Love's Predator (Love's Predator Trilogy Book 1) (21 page)

“And you would just return me, like that?”

“Yes,” Lord Shade said hesitantly. “I can’t keep you here against your will.
I don’t own you.”

Lindsey turned around, holding the fabric of the wedding dress up from the floor. “This place is beautiful,” she sighed dreamily. “Is this Heaven?”

Lord shade smiled strangely and began to circle Lindsey with long, graceful steps. His eyes were burning brightly, drawing Lindsey in closer as her fascination grew. She hadn’t noticed before just how flawless Lord Shade was. He was almost inhuman.

“You could call it that,” he said smoothly.

Lindsey smiled happily and at once she was overcome with delight. At last something good had happened, something magical. Although Lindsey could not explain it, she wanted to believe in it fully, and as Lord Shade guided her up the grand marble staircase, Lindsey forgot about the mess she had left behind. She was spellbound.

Lord Shade led his guest deep into the core of the palace. He showed her the spectacular rooms it had to offer her, rooms that were more than fit for a princess. But Lord Shade made sure to show her all the extras. She had already graced her eyes upon the ballroom but the luxurious spa and great, glass windows which over looked the immaculate gardens were sure to take her breath away too.

Lindsey really felt she had gone to
Heaven; everything was perfect. It was her every dream come true.

“You can have any room here and you can do anything you like,” Lord Shade explained to Lindsey as she gazed out onto the gardens. Her eyes were captivated by the pouring fountain and the labyrinth that lay at the bottom of the concrete stairs.
A wooden stage with white chairs and tables sat nearby and down the stage’s columns, which led to a hexagon roof, vines with white roses bloomed.

And then there
were the flowers. Oh how Lindsey loved the bright flowers; it was as if a rainbow was sprawled out across the land. It was as if spring was the keeper of the gardens itself. Was there no winter?

“I can take you there, if that is what you wish?” Lord Shade said in a soft voice.

Lindsey slowly turned to him, feeling a little awkward under is gaze. It felt as if she were a mortal looking at a God.

“Please,” Lindsey beamed. “I would love to.”

“Then we shall.”

He extended his hand to her, coaxing her forward.

Lindsey smiled and stepped towards him, taking his hand confidently.

Lord Shade looked down to her and she gazed back up, her eyes glistening. Smirking, Lord Shade raised his hand and a dark mist formed around them, hissing and moving like a band of snakes.

Lindsey gasped but before she could excel she found herself surrounded by warm light and greenery. They were in the garden.

She turned to Lord Shade, gently letting go of his hand. “This,” she murmured. “This has to be a dream.”

“Lindsey, this is not a dream,” Lord Shade insisted calmly. He slipped around behind her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. “Dreams end.”

“Dreams,” Lindsey whispered.

She pulled away and stepped back from Lord Shade. Looking him up and down, she realised then exactly where she had seen him before.

“You have been in my dreams,” she
accused him, no longer caring if she sounded insane. Any idea of sanity Lindsey held before was warped completely.

“Yes,” he admitted. “I have.”

Lindsey looked away, considering this carefully before she asked her next question.

“What are you?”

Lord Shade smirked and extended his hands, at first out to Lindsey and then to his sides in a grand gesture. His eyes glistened at the prospect of a game. “Guess,” he urged her without a hint. “What do you think I am Lindsey?”

What was Lindsey meant to say? Confused she turned away, still trying to comprehend that this was really happening.

Lord Shade glided towards her, gently cupping her chin with a warm hand. He looked deep into her sparkling green eyes and stuck her with another charming smile. All of a sudden Lindsey felt her thoughts calm
and her defences dissolve. She felt light, happy and careless, as if she may float away into the blue sky.

“An Angel,” she cooed.

Lord Shade laughed lightly, wrapping an arm around her. Gently, he guided Lindsey to the labyrinth and through its large metal gates.

“I have something to show you,” he told her in a low voice.

Lindsey went along willingly, feeling no fear or doubt in his presence. However as he led her deeper into the labyrinth Lindsey began to feel the fog thin around her head, slowly returning her to a normal state of mind.

“Where does this labyrinth lead?” She asked curiously.

Lord Shade glanced back at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he addressed her. “This world, my world…” He spoke softly, his voice almost hypnotic. “It is full of wonders Lindsey. I want to show you them all.”

Something ahead caught Lindsey’s eyes. She stopped dead, pulling Lord Shade back a little before he too was motionless.

“What is this?”

Lindsey stared ahead, her eyes stuck on a white door which was built into the green wall of the labyrinth. As she moved forward again she found that there were many doors of varying colours attached to the labyrinth, some were even bright red.

“Is one door the way out of the labyrinth?” Lindsey asked curiously.

She approached the first door, the white one, and as she stroked her fingers down it she was surprised to find the wood was warm. A gentle hand placed itself on Lindsey’s shoulder. She glanced up to find Lord Shade standing directly behind her, his body almost against hers. His fingers tenderly skimmed down her naked arm and entwined in hers, holding her hand as he moved it to the door knob.

The little hairs on Lindsey’s neck flared up at his touch.

“You can go in any door,” he whispered into her ear. “Lindsey, it is all yours.”

Lindsey felt a soft smile tug her lips and a sense of belonging came over her, a feeling she had not had the pleasure of knowing for some time.

“There is only one thing I ask of you,” Lord Shade went on quietly. “One minor thing,” he added, probably sensing Lindsey’s glow fade slightly. “Do not go through the red doors. Lindsey you may go through any other door you please.”

Lindsey glanced down the line, spying a red door only feet away from where they stood. The door seemed to glint before her, tempting her and yet at the same time its brightness acted as a warning.

“Lindsey,” Lord Shade said, his voice becoming firmer.

Lindsey turned to him, her hand still on the door and under
his strong hand. He was gazing at her intently, a look that Lindsey had seen only recently from the man Lord Shade had saved her from.

“Do you understand?” Lord Shade asked, becoming gentle again.
“It is very important, Lindsey.”

Lindsey gave a slow nod
and this made Lord Shade smile with satisfaction. “Then enter,” he urged her on in a soft whisper.

Lindsey obeyed silently and turned the knob on the door, gradually opening it up to reveal the splendour beyond the plain, white wood.

“Oh my,” Lindsey gasped.

Right before her eyes appeared a bright, sandy beach, with cool clear waves and a cloudless blue sky. A wonderful warmth brushed against Lindsey’s face and arms, followed by the smell of the tropics, where even the air was warm and thick.

Lindsey stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the exotic island. She kicked off her heeled shoes and was ecstatic to feel the smooth, warm sand on her pale feet.

“This, this is amazing!” She cried happily.

Lord Shade watched with keen eyes as Lindsey wandered on the island beach. The pair laughed as she scooped up the sand into her hands and let it slip through her fingers. Lindsey was well aware of the attention she was receiving, but she did not mind; she was enchanted by his creation.

“Behind each door is a different land for you to enjoy,” Lord Shade said as he approached his guest. “You are welcome in each at any time you wish.”

Lindsey looked to the sea, straining her eyes to look beyond the horizon. “How far does it go?” She asked curiously.

“As far as you like,” Lord Shade replied with a smile.

Lindsey could tell he was examining her reaction.
             

“Lindsey, are you impressed?” He asked her calmly.

She looked to him, unaware of how bright her eyes sparkled. Smiling, she nodded energetically and held her hands out, gesturing to her surroundings.

“How could I not
be?” She grinned, feeling like an astonished child.

Lord Shade beamed back at her.

But the mood soon sunk.

Lindsey rubbed her sandy hands on the white wedding dress and the thoughts of her groom returned all too suddenly.
But as soon as his ghostly face began to haunt her mind again, his threats against Nadine echoed in her ears.

Lindsey cried aloud,
startled that she had completely forgotten about that world she had left behind her. It was not like her to forget such things. How could she? The panic increased when Lord Shade’s hand clamped down on Lindsey’s shoulder.

“He’s going to hurt Nadine and Katie!” She howled.

Suddenly, Lord Shade pulled her close, holding her against his warm chest. Lindsey melted there, comforted by the rhythm of his heart. Her panic slowly drifted away, making way for a gentle calm. She breathed in deeply, smiling stupidly as Lord Shade hushed her. He ran his fingers through her hair, tenderly rubbing her scalp.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” he promised her in a calming voice. “Everything is fine.”

Lindsey felt her eyes flickering as she struggled to keep them open. Her shoulders slumped and she found it hard to stand up straight. A small smile glazed across her lips and before she could suspect anything Lord Shade was supporting her weight.

“Oh Lindsey, what a strange and stressful day you have had,” Lord Shade
said to her, his voice becoming faint on Lindsey’s ears. “You need to rest.”

“I-” Lindsey tried to protest.

“You need to rest, my dearest,” Lord Shade murmured.

Lindsey closed her eyes, her head lulled back slightly.

“I do,” she admitted quietly.

A wonderful feeling swept over Lindsey, making her feel more warm and comfortable than she had ever felt in her life. It was as if all her needs, physical and emotional, were met, causing her great pleasure.

“Rest,” Lord Shade breathed.

But his voice seemed far away now and Lindsey could no longer feel his arms around her. She peaked through her drowsy eyelids and was surprised to find she was no longer on the spectacular beach. No, she was laid out on a grand four poster bed, draped in fine silk sheets.

“Yes,” Lindsey purred happily.

She lay there, spread out on the bed, completely immersed in her own ecstasy. Her mind was so frazzled that Lindsey did not even realise Lord Shade had left the room. All Lindsey could do was grin dumbly as she stared up at the white canvas above her- she could not move.
But this was not like sleeping; it was more like a paralysis, one that was caused by this feeling of utter relaxation.