Part 10
Life at ‘Eternity’ was dramatically changed with Samantha’s recovery and revelations. Gardens were resurrected; the dark drapes that covered the windows were opened to allow in the bright sunlight; the servants were permitted to go into previously inaccessible areas of the house; and travelers who were once turned away were made welcome. In the middle of it all was the new lady of the manor. Samantha oversaw all that went on as Kevin gave her free reign. Where the servants once cowered in fear whenever one of the Dark Lords was present, they now smiled and greeted the men and were pleasantly surprised to be greeted in much the same manner. When one of them would make a mistake, it was Samantha who interceded, keeping the Dark Lords’ anger in check.
Unfortunately, there was one dark cloud that still hung over the chateau and it angered Alexander. As darkness fell on the fourth night, his anger was in full force. As dinner was cleared, he turned on Kevin. “WHEN are you going to take her?”
Calmly Kevin placed his napkin on the table. “Don’t be so crude. Samantha is NOT one of the wenches that you bring here.”
“Time is running out!” growled Alexander.
“It’ll happen,” reassured Howard.
“YOU! You’re the one holding everything up! Why don’t you go ahead and turn her?” demanded Alexander slamming his fists on the table. In the blink of an eye, he was behind Samantha, his hands on her shoulders, leaning dangerously to her slender neck. Menacingly, he hissed, “I can do it…now.”
Undaunted by his anger, Samantha said softly, “You know you can’t be the one. You don’t have a pure love for me….yet.”
He knew she was right and in a fury, he left.
Kevin asked gently, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Kevin. Howard, I’m going for a walk.”
With a loving smile, he asked, “Do you want company?”
“Find me later…by the lake.”
The two men watched as Samantha left the room.
Softly, with a sadness that permeated his voice, he said, “Tonight is the night. I’ll find her by the lake and turn her. Then I’ll bring her to your chambers.”
Kevin looked at the younger man to see that the sadness that was in his voice was also in his eyes. “It doesn’t have to be this way,” he offered.
“It’s the only way, Kevin. You know that.”
Kevin moved to comfort Howard, wrapping his arms around him. Running his tongue along his neck, he whispered, “Join us tonight.”
The feel of his master’s body holding him, his breath on his skin, set him on fire but it couldn’t ease the pain of what had to be. He couldn’t watch his master with the woman he loved. “No, I’ll wait for her to come to me.”
“She’ll be with you at sunrise…for infinity,” promised Kevin.
Without a word, Howard left his master to pass the time alone until he found Samantha. Kevin’s heart ached but Howard was right and tonight their destiny would be fulfilled.
