by Unknown
That left Gwen where she lay, restless and pondering her dangerous decision which would place numerous loved ones into the throes of a dangerous situation.
Gwen thought her plan was simple enough. Julianna, Grimmly, and she would sneak into Ramsey's castle through a secret passage Grimmly was familiar with. They'd find Cain, cast the spell to break the torque off, and then whisk him away so they could rid him of the evils, and give him the spell for immortality.
Julianna had laughed. "Ramsey will be expecting us, lass," she had said earlier, as the three of them talked over their plans, while they ate their evening meal. "Remember, Gwen," Julianna had continued, "I lived with Ramsey and your mother for two years before you were born. I ken how he thinks."
"Plus," Grimmly added, wiping the wine off his chin, "Ramsey will have every man on alert. Let us not forget that Cain is an enemy too, as long as he wears the torque. Ramsey will use him against us every chance he gets."
"I'm not giving up," Gwen said adamantly.
Julianna reached across the worn, wooden table and covered Gwen's hand with hers. "I'm not asking you to. I just think we need more help. I'm not as powerful as Cain. I'm no match for his magic. Ramsey won't be expecting an army." Julianna smirked. "And it just so happens I know someone who is equal in magic to Cain and has a very large army."
"Who?" Grimmly asked, lines marking his brow.
Gwen felt a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She met Julianna's gaze. "No," she said shaking her head, "We've hurt him enough already when we left him all those years ago. He doesn't need to place his life on the line for me."
Julianna stared at Gwen a moment before she spoke. "There is no one else."
"Who do you speak of?" Grimmly cut in. "For the love of God, tell me!"
Julianna spoke to Grimmly, but never took her gaze off Gwen. "Ulrick."
"No!" Grimmly shouted, standing up, his hands pressed to the table. Gwen quickly glanced around when a harsh "shush" came from across the room. A couple of angry looking nuns glared their way.
"Sit down," Julianna fiercely whispered to Grimmly, tugging his sleeve, and giving a contrite smile to the nuns with scornful expressions.
Grimmly let out a gruff sigh and sat. "I dinna like the idea of trusting that mon in battle."
Julianna narrowed her eyes at Grimmly. "Ulrick will behave. I opened my home up to him for years. I taught him some magic as well. He will help us."
After they agreed on the rest of the plan and realized they needed Ulrick to save Cain, they all headed down the cloister to their rooms. Grimmly had bid Gwen goodnight at Julianna's door leaving the two women. When Gwen said goodnight and turned to leave, Julianna had invited her to come in.
"Will involving Ulrick be a problem for you or Cain?" Julianna said the moment Gwen shut the door behind her.
"I don't believe so," Gwen said softly.
"Cain was always very protective of you. He began to grow weary of Ulrick's motives toward the end," Julianna muttered. "I remember watching the three of you one day, walking through the pasture. Cain had given Ulrick numerous glares as he walked close to your side."
"Ulrick knew I only cared for him as a friend." Gwen dropped her head into her hands. "It was Cain that never understood."
"Why do you care for Cain so much," Julianna demanded. "He's dangerous. Yes, you love him, but he will kill you. He's not the same man as the one you left ten years ago. Back then, I had hoped it was Ulrick you had fallen in love with. I told him once that he would make the perfect husband for you.... Mayhap, he still could."
"Julianna, I love Cain. Ulrick is the perfect husband for me, only in your mind."
Julianna gripped Gwen's shoulders, lightly shaking her. "Gwen," she said more softly, "you need to realize you can't transform Cain back. He is unchangeable. Tonight, I had hoped that Grimmly would put an end to this silly plan of yours, but he's wont to hurt his daughter again."
"I told you I will go alone."
Julianna lightly pushed a lock of Gwen's hair back in its place. "I wish I would've taught you the magic you were born with." Julianna's shoulder's sagged. "Instead, I never thought to see if you had it once we arrived at my home. I think I didn't want you to get hurt. But now, I know things would've ended differently if I had taught you."
"I don't believe supreme magic is in me. 'Tis black magic, or have you forgotten that I'm tainted with it."
"No, you're wrong. A person has to start with something, whether it be Immortality, foreseeing the future, reading palms. One has to have some small part of magic to start from, to develop. A person does not start with black magic inside them. That is a dark magic that one searches for." Julianna smiled and nodded. "You do have supreme magic inside of you. You have more than anyone I know. Your mother felt it when you began moving in her womb. I didn't believe her at first. Aye, you're filled with magic...her magic."
"Just because I can read a spell doesn't mean I'm magical."
"How do you explain reading a spell from Cain's book that only he should be able to read? How did you find the right spell?" she rattled off. "The one to heal him? A scorcerer's book is always disguised. It's a trap for our enemies. If anyone gets our books, they can't read them, let alone find the correct spell they're looking for."
Gwen closed her eyes. She didn't want to be magic. She didn't want one ounce of any type of magic, no matter how good it had felt to have been able to heal Cain. If she could only go back in time when everything had seemed normal. Gwen blew out a sigh. Who was she kidding, nothing had ever been normal for her. Magic had filled her unfortunate past from the day she had been conceived, if Julianna was correct, and now it continued to ruin her life.
"Sweetie," Julianna said, wrapping her arms around Gwen, "I only want you to really think what it is you want to do. We will all be put into danger for Cain, when really, we can't fix him."
"You don't know that-"
"-yes, I do. A while back, I used the strongest magic inside of me to reverse the spell on him and rid him of the evils."
"What happened?"
Julianna opened the front of her cloak, exposing her collar bone and chest. "This," she said motioning to her chest.
Gwen gasped. "Your skin...it's black and burnt." Just like the marks on Ramsey's witch, Gwen wanted to say.
"One night, in the twenty-first century, when you were out with friends, Cain visited me at our home. I saw what he was becoming. I felt the dark energy growing inside him from the bond we have between each other with our magic. I was beside myself with grief when I saw him and discovered what grew inside him.
"The spell I cast on him when I thought I had sneaked up on him, somehow soaked into him and shot back out at me, but in another form of magic, not the pure, supreme magic I used, but dark, evil, soulless magic. This burn mark still pains me. Nothing can touch what's inside him. It will change the purest form of magic into something horrible. Cain's evils are like a cancer. They are a living, demonic growth, eating and destroying what is pure."
Julianna took Gwen's arm and turned it up so she could rub her thumb over Gwen's wrist where the small black tattoo was. "You must be careful, Gwen. I'm only going along with this plan, because I think you have something very special inside you. There might be a small chance this will work, but it's verra irrational of me when you know not one ounce of magic, yet it sits inside you clear as day." Julianna leaned in and hugged Gwen. "I love you so much. You are like a daughter to me. I'd never wish death on your mother, but I don't ever regret having you as mine. I'll protect you until the day I die."
"I love you too, Julianna."
Julianna pulled away and closed up the cloak, concealing the dark, dead skin on her chest once more. "Now go. I need sleep and so do you. And Gwen," Julianna said over her shoulder as Gwen reached the threshold, "Dinna cast anymore spells with those spell books. That evil will consume your pure energy, leaving nothing but a monster inside of you. Promise me."
Gwen turned to go out, and spoke over her
shoulder, her face in shadows. "I can't. If more spells are what it takes to free the man I love, than a beast I will become."
* * * * *
Ulrick strolled out under the raised portcullis with a tight smile across his face. "The Slayer let ye go?" he asked, eyeing Gwen atop her dark chocolate horse. He glanced around. "Where's Cain? Ye by yourself, then?"
"Not quite," Julianna shouted, riding her horse out from a huge outcrop of rocks fifty feet behind Gwen, Grimmly cantering out behind her.
Ulrick raised his hand, shielding the sun from his eyes. "Gwen? What is the meaning of this?" he shouted as his right hand hastily drew his sword. A dozen men came rushing out from under the portcullis once they realized their lord might be under attack.
"Och, Ulrick, always so dramatic," Julianna purred as she slowly trotted up to him. "Dinna tell me ye forgot about me?" she said with a smile as she slowly shed the hood from her head.
Ulrick sucked in air as his sword hand slowly lowered. His mouth hung open. "Sweet Jesu," he barely whispered. He narrowed his eyes to see better. "J-Julianna? Is that ye?"
"The one and only," Julianna said, sliding down from her docile white mare.
"W-what happened to your face?"
"Ramsey," Julianna said flatly. Ulrick's expression turned to disgust. "We need your help," she added as a devilish grin crossed her face. "Invite us in, Ulrick. We have much to catch up on."
* * * * *
Ulrick sat in a huge upholstered chair. He gestured to the red, tapestry covered sofa. The moment Gwen laid eyes on the couch in the library, shivers danced down her spine. She felt a flush rush to her cheeks. Memories of she and Cain's drug induced copulation raced through her head. She caught Ulrick's knowing gaze upon her.
"Sit," Ulrick suddenly said. He glanced past Julianna's shoulder and gestured to a few guards who had followed the small party into the library. They quickly withdrew from the room, leaving only Brogden, one of Ulrick's right hand men, standing intimdatingly behind the couch.
Ulrick leaned forward. He placed his elbows on his knees and placed his hands together, pointer fingers resting on his bottom lip. "So, Julianna," he said in a condescending tone, "please, remind me why I would owe ye any favors."
Julianna's spine went rigid. "Perhaps, you forget how I let you live at my home, or how I treated you as a son...turned you away from black magic and started you in the art of supreme magic?" she said defensively.
Ulrick laughed bitterly. "First of all, I ne'er asked for any of that. Secondly, your idea of a 'home' was me sleeping with the horses in the stables every night. And as far as teaching me magic...I already knew the basics. Cain taught me. I only acted like a fool to save you face. Besides, ye haven't even apologized for leaving so abruptly with Gwendolyn. A true friend would ask for forgiveness."
Julianna's nose flared and her hands went into fists on her lap. "I will not apologize for leaving," she said tightly. "I had my reasons and you will have to be happy with that. And I did treat you like a son. Don't you remember when you asked me for Gwen's hand and I said you'd make a perfect husband for her."
Ulrick's cheeks reddened as he glimpsed to Gwen and then back to Julianna. "And then ye vanished the next day with her in tow and me and Cain without our memories. Weel, too bad for ye Julianna, but my memory returned. I knew ye time-traveled." Ulrick glanced at Gwen. "Friends dinna just leave without a word. I was worried sick about ye and Gwen...that is, until I realized what ye did."
Julianna raised her chin a hair. "I told you we had to leave. If you can't accept that, then forget about the past and help us, because we are asking...and we still consider you a friend."
Ulrick eyed Gwen. Grimmly noticed, moving his hand to his sword hilt and taking Gwen's hand in his. Ulrick saw the small movement and laughed. "Julianna, you're no friend of mine...not anymore." Ulrick stood. "Leave. Get out of my home." He turned to Gwen. "Ye are more than welcome to stay, Gwen."
Gwen jumped up. "Wait!" She turned to Julianna and Grimmly. "I need a moment with Ulrick alone."
"I dinna trust him," Grimmly grumbled, glaring over to Ulrick.
Ulrick motioned to Brogden. "Escort them out. I believe I'd like to hear what Gwendolyn has to say." Brogden came around the couch and held out an arm showing Julianna and Grimmly the door.
"If you harm one ha-"
"-och, I willna hurt her," Ulrick rushed out to Grimmly. "Leave us. We will only be but a moment."
Grimmly looked over his shoulder at Gwen. He gave her one of those fatherly looks. "Grimmly, please," Gwen said, and then glanced over to Ulrick as she continued talking to Grimmly. "I still consider Ulrick a close friend. I trust him with my life." One side of Ulrick's mouth turned up.
Julianna scoffed at him and shook off Brogden's hand when he went to move her along. Grimmly gave Gwen one more look and then a hard, dangerous one to Ulrick. "If this is a trap...."
"Leave us," Ulrick said coldly. Grimmly gritted his teeth and stormed out.
Before the door shut, a servant shuffled in. She sat a tray with two crystal glasses and a bottle of caramel colored liquid on the table between them. She curtsied and then rushed out, shutting the door softly behind her.
"A glass of my finest whisky?" Ulrick asked, as he filled the two glasses.
"No, thank you."
Ulrick shrugged. "Suit yourself." He sipped his whisky and then set down the glass and leaned back in his chair, placing his hands behind his head.
Gwen shifted under his stare. His eyes were still a stormy gray, like all those years before. "If you wanted to beg me to help," Ulrick suddenly said, "'tis too late. I owe nothing to Julianna."
Gwen pressed her lips together. "You know I love Cain-."
Ulrick closed his eyes and a sad smile covered his mouth. After a moment, he regarded her. "I hardly consider him my friend anymore. I gave him the torque. That's all I'm willing to do for him. Now, if it was to save you, I'd have my army storming Ramsey's castle in a heartbeat."
"I can take the hex off of you," she said quickly.
Ulrick's gaze darted to hers. "So, ye ken about that," he said coolly. "Were ye his partner in crime?" he whispered.
Gwen shook her head. "You have to believe me. I would have forbade him to do that. No, he told me about what he had done to you one night before he realized who I really was." Leaning forward in her seat, she reached out, placing her hand on his knee. "I believe he hates himself for what he has done. The demons inside him...they take over some times. He's not always himself...not always in control." Gwen glanced down at her hands. "Remembering back, he had started to change even before I left."
Ulrick rotated the glass in his hand, the last gulp of whisky swirling around. "So, I'm guessing ye want to make a deal?" he said quietly.
"I know how to remove it. I will, right now if you promise to help me save Cain. Remember," she added softly, "the real Cain, your best friend, is still inside. I want him back, and I know you do too."
Ulrick took the last drink and placed the empty glass on the table. He rose from the chair and sat down on the couch next to Gwen. "Fine. I'll help get Cain back. You can have use of my army, Brogden...me. You can command us to do what you need," he said quietly.
"Really?"
Ulrick nodded. "Just remove this blasted curse...now!"
A beaming smile crossed Gwen's face. "I release you Ulrick."
Ulrick stared as his mouth hung open. "That was it?" he asked disgustedly.
Gwen nodded. "Yes, now you should be able to 'feel' when you caress a woman."
Ulrick shrugged. "All right then," he said leaning over to her.
Gwen fell backwards onto the couch. "What are you doing?"
"I'm sure as hell going to make sure the hex is removed before I raise my army to go fight! I need a kiss." Ulrick waved his hand. "Come, kiss me."
Gwen sighed. She had no choice. And he did have a point. If it were her, she'd want proof too. Gwen sat up and leaned forward, meeting him half way. She blew out a breath. "On
e kiss." She puckered her lips.
Ulrick smiled. Leaning into Gwen, he lightly placed his mouth over hers and began to move his lips. Tingling sensations ran over his mouth, taking a one way route to his groin. Deepening the kiss, he placed his hands on the side of her head, while his tongue crept inside her mouth.
Gwen immediately pulled back. She wiped her mouth. "I'll take that as in you have your sense of feeling back."
"Perhaps, one more kiss, just to make sure," he said grinning. Gwen arched a brow. Ulrick pulled back and laughed, wiping his mouth with his fingers. Abruptly, he leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. "Thank you," he whispered."
Gwen made a shy smile. "I'm glad I could break the curse for you."
Ulrick abruptly stood and held out his hand. "Come. We have much work to do if we're to free Cain this verra night."
* * * * *
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
"This is it," whispered Grimmly as he hunched down next to a moss covered boulder in the woods a good distance west of Castle Dubh. "This leads straight into the inner bailey. We have to be careful once we reach the end. Ramsey may know about this tunnel and have it guarded."
Ulrick leaned down brushing some hanging vines out of the way. In the moonlight, a small, dark hole, big enough for a large man to barely crawl through, was revealed. "We'll have to take off our armor," Ulrick said, glancing down to Grimmly. "We willna fit otherwise." The men agreed and soon, all armor was being removed. "Here," Ulrick said, turning his back to Gwen, "would you help unfasten my breast plate armor?"
Gwen reached up and began untying the binds. "I'm sorry to bring you into this," she said quietly.
Ulrick glanced over his shoulder. "Gwendolyn," he said, "I'm here for ye...and Cain. Remember, I always make my own choices. If I didn't think we could do this, then I wouldn't have agreed to help ye, even if ye did break my curse." His mouth turned up into a devilish grin. "Besides, my men are restless for a fight."