“Not protecting you.”
She looked agonized. “Dom, you were swarmed.”
“You screamed. You screamed for me and I couldn’t come.” His grief overwhelming him, Dom buried his face against her neck, finding salvation in her scent. When he was sure his rage was contained in its cage, he lifted his head. “There’s no easing my guilt right now.”
She licked her lips, her tongue erasing the specks of blood on them. “I’m fine—”
“You’re not.”
“It’s only cuts and bruising—”
“There’s nothing minor about you bleeding, so heed my need to be angry with myself.”
“I can’t and I won’t. Your self-designated torture will eat a hole in me to see you so guilt stricken. Don’t make me sad Dom.” Her eyes were pleading.
Oh her eyes, her eyes, he could not deny when they made his dead heart fly higher than the sky.
“As if nothing about this hasn’t made you sad already.”
“I am sad for every reason that calls my attention, but I am glad for I got all that I wanted.”
“And what did you want?”
“Your arms holding me, your eyes loving me with their gaze alone, your words making me feel like the most special thing in the entire world.”
“My world encompasses the universe.”
“Oh, Dom.” Her chin began to quiver as fresh tears welled. “Everyone knows now.”
Pan’s fears and tears were going to break him. Couldn’t he protect her at all?
He stroked her face, trying to soothe her. “So it makes everything easier. No more sneaking around, praying we wouldn’t be found.” She gave a weak smile that was worth all his denial. “My heart is in denial if that isn’t the most beautiful smile I have ever seen.”
She laughed halfheartedly and grimaced. Dom froze, realizing the sounds of holy hell were nowhere to be found. All had gone silent. So devout was his dedication, so wrapped was his attention, he deafened his senses to wars presences and tricked himself into believing they were alone.
Holding Pan tight, Dom looked around in challenge, feeling extremely territorial, threatening any uproar with his stare. All gaped.
Sliding his arms under her, he stood with Pan in claim, cradling her to his chest. Deacon caught his eyes. Dom didn’t know where he had come from, but he was eternally grateful, his feelings no longer hateful. He was forever in his debt. He looked next at Raphael who was vibrating with fury.
Pan’s bodyguard parted from the crowd and walked up to them. Pan sniffed and hiccupped. Dom looked down at her.
“Your tears are killing me love,” he said, pleading for them to stop.
“It’s over now,” she cried.
“It will never be over,” he whispered.
Pan tilted her face up and there was no way he could turn her mouth away. He kissed her passionately, but broke away when her bodyguard growled.
“I love you.”
Dom kissed her forehead. “I love you as well, forever and always.”
“Give her to me,” Andre ordered, extending his arms.
Dom reluctantly transferred Pan into his hold, careful not to jostle her. Glaring, Andre turned and walked away with her. The further Pan moved, the further Dom knew he was going to have to go to keep her.
He clenched his fist in determination and looked around at his father. He didn’t know how Ellis would take this revelation of his so obvious betrayal and he didn’t care, though he doubted he would get out of jail with ten Hail Mary’s.
Ellis tore his gaze away from him. “On pain of torture,” he said. “For those bloody mouths I see, sheath your sharp toothed weapons! If you or your covens disturb my Gray shadows again your lives will pay the forfeit of the peace I strive to keep. Once more, I warn! On pain of death, all wolves and men with hooves and horns depart.”
He turned and disappeared inside.
“A Rose?! A Rose?!” Ellis bellowed, pacing the library. “My blood froze at the sight!” He rounded on Dom. “Could you at least stand posed with guilt?”
“No,” Dom said vaguely. Pan, Pan, Pan, his mind ran. Pan, Pan, Pan, he’d be damned.
Ellis hit the desk and Dom’s eyes snapped back to him in attention. “Who all knew? I know Urijah did.” He gestured to Dom’s shadow by the door.
“My closest circle.”
“They knew! Even the dumb two?”
“Had everything remained the way I intended, they all would have been dumb, deaf, and blind to it.”
“On my sadness this is madness!”
“You appear angrier not having known about it than my love of your enemy.”
“This is my coven! And I am blind to my own son’s deceit? What does that say about my control? You have made me a fool!” Ellis returned to pacing and rubbed his brow. “Dominic—why didn’t you tell me?” he asked with implore.
“Fear,” Dom admitted. He felt no shame for it.
“Your whole life you have lived to openly defy me—” Ellis stared at him baffled. “This girl has turned your temper into softened valor’s steel. Harsh hand never laid, harsh words never spoke, what have I done my son to make you fear me?”
“I feared your hatred of your enemy would be so strong you would act rashly and attempt an attack on her life.”
Disappointment was heavy on Ellis’s face. “That does not sound like me.”
“No, it doesn’t.” It couldn’t be any farther from his father. “But it was a fear along with many others I have concerning her. I will protect her by any means necessary, even lying to you.”
“You are obsessed with her.” Ellis made it a statement.
“I know.” And it was his glory. “I am so wrapped in her thrall an hour without her I face withdrawal. Shakes and shivers, when I am back in her presence I quiver.”
“A love so addicting is pure poison, instant death.” Ellis shook his head, pacing again. “This is not good Dom. But let me object to correct your previous statement—Victor sir Capulet Rose is my enemy. While she may be his daughter, I am aware she is human and powerless and has harmed me none other than having the misfortune to who she was born. The people of the Rose’s and Gray’s follow each of the King’s religion as it should be. His flock happens to be more devout than mine.”
While Ellis had distracted Dom with words of reasonable dislike, he ambushed him with, “You cannot see her anymore, you know this.”
Dom didn’t beg or plead or grovel, but remained stock-still and blank faced. He wasn’t even disappointed. He knew his father wouldn’t understand Pan’s command over him. Ellis’s words meant nothing, made no sense in his Pan softened vocabulary.
“Disown me,” he said without fear. “Banish me if you must, but she is the soul to my existence. She sees in me something blessed in my cold dead flesh. Without her—I would cease to be.”
Ellis’s eyes narrowed. “What are you threatening me with?”
Dom shrugged. “I’m not threatening you with anything at all, I’m simply advising you do as you must, whatever you must, but I will never give her up.”
Having said all he needed, he turned and walked away, leaving Ellis to stare after him, still comprehending his words. He was walking down the grounds into the forest when Ellis finally did.
His roar tore open the night. “Dominic!”
+ Chapter 27 +
Violent Delights
“You are too young!” Andre yelled, dodging Gertrude who was trying to shuffle him out of the room. Pan was sitting on the bed in only her bra and pants as Magda treated her wounds.
“You love him you cry! Not even bothering to deny. You don’t even know what love is!”
“I know it carries you on the wings of angels!” Pan yelled back. “I know it gives you a fire of life no other sensation can. I know it is absolutely divine. I know more than anyone what love is!”
“How so oh wise one? When your youth makes it vile and infantile!”
This caught Pan off guard. “Because—because
I have not been tainted by the cruelty of the world! I have not been broken or stomped. I have experienced love in its purest of forms.” Pan sighed. “New and virginal—Andre I love him!”
“Do you know what your betrayal entails?!” Gertrude was huffing and puffing trying to push him out. Andre stepped to the side and she ran into the wall.
“I don’t care!” Pan shoved to her feet, but Magda pushed her down. Pan grimaced and clutched her waist, hurting. “I love him!” she cried.
“This is—” Gertrude suddenly whacked Andre in the head with a rolled up magazine. Andre ducked her second swing.
“Get out! Out! OUT!” Gertrude shrieked, beating him. “She is indecent!” She suddenly smacked him in the face with no little love tap making his tolerance snap.
“Woman!” Andre shoved her and Gertrude let out a whoop as she flipped over Pan’s bed and landed on the floor.
Pan shoved to her feet, pushing Magda away. “Don’t you touch my human!”
“You rebel in everything! Stubborn and headstrong! Of all the Gray’s to lay you choose the Prince!”
“He could be a pauper and have less to offer and I’d still love him!”
Andre roared with a ferocity she had never heard come from him before. Pan recoiled from him, scared.
Seeing he frightened her, Andre ran a hand down his face. “Pan, I could honestly give a damn you love a Gray. I can’t—I can’t protect you from your father!” He looked horribly distressed by this.
Shoulders slumping, Pan sank back on the bed, deflated. “I know Andre.” Magda covered her with a shawl, but Pan barely noticed, staring at the floor. “I know. My protection will have to be my faith that he loves me enough to save me the grave.”
“He is on his way back from Russia as we speak. He is extremely displeased and wants to know—” Andre rubbed his brow. “Wants to know—he demands to know if you are still…pure.”
Pan looked at him appalled. After everything, this is what Victor was most concerned about. Crushed, she looked away to hide her glimmering eyes.
“No,” she said, defeated. “I haven’t been with him.”
Andre took a step towards her. “Pan, I am sorry it has to end like this. These violent delights have violent ends sometimes to which we cannot amend.” He stared at her a moment then straightened his back with resolve. “I will do all I can to protect you.”
Gertrude peeked over the bed as he turned and left. Pan burst out crying. Magda sat and wrapped her arms around her, rocking her.
Magda kissed her brow as she sobbed. “Shh, shh, now dear, have nothing to fear, I am here.”
Victor arrived late the next night. Pan watched from the library balcony as his procession of cars pulled in.
“Why so sad?”
Pan jerked around. Raphael stood by a book covered wall, holding open a small green leather William Shakespeare volume.
“Leave me alone Raphael.” Pan turned her back on him, having no strength to deal with him.
He tossed the book in a chair. “Mm, I simply cannot.”
“You know you’re forbidden to bother me in my wing.”
“So Andre sings. But isn’t it also forbidden to associate with Gray’s?” Pan’s skin prickled in uneasiness as she felt him move behind her. “But I have a feeling that is going to be overlooked.”
He pulled her hair from her shoulder and smelled it. Pan whirled around and slapped his hand away. He chuckled as she glared. Turning her back on him again, she peeked from behind the curtains to see Andre intercept Victor as he exited the car. They traded words. Victor then pushed past and headed in. Andre looked up at her. His expression didn’t bode well.
“You’re in trouble,” Raphael sang.
“Like you care,” Pan snapped. “You’re probably thrilled I may be killed.”
“On the contrary, you are very important to me.” He trailed his fingers down her arm, his expression one of hungry obsession.
Pan suppressed a shiver of disgust. “You’d hardly know it the way you behave.”
Raphael kissed her shoulder and Pan couldn’t stop her physical cringe, hanging on by a hinge. He slid his hand down her back, skin to skin.
“I’m being tender now aren’t I?” he asked softly.
Pan grabbed his hand, stopping his caress. “It’s undesirable tenderness. You’re crossing a line.”
Glaring at each other, Raphael’s eyes darkened. “It’s a line that’s going to be crossed sooner or later.”
“Never,” Pan said, loaded with defiance.
Raphael chuckled, drawing away. “We shall see.”
“It’s my body. I choose who I am with.”
He threw his head back, laughing hard. Pan scowled, not understanding what he found so amusing.
“Oh my,” he said and wiped his eyes. “That’s priceless. Is that what you’re telling yourself? Kitten, your body is property of the Rose coven and your father is going to make sure it is used for all it is worth.”
Hating hearing the truth, Pan shoved him in the chest, forcing him to take a step back. It wasn’t the wisest thing to do as Raphael’s jaw clenched and he looked at her with ice black eyes.
Pan stepped up close to him, refusing to show fear. “I’m not a whore. It’s not my heart you seek, but an infatuation with lust and desire that drives you.” She shoved him again. Raphael caught her wrists holding her back. Pan struggled to yank free. “Know that it will never be fulfilled! I will never be yours! I would sooner die a thousand deaths then feel your fingers ever caress my skin again!”
Raphael shoved her back and Pan bounced into the wall. She gasped, enraged that he would dare to put a hand on her. Shrieking, she ran at him. Catching her arms again, Raphael held her back, laughing. Struggling to break free, Pan stomped his foot. Raphael grunted and she yanked her arm free and grabbed his finger, jamming it back.
It gave a loud crack and Raphael let out a surprised yell, jumping back. He shook his hand looking at her with shocked eyes. “And you wonder why I’m obsessed with you.”
“Understand Raphael that I have never liked you and I will never like you!”
“You don’t need to like me.” He examined his finger, unfazed. “But just know that I’ll be watching.” His words seemed to suggest he knew she wasn’t through with Dom yet. “So remember when we are married…it will be my body.”
Pan didn’t see him move, but the door was suddenly open and he was gone.
After her father had bled a human, Pan was called for immediately. No lights illuminated his cavernous chambers when she peeked in. She gulped and glanced back at Andre.
“Pandora,” her father called from inside.
“No guts no glory,” Andre said.
He was right, but Pan was sure it would be more gory than glory. Stepping in, Pan closed the door behind her. She tiptoed in searching for Victor in the darkness.
“You have hurt me badly.”
She followed his sad voice and only the silver shine of his eyes as he gazed out the window gave him away. His tone was deceivingly calm. He looked at her.
“Do you have anything to say that I have not already heard?”
“Your ears will probably be deaf to anything I have to say.”
Victor nodded. “Have it your way.” He looked out the window again. “You are prohibited to see him ever again. The result of any violation will be so severe—” He shook his head. “I fear to translate or my anger so stranger to you will be unleashed.”
Pan shifted, wary. She wished she could see his face to read on it what he wasn’t saying. “You’re not going to—punish me?”
“No, I am not. Nanon and Andre have encouraged me to see your faults and your human teenage impulse to rebel against authority is one of them.”
Pan was stunned. This was an excuse she could sell. She tried to look innocent with big eyes that hid many more lies.
“While this is the greatest pain you could have ever inflicted upon me,” Victor continued. “I will keep my restraint
so I won’t do so onto you. A lashing would mar your pretty piece of flesh, so calm words and angry eyes are for the best and even then I am not sure my vengeance would rest. It would displease me greatly to accidently kill you when I have put so much time and effort into raising you.”
A cold hollowness descended in Pan’s chest. With every word he said, her heart sank deeper and deeper into an emotional abyss of childhood pains she wanted to smoother. Tears that always seemed to be trembling near the surface now came again in big fat drops rolling down her cheeks. He had never laid a hand on her, but sometimes his words equaled a physical slap.
“You talk of me as if I’m only an investment,” Pan said softly.
Victor’s gaze was cold. “You are only an investment,” he said even more coldly. “What more could you ever be to me?”
“I’m your daughter!” Pan cried.
Victor shook his head. “No daughter of mine would whore herself to the enemy to even some personal score.”
Pan stared at him, aghast. “Do you disown me?”
“No, although I probably should.”
Pan looked away, her chin beginning to quiver. She wished he would hit her. It would be more merciful than this.
“Don’t you love me at all?”
This time Victor glanced away. “I thought I did, though I can see it was a case of mistaken identity, a waste of time.”
Pan began to cry harder. It seemed that was all she was doing of late, crying. But this… was just horribly devastating.
“But you’re my father, my daddy.”
“Stop your tears.”
Pan couldn’t. She wiped her cheeks, but they only seemed to come faster.
“Stop! Your tears.”
Unable to stand his tarnished gaze, Pan turned and left. Nothing more needed to be said and if it did, her heart was already dead with pain. The damage done, no affection to be won.
In the hall, Pan shuffled along, unable to see she was crying so hard. It was like a waterfall, no matter how much she wiped her face the tears wouldn’t stop. Andre walked next to her, hovering close, anxious, unsure what to do as he reached for her a couple times.
The Dark Rose Page 20