The architecture of the city was distinctly medieval, but at the same time there were many modern conveniences. There was electricity and running water as well as many other luxuries. Justin’s cousin, Ben, had been her mentor the past week and had taught Laura many things about Coyopa’.
Ben told her that the city’s electricity came from windmill-powered generators that had been brought in many years ago, and of course the residents of Coyopa’ frequently traveled between their world and the world of mortal men, bringing back with them many items. Laura smiled as she remembered the animation with which the little boy would speak of Coyopa’.
Laura’s thoughts were interrupted when someone knocked at her bedroom door. Anna, the woman who had been assigned to be her personal maid, entered carrying a breakfast tray. From her first morning in Coyopa’, Laura had decided she much preferred to take her breakfast on the balcony rather than in the large dining room of the castle’s main floor. The peaceful mornings had a way of calming the turbulence in her soul.
She had been in Coyopa’ a week and hadn't seen Justin since he had deposited her at the castle. It was as if even the sight of her repelled him. Laura was sure that Justin had saved her from Dark Claw out of a sense of responsibility rather than love. The truth of that cut more deeply than anything ever had.
Laura hadn't told Justin of her pregnancy, and had sworn her grandfather and Kenny to secrecy. Though they deeply disapproved, they had agreed. She wouldn't have Justin come to her out of obligation. Laura would accept nothing less than his complete love.
The aroma of fresh baked bread and sausage drifted from the tray Anna had placed on the table. Laura was ravenous in the mornings. Her appetite was sometimes embarrassing but she attributed it to her body’s growing need for nutrition.
As she ate, her mind wondered back to her escape from the Baalam. Just the memory of Dark Claw filled her heart with fear. Fear more for her child than herself.
Once they had reached New Mexico, Laura had steadfastly refused to accompany Justin back to Wyoming.
The fury on his face when she had refused to get into the car with Kenny and her grandfather to follow him back to Wyoming brought a smile to her face even now.
It was finally her grandfather who had convinced her to come. Busby took Laura aside and reminded her that she and the child wouldn't be safe without Justin’s protection. Laura admitted the truth of this and agreed to make the trip to the fabled city of Coyopa’.
When Anna returned to fetch the breakfast tray she brought with her a gown. "There is to be a dinner party tonight and Mr. Gray Eagle has sent this for you to wear."
Laura had to bite her tongue to keep from commenting on His Highnesses’ high and mighty attitude. What made him think she even wanted to go to this party?
"I will help you dress this evening," Anna told her as she was hanging the beautiful green silk garment in the closet.
"Thank you." Laura smiled.
There was no sense in taking it out on Anna when it was Justin that she wanted to lash out at. The dress was the first sign of interest he had shown in her since her arrival, and it was clear that she was being commanded to attend this dinner party.
Laura was beginning to feel like she was as much of a prisoner here as she had been with Dark Claw. She was not even allowed out of the castle without an escort.
Laura was very thankful for Ben’s presence. She knew that the little boy was not exactly Justin’s idea of an escort, but as of yet, no one had commented on it. She could only assume that Justin hadn't been told her preference of escorts.
Laura smiled to herself. The little boy was like a ray of sunshine breaking through the black clouds of her heart. She imagined her son would be a little like Ben, and she was sure it was a boy, it is what the prophecy predicted.
Laura dressed and went in search of Ben. She found him at the stables with the same idea that she’d had.
"I knew you might want to go riding this morning, Miss Laura, so I came down early to saddle Starlight for you."
Starlight was the black mare which Laura had become attached to on her first day in Coyopa’.
"Thank you, Ben."
The two of them led the horses down the steep road that led from the castle to the city. The contrast of the people in modern dress against the medieval background reminded Laura of some kind of weird art--a painting that merged two different times into one.
The favored form of transportation appeared to be the horse and carriage, though she had spotted a bicycle here and there.
Coyopa’ resembled some pictures Laura had seen of nineteenth century Paris, though it was nowhere near as large or as populated. The scent of brewing coffee drifted from a corner café and Laura suggested they stop and rest there.
The sign that hung above the door read, "The Wolf’s Den".
Laura found a small table near the window so that they could look out onto the street while they had their refreshments.
A waiter stopped at their table and took out a pen and tablet. "What can I get for you?" He smiled down at her with a row of dazzling white teeth.
"Coffee," Laura answered.
"I’ll just have a hot chocolate," Ben told him.
After he was gone, Laura whispered to Ben. "Do they have soda pop here?"
Bed nodded. "They make their own in Coyopa’. The coffee beans are grown here, too. Coyopa’ is more than just this city, it goes on for miles; there are other villages and farms where our food is grown.
"But I thought you were all werewolves and hunted outside of Coyopa’."
"We do not hunt like that all the time, we just need fresh raw meat, and the farms can provide that as much as they can cooked meat. Besides, not all of Coyopa’ is Sungmanitu, there are many descendants of the original Baalam here too and lots of other kinds of people which the mortal world could never accept or understand," he explained to her patiently.
Laura smiled. Ben seemed much wiser than his years.
After their order had arrived, Laura sipped the hot liquid. She was absolutely sure it was the best coffee she had ever tasted.
"We have to return early today. I was told to make sure you were back in time to get ready for Justin’s dinner party." A shadow seemed to have dropped over his bright eyes.
"Yes, I was told about that this morning as well." She grimaced.
"The party is supposed to be so they can announce Justin’s engagement to the Mayor’s daughter."
Laura felt her throat constrict as pain pierced at her heart. She said nothing because she found that she could not speak.
Ben seemed to know the effect his words had on her and was instantly sorry. "It's an arrangement that has been in place for many years, but until now Justin has delayed," he added after a moment. "I guess he just figures it’s time now."
Laura fought back the tears that were stinging her eyes. She remembered Justin’s threat to take another woman as his wife. Obviously it hadn't been just an idle threat. Even then he had known that one day he was to marry someone else, but still he had lain with her and taken advantage of her love for him.
Laura could no longer hold back the bitter tears and they spilled from her eyes to roll down her pale cheeks.
Ben took her hand. "I’m very sorry, Miss Laura. Justin should have told you this himself."
Laura shook her head. "It’s okay. I’ll learn to live with it." She paused for a moment before continuing. "Do me a favor though, don’t ever tell Justin about this," she motioned to her tear streaked face.
"Don’t worry, Miss Laura, I won’t."
Chapter Twenty-Five
Laura sank into the steaming tub, wanting nothing more than to escape the reality of the day. How could she possibly hope to get through this night without betraying her heart, and her secret?
Gently, Laura brought her hand down to touch the tiny mound in her lower stomach. As much as she wanted to hate Justin and think of him as an evil creature, she could not. He had given her this child and how could sh
e ever truly regret that? Already she felt a love for her unborn baby that no words could ever adequately describe.
Though she could not quite make herself hate Justin, the fury she felt burned like an inferno. He had deceived her and disregarded her love like he would brush dust from his jacket.
Lost in her sorrows, Laura hadn’t noticed how tepid the water had become. Finishing her bath, she climbed out of the tub and wrapped herself in a large white towel. Sitting at the gold dressing table, Laura used the large mirror to begin brushing her hair dry.
The sharp knock tore through her thoughts, startling her. The bedroom door swung open before she had a chance to answer and she found herself lost in Justin’s turbulent gaze.
"What do you want?" She found it an impossible feat to keep her voice from shaking.
"Anna has informed me that you refused to wear the gown I sent up this morning."
Justin’s eyes seemed to burn right through her and Laura suddenly realized she was wearing only a towel.
Blushing crimson and feeling more vulnerable that she had ever felt in his presence, Laura answered hotly, "I’m sure I have something just as adequate."
"You will wear the green gown," he ordered.
Laura swayed between anger and fear. She could not quite believe his arrogance.
"I will not," she told him before turning back to the mirror.
An instant later she felt a vice grip on her arm as she was swung around to face him. "You will do as you’re told, Laura."
"Are you commanding me, Your Highness?" Laura’s own anger had risen to meet his.
"I am!" His words were forced out between tightly clenched teeth.
Laura attempted to wrestle her arm out of his grasp, but he only pulled her closer until she could feel his hot breath on her face. His hand snaked up to her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. She felt herself quickly sinking into their smoldering expanse.
"Here ... I am King, and I will have whatever I wish," he hissed.
Laura knew what was coming next and she began to struggle but his hold only became tighter and more painful. He claimed her lips in a bruising, violent kiss, biting her tongue when she made any attempt to pull away.
Laura whimpered and Justin pulled away but continued to hold her close though his touch had become gentle. With swift motion, he removed her towel. His large hands found her breast, expertly playing her body like a fine instrument. Laura sensed that they were both losing themselves in a cyclone of desire and she made another attempt to fight her way clear of it.
"No, please don’t," she moaned.
As if she had never spoken, he lifted her and carried her to the large bed and laid her atop the layers of silk that covered it.
His lips and tongue seared her flesh as he made a trail of burning passion from her thigh to the center of her yearning. Laura trembled, her need for him consuming all reason. She closed her eyes and surrendered to her heart and her body. If it meant she must betray herself to feel his magic once more, then so be it
She could feel the heat of him even before he entered. Laura gasped as he buried himself deep inside of her. This time when he claimed her lips, there was no violence ... only urgency. He devoured her mouth with a hunger matched only by his need to possess her and as he moved within her, she felt herself falling over the edge of reality, her consciousness spinning out of control.
Laura felt him pulsate within her as his passion reached an explosive release. Justin collapsed, his weight pinning her in place while his hand gently caressed her still wet hair.
"We should not have done this," Laura whispered in his ear.
Instantly he stiffened, as if she had brought to mind some very unpleasant thoughts. Laura felt her heart twist with pain. No doubt he was thinking of the betrayal of his bride to be.
When he pulled away she could see that the harshness had once again entered his eyes. "Surely I'm not your choice of lovers, but since you take lovers so casually I see no harm done."
Laura’s rage held her in a state of suspended animation for only the briefest of moments before the fury brought her to life.
"You animal!" she screamed as she was scrambling away from him.
Tears stung her eyes, making it difficult to retrieve the towel that had been carelessly tossed to the floor during their passionate lovemaking. Tossed aside as carelessly as her own common sense. The bitter thought nipped at her heart.
"And I suppose this little encounter will never be known to your bride to be?" Laura’s voice trembled with anger.
Justin smiled. "If she should discover this indiscretion." He shrugged his shoulders as if it would be of no consequence.
After wrapping herself in the towel she turned away from him. "Please take yourself off to the future Mrs., and let me be."
Justin chuckled. "She may be my future wife, but you are my current and future mistress."
Laura swung around to face him. "I assure you I will not be your mistress." She told him in total outrage.
Justin smiled arrogantly, as if he was completely aware that he held absolute command of her heart, body and soul. "We shall see little wildcat."
"Leave!" Laura hissed
Justin started for the door ... but then paused. "I do expect you to wear the green gown tonight."
"You will be very disappointed then."
"My patience is wearing thin, Laura," he growled. "You will do as you’re told or you will be punished."
"Am I to understand that I'm as much of a prisoner here, as I was with the Baalam?"
"Yes you are, until further notice." He smiled at her before closing the door.
Fuming, Laura went to her closet and purposely found a blue gown. She would never give in to his demands. He may be the ruler in this fantasy realm of which she could still not quite accept as reality, but Laura didn't belong here. She made up her mind that she would never allow him to command her, no matter what he threatened.
Laura’s anger slowly dissipated and was replaced with sadness. She would have to find a way to leave here soon, and she knew that would mean leaving her grandfather and Kenny behind. They would never agree to her leaving. They knew as well as she did that it was a great risk to herself and her child. But what other choice did she have?
Laura knew she could never allow herself to be forced into the role of Justin’s mistress ... and her son. What of her son? Would he be destined to be Justin’s bastard child ... never truly belonging?
Laura vowed this would never happen to her baby ... no matter how far or how long she had to run.
It was time to form an escape plan, but first she must find a way of getting through the dreadful night ahead.
* * * *
Anna fought to bring some form of style to Laura’s long, unruly hair. Finally stepping back, Anna looked at her with disapproving eyes.
"He will be very angry with you, Miss Laura." Anna shook her head as if she could not quite figure out why Laura would be willing to risk Justin’s wrath.
"Don’t worry, Anna, I will make sure he knows it has nothing to do with you, and that you did your best to convince me to wear the other gown." Laura attempted to reassure the older woman with a sweet smile.
Anna would have none of it. She continued to shake her head as she left the room.
Laura opened the bedroom door to find her grandfather waiting for her in the hall.
Busby looked upon Laura with obvious pride.
"No maiden will match your beauty tonight." He smiled tenderly.
Laura hugged her grandfather, but she could not believe in his words. It was a fact that there would be someone else there tonight that would surpass Laura in Justin’s eyes. The woman he had chosen to take to the altar instead of just to his bed.
* * * *
She had no idea how she would make it through dinner let alone the dancing afterward. The array of food smelled delicious, but Laura felt her stomach turn whenever her eyes fell on Justin and Tasha.
Justin sat at the head o
f the long, dark mahogany table with Tasha to his right and the Mayor to his left. Being forced to endure Justin’s adoring eyes on Tasha as she chattered endlessly was nearly more than Laura could tolerate. Only once had Justin gave her the slightest notice, and with a withering look he let her know that her defiance had been noted and would be dealt with.
Laura managed to swallow a few bites of food by pure force of will. Petite and feminine with perfect features and a mass of black curls, Tasha was the image of loveliness. Adorned in folds of shimmering white silk, she practically sang out her innocence. But there was something about Tasha’s eyes that forced Laura to look closer. They seemed to betray darkness much blacker than death.
Maybe the Sungmanitu could never truly be innocent. Tasha’s eyes rested on Laura as if she could sense that she had been peeling away the façade of innocence. If anyone could see through a woman’s mask, it was another woman. At least if they looked closely enough. It was obvious that Tasha knew that Laura had seen though her pretense and she wasn’t happy about it.
Laura felt nausea knot up in her stomach and she pulled her eyes away from Tasha. She was Justin’s problem, not hers, Laura thought--not without some satisfaction.
At last the endless meal came to an end and it was time for the party of guests to move to the ballroom. Laura knew no one but Kenny and her grandfather. Justin hadn't bothered to introduce her to any of his guests.
She could tell that the other people that were present were curious about her, but she was thankful that so far, no one had been so impolite as to ask questions.
The second half of the evening had apparently been opened up to many more people. New guests were arriving by the moment. The lavish ballroom was becoming crowded. A smile lightly touched upon Laura’s lips. This would make it much easier to slip away.
As the first of the music began, Kenny was at her side. "A smile from you tonight seems out of place." Kenny motioned to Justin and Tasha. They were whirling to the music in perfect union as if they had been made for each other.
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