chased that down with water from the horses’ trough.
Serina stared back.
“I’ll say it again, possibly louder this time so as you might respond? I’ll even enunciate. Good afternoon, m’lady.”
“Did you say afternoon?”
“Yes, I believe I did.” Lucian dug into his pocket after his timepiece. When he pulled the watch out loose coins hit the floor and rolled under the bed. “Look. Look there. See it?” He attempted to tap on the face of the watch twice, missing each time.
“You’ve left no doubt where the phrase drunk-as-a-lord comes from. You’re groggy!” Serina sat up and grabbed the watch from him. She held it so she could read it. “’Tis only quarter past nine you daft sod, not three forty-five.” Serina tossed the watch back to him. It bounced from his fingers to the floor.
“Why did you throw that at me?”
Serina bit her cheeks, but she laughed regardless. The look on his face was precious. His eyelids drooped obscuring his vision and his pouty lips sulked. Oh, how she wanted to kiss that look off his face, ah but...she almost forgot, she was thoroughly upset with him. Done with the likes of him!
Serina tossed
the covers from her bed and began to trudge past the drunken giant.
“Where do you thinks you’re headed?” he asked as he hoisted her in the air and tossed her back onto her bed.
“Away from you.” Serina raced to reach the other side of the bed on her hands and knees, but Lucian caught her foot and dragged her back to him, covers and all.
“What do think you’re doing?” she shouted.
“I want you...” Lucian fumbled as he attempted to secure her hands.
“’Tis good to want, Lord St. James. It gives purpose to a person. Now let me go,” she yelled. “I’m going to check on Raven.” Serina kicked her way free, stomped out of the room and down the hallway.
“She’s not in there, and I’m not deaf,” he mumbled. “Just a wee inebriated.”
The spare room was found vacant. She tramped back to her bedroom. Hands on her hips, she demanded, “Where is she then?” to a second empty room. “Lucian?” Serina spun around. Before she had time to think, Lucian had her over his shoulder, securing her with his hand pressed hard into her bottom as he headed back for the bed.
“You’re insane if you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking,” she screamed.
“What?” Lucian scratched his nose with his free hand. “I was last night when I walked out and left you. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“No you won’t because I’m walking out on you—just as soon as you put me down.” She punched at his backside.
“Bloody bugs are out.” Lucian tightened his grip on her bottom while she tried to wrangle herself free. “Physics, my wild rose. Pure and simple. I am bigger and stronger than you.” He slapped her little bum.