by Red Phoenix
Rytsar chewed on his suggestion. Although it might work, he felt it wasn’t enough and asked, “What if she escapes?”
Faelan spoke up. “I will do whatever it takes to protect Brie. You and I are alike in that way, Durov.”
“Anything?” Rytsar pressed.
“I have nothing to lose and I owe Thane for every breath I take. He found my donor.”
Just like with Nosaka, it seemed Rytsar might have misread the Wolfpup. It was not easy admitting when he was wrong, but his ego had no place in this situation.
“When the times comes, I will arrange for her to be deposited in the place we found her and have you alert the police to her location.”
“That sounds acceptable,” Marquis stated.
“But you have to swear on your life that she will not escape.”
“I will swear,” Faelan answered.
Marquis was not as quick to reply. “I promise I will do everything in my power to keep this woman behind bars—not only for Brie’s sake, but for her own.”
“How you could feel any shred of sympathy for her is beyond me,” Rytsar snarled.
“Her actions speak to mental illness, not a conscious choice.”
Rytsar shook his head angrily. “You live a sheltered life if you believe that.”
“I can only speak to what I know,” Marquis replied.
“I am speaking from experience,” Rytsar answered.
Marquis bowed his head slightly. “I respect that.”
Rytsar turned back to the Wolfpup. “I’m depending on you to fill in when the judicial system fails.”
“I will be ready,” Faelan assured him.
Rytsar stood up, ready to leave. “Give me a pen and paper to write down the address so you can burn it once you receive the call.”
While Marquis went to get the items, Faelan spoke to Rytsar privately. “I am not afraid to get my hands dirty.”
“Good, because brutality is the only language this creature understands.”
Marquis came back. After calling Titov to get the location where his men had originally found her, Rytsar wrote down the address and handed it to him. “Then we are agreed. If you get the phone call, you will take care of the things we discussed.”
“Yes.”
“And everything I have shared stays between us.”
“Naturally,” Marquis answered.
“Of course,” Faelan replied.
“Fine.” Rytsar shook both their hands and turned to leave, stating, “I will see myself out.”
He only made it halfway before Celestia caught up with him. “Mr. Durov, please. May I ask a favor of you?”
He turned around to see her holding a wrapped gift.
“Would you mind giving this to Thane? We’re just so thrilled he’s recovering. It’s a prayer answered.”
Rytsar took the gift from her. “I will make sure he gets it.”
“Do you know if Brie plans to tell everyone soon or is this supposed to remain a secret for the time being?”
“I’m sure she plans on telling everyone, but I will ask her to call you so she can answer that herself.”
“Thank you, Mr. Durov. It was an unexpected treat to see you today. I hope we will have the privilege again soon.”
“If Fate allows, I hope that as well. Thank you, Celestia. You are a gracious hostess.”
She smiled as she opened the door for him. “You simply couldn’t have brought better news. Thank you.”
Rytsar left knowing he had done all he could concerning Lilly. Now he was left to trust in Marquis’s wisdom and Faelan’s sense of loyalty.
Lost
Rytsar returned to the beach house to collect the cat.
There was a sense of emptiness that hadn’t been there before. It was echoed in the lonely howl that came from under the leather sofa.
“It is time to go home,” Rytsar stated.
He ran his hands over the cool marble of the kitchen counters before opening the fridge and pulling out the bag of cooked bacon. He’d used it every day since the cat had joined them at the beach house.
Walking over to the big leather recliner, he sat down and offered the cat a piece. It took a few minutes. The black cat was still cautious around him, but it finally emerged and sauntered over to Rytsar. It took the bacon from his hand and lowered it to the floor, nibbling on it slowly.
Reaching out his hand cautiously, Rytsar attempted to pet the feline. It looked up, challenging him with its stare.
Rytsar went for it anyway, and was gratified when the beast closed its eyes and allowed him to stroke its black fur.
“We must leave this place,” Rytsar explained, feeling slightly foolish for talking to a cat, but compelled to do so just the same. The cat opened its eyes and seemed to stare straight into Rytsar’s soul, sending a chill down his spine.
He cleared his throat and grabbed another piece of bacon, feeling disconcerted because of the cat. He held the bacon out to Shadow, but the cat ignored it, moving closer to rub against Rytsar’s leg.
That had never happened before.
Rytsar wasn’t sure what to make of it and actually gasped when the giant beast jumped from the floor onto his lap. He stayed stock-still, expecting it to either attack or bolt if he made any move.
The cat lay down across his thighs, its tail swishing back and forth slowly.
Rytsar was unnerved by its actions.
“Are you really going to let me pick you up and walk out of here? Because that was not the plan.” He nodded to a blanket that had been laid out for the capture of the beast.
The cat raised its head to look at him, narrowing its eyes.
“If you escape while I’m walking to the car, Brie will never forgive me and I don’t have time to chase you.”
Going against his better judgment, Rytsar cautiously put his hands around the cat and lifted it up as he stood. Shadow didn’t resist, although he refused to look at Rytsar. It was as if the cat was enduring this indignity.
Could Brie be right?
Maybe this animal was capable of some level of higher thinking. Regardless, Rytsar didn’t have time to question his good fortune, and walked out the door to his car without incident.
The cat settled down on the passenger seat, its eyes closed but tail still twitching.
“You will only have to put up with me a little while longer, kot,” Rytsar said with mock sympathy.
While he was driving, Rytsar noticed he was low on fuel. He groaned, but not having any other choice, he pulled into the next gas station and lectured the cat to remain put. He filled up the tank, despite the fact he would not be using the car for much longer.
Just as he was sliding into the driver’s seat, an unknown assailant jumped into the back of the car, wrapping a cord around his neck.
Rytsar struggled unsuccessfully to free himself from the rope as it choked the life out of him.
It can’t end like this…
Suddenly the vehicle erupted in inhuman howls as the black beast viciously attacked the face of his assailant. The instant Rytsar felt some slack, he broke free. He stumbled out of the car, falling to the ground gasping for breath while his attacker escaped.
The gas owner came running up to him. “I called the cops. You want me to call an ambulance too?”
Rytsar didn’t want anything to do with the authorities and struggled to stand up. He waved the man off and got back into the car, speeding away as fast as he could.
When he finally caught his breath, he called Titov. “I need a new vehicle. I can’t afford being stopped by the police over this.”
“What happened?” Titov asked, concerned.
“I was attacked. I didn’t see it coming.”
“Blyad’!” Titov cursed.
“I’m certain the assassin was waiting at the beach house. Why I didn’t pick up on it is beyond me.” He looked at Shadow accusingly.
After Rytsar hung up the phone, he pointed at the cat. “This is your fault.”
T
he cat stared him down.
“You may have saved my life, but I was distracted because of you.”
The cat turned its head away.
He rubbed the sore area on his neck, shaken by the incident. It didn’t appear the Kozlov brothers were taking prisoners. A few more miles down the road, Rytsar had a change of heart and reached out to lightly pet Shadow’s head. “Thank you.”
The cat answered his gratitude by crawling over the middle console and into his lap, making it harder to drive, but Rytsar didn’t try to push him away. He looked down at the huge animal, humbled by the fact he owed a cat for his life.
It seemed time had finally run out.
Rytsar stood naked in Thane’s apartment, facing the window with his hands raised on either side. He was lost in the music of “O Fortuna”, having turned the volume high so he could become oblivious of his surroundings.
Despite that, he was well aware when Brie entered the apartment alone, his senses having been heightened after his recent near-death experience.
“Rytsar, what’s wrong?” Brie yelled over the music as she approached.
He lowered his arms and turned to her.
Brie cried out when she saw the nasty mark around his neck. “What happened to you?”
“There is nothing more to be done, radost moya.”
“What are you talking about? Who did this to you?”
“I always knew there would be a price to be paid, and I have no regrets.”
“What price? Who wants you dead? I don’t understand.”
Rytsar pulled her close and sang the powerful last words of the song to her, “Since Fate strikes down the strong man…Everyone weep with me.”
Brie stiffened in his arms, shaking her head. “No…”
He let her go to turn off the music before returning to her.
“Tell me who wants you dead?” she whimpered.
“I must pay for the death of the maggot.”
“That horrible man in Russia?”
Rytsar nodded. “His relations are dangerous people, radost moya. I had hoped to avoid capture, but that hope has vanished now. I cannot stay or I risk your life as well.”
She traced the angry red line on his neck. “How did you get away?”
Rytsar glanced at the cat sitting on the arm of the sofa. “Your feline protector.” He snorted. “Do you think I owe it caviar and catnip for the rest of its life?”
Brie wrapped her arms around him and started to cry. “Rytsar, I can’t stand the thought of what almost happened.”
He felt her fear and desperation, and longed to comfort her but he had none to give.
“You must promise me one thing.”
She stepped away from him, frowning through her tears. “I won’t make any promises.”
“You must,” he insisted. He held out his hands and beckoned her back to him.
She reluctantly returned, sobbing against his chest.
Rytsar leaned down and spoke to her in a calm, even voice. “Your life will be forfeit if you do not keep this promise, radost moya.”
She tried to pull away, but he held her even tighter.
“They will not stop until I am dead. If the worst happens, you must promise not to intervene. If you fail in that, they will kill you without hesitation. Promise me you will do that,” he demanded.
She shook her head, sobbing quietly.
“Promise me.”
She shook her head.
Rytsar cupped her chin. “I cannot leave unless I know you are okay. Nothing else matters to me.”
“What about Sir? How can you abandon him without a fight?”
He gazed intently into those honey-colored eyes. “Know that I have done everything possible to prevent this. But there comes a point when one must succumb to Fate or endanger the ones they love.”
Her lip trembled. “I can’t lose you.”
“I am with you always. Did we not make the blood-bond?” he asked, grasping her wrist and turning it to show the newly formed scar.
“Sir and I don’t want a scar—we want you.”
Rytsar grasped her shoulders and shook her, growling. “Enough!”
Brie grabbed him, wrapping herself around his waist, crying, “No, you don’t get to cut me out of your life.”
He looked down at her with an overwhelming sense of tenderness. He’d always known life was cruel—it was a repeating lesson in his life. She, on the other hand, was just getting a taste of how merciless Fate could be. He didn’t want that for her, and hated that he was the cause.
Rytsar enveloped her in his arms again and let down his defenses, allowing the tears to fall—tears of frustration, tears of rage, and tears of loss.
Brie pressed against him, losing herself in his sorrow. Eventually the tears stopped, and he was himself again.
Pulling away from her, he told her, “There’s nothing more you can do for me other than to keep your promise.” He turned away from her and started toward the guest bedroom.
“Rytsar,” she called out.
He turned around to face her.
“What do you need—tonight?”
“Just keep your promise.”
He walked into the bedroom and shut the door. He settled into bed knowing there would be no sleep for him. After several minutes, he heard a light knock on the door.
“Go away,” he barked.
Brie ignored his order and opened the door, letting the light shine in. Rytsar could see her naked frame in the doorway.
“I spoke to Sir.” She walked inside and shut the door, shrouding them in darkness again. “He told me to love you well.”
Tears pricked his eyes. “Then come to me, radost moya.”
Rytsar took her in his arms and they lay in silence, his heart breaking over a memory that still haunted him to this day. “I have a strange request. You are not obligated to say yes.”
Brie rested her chin on his chest. “Rytsar, it would be my pleasure. Anything…”
He put his finger on her lips. “Do not agree until you hear what it is I’m asking.”
She nodded, and he took his finger away.
Rytsar said nothing at first as the memory of his last time with Tatianna flooded his mind. That stolen moment before their whole world was torn apart.
Finally he spoke. “I have one regret in my life.”
“What is it?”
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “I never had the chance to make love to Tatianna. I made her a vow…”
Rytsar felt Brie’s gentle hand on his face. “What do you need from me, Anton?”
Brie had used his given name, releasing a rush of unexpected emotions he was unprepared for. He turned his head away. Taking several deep breaths, he voiced out loud his need to her.
“I want to make love to Tatianna like I vowed—before her innocence was ripped away from her…” His voice caught. “I understand how odd that must sound to you.”
“Not at all,” Brie’s voice assured him in the dark. “I would be honored to be your vessel.”
“This would not be role play. You would not be allowed to speak, only to receive.”
Brie nodded as she brushed her hand against his jaw. “I understand.”
Rytsar closed his eyes again, crying out to the heavens.
Oh Tatianna, how I’ve missed you…
Rytsar took off his ring and slid it onto Brie’s finger, kissing her hand and saying tenderly, “Stay here, vorobyshek.”
He exited the room and gathered a couple of items from Thane’s closet before returning to her. Rytsar placed the large candles on the nightstand and lit them, satisfied with the subtle light they provided.
He then turned to face Brie.
In his mind’s eye, he saw his beautiful Tatianna before him and a tear escaped as he held out his hand to her. “Tatianna, our time has finally come…”
She came to him, pressing her cheek against his chest as he wrapped his protective arms around her. He held her for a long time, conte
nt simply to be in her presence again.
When he felt light gentle kisses on his chest, he cupped her chin and lifted her head up to stare into those deep blue eyes. They still held the innocence and youthful love he remembered so well…
Rytsar took Tatianna’s hand and played with the ring on her finger. “Do you remember when I gave you this ring?”
She nodded, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“I would like it back now.” He slowly slid the ring from her finger and placed it back on his pinky. “Because tonight, my Russian princess, I make love to you.”
Her eyes glistened in the candlelight as he leaned down to kiss her perfect lips.
Suddenly, the horrifying image of her body, bloody and beaten, invaded his thoughts. In an instant, he was back to that moment of deep-seated pain when he’d finally found her after months of searching—his beautiful virgin violated and broken by the unholy.
“I’m sorry, Tatianna…” he choked out in grief and guilt.
She shook her head, placing her finger on his lips. When she removed it, she gave him a tender kiss and smiled. Her kiss held no anger or resentment, communicating only her devotion to him.
“You own my soul, little sparrow.”
She traced her fingers over his heart.
Pressing her small frame against his body, he held her. He needed a few moments before beginning his seduction.
“I have a confession to make,” he whispered huskily. “I would have made love to you that day if your parents hadn’t interrupted us.”
She giggled underneath him, kissing his chin playfully.
Rytsar growled as he moved her head to the side so he could kiss her neck as his hands slowly explored her naked body. She giggled when he found the sensitive area on her stomach that made her jump as his hand traveled down farther to rest just above her mound.
He would be thoughtful and gentle with his taking of her. Rytsar wanted to express the powerful love he felt in his caress. He needed Tatianna to experience the magic known only to lovers when bodies and souls connect.
Rytsar literally spent hours exploring, tasting and teasing her, building up Tatianna’s desire for that moment when he took her virginity and their souls melded as one.