Chapter 29
Being in William's arms was euphoric. I had missed my husband, missed being his in everyway. Sirra will surely be cross with me when she discovers that I went against her advice.
A smile breaks on my face when I feel small kisses trail down my back, my body still electrified from our resent union.
"So, tell me Mrs. Hammond, was that what you wanted?" William teases me between kisses.
With a more than pleased look I turn to gaze at him. His hand brushes my hair from my face, his lustful eyes looking back at me.
"I'm not sure Mr. Hammond; I think I need a repeat to be certain." I lunge at him, by body crashing on to his.
My auburn hair cascades over both of us, his hands running the length of my body.
"You are insatiable my love." His hands travel up my back, one resting on the back of my neck.
He kisses me, his lips showing me no mercy. Over and over he takes my lips, his tongue teasing mine. I feel his body tense as he pulls me closer to him.
My head becomes light again as my breathing becomes panting. I twist my fingers in his hair, my need for him like a raging fire.
William sits up right, pulling my body against his. I wrap my legs around him, as he pulls me between his.
Our bodies move together, moving as we become one. William holds me tighter, a sweat gathering on both of us.
I can feel my moment of bliss rising through my body as I hear William moaning as he digs his fingers into my shoulder. "William!" I cry out as pure pleasure takes me over.
We collapse back on the bed, exhaustion taking us both. I breathe slowly waiting for my lungs to stop burning.
"Pleased are we my love?" William laughs slightly, his breathing as raged as mine.
"For now." I grin back at him, watching as he climbs from the bed. "William, are leaving now that you've had your way with me." I say with a wink.
He turns to me, his gorgeous body glowing. "I have needs to attend to Lily, that and someone is knocking at the door."
Pulling his pants back on, he answers the door. Benjamin blushes, his eyes staying on the floor. "I'm sorry my Lord but the King asks for you."
"Is there something wrong Benjamin?" William walks back to the bed, pulling his shirt on.
Benjamin stands at the door, his eyes still averted from me. "It's Baron Grey my Lord, he has returned."
Clara helps me bathe the babies, my mind with William. "Have you heard anything Clara, any gossip about the castle?"
"Yes, m'lady. Rose, the Queen's maiden, told me that Duke Hammond's castle was under siege. The Queen is with the Royal Council as we speak. The King rides with your William to defend it. We fear that many lives may be lost, many souls will be taken." Clara's voice becomes a whisper, her hands shaking.
"You know of the Baron's thrust for souls? Word does travel fast in the castle. William did not tell me the castle was being attacked, he said that he goes to protect it. I know he is thinking of me, trying to keep me from worry. Clara, I worry every time he leaves these walls." I dry Hunter, watching him wrinkle his face. My tiny one's, my heart is so full of joy and sadness.
I take the babies for a walk, trying to keep my mind occupied. Snow walks out of the council room, her face looking weary. "Cousin, would you care to walk with me?"
She looks up, a smile immediately flashing when she sees the little ones. "Clara, let me have her. I would like a private moment with Lily." Snow takes Iris, cradling her in her small arms.
"Lily, the Royal Council wants to speak with you. Duke Edmond has heard of your visions, he even questioned Muir about them. They think you can provide some insight on the Baron. I told them you tell William and Eric everything but they still want to hear all that you have seen. As Queen I can demand they leave you be, it is up to you."
"Dearest cousin, I do not wish to revisit my dreams. The memory of them still haunts me. If it all possible, I wish to forgo this inquisition." Snow nods, her eyes fixed on mine.
"Very well then, the matter is settled. Lily, if Duke Edmond sends for you, you can decline. I will let it be know, you are not to be questioned on this matter." I see her queenly manner, a regal glow pouring from her eyes. In that moment I saw King Magnus looking back at me.
Night falls and William has still not returned. Snow stays with me, knowing today would have been the christening. She worries for Eric as well as we both pace the floor.
Sleep eventually finds me, as I lie on the chaise, gazing at the moon. The moon was full, its light looking more brilliant then usual. I can see a fire burning in the distance. A wailing comes from behind me as I turn to see bloody bodies scattered about Duke Hammond's field. I frantically look for William and Eric, hoping I do not find them. Then I hear it, that cackle that causes my body to shiver.
Turning I see him, his grey skin looking ashen in the moonlight. "He's not here m'lady. I have your love and your King. The Dark Forest will claim them this night."
The fire burns all around me, as if it is trying to consume me. The Baron mounts his ebony horse, waving for me to follow him. "Do you know my secret Lily? No? Too bad, tonight he dies for you my sweet."
My knees buckle as I fall to the ground. The fire inches towards me, my hair turning into the bright flame. Closing my eyes I see it, his secret. The flame whispers to me. "He is the forest. He is the dark tree. He is the blackness."
Opening my eyes, it all makes sense, the stories, and the prophecies. The root of his evil, the dark tree, Muir saying the forest wasn't always dark. Baron Grey is one with the Dark Forest. This is why Ravenna's powers did not work there, why she had to have Eric retrieve Snow for her.
I rise, my flaming hair flowing behind me. Looking to my left I see a dark cloaked figure, he walks slowly towards me. The Reaper raises his scythe, pointing it towards the Dark Forest.
My body jolts up right as I spring up from the chaise. "Snow, wake cousin. We must make hast, the forest waits for us."
