Dreams of a Wild Heart

by Danube Adele

  “You keep telling yourself that.”

  “I understand my father, love. I know how to manipulate him. If you want to stay alive, you’ll have to be kinder.”

  “But what if I don’t care? I’d much rather die than be subject to your touch.”

  “But what about Raseen and her little one? You seem to have a nice relationship with her.”

  A shiver worked over my spine. I didn’t want anything to happen to Raseen or Cyral. My face remained impassive. “Who are they?”

  “Aren’t you clever?”

  Trying to keep calm, but unable to help that my fear and anger had my teeth clenched, I said, “If you don’t let go of me, I’m going to hurt you.”

  He laughed. “You? How sweet. But you still haven’t heard what I have to say.”

  The disdain was clear in my tone. “Let me take a crack at it. They say I’m pretty smart, you know. You’re going to say if I play your sick game, you’ll help me get back home, right?”

  “You are smart.”

  “But part of your game is going to include some sick and twisted sexual favors, right?”

  His eyes trailed over my lips. “I’d love to spend an evening trading sexual favors with you.”

  “What happened to the other women who were brought here?”

  His smile fell. “What women?”

  “You know exactly who I’m talking about. What did you do to them?”

  “You’re the only woman who’s been brought here.”

  “You killed them, didn’t you? Took women, used them and discarded them like trash. You’re disgusting.”

  “You won’t think so for long, dove.”

  “I’m about to go Jackie Chan on you, so do yourself a favor and let go. Besides, Tabron will be here any moment.”

  His laughter was fear-inspiring. He was feeling altogether too relaxed. Where was Tabron?

  “Tabron is being sent to ride the perimeters to the north. He won’t be here for a while. Seems my father is worried about an attack. I’m sure it didn’t help that I told him I spotted blue light beyond the ridge. You aren’t in charge, little girl.” He gripped my arms harder, squeezing them, shaking them. “I can make your life miserable.”

  “You’re already doing a fine job.” So he was able to manipulate his father, and that gave him his little power trip here. Pathetic.

  “Give me what I want...”

  He tried to pull me closer. I waited until I could feel his breath on my face, until he’d bent to just the right angle. At the last second, when his lips were poised over mine, I drew back and slammed my forehead into his nose. Blood spurted with his harsh cry, and I followed it up by throwing an elbow, twisting with the full weight of my body. I caught his cheekbone, making his head whip to the side before shoving off him and dancing back out of the way.

  “Stay away from me, Morten. I don’t want you. Is that clear enough?” I got into a fighting stance, cursing the stupid dress and how it limited my movement. Someone needed to modify these to make pants for me.

  He looked back at me, blood dripping from his nose, his cheek swelling slightly and hatred radiating from his pale face. “You’ve made your choice.”

  His statement was chilling. I’d be punished for this, but what the hell else was I supposed to do? Allow myself to be raped and killed? I still wanted to know what had happened to the women, and when I eventually got back to Earth, I wanted to make sure their bodies came with me.

  “I made my choice very clear. And the next time you find me alone, I’ll have a syringeful of medicine that will kill you instantly! I dare you to find me!” It wouldn’t kill him, but it would put him out for a while at least.

  “You asked for my help, Dr. Cecilia?” Tayla suddenly appeared in the hallway, coming from the stairs.

  “Go away, old woman,” Morten snarled.

  “No, no. I need her help.” I turned a nervous smile toward Tayla, still feeling my adrenaline pumping liberally through my veins, knowing she’d interfered in order to help me. It made me anxious for her. Turning back to Morten, I said, “You should ice that. It will help the swelling, but expect it to be sore for a few days.”

  I didn’t wait around to hear a rejoinder, and I don’t think there was one. He was likely burning me to a crisp with his furious glower. Tayla followed me down the hall to my room. She waited until the door was closed before she turned to me with a stricken look. I knew what was coming.

  “You’re playing with evil,” she whispered, her blue eyes wide with fear. “I’ve known that one since he was a child. Always he liked to hurt things, torture small animals. He will find a way to cause you pain.”

  “I’ve already figured that out.” The anger was sharp and welcome. In trying to help Raseen, I’d almost forgotten why I was really here. Kidnapped! “Danger faces me everywhere I go. If it’s not Morten waiting for me outside my door, it’s Draxton and his friends looking to get me alone. It’s only a matter of time. One of them is going to succeed.”

  “I know what happened to those girls,” Tayla admitted, looking shamed. “It was terrible. What they did to those girls was terrible. I couldn’t save them. They begged me. Starved. Abused. Scraps of cloth hanging from them.”

  “You can’t be held responsible for the depravity of others.”

  Her lips trembled as her eyes sought my understanding. There was a quiver to her voice. “They were so young. Pretty. So scared. Begging. I heard them. So many times while I was doing my work, I heard them. I tried to go to them once, but one of the warriors caught me and ordered me away. Then I didn’t hear them anymore.”

  Probably praying for death. “Where did they stash the bodies?”

  “I believe they were thrown over the cliffs. Left for the animals.”

  Sorrow for them swamped me, only reinforcing my own anger. Now I was in the same position. Was I going to have to watch my back and be ready to fight at the drop of a hat? “Did the king know about the women?”

  “I’m not sure,” Tayla answered. Bitterness crept over her face. “He’s responsible for his own share of evil.”

  “What did he do to you?”

  She moved to sit on the edge of the bed so she could rub her knee. It was obviously paining her. Arthritis? I could give her some of the over-the-counter stuff I’d found.

  “Tell me.” I took over the rubbing of her knee, moving her own work-wearied hands away. She let me.

  “He convinced everyone that my son, the true king’s brother-in-law, brother to my daughter, the queen, was an enemy of the state. They’d been the best of friends. All he was demanding was justice.”

  Comprehension dawned. “Your daughter was the queen who was killed?”

  Her voice grew stronger. “Yes.”

  “And now you’re working here as a servant?”

  “I’m being held responsible for my son’s escape. I knew he was leaving, and I didn’t say anything.” She gave a helpless look out the window as though she could see another time period through the portal. “The king convinced everyone it was a deserving punishment. I was honor bound to serve.”

  “Of course you wouldn’t report on your son! Why in the hell would you turn in your own son?”

  “I knew what was really happening. The king was feeling threatened by him. My son was full of honor, so much so that he was demanding evidence, questioning Ral’e’s conclusions about how Dragmor died.”

  “Dragmor was the name of the king?”

  “Yes. The true king. Our world has been sick and slowly dying since Ral’e stepped in. He was Dragmor’s boyhood friend, but I still find it...” She broke off, not wanting to say anymore. I respected that. Maybe she’d be able to trust me with her innermost fears in time.

  “What happened to your son?”

  “He managed to escape
to Earth for some time, but after a few years, Ral’e had news that he’d been found and killed.” There was a sheen to her eyes “Both of my children are gone. I am left alone. This is why I want to help you.”

  “Help me?”

  Her eyes held firmly to mine, looking tired with life in general, but also wise with the weight of too many memories and life experiences. “I have nothing left to lose. I want to help you find your way home, Cecilia.”

  “What about this place?”

  “It’s frightening. There’s no freedom for anyone. I remember it from before and can hardly bear to look at what it’s become now. There are ears everywhere, and people making reports to the king for personal gain. The man who was hung in the tree the day you arrived used to work in the palace. He was overheard to have said that the king appeared to have enough grains from his own fields to be able to share with the villagers until our fields could be harvested once again.”

  “That was it?”

  “That was all. This place is sick. Everything that was good about us as a nation is dead, and we should all just succumb.”

  “Oh, Tayla.” The bitter words painted a bleak reality. She truly felt that way, but I couldn’t agree. I could still see Raseen’s strength of heart shining through her eyes and Cyral’s gentle smile giving hope. There were people worth saving.

  “I’m going to do my best to discover how the transfer happens. If I die trying, so be it.”

  “Why don’t you come to Earth with me?”

  She shook her head. “I’m too old to go somewhere brand new. This is where I’ve made my stand.”

  I gave her a hug, trying to be gentle with her fragile body. “I appreciate that you want to help me, Tayla, but please be careful. I could never escape knowing I’ve left you in a bad way.”

  She pulled back and rubbed my arms before standing, giving a slight wince as her full weight came down on her sore leg.

  The door opened and Tabron strode in, his muscles tensed, with a stormy brow and a sense of urgency. He saw me standing with Tayla and some of his tension eased. “Everything is all right? I saw Morten skulking about the hall just before you left.”

  “I’m fine.” My brain stopped working for a moment. He was so handsome, especially when he was angry on my behalf with fire in his eyes.

  “Do you need anything else, Dr. Cecilia?” Tayla was ready to head out the door, all business again.

  “Do you know anyone who can sew? I’d love to turn some of these skirts into pants. These skirts limit my ability to move.”

  Tayla blinked at me, like that was a strange request. I hadn’t seen any women wearing other than the sack dresses. I guess those were pretty quick and easy to make. Tayla finally nodded. “One of the other servants has some talent with a needle and thread. I’ll see if she’s able.”

  “I don’t want to add more work.”

  “Maybe she can be excused from her other duties,” Tabron offered.

  “If we can make that work, I’d really appreciate it. We can talk more tomorrow,” I told Tayla. With a nod, she left the room.

  I was now alone with Tabron.

  My heart fluttered, fanning the warmth in my veins that came with seeing him.

  The bed suddenly felt like it was so obvious, and I didn’t want him to think I was inviting anything by standing near it. I deliberately moved away from it, going toward the window, pretending there was something there to see. Butterflies beat their wings madly inside my stomach. Last we’d spoken of this decision, he’d been angry that I’d chosen him. Now what? What did he think he was getting? Nerves kept my mind from being able to focus calmly. It raced with contradictory feelings.

  “What happened to you? Whose blood is that?”

  I looked down at the bodice of my dress. There were a few spots of blood standing out on the ivory material. They were still bright, not having had time to dry to that ugly dirt brown. “It’s nothing.”

  “It’s not nothing.” He moved closer to turn me, so he could see. “Someone dared to touch you. Don’t lie to me. I can’t protect you if I don’t know what’s happening. Who was it? Draxton?”

  His high-handedness gave birth to my irritation, which I completely embraced, feeling like it was healthier emotion than desire. “It wasn’t him. You keep thinking you can just grab and push and pull. Women don’t like being manhandled, Viking! Didn’t anyone teach you any manners? How to be polite? How to treat a lady?”

  Too late, I realized my barb actually had teeth I’d forgotten about.

  He moved closer, but didn’t grab me this time. Instead, a twisted smile curled his lips, which was worse. “There was no one, Cecilia. My mother was a whore who had nothing to do with me. A faithless creature who wanted no child or husband. She cared for no one, including my father, who was pathetic enough that he became enslaved by her beauty and continued to love her to his own detriment.”

  This was what he meant when he’d said he would not become a slave to a woman.

  His words were said in a sneer, meant to shock me, but they didn’t. I’d seen a lot. He picked up a lock of my hair that had come loose during the day and rubbed it between his fingers. “If you continue to wonder why I have no softness in my heart for women, you can thank my mother.”

  “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. You are the way you are because you are faithless. You care for no one. You make the choice to be just like her.”

  He gaped at me before yelling, “I am nothing like her! You don’t know what you’re talking about. You know nothing about me!”

  “I don’t want to know anything about you! Why would I? You admit to having no softness toward women, but I’m supposed to turn my life over to you? I want nothing to do with you!”

  “It is the way of the Brausa. Because you chose me, I’m now responsible for your entire well-being.” His lip curled. “You’ve done this to both of us.”

  “Is that right? I did this to us? Look in the mirror, Viking. Besides, I chose you because you wouldn’t bother yourself with me. I was counting on your coldness. I want no emotional or physical entanglements on this stupid planet! I want to take no memories of anyone, including you!”

  He stared me down, the fire in his eyes evidence that he’d felt the hit of my words.

  “You think you won’t remember me? Is that what you’re telling yourself?” He let his eyes move with purposefulness, ownership, over the length of my form, then started advancing toward me. “I’ll make you forget anyone else. I can make you beg for my touch.”

  “Beg?” It took me less than a second to process what he’d said before I quickly moved backward, matching him step for step to keep out of his way, though my heart started racing. With excitement? “Never, Viking. You aren’t the man for me. Just stay away from me! I don’t want you.”

  He continued his predatory walk, his eyes going dark and smoky as they moved caressingly over me. My nipples hardened under the attention. I bumped up against the bed frame and skirted around it.

  “You can lie to yourself, Beauty, but I know differently.”

  My blood pumped with the strength of a freight train, a mixture of angry denial and simmering heat, knowing that what he said was true, though I still denied it. “How could I ever want you when you denied me my freedom? You took that from me!”

  “Of necessity!”

  I stopped when I hit the wall, where he quickly caged me with his body, hot and hard against my own. It felt good, but I couldn’t let myself enjoy. I shoved against him, only to find my hands grasped in one of his, held above my head.

  In a low, furious tone, I said, “That’s such bullshit! Ral’e’s life is more important than mine? And that’s why I could never want you! You do as you’re told, running off to do someone else’s dirty work for them. You can’t think for yourself. You think I’d b
e attracted to that kind of man?”

  His eyes glittered dangerously and it took everything I had not to rub against him. “I know I can make you come,” he whispered. That was likely true, and I yanked on my arms, but he held them firmly, looking at me from beneath his dark lashes. He had me where he wanted me. My breasts were nearly spilling out of the neckline of my dress, and he traced the slope of them with his free hand.

  Desperate, I threw out, “I’ll be looking for a way off this rock, and when I find it, I’ll be out of here.”

  “Wishful thinking, little girl. You’re here for the duration.” I couldn’t shove him, and instead, tried to knee him, but he blocked my move and pressed his muscled thigh between my legs. It was too close. Much too close. Moisture and heat were making my sex swell.

  “I didn’t want this, and I don’t want you.” My body hummed with need. I’d wanted him since first seeing him at the hospital.

  “I was there, little girl. I know better. Your blood called to mine. Your pretty little nipples begged for my touch that night at the restaurant.” A knowing look came into his eyes. “Even now, I could bring you off.”

  My face burned with his words, the swirl of need making my body come to life, receptive to whatever he wanted to do, even though my brain was fighting against it. “That might have been true, but that was before I actually knew who you were. I’m taking the bed. You’re on the floor.”

  “Because you’re afraid.”

  “Of what? Of you? Dream on.” But my body was quivering, which ticked me off.

  “Oh, Beauty, lie to yourself if you must, but I remember how much you wanted this.” His lips crushed mine, anger and pain getting mixed up with pulsing need. I bit at his lips, but he held my jaw and nipped back making me cry out from the pleasure and pain before he suckled the spot he’d feasted on.

  The storm of energy built, and I found myself nibbling back, nipping, biting, wanting to taste him, struggling to get my hands free so I could grip his black hair and hold him where I wanted him, body-to-body, his erection digging almost painfully into my belly.