Viking's Desire: Sexy-Romance Novel: A Viking Love Story (9 page)

Chapter 20

The dinner preparations were going as planned.  Eriik came home in a jaunty mood, arriving from some very boring meetings with his advisors where he could hardly keep his mind on the subjects at hand.  He could only think of Lillian and those silken thighs and long sable hair spread across the bed, her emerald green eyes looking at him, waiting for him to make love to her.  Many times throughout the day, Bjorn had to shout at him to make him aware of where he was and what they were doing there.  Finally the tedious day was over and he couldn’t wait to get home where his lovely Lillian waited. 

He entered his chambers expecting to find her, hoping
she might be in a state of undress, but disappointed to discover an empty room.  He recognized just how empty the room really was without her.  With all the English priests in town he was sure she had lost track of time hearing the stories from her home.  He was glad she was able to do so, but yearned for her to want to stay with him.  He had already decided to ask her to join with him officially, legally, but offer to take her back to England if that was what she wished.  That thought brought him actual physical pain and his breath came in small gasps as he contemplated life without her.  He would dress and await her return downstairs at dinner.  He wanted her to be able to enjoy these priests’ visit and give her no grief about it.  He only wanted to give her love.  Oh, if only she could return that love in kind.  He had prayed to the gods that she could and would be able to do so. 

He finished dressing with one special addition, his grandmother’s ring tucked inside his tunic, anticipating seeing it soon on Lillian’s
delicate finger.  He thought his grandmother would be pleased.  He wished some of his relatives were still alive to see him wed, but Bjorn was like a brother to him in every way and he couldn’t imagine a brother of blood being any closer.

He went downstairs smiling and declaring good eve to all in a booming voice.  Everyone in the household could tell the master was in good spirits this twilight.

Eriik had invited many guests for dinner that night in anticipation, actually hope, of a celebration.  As the food started to appear, as well as the guests, Eriik started to feel a strange apprehension that he shook off as ridiculous, but the feeling hung on.  He ignored it, thinking he was just nervous, after all he was getting ready to change his life forever.  He didn’t think he felt anxious, but that must be it.  When the priests arrived but Lillian did not, the apprehension immediately turned into something more.  He asked the leader of the group, Ambrose, as calmly as he could manage, “Where is Lady Lillian?  Is she on her way?” 

Ambrose looked confused, “I’m sorry,
my lord, I haven’t seen her all day.”

Eriik’s uneasiness became absolute terror.  In a roar, he asked the entire household, “Has anyone seen Lady Lillian?”

One of the chamber maids timidly raised her hand, looking terrified.

Seeing her fear, Eriik tried to appear less frightening, “Please tell me lass.”

“Master, one of the English priests came to me to get Lady Lillian to meet him in the tunnel.”

He couldn’t stop the dread in his voice, “And.”

“The priest said he had news of Lady Lillian’s father.  He had her father’s signet ring and a letter.  He would not meet her here because of his fear of…”

“Of…”

“You.”  She couldn’t look Eriik in the eye.

“By the gods, I will kill him.”  His fists were clenched and his face was
bright red.  “To the tunnel.”

Eriik and all of his men ran to the
tunnel and through it with torches looking for anything out of the ordinary.  Eriik knew this tunnel well.  He and Bjorn had played there as children.  It seems there were signs of a struggle and it constricted Eriik’s throat with alarm, but at the exit to the tunnel, they found a piece of linen staked to a tree with writing on it.  Eriik couldn’t bear to look, so Bjorn started to read it to himself.

I have finally found a way out and I’m taking it gladly.  I am going home to my loving mother
and father, leaving this god forsaken place to be free at last, to be with the husband my mother chose for me.  I want nothing more to do with you, Eriik, and your heathen friends.  You should not follow me.

Lilian. 

It was no easy task, as it was written in a scrawl, but what was written there would surely tear his friend to shreds, perhaps not physically, but worse.  Bjorn started reading it aloud but Eriik stopped him after Lillian said she had found a way out and was taking it gladly.  He couldn’t stand anymore.  He didn’t see the point, she was gone and he was alone.

Bjorn handed the letter to
Eriik but he couldn’t look at it.  All the color had completely drained from his face.  He was a broken man.  He had given his heart to Lillian and she had torn it to shreds.  He didn’t think he would ever get over this.  No, damn her to hell!  Obviously she had been pretending the whole time.  He was so sure she cared for him.  What an idiot.  She played him well.  Just enough time and freedom to find a way out.  Well, he could have any woman he wanted and that’s what he intended to do, dammit, what he
would
do. 
But why did he want only this woman?
  By the gods he would never taste those words cross his lips!

As Eriik was turning around sadly for home, Lillian was riding
swiftly away…from home.

Chapter 21

As Lillian’s nightmare continued and the journey dragged on, she had given up on seeing Eriik ride up on his magnificent war horse to save her so she could tell him how she really felt.  She loved him.  She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him and bear his children.  It was as simple as that.  Obviously he had not recognized the inconsistencies of the letter meant for him, to realize she had been taken against her will.  She had written in a messy scrawl as a clue, but perhaps that was one of the reasons he hadn’t picked up on it, he probably couldn’t even read most of it.  Oh, what an idiot she was.  Eriik had never even seen her lessons.  He would not have known whether she could write his language well or not.  If only she had had a little more time to think.  There was no use going over what she should have done, they were far away from Eriik now and getting closer to the foul Lord Montfort each day.  Her only hope was her father.  Perhaps he had changed his mind and would save her from her fate. 

****

One evening, as Lillian lay on her bedroll staring at the stars, she felt more than saw someone standing over her.  She felt a hand suddenly clasp over her mouth, and a soft whisper in her ear, “If I take my hand away and you scream, I’ll slit your throat right here and now, do you understand?”

Lillian nodded. 
It was the man called Rowan. 

She said in a low, quiet voice,
“What do you want? 

“
Well, I’m feeling rather lonely tonight and decided I would pay you a long overdue visit.  I thought it was high time you knew what it was like to be with a real man, not some pagan, and that time is now wench.” 

He started to caress her cheek but she turned in disgust, “
I demand you get away from me immediately.”

“
Oh you demand, do you, miss holier than thou?”

“Don’t you think your reward will be compromised if you continue this rape
or worse, slit my throat?”

“Now, now my little harlot, I certainly wouldn’t call this rape, it’s just the two of us getting to know each other a little better
and I don’t think I’ll have to get violent, it’s not like you’ve never seen one of these before, is it my sweet?”  He pulled his pants down so Lillian could see his swollen flesh. 

She thought she may retch,
“By God, I would rather throw myself into the sea than feel your filthy hands touch my flesh.”

His face suddenly turned and s
he saw the rage in his eyes and hand ball into a fist, coming straight for her face.  She readied herself for the blow but it never came.  She heard a loud crack and as she allowed herself to open her eyes she saw that Ulric had knocked Rowan to the ground with a malicious punch to his head. 

“Don’t be thanking me
too soon your highness, I wouldn’t mind a minute or two between your tender thighs myself. Believe me, I would love to ram myself into you so hard your teeth would chatter, just to humble you if nothing more.  I don’t understand why it would matter to Lord Montfort, you’re already soiled goods anyway, but for some reason, it does,” he finished with a scornful look in his eyes.

“I simply can’t allow my reward to
be challenged because of weakness of the flesh, including my own.”  He sounded disappointed.  “We’ll be seeing the good lord soon so best prepare yourself.  He’ll be quite glad to have you in his grasp once again,” he grinned a self-satisfied grin and walked away dragging the unconscious Rowan with him.

The thought of seeing the despicable Lord Montfort again made Lillian’s stomach turn.  Perhaps she could run away, but they always kept to the back roads
and Ulric had her well-guarded at all times, making that almost impossible.  Trying to run off in the middle of nowhere could easily lead to an early demise, so she kept her hopes on her father to see what an evil man Lord Montfort was and save her when they arrived, which according to Ulric was very soon now.  Trying to get any sleep with that horrid fate looming close was unattainable.  She spent most of her time thinking of Eriik and wondering if he had forgotten about her and gone on to more fertile fields by now.  That thought brought about a hopelessness that she simply couldn’t abide.  She must have fallen asleep because when she opened her eyes, it was morning and she remembered seeing the most handsome face with the bluest eyes, golden hair, and thick corded muscles arriving to save her.  Oh for it to have been more than a dream, for him to materialize now that the sun was up and her eyes were open.  She would love to feel those broad, hard muscles close around her, protecting her from the ugliness of the world like a cocoon.  Tears came unbidden to her eyes, but she held them back as Ulric came into view.  She would not have him see her cry.  She straightened her spine, looked at him defiantly, mounted, and they rode on toward her frightening future. 

Chapter 22

This day had been a particularly difficult day.  They seemed to stop for nothing, eating jerky while in the saddle.  Lillian was almost falling asleep while plodding along when she heard the
nervous chatter amongst the men and tried to focus on what the excitement was all about.  When she saw the monstrous castle rising out of the colorful streaks of the last of the sun’s rays, a lump formed in her throat she could not swallow.  She had never seen that citadel before, but she didn’t have to, she knew who resided there.  She pulled her horse up short, but Ulric was right behind her to spur her mount to continue on.  She was almost to the point she had been dreading now since her mother had sold her out for greed.  How could her entire life have been turned upside down in just a few short months?  More importantly, how could she have found love in the most impossible place imaginable and now lost it, being replaced by the most foul man she had ever met?  As they pushed closer, she prayed to God to please somehow save her, but if for some reason this was his will, let her meet it with dignity.  Ulric grabbed Lillian’s reins and brought her mount to a canter as they closed the gap to the fortress, and as they pulled the horses to a stop at the front gate, Lord Montfort himself came out to greet them, along with his staff. 

A smiling man stepped forward and said happily, “Ah Lady Lillian, we haven’t had the pleasure, my name is James Montfort.  I’m Simon’s cousin.  I’m so pleased to
make your acquaintance.”

He was so pleasant, Lillian was almost happy to meet him, “Nice to meet you too, my lord.”

Then Simon Montfort stepped forward with a leering grin across his ugly face.

“
Yes, welcome Lady Lillian.  It’s been far too long since I’ve enjoyed your company.  Don’t mind my half-witted cousin, I’m sure you’re exhausted so I’ll accept your thanks later at dinner.  I’m sure you don’t quite have the words at this time to thank me for your rescue from the villainess pagans that assaulted your home and took you hostage.  I, however, can think of many ways for you to repay me,” he said under his breath. He had a wicked smile glued to his face.  James, on the other hand, had lost his smile completely.

Lillian didn’t say the words that immediately came to mind.  She knew if she reacted as she wished, there would be hell to pay, so she asked demurely, “Yes, I’m quite weary from the journey.  Might I freshen up, please?”

“Of course, my dear.  I have a chamber ready for you.”  He nodded and a maid motioned Lillian to follow her.  Nothing would feel better at the moment than to be away from all these dreadful men and be alone.  She told the maid she would be fine on her own and as soon as the chamber door closed, she sighed with relief.  Now, if she could just fly out the window like a bird, everything would be fine.  She took a minute to look around the room and was horrified to find everything she could ever want neatly arranged, from brushes and mirrors, to frocks that looked just her size.  This was like a nightmare but she knew she would not be waking up any time soon.  Once again, she was asking herself if she should throw herself from the window, but this time she really meant it.  She could see so clearly now what had really gone on inside her head when she was with Eriik and how her stubbornness had kept them apart so long. If she only had that time back, how she would change it all.

She went to the door and just as she expected, it was locked.  The locked door brought back so many memories, good ones now.  She couldn’t help the onslaught of tears that overwhelmed her as she wept for all the time wasted and all the love lost.