Darkness Captured (25 page)

He’d entered hell to rescue her, even knowing he’d likely fail. Her hand pressed against her belly, and she felt the quickening in her womb. She hadn’t wanted a mate, never craved cubs or a family because her own had betrayed her, but she couldn’t regret a single moment or the consequence of their mating. She’d cherish this child, keeping it first in her heart as she should have done for its father.

Another sob ripped through her, but she didn’t care if the angry demon pacing the floor heard it. Her heart ached over Guntram’s loss. That he’d been her last hope to escape hardly seemed to matter anymore. What she wanted most wasn’t her freedom after all. She wished with all her heart she’d given Guntram the words she’d stubbornly refused. Pledged herself and her heart to her one true mate.

Her damnable pride had kept her from giving him that gift. Deep inside, she knew she wouldn’t have been lying, even a little bit, if she’d admitted that she loved him.

CHAPTER
16

M
arduk heard her sobs, but wouldn’t be swayed by her woman’s emotions. She had a harsh lesson to learn, and better she learn it now than cause herself or another harm later. Still, the wrenching cries that shook her strong frame caused his own heart to bleed.

He’d wanted to touch life again, but he’d forgotten there could be such deep sorrow to balance the joys. For the first time, he considered her situation from her point of view.

How she must hate him now. He’d given no thought beyond the need to possess her when he’d divined her presence in the mirror. Hadn’t wondered for even a moment what sort of life she’d led, what he’d forced her to relinquish. Did she have family? A husband?

Her body betrayed no signs she’d ever delivered a child, but what did he really know about wolves? What had he robbed her of?

But if that were the case, wouldn’t she have pleaded on their behalf? All her begging had been for herself.

But who was the wolf in the dungeon to her? When he’d stalked into the cell and broken them apart he’d sensed something important had happened between the wolf pair. He had no doubt the wolf had meant to help her escape, but was he acting on love or duty?

Gabriella’s eyes when she’d gazed at the warrior had been free of challenge, softened by some deeply held emotion. Did she love him?

Marduk couldn’t imagine that was the case. Wolves were a loyal breed. If she’d been mated to him, cared for him, she’d never have given herself so easily.

Another jagged sob pulled him from his thoughts and he strode toward the bed. It had been forever since he’d tried to soothe a woman’s tears. Zara’s tears had been the last to move him. She’d wet his chest with them as she’d clung to his shoulders, unwilling to let him leave her.

He knelt on the mattress next to Gabriella and placed his hand on her shoulder, intending to turn her and offer his embrace.

But Gabriella jerked away from his touch, her wet face lifting, reddening as she drew back her lips and emitted a low, rumbling growl. “Don’t touch me.”

Marduk let his hand drop and narrowed his eyes. “You’re overwrought. But this will pass.”

“I won’t forget,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “You’re responsible for his death. You murdered him. You tried to make me believe you inhabit this place but aren’t tainted by sin. That you’re better than those consigned here because of their misdeeds. But you’re worse. You wield you power to serve your appetite, regardless of anyone else’s desires. I want nothing from you. If you demand I stay in your chamber, you will have to rape me to ever have me again.”

Marduk froze, cut to the bone by the purpose in her expression. He believed her. Withdrawing from the bed, he turned away from the accusation in her gaze. “I’ll send Xalia to attend you.

“Keep your whore away from me.”

Marduk blew out a breath, growing annoyed with her stubborn refusal of his help. “Who was he to you?” he asked, although he wasn’t sure he wanted an answer.

The corners of her lips slid downward, and her face crumpled. “No one. It doesn’t matter anymore,” she whispered.

Frustrated because he didn’t know how to relieve her anger, he strode from the chamber, slamming the door behind him.

“Bel, what has happened?” Xalia said, falling into step beside him as he quickly descended the steps into the street.

“A wolf followed her here from the other realm. He found her. Now, he’s dead and she blames me.”

“Did you kill him then?”

“No, but I alerted Irkalla’s guard to his presence. I as good as murdered him myself.”

“And she doesn’t appreciate the depth of your feelings for her?”

Marduk’s gaze swung to the demon beside him. Of course, she’d see his murdering a rival as a sign of affection. He halted in his steps, realizing he had expected the same—after she’d gotten over her shock, of course.

Gods, he’d been here too long. Gabriella was right. He’d been here too long not to be tainted by the dark souls around him. And where was he going?

Glancing up the street, he knew his feet led him back to the palace, back to assure himself the wolf was no longer a rival for her affection. He closed his eyes, trying to remember how it once felt to be sure of his own moral superiority.

“Go back to my chamber,” he said to Xalia. “Make sure she stays inside. I don’t want her doing anything foolish.”

“Do you think she would destroy herself to join this wolf in death?” She sounded excited by the prospect, likely found it romantic.

“Xalia, go back. If anything happens to her, I will hold you responsible.”

Her breath caught, and she whirled and ran back toward the tower.

The guards at the palace didn’t stop him as he reentered and made his way down into the dungeon. Inside, the crowd had thinned. Guards with spears crossed to prevent entrance by the curious stood at the bottom of the steps.

Marduk received a solemn nod and was allowed to pass. Inside the chamber, slaves bustled through the crowd carrying the fallen warriors. The wolf had fought well, judging by the number of the queen’s soldiers being carried away.

Dagon drew beside him. “He’s still alive. The queen has had him taken to her chamber to interrogate him.”

“What happened to you?”

“The wolf and an accomplice waylaid me on my way here. I awoke with a headache and came here immediately. I’m not sure what their purpose was in assaulting me.”

Marduk remained silent about his own suspicions. “I have to get to Irkalla before she does something regrettable.”

Dagon’s smile was brief and ended in a wince. “Neck hurts.”

Marduk pushed past him and hurried to Irkalla’s chamber.

Inside, the usual crowd filled every available space.

Irkalla stood in the center of the room, facing the warrior. “Tell me how you came to be here, wolf,” she said, her tone imperious.

So, he was still alive. Marduk’s thoughts raced. If he could somehow save him from being made into a meal, perhaps Gabriella would be appeased. This could be used to his advantage. He strode toward Irkalla rather than pressing closer to the edge of the circle around the warrior.

Marduk eyed the warrior, knowing what Gabriella found attractive in this other man. His strong, sturdy frame radiated leashed power; his resolute stance betrayed no fear, although he had to know that his days, maybe even minutes, were numbered.

Too, he knew what the man found so attractive about Gabriella—besides the handsome features and glorious mane of hair. Her body was equally sturdy and strong, a good match for the warrior’s bulky frame. Her pride and fearlessness engendered an odd protectiveness in a man.

He’d never wanted to see her brought down, have proved to her that her fearlessness was based on nothing. She was a woman, thus vulnerable. For without her fierce pride, she’d be somehow … less.

Marduk had vague memories of the prideful woman he’d loved long ago. The human he’d craved to make his own. In the end, he’d had to abandon her, but selfishly, he’d left her with a curse, thinking that he’d be gone from this place and able to rejoin her in the future. He’d wanted her to live so that he might find her again.

Where she was now didn’t matter. He’d never see her again, having never found another worthy of the ring he wore, the seal Solomon had entrusted to him so long ago. Perhaps he was doomed by his immortality to reign as the Master of the Demons forever.

The wolf didn’t reply to the question, and Irkalla’s cheeks reddened. “You would deny me?” she said, her voice rising in disbelief.

Marduk stepped behind Irkalla. “Imagine that,” he murmured, just loud enough for her to hear. “Someone who won’t bend to you.”

“He’ll bend,” she whispered harshly. “He’ll kneel if I have to cut him off at the knees.”

“And miss the chance to sample this one’s strength of will? Do you think he can resist a vampire’s lure?”

“No one can. Besides, he’s a wolf. A base creature. He’ll submit for food or lust.”

“I know you haven’t seen many here, mistress, but wolves are known for their fierce loyalty, their odd desire to stay true to a single mate. Since it appears he’s dared enter the Land to save my slave, I wonder if he loves her—and if it’s true that he can’t be aroused by another.”

“What are you saying, darling?” she said, her attention at last leaving the warrior and swinging his way. Her eyes were alight with a glimmer of excitement. “Do you think I should tempt him? What if he resists?”

“No one can resist you for long. And think how demoralizing it would be to him.”

“I could snack on him later?”

“Or keep him alive indefinitely as your own personal blood well. He’s not unattractive.”

Her gaze went back, and she licked her lips. “He’s handsome, if one admires someone as scarred and chiseled as he is.”

“A warrior who trains often. Who prepares for battle every day.”

“He’d be hard.
Inflexible
.” Her gaze swept his tall frame and Marduk decided not to press her in case she wondered about his interest.

“You will be kept near my quarters,” she said, raising her voice. “My personal cells.” She lifted her chin to signal to the guards directly behind him. “You will let them take you.”

The warrior narrowed his eyes at the guards who approached and no one doubted, armed or not, that they’d have another fight to the death if they tried to kill him now.

As he was led away, Marduk gave Irkalla a look that he hoped conveyed chagrin. “Do I have to worry that your new pet will replace me in your affections?” he asked, mirroring her earlier comment.

Irkalla lifted her eyebrows. “I’m not so completely self-absorbed that I don’t realize when I’m being manipulated. What is your interest in the man?”

“He dared touch my woman. I would like to question him. Alone. Learn something about her that I haven’t been able to pry from her lips.”

“Why is it important?”

Marduk wrapped his arms around her from behind and bent toward her ear. “I would learn her greatest fears and loves.”

Irkalla patted his cheek, her smile widening. “We are much alike. How can it be any other way? You are the other half of me.”

“Never let Nergal hear you say that.”

“Nergal is lazy. I bleed him until he finds his pleasure. He eats, he sleeps. He’s content to let me rule, knowing I would never try to kill him and risk losing what I’ve held so long.”

“He’s indulgent. Never think he wouldn’t move himself if ever he thought another filled your thoughts to exception.”

Irkalla offered him a pained smile. “I love him, you know. He’s given me everything my heart yearned for when my sister betrayed me. He gave me the means for my revenge.”

“The wolf,” he said, bringing her attention back. “You will let me question him? I could try to find the key that will make him bend to you. You would not have to risk having him defy you with an audience.”

“I’d have to kill him, and I think I would prefer to keep him near for a while. I’ve never tasted a wolf’s blood. I wonder if their cocks are truly barbed.”

A shiver rattled against him, and he squeezed her waist. “Let him wonder for a while whether he’s been forgotten. In the morning, I will be back to interrogate him.”

He released her and tilted his head, an offhand bow that never failed to annoy her.

“Will you ever learn respect?” she said, wrinkling her nose.

Marduk grinned. “Tell the truth. If I did, you’d grow bored with me. Good night, mistress.”

He left her and made his way through the throng, back to the courtyard and out the gate. His steps were lighter, his heart thrilling to possibilities. The wolf was strong, moral. He had more incentive than ever to keep Gabriella safe. Could the wolf be persuaded to replace Marduk in exchange for her freedom, at last freeing him to return to the realm of the living?

Gabriella cried until her stomach hurt. But at last, her sobs quieted to soft hiccups. As her grief receded, pushed ruthlessly deep inside her, she felt shame at her outburst. She’d acted like a woman—overcome with self-pity. She’d let Marduk see how deeply he’d cut her. She’d given him power over her, exposed her soft heart for him to manipulate again. Guntram would have been disappointed in her.

Feeling more herself, she got up from the bed and wandered to the balcony. The desert stretched as far as she could see. A vast lonesomeness that her heart echoed.

She was stuck here. For eternity. With a man who wanted only her submission, not her love. Something she would have settled for, she’d thought—before she’d been given a glimpse at what her future might have held. Just a glimpse of the terrible yearning that was love had spoiled her for accepting such a shallow existence.

The door to the chamber opened, and she pressed closer to the ledge. Footsteps padded toward her, heavy, measured.
Marduk.

She considered baring her teeth, shifting to use her natural weapons and take out her anger and sorrow on him by ripping at his flesh, but what would it gain her? She might be consigned to the same fate as Guntram, and while there was a hope she might have conceived, she couldn’t betray his memory like that.