Chapter Twenty-Six
AN: As always a HUGE Thank you to all my reviewers and those who send PMs. We're nearing the end. *tears up* One more after this and then, if you're still interested, there's a epilogue.
All mistakes are my own and please, overlook them. :D
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Keldor blew into the room with the fury of an exploding sun. A wave of his hand and Evil-Lyn was bound by an immobility spell, her face frozen in shock from his arrival. Beast Man was hurled across the room, pinned to the wall by magic, his hips still thrusting.
Beast Man grunted from the impact with the wall. He growled at being abruptly forced from the prize he was enjoying. His limbs became slack, not obeying his command when he tried to move. His eyes bugged out of his head when he realized who was standing before him, seething with rage.
Keldor stared at the vile man who had been his minion for many years. They had shared many victories and defeats together. He knew of Beast Man's insatiable lusts, but never in his wildest dreams did he think the brute would attempt such treason against him.
Nostrils flared, mind a whirlwind for a fitting punishment for the betrayal enacted against him and the woman he chose as his queen. Beast Man's still firm erection was jutting proudly, full and thick... and stained with red.
Ella's blood.
Keldor didn't wait for an explanation. He snapped his fingers, a harsh chant falling from his lips. There was a resounding crack! and Beast Man crumpled to the ground. His shocked face slackened, eyes went distant and hollow and the loathsome appendage fell forever limp.
Keldor hurried to his wife's side, horrified by the blood on her pale features. He knelt, unsure what to do to help her. Thankfully, help came rushing in.
"My Lord?" the healer asked, panting hard from his exertion of running to his master's chambers. He had been summoned upon Keldor's reappearance within the castle walls.
"The Queen has been attacked," Keldor said, hoisting his wife into his arms and carrying her to the bed. "See to her injuries."
"Yes, Milord," the healer said, setting to work.
Keldor stood back, observing the healer as he checked over Ella's pale countenance. Usually she was tanned, cheeks flushed with color and happiness. Now, a ghostly pallor offset the brilliant red marks along her cheek and temple. Blood smeared her cheek where her face had been smashed into the floor while Beast Man mounted her.
The thought made Keldor nearly combust with fury. He glared at the lifeless body, wishing he could kill Beast Man many times over for the heinous crime he committed. Trying to distract himself, he focused on his wife's motionless form. Heat bloomed in his chest when he discovered the healer parting Ella's legs. Though he knew the man was not sexual in his motions, it still infuriated him to have another man examine her so intimately. The mountain quaked on its foundations, responding to its master's violent emotions as he struggled not to attack the healer for his blatant examination.
Keldor's curse was upon his lips when he noticed the blood that stained her thighs. His ire died out.
His sweet, beautiful Ella, brutally taken by a mindless, vicious animal. More than ever, Keldor wanted to torture and kill the man, over and over and over again!
"My Lord, I need herbs," the healer said, placing Ella's legs together and drawing a blanket over her nakedness. He listed the herbs he needed to make a medicinal paste, Keldor's magic conjuring them instantly. As he worked on preparing the herbs for treatment, he explained. "She has a concussion and will need to be monitored at least a day. The bones were not broken but she has sustained heavy bruising that will need a salve."
Keldor nodded, watching intently to memorize the formula. His magic could mend bones or induce a healing sleep, but he could not risk such a thing with Ella concussed. She would have to heal on her own, naturally, aided only by medicinal herbs and time.
"I recommend a few days of bed rest. Nothing strenuous." The healer paused and gestured to his lower half in emphasis. "She has some tearing and bruising, but it must heal on its own." He gave Keldor a stern look. "No sexual activity until she has healed. Then, and only then, if she is able. She could experience pain for some time as her internal wounds heal."
Bitterness rose in the back of Keldor's throat at the thought of what his wife endured. He would, of course, only touch her when she was ready. And then he would go slow to make sure he wouldn't cause her any harm. He was generously endowed and though they had lain together many times, she still took a moment to adjust to him. Now, he would have to exercise even more caution.
Ella's lids fluttered open. She screamed, bolting upright in the bed, eyes wide with fright. Keldor was immediately at her side but she was so caught up in the trauma of her memories, she slapped him, trying to scramble away. Keldor's head whipped around from the impact but he didn't let it deter him.
"Ella! Ella, my love, stop!" He commanded loudly, trying to capture her so she wouldn't hurt herself while lost in memory. His voice reached her subconscious. She stopped trying to get away, her dazed expression narrowing into focus.
Keldor pulled Ella into his arms, shushing her softly as he rocked her. "It is okay, my love. You are safe."
It took Ella a moment, forcing herself to accept that it was her husband's arms around her. It was his voice. His scent that filled her senses. He was home. Holding her in his arms. She calmed, curling into his embrace. "Beast... Beast Man..."
"Shhh, my love," Keldor spoke, stroking her hair. He pulled the blankets around her where she had kicked them off when she tried to fight. "Beast Man has been dealt with. He will never touch you again."
Shaking, Ella clutched at the solid body of her husband, drawing upon his presence. Tears burned their paths over her cheeks. Her head pounded from the exertion but she couldn't stop sobbing. Her husband was home, there, in her arms. He would protect her.
A large furry lump against the wall caught her attention.
Ella gasped upon finding Beast Man's lifeless body by the wall. She flinched away. Remembering his accomplice, her gaze fell on Evil-Lyn, who was still held by Keldor's spell. Evil-Lyn was statuesque, her hands frozen into place when she had been pleasuring herself. Her face was a mask of evil, glaring, hateful.
"They were waiting for me," she whispered, shaking so hard she rattled Keldor's senses. "Evil-Lyn took my voice. I could not cry out for you."
"I was away from these walls," Keldor explained, cupping his wife's face. The right side was bruising horribly but at least the bleeding had stopped. "But when your heart called out to me, I came immediately."
Ella drew back, frowning. "I kept screaming and screaming. In my head. You never came."
"We are bound by magic," Keldor said as the healer held out a small pot of herbs he had molded into a paste. Keldor nodded his thanks and scooped out a little, dabbing it on his wife's face. She flinched but didn't try to escape his attention. "Our bond is still young and you are not of magical blood. It will take you some time to learn how to use it to call upon me when needed." He dabbed on more medicine but Ella didn't wince. "It took all of your emotions focused upon the magic that binds us to call out to me from such a great distance."
Ella's eyes drooped. Her head throbbed fit to burst. Her muscles ached. Her knees were hot. And her womanhood was sore and tender. She whimpered, turning her face away. Shame set her skin aflame. "I am unworthy of you. I have been tainted by something disgusting."
"Yes, something disgusting tried to mark you," Keldor said, grasping his wife's chin and forcing her gaze to meet his. "But are you now and always will be mine. And when you are healed, I will once again claim what rightfully belongs to me and me only."
The healer made a chastising click of his tongue.
Keldor sighed. "When you are healed and ready, of course."
The healer nodded approval and knelt beside the two. "My Queen, you have suffered a concussion and will have to be monitored for at least a day. You will also need plenty of bed rest to recover. There are no broken bones but have severe bruising, which may cause you some discomfort. Would you like me to bring you something to help with the pain?"
"No, thank you," Ella said, clutching the blanket around her. She didn't mind if the serving maid saw her naked, being another woman, but having a man other than her husband to see her nakedness still bothered her.
"I will watch her closely,' Keldor promised.
"If she displays any symptoms I described, call for me immediately," the healer instructed. He gave a respectful bow. "Rest well, my Queen."
"Thank you," Ella said meekly.
The healer left, casting a dark look to the dead body of Beast Man and to the statuesque form of Evil-Lyn, who was still frozen. Keldor's binding spell had wrapped her in its embrace. The only thing she could move were her eyes, though thanks to her own magical prowess, she was regaining sensation in her face.
"This should never have happened," Keldor muttered, holding Ella in his arms, mindful of her injuries.
"The stone statues," Ella said, taking in the dust and chunks of stone that covered the room. Some of their powder dusted her skin where she had been forced to the ground to be mounted by Beast Man. "They tried to protect me. I tried to scream for the guards and they came to my rescue. But Evil-Lyn destroyed them."
Keldor gently kissed her tears away. "Fear not, my love."
Using the restorative spell he learned from the book of Elders, he performed the incantation. The dust blew together, swirling into two giant pillars. All the rocks rolled toward the two whirlwinds, jumping into the gale. A flash of bright white light and once again the two stone sentries stood, tall, regal, proud and ready to answer the call of their masters.
Tears slipped down Ella's cheeks upon seeing the stone guards whole once again.
"You have performed your duty well," Keldor said. The doors opened. "Return to your posts."
Two stone heads turned their rocky gazes toward the royal couple then the door, where they marched in heavy footfalls, returning to their posts. Once again they flanked the doors to the bedchambers.
Ella decided then and there that the sentries would be moved to the new castle. They had proven their worth and she was honored to have them flanking her door.
Keldor cradled Ella's head, his eyes scanning her thoughtfully. The bruising on her temple and cheek were darkening by the minute. Large purple marks covered nearly half her face. Her eye was turning black. "It nearly killed me, seeing you so helpless and violated." He swallowed the huge lump in his throat. "I don't know what I would do if I lost you."
Ella kissed Keldor gently then turned to glare at Evil-Lyn. "She said when she and Beast Man were done with me, she was going to make me drown myself in the bath."
Keldor stiffened, his steely gaze following his wife's to the witch, who was starting to move her mouth. It wouldn't be long until her own magic countered the spell that was keeping her motionless.
"You were not conscious to witness the fall of Beast Man, but you will get to watch the fall of Evil-Lyn," Keldor said, kissing Ella's forehead before rising from the bed. He moved stealthily toward the witch, the muscles straining along his frame, making him appear stronger and more dangerous.
Evil-Lyn's mouth worked in slow motion, no doubt attempting to use her magic to countermand the spell that was binding her so she could attempt an escape.
Ella didn't bother wrapping the blanket around her for modesty. There was only her, Keldor and Evil-Lyn and Beast Man's lifeless husk on the floor. She wanted to stand by her husband when he dished out Evil-Lyn's punishment.
Her knees protested her weight, but she ignored the bruises and scrapes. Her wrists and palms faired no better, with one wrist turning purple from where Beast Man had captured her by the desk. Beast Man's handprints also marred her pale hips, with little indentations from his nails. She touched her face, hissing when she felt the sharp bite of pain along her cheek.
Keldor stood before Evil-Lyn embodying every bit the powerful mage and commanding king. Broken sounds escaped her throat as she tried to speak, whether for explaining herself to earn a lenient sentence, or a spell to break the enchantment binding her. Keldor didn't care either way. As far as he was concerned, she had proven her true colors. And he would never allow such treachery within his walls again.
"I don't want to hear your empty excuses," Keldor said harshly. "You were warned. You disobeyed. No more second chances."
Keldor made a fist with one hand. Evil-Lyn's eyes bulged, knowing the exact spell he was to perform. She tried desperately to speak but it was too late.
Resolved, Keldor spoke the words that would end the threat to his wife and kingdom.
Air rushed into Evil-Lyn in a wheeze. Her eyes widened, her face turning grey and gaunt. Wrinkles formed along her skin, her ribs and hipbones protruding as she shriveled to nearly half her size.
Resolute, Keldor slammed his fist into the opposite palm. With a resounding boom!, Evil-Lyn blasted apart into ashy cobwebs that evaporated from sight.
Evil-Lyn would no longer be a threat.
Ella sighed in relief. Though she normally wouldn't celebrate another's death, she was elated by the witch's passing. Had she been allowed to live, Ella's life would undoubtedly been cut short, as it almost was nearly ended moments ago.
Keldor barely paid the lifeless body of Beast Man any heed before it too disappeared, vanquished forever into the realm of the lost. Keldor folded his wife into his arms, holding her tenderly. She rested her head on his chest, listening to the pleasant beat of his heart.
"You will always be safe within your home, my love," Keldor said, trying to forget the thought of finding his wife dead by the hands of those he once trusted. But they would never succeed. He had seen to that.
"I love you," Ella said, hugging his waist tightly.
Keldor cupped her cheek, staring into her eyes. "And I you." The blood crusted along her temple made him sick, thinking how close he'd come to nearly losing her. Refusing to see his wife so bloody and battered, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the bath where he walked into the water, clothes an all.
He put Ella down in the water and snapped his fingers, removing his clothes. She watched him curiously as he collected shampoo and soap. He sat on the ledge and held out his hand, drawing his wife upon his lap.
"Many times you have attended me. Now, it is my turn." He loaded a clothe and lifted her arm, bathing her as thoroughly as she did him.
Ella sighed in relaxation, allowing her husband to clean away the dirt and filth that covered her. When he cupped a breast, she moaned, placing her hand over his.
Keldor chuckled. "I'm sorry my sweet, but the healer has strict orders. You are not to be stressed in any way." He gave her a kiss to the cheek, nuzzling her ear. "You must give yourself time to heal."
Ella smiled, exchanging feathery kisses with him. He continued to bathe her and when he reached between her legs, she widened them out of habit but hissed in pain when he touched her bruised sex. She didn't realize how tender she was until he applied a little pressure.
"Forgive me, my love,' Keldor breathed, stroking the sore flesh carefully. "But your wounds will need to be clean so they may heal properly."
Nodding, Ella took a deep breath, willing herself to hold still while her husband parted her lips, allowing the water to wash away the taint of Beast Man. She stared into the swirling water, not really seeing it.
"This could have been my deathbed. They were going to watch me drown."
"They will never again be a threat," Keldor said, hugging her tightly, mindful of her wounds. "Put them from your mind."
Ella obeyed, letting go of what could have been and focused on her husband's attentions. After washing her hair, Keldor held her in his lap, content to have her in his arms. The couple sat for some time, their fingers becoming pruney before the maid delivered their dinner. She bowed to the royal couple and took her leave.
Keldor kept a close watch over Ella, watching for signs she may be in distress. Neither were used to being up all night. Keldor tried to think of ways to keep them occupied but as the night grew longer, their energy waned.
When midday approached the next day, it was all Ella could do to keep her heavy lids open. She slumped in her chair, uninterested in eating. Keldor faired no better.
When the healer arrived to examine Ella and deemed her out of the danger zone, both king and queen went to their bed and fell into an exhausted slumber.