At the last moment Madden saw the darkness of his shape and heard the murderous growl in his throat. He let Renee go and turned to meet Stefan’s charge.
He had left the axe leaning against the rocks and he knew there was no time to reach for it. Stefan came at him at a full run, the torch held high like a club, and Madden went into a fighting crouch and braced himself.
They came together, two big men. Stefan had momentum. Madden was fueled by his own madness.
The impact sent them sprawling to the rocky ground, Stefan driving his shoulder into Madden’s chest and rolling on top of him. The air exploded from Madden’s lungs in a whoosh that starred his vision.
The torch fell free from Stefan’s hands and skittered across the rocks. He bunched his fist and smashed it into Madden’s face, feeling cartilage and bone breaking.
Madden groaned and spat a mouthful of blood at Stefan. Then he heaved with all his might, kicking with his legs as levers so that the two men rolled apart.
Stefan came to his feet, moving like a panther. Madden was slower. He was shaking his head, his ears singing with the pain of Stefan’s punch. His mouth was filled with blood. It gushed down his throat and stained the front of his shirt.
Stefan moved in closer, light on his feet. His face was a mask of fury and pure hatred. He snapped out a punch that hit Madden flush on his jaw and the big man staggered back for room. Then Stefan punched again, this time clipping Madden’s ear as he rolled his head away from the blow.
Madden backed away again, but Stefan would give him no room. He pressed in closer, and when Madden swung a clumsy right hook, Stefan ducked under the swinging arm and lunged forward, his arms outstretched, a savage roar in his throat.
Stefan hit Madden flush in the broad of the big man’s chest with every ounce of his strength. Madden staggered back and his arms wind milled for a hand-hold that was not there. His foot slipped on the crumbling lip of the plateau and he teetered for a second, his eyes wide with terror, and his balance uncertain.
Then the rock underfoot crumbled away – and Larry Madden fell backwards, disappearing over the edge, and plunging to his death in the valley far, far below.
Stefan stood for a moment at the edge of the plateau. His chest heaved like a bellows as the red mist of his rage subsided. Then he picked up the torch and turned to Renee.
She was on her knees, slumped against the rocks. Stefan tore his shirt off and crouched to take her in his arms. She fell into his embrace with a deep sigh.
Using the shreds of his shirt, Stefan dabbed at the blood on her face and lips, and then tore more bandages for the deep cuts on her arms. She lay quietly while he inspected her feet.
“We’re alright,” Renee said, and her voice was clear and remarkably strong despite the tremulous aftershocks that racked her body. “I know we’re alright.”
Stefan smiled and his eyes were bright with tears. “Yes,” he said, “we’re alright.”
Renee sighed softly and shook her head. “No, Stefan. I mean we’re alright…” and her hand went gently to cover her belly where the baby grew.
Stefan stared into Renee’s eyes for long seconds of realization – and then he understood. He understood the secretive shadow he had seen behind her eyes, and his suspicions that she had denied. He understood it all – and it did not matter.
“It will be a girl,” he said confidently. “And we will call her Storm.”
Renee hugged him, wrapping her arms tight around his neck.
“I love you,” Stefan said.
Because those words said it all.
Twenty-Three
Stefan came down from the mountain bare-chested, carrying Renee in his arms.
Power to the street had been restored. The house was ablaze with light, and they could see the flashing orange signals of emergency worker vehicles parked on the road.
Tink saw Stefan emerge from the darkness, his face grim, the muscles in his shoulders and forearms bunched and knotted. She burst out onto the patio and Master Peter was behind her.
Peter ran to Stefan’s side. “Here, let me help,” he said
Stefan shook his head.
Renee was his woman.
She was his to carry, and to hold, and to protect.
His.
* *
The living room was a shambles and the sofa destroyed. Stefan sat Renee down on the kitchen counter, and looked carefully at her feet. They were a bloodied mess of torn flesh and mud. He gently untied the bandage around one of the cuts on her forearm. It was deep, but the bleeding was only slight.
Stefan turned to Peter. “We need an ambulance.”
“And a vet,” Peter replied.
Tink came from the hallway, taking tiny delicate steps, carrying Jeffrey in his basket.
“Tink persuaded me to follow you,” Peter explained. “When we came inside we found him.”
Tink held up the basket. “He’s still breathing,” she said softly.
Renee sobbed her relief. Tink brought the basket to her and she peered over the edge to see the puppy lying under a blanket. His eyes were closed and he did not stir, but she could now see the soft inhalation and exhalation of shallow breaths.
“I think his skull has been fractured,” Peter said.
Stefan looked a question at him and Peter shrugged. “I own a farm, Stefan. You get to know some things.”
Stefan nodded.
Peter turned away and reached into his pocket for his phone. He dialed. “I’ll call the hospital first. What do you want me to tell them?”
Stefan stared at him for a long moment. “Tell them we have a woman with severe lacerations to her feet and arms,” he said and then he paused and began to smile.
“And tell them she is pregnant with my child.”
Epilogue.
An eagle soared high overhead in majestic flight as it rode the warm currents of air, circling the tiny group twice before swooping away to the west, its outstretched wings touched by the golden sunlight.
Filled with a sense of joy and wonder, Renee watched the bird until it became just a speck on the horizon, before she lowered her eyes to Stefan.
He smiled at her. He didn’t see the bruising on her neck for the high collar of the gown was trimmed with ivory lace, and he didn’t see the healing cuts on her arm for the dress was long sleeved – the silk layers as soft and ethereal as a pure white cloud.
To Stefan’s eyes she was, at that moment, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
The bridal party stood by the edge of the lookout. Below them was the town of Bishop’s Bridge, its rooftops and leafy streets nestled in the valley, basking in the warm afternoon light.
There was no aisle for Renee to walk down, and the injuries to her feet made movement difficult. So they gathered around her; the portly old gentleman who was their celebrant smiled benignly and at the back of the gathering Chrisy Golfin began to cry.
At Renee’s shoulder, Tink smiled. Renee clutched her hand one last time for luck, and Tink kissed her cheek. Then Renee and Stefan were exchanging their vows and Peter was discreetly handing Stefan the ring.
The wedding ring.
Renee vowed to be the best wife in the whole world, and never to keep anything secret from her husband – apart from the price of new dresses and shoes. And Stefan solemnly promised to love Renee with all his heart until the day he died – and to lighten up a little.
A young couple who were at the lookout sightseeing threw rice over the bride and groom, and Chrisy Golfin began to cry again.
Despite his healing injuries, Jeffrey roused himself bravely in his basket and barked his approval.
And as the celebrant pronounced them man and wife, the sun sank on the horizon, seeming to pierce itself on the distant mountain peaks and spill its last golden rays of light across the setting sky.
THE END
Bonus Material:
Whenever Hollywood releases a new film it’s normal for the stars to do a wide range of interviews. I thou
ght it would be fun to send an interviewer to talk to Stefan and Renee.
This interview took place four months after the story concluded:
Interviewer: Welcome back Renee and Stefan. For a while, I was uncertain myself whether both of you would be able to return for this interview. The climax to ‘Her Master’s Kiss 3’ was certainly filled with great danger.
How do you feel now the story is over Renee?
Renee: I have never been more frightened in my life. From the moment I heard Larry Madden’s voice I was in total fear for my life. I can’t even imagine how the story would have ended if Stefan hadn’t arrived at Picnic Rock when he did.
Interviewer: And how about you, Stefan? Are you relieved the story is over?
Stefan: More than relieved.
Interviewer: Stefan, the way you said that sounded very final. Very abrupt. Are you trying to tell us something?
Stefan: Yes. I’m saying right now that there will never, ever be an ‘Her Master’s Kiss 4’. Our association with Vivien Sparx has ended; we’ve gone as far together as we are willing to go. I’d like to spend the rest of my life quietly with my new bride.
Interviewer: You realize there will be disappointed readers?
Stefan: I’m sorry if that’s the case. But the fact is that Vivien Sparx has put us and our relationship through about as much as any couple deserves. She has a dangerous imagination!
Interviewer: Renee? Do you feel the same way as Stefan?
Renee: Look, I love Vivien Sparx. I follow her on Facebook and I’ve read all of her stories. I thought the twist at the end of ‘The Billionaire’s Temptress’ was absolutely wicked, and the sizzling chemistry she created between Kate and Dillon in ‘Her Master’s Voice’ was red hot. So as a reader, I can understand why people would want more. But as one of her characters? Well, let me just say from first-hand experience it’s hard work. Vivien has a way of making her characters earn their happy endings. So I do agree with Stefan about this. There will never be a ‘Her Master’s Kiss 4’. Our story is officially over.
Interviewer: Well, on to other things then. Renee, how is the pregnancy proceeding?
Renee: Everything is going fine!
Interviewer: And Jeffrey? I know every reader will want to know what happened to the little pup after the story ended.
Renee: He has recovered well. It was a long, slow healing process. Peter was right – he had a skull fracture, and there was some damage to one of his hind legs. He spent almost three months basically bed-ridden, but over the past six weeks he’s been able to move around a lot more. He’s thin, but getting better. Stefan has been taking him for walks up to Picnic Rock, and he’s really beginning to develop a personality.
Interviewer: Tell us more about your wedding day, Renee. Was it everything you had hoped and dreamed of?
Renee: Absolutely! For a large part of the story, I wasn’t certain I was going to have a wedding day. Chrisy Golfin and I chose the lookout at Bishop’s Bridge, and it was so lovely to have Tink and Master Peter there at our side. It was an intimate wedding, but I was very, very happy.
Interviewer: Stefan, how is the relationship developing between young Tink and this new man, Master Peter? We didn’t see a lot of his character in this story.
Stefan: From all reports, everything is going remarkably well. Tink moved in with Peter on his farm last month, and they have begun to settle into their roles as Master and sub. Peter owns businesses around the world, so I know Tink is looking forward to travelling with him. So far, they seem to be handling their new relationship well. However Tink knows if she ever needs a place to stay, she’ll be welcome at our home.
Interviewer: So… back to the question raised earlier in the interview. If there is no more of your story, what exactly are you two going to do with yourselves?
Stefan: We have plenty to do! Right now Peter and I are slowly dismantling the punishment room. He’s setting it up in his homestead so all the equipment can be shared between himself and Tink. After that, the downstairs room will be converted into a family room, and then I’m going to convert Tink’s bedroom into a nursery for baby Storm. There is more than enough to keep us busy, and out of Vivien Sparx’s clutches!
Interviewer: Well, on behalf of every reader who has shared your journey together through three complete stories, we wish you peace and happiness for the rest of your lives.
Renee: Amen to that!
Author’s note:
I wish to acknowledge the contribution of my friend Chrisy Golfin to the completion of this story. Stefan’s romantic proposal was Chrisy’s idea, and as a ‘thank you’ I have named her as the wedding planner character.
Her Master's Kiss 3 (Erotic Romance) Page 9