Sara Curran-Ross's Blog, page 13

Ace of Swords (Work In Progress)

Chapter Six (Part II)

Juliet narrowed her eyes at Drusilla. The pity that dwelt in them turned icy and froze. With the elegant wave of her slender hand through the air, Juliet's power swept away the furniture that lay in her path to Drusilla. It banged nosily together against the wall. The witch laughed and opened her arms encouraging Juliet to come forth.

I wanted to move, to place myself between Juliet and Drusilla to protect my Queen and sacrifice my life on her behalf. But I could not move my limbs or voice a warning. I watched helplessly. Juliet curled her fingers and two balls of glowing orange flames appeared and sat on her palms. She held them above her head and directed them squarely at Drusilla. At any other time I would have pitied the recipient of those fire balls but I knew Drusilla enough now to know that they would not hurt her. I stared dumbfounded as the witch thrust out her own palms and elegantly caught the fire balls.

I fancied Juliet's expression was not dissimilar to my own. Drusilla held them up and stared at the neat curls of flames in wonder. For a moment I thought she might direct them back at Juliet but she simply blew gently at each one and they fizzled out to smoke in her hands.

Juliet was quick in thought and action and as Drusilla was blowing the second fireball out, two small daggers from the display above the fireplace and underneath Marcus's painting of his father were hurtling towards her in mid air. Drusilla was able to repel one of the daggers with the wave of her hand but the other dug sharply into her breast with force. She gave a loud cry and Juliet advanced, reaching out her hand to draw a ceremonial spear from a coat of arms from the wall across the air and into her grasp with ease.

Drusilla grunted with pain as she pulled at the dagger in her breast as Juliet aimed the spear in her direction and came even closer. I stood still, to Drusilla's side. I did not offer any help or any comment but I could feel my lips twisting with devilish satisfaction in watching the females war with one another. Drusilla dropped the offending dagger to the floor and covered her bleeding wound with her hand. For a brief moment she looked down at her wound. Her twisted freakish face frowned and contorted with disgust.

'Now look what you have done, Juliet. You have ruined my beautiful blue gown with blood stains. I shall make you pay.'

She caught the sharp end of the metal spear as Juliet targeted her heart. She would not be able to finish the witch in that fashion but it would have incapacitated her long enough to find a way of removing her head to end her immortal life. But this time Drusilla was quick to offer her reaction. Holding the sharp blade of the spear with a tightness that drew blood from her hands, she began tugging Juliet closer with it.

Juliet held her ground pulling back on the spear. Drusilla began to chant in a language I vaguely recognised as the one Xavier had used in waking Juliet from her long sleep. It seemed that with the words she recited Drusilla grew stronger. I watched her wound heal miraculously in front of my eyes and all of a sudden Juliet seemed to be finding it difficult to hold on to the spear and gain any ground.

Eventually the struggle was won and Drusilla whipped the spear from Juliet's hands. My Queen's hands and whole body were shaking. Her eyes that had turned black in her fight suddenly dissolved back to green. Her power was depleted. Her fine features bore the effects of exhaustion. Still Drusilla chanted, her voice rising an octave with excitement as she viewed the growing results of her ghastly spell upon my Queen.

Juliet found herself falling to her knees bemused. Drusilla continued speaking her rhythmic archaic words and turned the spear around. The small voice that was all that was left of my human goodness cried out in protest at Drusilla in my imprisoned mind and it was to go unheard. Drusilla thrust the spear into Juliet's stomach with a force that could have only been driven by fierce hatred. I felt as though my heart were being ripped in two as I watched Juliet shake and groan with the terrible pain inflicted upon her.

Drusilla pulled the spear out from Juliet's flesh and stopped chanting. She held it up and revelled at the sight of Juliet's blood spread thickly upon it. She laughed down at Juliet as she fell back against the floor, her hat falling from her head as she did. Drusilla brought the end of the spear closer to her face and to her lips. Her lithe tongue resembling more of that which belonged to a wolf than a human licked the blood from the blade. Her eyes closed as she shuddered and savoured Juliet's taste.

'Your power is so potent Queen of Talus. Yet now you are unable to use it against me. I have paralysed you. Now I will take it all for myself.'

Juliet looked up at her.

'I won't let you do this . . .' she panted.

'You have no choice. The Knight of Sword's blood runs strong in my veins in the potion my apothecary Orlatha mixed with the assistance of my binding spell. Your power is attracted to it. It cannot be separated from his . . . See it comes to me.' Drusilla began reciting more archaic words with determination as she came to stand over Juliet.

My Queen shouted my name, begging me to fight the poison that dwelt within me and come to her aid. But my will was contaminated and this evil that invaded my soul controlled me with a firmness I could not break alone.

A red glow was lifting from inside Juliet's body, permeating the open pores of her skin into the outside world. The process caused Juliet great pain. Tears sprang from her eyes without warning as she fought a mental battle to hold on to her powers. But her strength was diminished by her paralysis and the severe wound that cut a hole through her stomach. It was a battle she was not to win.

With a final strangled cry Juliet's power was torn painfully from her soul like a babe from a mother's womb. The glow separated into fine strands of scarlet energy that found their way to Drusilla. They began to weave around her body, tighter and tighter until Drusilla could bear no more of their strangulation and cried out. Then with a suddenness they seeped into her body burning through her flesh and into her blood to join my own.

Juliet forced herself to sit up on her side as Drusilla looked down at the singe marks left on her clothes from where the energy had passed through her body, laughing with triumph. She quickly leaned down and leered into Juliet's face making her blink and reel away from the spittle that sprayed forth from the bitterness of the witch's words and her foul face.

'How does it feel? How does it feel to lose everything? Your power? Your mate? They all belong to me now. You are nothing!'

Drusilla gripped hold of Juliet's hair and pulled her to her feet and off them, suspending her in the air. With an angry pull of Juliet's hair she threw Juliet across the room towards the window. She landed heavily under it and was trying to lift her dazed injured body before Drusilla reached her but the witch was nimble in her foot. Again, she pulled Juliet up by her hair and thrust her face against the window pane.

'Look. Your knights came to your rescue but they are too late. Now they are mine too. See how they fall to their knees clutching their heads. They are like helpless children, they cannot fight my power, especially now I have yours as well.'

She began to drag Juliet back towards me. She forced Juliet to look at me. I will never forget the betrayal that cloaked Juliet's tired darkening features. I had failed her yet again. I was not fit to be her Knight of Swords. Gabriel was right. The dying human inside me turned away defeated. Drusilla laughed at my reaction.

'There is still a little too much human in you Nathan. You have fought the poison well but you grow weak. Juliet I am going to give you a chance to escape me. I love games, don't you?'

Juliet glared at her and spoke no words.

'What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Never mind. I am going to let you see how far you can get out of here. Maybe I will count to a hundred and then I am going to set the Lycans after you and my Knight of Swords.' The witch's eyes flashed with glee. 'Now, beware if Nathan catches you, he must kill you. I anticipate that you will not last very long with your wound. It is beginning to heal but my draining of your powers has left you weak so I think you won't make it out of the castle. They say there is peace in death. Now you will find out. Run, former Queen of Talus.'

She let go of Juliet who eyed her with contempt.

'I won't let you get away with this. I will take back my powers and my throne and I will kill you,' she thundered at the witch.

'One, two . . . I'm counting you better run.'

Juliet gave me one last piteous look and clutching her bleeding wound she dragged her aching body from the room as fast as she could manage.

Drusilla continued counting as she picked up her mask and put it back on. My heart pounded as I thought of Juliet taking flight alone and the role I was to be forced to play in her demise. Drusilla walked back to the window.

'She is crossing the courtyard and out into the hills. She has gone further than I thought. She has surprised me again. She does indeed have spirit.'

I backed away from the witch in a desperate attempt to run from her power over me so that she could not use me to kill Juliet. It was with great effort that I turned from her.

'Nathan,' she snapped. I suddenly felt an energy all around my body that rooted me to the spot on which I stood. 'Where are you going? I thought you would have fully transformed by now. You are a fighter. I cannot help admiring how you have fought me but you cannot win. Go to her Nathan, and bring her head back to me.'

I turned to stare at her but it was not with horror. The monster inside me smiled back at her and I was suddenly springing free from my paralysis and running out of the door to pursue Juliet. One of Drusilla's guards outside the door handed me a sword as though he had been waiting. I felt my human side grow fainter. I had little time left.

I ran down the steps followed closely by a transformed Marcus and Richard who I presumed were also under Drusilla's power. They retained their human upright form, arms and legs but their bodies were black apart from a spine that rose in an arc and was made prominent by a redness to the skin that covered it. Each Lycan bore a shaggy mane of hair that covered their heads and half of their back. They wore no clothes and their prowess hung free and long between their legs. They followed me across the courtyard that was now covered with snow in the fading grey light.

Juliet was beginning to scrabble up the hill, hampered by her wound and her long dress. My knights were joining with me. But there was one missing, Gabriel. I had no time to wonder where he was or Xavier for that matter. I was being driven on against what little was left of my conscience.

I heard a loud sob utter forth from Juliet's lips above me on the hill that rose from the courtyard. I could see her dig her fingers into the freezing snow and earth to help her climb the hill side. The demon inside me forced me to slow my pursuit curious to see what would happened when she neared the top and found that she had nowhere to run. It was a foolish place to run but then she had little where else to go. The castle sat on a rock surrounded by hills and a loch.

I climbed the hill slowly, instructing my knights to stay back but the Lycans to follow me. A wicked smile lit my features as I watched Juliet continue to climb for her life. Finally, she reached the top and I picked up my pace. I believe she thought she may be able to climb over it and make her way down the other side. I watched her stand and look over the praecipe and shock force her to step away from the edge. I came to stand at her side.

The Lycans surrounded her. I looked over the edge. It was a high sheer drop down a slate cliff to grey rocks and the loch at the bottom. It was a long way down. Even for a Taleian hybrid vampire, the injuries may cause untold damage that would hamper her existence for an eternity and make her easy prey should she fall or even jump.

Jump? Would she even consider it? But she would. I caught the stray thought from her mind. I shook my head at her. She stepped away from me, sniffing back her tears, determined to look upon me with hatred rather than fear. She turned sharply realising she had nearly backed into Marcus with his large white snarling teeth. A part of me died inside as I felt the strength of her fear.

'There is nowhere to run Juliet. You cannot escape your death. My mistress will have your head.'

They were not my words yet they came from me. The darkness closed in around me. There was no escape for me either. I could no longer fight what I was becoming. The witch had taken my soul. Juliet remained silent. She glanced over the edge once more and back to me. She was desperate.

The wind howled around us, driving biting ice against our faces and lifting our hair around our faces. Blood still seeped from Juliet's wound through her fingers as they vainly attempted to plug the hole. She stepped closer to the edge. I grew confused and narrowed my eyes at her. I had no further time to waste. I raised my sword.

'Nathan, please . . .'

With the hardness that now enveloped my heart I brought the sword crashing down towards her neck. I heard her take an almighty breath as the blade cut through the air and then I watched her step serenely over the edge. Her eyes never left mine until she disappeared over the ledge. They were determined, regal and devoid of fear. Bemused, I looked over the praecipe to watch her fragile body land hard against the rocks like a broken doll and slip down into the loch to sink. I felt the last of the darkness consume me and I knew no more.




Writing this chapter was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me!  I would love your comments on the story and where you think it will go from here.  Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Sara

Ace of Swords (Work In Progress)

Chapter Five (Part II)

I felt Drusilla's body move with need underneath me, small pleasurable gasps escaping her lips. Her fingers raked through my hair holding me to her neck as I fed like a glutton upon her blood. My hand was tucked underneath the bodice of her dress curled tightly around the soft plumpness of her breast, my thumb roughly flicking over her taut nipple. My grip had to be painful, even leaving a bruise and the imprint of my fingers on her pale skin but Drusilla was arching her back craving more of the roughness of my touch. I had woven my fingers around her hair with my free hand and I tugged it harshly from her scalp holding her in a vice grip to ensure a successful feed.

After a while, I removed my hand from her breast and gathered up the skirt of her red gown. I tore at the material of her under garments to give my fingers access to the dampness seeping between her thighs. I cupped the small tight mound of curls to her entrance and tugged sharply on them forcing a painful squeal from her lips. I felt the need to be inside her engulf my senses and parted her legs wider with the demanding kick of my foot against them. I wasted no time roughly inserting two of my fingers inside her pliant opening.

It seemed Drusilla was still a virgin. At any other time, with any other woman I would have been gentle but with Drusilla it was no matter. I wanted to hurt her. I cruelly thrust my fingers inside her to the hilt. Never penetrated before, her body jumped in a spasm of agony. She cried out and whimpered just as she had done when I had bit into her neck. I was satisfied when I felt the wetness of her tears against my cheek. Still she did not stop me and I doubted at this point if anyone could have stopped me.

It was an aggressive and distasteful lust I had for Drusilla's body. Not one I had ever felt before with a woman. I feared its strength and its repugnance. I needed to crush her, consume her whole. I wanted to place my bite all over her body and feel her blood pour from every new orifice I made. I wanted to take her sexually in every painful way I could devise, such was my need. I seemed to be fired with a potent anger that spurred my own lust. It took me a moment to realise that this reaction came from Drusilla's blood and the dark spirit of her life essence within it.

Drusilla had allowed me to go too long without blood, and what she now gave me was tainted with her demonic power forcing the beast inside me I kept leashed to rise to prominence. I hated her. My desire for her was not love not even one of pity but a forced violent compulsion. My reaction was her own deliberate doing but for all her wickedness I would not hurt her in such a brutal way. Despite her wicked desire for it. With great effort I quickly tore myself away from her throat and sat up with a growl. I wiped at my mouth and moved away from her body.

She lay motionless for a moment, I fancied surprised.

'Nathan, what is wrong? I thought . . . Tell me that you have not changed your mind and tricked me.'

She sat up. I sat next to her bending my leg so that I might rest my elbow on my knee.

'I had to stop. The blood lust is too strong. Your blood . . . it has done something to me. I am not myself. I will hurt you,' I said gruffly.

She gave a small laugh of as she leaned back on her elbows.

'I want to feel your passion, Nathan, all of it. Good or bad. You will not hurt me. I do not fear you.'

It was as though her words were a trigger. I took hold of her arms tightly and ferociously pushed her back and down onto the table banging her body and head against it. Her head rolled from side to side, dazed.

'You should be witch,' I bellowed at her as I held her there beneath me, her hands above her head.

She began to laugh, soft and low.

'That's right. That's how I need you to be. I want to feel your turmoil, your anger and your power. I feed from it just as you take my blood. It makes me strong. Now take me or I will kill Juliet without a second thought. Let go Nathan and be mine, if only to save the life of your precious queen.'

I snarled at her, hissing and baring my teeth, unable to stop my anger at her words.

'You trifle with danger, witch. When this is done and my queen is safe, I will kill you.'

Before she could speak to me again I took hold of the bottom of the skirt of her dress and began to tear it up the middle in a mad rage.

I drove myself inside her naked body like a man possessed. It was our third coupling and still her poisoned blood drove me to wanting more. I had positioned her upon my lap and thrust up inside her. The white masked guards stood motionless as statutes but they were watching with interest. For the third time Drusilla cried out her pleasure as I tensed and found my own bitter enjoyment.

It seemed her need was satiated for she slumped against me, her body damp with a fine sheen of perspiration. Her arms enveloped me as she rested her head against my shoulder. I was still hard inside her but she not seem to want me to move. I felt the cool metal of her mask press against my skin. I dropped my hands to my sides and sat lifeless upon the dining table thinking of how I had betrayed Juliet.

'Hold me Nathan,' Drusilla's voice, was sleepy, soft like that of a child who had need of comfort.

I ignored her request not wanting to comply. How could I hold someone I did not care for. It would be another betrayal. I heard her sigh.

'At least pretend I am her. Pretend that you hold Juliet in your arms. Her life depends on it, my love.'

I looked to my side and down at her with hatred and it was with disdain that I swept my fingers up her back and through her long fair hair to press her against me.

'Why do you hate Juliet so much?' I asked her in a low voice.

'Because she has everything I want. She possesses so many things that should be mine. Because she is loved by you. I want to destroy her bit by bit. I want her to feel the pain and sorrow of rejection when she learns we have been together. But it's just the start. The Queen of Talus must pay for the sins of her royal ancestors.'

'You know I won't let you destroy her,' I said firmly but quietly, frowning as I considered Drusilla's words. 'What do you mean she will have to pay for the sins of her ancestors? Did someone hurt you?' I asked with curiosity.

'Hush, knight, do not ruin the moment. At least, allow me to pretend that you are mine.'

I said nothing else. Perhaps in time I could get her to reveal more. Maybe I would then find a way to escape and protect Juliet and her throne. Juliet would now know of my actions. I hoped with all of my heart she would in time forgive me.

We sat for a while. I thought Drusilla asleep against my shoulder but she suddenly stirred and sat up.

'We must hurry. A visitor is coming soon. You must bathe and be properly attired Nathan.'

She moved off me and slid with elegant grace from the table to stand upon the floor. One of her guards held her cloak and moved forward to drape it around her bare shoulders. She wrapped it around her body and gave a small excited jump.

'Who is this visitor who makes you so excited? ' I asked feeling a sudden anxiety quicken in my stomach once again.

'It is your queen, Nathan, ' she told me gleefully. 'She means to fight me for you,' she sounded in awe. 'She must really love you, Nathan to risk such a dangerous enterprise on her own.' This is going to be so much better than I planned. Now I have her exactly where I want her.'