Immortal Wounds: Book #1 in the Immortal Wounds Vampire Series-Paranormal Romance/Vampire Romance/Romantic Fantasy (29 page)

It took Marcus an instant to process what I’d said. He scooped me up in his arms, his eyes darting back and forth, surveying the forest before he rushed me inside.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, bringing him closer. I inhaled deeply, feeling safer with each passing moment.

“It’s alright, Darling. You’re safe now.” With what sounded like considerable effort, he kept his voice calm and even. His face was tight, and a muscle ticked below his jaw.

“Let’s get you into a warm bath. It isn’t good for you to get so chilled, especially after being so sick.” He set me down on a chair, and wrapped a towel around me before he went over to the tub to turn on the water. “It should be ready in a few minutes,” he said, kneeling down beside me. His hand held my cheek for a moment. His eyes, still so worried were growing darker. “Would you like to explain why you were out there in the first place?” His tone was a little crisper than before. He’d seen that I was all right. Now he wanted answers.

“I went for a jog,” I explained, trying to brush it off like it was no big deal.

“A jog?” His face tightened. “You went for a jog through the forest . . . a forest where werewolves had chased you not two days ago . . . a day after you’d had a fever that nearly killed you?” He was shouting now.

I leaned back in my chair, trying to put some distance between us.

“Well?” he demanded.

“I felt better.”

“You—” Marcus was so mad he couldn’t even form the words.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think.” I took my shoes off and chucked them onto the floor. “I just wanted to get out for a bit. I didn’t think Damen would be there—waiting.” I kept my eyes downcast.

I felt Marcus's fingers on my chin, lifting it up. I met his stare. He looked beyond mad, but he also looked thankful . . . thankful we were still together. I felt the same way.

“I’ve got you all wet.” I reached out and touched his drenched shirt.

“It’s only water.” He smiled flatly—his expression was unreadable.

I grabbed another towel off the counter and started wiping my face and lips vigorously.

“He . . . kissed you?” I could hear Marcus gritting his teeth. How had he known?

I peeked out from behind the towel. “It was awful. He wanted me to leave with him. He kept saying he loved me, and he was in control now. That I didn’t have to worry about him hurting me—unlike you.” I rolled my eyes through the tears that had begun to form. I threw the towel across the room. “Why must I always be attacked every time I go for a run?”

I added some bubbles to the water, removed my wet clothing, and stepped in. I relaxed the moment my body hit the warm water. The smell of rose water filled the air. I leaned back and closed my eyes for a moment, letting the tub fill around me. I could feel the bubbles climbing up my shoulder to the base of my neck. I reached out to turn the water off—Marcus beat me to it.

“Thanks,” I sunk back into the water.

“You’re beautiful,” he said as he rested his chin on the side of the tub. His face was still tense.

“Sure.” I pulled a weed out of my hair. “You know . . . if the rest of my life is going to be fraught with disaster like this, you may want to reconsider!” I held up my left hand and wiggled my ring finger.

He put his fingers in the water and began swirling the bubbles around them. An odd expression overtook his face. “I wouldn’t trade you for anything.” His tone was melancholy.

“Marcus?”

“I can’t have the grounds unsafe for you.” His eyes were blacker than any night I could have imagined. I could see the wheels turning in his head now. I had my hands on the edge of the tub ready to jump up.

“If you could have heard yourself screaming . . .” He closed his eyes, as if reliving the memory.

“Marcus. Don’t do this,” I begged. I knew his mind.

“I swore to protect you.” A low growl came from within him.

“Marcus, I’m fine. He didn’t really hurt me. He just scared me; that’s all.”

“That’s not true, now is it?” He held my chin, tilting it a little to the side. His fingers gently pressing into where Damen’s had when he’d held my face. I winced, feeling the bruises I’d have; or apparently did have.

“I will kill him for that.” His tone was calm, which made it more deadly.

He leaned over and kissed the top of my head. “I love nothing more in this world than you.” He moved quicker than I’d ever seen. He was out my balcony doors before I could even get up.

“Marcus!” I screamed after him, tears already streaming down my face. I jumped out of the tub, grabbed my robe, and ran out of my room dripping water as I went.

“Richard!” I ran down the main stairs and out the front doors. “Richard!”

Richard came running up behind me.

“Miss Rose.” He looked alarmed at the sight of me.

“You have to help him. He’s gone after Damen!” I pointed toward the forest.

“Damen is here?” Richard jumped into action, shielding me from view.

“Please Richard, hurry.”

“Come, Miss.” He pulled me back toward the house.

“No, he needs help!” I tried to wiggle out of his grasp.

“You need to get back inside Miss. Mr. Marcus would kill me personally if I left you exposed like this . . .
especially
like this,” he muttered under his breath as he pulled me back indoors. He ushered me to my room in record time, looking over his shoulder as we went. He was probably hoping Sarah wouldn’t come around a corner and find him with me less than half dressed.

“Aren’t you going to help him?” I yelled in disbelief. I couldn’t believe we were even arguing about this. Richard should be out there, already helping Marcus. Not held up in the castle babysitting me.

“I am helping him Miss. I’m supposed to protect you when he’s not at home. If I leave the castle to help him, and you’re harmed . . .
I’ll
be the one needing protection.

I scoffed.

“Try not to worry Miss. I’m sure he’ll be fine.” He smiled sympathetically before he shut my door, leaving me alone with my imagination to torture me.

I stood there, looking around the room. I couldn’t just wait here, doing nothing. If Richard wasn’t going to help Marcus, I was.

I got dressed quickly and started for the door. I reached for the handle and stopped. I debated for half a second, ran to the fireplace, and grabbed my sword off the wall—I wasn’t going unarmed.

I made it down to the stables unseen. I peeked my head inside to make sure I was alone, but only Rain neighed loudly at the sight of me.

“Hi, boy, I’m happy to see you too.” I gave him a quick rub along his neck. “I need you again. I have to find Marcus, and you’re the only one who can help me.”

I stepped into his stall and saddled him up. Holding onto the reins, I led him to the stable door. I peeked out—there wasn’t a soul in sight.

“Ok, boy, let’s go.” I led him around to the back of the stable and climbed on. We started trotting down the path that led to the pond. It was as good a place to start looking for Marcus as any. Once there, I looked around. There was no sign of Marcus, or Damen for that matter.

“Now what?” I thought aloud.

Rain took off around the pond, heading north. He was galloping at a good pace, so I just let him go, hoping he was leading me to Marcus.

“You know boy, you’ll probably be going home alone. Marcus is going to kill me for sure when he finds me out here.” I patted his neck lightly.

Rain’s speed quickened. I could feel his body tense up beneath me. He neighed loudly.

“What is it, boy?” I asked nervously, looking to the trees. I swear that I saw something brown moving amongst the shadows. I watched closer, squinting my eyes, straining them to see better. It moved along with us, keeping the same speed. It was a werewolf! I watched as it moved in and out of the shadows, veering toward us. I looked to my right—a slightly larger grey wolf was baring its teeth as it joined the chase. We were being herded down the path. Suddenly I remembered: there should be a ravine up ahead . . .

I held onto the reins with one hand, keeping my sword tight in the other. My palms began to sweat. The wolves were gaining on us. I could hear Rain panting loudly and the grunts and snarls of the wolves as they tirelessly kept at my heels. They’d come close to snipping the end of Rain’s tail several times now, but he held strong, always remaining just out of reach of their snapping jaws.

And then something clicked inside my head. A plan formed. The old Phoebe had somehow taken over, and I was glad for it.

Rain needed to be free of me if he was going to make the jump unscathed. I’d have to time this right. We were almost there. I looked at the path ahead and then back to the shaggy wolf on my heel—it lunged at my leg just as I jumped off Rain’s back. I drew my sword up high and brought it down . . . right across the back of its neck.

I sailed through the air, landing violently on the ground. I could hear Rain neighing loudly. I pulled myself up quick, extending my sword. I stared at the wolf on the ground. Aside from its brown fur blowing in the breeze, it wasn’t moving. I couldn’t tell if it was dead or just knocked out.

A twig snapping on the ground behind me caused me to spin around. The grey wolf! I looked for it frantically. It slowly crept out from the trees. It was massive; at least three times my size. Its fur, matted and thick, added to its bulk. It didn’t exactly look like a wolf . . . though, you couldn’t deny the resemblance. It had a much longer body . . . like a man’s. Its eyes were not as kind as Damen’s. There would be no mercy here.

I swallowed loudly. I could hear my heart pounding as it drew nearer, studying me as it stalked forward.

A deep growl came from behind its teeth.

“Come on then!” The words came from me, but they were much braver than my own. I gripped my sword tightly, lifting it high.

A twig snapped from behind—the injured wolf was now on its feet.

I couldn’t defend myself against two. I’d have to choose. The one behind me was closer. He’d attack first. I’d have to kill him and then if I had time—the injured wolf was in the air. I swung my body around, stabbing it straight through the gut. It fell to the ground using me to break its fall.

I heaved, trying to push its massive body off me, but it wouldn’t budge. I rocked it back and forth, gasping under its weight, all the while searching for the grey wolf.

A loud snarl reverberated around me. My heart stopped. He was standing directly overhead, teeth bared. I was an easy kill.

The sound of a horses hooves caused a distraction. A man on horseback was approaching fast. His sword was drawn, and I was directly in his path. I ducked my head just as his horse cleared the dead carcass that rendered me helpless. He swung his sword at the grey wolf, bringing him down with one swipe. He circled its carcass for a moment before stopping several feet away from me.

“Thank you,” I groaned, as I once again heaved, freeing myself at last. I picked my sword up off the ground and stood tall, staring back into the eyes of the man that had just saved my life.

He walked his horse closer. His eyes grew wide. “It’s impossible!”

“Many things are impossible, Sir. We’re roaming the countryside carrying swords and killing werewolves.” I motioned to the dead wolf at my feet.

“That is what I do,
Lady Phoebe
.” He bowed his head.

I looked at the man closely. “Raymose!”

He pulled back a little on his horse—startled by my excitement.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I know this must seem strange . . . it’s taken me awhile to get used to it too. Seeing people from my past I mean.” I smiled brightly at him.

Raymose dismounted his horse. He was tall like Marcus, broad across the chest and extremely handsome. His hair was jet black, short and combed neatly. His features were soft, boyish. His dark brown eyes stared at me in wonderment.

He touched the back of his cold hand to my cheek. I hadn’t even seen him reach for me. A flood of memories hit me at once. I didn’t know if they were Damen’s or somehow my own. I instinctively closed my eyes and smiled as I breathed in his familiar scent—unafraid that he’d hurt me.

I opened my eyes again to find his lips touching mine. It was not the first time he’d kissed me. That much I knew. And it was every bit as passionate as before.

“How?” He held me close to him, his eyes dancing with excitement.

“Raymose, I’m not the same Phoebe.”

He looked confused.

“I mean, I am Phoebe . . . but I’m not the one you remember.” I blushed. I could still feel his kiss on my lips.

“You are!” He held my face in his massive hands, kissing me once again. His lips were soft and next to mine felt almost warm. He pulled away, leaving me breathless.

“Raymose.” I put my hands on his shoulders, steadying myself. I had been kissed by more men in one day than I had in my whole life.

He had my wrist in his hand before I could blink. His nose pressed against the bandages. He inhaled deeply—his eyes flashing red. “You bleed . . .”

I flinched, trying to break free from his grasp.

“What has happened to you!” he hissed, releasing his hold.

I jumped back—extending my sword between us. I had no idea how I was going to fight Raymose.

Realization crossed his face. “No! Do not fear me!” He grabbed hold of me without hesitation. Ignoring the sword pointed at his middle—I didn’t even have time to react. He took me up in his arms once again.

“Damen bit me!” I blurted out. I didn’t know why I’d told him, other than the fact that Raymose had once taken care of me during my darkest time. He’d been the one to save me—literally.

I could feel the muscles in his arms tense up. He pulled away from me slowly; his eyes were black as coal—frightening.

“Not deep enough to turn me . . . but I have changed, a little.” I admitted softly.

“Damen is here?”

“Yes.” I winced at the expression on his face.

“Where?” he hissed.

“By the pond, this morning. He . . . grabbed me. ”

A look of confusion over took him. “He had you and did not kill you?”

“Killing me isn’t exactly on his mind,” I admitted sheepishly. “He sort of thinks he still loves me. He . . . kissed me. A lot.”

“He kissed you!” Raymose looked madder than Marcus had.

“Yes.”

“I will kill him,” he thundered. “I’ve waited over seven hundred years to avenge your death, and even longer to avenge your honor.”

“My honor?”

“You . . . do not remember?” he looked almost thankful.

“No. Not all of it anyway.”

“I wish I could forget.” He closed his eyes, as if trying to shake away the memory. “I’ll never forget the day I found you in the woods. You’d never been so vulnerable, so scared . . . you were completely undone.”

“You saved me.” My voice cracked a little.

“I found you, yes. But I did not save you.” His eyes smoldered, as they looked long into mine. “Marcus did that.”

“You did! I remember what you did for me,” I insisted.

“I did what was necessary to keep you alive. You and I were inseparable after that, until I . . . well, it was a long time ago. I was young, and very foolish,” he said with a forced smile.

He reached out and touched my cheek softly. His fingers lingered as if he needed the contact. “You’re no longer immortal. I hear your heart. It beats faster now.” He stepped closer. His body was nearly touching mine. Only a small sliver of air separated us.

I blushed. I could hear my heart pounding. Raymose was beyond handsome, and the way he was looking at me . . .

“No.” I admitted as if that were something to be ashamed of. “I am not immortal.”

“Come.”

“Raymose, I can’t ask you to risk your life for me.” My heart sank a little. There were so many who would risk their life for me; it was overwhelming. Despite what I’d thought, chivalry wasn’t dead—not amongst these men anyway. Honor and justice reigned supreme.

“You can’t go alone. You were lucky with that one.” He motioned to the dead wolf beside me. “You’ve forgotten how to use that properly,” he said now pointing to my sword. “Fear not. I will teach you—again!” he half-laughed.

“Hey, I did pretty good,” I said defensively, putting my hands on my hips.

He grinned. “As I said—luck! Rain!”

“You know Rain?”

“You might say we’re old friends.” He smiled coyly.

Rain was quickly beside me, nuzzling me with his nose.

“May I help you up?” Raymose lifted me up into his arms before I had a chance to respond. He froze.

Rain neighed loudly.

“Raymose?” My heart rate had increased. Something was wrong.

His arms gripped me tighter. “Phoebe. I need you to ride as fast as you can,” he whispered under his breath. “I’ll come for you.”

“What? Why?”

“Just do as I say,” he hissed. “There are too many of them.” His eyes darted from tree to tree.

My breath caught. “No. I won’t leave you by yourself.”

“You were always so stubborn!” he snapped.

“It’s called being moral. I won’t leave you.” I lifted my chin up defiantly. I wasn’t going anywhere.

“Fine,” he growled. “But stay behind me. And if I throw you on that horse, you’d better ride or I’ll kill you myself!” I half believed him.

“Well this is a surprise.”

We looked as Damen emerged from behind a tree.