This is the fourth book in "The Wars of Ivory White Series." Please read the other books first.
Book 1 - The Protector
Book 2 - The Doomed Eternity
Book 3 - The Broken Bonds (formerly known as "The Heartless Healer")
Book 4 - The Twisted Links
DESCR...
When Evangeline woke up. She stared at the ceiling trying to recall why her body hurt so bad. Everything was blessedly blank. Looking to the side she noticed a drip bag hanging from a metal pole. She stared at it trying to figure out why there was hospital equipment in her room. At least it was daytime and Lord James wouldn't bother her.
Her nose itched and she tried to lift her hand but it felt stuck. Looking down she saw her nightmare in the flesh lying next to her semi pinning her right arm to the bed. Her heart began to race and her breaths came out in little short pants as panic began to overtake mind.
Tiredness had finally caught up with Lord James and he fell into a deep sleep. Something kept bothering him, a niggling little worry that was beating at his brain. A whimper and gasp caught his attention and he forced himself to wake up. Evangeline was staring at him with pure terror in her eyes.
"Evangeline." He whispered sorrowfully.
She began to scream and scream completely terrified. The healer rushed in and saw the state she was in. "I'll have to sedate her!" he said pulling out needle.
Laying the small sprite on the pillows and pulling the covers up, Lord James decided to leave the room. Going down to the kitchen, he found Hilda rolling out dough for bread.
"I need you to watch her for me." He said quietly.
Hilda didn't need to ask. She had been a servant for Lord James for more than three centuries and knew more about him than his own mother. The young lady he brought here was the first. Hilda knew that she was special. Up until that night, Hilda believed the girl to be her master's Other Half. But then she saw the damage. Could a Sprite, even a Royal Torturer, harm the Other Half as Lord James had?
"Of course, m'lord." She responded.
Lord James left the kitchen and locked himself in his study. Hours later, Hilda timidly knocked on the study door. There was no sound from inside. She debated on whether she should leave the tray she had brought outside the door or not. The door was wrenched open. Lord James was in a state of complete disarray.
Hilda was shocked. Usually, he cleaned himself up whenever he was "working" and even when he did come home covered in blood his clothes and hair were still in order. He was almost OCD about keeping his hair in place and clothes on straight. To see him now with wrinkled garments and red rimmed eyes from crying, Hilda wouldn't have recognized him as the same man.
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^Hilda^
From what she could see, the room itself told a tale. A typhoon would have been less damaging. Priceless artifacts and expensive artwork were broken and lay in mostly unrecognizable heaps on the damaged floor.
"Is Evangeline alright?" He asked with concern.
"Yes, Sir. She's sleeping peacefully." She answered. "I was just bringing you a tray."
"Take it back. I'm not hungry." He said shutting the door.
A crash was heard making Hilda jump. She made her made back to the kitchen. Her mind remained on her master. A Sprite's Other Half brought out the best in their partner. Maybe because of what he does, this girl brought out the best of the worst.
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Evangeline woke up a few hours later and saw a woman sitting on a chair next to her bed knitting.
"Oh, good you're awake." The woman said with a kind smile. "My name is Hilda. Would you like something to eat?"
Evangeline tried to swallow but her mouth felt sore and dry. "Water." She whispered.
"Of course. Here you go." The woman, Hilda, held a straw to Evangeline's lips.
Her immediate need taken caring of she looked around the beautiful room that had been her prison over the last few weeks. Her fear was making her panic again.
"Calm down." Hilda pleaded.
Tears ran down Evangeline's face as her heart beat in a rapid succession.
"I'll call his lordship."
"NO!" Evangeline caught Hilda's arm as she begged. "Please don't call him! Please!"
"No, no, no. Sh sh shh. I won't. I promise." Hilda said, breathing a sigh of relief when the young sprite calmed down.
Tears flowed as Evangeline sobbed. "I want to go home. Please. I want to go home."
Hilda shook her head. "I can't promise you that."
"Please."
The woeful plea made Hilda want to break down and cry for this young girl who had suffered so much over her master's obsession. There was nothing Hilda could do unless she wanted to find herself tortured until her last breath.
She plastered on a smile that was meant to be reassuring. "You lie back and rest. I'll be back in a few minutes with something to eat."
Hilda slipped away. She knew that she would have to inform the master of the young sprite's condition but what he would do was unpredictable. She wondered if he would have much time to do anything. He was leaving soon to see an old friend. He had been doing that quite a bit lately at least up until he had brought this young woman here. Deciding that if the young woman would be facing Lord James it was better to do it on a full stomach.
Nodding to herself, Hilda slipped from the room.
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Evangeline slipped into a fitful sleep as her tired body refused to allow her to remain awake. A smile formed on her lip as a pleasant dream pulled her into a deep sleep.
She was running along the length of a low stone wall laughing as she was being chased. The feeling of warmth and happiness flowed through her being. Her Other Half was following after her trying to catch as she evaded his grasp. Desperation flowed through her mind as she wished she could see the face of her Other Half but her dream self was determined to tease him by running away.
She felt a moment of weightlessness as a pair of strong arms scooped her up and spun her around.
"Enough!" she squealed becoming dizzy.
"Not until you tell me that you love me." A male voice demanded playfully.
Evangeline laughed turning in his arms so that she could wrap herself around him. She closed her eyes and kissed his firm lips.
"I love you today, *kiss* tomorrow, *kiss* and forever." She kissed him deeply as their tongues danced in a loving caress.
Evangeline looked up into his face but the sun blocked her vision. She could only see his smile as he spoke, "And I love you... Little Mouse."
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My baby boy had his 1st birthday on Thursday. Meant to mention it when I posted.
This chapter was really boring. Next chapter is going to be kinda boring too so I decided to publish them together. But at least y'all get two chapters at once so yay!
