Beneath the Shadows of Evil... Taken Read online

  "You may leave us. See to it that no one is allowed to enter these chambers other than the mage. I want no interruptions tonight.”

  "Yes Master, I understand Sire. No one will disturb you."

  "You are dismissed." Andor gave a small look of annoyance at this treatment, but it was done with lowered eyes. He knew he didn’t dare show his true feelings. The minion had no reverence for his Master. Instead he had a small kernel of seething rage growing inside him. Mikhal the Merciless had always treated him with disdain and arrogance, and the harsh treatment at his Master’s hands the night before had tripled Andor’ hatred for his Lord. He’d mistakenly thought his position of favorite to Marishka would lend him importance in Mikhal’s eyes, but he’d been wrong, and it cut Andor to the quick to be treated with such disregard.

  Andor turned to leave quietly and Mikhal gave a weary sigh of relief. He had no desire to deal with the imbecile minion on his wedding night. Why had Marishka even brought him here? She knew he didn’t care for the stupid oaf. Ignoring the retreating back of the vampire, tossing the bewildered boy to the floor in the corner, he looked around the room once more, and immediately knew that something was amiss.

  Alliana sat rigidly by the fire. Her huge eyes were a glorious shade of green, and at the moment they shimmered with tears. Her mouth trembled, her bruised lips quivering with dismay and the effort to keep them in a tight thin line. Her cheeks were quite red and Mikhal knew immediately that it wasn’t from the heat of the fire. She’d been struck, repeatedly. The knowledge made him angry but he forced his ire back down. Now wasn’t the time to chastise Marishka. Alliana has been horrid to his sister since he’d brought her home and if they’d come to blows so be it. The girl looked as if she’d survived. Still, he’d speak to Marishka about it.

  Mikhal mused that Alliana still looked quite fetching even with her battered cheeks and swollen lips. In fact they looked quite kissable. The rest of her skin was flawless and creamy. A silken night shift that was virginal white just as he’d requested had replaced her wedding dress. The gown was low cut and the tops of her breasts swelled against the material, and the fabric itself was of the sheerest of silk, leaving little to the imagination. He could see the dark pink circles of her nipples through it, inviting him to come and taste her delectable peaks. Marishka had done well in her choice.

  Alliana perched unmoving on the edge of the chair, and then finally turned her head to face her husband. Her hands were folded rigidly in her lap, as she desperately trying to hide the fact that they were trembling. Though Marishka’s attack and her bloodlust had shaken Alliana to the core, she knew it was best to try and show no fear when in the presence of Mikhal the Merciless. The problem was, the events of the day were making it hard for her to be strong.

  So far, Mikhal had shown that he admired her courage, so she raised her chin a hint and squared her shoulders even though her heart wasn’t in it. Alliana was well aware that the promised punishment was close at hand. She also had a good idea of what was to come that evening and vowed she would be a willing participant as her maman had told her to be, whatever came her way, but the idea still had the power to turn her blood to ice. Submission meant accepting the pawing of Mikhal the Merciless, and she would simply have to endure. She would have to find her inner well of strength, as she was doing right now before his piercing gaze.

  These thoughts ran through her head as Alliana watched Mikhal come ever nearer. She had to run them through her mind over and over as he stared at her, appraising her face and body. His cold unholy eyes almost made her lose her resolve, but she held firm to her dignity. She sat erect with her head held high, trying to control her breathing and silence her pounding heart. She forced herself to stay immobile as he reached out to touch her.

  "So valiant and brave as you sit before me, my sweet. You look luscious. I know you think me disgusting and evil Darling, but it doesn’t matter. Regardless of how you see me, you shall do as I say. Your mother told you to submit to your husband, little one, but you will do so much more. You are going to be taught exactly how to please me and will learn to do so in an instant. There will be no mere submitting, no lying there complacent under me as I take my pleasure. You are going to strive to please your new Master and I am going to teach your body how to respond as well. Is that understood?"

  He had moved before her as he spoke, stopping in front of her, tilting her head back and staring into her eyes with a mesmerizing look that both captivated and chilled her. He stroked her hair then gripped her chin, causing her to wince. A small trickle of blood still seeped from her abused mouth and Mikhal leaned forward to lick it from her chin, delighting in the shiver he felt run through her at his actions.

  “I didn’t hear you, Pet.”

  "Yes My Lord."

  "Very good, Alliana.” A knock sounded on the chamber door and he turned. “Ah, that must be Marishka’s mage. Come Darling, I'm quite anxious for you to bear me a son, but then again, the act of getting you with child excites me as well. You already knew that though didn't you Pet?”

  Alliana cringed at his words. She would be no better than a brood mare within these castle walls, a whelping bitch just like his hounds. What would it be like to carry a demon child inside her body? The thought sent chills down her spine.

  Mikhal called for the Mage to enter and slipped an arm around Alliana's waist pulling her forward. He led her to the center of the room and a very gleeful Marishka joined them. He approached and passed a critical gaze over Alliana, looking her up and down, circling her then lifting her chin and tilting her head up, then side to side. Alliana wanted to ask the man if he cared to see her teeth, but she bit back her caustic remark. She knew that her sharp tongue would heighten his fury.

  "She is pure? It is very important for a quest such as this. If she has been with a human your seed will never take. Even once and her womb would reject you.”

  "She claims to be chaste, and I know she hasn't been touched by any of my servants. Tell me again dear Alliana, have you ever been taken by a man? Lie to me and I will discover the truth tonight."

  The blush that stained Alliana's cheeks when asked such an intimate question was proof enough of her innocence for both Mikhal and the Mage.

  Marishka moved to a small table and began mixing the herbs and wine that the minions had brought. "I have the potion to ensure your seed takes hold Mikhal and that the child will be a boy. I’ve made it up special and just right so you get your heart’s desire. The potion is all you need for success. See that she drinks it all down. Don't let her fool you." Marishka had every hope that once Alliana was pregnant and her belly swelling with Mikhal’s child, her brother would lose interest in the chit and hasten back to her bed where he belonged.

  "Oh, I don't think that will be a problem, will it Alliana? She knows not to defy me.”

  The Mage opened a large tome he held and began chanting some words in a dialect Alliana couldn’t understand, and then circled her, waving his hand above her and before her belly in a most absurd fashion. He paused, setting the book down, and took the chalice containing the potion from Marishka, then faced Alliana once more.

  “Open” His order was curt, his black eyes filled with distaste for her. Alliana’s own eyes flashed at the man before her but a low growl from Mikhal brought her to her senses. Alliana opened her mouth and the Mage dipped his fingers into the chalice then sprinkled some of the potion on her tongue, he then ran his thumb over Alliana’s lower lip, coating it as well. When he was finished, he then handed the chalice back to Marishka and nodded to Mikhal.

  “See she drinks the rest before the bedding.”

  “Thank you, I appreciate your service. I bid you well."

  Marishka began to hand Alliana the chalice but Mikhal put a restraining hand on her arm. “Not yet sweet sister. There is a matter we must tend to first. Come here, boy.”

  Alliana looked at Mikhal, mystified, as the child crossed the room on trembling legs to stand before his Master. “Do you reme
mber this child, Alliana?”

  “Yes... Of course, he was the one in the courtyard last night.”

  “I’m glad you do. You seemed to pity him when I was so harsh. Does it bother you when I mistreat him, Kitten?”

  “I...” What could she say? Of course it did. “I wish for you to be kind in front of me, my husband.” Alliana was doing her best to pacify Mikhal, knowing something horrid was about to happen, but not sure what.

  “Well perhaps you should think of others when you choose to misbehave. I am not at liberty to give you the beating you so richly deserve, Alliana. If you were anyone but my wife, anyone but the woman who will carry my son in her body, I would take a whip to you and flay the skin from your body until the gown you are wearing was dripping crimson with your blood. The boy will have to take your punishment instead.”

  “What? You can’t be serious. Please My Lord. Oh please. You can’t. He’s just a child. I’m the one who did something to anger you.” Tears filled her eyes as she looked down at the terrified boy, and Marishka began to clap her hands merrily, thrilled at her brother’s decision, and with Alliana’s horrified response. She danced her crazy dance of fools, spinning madly around the room, grasping the poor boy by the hands and pulling him with her in a twisted minuet.

  Marishka danced the stunned child up to her brother, beaming with pleasure. “Is he mine, love? Really? Do I get to keep him?”

  “Yes Darling. Do whatever you wish for as long as you like. The child is your present to atone for my new bride’s bad manners. I’m sorry she upset you so. She won’t be such a naughty girl in the future.” Hearing his Master’s reply, the child began to wail and Alliana snapped.

  “Nooooooo!” Alliana dropped to her knees before him. She would beg if she had to. She would do anything to save the child from this fate. Her hands gripped his feet and she began a litany of pleas that fell on deaf ears as the cries of the child grew in volume.

  “Please My Lord. Not the child. Don’t give him to her. I’m sorry. I beg of you to forgive me. Punish me. Do what you wish. Beat me. Hurt me. I don’t care what you do, but please, don’t give him to her! Please. He did no wrong.”

  “Get up Alliana. It is unseemly for my wife to grovel on the floor. The deed is done, I have made my decision.” As the doors closed behind a laughing Marishka and the crying child, Alliana's sobs filled the chamber. Her heart broke as it filled with guilt, and she slumped to the floor. In one fell swoop, her husband had tarnished her soul. She had caused the death or worse of an innocent boy, and the knowledge sent daggers through her heart.

  “I hate you.”

  "I said get up, Alliana; I don't have time for hysterics. Come and drink the potion. I have already waited to bed you for far too long.” Still Alliana didn’t rise. Mikhal stared down at her small form as it shook with her sobs; apparently he had chosen the correct form of punishment. “Would you have me fetch another child? A babe this time perhaps?"

  Alliana forced herself to rise, not daring to incite his anger; she’d just seen the results of disobedience. She took the chalice from his hand and drank the potion down as fast as she could. It was bitter, and threatened to come back up, but she forced the vile mixture into her stomach, and then let the chalice fall from her hand. It clattered upon the floor as she turned towards her husband, hatred she couldn’t hide burning in her eyes along with her tears. She stood before him in a silent show of submission, despising him, despising herself, despising life.

  Mikhal smiled, pleased with her obedience and thrilled with her pain. He gathered her close in his arms and slowly licked a tear from her cheek, savoring the taste of her agony, and then patted her soothingly on the back as he held her gently. His little bride had been taught a valuable lesson in respect, one she wouldn’t soon forget. Alliana shivered and he murmured sweet words of comfort in her ear just as a tender lover should.

  While it was true, he admired her fire; he loved her like this as well. There was such excitement in her torment. It stirred his blood, and called out to his primal beast. Yes the taking of his wife was going to be ever so sweet and he intended to savor every second of it. He brought up his hands and caressed her cheek. She was so soft, so innocent and delicate like a flower. A precious bud that he was going to open slowly for his pleasure, even as he planted his seed deep in her womb.

  “Come Pet. Let us put this nastiness behind us and get on with the pleasures of love. Be a good girl and I shall make you feel oh so good. Your body is going to sing for me Kitten, and come morning you’ll be clinging to me just as a wife should. Your heart may hate every bit of me Sweet, but your flesh will respond just the same.”

  Alliana looked at him in shocked disbelief. Just like that the beast had fled once more replaced by the creature that dared to think of himself as kind. His tone was soft, soothing, made to seduce and titillate, but Alliana wasn’t fooled. She knew what he was, and of the unspeakable acts he was capable of committing, and she wouldn’t ever forget it.

  Chapter Nine

  Alliana shivered though she tried desperately to stop her shaking body as Mikhal held her. Loathing for the beast who was her captor, seared her entire being. Her soul screamed to push him far from her. Every ounce of her yearned to be free and wrap her arms around herself for protection from his gaze, and disgusting touch, but it was not to be.

  Mikhal looked down into her eyes and saw the depths of her agony. Her pain had thrilled him just a short while ago, but now he found it disturbing because his use for it was gone. Her eyes were luminous green pools full of rage and mistrust, and he wanted very much to make her hatred go away. It was their wedding night, and as such, the time for passion and the bond that mating would bring had begun. She had been punished, it was true, but it was done now, and he wanted his wild Gypsy bride back. The time had come for them to make a new start. Alliana was his wife now. Mikhal desired and expected the devotion he believed a wife should bestow on her husband. Hopefully she would learn well from her indiscretion, and he wouldn’t have to repeat such an act of discipline, and therefore she’d be able to accept her new life and all it meant, given the proper incentives.

  “I truly am sorry if I upset you Kitten but you forced my hand. I simply cannot allow you to think you can treat Marishka with such disrespect.”

  Alliana trembled but didn’t say a word. Her throat was thick with emotion and her tongue lay like sand in her mouth. Marishka. Marishka! The thought of the woman made bile rise in her throat. She couldn’t believe he’d actually apologized for his heinous deed, and was appalled that he would even consider seeking her forgiveness. As if anything else could actually matter while the little boy was in the clutches of his sister.

  Seeing her quiver, Mikhal took her by the hand, leading her before the massive hearth, knowing it wasn’t because of the chill in the room, but wanting her to think that perhaps it concerned him just a bit if she was cold. His countenance was that of the tender lover again, the adoring husband’s role had slipped into play once more, for the seduction of his bride. He kissed her forehead tenderly, stroking her back with the lightest graze of his fingers, and then he began to undress his prize.

  The heat from the fire immediately gave a flush to her cheeks that Mikhal found most inviting. He couldn’t wait to see the rest of her tinged pink by its warmth. His fingers trailed over her jaw, causing her to wince slightly. He paused, frowning, and murmured sweet words of tenderness, then let his hand slide down her neck to skim the bodice of her nightgown, the tips of his fingers brushing the rounded swells of her breasts.

  Alliana shivered again at his intimate touch, but it was a response born of revulsion and fear. She held herself rigid before him, vowing the heat his kisses had caused would not rise up in her again. The taste of hatred was heavy in her mouth, reminding her of her bitter resolve, making her strong against his talented hands, but would her loathing for her captor be enough to battle her body’s natural reaction all through the night? The thought that the monster before her could ind
uce her to respond like a whore, despite her hatred, made her sick with self-loathing. Alliana steeled herself against his mouth and made a silent declaration to feel nothing, even as he turned her so he could plant tiny kisses along her shoulders and his fingers slipped under the silken straps that held the scrap of silk on her body.

  He paused, fingertips dancing on her skin ever so softly, slowly, needing her madly, but willing to make the taking all that much sweeter by taking his time. He wanted her; it was true. She was a rare beauty, but he also wanted her wild response.

  Inch by inch he began to lower the straps of the silky gown as his thumbs stroked her upper arms. As he worked, Alliana continued to shiver. She simply couldn’t stop herself. Images of the things Natalya told her about, and memories of his heated kisses, crushing embrace, and hard, demanding manhood pressing into her belly kept flooding her mind though she tried to push them away. With the images came a flood of questions.

  Would he hurt her? Alliana was almost sure he would, but how badly? Was her punishment truly over? He was all tenderness now, but she had seen him change in an instant many times over. Would there be any of the gentleness that had been wrapped up in his stolen kiss from the night before? What of the fluttering in her belly that his kiss in the chapel had caused? Again she wondered what kind of woman felt a heat such as that, from a monster such as him. She had responded to him then, but that was before his hideous deed. What of now?

  Either action, brutal rape or lover’s caress, repulsed her at the moment, but it was the latter that brought the most fear. She knew how she would respond to rape; it was the other that would leave her feeling like the lowest of whores. Which would he choose when he stole away her virginity in the massive bed that lay beckoning across the room?

  All this ran through her mind as her husband ran his hands over her tender flesh, making her head spin with terror. Would the next agony he inflicted upon her be bodily or emotionally? How was she ever to know? She had angered him badly, but he said she wasn’t going to feel the physical pain of her behavior. Had her debt truly been paid with the life of the child? Thoughts of the boy made her ill, and Alliana pushed the image of his terrified face from her mind. The punishment had been far worse than anything she’d imagined, and agony filled her at the consequences her actions had brought, but she was helpless to do anything now. Her only recourse was to obey.