Immortal Wounds: Book #1 in the Immortal Wounds Vampire Series-Paranormal Romance/Vampire Romance/Romantic Fantasy (33 page)

“Every minute of every day?” I protested. “No. Either you agree, or I’m leaving. Tonight,” I shrugged away from him.

His expression was hard. He was not going to bend on this.

“Fine,” I stomped off toward the bathroom, not giving him a second look. “Will you please tell Richard I need a ride to the airport?”

Marcus caught me from behind. He had his arms around my waist, and despite my attempts to struggle out of his grasp, he held me, firmly, until I stilled. “I can’t let you go.” He sighed. I could hear the defeat in his voice. His hand moved across my stomach and paused. “Please be careful.”

I turned and hugged him excitedly.

“I mean it, Phoebe. You’re human this time. If you get cut . . . Raymose—”

“Will take good care of me,” I interrupted. “You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

“Right.” His voice was condescending. Asking Marcus to not worry about me was like asking the sun not to rise the next day.

“I do need to see a doctor though,” I admitted.

“Why?” Marcus looked uneasy again.

“Because I want some form of birth control. I’m not going to worry about this every time we decide to be
hasty
.” I couldn’t help but blush.

“I’ll have someone here before dinner.” He smiled slightly, his mind obviously in sync with mine.

“A house call? I am impressed.”

He gave me a wry smile. “I’ll leave you to your shower.”

Richard was waiting for me on the balcony when I stepped out of the bathroom.

“Richard?”

“I believe you should have warned me, Miss, that you told Lord Ashworth I’d offered to assist you with your lessons.” He looked livid.

“Richard, I’m sorry. Marcus wanted me to stay, and I wouldn’t unless he agreed to let me learn how to protect myself. It just sort of slipped out that you offered to help.”

“Well, it’s put me in a rather awkward spot, I must say.” He looked away, trying to keep up the façade of being angry.

“Please don’t be mad at me,” I nudged him gently on the arm.

His mouth curled up on one side a little. “Very well Miss, we shall start first thing in the morning.”

“Thank you Richard.”

“Mr. Raymose is in the garden waiting to speak with you as well,” Richard informed me sternly. “It would seem you’ve put both of us in a rather
awkward
position.”

I had to look as confused as I was.

“If you should fail, Miss, Lord Ashworth will blame it on bad training.” He bowed his head slightly.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, at least I know whose neck you’re looking out for.”

“Forgive me Miss, I almost forgot. Dr. Andersen will be here this evening around seven.” Richard shifted uneasily. “I do hope you’re well, Miss.” He moved past me quickly. “If there won’t be anything else . . .”

“Richard!” I called after him like he was a child that had just done something naughty.

“Yes Miss?”

I stared at him in disbelief. “He told you, didn’t he?” I was completely embarrassed. Now Richard knew the sordid details of my love life.

“I am supposed to look after you Miss. It is important that I know any pertinent information that would jeopardize your safety.”

I stormed past him in a huff, yanked the newly polished sword off the wall, and started for the bedroom door.

“Miss Rose, where are you going?”

“To deal with a certain vampire,” I growled.

I stomped down the stairs and headed for the Library. Marcus was sitting in a chair, reading the paper when I threw open the doors.

“Phoebe?” he looked over the top of the paper. He placed it down quickly at the sight of me blazing in, armed with a murderous look in my eyes, and a sword in my hand.

I swung it at a vase of flowers—cutting the tops off with one swipe.

His eyes were wide as he rose from his chair.

I walked right up to him and pointed the sword right in the middle of his chest.

“Darling? What are you doing?” He spoke calmly like he was trying to talk down a suicide jumper. “Phoebe, that sword is very sharp; you don’t want to hurt yourself again. Put it down, slowly.”

“You . . . told . . . Richard!” I thundered.

Marcus sighed as if he’d worried needlessly. “I only told him to keep an eye on you since he’ll be training you. I don’t want you getting hurt,” he said defensively.

“Marcus, do you realize how crazy that is? There is no reason for you to tell anyone anything! The odds of my being pregnant are . . .” I stopped talking as I puzzled for a moment. “Well I don’t exactly know what the odds are, but they aren’t high!” I yelled, hoping I hadn’t lost my upper hand.

“I only want to make sure that you’re taken care of. I didn’t mean to upset you. I acted out of love.”

“And the others?” I glared at him, trying my best to ignore the sheepish look on his face.

“I’ve said nothing to anyone else, and I’ve instructed Richard to do the same.”

I pursed my lips. “Fine, I can’t do anything about Richard knowing now, but that’s all!”

“As you wish, my love.” Marcus smiled triumphantly, while ignoring the sword that was still pointed at his middle. He sat back in his chair and resumed reading his paper.

“By the way,” I lowered my sword just a little. “Raymose will be training me,
not
Richard.” I spoke defiantly.

“NO!”

“Yes! I’m going to learn without any restrictions.” I leaned in close, resting my hands on the arms of his chair. I stared bravely into his black eyes.

His jaw tightened.

“I mean it Marcus. I won’t be unprotected again.” I turned and stormed out of the room.

I was shaking all over. I took several deep breaths, trying to calm myself as I walked out the main doors and into the garden to find Raymose. I cleared my mind, put on a happy face, and ran up to him excitedly. He smiled brightly, catching me in his arms.

“I’m so happy you’re back with us.” He hugged me tightly.

“Thank you,” I smiled.

He forced a look of outrage on his face. “You shouldn’t have gone off alone; you could have been killed.” Then his face grew serious. “You know I would have gone with you.”

“You know why I couldn’t ask you to do that.” I spoke softly, nearly singing the words.

He shook his head in understanding. “Well, you really should learn to use that thing again,” he pointed to the sword in my hand.

“Oh. Um. That’s why I’m here actually. Raymose, I need you to teach me how to defend myself.”

“Why me? Why not Marcus?”

“Because Marcus won’t be objective,” Understatement of the year, I thought.

“You really want to learn how to sword fight again?”

“Please. I can’t live like this, not being able to protect myself. Damen’s chasing me constantly, and now his pack seems to want me dead. I don’t have a choice anymore.”

Raymose rubbed the back of his neck, deliberating quietly. “I can teach you. That’s not a problem—is Marcus ok with this?” he asked suddenly.

Although I had a feeling his reservations had little to do with Marcus's approval.

“He knows I’m speaking with you about it.” I chose my words carefully. “Raymose, you taught me before. I can’t think of anyone better.” I smiled hopefully at him. “Please . . .”

He stared at me apprehensively. “It won’t be as easy as before,” he warned. He still looked uneasy. “Your body isn’t as durable.”

I put my hands on my hips and frowned.

“Alright; but we’ll have to be extremely careful. We can’t afford the slightest error. I don’t want to cut you—or worse.”

“What could be worse than getting cut?” I half laughed.

“The feeding frenzy after your blood is spilt.” There was no play in his words. “I’m not as disciplined as Marcus.”

My mouth dropped open. Than closed. Then fell open again.

“You ready for your first lesson?” He pulled his sword from a pocket that had been sewn in his coat, distracting me from the many horrific visions that now swam in my head. He swung it at me abruptly—I blocked it. “Good!” he said as he came at me with more force this time. Once, twice, he was strong, and he put his weight behind his weapon.

Clank, clank
. I blocked both blows . . . although I was a little out of breath. “This is going to be a workout,” I breathed loudly.

“You have no idea.” He grinned and flew at me with more vigor.

Clank, clank, clank
. I was stepping backward now as I blocked each of his blows.

Two up high and one low, he came at my back, narrowly missing it. I managed to twist and block it with as much grace as an Ostrich on roller skates—I fell.

“Phoebe! Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” I assured as he helped me off the ground.

He shook his head back and forth, smiling. “Not bad for a human—or a
woman
for that matter!” He punched my shoulder laughing heartedly.

“OW!” I yelped, falling back to the ground.

“Sorry, I forget you break easily now.” He hefted me up and planted me firmly on my feet. “My apologies,
Lady Phoebe
.”

I grinned and swung at him—he blocked it effortlessly.

“So, it’s going to be like that is it?” He came at me from every angle. In front, over head, and down low. He swung toward my back again. This time I managed to block it successfully, while stumbling, backward right into a stone bench. I toppled over, landing on my backside—laughing. I couldn’t remember when I’d had this much fun.

Raymose had his sword pointed right at my middle, his brilliant smile reflecting back at me like the sunset off the sword.

“You never would have missed that before.” He extended his hand and helped me up.

“I’m going to have to learn to block that without landing on my back.” I subtly rubbed my butt.

“You’re going to have to learn a lot more than that!” He laughed, tucking his sword back in his coat.

“Hey!”

“Don’t worry my dear, you’re teachable.” He laughed again, messing my hair playfully with his hand. “Let’s try it on horseback tomorrow, shall we?” He gave me one last flash of his brilliant smile before he disappeared toward the castle.

I was better than I thought. Raymose was going easy on me to be sure; I knew he didn’t want to hurt me. But still, he seemed genuinely pleased. Maybe this wouldn’t be so hard after all.

I walked back toward the house, up the steps, and into the entry hall. I could smell the baked chicken as soon as I opened the door. I looked at my watch. Six o’clock. I had time for a quick bite before the doctor was supposed to arrive.

I walked into the Kitchen to find Charlotte fixing the dinner plates.

“Charlotte, it smells wonderful.”

“Thank you dear,” she set a plate down in front of me—baked chicken with mashed potatoes and carrots.

I began eating at once.

“You’re looking a little flushed. Aren’t you feeling well dear?”

“I sort of missed breakfast . . . and lunch.” I took a bite, not bothering to chew it completely before I swallowed and stuffed in another. I was hungrier than I thought.

“Now there’s no excuse for you to be missing meals,” she scolded. “Mr. Marcus might be able to survive on air, but
you
cannot!”

“It’s not Marcus’s fault,” I insisted. “I got distracted, and then Raymose began teaching me how to sword fight. I guess I just lost track of time.” I shoved in another bite.

“Your pants look like they’ve had a run in with the ground,” she pointed out. “Make sure you get those to me quick, I’ve got just the thing to clean them up. They’ll be good as new!”

“Sorry Charlotte, I should have gone upstairs and changed before dinner.”

“Nonsense. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. Can I assume by the ring on your finger you’ve agreed to marry Mr. Marcus?” She smiled brightly.

I blushed, looking down at my ring.

“So when’s the big day?” She asked without waiting for my answer.

“I don’t know exactly, soon I hope.”

“You’ve certainly created quite a buzz around the castle, Miss,” Sarah said as she burst into the kitchen.