Part 18
From the shadows, Brian watched as Samantha convinced Nickolas that he could leave her alone.
“Nickolas, I’ll be fine. Howard is on his way back to me now.”
“How do you know that?”
“I can feel him in my heart. Go! I promise, I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll be close by…in Lord Kevin’s chambers….if you need me.”
“Thank you,” and she stood on her toes to give the young man a kiss on the cheek.
As the young man left her alone, Brian had to fight the urge to go to Samantha. He wanted to take her in his arms and hold her tight, profess his love for her but he had to know for certain if she was under a spell and being held against her will.
Alone and completely unaware that she was being watched, Samantha began to prepare herself for bed. Slowly, she shed layer after layer of her clothing until she stood in just her chemise. Moving to the mirror, she reached to take her hair down and as she brushed her long tresses, she smiled.
“That didn’t take long.”
He hadn’t heard or seen a door open so Brian looked around the room to see whom she was talking to. Did she know he was there? Was she speaking to him?
A soft voice spoke, “I can’t stand to be away from you.”
Setting the brush down, she rose and turned to the voice as she asked, “What about Kevin and Alex?”
Brian followed her gaze to see the owner of the voice. He didn’t recognize the young noble but he knew this was one of the dark lords he’d heard so much about. He watched as she moved to him quickly and embraced him. Jealousy coursed through his blood and his first instinct was to make his presence known but he held back.
“They returned with me.”
“What did you find out?” she asked after bestowing a tender kiss.
“The Source rescued Brian.”
“The Source?”
“Of all evil.”
“My father?”
“We weren’t able to find out.” Howard stopped and looked around. Something wasn’t right.
Hesitantly, Samantha asked, “What is going to happen with the wedding?”
That brought Howard’s attention back to her. Cupping her face tenderly as he reassured, “My love, no one will keep us apart.”
The intensity, the passion, the pure love was so obvious to Brian and he was completely taken aback. This dark lord was supposed to be evil and to be holding his wife for his own nefarious plans but what he was witnessing was the same thing he felt for Samantha. He continued to watch as Samantha placed her hand on Howard’s.
“I’m still married to Brian if he’s alive, Howard.”
“He’ll never survive this. If Kevin or Alex don’t kill him, the Source will.” Looking around again, he said, “We’re not alone. Did you or Nickolas have company tonight?”
“No. We were alone from the time you left until just a few minutes ago.”
Brian froze. Howard knew that he was there but he had to trust the amulets’ powers to protect him and keep him concealed from all. The lord turned to look around the room and his eyes fell on Brian. Brian’s heart was in his throat but as Howard turned back to Samantha, he let out a silent sigh of relief.
“Can’t you feel it?”
“Feel what?”
“A presence.”
Samantha shook her head. “You’re just on edge from finding that the Source is responsible for Brian’s rescue. I know it wasn’t long but I missed you so much. Please, put it out of your thoughts and hold me.”
A soft smile spread over Howard’s face as he turned his complete attention back to Samantha. “You’re right, my lady. You were preparing for bed. Let me help you finish.” His fingers nimbly unfastened each tiny button of her cotton chemise and pushed it from her shoulders letting the fabric pool as her feet. Lovingly, he reached to caress the creamy white skin as he cooed, “Your beauty leaves me powerless, Samantha.”
Seeing his wife unclothed for the first time, Brian felt his passions stirring but they were mixed with hurt and jealousy. She had never allowed him to see her like this in the week after being wed. She had been too ashamed and scared but here she was letting this man touch her and see her and they weren’t yet wed. According to her father, she was being held against her will but everything he had witnessed tonight said otherwise. This dark lord loved her and she loved him. And what about what the dark lord had told her, that the source of all evil had rescued him. Was her father the source of all evil? Samantha suspected it and he had given him protection against these dark lords. He couldn’t continue watching this man bed his wife. He needed answers. Silently, Brian left the room.
A cold breeze lifted her hair and Howard knew he’d been right.
