Weddings Bells Times Four (26 page)

“What do you mean attacked? Lucas just woke up and he’s gone nowhere. Lucas stays close to me.” She snapped at him, angry and tired. She turned to glare at the man who just nodded.

“I know that now, but what that means is that Lucas is walking right into a trap. Planned by none other than his own brother.” He waved at her.

“Please come in now.” The man looked to the skies as Zeron ran behind her and pushed her forward. “Hurry, I hear them.”

Believing there was a threat. Beth stepped into the dark only to be surprised by what she saw. A strange colorful wooden table, some kind of sleeping mat in the back, and what looked like weapons on the far wall.

“I take it you’ve been here a while.” She nodded to the weapons and the table.

“Yes, over three of your Earth years. My world is not far from here. We were attacked, but we didn’t know who attacked. No one could see anything. Men started to disappear, then the women, but nothing. I was walking outside talking to my next in command when he fell to the ground burning and I ended up here.” Nail sat down at the table and nodded at the fruit.

“Please help yourself. Anyway, I’ve been here ever since. At first I believed my people might be here. So each day I would go out and search, but nothing. Zeron there was the first to come to me. He almost had to drag me here I was so dehydrated and hungry. After he showed me what to eat, and I got my strength back, we caught one of those.” Nail pointed to a work bench where something metal lied in pieces.

“The best I can make out is that they are like cameras. It records all that goes on around here. I’m thinking Lucas’ brother is using this place as his jail so to speak, but what he didn’t count on was the intelligent life forms living here.”

Taking a seat across from him, Beth sighed and picked up a strange fruit. “Do you peal it?”

He was already shaking his head. “No. You eat the whole thing. There is a seed in the middle. It’s small. They are very good, and from what I’m told, they help keep these animals alive.” He nodded at Zeron.

“They eat these and other food, but also survive on the blood of others. Like you, I guess.” Nail sat back and studied her. “Lucas isn’t your only mate is he? I smell others on you and there is no way he’d allow that unless you’re mated to others.”

“Yes, but right now that doesn’t matter. I’m stuck here with no means to find help.” She took a bite and moaned. “Damn, these are good. So what made you think Lucas was attacking your world?”

His gaze met hers. “He’s the only one I know who is powerful enough to do what happened. He can flash or whatever you call it to other worlds without a thought. I’ve seen him wipe out a whole regiment of warriors with a wave of his hand. Of course, I never thought of his brother, Konrad. I only met him once and even then he was a cold bastard. He has his own world to control so I believed he'd be too busy with trying to take out mine.”

“Maybe he’s decided to expand his territory.” Beth said. “There are many men on our world who would start wars to gain more power. I’m sure it happens elsewhere. The only thing I can’t figure out way is he why he is so bent on keeping me from my men?” Beth took another bite.

Nail snorted. “Konrad has always been a jealous man. From what Lucas used to tell me when they were growing up, it was always a competition to him. Who had the most power and even women? You’re a gorgeous lady and any man would be lucky to have you.” His gaze flicked down to her breasts, before he met her eyes. “Not to mention the power I feel inside you. But if I’m not mistaken, it’s blocked, right?”

Nodding, Beth swallowed the knot in her throat. The way this man looked at her was not a good thing. Three years without a woman and company of other beings. “
Lucas…”

“Where are you?”
His voice was faint, far away. She looked up at Nail, but he hadn’t heard a word.

“
I don’t know. I’m stuck here with your friend, Nail on a strange planet.”
Was all she said before the connection was gone and Nail jumped up looking at her with hope.

“Lucas…”

Curling up on the blankets in the back of the cave, Beth sat there petting Zeron while Nail paced back and forth. It had been a whole night before they had heard anything again from Lucas and he had been closer.

“He’s having a hard time getting on here. Seems there is some kind of field around this planet. His brother is smart, but Lucas is older and wiser. He’ll figure out how to penetrate the field.” He turned and looked at her.

“Did you sleep okay? I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable earlier, but looking at animals for three years…well I can’t help wish I was in Lucas’ place.” Nail pulled out the chair and sat down again.

“Thank you, I slept okay. I’ll just be glad to be back in my own bed. Hell, I even miss Deception.” She smiled thinking of the strange creature. “Did you have a woman back on your planet?”

He shook his head, his short dark hair hardly moved. Beth noticed the scar on his cheek, but it did nothing to distract from his appearance. His eyes were a dark blue and he was almost as tall as Lucas.

“There is no need for you to be looking at this man. I will take care of your needs soon My Heart. Rock and I almost have this shield down. Are you alright? Your blood was all over the floor in the bathroom,”
he asked.

She rested her head on the rocks behind her, suddenly afraid. “
I’m a little sore, but the wounds have healed thanks to these wonderful animals here. I’m sorry about your brother,”
Beth said and took another fruit Nail handed her. She rubbed her thigh. The bite marks were still there. They hadn’t disappeared as she hoped they would have overnight.

“They’ll be here soon. I can’t wait to get back to my world.” Nail stared out the entrance as Zeron lifted his head and snarled.

Beth never saw him move, but Nail stood ready at the entrance to his little place. “I know you’re there, Konrad, I can smell your stench.”

“
Do not draw my brother’s attention to you. I’ll be there soon,”
Lucas promised disconnecting the link and making her feel lost.

As if sensing her nervousness, two of the other large animals came over and surrounded her on all sides. Beth didn’t say a word as she curled up onto the blankets, watching. Had he taken her? Tears filled her eyes and her lip started to shake. Zeron knelt down next to her and she reached out, hugging him.

“Would you really protect the woman when you can leave?” A man stepped out of the plants and stood before Nail. From what she could see, he looked like his brother Lucas, but with no hair and markings on top of his head. “Have you tasted that tender morsel yet? Her blood is like a power ball, a ball of instant energy. One I will enjoy many, many times. Now step aside, Nail and I’ll allow you to leave.” He stepped aside and waved his hand expecting him to leave, a small whimper escaped from her as she buried her head into Zeron’s fur.

“Do you think I’d allow you to harm someone els?, But maybe I don’t have to do anything,” Nail said and stepped aside as Lucas appeared with Rock by his side.

“See to our woman while I deal with my brother,” Lucas stated, standing with his legs apart and his hands at his side. “Why? You know I can’t allow this to go on,” his voice came out in a hiss as Rock came back into the cave. Slowly he bent down in front of her.

The animals moved aside and he held out his arms. “Beth?”

She threw herself into his arms. “Don’t let go,” she cried, burying her face into his neck, taking his scent into her. “I was so scared,” she whispered and tried not to draw attention to them, but her whole body shook.

“Shh, I’ve got you Beth.” He took her spot sitting against the wall, holding her tight. He kissed her neck and pulled back, watching as Lucas went to attack his brother, but Konrad disappeared.

“This is not over, Lucas,” Konrad’s voice rang around them and Lucas snarled.

“I will find you and our parents will mourn a son!” his voice took on a power she never knew existed. The trees and plants in front of them all shriveled up as if burned. Lucas turned bringing his whole focus right to her. “Rock.”

“I’ve got her.” Rock stood as Lucas appeared before them and held out his hands. “Please?” he asked Rock, but already he was placing her into his arms.

“My Heart…” Was all he said as he squeezed her tight.

“Lucas, I can’t breathe…” She patted his chest and he loosened his hold. “Three weeks you were gone. If it wasn’t for the rest of your men, I wouldn’t have been able to make it. Where were you hurt?” He placed her on the table and looked down at the strawberry mark where one of the bullets had entered her shoulder.

“We all felt when you were shot. Anywhere else?” He asked leaning down and kissing the mark.

She looked away from them. “I want to go home please.” How could she tell him what she didn’t recall?

With a finger under her chin, Lucas lifted her head and stared at her while the tears ran down. “Did he?” The table shook, but his hold on her gentle.

“I don’t know, he bit me, won’t he be able to find me anywhere?” She reached up and grabbed onto his shirt. “Take me home Lucas, please.” Beth buried her face into his chest and felt him shake as he wrapped his hands around her.

“Nail, hold on.” With a wave of his hand, Nail disappeared.

“Wait.” She squirmed out of Lucas’ arms and knelt down, looking into Zeron’s strange face. “Thank you for saving me. May you and yours have a wonderful life.”

“
Happy. Go Home.”
Zeron said and turned to go into the jungle.

Scooping her up in his arms, Lucas held her tight. As Rock placed his hand on Lucas’ shoulder, everything went black once more, but this time Beth knew she was safe in his arms.

The sound of running water woke her as well as the scent of all her men close to her. She wanted to curl up in Edward’s lap, but as soon as all of their hands started to take off her clothes, Beth jumped out of his arms and fell into the tub.

“No! Let me take a bath alone, please,” she shivered and crossed her hands over her bare breasts,. Her tattered skirt was still on.

As if afraid to scare her, each of them started to strip out of their clothes. Edward stepped in the tub first. “Beth did someone touch you? Hurt you?”

She shook her head, but lowered her gaze. “I don’t’ know.” Beth curled her legs up close to her. There’s a bite, Edward. He marked me and it won’t go away. I thought I was protected? That no one could touch me?” she whispered.

“Show us, Beth. Let us see what has happened. We’ll take care of you, I promise,” Edward said and held out his hand, waiting.

She nodded and took his hand, standing in the tub. “We need to get this dirty thing off of you. Is that okay?” Edward asked and she nodded.

Dred stood behind her and slid the skirt down her legs. She stepped out of the skirt, standing naked before them. Edward sat down in the water and pulled her onto his lap. “Relax, you’re safe here.”

On the sides of the tub, Dred and Rock sat down, while Lucas was at her feet. He moved in between her legs. His hand settled over the bite mark, fire danced in his eyes and his hand heated, almost burning her skin, but there was no pain. “He will have no hold on you, My Heart.”

He lifted his hand and the marks were gone. “He didn’t touch you Beth. The ceremony we did the other night, prevents anyone from touching or hurting you. That is why his bite was on your lower thigh, he couldn’t get anywhere close to what is ours,” Lucas sat back and watched as Edward took her hands and placed them behind his head.

“Hold them there little one and allow Dred and Rock to clean your body.” He kissed her cheek as she rested her head on his shoulders. Both Dred and Rock soaped up their hands and proceeded to clean every inch of her with a bubbly soap mixture of blueberries and hickory.

Not only did it clean her, the smell seemed to have a relaxing power to it. “Edward, I’m sorry I ruined everything.”

“What are you talking about? You did none of this, Little Witch, and nothing is ruined. The castle has been decorated as per your wishes. I must say Avril and our family have gone out of their way to make sure everything is perfect for you.” He looked around and whispered in her ear.

“Mother even made me go shopping, if you can believe that? I had to go Christmas shopping with her. Do you know how embarrassing that was? Especially when I wanted to visit this one little store there, they had these cute little outfits I wanted to purchase for you.” He teased and she laughed as the others smiled. That is when she heard the Christmas music playing softly in the background.

“Thank you, all of you, for finding me.” She kissed Edward’s chin. “I know it was hard to stay here for the both of you.” She looked to Dred and reached out, touching his face with her fingers.

“We had each other and we knew Lucas would find you. Come, let’s wash your hair and get you in bed. We have a whole table of food waiting for you. Lancelot made all your favorites.”

Lowering her into the water, Edward washed her hair. Lucas got out of the tub, grabbing a big towel and he waited for her. As soon as Edward was done, he placed her into Lucas’ arms.

Wrapping the towel around her, Lucas went into their bedroom. Deception was there waiting for her. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry? How were you able to feed?” She squirmed out of Lucas’ arms holding onto the towel as she knelt down and wrapped her arms around him.

“
I can go weeks without feeding. I’m just sorry I failed you. Please forgive me.”
He bowed his head.

“Stop, there was nothing you could have done. Plus, the thought of you in that room, they would have shot you.” Beth shook her head. “No, I’m glad you were not there.” She stood and looked up at Lucas, but what caught her eye was the small live Christmas tree in the corner of the room. “My God, it’s beautiful.” She walked over to the tree and smiled decorated in her favorite colors, red and gold. The tree had small antique candles for lights on it, red bows and gold tinsel. The angel at the top was gold with red wings.

“Thank you…This means so much to me.” She looked over at Edward, then at Dred. “Don’t think I know you added the candles. I’m just surprised you remembered.”