Part 27
Brian was completely unaware that they were being followed so when he thought they were safely away from Kevin, he stopped but he continued to hold Samantha. The memories of what he had heard and seen the night before came rushing back and his tears were immediate.
Samantha turned in his arms and ran her fingers through his curls. This was her chance and she had to make the most of it. “Brian, take me away from here,” she whispered as she placed kisses along his neck.
Pushing her away, he looked at her with disgust. “You’re nothing more than a common wench.”
“No, Brian, I love you,” protested Samantha.
“NO! No, you don’t. I saw you last night. I heard the things you said. I saw him touch you and you’ve shared a bed with all three of them. You’re carrying Lord Kevin’s child! How can you stand there and claim to love me?”
“You were the one in our chambers?”
“How could you?” cried Brian dropping to his knees. “How could you let another man touch you? You…you wouldn’t….you’re MY wife, Samantha!”
She knelt down in front of him and reached to touch his cheek wiping away the tears. “I never meant to hurt you, Brian.”
“All I wanted was to love you,” he sobbed.
“I know and I do care for you,” whispered Samantha. “Brian, you have to know the truth.”
“The truth?” questioned Brian hysterically. “Your father’s truth? The Lords’ of Eternity truth?”
“The truth about me, Brian. I’m a witch and one of my powers is to see into the future. When we met and you gave me the rose….I saw Eternity and the Lords. I needed you to bring me to them but I never meant for you to be hurt.”
“You were coming to them?”
“Yes.”
“And they’ve never held you against your will?”
“No.”
“And the baby?”
“Kevin’s son. I had to bear him a child in order for the Lords to maintain their powers but my father wants this baby to do his evil.”
Brian shook his head. “No, he wants to kill it…to regain his own powers. Your lords were given some of his powers and the only way for him to get them back is to destroy your baby. Samantha, I can’t take you to him. I can’t let him hurt you like that.”
“Kevin will never let him do that but you…you’re the one in danger. Kevin sees you as a threat and you are standing in Howard’s way to marry me. If THEY don’t kill you, my father will if you don’t take me to him. Let me help you escape.”
“Will you come with me?”
Howard appeared behind Samantha. “She belongs here at Eternity, Brian.”
Samantha looked up at Howard and took his hand as she added, “With my lord.”
Looking at the two, Brian nodded his head, “There’s no doubt. You know I could never have hurt you, don’t you, Samantha?”
Howard extended his hand for the dagger which Brian handed to him willingly as he said, “You don’t need this.”
“Come with us and we’ll help you,” urged Samantha.
Howard helped her to her feet and they led Brian to the stables. Brian had his pick of the horses in the stable and as he saddled it, Howard held Samantha in his arms. Without a spoken word, they communicated with each other.
“He must not leave Eternity alive, my love.”
“I can’t do it….he’s innocent and he brought me to you.”
“I understand but our marriage…”
“I know….and I’ll do what I must.”
“I’ll be here for you, my love.”
The horse was ready and Brian turned to say good-bye to Samantha. “I will always love you, Samantha.”
“I’m sorry, Brian,” whispered Samantha as she stepped out of Howard’s embrace and into Brian’s.
Thinking she was apologizing for not loving him, Brian answered, “You don’t have to apologize. Just be happy and…..”
His scream echoed through out the stable as she sank to her knees with him in her arms. Life seeped from his body as she continued until he lay motionless in her arms.
Blood dripped from her chin, tears mixing with it, as she looked up to her lord. Howard reached for her hand and pulled her into his arms holding her tight. The deed was done just as Kevin had planned.
