Hey guys, I'm sorry I took time to update, I've been busy... Enjoy
Chapter Nine: Lurking in the Dark
He just let the beauty of the moment linger in the air and all the while neither of us stopped smiling like idiots.
I felt happy.
Wait! A knight?
“You’re a knight?” I said, unable to mask the surprise in my voice.
He nodded very slightly. I wanted to ask him so many questions before, but no, I just wanted to enjoy his company, the closeness and the blooming connection between us.
I let the conversation rest for a bit, until I wanted to speak, again.
“So how do you know me so well?” I asked him, eyeing him with utter suspicion, even thought he’d somehow earned my trust.
“Ever since your fifteenth birthday, when the rumours about Julian started to rise, my master decided to keep an eye on you. He assigned me to the job, and it was never easy. I could never talk to you or reveal myself to you, let you know I was watching from the shadows… But I had a feeling. Night of the masquerade you asked me who I was, and I assumed you knew, but now the fact is clear, you had no idea, not even a slightest clue.”
Great, I was being watched. Two years? How had I not noticed? I was so inattentive.
I sat there, dumbfounded, unable to speak, and didn’t even realise that I had been staring at him.
He grinned suddenly, snapping me out of my reverie. His smiles were very genuine, and they demanded attention. And, of course, very attractive!
“Thank you for rescu…” I was cut off by his hand, motioning me to stop talking. His eyes narrowed and he slightly turned his head. He was listening.
I listened too, unable to hear anything. Suddenly a twig snapped, catching my attention. I looked at Nathaniel, his hand now raised to his lips gesturing to keep quiet and motioning for me to get over to his side simultaneously.
But I was fixed to my position, my legs under momentary paralysis. He motioned again, waving me over in crazed, circular movements.
I got up, not daring to make any noise. And very slowly, I moved, taking a refuge beside him.
“Do not make any sounds.” He warned, his gold-tinted eyes full of caution, his voice so quiet, it was barely audible.
I nodded like a lost puppy.
He then grabbed my hand from where it hang limp from my body and started to walk, ever so silently towards the trees. We went deep, letting the darkness conceal us from the danger. But it was too dark. The moon could not be seen and the stars were also invisible.
I freed my hand from his as it was starting to hurt.
Suddenly, as I was massaging my hand, something came around my waist, making me gasp. It was a hand. Then another hand came over my mouth silencing me.
My breaths quickened, and I whimpered, struggling to get out of the inhumanly strong grip.
“’ello kitten” A raspy, dry voice said in my ear, something like hair touching my cheek.
I whimpered again. God only knew what he was going to do with me, or rather to me. Adrenaline like vile poison spread to my veins, my breaths now shallow. I bit the man’s hand and while he started to snatch his hand away, I screamed.
“Help!” I managed to yelp, until his hand roughly covered not only my mouth but also my face, blocking my airways.
I struggled more, twisting and wriggling, my skirts wrapping around my legs, hoping his grasp would loosen, but despite my chivalrous attempts, he only tightened his grip.
“Ye be’er stop wriggling kitten, if ye wants to live.” He cackled in my ear. He loosened his grip for a split second, and when I realised my chance to get away was gone, he placed something cold at the base of my neck. I couldn’t see, but I felt the sharpness of the knife on my skin. I stopped struggling, and surrendered, shutting my mouth. Fear overtook my entire body, numbing all other feelings and emotions like rage, anger and courage.
“Now, kitten, time fer ye to walk” His breath was rancid and sent shivers down my spine.
“Pray release me sire, I don not know what you want from a peasant such as myself.” I pleaded, talking louder than necessary.
“Quiet kitten, we don’t wanna wake yer husband up.” He slurred.
Before I had time to register what he had said, we came into some light of a camp, fire lit in the middle, some poorly assembled tents around. It smelled of dirt, sweat and urine. Behind me and my abductor, a large man dragged Nathaniel towards the fire and dumped him on the ground, as if he were a piece of meat. I gasped and drew towards him, but the man held me back.
“Uh-uh, Princess.”
A huge lump rose in my throat, and I fought hard to keep tears at bay. I didn’t want them to think I was weak.
The man who had dragged him, was now pouring water over him.
Nathaniel gasped, as the water touched his face and sat up immediately, rubbing the back of his head. He immediately snapped to focus, digesting the situation. I avoided his gaze, not wanting him to see the fear in my eyes.
“Unhand her at once!” He demanded, his voice shaky.
“Oh, we don’t mean to offend ye, but yer in no conditions to give commands” Nathaniel’s abductor said, his voice hard.
“Well, gentlemen, I’m sure we can all sit down and talk this over in a friendly manner, but first unhand her.”
“Ah, well, I’m sure we can, but first, why don’t we have a wee bit o’fun, eh?” My abductor said, inhaling the scent of my hair.
No, I couldn’t. How could they?
“Unhand her!” He thundered now, his temper boiling and getting the best of him. I didn’t want him hurt just because of me.
“Nay”
Nathaniel leapt, headed my direction, but stopped and cursed at the sight of the dagger resting on my neck.
The two men roared in raucous laughter, awakening the sleeping forest. The one on Nate’s side struck him on the back, and he fell onto his knees, wincing in pain.
I couldn’t hold the tears anymore. There was no hope for us, not even a trace of it. One or two drops tumbled on my cheeks but I kept myself silent.
I had to do something.
“There is no need for such inappropriate things gentlemen, why don’t we leave women out of men’s business?” Nate said, getting up from the ground, his voice levelled once again.
“When a lovely creature like ‘er falls yer way, ye takes ‘er, and she b’comes yer business.” The man said, rubbing his face against my cheek.
Nate’s jaw clenched and he flexed his fists. He was preparing himself for a fight. But I wouldn’t let him or anyone get hurt for me. He was already hurt.
I felt Nathaniel’s eyes on me and I looked up when his gaze locked onto mine. His eyes were telling me it was going to be okay. He was comforting me. I shook my head the tiniest bit, narrowing my eyes, hoping he would get the message.
“Well, kitten,” My abductor said and using one single sweep of his hand, he cut down the back of my dress, the buttons flying everywhere and my hands instinctively flew up to my dress, holding it up.
I had to do something. Think! Think…
I turned towards the man.
Update coming tomorrow!
YOU ARE READING
The Raven
Romance"“I know who you are.” She whispered into my ear. Suddenly, I felt something pointy at the base of my neck. I took my hands away from Martha and she swirled, getting behind me. Her arms encircled my neck and a dagger, size of my head was now pointed...
