Hi again! There's a bit of mature content at the beginning of this chapter, but nothing too obscene. Read on and enjoy.
Lady Ravanna- Thanks so much for your comments!
00000000000000
It must've been around midnight when she opened her eyes. Or maybe it was early morning. Eabha barely cared which it was. All she knew was exhaustion. But falling asleep again proved to be too difficult, especially when coupled with an awful headache. Her thoughts had been so chaotic upon dozing off in Thor's grasp, and despite her surprisingly steady slumber, the horrid memories must've manifested into a throbbing pain. The young woman tried to sit up, but her spouse's arms were still tightly looped around her. Nevertheless, she strained against them.
"Shh," the man eventually whispered in a sleep-strained voice. "Rest."
"Let me..."
"Lie down."
"Something hurts, please!"
He finally released her, and she rushed to the side of the room where the water basin was. While dunking her hand in the liquid and pressing it to her head provided a bit of comfort, it was mostly the distance that helped. Eabha just needed to be away from the man, even if it was for only a moment. She wanted to get ahold of herself and how she truly felt about everything, but at the same time, it hurt. Everything around her hurt. Being away from her captor was all she could do to temporarily push it out of her mind. However, the girl had only been up for a few seconds when the Swede got out of bed and approached her.
"Stop," Eabha muttered upon feeling his hands on her shoulders.
"What hurts, child?"
"My head."
After a little while, Thor reached down to pull his wife's chemise off. She reluctantly allowed it, since putting up a fight would likely heighten her aches. Then, the older man rolled up the garment and dipped it into the basin.
"Here, come," he whispered, moving the woman until she was leaning back against him. "Hmm?"
A few droplets of water slipped down her face and neck from the dampened gown, but though she hated admitting it, this gesture was quite soothing. Eabha wanted to cry so badly, to shove Thor's hand away and jump out the window. However, even weeping was too much work. Sure enough, the pain decreased a little more once her face relaxed. Her husband finally dropped the chemise into the basin at some point and gently turned her to face him.
"Better?"
She couldn't speak. Standing there like a statue was the only possible response, aside from a small shiver as the remaining water ran down her skin. Thor gradually unbuttoned the top of his undershirt and pulled it off over his head, using it to dry his young spouse. Once there wasn't any more visible moisture, he let it fall to the ground. Now, they were both bare to each other. It nearly seemed normal, but Eabha soon felt like a helpless infant. Though she was tempted to wrap her arms around herself, Thor quickly beat her to it. In a matter of seconds, he'd scooped her up and carried her back to the bed. Upon feeling the mattress underneath her, she tried to crawl away in a last-ditch attempt to save her conscience. But the Swede soon turned her onto her belly and carefully weighed her down until she squirming stopped. Once she was still, he bent over to kiss the backs of her shoulders.
The young woman closed her eyes, no longer trying to ignore how soft his touch was. It was useless to do so during the night, just as it was now. And it didn't hurt. So she simply sat there and let him continue. His lips went across her back, down her arms, seemingly everywhere. After some more time went on, he tenderly rolled her onto her back and resumed what he was doing, holding her hands to the blankets with his own. At one point, Eabha felt his hand drift down to her center and slowly stroke, perfectly in time with the kisses being pressed to her neck.
He's peaceful when we're intimate, he doesn't hurt anyone. If I can only focus on this, maybe…
It soon became too difficult to think about this anymore. The girl just let herself absorb every feeling that rushed through her, and there were so many. Though disgust was one of them, she shoved it beneath all the others, desperate to preserve her sanity. Eventually, Eabha embraced those blissful waves just as she embraced her husband. Thor was very careful with entering her, much like he'd been in the past. This was what the woman needed. It was enough to distract both of them from the world, to help them fit together like two halves of a stone.
The Swede pulled her close after they reached their completions, kissing her face and lips like it was his last night on earth. And Eabha let him. Until the moment she fell asleep again, she couldn't do otherwise.
OOOOOOOOOOO
Sunrise came a while later, and the older man rose with it, dressing with calm and ease. This was the day in which everything would change. Phineas would carry out his great task, and once it was done, the world would fall into place. Thor would be the leader of Zion in all but name. He still needed to find the Hatchites and deal with them accordingly, of course, but this newfound power would render that a simple job. Perhaps he and Eabha would build a house soon, or find a readily made home somewhere in the city. Whatever it would be, God would make it the perfect dwelling for raising Branna, along with the other children they'd have someday. His wife already seemed to be accepting their future together, which just make everything better.
Yes, such a long strand of resistance, but no more. She's opening her eyes now.
The girl literally did just that not long afterwards. Her watery orbs took in her spouse's regal form across the room, and she could only stare. Memories flowed through her vision, consisting of wonderful things. Then again, that's all she'd allow herself to remember. The smallest bit of negativity would make her collapse, and she had to be strong. Thor was surely planning something catastrophic with Phineas. If there was any hope of saving lives and preventing more violence, she needed to be collected enough to reason with her husband. While there was no doubting his determination to follow through on all his decisions, Eabha had to try.
"Ah," the Swede muttered, noticing her looking at him. "Such a lovely day the Lord has given us, wife."
Before she knew it, tears were filling her eyes. The self-hatred was still within her gut, but she suppressed it. Being selfish wasn't an option. After a few seconds, Thor's smile faded upon noticing her face. He steadily approached the bed and sat down, gazing at his young wife's expression.
"Shh-shh, what? Why the tears?"
Eabha relaxed against him as he leaned forward to loop his arms around her. She couldn't talk at first, but once she got her bearings, it came out.
"Please, I…"
"Hmm?"
"I…I'll stay. I will."
Thor didn't know what to think at first, but when he felt her arms go under his and pull him in, his heart pounded.
"I won't leave you again," Eabha continued, her voice strained by weeping. "I'll live with you. I'll have a son, another daughter, as many children as you want. I'll love you every day of my life, I swear."
"My sweet." He tightened his embrace a bit, resting his chin on her head. "This is a blessed thing to hear."
"But don't…please don't hurt anyone else. Let them be, and I'm yours, I promise! Just no more pain."
At this, the man softly laughed. His wife's naïve innocence would never stop being precious. He gently lifted his hands to cradle the back of her head before responding.
"Oh, little one. So silly."
Eabha hesitantly glanced up at him as he went on.
"Surely you don't think violence will be sought out? No, no. All shall be well…so long as the vipers slither back to their hellish holes in the ground."
The girl's breathing caught in her throat for a second or two.
"But—"
"Let us not speak of it. Heavenly Father will see to all, yeah?"
He momentarily released her, but when Eabha went to get up, his hands went to her shoulders.
"I just need to dress."
"Ah, no need. There's a breakfast gathering with the brethren soon. I'll bring you something afterwards, but I want you to rest."
Thor was being genuine in this. A very tiny part of him felt that the Lord might've blessed them with another child during the night, and if that was true, it was best for Eabha to keep still. Besides, he'd be much more clear-headed if he knew she wasn't out and about. However, the woman was not content with this declaration.
"I have to see to Branna."
"Let her bond with the governess, Eabha. Sister Clementine is well-adept among children, so you needn't worry."
"I wish to see my daughter," she stressed, not ready to back down.
But his grip tightened, along with the look in his eyes.
"Later."
Though the tension vanished rather quickly, Eabha was still shaken. Her distress was too enduring to be driven away by the tenderness in the Swede's face, and in his voice a few seconds later.
"Ease your heart, my doe. By the time the sun leaves us today, God will have everything arranged in harmony. We'll be a family again, all three of us."
Unable to give any kind of response, the girl just sat there as her husband cupped her cheeks and leaned in to press a soft kiss to her lips. She couldn't even close her eyes.
Once the older man left the room and shut the door behind him, his young spouse finally mustered the strength to wrap her arms around herself. It was so difficult to figure out what to think, especially with what Thor had just said. Was he going to do something horrible regardless of her vows? He was constantly in her head, but her inability to get into his was becoming a horror. So poor Eabha could only sit there and stare at her hands, oblivious to how much time was passing.
OOOOOOOOOOO
It was over. Phineas had failed. As he stood up from beside his beloved Oslo and approached the nearby horse, the Swede wondered how he ever thought that stupid boy could accomplish such an important feat. Despite his wish to stand there and scold himself for failing the Lord yet again, he didn't have the time. His instincts from Andersonville were swelling within his gut. He hated feeling like a helpless rat again, but he ignored it. For now, he had to get away from this place.
Thor's thoughts wandered to Eabha as he pulled himself up onto the saddle. The chance of this being his final day on earth was dangerously large, and if that chance became a reality, he would never again lay eyes on her, or their daughter. His heart ached at the notion. Nevertheless, if God were going to welcome him to His kingdom today, He would also look after his family and lead them into some safe haven.
Unless Bohannon poisons her mind once more—
No…that was his one remaining weapon. Now that he knew where the devil's wife and child were residing, he'd be able to break him down a second time. Even in the face of the disaster regarding Brigham Young, Thor was overjoyed at this new idea. He would vanquish his enemy's family, just as he'd done to Mrs. Lily Bell, and this would cripple Bohannon all over again. How would he lead anyone astray in that state? Or Cullen would kill him to protect the young woman and child, and he would revert back into the murderer he'd tried so hard not to be. Indeed, that would be the only way to stop him from unleashing his skills upon the Hatches.
With that final thought, he spurred the horse and took off, not noticing when his hat blew off.
Yes, Bohannon. One way or otherwise, you will be destroyed before this day is done.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
At some point, Eabha felt her stomach lurch. Ignorant of her naked state, she stood up and began to pace. Was there a single thing that could get her out of this awful situation? Whatever it was that her husband intended to do, nothing positive would come out of it. That wasn't who he was. Any good mother would surely get her child away from that environment, regardless of the repercussions of such a choice. However, the Swede's historic threat lurked above her like a dark cloud. Then again, did this danger hold any merit at all?
Thor has done many horrible things, but not once has he harmed Branna. He easily could've done so during my small moments of fighting. No…he never followed through with it.
A slight burst of strength ran through her upon processing this thought. Of course he didn't hurt the baby! He knew Eabha wouldn't risk her safety under any circumstances, so he said whatever was needed to keep his wife in line. Though she felt foolish for believing this empty threat, never would she lament protecting Branna with every ounce of her power. Besides, she had this knowledge now.
I have to get help. For Branna, and myself…I must!
With an unthinkable speed, the woman laced her shoes and yanked on her bloomers before getting into the green dress. It was as if an invisible force was carrying her through the door and then outside. From where she stood, there looked to be a large gathering near the big house.
That's my safest bet. Even if Thor's there, what will he do in front of all those people?
Eabha considered searching for Branna, but until it was certain that help was attainable, she figured the child was safe with the governess and the other children. For now, she broke into a run, approaching the house. Before she could get too close, catching sight of a fast-moving familiar face slowed her to a stop.
"Mr. Bohannon!"
"You…"
Her rescuer's eyes went wide, and he seemed to stumble a bit as he grabbed her shoulder.
"Stay here."
He swiftly ran past her, leaving the woman completely taken aback.
"What's going on?"
"Just stay the hell here. He's goin' for my family!"
Eabha was almost too shocked to notice him climbing on a horse and galloping off towards the hills. Thor was looking for Naomi and William?
Wait, that man spoke of the Hatchites…oh, no!
Lily Bell immediately came to her mind as she realized what her spouse was going to do. To her knowledge, Cullen's wife never did a thing to hurt the Swede, and neither did the baby. They were both innocent, like Mrs. Bell, and he wanted to kill them all the same.
He can't! I won't let him…
Suddenly, the woman noticed a handful of saddled horses not too far away. Everyone near the house appeared too distracted to worry about the animals, which gave her a thought. It was mad, worlds worse than mad. But the thought of another death akin to the Fair-Haired Maiden of the West's, of more pain for her savior, of the brutal slaughter of a benevolent girl not much older than herself and a harmless boy not much younger than Branna, of her husband morphing into a monster once again…
In that moment, Eabha made her choice.
0000000000000
…And that's as far as I can go for now! As always, let me know what you think, and I'll see you all again after June 11th =) =) =)
