Part 23
Mary felt her heart stop. It began to beat in an uneven rhythm as Maxwell managed to catch Elizabeth before she tumbled off his horse. His grip on her was not firm, however. Isabel was helping to hold her up.
Max's face was as white as Mary was sure her own was. "Bella! There's blood everywhere!" Mary had never heard Maxwell lose his composure - not through any of the disasters which seemed to be piling one on top of the other. She had not seen it up until this point. He was a born leader, but he was clearly terrified. For the first time Mary understood how Max felt about Elizabeth. That concern for her should bring him to his knees - it was unlike anything she had ever seen before.
"It's all right Max." Isabel told him firmly, taking charge of the situation. "You can heal her." She slid off her horse, helping Max to do the same. They gently laid Elizabeth on Alex's cloak, which he had removed for the purpose.
Elizabeth moaned. She was still unconscious but Mary was sure that the pain must be excruciating. They had been riding for a good half and hour. How could her friend have hidden her condition for so long?
Michael had joined the others on the ground. He was looking down at Elizabeth in horror. Mary saw him glance up at her, his expression unreadable. "I'll go find Tess and Lord Edmund. She'll be fine Maxwell." He said gruffly, when Max managed to pull his eyes off of Isabel, who was ministering to Elizabeth, preparing her for healing. She had removed Elizabeth's cloak and ruthlessly ripped her wedding gown, exposing the arrow where it penetrated Lizzy's delicate skin. It was deeply imbedded. Mary felt bile rising in her throat. "You don't have to worry about them. We'll meet you at the waterfall."
When Alexander made a reluctant move to join him, staring at Elizabeth in concern, Michael stopped him with an upraised hand. "You are needed here. I'll be fine."
Mary pursed her lips, was going to protest, but the expression of barely controlled rage on Michael's face halted her. He didn't even look at her as he swung up onto his stallion and disappeared into the foliage.
"Be careful." Mary whispered to his disappearing back.
"Mary! Stop daydreaming and come help!" Isabel ordered shrilly. "This is not going to be pleasant for Lady Elizabeth. We have to take the arrow out before Max can heal her." She glanced at Max, who was clutching Elizabeth's hand tightly. "We have little time Max. They are still after us. They could stumble across us at any time."
"Liz has even LESS time." Max replied evenly. He turned to Mary. "Can you hold her head?" He asked, clearly beginning to get back on the road to capability, which was generally his permanent path.
Mary fell to her knees at Lizzy's head. She gently lifted her friends shoulders, began to stroke her hair lovingly. "You'll be fine Lizzy dearest." Elizabeth's face was pale and her breathing was beginning to shorten.
"You're going to have to remove the arrow Alex." Isabel told him. Mary watched her brother's face blanch. "Max needs to conserve his strength for the healing." She explained. "It takes a lot out of him." She paused, glanced at Max. "And this is the biggest injury he's ever had to heal."
"WHAT!" Mary shrieked.
Max frowned at her. "It will be fine." He gentled his voice. "I will NOT let her die Mary." The quiet confidence and certainty that had appeared on his face made Mary feel better.
"We'll hold her down." Isabel said. "Max, hold her shoulder there. I have this side."
Alex slowly fell to his knees beside Isabel, staring at the arrow in consternation. "This is going to hurt her so much," he said finally.
Mary watched Isabel reach out and touch his shoulder. "You love her Alex. You can do it." Mary wondered suddenly when Isabel had started to call her brother 'Alex.'"
Alex nodded with determination. He put his hands on the arrow, flinched when Lizzy moaned again, trying to twist away from the pain.
"HOLD HER!" Max yelled at Isabel. Isabel's grip on Elizabeth tightened.
Mary's gaze flitted to her brother's face. He was breathing hard. He swallowed...and then yanked on the arrow with all his strength.
Elizabeth's scream of agony filled the clearing.
Mary's eyes had closed in horror. She felt tears trying to squeeze through her lowered lids. She angrily brushed them away. She continued to stroke Elizabeth's hair gently. "It's all right Lizzy. The worst is over." When she managed to open her eyes, she breathed a sigh of relief to see the offending arrow safely in Alexander's hands. He was staring at it in astonishment.
Mary looked at Isabel when her friend said, "You must hurry Max! That scream is going to bring Kyle and his men down on our heads!"
But Max had already begun. "Liz. LIZ! Open your eyes sweeting. You must look at me." Mary felt her heart contract at the tenderness in his voice.
She was not at all surprised when Elizabeth's eye-lids began to flutter. "Max..." She moaned. Mary bit her lip. Blood was now flowing freely from the wound in her side.
Mary watched as Max gently placed his palm face-down on the horrifying tear in Elizabeth's body. Was this really going to work? Mary knew that Maxwell had done something to Tess that Elizabeth had witnessed - something that had let Elizabeth know that he was not normal, but she had not yet come to fully accept that her new friend had miraculous healing powers.
And yet Isabel did not look concerned. There were tears in her eyes, but Mary felt that they were more for the pain Elizabeth was enduring rather than over any concern that Max wouldn't be able to heal her.
Mary heard Alexander gasp as Max's hand began to glow, but she could not tear her gaze away from the miracle that was taking place in front of her eyes.
As Mary watched, the blood on Lizzy's side began to disappear. The hole in her side began to disintegrate. Mary felt her mouth fall open, glanced up at Max.
He had a slight grimace on his face. It looked for all the world like all of Elizabeth's pain was being transferred into HIS body. Isabel reached across Liz's body suddenly, putting her hand on Max's shoulder. The expression of agony on Max's face eased slightly, as Isabel's body began to tense. She was clearly deflecting some of the pain away from Max and into HER body.
And then it was over. Max, who had been crouching, balanced on his heels, collapsed onto his knees, fatigue evident in every part of him. He did not tear his gaze from Elizabeth's face however. Isabel looked drained as well.
Elizabeth still had not moved. The foursome gathered around her continued to watch her tensely.
Mary felt her heart leap with joy as her closest friend's eyelids began to flutter again. Lizzy opened her eyes, stared up at Max in shock. "Max." She said clearly, her voice melting with emotion. She reached up a hand, touched his face. "My love."
Mary began to sob. She had just witnessed a miracle. She could see that Alexander was trying hard to maintain his composure as well.
Elizabeth sat up, looking for all the world like she had just awoken from a refreshing nap. Her face reflected her concern though. "Max? Are you all right?" Mary glanced at Max, saw that his face was still whiter than it should be, but the smile that illuminated it more than made up for it.
"I am now sweeting." He pulled her gently into his embrace, closing his eyes in relief.
Alexander was helping Isabel to her feet. "Thank you." He said to her, his voice cracking with emotion. She stumbled slightly. Alexander steadied her, pulled her into his arms. Isabel looked tense for a moment, but gradually relaxed.
It was then that Mary allowed herself a stab of concern for Michael. He was all alone in a forest crawling with men who wanted to kill him, commanded by a man who hated him almost as much as he hated his brother.
But she had no time for her concerns. Max was gently lifting Elizabeth back onto his stallion. Isabel had already mounted and Alexander was soothing his own horse before he swung up onto its back.
"Mary!" Maxwell called out. "We must ride."
You better be safe you big lummox! Mary thought to herself. For if you are not, I will have to save you and then kill you myself.
She hurried to her steed and followed closely after the others.
Part 24
Michael thrust his sword into the smoldering ashes, looked up scowling.
Where the hell were they?
He had left the others more than three hours ago, had made it back to Sanctuary in record time, despite having to avoid the Sheriff's patrols more than once. He had expected them to be waiting, had been anticipating a tongue-lashing from Lord Edmund, had expected Tess to weep and wail about how they were all betraying her, but he had not expected to find them completely gone.
There was no sign of either their guardian or their sister, not even any sort of message to relay where they had disappeared to.
It made Michael supremely uncomfortable. He wondered again whether he should have let Max talk him into the rescue of Lady Elizabeth. They had just infuriated the Sheriff and his son even further. Now there was no question that neither man would rest until he got his hands on Max - on all of them.
The hatred Michael had witnessed on Sir Kyle de Valence's face when he had looked at Max back in the chapel... It had frightened Michael in a way nothing had ever frightened him before and Michael had ALWAYS been frightened, since the day he had been old enough to realize that he and his siblings were different, that if they were ever found out, they would be killed, no questions asked.
But Michael had been unable to say no. He had seen the hopeful expression on Mary's face, had been unable to deny Max the right to claim the lady he loved when that same lady had brought Mary DeLucie into his life.
She was a like a burr in his side, like a worm in his mead, like a frayed string on his bow...
She infuriated the hell out of him, inflamed him like no one else ever had.
And for some strange reason, he found that the last thing on this planet he wanted to do was disappoint her. So, he had graciously let himself be convinced, but not before he had amused himself by making Mary think that he wasn't going to help. Her cheeks had become flushed, her enraged breathing causing her chest to heave in outrage. She had managed to berate him verbally for a full five minutes, Maxwell, Bella and Alexander all watching this with surprise, interest and amusement respectively.
He had finally shut her up by planting a kiss on her full lips. She had stared at him in full shock for a minute afterward, her mouth, for once, mercifully quiet. The silence that had fallen over the group gathered secretly near the waterfall, hidden from Lord Edmund and Tess, who would try and stop them, had been shattered when Isabel had started to laugh.
"That was amazing." Alexander had told Michael. "You're the first person who's ever been able to get her to stop talking for more than three seconds."
Michael smirked to himself now as he remembered. It made him want to climb back onto his steed and hurry to the rendezvous point, to see her again. He had not liked the fearful expression on her face when he had left her - frightened for her friend, who Michael knew without a shadow of a doubt that Max would save. But there had been something else as well.
She had been frightened for HIM.
Unfortunately Michael was not going to be able to return to his friends immediately however. He had to find Lord Edmund and Tess. No matter if they were both acting strangely of late, they were still his family. He had a duty to them. If Sir Kyle had found them, they were no doubt in grave danger. Sir Kyle would use them as bait to lure Max out of the Forest, which would result in complete exposure.
It had to be avoided at all costs. Lord Edmund had already made it clear that their presence on Earth had been completely compromised, that they were going to have to return to Antar far sooner than had been planned. But they still needed time to arrange for passage off the planet.
Michael felt a pang. For the first time ever, he realized that perhaps he was not ready to leave Earth yet.
He flinched. This was not a good sign. He knew what his destiny was. He had no choice! He had to find Lord Edmund and Tess, had to get that cursed DeLucie wench off of his mind! What was becoming of him? He was a warrior, one who had a duty to save his planet.
Michael swung up onto his horse, his jaw set.
He was NOT going to turn into Maxwell, mooning and wailing over a female.
His resolve lasted about five minutes. That was how long it took for Mary DeLucie to return to his thoughts. Michael clenched his fists on the reins, cursed a blue streak.
And heard a whistling sound that was all too familiar...followed by a loud twunk.
Michael threw himself off of his horse, plunged into the foliage. His heart was beating at double-time. He took a great gasp of air, closed his eyes, awaiting capture.
He realized suddenly that arrows were still whistling through the air and that not one had come anywhere near him. He could hear yelling nearby.
He frowned, quickly tied the horse's reins to a nearby tree, swinging his bow down off of his back and knocking an arrow as he followed the sound of the din.
He practically broke into a run when he recognized Tess's shriek. "MY LORD!"
Michael forced himself to slow down, made himself think rationally. He was alone. If he was going to save his sister, he needed to plan carefully. He couldn't let his instincts rule him as he had when the original outlaws had attacked them two days ago. It was that foolishness, the open use of his powers, that had landed them in their current debacle.
Of course all the planning in the world would have done no good had he stumbled into the clearing like a thundering stag, which he nearly did before he stopped abruptly.
Taking a deep breath, Michael peered around the tree he had barely concealed himself behind in time.
His eyes lit on Tess immediately. She was tied to a tree across the clearing, her gown in rags, her blonde hair streaming around her face, which was streaked with tears. In fact, she was currently sobbing uncontrollably.
Michael saw the reason why a moment later.
Lord Edmund was lying flat on the ground, his eyes open and staring up at the sky vacantly. An arrow stood straight up from his chest, having pierced his heart.
Good Lord.
Michael felt a stabbing pain behind his eyes, swallowed hard. This was no time for sorrow. He could mourn his foster father later. He had to save his sister!
But he knew almost instantly that he couldn't do it by himself, that he needed to go find Max immediately. He could use his powers and take out every single one of the Sheriff's men in the clearing but without Lord Edmund they had no way of escaping the planet.
And if he used his powers in front of the Sheriff, every single lawman in the country would be searching for him.
Michael felt intense rage squeezing his heart as Sheriff Valenti came into view. "We'll string him up on the London Road." He was saying to Sir Kyle, who started poking at Lord Edmund's body with his sword. Michael pressed his lips together, lowered his forehead against the trunk of the tree behind which he was concealed.
"WHY???" Tess was shrieking, her sobs barely under control. "He was innocent! Why would you kill him?"
Sir Kyle lifted his head, eyed her for a moment. "Maxwell of Huntington stole my betrothed." He replied coldly. "It should be he lying on the ground under my sword. But until that happens - which it will, mark my words - I will kill every single being dear to him in this world."
Michael forced himself to stare at Tess as her blue eyes widened in terror. "Are you going to kill me?" She asked in a small, frightened voice. He barely managed to control himself from barreling out of his hiding spot when Kyle grabbed Tess roughly by the chin and lifted her pretty face so that he could stare right into her eyes.
"I'm not done with you yet sweeting." The endearment sounded more like a curse. "You are what is going to bring that heretic right to my keep."
"He won't come." Tess said, her voice sounding weary. "He has tired of me. She is all he cares about now."
Good Tess! Michael encouraged her silently. Make him believe it!
Michael narrowed his eyes as he looked more closely at his sister's posture. For one horrible moment he thought that maybe she DID believe that Max, that Michael and Isabel would leave her in Sir Kyle's hands.
The expression on utter despair on her face...
But no. She would never believe such a thing. She knew that they had always been most protective of her. She was their beloved Tess. The rest of them could take care of themselves, Bella included, but Tess had always seemed so fragile in comparison. She had to know that they would come for her!
"We'll see." Sir Kyle replied, not sounding convinced. He motioned one of the guards forward with a gesture from his mailed hand. "Put her on a horse. We return to Nottingham."
Michael didn't move a muscle until he had seen Tess thrown face-down across the guard's horse, still bound hand and foot, didn't dare start breathing until the last of the guards had ridden out onto the King's Highway and had started to gallop off in the direction of the town.
He was back on his mount moments later, thundering off in the direction of the rendezvous point.
*********************************************
Max lifted Elizabeth gently off of Evander, held her briefly against him before letting her fall to the ground. "My love, I am so sorry that I have brought you to this." He whispered against her hair. He felt her bring her arms around him, heard her sigh of contentment as she pressed her cheek against his chest.
"I am with you. That is all that matters to me." Elizabeth replied quietly. "Why are we here though?" She stepped away from him, her hand still in his, started to look around. "We cannot be gone for long. We are both responsible for this disaster my love. We must assure that our friends are safe."
Max pulled her back against his chest, kissed her lightly on the temple. "But first I must assure that YOU are safe." He felt Elizabeth flinch against him, knew that she thought that he was planning to abandon her again, that he thought that she would be safer away from him. He smiled slightly. It, of course, could not be further from the truth.
They had left the others back at the waterfall a few hours before.
It had not taken Max long to realize what needed to be done as quickly as possible to keep Elizabeth out of Sir Kyle's hands. He had taken Alexander aside immediately to tell him what he planned.
Alexander had smirked after he had finished speaking with him. "Well, I cannot say that I am surprised." Had been his only response. "Mary is not going to be happy to be left out of this you know."
"We'll make it up to her." Max had replied. He had looked seriously at Alex. "I need you to protect Bella Alexander. Please promise me that you will do this."
Alexander's eyes had flashed momentarily. "You don't even need to ask Maxwell." Max had watched the young baron's eyes stray to his blonde sister, who was foraging in the nearby bushes for some berries with Mary at her side. The expression of adoration on his face was all the convincing Max needed.
And so Max had spirited Liz away. She had gone with him willingly enough once he had promised her that he was not planning to desert her in some forsaken castle in a misguided attempt to keep her safe.
"I will never allow you to be away from my side again." Max had replied. "I have made that mistake once and it almost resulted in disaster. I will never do it again sweetheart."
Liz stepped away from him again now though, looked around with an expression on her face that could only be suspicion. "Max, this looks disturbingly like a convent to me." She said accusingly.
"It is a convent." Max told her, raising an eyebrow. "You have a good eye sweeting."
She frowned at him, pulled her hand away from his, placed them on her slender hips. "I do not like the sound of this."
"There is only one way to keep you safe and it is here."
An expression of hurt flashed across her face, but was instantly replaced by anger. "You promised me! You promised that you were not going to abandon me again!" She whirled, stormed back over to Evander. "Take me back immediately." She told him imperiously, the slight tremble in her voice the only indication of how hurt she was.
Max felt a pang of guilt, but forced himself to say lightly. "I suggest that we go in at least. The good sisters are expecting us. You can see if you like it."
"No." Liz said mutinously. She folded her arms across her chest, stared past him, her expression stony.
"Liz..."
"No."
"Very well then." Max sighed heavily, turned and pulled the bell near the door to the convent. "I will just tell them that we are leaving."
"Yes you will." Liz replied, sounding extremely angry.
The door opened after a few moments. A veiled nun smiled out at them. "Yes my son?"
"Hello Sister." Max bowed slightly. "I am afraid that you will have to tell Father William that there is to be no wedding today. Please convey my apologies that my message forced him to travel here to meet us, but my bride has decided that she does not like the looks of me after all."
He had barely managed to keep a straight face when he had heard Liz gasp following the word "wedding." He had regained control of himself by the time she shrieked his name. "MAX!"
"Yes my love?" He glanced over his shoulder. She was staring at him in astonishment.
"Why are we here?" Liz demanded, glancing at the nun, who was beginning to look amused now too.
"To get married of course." Max returned calmly. "Why else would we be here?"
Liz blinked. "But, why?" She sounded totally astounded.
"Because I love you." Max replied. "And because when you are my wife, Sir Kyle will have no legal right to ever lay hands on you again."
He felt a lump beginning to form in his throat when tears filled her dark eyes. He felt another pang of guilt. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea after all. But he had wanted to surprise her, had not expected that she would be upset.
Max hurried back towards her. "Liz? I'm sorry. We don't have to if you don't want to." He stopped about a foot away from her, reached out and gently brushed away the tear that was trailing down her soft cheek.
She sniffled. "Of course I want to." She told him, her voice soft with emotion.
He pulled her gently into his embrace. "Then why are you crying sweeting?"
"Because I didn't believe it was possible to love you more than I did before we entered this clearing, but I now know that I was wrong." She replied. "It frightens me Max. I could not bear to lose you."
He lifted her chin with his index finger, gently kissed began to kiss her tears away. "You never shall my love."
"But Max," Liz glanced over his shoulder at the nun who was still watching them, a tolerant expression of amusement on her face. She lowered her voice. "What about when you have to go back."
Although Max knew exactly what she was talking about, he pretended ignorance. "Back?"
Liz frowned at him again. She clearly was irritated that he was being so difficult. She raised her index finger up to the sky. "BACK."
He took her hand gently in his, brought her knuckle to his lips. "Oh, back." He grinned at her.
"Will you stop being so ridiculous?" Liz asked, although Max could tell that she was beginning to melt again. "Can you not be serious for one instant?"
"Well, I see two possible solutions to that." Max told her finally, when she looked like she was truly ready to explode. "One, I don't go back."
"Max!" Liz stared at him. "You HAVE to go back. It is your destiny. I will not stand between you..."
He put a gentle finger against her lips, cutting her off. "OR," He continued. "I WILL go back someday."
He felt her stiffen against him.
"You will?" She asked in a small voice.
"With my queen by my side." He finished quietly. "I have told you Liz that I will never leave you alone again and I mean it. If I go back, you go with me. That is all there is to it." He paused. "If you will go with me that is." He brushed his lips against hers. "Will my queen agree to return to my world and rule by my side?"
Liz bit her lip, smiled up at him, her smile like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. "Only if her king agrees to allow her to love him for the rest of his days."
Max felt his heart skip a beat. "She does not even need to ask." He told her, completely serious for the first time since they had arrived at the convent. "He will allow it for much longer than that." He brought his lips down onto hers again.
The nun cleared her throat delicately. "My lord? My lady? Father William awaits you. He must return to the Abbey before dark."
Max and Liz smiled at each other for a moment longer and then allowed themselves to be lead into the convent.
To be continued...
Mary felt her heart stop. It began to beat in an uneven rhythm as Maxwell managed to catch Elizabeth before she tumbled off his horse. His grip on her was not firm, however. Isabel was helping to hold her up.
Max's face was as white as Mary was sure her own was. "Bella! There's blood everywhere!" Mary had never heard Maxwell lose his composure - not through any of the disasters which seemed to be piling one on top of the other. She had not seen it up until this point. He was a born leader, but he was clearly terrified. For the first time Mary understood how Max felt about Elizabeth. That concern for her should bring him to his knees - it was unlike anything she had ever seen before.
"It's all right Max." Isabel told him firmly, taking charge of the situation. "You can heal her." She slid off her horse, helping Max to do the same. They gently laid Elizabeth on Alex's cloak, which he had removed for the purpose.
Elizabeth moaned. She was still unconscious but Mary was sure that the pain must be excruciating. They had been riding for a good half and hour. How could her friend have hidden her condition for so long?
Michael had joined the others on the ground. He was looking down at Elizabeth in horror. Mary saw him glance up at her, his expression unreadable. "I'll go find Tess and Lord Edmund. She'll be fine Maxwell." He said gruffly, when Max managed to pull his eyes off of Isabel, who was ministering to Elizabeth, preparing her for healing. She had removed Elizabeth's cloak and ruthlessly ripped her wedding gown, exposing the arrow where it penetrated Lizzy's delicate skin. It was deeply imbedded. Mary felt bile rising in her throat. "You don't have to worry about them. We'll meet you at the waterfall."
When Alexander made a reluctant move to join him, staring at Elizabeth in concern, Michael stopped him with an upraised hand. "You are needed here. I'll be fine."
Mary pursed her lips, was going to protest, but the expression of barely controlled rage on Michael's face halted her. He didn't even look at her as he swung up onto his stallion and disappeared into the foliage.
"Be careful." Mary whispered to his disappearing back.
"Mary! Stop daydreaming and come help!" Isabel ordered shrilly. "This is not going to be pleasant for Lady Elizabeth. We have to take the arrow out before Max can heal her." She glanced at Max, who was clutching Elizabeth's hand tightly. "We have little time Max. They are still after us. They could stumble across us at any time."
"Liz has even LESS time." Max replied evenly. He turned to Mary. "Can you hold her head?" He asked, clearly beginning to get back on the road to capability, which was generally his permanent path.
Mary fell to her knees at Lizzy's head. She gently lifted her friends shoulders, began to stroke her hair lovingly. "You'll be fine Lizzy dearest." Elizabeth's face was pale and her breathing was beginning to shorten.
"You're going to have to remove the arrow Alex." Isabel told him. Mary watched her brother's face blanch. "Max needs to conserve his strength for the healing." She explained. "It takes a lot out of him." She paused, glanced at Max. "And this is the biggest injury he's ever had to heal."
"WHAT!" Mary shrieked.
Max frowned at her. "It will be fine." He gentled his voice. "I will NOT let her die Mary." The quiet confidence and certainty that had appeared on his face made Mary feel better.
"We'll hold her down." Isabel said. "Max, hold her shoulder there. I have this side."
Alex slowly fell to his knees beside Isabel, staring at the arrow in consternation. "This is going to hurt her so much," he said finally.
Mary watched Isabel reach out and touch his shoulder. "You love her Alex. You can do it." Mary wondered suddenly when Isabel had started to call her brother 'Alex.'"
Alex nodded with determination. He put his hands on the arrow, flinched when Lizzy moaned again, trying to twist away from the pain.
"HOLD HER!" Max yelled at Isabel. Isabel's grip on Elizabeth tightened.
Mary's gaze flitted to her brother's face. He was breathing hard. He swallowed...and then yanked on the arrow with all his strength.
Elizabeth's scream of agony filled the clearing.
Mary's eyes had closed in horror. She felt tears trying to squeeze through her lowered lids. She angrily brushed them away. She continued to stroke Elizabeth's hair gently. "It's all right Lizzy. The worst is over." When she managed to open her eyes, she breathed a sigh of relief to see the offending arrow safely in Alexander's hands. He was staring at it in astonishment.
Mary looked at Isabel when her friend said, "You must hurry Max! That scream is going to bring Kyle and his men down on our heads!"
But Max had already begun. "Liz. LIZ! Open your eyes sweeting. You must look at me." Mary felt her heart contract at the tenderness in his voice.
She was not at all surprised when Elizabeth's eye-lids began to flutter. "Max..." She moaned. Mary bit her lip. Blood was now flowing freely from the wound in her side.
Mary watched as Max gently placed his palm face-down on the horrifying tear in Elizabeth's body. Was this really going to work? Mary knew that Maxwell had done something to Tess that Elizabeth had witnessed - something that had let Elizabeth know that he was not normal, but she had not yet come to fully accept that her new friend had miraculous healing powers.
And yet Isabel did not look concerned. There were tears in her eyes, but Mary felt that they were more for the pain Elizabeth was enduring rather than over any concern that Max wouldn't be able to heal her.
Mary heard Alexander gasp as Max's hand began to glow, but she could not tear her gaze away from the miracle that was taking place in front of her eyes.
As Mary watched, the blood on Lizzy's side began to disappear. The hole in her side began to disintegrate. Mary felt her mouth fall open, glanced up at Max.
He had a slight grimace on his face. It looked for all the world like all of Elizabeth's pain was being transferred into HIS body. Isabel reached across Liz's body suddenly, putting her hand on Max's shoulder. The expression of agony on Max's face eased slightly, as Isabel's body began to tense. She was clearly deflecting some of the pain away from Max and into HER body.
And then it was over. Max, who had been crouching, balanced on his heels, collapsed onto his knees, fatigue evident in every part of him. He did not tear his gaze from Elizabeth's face however. Isabel looked drained as well.
Elizabeth still had not moved. The foursome gathered around her continued to watch her tensely.
Mary felt her heart leap with joy as her closest friend's eyelids began to flutter again. Lizzy opened her eyes, stared up at Max in shock. "Max." She said clearly, her voice melting with emotion. She reached up a hand, touched his face. "My love."
Mary began to sob. She had just witnessed a miracle. She could see that Alexander was trying hard to maintain his composure as well.
Elizabeth sat up, looking for all the world like she had just awoken from a refreshing nap. Her face reflected her concern though. "Max? Are you all right?" Mary glanced at Max, saw that his face was still whiter than it should be, but the smile that illuminated it more than made up for it.
"I am now sweeting." He pulled her gently into his embrace, closing his eyes in relief.
Alexander was helping Isabel to her feet. "Thank you." He said to her, his voice cracking with emotion. She stumbled slightly. Alexander steadied her, pulled her into his arms. Isabel looked tense for a moment, but gradually relaxed.
It was then that Mary allowed herself a stab of concern for Michael. He was all alone in a forest crawling with men who wanted to kill him, commanded by a man who hated him almost as much as he hated his brother.
But she had no time for her concerns. Max was gently lifting Elizabeth back onto his stallion. Isabel had already mounted and Alexander was soothing his own horse before he swung up onto its back.
"Mary!" Maxwell called out. "We must ride."
You better be safe you big lummox! Mary thought to herself. For if you are not, I will have to save you and then kill you myself.
She hurried to her steed and followed closely after the others.
Part 24
Michael thrust his sword into the smoldering ashes, looked up scowling.
Where the hell were they?
He had left the others more than three hours ago, had made it back to Sanctuary in record time, despite having to avoid the Sheriff's patrols more than once. He had expected them to be waiting, had been anticipating a tongue-lashing from Lord Edmund, had expected Tess to weep and wail about how they were all betraying her, but he had not expected to find them completely gone.
There was no sign of either their guardian or their sister, not even any sort of message to relay where they had disappeared to.
It made Michael supremely uncomfortable. He wondered again whether he should have let Max talk him into the rescue of Lady Elizabeth. They had just infuriated the Sheriff and his son even further. Now there was no question that neither man would rest until he got his hands on Max - on all of them.
The hatred Michael had witnessed on Sir Kyle de Valence's face when he had looked at Max back in the chapel... It had frightened Michael in a way nothing had ever frightened him before and Michael had ALWAYS been frightened, since the day he had been old enough to realize that he and his siblings were different, that if they were ever found out, they would be killed, no questions asked.
But Michael had been unable to say no. He had seen the hopeful expression on Mary's face, had been unable to deny Max the right to claim the lady he loved when that same lady had brought Mary DeLucie into his life.
She was a like a burr in his side, like a worm in his mead, like a frayed string on his bow...
She infuriated the hell out of him, inflamed him like no one else ever had.
And for some strange reason, he found that the last thing on this planet he wanted to do was disappoint her. So, he had graciously let himself be convinced, but not before he had amused himself by making Mary think that he wasn't going to help. Her cheeks had become flushed, her enraged breathing causing her chest to heave in outrage. She had managed to berate him verbally for a full five minutes, Maxwell, Bella and Alexander all watching this with surprise, interest and amusement respectively.
He had finally shut her up by planting a kiss on her full lips. She had stared at him in full shock for a minute afterward, her mouth, for once, mercifully quiet. The silence that had fallen over the group gathered secretly near the waterfall, hidden from Lord Edmund and Tess, who would try and stop them, had been shattered when Isabel had started to laugh.
"That was amazing." Alexander had told Michael. "You're the first person who's ever been able to get her to stop talking for more than three seconds."
Michael smirked to himself now as he remembered. It made him want to climb back onto his steed and hurry to the rendezvous point, to see her again. He had not liked the fearful expression on her face when he had left her - frightened for her friend, who Michael knew without a shadow of a doubt that Max would save. But there had been something else as well.
She had been frightened for HIM.
Unfortunately Michael was not going to be able to return to his friends immediately however. He had to find Lord Edmund and Tess. No matter if they were both acting strangely of late, they were still his family. He had a duty to them. If Sir Kyle had found them, they were no doubt in grave danger. Sir Kyle would use them as bait to lure Max out of the Forest, which would result in complete exposure.
It had to be avoided at all costs. Lord Edmund had already made it clear that their presence on Earth had been completely compromised, that they were going to have to return to Antar far sooner than had been planned. But they still needed time to arrange for passage off the planet.
Michael felt a pang. For the first time ever, he realized that perhaps he was not ready to leave Earth yet.
He flinched. This was not a good sign. He knew what his destiny was. He had no choice! He had to find Lord Edmund and Tess, had to get that cursed DeLucie wench off of his mind! What was becoming of him? He was a warrior, one who had a duty to save his planet.
Michael swung up onto his horse, his jaw set.
He was NOT going to turn into Maxwell, mooning and wailing over a female.
His resolve lasted about five minutes. That was how long it took for Mary DeLucie to return to his thoughts. Michael clenched his fists on the reins, cursed a blue streak.
And heard a whistling sound that was all too familiar...followed by a loud twunk.
Michael threw himself off of his horse, plunged into the foliage. His heart was beating at double-time. He took a great gasp of air, closed his eyes, awaiting capture.
He realized suddenly that arrows were still whistling through the air and that not one had come anywhere near him. He could hear yelling nearby.
He frowned, quickly tied the horse's reins to a nearby tree, swinging his bow down off of his back and knocking an arrow as he followed the sound of the din.
He practically broke into a run when he recognized Tess's shriek. "MY LORD!"
Michael forced himself to slow down, made himself think rationally. He was alone. If he was going to save his sister, he needed to plan carefully. He couldn't let his instincts rule him as he had when the original outlaws had attacked them two days ago. It was that foolishness, the open use of his powers, that had landed them in their current debacle.
Of course all the planning in the world would have done no good had he stumbled into the clearing like a thundering stag, which he nearly did before he stopped abruptly.
Taking a deep breath, Michael peered around the tree he had barely concealed himself behind in time.
His eyes lit on Tess immediately. She was tied to a tree across the clearing, her gown in rags, her blonde hair streaming around her face, which was streaked with tears. In fact, she was currently sobbing uncontrollably.
Michael saw the reason why a moment later.
Lord Edmund was lying flat on the ground, his eyes open and staring up at the sky vacantly. An arrow stood straight up from his chest, having pierced his heart.
Good Lord.
Michael felt a stabbing pain behind his eyes, swallowed hard. This was no time for sorrow. He could mourn his foster father later. He had to save his sister!
But he knew almost instantly that he couldn't do it by himself, that he needed to go find Max immediately. He could use his powers and take out every single one of the Sheriff's men in the clearing but without Lord Edmund they had no way of escaping the planet.
And if he used his powers in front of the Sheriff, every single lawman in the country would be searching for him.
Michael felt intense rage squeezing his heart as Sheriff Valenti came into view. "We'll string him up on the London Road." He was saying to Sir Kyle, who started poking at Lord Edmund's body with his sword. Michael pressed his lips together, lowered his forehead against the trunk of the tree behind which he was concealed.
"WHY???" Tess was shrieking, her sobs barely under control. "He was innocent! Why would you kill him?"
Sir Kyle lifted his head, eyed her for a moment. "Maxwell of Huntington stole my betrothed." He replied coldly. "It should be he lying on the ground under my sword. But until that happens - which it will, mark my words - I will kill every single being dear to him in this world."
Michael forced himself to stare at Tess as her blue eyes widened in terror. "Are you going to kill me?" She asked in a small, frightened voice. He barely managed to control himself from barreling out of his hiding spot when Kyle grabbed Tess roughly by the chin and lifted her pretty face so that he could stare right into her eyes.
"I'm not done with you yet sweeting." The endearment sounded more like a curse. "You are what is going to bring that heretic right to my keep."
"He won't come." Tess said, her voice sounding weary. "He has tired of me. She is all he cares about now."
Good Tess! Michael encouraged her silently. Make him believe it!
Michael narrowed his eyes as he looked more closely at his sister's posture. For one horrible moment he thought that maybe she DID believe that Max, that Michael and Isabel would leave her in Sir Kyle's hands.
The expression on utter despair on her face...
But no. She would never believe such a thing. She knew that they had always been most protective of her. She was their beloved Tess. The rest of them could take care of themselves, Bella included, but Tess had always seemed so fragile in comparison. She had to know that they would come for her!
"We'll see." Sir Kyle replied, not sounding convinced. He motioned one of the guards forward with a gesture from his mailed hand. "Put her on a horse. We return to Nottingham."
Michael didn't move a muscle until he had seen Tess thrown face-down across the guard's horse, still bound hand and foot, didn't dare start breathing until the last of the guards had ridden out onto the King's Highway and had started to gallop off in the direction of the town.
He was back on his mount moments later, thundering off in the direction of the rendezvous point.
*********************************************
Max lifted Elizabeth gently off of Evander, held her briefly against him before letting her fall to the ground. "My love, I am so sorry that I have brought you to this." He whispered against her hair. He felt her bring her arms around him, heard her sigh of contentment as she pressed her cheek against his chest.
"I am with you. That is all that matters to me." Elizabeth replied quietly. "Why are we here though?" She stepped away from him, her hand still in his, started to look around. "We cannot be gone for long. We are both responsible for this disaster my love. We must assure that our friends are safe."
Max pulled her back against his chest, kissed her lightly on the temple. "But first I must assure that YOU are safe." He felt Elizabeth flinch against him, knew that she thought that he was planning to abandon her again, that he thought that she would be safer away from him. He smiled slightly. It, of course, could not be further from the truth.
They had left the others back at the waterfall a few hours before.
It had not taken Max long to realize what needed to be done as quickly as possible to keep Elizabeth out of Sir Kyle's hands. He had taken Alexander aside immediately to tell him what he planned.
Alexander had smirked after he had finished speaking with him. "Well, I cannot say that I am surprised." Had been his only response. "Mary is not going to be happy to be left out of this you know."
"We'll make it up to her." Max had replied. He had looked seriously at Alex. "I need you to protect Bella Alexander. Please promise me that you will do this."
Alexander's eyes had flashed momentarily. "You don't even need to ask Maxwell." Max had watched the young baron's eyes stray to his blonde sister, who was foraging in the nearby bushes for some berries with Mary at her side. The expression of adoration on his face was all the convincing Max needed.
And so Max had spirited Liz away. She had gone with him willingly enough once he had promised her that he was not planning to desert her in some forsaken castle in a misguided attempt to keep her safe.
"I will never allow you to be away from my side again." Max had replied. "I have made that mistake once and it almost resulted in disaster. I will never do it again sweetheart."
Liz stepped away from him again now though, looked around with an expression on her face that could only be suspicion. "Max, this looks disturbingly like a convent to me." She said accusingly.
"It is a convent." Max told her, raising an eyebrow. "You have a good eye sweeting."
She frowned at him, pulled her hand away from his, placed them on her slender hips. "I do not like the sound of this."
"There is only one way to keep you safe and it is here."
An expression of hurt flashed across her face, but was instantly replaced by anger. "You promised me! You promised that you were not going to abandon me again!" She whirled, stormed back over to Evander. "Take me back immediately." She told him imperiously, the slight tremble in her voice the only indication of how hurt she was.
Max felt a pang of guilt, but forced himself to say lightly. "I suggest that we go in at least. The good sisters are expecting us. You can see if you like it."
"No." Liz said mutinously. She folded her arms across her chest, stared past him, her expression stony.
"Liz..."
"No."
"Very well then." Max sighed heavily, turned and pulled the bell near the door to the convent. "I will just tell them that we are leaving."
"Yes you will." Liz replied, sounding extremely angry.
The door opened after a few moments. A veiled nun smiled out at them. "Yes my son?"
"Hello Sister." Max bowed slightly. "I am afraid that you will have to tell Father William that there is to be no wedding today. Please convey my apologies that my message forced him to travel here to meet us, but my bride has decided that she does not like the looks of me after all."
He had barely managed to keep a straight face when he had heard Liz gasp following the word "wedding." He had regained control of himself by the time she shrieked his name. "MAX!"
"Yes my love?" He glanced over his shoulder. She was staring at him in astonishment.
"Why are we here?" Liz demanded, glancing at the nun, who was beginning to look amused now too.
"To get married of course." Max returned calmly. "Why else would we be here?"
Liz blinked. "But, why?" She sounded totally astounded.
"Because I love you." Max replied. "And because when you are my wife, Sir Kyle will have no legal right to ever lay hands on you again."
He felt a lump beginning to form in his throat when tears filled her dark eyes. He felt another pang of guilt. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea after all. But he had wanted to surprise her, had not expected that she would be upset.
Max hurried back towards her. "Liz? I'm sorry. We don't have to if you don't want to." He stopped about a foot away from her, reached out and gently brushed away the tear that was trailing down her soft cheek.
She sniffled. "Of course I want to." She told him, her voice soft with emotion.
He pulled her gently into his embrace. "Then why are you crying sweeting?"
"Because I didn't believe it was possible to love you more than I did before we entered this clearing, but I now know that I was wrong." She replied. "It frightens me Max. I could not bear to lose you."
He lifted her chin with his index finger, gently kissed began to kiss her tears away. "You never shall my love."
"But Max," Liz glanced over his shoulder at the nun who was still watching them, a tolerant expression of amusement on her face. She lowered her voice. "What about when you have to go back."
Although Max knew exactly what she was talking about, he pretended ignorance. "Back?"
Liz frowned at him again. She clearly was irritated that he was being so difficult. She raised her index finger up to the sky. "BACK."
He took her hand gently in his, brought her knuckle to his lips. "Oh, back." He grinned at her.
"Will you stop being so ridiculous?" Liz asked, although Max could tell that she was beginning to melt again. "Can you not be serious for one instant?"
"Well, I see two possible solutions to that." Max told her finally, when she looked like she was truly ready to explode. "One, I don't go back."
"Max!" Liz stared at him. "You HAVE to go back. It is your destiny. I will not stand between you..."
He put a gentle finger against her lips, cutting her off. "OR," He continued. "I WILL go back someday."
He felt her stiffen against him.
"You will?" She asked in a small voice.
"With my queen by my side." He finished quietly. "I have told you Liz that I will never leave you alone again and I mean it. If I go back, you go with me. That is all there is to it." He paused. "If you will go with me that is." He brushed his lips against hers. "Will my queen agree to return to my world and rule by my side?"
Liz bit her lip, smiled up at him, her smile like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. "Only if her king agrees to allow her to love him for the rest of his days."
Max felt his heart skip a beat. "She does not even need to ask." He told her, completely serious for the first time since they had arrived at the convent. "He will allow it for much longer than that." He brought his lips down onto hers again.
The nun cleared her throat delicately. "My lord? My lady? Father William awaits you. He must return to the Abbey before dark."
Max and Liz smiled at each other for a moment longer and then allowed themselves to be lead into the convent.
To be continued...