Taking back forever and a day

by Marcy Lynn

  “You should have sent word to me.” His voice didn’t raise this time. Instead, a velvet deep chested tone carried that message to her.

  Elanor felt compounded guilt instantly. It had been inevitable this conversation would come up. The really emotional conversations always did come at odd times. He would never be able to understand why she’d left for the country side with her family. To him, that night they hadn’t done anything wrong. But she’d betrayed her mother and sisters by pretending to be sick so she could run off to spend time with Derek. Her Mother had been killed because of a witch hunter trying to discover if they were indeed the five elemental witches. The horses had spooked from the chaos of the chase and the carriage had over turned. Such a simple explaining of a night when death and loss had been a tremendous impact.

  And now, she betrayed them all over again for being here with him when they surely were sick with worry over her being lost to pirates, and Meagan…so far out of reach.

  “You’re not being sensible about any of this. We’re meant to be together. You still feel it too. But you’re holding onto the past in the wrong damn way!”

  He didn’t look like him again. This man before her, angry. Bitter. Not the charming, teasing man she had known all her life. “We should have come here together. We would have been happy and settled right now if you hadn’t left.” He shook his head as he rowed. “We made vows to each other that night, Elanor. I won’t bring you back, not now, not ever.”

  “But my mother died! My little sister was missing! My father thought it best too that we go live with my Nain. How could I do anything but to grieve with my family?” The full truth of it would only upset him more. She had asked her Father to go to Nain’s. She knew it had best for them to be apart, for good. As much as it broke her heart to leave him, it was the right thing to do. Her Grandmother’s country home had been the safest if more witch hunters were after them in any case.

  “You could have stay with me! I would have taken care of you, you know I would have!”

  “It wasn‘t-”

  Her eyes welled with tears, spilling over her cheeks. Those words cut her deeper than a knife ever would.

  “I’m sorry. I truly am.”

  He reached out, touching her hand. “Then stay with me now. We have another chance.”

  Part of her wanted to give into the old feelings always on the edge of her conscience. But she couldn’t. She needed to redeem herself. She had to find Meagan for her Mother. For her family.

  “It’s not that easy. You’re an only child so you don’t understand the bond between my sisters and I. And your family isn’t as close as mine. You don’t understand when one is hurt we’re all hurt. My father is out of his mind worried right now, Derek. Your plan is hurting them.” She pleaded, her face contorting with the pain she felt inside. “Please take me back.”

  His face changed from different emotions until that familiar closed look covered it. His mouth set, a nerve ticked at his jaw.

  “I used to think your family would be my family too. I’ve changed Elanor. I do know about being a close family from living here.” He took a breath and let it out forcefully as he rowed. “You aren’t going anywhere. This is your home. I let you grieve with your family and take to the country side but look where it got us. I’m deciding what’s best for us both from now on. Sooner or later I know you’ll stop being stubborn. This is what we’ve always wanted.”

  They had gotten nowhere again. The line drawn and neither would move over it. She couldn’t sit in the boat with him; his face made her furious and his words made her heart ache.

  “Fine, if you won’t help me, then I will find someone who will.”

  “I wish you much luck on that.”

  She grabbed her skirt, bunching it in a swift motion, lifting off the bench seat of the boat to launch herself in the water. It wasn’t that far to shore. She could hear him cursing and then calling her name as she cut through the water with even strokes. Reaching the shore in no time, her feet peddled hard through the soft shifting sand towards the trees.

  There was a small dock with a beaten path leading to it. He’d been rowing towards it from the ship. That had to be the way to the town or village. She’d find someone there to take her back. Elanor gave one look over her shoulder to see him rowing hard towards the dock.

  She bolted for the path.

  Chapter fourteen

  Damn boat that won‘t go faster!

  Damn rope that won’t tie!

  Damn woman who won’t listen to reason!

  He cursed time itself for not slowing down so he could get off the water and after her. After tying the boat off, he launched into a sprint calling out for her to stop. His feet glided over the familiar ground up the path. The smooth flat stone dug into the dirt acting like steps were never so long as they were now.

  He wasn’t worried about her finding anyone on the island to help her off it, but he was definitely concerned about her knack for finding trouble. For a long time he’d accept it, even found it charming that Elanor knew her own mind. It’s what drew him to her when they were children. But there were lines that she just didn’t seem to understand. Dangers and protocol that her mother’s people didn’t observe. Such as, men lead and women followed. At times he had enough patience for her to press the limits given. She could be right and after a time if she wasn’t, he would eventually be able to reason with her.

  It had been a give and take relationship. One that both of them enjoyed.

  But after years being lost because of her tunneled mind; he wasn‘t going to allow her to make rash choices or cost them more.

  He had a plan to bring the women he loved back to her senses. The thought fueled his legs, flexing his muscles to catch up to her in long strides. To his surprise, he didn’t have to run long before catching up to her. In fact, she’d stopped in the middle of the path, looking frighten. He nearly knocked her over when she stopped abruptly. There was a rustling in the dry leaves nearby encouraging her fear enough to make her step back into him.

  “What is that!”

  His hand took hold of her arm before he glanced to the thing in question. He didn’t trust that she wasn’t playing a game to distract him to run back for the beach.

  His tone dry and bemused when he saw what had emerged.

  “That is a lizard.” Derek pulled her along with an ungentle jerk, stomping at the lizard. Four legs scurried over the dirt and fallen spiked leaves off the path, its tail whipping around warning as it left. After it disappeared into the trees, he pulled her along.

  “Good size. Should have brought it home for dinner tonight.”

  “Dinner?” Her horrified look gave him a sense of pleasure. Served her right for making him run after her. He was still trying to catch his breath. He pulled her along the path, up the hill towards home. She kept quiet now without struggle. Whether she was working on her next ploy or finally being sensible in being silent; it could be either. The strange expression on her face had him glance at her now and then though.

  “What is it?” He finally asked. She gave him a faint glance and then looked up the path again.

  “I feel…” Her voice faded as though she were too frightened to say whatever was on her mind. He had a strange feeling it wasn’t him that had inspired the fear to silence her. He didn’t prompt her to finish the sentence or explain. With her magic abilities, it could be just about anything. Though there were others who followed different types of caster paths on the Island, he didn’t know what they did or cared as long as it didn’t harm anyone. It might have been a shock to her to feel the truth of that. He wanted to surprise her with the knowledge. Now Derek felt annoyed and ready to have a drink in his own kitchen.

  When reaching the short path to the house he felt calmer. He pretended to not notice the darting glances she gave him, then up the path towards the village. When the house came into view, he felt a little less irritated, actually wondering how she’d like the home he’d built.

&nbs
p; The kitchen held a spice and oak smell, familiar when they entered through the front door. He released her arm watching her face openly now. Elanor’s beautiful brown eyes drifted slowly around the room. If he were honest, Derek wanted her to be impressed. To see how much he’d accomplished over the years building the home. When she didn’t say anything, he felt a need to prompt her.

  “Now then. This is your new home and there will be rules for you to follow-” He lifted a hand to silence the words forming on her lovely lips. “Not a word, Elanor. I speak, you listen.” He watched her lift her arms crossing them over her chest with a scowl on her face.

  “Will you give me your word that you won’t try to run away again?” He asked directly.

  “I can’t sta-” His hand pushed the kitchen door closed hard; causing her to jump.

  “Your word, Elanor! Will you give me your word you won’t try to run away. Yes or no?” He didn’t expect her to say yes, but gave her the chance to do so. He would be strict in this but fair.

  “No.” She replied.

  “Then, step in there.” He pointed to the door leading to the day room. They passed oak cabinets he’d just put up last year; she seemed to admire them but then remembered she was angry. He couldn’t be sure if his own anger welling up in his disappointment. He steered her up the step into the next room right to the cherry wood settee. Pushing her down onto it, then turning around to step outside for a moment. He returned to kneel before her.

  “Your right foot.” He gestured for her to place her foot on his knee. Elanor’s hands rested on the settee next to her thighs, she leaned forward curiously but didn’t lift her foot. He reached for the metal chain, pulling the end to drag it closer. The sound of the ball dragging on the floor made her take notice.

  “You can’t be serious.” Alarm sparkled in her brown eyes. “Where on earth did you get that?”

  “Do you give your word?” He asked again.

  “You can’t chain me!” She cried. “You’re insane!”

  That was answer enough for him. He hadn’t actually meant to use it. Just to push her to realize how serious he had been about all of this. But the argument in the boat, the chase and then her lack of any happiness to see their dream home coming to life before her.

  It had made his own emotions snap.

  He grabbed her ankle and pulled it too him. She struggled breaking his grip. She jumped up from the settee, aimlessly running from him. He let the chain go, jumping to his feet to chase after her, again. She didn’t get far, the furniture in the room hindering her escape. He had her by the waist, her arms and legs flailing as he dragged her back.

  “No! You can’t do this! It’s not right!”

  He didn’t answer, only kept his course back towards the chain.

  Again, as willowy as she was, her ability to get out of his hold by twisting and turning worked. She didn’t get far this time, the oriental rug a hazard to her running, it slipped on the hard wood floor, sending them both crashing to the floor. They lay winded there for a moment before Derek gained composure and flopped her over unceremoniously to her back. He threw one leg over her hips, straddling to sit on her stomach. No form of wiggling would free her this time.

  She screamed in outrage, thrashing about under him.

  “Throwing a tantrum isn’t going to get you out of this. You’re either going to willingly stay or stay as a prisoner. There is no other choice.” He snapped. Derek managed to reach the chain, pulling it and the ball towards him. The chain itself silver, small linked but strong. It’s partner an 18 pound iron ball. She would be able to walk around with it, but the chain wasn’t long enough to lift the ball up to run. The irony of him using the chain and ball he’d taken from a slaver’s ship in which he freed slaves from- didn’t fail to prick in his mind.

  His sense of morals had been insulted by the slavers and prompted the attack on the ship freeing the enslaved and in turn selling the ship to the Ottoman along with its crew. Now, he was using the tools of their trade to keep his own prisoner. But if she just relented, he could back out of the threat.

  “You will wear this during the day, and won’t stray more than twenty feet from me.” He promised. Derek pinned her leg to fold the thick leather around her ankle.

  “At night, I’ll take it off you when we go to bed.” He said matter of factly. She’d stopped struggling, though heavy angry breath heaved her chest. He stood, stepping his foot over her body to move to the settee. She didn’t move. He sat with elbows resting against his knees, his upper body leaning.

  The rich glow of brown hair was like a halo scattered about her head in long snaking lengths. She stared at the ceiling, unmoving except the rise and fall of her chest. Her face set, the pearl and rose of her facial bones made her cheeks look high and sharp. It annoyed him that he couldn’t smooth away the lines wrinkling her forehead or kiss away the frown on her lips.

  Why did it always have to come to a fight now?

  “Don’t do this, Derek.”

  He didn‘t answer right away. He hated having to resort to this. It made him feel guilty and resentful. He rubbed his face roughly with a hand, raking it through his hair. He couldn‘t sit there and discuss it with her right then. She hadn’t even tried to see it his way. Again.

  “It’s already done. I’m headed to the village to say hello to everyone. The door will be locked, so don‘t bother.” He stood crossing the room to step down into the kitchen, pausing.

  “Just remember it doesn’t have to be this way, Elanor. I’ll take it off if you just give your word. That’s all it takes.” Briefly he stopped outside after locking the kitchen door. Hopefully she didn’t burn the house down while he was gone. He started up the path towards the village, wondering if this was the right way to go about it. Or if there was any other way to save her from herself.

  Chapter fifteen

  Anger caused her to act recklessly.

  She had tried with no luck focusing her energy on the ball and chain; trying to blink it. Blinking it would transfer it from her ankle to another spot on the floor in a blink of an eye. She’d seen it done a few times when they were in the country. Her sister Constance had actually become really good at it. Though her sister’s draw off the element of air had aided her, other casters had managed to accomplish the spell sometimes. Only. Elanor couldn’t even manage her fury at the moment.

  She channeled the anger she felt towards Derek and focused it on the shackle. For a moment, it did feel as though it was working and it may have been, but the draining feeling coming from deep within was too much. She either had to stop or risk hurting herself. It felt as though she’d been running again. She needed to lay back and regroup having gone too far.

  Her anger towards him deep and intense.

  Maybe if she wasn’t so emotional, the idea would have worked. Constance had always excelled in the art of transformation. If she needed a dress, all she had to do was think of a style with a bit of fabric and thread nearby. But Elanor had never tried before. It wasn’t something that had seemed important enough to learn. Regret once again showed it’s ugly head.

  She’d figured out the energy pulse needed, but this was too complex for her. She’d heard through coven circle talk, of casters who could transform anything; even humans. If the stories were true, it was possible to transform a larger object into a smaller and vice versa. However, Elanor wasn’t that- experienced.

  The lack of knowing made her even more frustrated and angry.

  At least that was a basic knowledge of magic… that anger, wasted energy. Even her wand wouldn’t channel enough energy to do a simple spell as much energy she’d burned being so angry. When he returned she’d give him a good old fashion piece of her mind. She wouldn’t need magic for that! How dare he take this so far. Had he changed so much? He used to be as appalled by slavery as she. Living so far from home must have turned him. All these things that had happened since he’d show himself and then forcing her to come here against her will.

  A dim r
ealization occurred to her.

  They still allowed slavery in the Broken Islands to the far south on plantations and the like. And judging from the warmth and beauty of the island, it was possible that was exactly where they were. They took any woman and man for that matter that they could sell on their slave markets. Was this his revenge for her leaving him? To enslave her? Sweet goddess, had he really become a pirate?

  If she let herself, she could circle from one bad thought to the next until she was hysterical with it. A long pent up sigh plumed past her lips. She stared at the ceiling focusing her energy to her center. Channeling all thoughts back to calm, bringing back her peace of mind. The light had dimmed in the room when she finally felt at a better state of mind.

  She sat up looking towards the large bay window. The sun didn’t shine through the spiked leaves outside anymore. Night would be blanketing the Island in darkness soon.

  She stood then, the pull of the chain and ball on her right leg felt awkward, even embarrassing though no one else were present. She made way across the room, testing out the right movements to make it less awkward.

  A soft snicker of laughter bubbled out after catching sight of the floor though.

  Oh he definitely hadn’t thought this out. Long scratch marks were scraped into the surface of his hard wood floor. A mean satisfaction tickled her sense of humor that had been sorely lacking today.

  “Serves you right.” She said aloud. The higher powers sometimes gave little justices like that, she thanked them for it. Her humor didn’t last long though. Elanor didn’t like the house to be so heavy in shadow. She’d felt a looming presence on the pathway causing her to stop short like she did. Never had she felt such a powerful energy and with so much… the right word escaped her. Wrath? Whatever had been at the end of the pathway, it was big and powerful. And somehow eluded the people in the village? Perhaps it hid within the island where it wouldn’t be seen.