MAIL ORDER BRIDE: ARISTOCRAT: The Duke’s Engagement (Historical Victorian Duke Romance) (New Adult Romance Short Stories) (71 page)

“Ready?”

She nodded.

Everything spun around them, but this time she was ready for it. She didn’t want to puke as badly, and when everything stopped spinning she didn’t fall over.

It was still night, and the ground was still dirt, but she could tell they weren’t where they had been. It was gorgeous. The stars were up in the sky, there were millions of them.

Darian pulled away. He stumbled over his own legs.

“Are you okay?”

Even with only the light of the moon Becky could tell he didn’t look good. She reached out and grabbed him, pulling him close to her.

“Hey, hey.” She whispered.

“I…” He took a deep breath.

“What?”

“We need to get somewhere…”

Becky nodded. She didn’t need him to tell her anything else. They needed to get out of the street. She was wearing a kimono. If someone say them… god knows what would happen.

Becky guided him down the street, between buildings. She looked around. All the lights in the houses were off around them, if they even had lights.
Candles or gas lanterns.
She thought.

She couldn't believe this was actually happening.

Darian’s fingers tightened around her wrist, pulling her close to him. “I’m not used to being saved.” He whispered softly.

“You’re not in good shape, are you?”

“I don’t often travel so much in such little time.”

Becky’s heart skipped a beat. “You… you need to eat, don’t you.”

“I’ll find something in a couple seconds. I just… need a few to regain myself.”

“No.” Becky cleared her throat, she pulled away from him knowing full well that he allowed her to, or maybe he was just that weak.. “You… you don’t need to find something.”

He was weak, he’d needed her help. He lifted her wrist to him.

Darian stared at her, his eyes locking on hers.

The hunger overwhelmed him. He couldn’t take it much longer. He took a deep breath and tried to force it down. “I can’t.”

“Just do it.” She snapped. “Before I realize how crazy this is.”

Darian took her wrist in his hand, he couldn’t let her get away from him. The predator took over. Pain.

He let out a soft gasp, his eyes rolling back as he pulled her warm body against his.

Becky’s heart raced. She’d been stupid, she knew that. She closed his eyes as a hand covered her mouth. He was just making sure he didn’t draw attention to her. She knew that but it didn’t make her feel better. His teeth sunk into her forearm. She gasped, her eyes rolling back. It didn’t hurt like she thought it would. No, it felt okay.

It didn’t hurt.

Darian pulled away from her after a couple of seconds.

She kept her eyes shut as she took a deep breath. She heard something tear and felt fabric wrap around her forearm.

She opened her eyes and stared down at it. “Thank you.”

He gave her a soft smile. “I want to show you something.” He took her hand and pulled her along with him, not seeming to care if anyone saw them.

“You saved me.” He said. “If someone had come across us with the state I was in, I’m not sure I could have fed and not killed.”

“You didn’t kill me.”

“That’s because it’s you.” Becky’s brow furrowed. “Fate would never allow me to kill someone I’m bound to.”

Becky’s heart skipped a beat. They came to a stop just outside of the town and he turned around, so did Becky. It was no more than 20 buildings, out in the middle of nowhere.

“Wow…” She whispered. She took everything in.

“This is the beauty of life. And I have the honor to see every stage of it.” He sounded proud. “I know you may not believe me.”

“No, I do.” How could she deny it?

“I’d like to bring you with me, forever.”

“You mean… you want…” Before she could say it his lips crashed against hers. Cold but full of passion. That wasn’t what she noticed. Copper slipped into her mouth.

She pulled away from him, her hand covering her mouth.

“It’s started now. It can take as long as you want, but with every time it becomes more and more permanent.” He said. “I take a little, and I give an even smaller amount in return.”

“And what? We travel the world together?”

“Yes. That is what Fate has decided for you.”

But what did that mean? What would she have to give up?

“My family…”

“I can take you back to them without you losing a single day, even if it’s been years.”

Becky stared out at the small town in front of them. She could walk over to the tavern and she could go buy a drink. Who in their right mind would give that up? Who in their right mind would go back to a normal life?

“So… what do you say?”

“I need to be home in time to write an essay tonight.” She said, a soft smile spreading over her lips.

***The End***

A Secret Love in Paradise

By: Elaine Young

“You know the risks.” Deatt said.

Ruth bit her lip listening. She knew they didn’t really have much say in the choice but she wanted to know what would be happening.

She glanced over at her little sister, she looked like she was about to cry. Would she cry if they went or if they didn’t?

Ruth watched everything unfold unsure of how she should feel. After all, it was her grandma- Ruth should be willing to do anything to see her right? But...
This is home
.  She thought.

This was their Maemmi
that they were talking about here- but it was also their community. Their life.

What would happen if they went to see her and were no longer welcome back?
Katie.

Ruth's stomach turned. What if she never saw her best friend again? Would she be able to live with that?

Where would they even live.
With Maemmi.
It was the rational answer, but that didn't mean she liked it.

"She's your Maemm." Ruth's own mother reminded him.

"She made her choice."

It was just four words, but it was enough to silence everyone. For a split second it didn't even feel like people were breathing.

Ruth's sister still fought back tears. Mary was a few years younger. At the age of 12 Mary had already decided her life ahead of her, something Ruth wished she could say for herself. Maemmi had been shunned years ago. Ruth and her family were in good standing, but if people found out they were even
considering
going to see her the entire family could be shunned.

Ruth stood.

She paced over to the oven and opened it a crack to peek on dinner. She grabbed a towel and opened the oven fully, pulling out the dinner and placing it on the top of the wood stove.

She left the oven door open a crack to let the warmth seep out into the cool house.

The rest of the family watched as she dished out servings to everyone, and carried them over to the table, careful not to drop any plates. They all sat down and closed their eyes- readying themselves for prayer.

Ruth knew that no matter what, Gott would lead them to the right way in their choices. And for that she was thankful.

The next morning, they woke earlier than most. The family packed quickly and Ruth’s father headed out with the bags; four. One for each of them. Although they were small there would be enough for them.

“Where is he going?” Mary asked Ruth with a whimper.

“To load the truck.” Ruth’s mother answered.

Truck?

Then it all sank in. They were going to see Maemmi. That is why they were leaving so early.
But deatt doesn’t have a truck.
Cars and trucks were not regarded highly in the community. While some communities didn’t see anything wrong with a few Englisher accessories the one Ruth was part of did their best to keep the community free from Englisher amenities.  Aside from a few farmers, no one had Englisher amenities.

“John is taking us.” Ruth said.

John lived beside them. As a farmer, who sold at the farmer’s markets, he had to have a truck in order to provide. Ruth’s mother smiled faintly, as if pleased Ruth had figured it out.

“Nee, Joshua is.”

Ruth’s heart skipped a beat.

John’s son was a year older than her. And at 20, was still unmarried. He worked on the farm with his father, and often helped at the farmers markets- which meant he knew how to drive as well.

“What did you tell them? Mary asked. Her voice broke. “If they know-”

“They understand.”

Their mother turned away from them, as if she was hiding something from them.

Mary broke. She let out a whimper as tears rolled down her cheeks. “We’re going to be shunned.” She wailed.

“Hush.” Ruth stepped towards her sister quickly. “Nee, we won’t. No one will even notice us gone for a day.” Ruth’s arms wrapped around her sister. She was not sure that her words were true, but she did not want her sister worrying about such things.

“What about Adam?” Her sister pulled away, wiping tears away from her eyes. “What will he say if he finds out? What will his parents say?

Adam and Mary were the same age, and despite the fact they were young it was clear to everyone that they would marry when they were of age.

“They won’t find out.” Ruth assured her sister. “Gott has a plan.” She spoke softly.

Mary’s bottom lip stiffened. She nodded.

“Jah, you’re right.” She wiped away what was left of her tears and she took a deep breath as their father stepped back into the house.

“Ready?”

Everyone nodded and headed for the door. When they stepped outside there was a big white truck waiting for them.

Ruth had seen it many times, but she had never ridden in it- despite the fact Joshua had offered a couple of times.

Joshua sat in the driver’s seat as they made their way over. Ruth’s father sat in the front seat with Joshua and along with her mother and Mary, Ruth climbed into the back seat.

Her heart skipped a beat as she looked around her. The truck had far more space than she ever would have thought, though in the dark she couldn’t see much around her.

The drive took them most of the day, during which no one spoke much, everyone seemed solemn, and Ruth couldn’t help worrying that they would all be shunned.
I love the community… and Katie… even Joshua…
if they were shunned she did not know how she could react- but poor Mary. She had already decided that her life would be there. What happened if people found out about her?

Would her life be ruined?

Ruth cleared her throat. "Um," She wasn't sure if she would get an answer here but she had to try. "What do we say if people ask about us not being around?"

"My deatt is sick." Joshua answered, his tone suggested it was a full blown lie. "I needed the help and your deatt offered to have the family help out."

Oh.
Okay, so that might be something people believed. That might be a way for Mary to make sure she didn't have to worry about her whole future crashing down around her.

Gott, please don’t let Mary suffer.
Ruth prayed silently.

But all she could do was hope he was listening, right?

I will trust in Got's plan.

By midday they pulled down a street with a row of houses. Ruth watched with wide eyes as they made their way down the street- until finally they turned into one.

The house was unlike anything Ruth had seen in real life before. It was huge! With yellow siding, and a large front porch. A woman stood there- she was too young to be their grandmother. Despite the fact that Ruth had never met her grandmother she knew that much.

As the truck came to a stop no one said a word. No one moved.

What are we supposed to do?
Ruth wondered. She turned to her mother, who gave her a soft nod, silently reassuring to her be patient.

Several seconds later her father’s door opened and he stepped out.

Ruth's mother opened her own door and slid out of the truck, Mary followed her.

Ruth sat there, watching her family make their way out up the drive. And she didn't move.

"What are you going to do?" She asked Joshua, trying to make time.

He turned to her. In the darkness she hadn't been able to see him well, but now in the midday light she took everything in- everything she had always seen. His bright green eyes, his perfect row of teeth when he flashed her a smile.

"I'll head up to Sarasota." He said. Despite the fact it wasn't winter there would still be others in the community.  She’d heard a lot about it.  It was close enough to them that some of their friends came up this way when the weather started to get cold.  The benefits of living close to Florida.