Immortal Love (33 page)

“I’m so sorry, Eleanor.”

His remorse was palpable.

“This was not your fault. I was well guarded,
and the ambush was unexpected.” Eleanor suddenly realized,
“Martha.”

Randolf held her hands tightly. “She was
alive when we found her, but I don’t know of her condition
now.”

Sickness swept over her. Dominick was quickly
at her side. “Martha, she has to be all right. She can’t die,
Dominick. She can’t.” Her voice pleaded for it to be so.

He rubbed her back. “I’m sure she will be
fine.”

“I pray for that.”

Still holding on to Eleanor, Dominick turned
to Erik. “Are they ready?”

“The pack will keep them busy until we get
there.” Erik turned and signaled to the wolf.

It bounded into the forest, and soon the
pack’s howling and barking could be heard in the distance.

Eleanor turned to Dominick. “What are you
doing?”

“We are paying Liam and his men a little
visit.”

Alarm shot through her. “You can’t do
that.”

“He stole you away from Godwin." Muscles
flexed in his jaw. “This will not go unpunished.”

Urgency tugged at her. “No, Dominick, don’t
do this. The man saved my life.” He strode away from her as though
he didn’t hear.

She followed him to his horse, pulling on his
arm when he was about to mount. “Dominick, I would not be here if
it weren’t for Liam saving me from McPhearson.”

Dominick’s voice boomed. “If it weren’t for
Liam, your life would have never been put at risk.”

Eleanor had no answer.

Dominick mounted. “My men will take you
home.”

She stepped in front of Aries. “No Dominick,
I cannot let you do this. He is a good man.”

He dismounted and pulled her aside. “Don’t
presume to tell me what I can and cannot do.”

Her own anger flared. “Somebody has to when
you’re making a fatal mistake. Liam is not your enemy.”

Dominick’s nostrils flared. “He took my wife
and gave her to a man that nearly killed her. For that alone I will
destroy him.”

Her voice caught on a sob as he glared at
her. “I thought you were a man who wanted peace, but all I see
before me is a bloodthirsty warrior.”

Dominick stood as still as a rock.

Eleanor couldn’t keep herself from crying.
“Go. Go bloody your hands with innocent lives. Liam knew what he
was fighting for. He was fighting for what he believed in. Can you
say your motives are as clear?”

His fists clenched at his sides. She knew her
words struck at his core, but she didn’t care. He was about to
murder a man she owed her life to, and that she could not
allow.

“My men will keep you safe.” He spoke as if
he didn’t hear her. He turned and walked away.

Deep despair washed over her as she watched a
company of men ride out toward Liam McPhearson’s camp.

“God help them,” she prayed.

Dominick rode away from Eleanor with a heavy
heart. They had been on the brink of happiness, and then
McPhearson’s treachery had brought it all to a halt.

He didn’t doubt Eleanor’s love for him, but
her vehement defense of Liam chimed bitterness in his mind. If he
killed Liam she would never forgive him, but he couldn’t let the
kidnapping of his wife go without retaliation. His anger stood on
the edges of a sword.

If Liam hadn’t taken her to his brother, she
would not have been in such peril, yet he saved her, risking his
own life.

Dominick was sure that Robert McPhearson
would not take such a traitorous action lightly. His men were more
than likely already hunting Liam down.

As they approached Liam’s camp, he could hear
the wolves barking, growling and howling. Liam’s men stood back to
back in a tight circle, waving torches, at the animals. Dominick’s
soldiers circled the small band of men.

Erik called off the wolves, and they quickly
retreated into the darkness. Now instead of torches, Liam’s men
drew their swords, ready for battle.

Dominick, Randolf and Erik rode into the
center of the camp. He looked over the small group of men. “Liam
McPhearson?”

“That would be me.” The man stepped forward,
sword ready. He was built like a soldier and in no way resembled
his brother.

Dominick dismounted, keeping his sword in its
sheath. “We must talk.”

Liam’s eyes narrowed. “Is this some sort of
trick?”

“No.” Dominick nodded toward his men. “As you
can see, you’re outnumbered. I don’t have to resort to trickery. I
only wish to talk.”

Slowly, Liam lowered his sword. His men did
the same. “What is it you wish to talk about?”

“Your brother.”

E
leanor’s emotions
were shattered, and she felt wary and broken down. She stood at the
edge of the forest and sobbed. She felt a sense of loss. There was
no doubt her husband would come back to her, but could she forgive
him for murder.

She needed to be home, where she could
regroup and collect her thoughts. Finally, when the tears were
spent, she re-entered camp.

“Captain, I want to go home.”

“Yes, my lady.”

They broke camp and
were quickly on the road. During her ride she could only imagine
the scene taking place in Liam’s camp, and images of his body and
the others lying on the ground, bloodied, beaten and lifeless
filled her head. This was the world her husband lived in, and she
wanted no part of it.

T
he four men sat
around the campfire. Dominick fought hard not to stick his dagger
in the man’s heart for taking Eleanor, but that would accomplish
nothing.

He was surprised with his own restraint. But
logistically it would serve no purpose. Dominick knew Liam was a
good warrior, unlike his treacherous brother.

Finally when everyone was settled, Liam said,
“You wanted to discuss Robert.”

Dominick paused for a moment, to settle the
conflict within him. When resolution was met, he continued. “I
don’t want a war with Aurora, but I want your brother to pay for
the crimes he committed against Godwin, its people, the King and,
most importantly, my wife.”

Liam shrugged. “I don’t care about the crimes
he committed against your king.”

“I will not discuss politics with you. Robert
is an evil man and must be stopped. Think about the fate of your
people. Like mine we cannot plunge them into war. We must align
ourselves against Robert, and end his tyranny.”

“Aye, you’re right. Robert needs to be reined
in. But what guarantee will you give me that once I help you that
your army won’t march across our borders and take Aurora for
yourself?”

“I’m only interested in Godwin, nothing more.
In addition to your brother’s removal, I want a signed treaty
between us. Each side stays within its own borders.”

“How can you assure me that you will keep
this treaty?”

“We will appoint a council that will meet
regularly to air any differences or conflicts we may have.”

Liam shook his head. "How could I trust any
friend of King William? This sounds too good to be true.”

“As I see it now, you have no choice but to
trust me, for with or without your help I will take your
brother.”

“Why do you want my help?”

“Because you know how to get in and out of
Aurora without being seen.”

“How would you know this?”

“You managed to escape with my wife. If you
had left through the front gates, your brother’s men would have
stopped you immediately.” Dominick leaned closer. “I want to get in
and out with Robert without having to put our people at risk.”

“The great warlord would do that?”

Dominick rubbed his eyes. He was tired. Not
in the sense of fatigue, but tired of fighting. “I have discovered
over the years that there is no honor in war. Only land to be
gained. And a conquered people will never truly be loyal.”

Liam’s back stiffened. “Pretty words, but how
will I know that you will keep your word?”

“You don’t. You have to trust me.”

“Trust an ally to the King? I’m not sure I
can do that.”

Dominick spoke with a deadly calm. Resolve
stopped the doubts in his mind. Liam would concede or the man would
die. “You have few choices.”

“I have choices. It comes to fighting you, or
saving my people.”

Dominick could tell the man was weighing his
options.

Liam stared into the campfire, toying the
embers with a stick. When its tip caught fire Liam blew it out. “I
will help you on one condition,” he said,

“What would that be?”

“That my brother is captured, not
killed.”

“I will not promise his safety.”

Liam didn’t answer right away, and Dominick
knew he was settling his decision. “I will send men of my own to
assure his safety."

“So be it, but I owe Robert a mark or two for
what he did to Eleanor.”

Liam smiled. “I have already taken care of
that. I left him in an unconscious state when I took her from
Aurora. Not to mention the gash that she left across his cheek. In
future, he’ll not be quite so vain.”

Liam made a clearing in the dirt and began
drawing an outline of Aurora Castle then poked his stick into the
ground where the north wall was represented. “A long forgotten bolt
hole lies right here. I’m sure my brother isn’t aware of its
existence. It has been many years since anyone has used it. “We can
enter there with a few men and take Robert. I recommend you take
him out the same way. You won’t have to fight your way through his
soldiers.”

“Will you be ready to ride in the
morning?”

“Yes.”

“Then we will settle
down for what little is left of the night and head out at
dawn.”

E
leanor couldn’t
shake the unconquerable gray cloud of sadness that hung over her.
Yet as hard as she wanted to push forward to get home, her
exhausted body demanded rest.

“Captain, I would like to make camp.”

“As you wish, my lady, but we must not linger
for too long. Lord Dominick's orders were to get you to Godwin as
soon as possible.”

Fatigue weighed her down. “Just for a few
hours.”

A tent was set up for her. She entered it,
looking forward to the solitude, and rest. But rest eluded her. The
image of the night before, when Dominick stood unwavering in his
decision to attack Liam’ camp tormented her. She couldn’t rid
herself of the sickening horror. Exhaustion finally allowed
Eleanor’s mind to drift.

A cold draft entered the tent. She pulled the
blanket tighter around her.

Eleanor.

Her eyes flew open at the sound of her
mother’s voice. Sitting straight up she looked around the tent.
“Mother?”

Eleanor, my child, open your mind and you
will see me.

“I’m not sure I know how.”

Let go of your anger and sadness.

“I can’t. It clings to me like smoke.”

I know what torments you. Allow me into your
mind further, and I will release you from the sadness you bear.

Eleanor lay back on her pallet and
concentrated on the darkness behind her eyelids. A cool breeze
crossed her forehead, as though her mother were stroking it.

Suddenly her mind flew above trees and
meadows. Her heart raced at the speed with which she traveled. Soon
she came upon a group of men. Her traveling slowed and she circled
them. Her heart leapt for joy. Clearly, she could see Dominick
riding beside Liam and they were heading toward Aurora.

As suddenly as she had left, she was back in
the tent. Opening her eyes, she saw the fabric of the tent ceiling.
Her words to Dominick the night before came flooding back. Gut
wrenching guilt forced her to sit up and double over.

“Oh, Mother, what have I done?”

Eleanor.

Looking over to the corner of her tent, she
saw her mother’s apparition floating like a filmy curtain.

Put aside your regret, child. Dominick is in
danger. McPhearson is gathering his men. He knows of Dominick’s
approach and is setting up an ambush.

“But how? McPhearson was unconscious when we
left.”

He sent his spies after you. His evil is
widespread. It didn’t take long for them to find his brother, and
to add to his good fortune, he found Dominick as well.

“God’s blood! Mother you have got to warn
Dominick.”

Eleanor saw the sadness cross her mother’s
face, and cold dread swept through her.

I cannot reach him. His heart is filled with
too much hate.

“Tell me what I have to do to save my
husband.”

Dominick sent some of his men to meet up with
you. You must reach them first and lead them back to warn him of
the ambush.

“How will I know how to get there?”

Keep your mind open, my love, and I will
guide you. Now go.

Instantly Eleanor was out of her tent. She
went up to one of her soldiers. “Bring me my horse.” She then went
to find the captain. “We must go back to Aurora,” she said
urgently.

The captain shook his head vehemently.

“But, my lady our orders are to get you to
Godwin as quickly as possible.

“I’m changing those orders,” she said,
mounting White Wind.

“Begging your pardon, my lady, but only Lord
Dominick can change those orders. I must insist that we head back
to Godwin.”

Eleanor’s eyes narrowed. Nothing would keep
her from getting to Dominick and warning him of the ambush.

“Then I guess you’re
going to have to catch me.” With a kick to White Wind’s flanks, she
bounded away from Dominick’s soldiers.

R
obert McPhearson sat
quietly on his horse hiding in the denseness of the forest.

“My lord, Lord Dominick and your brother are
riding to Aurora.”

“That’s good. We will attack them as soon as
they cross the meadow.”

McPhearson couldn’t believe is brother’s
arrogance thinking that he could take Aurora from him.