DARK SIDE OF THE GLASS
CHAPTER 33
Of course, when it comes to plans…things do not always go as everyone expects them to. The day started out wonderfully; the air was fresh and smelled very sweet. Lavanya arose early and decided she was going to take an early morning ride.
Sumukhi, her four-year-old filly, had arrived a couple of days ago, and the moment Lavanya saw her, it was love at first sight. Pure white with black eyes and muzzle, she was as light and whimsical as D'Ombre was dark and sinful.
This was going to be a tremendous day for Lavanya; she was going to get Erik out in public. She would encourage him to act on any instinct that he had when it came to showing affection toward her – especially in public – and let all of Paris know that she was proud to be his wife, and that he was a desirable and dynamic man.
The thought made her smile; she almost skipped the entire path to the corral and stables, and would have had she not looked up and witnessed a mating dance between D'Ombre and Sumukhi.
She gasped and threw her hand over her mouth in shock. Lavanya ran back to the house as fast as she could, bounded up the stairs, and flew through Erik's bedroom door.
He was not immediately visible, and so she followed the low, rumbling sound of his humming. She went to the water closet, threw open the door and stared in pleased wonder at his almost nude form hidden only by a luxurious white towel which hung perilously over his lean, powerful hips.
Erik, unaware of his attractiveness, stared in disbelief at the image of his wife staring at him; and him in a state of near nudity.
He glanced at his watch, which hung over the hook on the wall, and noticed that it was nowhere close to being time to leave – and if she was planning on wearing that outfit she had on, he may not make it through the day without breaking every vow he had made to himself.
She was breathing heavily from her romp from the stables to the house and up the stairs, and he could see that there was a panicked look in her eyes.
"Anya…what is it…you look as though you have seen a ghost?"
She put her hands on her knees and leaned over to catch her breath before finally straightening up and speaking.
"Your stud of a horse has found my Sumukhi and he has had his way with her."
"Excuse me?" He asked in a dark tone – mixed amusingly with mirth.
She pointed her finger – not caring that it pointed in the opposite direction from the stables - to emphasize her point.
"D'Ombre violated Sumukhi!"
She was almost in tears as she spoke and Erik noticed her distress.
He pulled her trembling form to him and encased her in his warm, heavenly smelling arms. She curled against him, amazed at how soft the spattering of dark hairs were that covered just the perfect amount of his sculptured chest.
"He did not violate her…dear one…it is natural; although I had not considered this happening…at least not so soon."
Erik chuckled softly, calming her frazzled nerves with his easy acceptance of the situation. He moved his large hand over the smooth surface of her hair, releasing its fragrant sweetness into the air.
"Come, we will go check on them."
He dressed quickly, but she marveled at the artful elegance in each move of his graceful form. He slipped into his large closet and came out a few moments later wearing a ruffled shirt that he was still tucking into a pair of ivory trousers that hugged his strong hips and tapered down over a pair of black leather Wellington's polished to a shimmering glaze.
In a word…he was breathtaking. Images of the night before, as well as the feel of his mouth against hers and his hands evoking shivers of pleasure through her, succeeded in riling her passions again…but there were urgent things to tend to.
In less than five minutes, they walked out of his room and made their way toward the stables.
"This could have been going on for some time, now…I have not been paying much attention…" Erik admitted, "…he has never mated before…" Lavanya lifted a brow and smirked at him, "…and you must admit….Sumukhi is a pretty little thing."
"He has never mated?" Lavanya finally asked.
Erik shook his head and smiled sadly, "No…my fate was to be his fate…I suppose it is too late for that."
She would certainly address that issue later, but Sumukhi was her priority at the moment.
D'Ombre had dismounted and was circling the corral in a lazy gallop. Sumukhi was nonchalantly ignoring him, drinking water from the trough.
"She seems rather bored at this point." Lavanya observed.
Erik climbed over the fence and approached D'Ombre slowly, noticing that the stallion was prancing proudly around the circumference of the fenced area. He seemed agitated – more so than usual…and even Erik's calming voice was not working.
"Hello, you frisky devil…" Erik cooed as the pitch black, Arabian stallion eyed him suspiciously. "…I am not here to take her from you…"
D'Ombre, normally even-tempered and tolerant of Erik's presence, was snorting and kicking up the sod with erratic steps and prancing.
"I think the lady is recuperating right now, my impatient friend…." Erik looked over at Sumukhi and chucked again, "…you certainly do have an eye for the ladies, you stud."
At that, D'Ombre whinnied loudly and rolled his upper lip back in a grin. Erik tentatively reached his hand out to nuzzle his nose and was finally able to embrace the neck of his dearest and most faithful friend.
Erik whispered against D'Ombre's flicking ear, "I am glad one of us is able to make a female happy."
He walked back over to Lavanya and crawled over the fence. They stood there quietly, watching the two Arabian horses completely ignore each other; but D'Ombre once again started his agitated behavior.
"She certainly has him in an uproar." Erik commented with a chuckle.
"Is this behavior normal?" Lavanya asked.
Erik shrugged his shoulders and dropped his head.
"I have no idea…this whole process is as new to me as it is to him."
They watched the horses for a little longer and started back toward the house…Erik could not understand D'Ombre's unusual behavior, but decided it was most likely due to his newfound manhood – or stallionhood – as the case may be.
It was ten-thirty in the morning before they made their way back toward the manor.
"How long have you and D'Ombre been best friends?" Lavanya asked, smiling just a little bit.
Erik shrugged his shoulders and kept walking.
"I found him – or rather – he found me when he was just a colt. That was ten years ago…when I returned to Paris."
He walked with his hands locked behind his back and his sharp eyes watching the hills around them; something did not feel right.
"He has never judged me nor renounced me in any way, he is always there when I need him and he never talks back…" He glanced at her and his lips quirked in a smirk.
"But he does join you on stirring choruses of Irish drinking songs, singing sharply when you are inebriated…at least that is the story I hear."
She spoke in jest and Erik could feel his skin slightly blush as he remembered their teasing from a few days ago; it felt good to have someone whose sense of humor seemed to match his own. She was witty and smart, and Erik loved to hear her laugh. He had watched her work with Sumukhi as soon as the pony arrived; her knowledge of horses was limited, but she had read several articles and a couple of small books that Erik had provided and she soaked up the knowledge.
They entered through the front door and were confronted by Mr. Tibbs' stern countenance.
"Neither one of you ate any breakfast; it is now being served on the garden portico."
Erik and Lavanya shared "the look" and proceeded to follow Mr. Tibbs to the porch. Erik addressed the aged man as he sat down.
"I seldom eat around others…"
Mr. Tibbs smiled imperceptibly, and there was a twinkle in his warm eyes.
"I know, master, but it is high time you started. You have a beautiful wife that enjoys your company and she has expressed her disappointment in your absence over the past several days."
Erik looked at Lavanya and she only smiled; a slightly coy smile, but a smile nonetheless. Did she really enjoy his company – his drab, unremarkable company?
"Is this true?" Erik asked.
Lavanya shrugged her shoulders and piddled with the food on her plate.
"I may have mumbled rather loudly..." she stated, absently.
Erik smirked at that, and noticed that she lifted her eyes and gave him a lop-sided smile.
"I am sorry, Anya…no one has ever shown an interest in my company…" he lifted a brow and chuckled at the same time, "…the exact opposite actually." He admitted.
He suddenly pulled his watch from his pocket and glanced at it, a frown forming on his features.
"We are going to be late for our lunch and Louvre excursion."
Lavanya smiled and sighed.
"We can postpone for another day..."
Much to his credit, Erik actually managed to look disappointed. She leaned toward him and continued.
"…however, do not think that you are going to get away that easily…I need to go into town for a specific item that should be ready by now."
Although his curiosity was piqued, Erik did not ask. He headed toward the stairs and turned toward her at the third one to speak to her.
"I will be ready in a few minutes."
He instructed Mr. Tibbs to have the carriage brought around and trotted up the stairs, anticipating an afternoon in her company.
True to his word, Erik emerged a few minutes later, having exchanged his knee-length Wellington's for more fashionable ankle boots. He had also put on a silk waistcoat.
She gave him an approving look and then smiled. He offered his arm and they walked to the carriage together. Erik helped her into the carriage and took the seat directly across from her. He still was not certain how much of his company she was willing to tolerate, but she had asked him to take her in to town; and he desperately wanted to be with her.
"I think that we should stop by the Populaire and surprise Tarrah for lunch, she would enjoy that." Erik offered. "It would also give me a chance to apologize and hear her side of the story."
Lavanya was pleased with that idea and smiled brightly.
"I miss her; I have not seen her since you two had words."
Erik suddenly seemed to be lost in thought and did not respond to her; Lavanya stared at his masked profile, he suddenly seemed concerned and acutely disturbed about something.
"Erik?"
He still did not hear her.
"Erik!"
He heard her that time and jolted from his comatose stare.
"Where were you just now…you seemed far away?"
His eyes were deeply troubled and a shiver of dread washed over him…but he had no idea why.
"What is it, Erik…what is wrong?"
He spoke, but he seemed to be looking on the whole scene from a different realm of reality…there was a disturbance within him that left him feeling eerily uneasy.
"I do not know…" he shook his head and frowned, "…I just feel as though something is terribly wrong."
The look on his face made her blood run cold and she began to feel the prickly feeling of an imposing darkness sweep down on her.
Erik could see that she was as disturbed as he was and opened the window to the front of the carriage to instruct the driver to take them back home. They had only been gone twenty minutes, and it would take another twenty minutes to get home.
Neither of them doubted that there was something wrong – but neither of them could determine what it could be. Erik went over everything in his mind; every detail replaying back to him with astounding accuracy.
D'Ombre's skittish behavior and uncompromising stubbornness; the unwavering and disconcerting feeling that he was being watched – which was not a totally unfamiliar feeling – and the strange heaviness in the air…everything was beginning to make sense…
"I am sure it is nothing but my over active imagination, Anya; please do not look so worried."
She had curled up on the edge of the seat, pushing against the frame of the carriage as though needing it for life support.
His words brought her no comfort, because he did not sound convincing. He did not believe the words he was saying – why should she?
"I will feel better when we get home and find out for certain."
Erik agreed, with a deep, throaty sound that came out like a grunt.
Lavanya wanted nothing more than to ease into his lap, put her face against his strong chest, and feel his heart beating relentlessly against her cheek; but she stayed in her seat and settled for watching him brood two feet from her - but in reality – he was much further away.
They passed the edge of their property and Erik sat up straighter, watching the edge of the row of trees with an eagle eye. There was something out there; he could feel it with an intensity that had been beat into him years ago.
He looked at Lavanya and felt the overwhelming urge to take her in his arms – there was a threat present – he did not know who or what – but it was out there; and she was the most important person in his life. He would die protecting her if need be.
The carriage halted and Erik jumped out - motioning for Lavanya to stay inside. He circled the carriage, surveying the outer limits of the manor and the immediate grounds as thoroughly as a military regiment scouting the area for the enemy.
There was a strange scent on the air, one he did not recognize, and another that held a hint of familiarity – although he could not place it. However, whoever they had been, they were gone now.
He went back to the carriage and opened the door to assist Lavanya in getting out. He held her hand tightly and then circled her waist with his arm, bringing her flush against him – but his mind did not steer in a lustful direction – he was concentrating on keeping her safe.
"Whoever it was is gone, but I know they were here…" He whispered into her ear, "…stay beside me and do not venture away…" he tilted her chin up with the soft pad of his finger, "…I know you can handle yourself in a threatening situation - but I am begging you to do as I ask." He placed a tender kiss upon her lips, and his eyes pleaded with such tenderness, "I would die before allowing anything to happen to you."
His words bolted straight through her, lodging firmly in her heart; and in that moment, she knew he loved her with such ferocity that it terrified him – and he intended to hold the secret within him…thinking his love was not wanted.
She started to tell him that she felt the same way about loosing him, but he had taken control of the situation and was moving toward the door. Erik was holding her firmly to his side as he slung the door open and pushed Lavanya behind him, ensuring that should there be anyone on the other side bent on doing harm – the harm would fall on him.
At first, all seemed as it should have been, but then Erik's sensitive ears picked up on a low, muffled sound that sounded like a person in pain, distress, or both.
"Erik…" Lavanya also heard the sound; and her voice trembled with emotion and fear.
The thick, coppery smell of blood permeated his nostrils and he felt like regurgitating from the pungent odor.
Following the smell into the parlor, Erik entered the room and looked around; before he could stop her, Lavanya rushed past him, and did the same.
He heard the noise again, and pulling Lavanya along beside him, he moved toward the large storage closet attached to the room. Before touching the handle to open the door, Erik noticed the bloody handprint that coated it.
He dreaded opening the door, the horrors that he was certain awaited him were already shouldering their way into his mind. He tentatively lifted the handle and the door inched open.
Erik's body was alive with an adrenalin rush that made him even more dangerous than usual; and he was ready for whatever was behind the door.
Or, so he thought.
Mr. Tibbs, Mitzi, and Mrs. McGhee were stripped, bound, gagged, and blindfolded. They sat on the floor – back to back – and their wrists had been slit.
Erik released Lavanya and immediately cut the ropes that bound them. He laid them all down, removed his shirt, and began tearing it in strips; he turned to Lavanya – and noticed she was as white a sheet, but she was coherent.
"Anya – I need you to heat three poker irons at the fire place – immediately…"
When she did not respond, he gripped her shoulder with on hand, lifted her chin with the other, and stared deeply into her eyes, "Sweetheart…they will die if we do not stop the bleeding."
She heard that and immediately did as he asked. Erik began cutting off blood supply by binding their arms; that done, he ran to the nearest linen closet and grabbed blankets to cover them.
Lavanya had entered the room a few minutes earlier and the pokers were heating in the fire.
Erik knew it had been long enough.
"Bring me one, Anya."
She did, and Erik used it to touch Mrs. McGhee's wrist. She screamed from the pain, but Erik was just thankful she had not sunk into a black abyss between death and life.
Next, he did Mitzi and then Mr. Tibbs – whom they almost lost; if it hadn't been for Erik's medical knowledge, they would have lost him.
He laid them all down in the quest rooms. All he could offer them for pain was alcohol and he made them as comfortable as possible.
Before Mr. Tibbs closed his eyes to blessed sleep, he whispered a name that made Erik's heart stop and the color drain from him.
"D'Ombre."
TBC