Beneath The Shadows of Evil... Torn

by Jolynn Raymond

  "And will you support him in his quest?"

  "Oh honey, what I wish is for you to be happy. If that means coming to care for your husband then yes, I will support him, but only as a way of supporting you both, and if and only if he proves himself worthy. I am here for you, Alliana. Always remember that, for you. Now then, would you care to hear about my adventure to the village with Lucian?"

  "Oh yes! Tell me everything. I have been locked behind these walls for so long I wish to hear every detail. I was there once but I want you to paint a picture for my mind. Tell me about the people and the look of the woods and houses, tell me everything you saw and did and most of all, tell me did you see the medallion? Do you think you’ll be able to find it?"

  "Slow down, Alliana. I’ll tell you everything and as for the medallion, no, I didn’t find it, but I do have a plan." Natalya went on to tell Alliana about her night spent with the irritating Lucian, and about all the women she saw. She told her that she had briefly seen all the children as the entire village had been forced to exit their homes, but that it had been dark, and they had kept the wee ones behind their mother’s skirts. Then she told her of the fact that she would now need to return to the village during the day to check on Sarah from time to time, and that that was where her plan came in, before revealing the biggest surprise of all.

  Natalya took both of Alliana’s hands in hers and squeezed them gently, anxious to reveal her surprise. She knew it must kill Alliana inside to be confined to the castle. As a girl she had been allowed to run free, always playing in the woods and fields, always traveling with the clan, but no longer. Now she was a prisoner to the ways of the Gadjo noble men and it went against everything of how she was raised.

  "I have a plan to get that medallion back, sweetie, and you are going to come too, to help me. We are going to get you out of this castle."

  Alliana’s eyes grew huge and she shook her head, uncertainty filling her along with fear. The last time she had fled, Mikhal had been furious. “I… I can’t Natalya. I can’t leave him. Mikhal will never let me.”

  “I do not mean for you to leave him, Alliana, simply take trips to the village with me.”

  Alliana sat up at Natalya’s words, moving away so she could look her in the eyes, still convinced the idea was ludicrous. "Are you mad? I told you what he did the last time I left, besides, Mikhal will never allow it."

  "Oh yes he will. If you are deemed healthy enough and the babe is well, then I shall tell him you are fit, after that it will be a simple matter of you using all your womanly wiles to convince him that a few journeys to the village would be just the thing to make you happy."

  "Oh Natalya, I don’t know. I… well I know little about anything that has to do with wiles. Besides, he is so very stubborn. He shall say no and that will be the end of it."

  "He is also so very desperate to win your heart, Alliana. As long as you won’t be putting your pregnancy in danger, then he has no real reason to object. I have faith in you, sweetie. Make him want to please you, Alliana. Let him see how happy it will make you. Brush your hand on his arm, smile, ask him please, bat your eyelashes and lean in close.”

  “Natalya!”

  “Tis easy, Alliana. He’ll let you go. I know he will."

  Alliana shook her head slowly, not at all as certain of her womanly wiles as Natalya seemed to be.

  "All you can do is try, Alliana. You want that medallion back don’t you?"

  "Oh, Natalya, you know I do. How can you even ask such a thing?"

  “Well then the first thing we have to do is get you to that village. I know not who the child was, Alliana. You do. Don’t you see?”

  “I suppose. I just don’t think Mikhal will agree.”

  “Have faith in yourself, sweetie. He desires you and he wants you to be happy. Use those things to gain what you want.”

  Alliana felt as though even though she still hated Mikhal, a part of her knew it was dishonest to toy with him to gain her own desires. On the other hand, he’d proven only that morning that he was still a demon and evil things had no feelings to toy with.

  “Tell me what you have in mind, dear friend and I will see what I can do.”

  "Well this is how we are going to get the medallion once we get you to the village. We are going to ask Lord Arcos to grant us permission to take food to the people who live there. They live in such poverty and they need our help. You make sure to make a point of that when asking him if you can go. Tis only right that his people should be taken care of. He claims he is trying to be a man of good character, but a good Lord doesn’t let his serfs starve.

  “When he agrees, we shall load a wagon with baskets of staples, food, blankets, cooking oil, feed for the stock, and sweets for the children. These missions will serve us two purposes. One is that the people there will begin to trust us; they will begin to see we mean them no harm and be grateful that we are helping to fill their bellies. The second is that we shall be able to see the children when we offer them the sweets. I know of no child who does not beg its maman and papa for a taste of something good.

  “While we are there with our cakes, all of the young ones will come forth, and you shall be able to tell me whom the child was who had the medallion. Perhaps in time we can convince her without anyone’s knowledge to give it back. A simple gold trinket in exchange for a pastry perhaps might do the trick."

  Alliana shook her head in disbelief but it was clear she was more than ready to go through with Natalya’s plan. At this point she wasn’t sure what she would do with the medallion if and when they retrieved it, but it was hers and Alliana knew she was meant to have it. That it would give her powers, she knew, but the question of what type and what she would do with them still remained. Alliana knew she was a wife and mother now, things were very different than when she had been a young unmarried girl waiting for the magick that the legend said would be bestowed upon her so she could help her people.

  Her life was here now, she carried a babe, she had a husband, and her clan had accepted a bride price for her and sent her away. There would be no honor in her escape and her child would grow up without knowing his father. Besides all that, she knew Mikhal would never let her go without a fight. It would put those she loved in dire jeopardy if she fled. She didn’t truly believe that Mikhal would slaughter everyone she loved, not anymore, but still, he would retaliate in some way, and he would never, ever, stop looking for her. Still, the medallion was hers. It belonged around her neck on the day she came of age, and she did intend to have it.

  "It sounds like a grand plan, but Natalya, we still must convince Mikhal to allow me to go in the first place. I am the only one who can identify that little girl. Without me, none of this will be possible, but I simply can’t see him allowing me to go."

  "You listen to me, Alliana, and do as I said. I have faith in you. Smile, flirt, bat your lashes, give him small touches, lean in so he catches your scent."

  "He will know I am up to something. I simply do not act in such a way."

  "Of course he will, silly. You shall be asking for permission as you do these things. What I am saying is that he won’t be able to resist your pleas. Not if you are sweet, charming, and alluring."

  Their conversation was interrupted by a loud knock upon Alliana’s door, both women jumped, having been caught up in their conspiracy. They gave each other guilty looks and then began to giggle. Secrets between friends always seemed to have that effect. Mikhal caught the fleeting sound of their laughter and smiled to himself.

  "Alliana? Alliana are you up there?" Mikhal’s voice called from the bottom of the stairs, beckoning her downward. She took Natalya’s hand, squeezing it quickly, then smiled, trying to find the confidence she didn’t have.

  "We’re here, Mikhal. We’ll be right down."

  Mikhal noted the light tone of her voice and his smile widened even more, pleased yet again with his brilliant decision to add Natalya to the household. If he had known just how the two had been conspiring against
him but a moment ago however, his thoughts may have been decidedly darker, but Mikhal was none the wiser.

  Chapter Ten

  Mikhal’s eyes searched the winding steps of the tower staircase, as he waited for Alliana to descend. He took a breath and held it, an unwelcome uncertainty filling him as he wondered how she would react to him. While it was true she had been laughing with Natalya, which by no means assured that she was feeling anywhere near as friendly towards him.

  At last there she was, his beautiful wife. Mikhal’s expression lit up at just the sight of her, and his chest swelled with love and pride. She was such a lovely little thing and the sight of his son growing in her belly never failed to stir his heart. His eyes swept over her as he held out his hand, then returned to her face, the look in them saying volumes and asking questions as well.

  Alliana looked down at his fingers, held out in a silent plea for acceptance and stared back at him, teeth biting her bottom lip, knowing what he wanted, knowing what he was asking. He wished for her to give him a sign of forgiveness, to let him know she had truly come to terms with what had transpired that morning, and this, this simple taking of his outstretched hand would say it all.

  Alliana stopped where she was as images filled her mind. She stood, thinking of him, of the monster inside him, of her life here, and of the conversation she’d just shared with Natalya, and it was this last that caused her to act. No matter what had happened earlier, she had to put on a happy expression and convince her husband that all was well between them so he would allow her to visit the village.

  Thoughts of trying to deceive him caused her to tremble slightly, her stomach twisting, knowing what he was fully capable of doing to those who betrayed him, but it had to be done. She raised a quivering hand and gave him a weak smile, nodding her head slightly as he expelled his breath in a whoosh, and gladly accepted the gift she was giving him.

  Her uncertainty and nervousness were not lost on him in the least, his empathic abilities picked up on her feelings at once, but Mikhal purposefully ignored them, believing his horrid behavior was the cause; never once suspecting his dear wife could have hidden plans.

  “Alliana, Sweet, are you well?”

  “Yes, Mikhal. I’m fine now. Twas a fright to be sure but it is over. Everything is fine.”

  “And with us as well?”

  Alliana couldn’t help the flare of anger that raged up inside of her. How could he think things were truly fine with them? They hadn’t been even before his demon had made an unexpected appearance at breakfast. Alliana looked down as she tried to compose herself, and then glanced back up at her husband, and in her eyes he saw an uncertainty that tore him apart.

  “Mikhal, you must know that things were hardly perfect with our relationship before this morning, and therefore they certainly cannot be fine now. What I meant was that what happened today has not turned me against you.”

  “Any more so than you already were.” There was bitterness to Mikhal’s tone as he said the words; he couldn’t help himself. For one fleeting moment as she’d taken his hand he had dared to hope that even with the traumatic events of the morning they had still made progress towards finding each other.

  “Mikhal, please don’t do this. I do not wish to fight with you; isn’t it enough that I forgive you for your behavior of the morning? May we please go below? As you know, Natalya is here and I know you wish for her to see how our son and I are faring.” As always, the mere mention of the babe sent Mikhal into fatherhood mode, which was a very good thing, for her words had sparked the old familiar anger that came from having his actions berated by a woman. He pushed his own uncertainties and anger aside and immediately pulled Alliana closer, taking her elbow and escorting her down the steps, calling for Natalya as he did so. She appeared on the steps after a few moments, wanting to make it clear that she hadn’t been hovering or listening in, and followed Alliana and Mikhal below.

  As he was about to tell Natalya to carry on with her midwife duties, he realized that Alliana could be quite unaware that he and her friend had spoken at all. Feigning a lack of communication between them, hoping Natalya followed his lead regardless of what the two women had talked about, he turned to the red head and told her of his discussion with Lucian and of his decision that Natalya would now be Alliana’s sole caretaker. He knew Alliana would have told her friend of Enid’s death, but their conversation regarding Alliana, her care, and her emotional state may very well have been left out. It was best to take this route and hope she followed his lead, and Natalya did just that.

  “Thank you, Lord Arcos. It will be my pleasure of course. You know how much I love Alliana, and I will love her child like my own.”

  Mikhal’s expression turned stormy and his eyes narrowed at her choice of words, Alliana’s child? Of course the boy was Alliana’s to some extent, but not solely, as Natalya made it sound. The child was his son. There was a time not too long ago when Mikhal hadn’t even been certain Alliana would take any part in the babe’s life at all. Now here was her friend referring to his son as Alliana’s. A boy was part of his father; he carried on his name, his bloodline.

  Both women looked at Mikhal as he became obviously angered, but only Natalya guessed why. She had much more experience with the fragile male ego. It was best to smooth things over right away before ruffling the rooster’s feathers any further.

  “I truly am honored to be the one who will help to give you a healthy, strong, son, Sire.”

  Alliana’s head turned to look at her friend at this odd choice of words, but Natalya took her hand in a not so discreet way and gave it a gentle squeeze, signaling her to be quiet. Mikhal didn’t miss the exchange but it mattered not, his pride had been soothed, the proper words spoken, his point made. It was clear Natalya knew the boy was of his seed and blood and that he deserved credit for his birth as much as Alliana did. He would let her slip of the tongue pass; there was no sense in speaking of it. Alliana already had fears of him taking the child away and to remark on Natalya’s comment would heighten them.

  He gave a curt nod to Natalya, signaling that the subject should be dropped, then took Alliana by the hand, and began to lead her towards the bed. “Come, sweet, I wish to have Natalya confirm that everything is fine with both of you.”

  Alliana tugged at her hand, trying to remove it from his grasp, and Mikhal turned, confused. What on earth was the matter with her now?

  “I would prefer it if you waited in the corridor.”

  “Come now, Alliana. This isn’t the time for modesty, I am your husband.”

  “And Natalya is my dear friend. I find the thought of you watching as she works, mortifying. Tis an intimate thing, Mikhal, one men do not part take in.”

  “Twas an intimate act that beget the child in your belly, Alliana. This is no more so.” Why was she being so stubborn? He could feel her embarrassment coming off her in waves.

  Alliana blushed scarlet at his words and shook her head mutely, her eyes filling with tears. He didn’t understand, how could he? She felt bloated and ugly and it was bad enough to be prodded by Natalya but to have him watch would make her discomfort tenfold. And she didn’t want to feel his eyes upon her there. He had agreed to stay from her bed. To be in attendance as Natalya did her duties was just as bad.

  “Please, I look... you... I don’t wish for you to see me unclothed and like this, tis far too embarrassing. It was bad enough that I had to submit to Enid, but for my friend to know you forced me to be humiliated in this manner is too much to bear. Husbands simply aren’t present when their wives are tended to in such a manner.”

  “But Alliana, you are beautiful.”

  “Is that all you can say? What of the other? It matters not how you see me. Tis that I don’t wish for you to see me!” She whirled around and covered her face with her hands, sudden sobs wracking her body, and Mikhal’s heart crumbled. He looked to Natalya with a stricken expression on his face, begging for her to intervene, which she did, readily.

  “C
ome here, Alliana. It’s all right. I’m certain Lord Arcos will agree to have the bed curtains closed. It shall only take me a minute or two to find out if everything is well, and then he can see you again.” Natalya pressed Alliana’s head to her shoulder and rubbed her back in an effort to calm her, holding her breath as she waited for Lord Arcos’s reply. Before he could speak however, Alliana did.

  “Please, Mikhal.”

  Mikhal heard her quite plea as she once more begged for her privacy; Natalya’s comforting body muffled it, but he heard it nonetheless and knew he couldn’t refuse. There really was no reason to be right there hovering in attendance. Alliana loved their child, and Natalya loved Alliana. Neither would mislead him about the babe’s health if something were wrong. Besides, he would feel it if they attempted to deceive him.

  “Stop your tears, sweet. You may do as you wish, but I shall be right here.”

  Alliana turned and went to him then, much to the surprise of them both. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her tear stained face into his hard chest, making Mikhal look up in confusion as he responded by holding her tight. It wasn’t that he didn’t love this display of affection from his wife; he simply didn’t understand it.

  He held her close for a moment, eyes closed, inhaling her sweet scent, listening to her heartbeat, savoring the fact that she had come to him willingly, and then scooped her up in his arms, and took her to the massive bed.

  “I shall be right over here.”

  “Thank you, Mikhal. I ... I don’t know what came over me.” The blush upon Alliana’s face attested to her mortification and confusion about her tears. Mikhal looked at her with loving eyes as he reached down and wiped the last of them from her cheeks with his thumb, wishing to soothe her in any way she would allow.

  Natalya shook her head as she headed towards the bed. “I do, sweetie. When you are with child, you can turn from raging shrew to sobbing child in a flash. It comes with carrying the babe and there is nothing you can do about it. Lay back now so we can be done. I know both of you wish to know that your son is doing fine.”