She stands up and blocks my path. “Calm down, Marcellus, nothing will be figured out while you frantically let your mind wander to worst-case scenarios.”
Worst-case scenarios... “What if they think she’s dead and bury her, and then we can’t find her and she wakes up and chokes on the dir…” My thoughts are distracted by the stinging handprint on my cheek. “Thanks for that.” My hand rubs over the sting to soothe it.
“Why can’t you just take the secret tunnel out of here?” she asks as if I haven’t already thought of the obvious solution.
“Silas isn’t happy with me, and you know how he gets jumpy when he’s suspicious. I couldn’t give an answer to why I needed to leave.” I face the wall and lean my forehead on the cool surface.
“Well, that means I can’t go search for her either. What about Stephen?” Her tone lacks all confidence in her idea having any merit and just threw it out there anyway. We’ve talked to Stephen many times about Cecily. He can remember I found my mate, but doesn’t remember any details about her. A side effect of the spell her parents performed. We could send him out there, but he wouldn’t remember any of the details he would need to know to find her.
“No, it needs to be one of us. You already do enough for us, it should be me. Plus if he notices you’re missing for a period of time, it’ll come back on both of us anyway. Might as well just be me who gets the brunt of the fallout if he realizes.” Taking a deep breath, I try to calm my racing heart. Someday we can be free of him, we just need Cecily to rejoin her body first.
“Marcellus, I really don’t mind…” Holding up a hand, I stop her from continuing on. Nothing she says can change my mind. She lets out a defeated sigh. “Just be safe.”
I’m too choked up with worry to get anything else out right now, so I offer a nod and open the door to her cell. My head jerks back with the unexpected view of Silas. In all the time I’ve been in charge of the guards in the dungeon, I’ve never been caught in one of the cells by anyone else, much less Silas. Now on the most vital day I can’t afford to get caught, he catches me coming out of a cell for no reason. And not just any cell either, his most prized prisoner.
My mind races for something to say, but my mouth just gapes open at a loss. “First, you try to leave without my permission, and now I find you with my favorite plaything? I hope you have a good explanation or I’m going to be forced to believe the truth before my eyes.”
Uhh... umm... ahh...“I thought you would want some time with her today, so I figured I’d make sure she’s ready for you.”
A strange smile crosses his face and he beckons me to come closer. When I’m a foot away, he puts a hand on the back of my head and pulls me closer so he can speak into my ear. The putrid smell of his breath washes over me, a smell similar to death. “I would’ve believed you if you didn’t pause so long to think of your answer.”
I didn’t see the punch to my stomach coming, my lungs suddenly empty as I double over. A knee is slammed up into my nose, causing the bone to break and blood to flow from my nostrils. Wiping at the blood, I glance down at my red fingers, distracted from Silas, thinking he’s done. I’m so wrong. Fists come down on my back, sending me sprawling onto the ground.
My hands push out, trying to get myself off the floor, but a hard boot slams into my ribcage. Once, twice, three times before he changes tactics, kicking me in the face instead. The crack of a rib snapping sends pain throughout my chest from the kicks to my sides. The taste of iron fills my mouth and I spit it onto the stone walkway to make room for air to enter my mouth, no longer able to breathe through my nose.
No matter how much I’ve trained and spent all of my time with the soldiers, they all remain loyal to him, offering no help to me. “Throw him in one of the cells until I’m ready for him, and stand guard on the door. I need some time with my pet.”
No! I need to be able to get out to save Cecily. My injuries are extensive, worse than I’ve ever experienced, meaning I don’t know how long they’ll take to heal. My vision blurs as I get dragged to a nearby cell, before it goes black, my body shutting down as it tries to heal my injuries.
You can’t pass out, Marcellus. A plan... you need to come up with a plan.
Chapter 24
Cecily
Present
By the time Britany, the momma bear, woke up and we were able to explain everything to her, we’re left with just about an hour of sunlight. “Thank you so much for your help, Cecily! I have no idea what I would’ve done if it wasn’t for you.” Her arms wrap around me in about the eighth hug she’s given me since she woke up.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay here with us for the night? I hate for you two to only travel for an hour and then camp by yourselves for the night.” We pulled together enough supplies for them to be able to make it to my castle, but I still don’t enjoy the idea of allowing them to travel alone.
She gives me another squeeze before pulling away again. “I’m sure. I think we could use some time alone tonight. Johnny has been through a lot the past few days.” She rubs a hand over his head as he clings to her leg like he had to mine earlier.
Holding my finger out, I wait for one of the butterflies to land. There’s been more and more of them constantly hanging around me. It doesn’t take long before one lands, which has beautiful, delicate, bright yellow wings. Perfect! “Would you mind leading Britany and her son to my castle? Make sure you stay close by while they camp overnight. Maybe bring some friends in case you need to send me a message if anything comes up.” It offers me a bow before flying away, waiting for Britany to follow. With a small wave from the mother and son duo, they’re on their way.
A sigh escapes me at the same time as arms wrap around me from behind. Relaxing into the hold, Klaus places a kiss on my temple. “How are you holding up?” Gosh, for such a simple question, it’s loaded.
“I don’t really know, Klaus. Mostly I’m overwhelmed, like I jumped from the frying pan into the fire so to speak. I spent so much time alone, and now, I have four mates who all need my attention as we build our bonds. Don’t get me wrong, I want to put in the work, it’s just a lot being thrown at me all at once.
“Then we’ve had all these issues popping up which are direct consequences of me having been gone for so long. Everything just appears like it’s spiraling out of control with me being spread out so thin. Then there’s the fact we’re going to Silas’ home tomorrow. I’m scared to go back... I really don’t want to go back there.” I feel like I’m shrinking into his hold. I want to make myself as small as possible and just enjoy him surrounding me.
He turns me around and I spot the others listening in. I wrap my arms around Klaus’ neck and peer into his green eyes as I brush a chunk of blond hair off his forehead. “We certainly have some things to talk about, but let’s take some downtime first. We can all just take some time off and regroup together at dinner.” His suggestion helps relieve some of my tension.
“Ugh, yes! That sounds perfect. How do you always know just what I need?” I didn’t realize until he offered it, but personal space is exactly what I need to try and get my head on right again. Time to think without expectations from others.
He softly pinches my chin, a move that is quickly becoming his signature, and places a soft kiss to my lips. “How many times do I need to remind you? Our souls have been tangled for some time now. I learned long ago how to read your needs, even if I never knew why it was so important. I’ll always be here to protect your heart and listen to your needs, even if you aren’t paying attention to them.” Sigh... he makes my heart melt. How did I get so lucky for the Fates to deem him as mine?
“I’m going to do a quick perimeter check before we all split off,” Marcus notifies us before he shifts and runs off toward the waterfall.
