Mischief's Mate (The Immortal Mates Book 1) (35 page)

Tomas pulled a struggling Chantelle behind his horse. She yanked on her bound wrists as he pulled up to the guard post. She was still dressed in the clothing they had found her in; caked with dirt and blood.

At the sight of them the two men stood at attention. Chantelle and the others were hoping Signe didn’t want to be disturbed. She would have warned the guards that any disturbance would be certain death.

The taller of the two men stepped up to Tomas’ horse. “State your business.”

He yanked on the rope and Chantelle fell to her knees. Just for good measure, a small whimper passed through her lips.

“I found her wandering the woods as I was headed back.”

The men just continued to stare. It seemed Tomas was going to have to elaborate for the two dolts that guarded the gate. Chantelle never met a lackey she liked; or was that Ares’ magic that felt that way. Whichever. Lackeys were always more trouble than they were worth and it seemed these two proved to be no different.

“Do you not know who she is?”

Both guards shook their heads and Tomas let out a longsuffering sigh. Chantelle had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. “She is the Lady Chantelle. I am bringing her for Lady Signe. I am sure she would like to finish the job.”

A light of recognition passed across their faces; they parted and Tomas dismounted. He removed the rope from the horn of his horse’s saddle. Tomas wrapped the loose end of the rope around his belt as Chantelle struggled a little for good measure. Dragging her up by her arms, Tomas squeezed the bandages there. Chantelle let out a whimper at the pressure. She bit down hard on the inside of her lip causing tears to well. After all, they needed to make this look good.

“Go ahead then. But make sure there is some of her left for us.” One of the guards rubbed himself suggestively.

As Tomas dragged Chantelle past the guards the second one grabbed her ass. She closed her eyes and fought back the bile that rose in her throat. Taking a deep breath she steadied herself.

“Excuse me.” Thor tapped the guard on the shoulder, “That happens to be my new little sister you are dishonoring.”

Both men turned and Thor and Ares knocked them out. Cutting Chantelle’s rope and using it to secure the fallen men. They looked over to Tomas and Chantelle, giving a nod. Phase one of their plan was complete, now it was time for the others to join them.

With a low whistle Thor called out to the rest of their group, who moved out of the shadows toward the castle gate. Together they made their way forward and Chantelle couldn’t help but think of the coming battle.

Quietly, they made their way through the lower hall. Tomas had told them the receiving hall was upstairs. So that meant they would have to go about the first floor and hope they weren’t spotted or all was lost.

“Why are there no guards down here?”

Chantelle did not trust how quiet the castle was. This had to be a trap. No one in their right mind would continue to stay here without guards. But Signe had never been in her right mind to begin with. If she was she would have killed Chantelle outright. Not left her there to die a slow death. One that had never come and now Signe would face the consequences for such a thoughtless move.

“I do not know, Lady Chantelle. What I can tell you is this… not many of her people liked how she ruled them. Maybe the smart ones turned tail and ran.”

Ares threw them a quelling look, “Do you think it wise to chat about like two old hens out at a parade?”

They both threw him an annoyed look. “I want to know why there are no guards stationed here. Don’t you?”

“It matters not how many men guard Loki. I do not intend on losing this fight and neither should you.”

Ares walked away from Chantelle, leaving her in stunned silence. He was right and she knew it. No matter how many men she had to cut down she would free Loki from whatever prison Signe had him in. It didn’t matter that just up the next flight of stairs might be thirty or forty armed men. Right now the only thing between her and her mate was fear and atmosphere.

“Soon my little pet, I shall rule over the entire council.”

Signe kneeled before Loki’s cage; running her hands across the bars. Caressing them like one would a lover. She had been trying to get his attention for the better part of fifteen minutes and everything she tried had failed.

Loki sat there cross-legged as if he was waiting for a cup of tea. He refused to let her know just how much he was hurting. Just how much he wanted to rage against the oath she had tricked him into.

“Look at me when I speak to you.”

His eyes still closed, he let out a sigh. “The sight of you sickens me.”

She leaned in closer to the bars, “Because I made you end your mortal? She was never meant for you. That mortal was nothing but a pathetic waste of your time.”

Loki was about to answer when a commotion in the hallway stopped him. It sounded like the clash of sword on sword. There were shouts and cries. His brothers had come for him and yet Loki couldn’t bring himself to care. His soul was split in two and there was no way to heal it without Chantelle. His beautiful mate was the only thing that could anchor him to the light. Now she was gone.

Even if Chantelle lived, how could he even hope for her to come to him? He had delivered a killing blow to Chantelle when he had renounced her. Loki knew there had been no other way to keep her safe and still he wished he had forced Signe to kill him instead.

The sound of the heavy oak doors bursting open had Loki jumping to his feet. His brothers, Ares, Savannah, Arabella and Tomas battled a group of Signe’s men. The battle moved back and forth. Savannah and Arabella holding their own just as well as his brothers and in that instant Loki knew just who had taught his little mate to do battle.

He watched as one of Signe’s guards advanced on Bragi. As if in slow motion Arabella spun like a ballet dancer. Stopping the guard’s sword inches from Bragi’s back. The guard let out a ferocious yell, and swung a second time. With a swift upward arc Arabella disarmed him. The shocked look on his face would have been comical if the situation was different. But it wasn’t and Loki could only watch on in wonder as the guard pulled a dagger and advanced on her.

The guard was too busy watching Arabella to notice Bragi come up behind him. With one hard hit from the hilt of his sword the guard went down like a bag of bricks. But another soon took his place. The flurry of activity continuing.

Signe hissed at Loki, “Too bad your little mortal did not feel the need to come to your rescue.”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

They turned to see Chantelle standing there in all her glory. Her long chocolate curls spilling about her shoulders. His sword clasped firmly in her hands; her stance tall and true.

A growl left Signe’s lips, “You should be dead.”

Chantelle waved her off, “Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve. But I’m not. Maybe you should try harder next time.”

She watched as Signe tensed, drawing her attention to the cage. Chantelle felt her anger rise, consuming her body like a forest fire. Not only had Signe tortured her in front of Loki, she had disgraced her. The woman before her had forced him to break their bond and now she kept him in a cage as if Loki was a prized zoo exhibit.

“I will not fight you child, so put down that silly sword.”

Chantelle raised her sword, “And I will not stand down, bitch. Now fight me.” Chantelle made a come on gesture.

Signe chuckled, “You do not know what you are asking for. But so be it.”

The immortal drew a sword out of thin air. They began to circle each other. Signe fainted to the right dodging Chantelle’s first strike, causing Chantelle to turn her back. Signe raised her sword and caught Chantelle on her side. She turned to face her again, blood blooming from where Signe had scored her hit. The side of her corset slashed to expose the soft skin of her side.

Loki inhaled a sharp breath when he saw the blood coat Chantelle’s side. But what worried him most was that she didn’t even acknowledge it. Not even bothering to protect her left side.

“It seems I have scored a hit.” Signe mocked her.

“I didn’t even notice.”

With a swift upward flick of her wrist the sword obeyed and caught Signe’s cheek, causing a deep gash to open. She clutched her cheek and glared at Chantelle.

“Now we are even.” She gestured to Signe’s cheek and then her side.

“You will not win this fight. Give up and I’ll allow you to live.”

Chantelle let out a bitter laugh. “I am afraid it is too late for that. I cannot allow Chantelle to bow to you.”

Signe gave her an odd look. Chantelle smiled, her opponent didn’t realize that she was functioning on the strength of her warrior soul. That to face the warrior within Chantelle and win wasn’t likely.

They began to slowly circle each other once more. The commotion behind them stopped as the last of her men were subdued. Neither of them noticed as they were too caught up in each other.

“Stand down, you stupid fool.”

“Never. I will be victorious this night. Do you know why, Signe?” Chantelle didn’t give her time to answer. “You have stolen my mate from me; therefore I have nothing left to lose. And that makes me very dangerous.”

Signe saw that Chantelle was distracted by what she was saying and took her chance. Lunging she knocked the sword from Chantelle’s hand. She shoved her to the floor, making her land beside Loki.

She didn’t take the time to realize that Chantelle had lost her sword too easily. That maybe she was luring her into a trap. Chantelle looked up from the floor. A smile pulled at Signe’s lips at the sight of her enemy at her feet.

“Now he will watch you die. What a waste of life.”

Signe held Chantelle down and began to chant. Just as the last words left her lips, Chantelle pulled the secret weapon that Bells had given her out of her pants’ pocket. She shoved the mirror between them, so that Signe was now looking at her own reflection.

The surface of the mirror began to glow with the magic of her spell. Signe’s eyes began to cloud over and slowly her form began to shimmer. A cry of anguish left her lips as the rest of her soul entered the mirror. Chantelle pulled herself to her feet and shoved the mirror into the bag it had come from. She approached Thor then.

“I know we do not see eye to eye when it comes to the way you treat Loki, but I must ask you a favor.”

Thor just nodded at his new sister, finally finding his voice, “You misjudge me.”

“Maybe I do. But will you do this thing for me?”

“If it will restore your trust in my love for my brother, then name it.” Thor held his fist over his heart ready to give her a warrior’s word.

“When we return to Oak Island, take this to the Devil’s hole and throw it into the abyss.” She stretched out the bag toward him, waiting to see if he was a man of his word.

Thor took the bag from her and tied it to his sword belt. “It would be my honor to rid your life of this dark stain.”

Chantelle pulled Thor into a hug, “You are a fine brother. And I know why you treat Loki as you do. But you must see, he is not like you. Loki is a diplomat where you are a warrior. The world needs both, you know?” When she pulled back there was a smile on his face that finally reached his eyes.

The bars he was holding disappeared and Loki was free. He was shocked at how well Chantelle had handled herself. Chantelle had shown the strength of a hundred warriors. He moved toward her, needing to hold her in his arms. Loki had thought that after he had left her in the forest he would have never seen Chantelle again. So the woman before him meant more to him than a vision from heaven.

Loki pulled her into the circle of his arms and tucked her head against his chest. He felt her struggle to break free, but he only held her fast.

“Please, you don’t have to do this. Our bond is no longer. I will not hold you to your vow.”

He held her out at arm’s length; Loki’s jade eyes searched her face. Not sure how serious she was. Hadn’t she just fought her way through Signe’s guard, and then struck down the immortal herself? Why would she bother to do that if she no longer wanted him?

“Do you no longer want my heart?”

She could easily walk away from him; Loki knew that. After all he was the one that had renounced their bond. It mattered not that he had done it under duress, by the law of The Council of Immortals, Chantelle had every right to turn from him.