Chapter Eight My Soul, My Life

When Stayne awoke the next morning, he felt more relaxed than he had in years. His lover's body was pressed tightly against his, and her legs were entangled with his own. He gently stroked her bare shoulder, smiling softly as he reflected on the events of the night before. No woman had ever made him feel as complete as she did. She had awakened an intensity in him that he had not known he possessed.

Alannah slowly began to stir, sighing happily at the feeling of Stayne's hand on her. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him, a sleepy smile on her face. "Good morning, love."

Stayne smiled back, and then gently kissed her. "Good morning to you, my love." Alannah sighed softly, and moved so her head was resting on his chest. She placed her hand on his chest and began to trace patterns on his flesh, giggling softly as he gasped.

All of a sudden, she stopped and looked at Stayne with a serious expression on her face. "Ilosivic? Can…can I ask you something?"

Stayne nodded. Alannah took a deep breath, and then continued.

"Did…you ever…um…sleepwiththeQueen?" Stayne goggled at her, and she blushed deeply and turned away from him. He reached out, and turned her face towards his.

"Yes. But it was not an enjoyable experience. In fact, when I was asked to perform that particular…duty"-this word was spoken in disgust and loathing-"I tried my level best to get it over with as quickly as I possibly could. Luckily for me, the Queen was more interested in ruling than in…bedroom politics."

Alannah gaped at him, and then laughed. Stayne glared balefully at her. "I'm so glad you find it amusing," he said drily. Alannah gasped for breath, and then went off into a fresh peal of giggles.

Stayne sighed in mock exasperation. "I suppose there's only one thing left to do now. Remember, Alannah, you bought this on yourself." So saying, he placed his hands on her ribs and began to tickle her. She shrieked with laughter, trying to get away from him.

"Stop! Stop! I surrender!!"

Stayne grinned wickedly. "Are you sorry for laughing at me?"

She bit her lip, and slowly nodded her head. Stayne smirked, and tickled her once more before moving his hands to her face, gently cupping it. "Good."

He kissed her forehead, then pulled away and looked at her with a curious expression on his face. "Why did you want to know if I slept with the Queen?" She blushed deeply, and spoke quietly.

"Because I wanted to know if I umm… measured up to her." Stayne laughed.

"Darling, you more than measure up to her. Last night was the most amazing night of my life. I have never felt anything quite like it. I think the main reason is because with you, I was truly making love to a woman I love. With the Queen, I was just there to warm her bed. I was convenient, nothing more."

"Was she ever in love with you?" Alannah asked quietly. Stayne looked thoughtful, and then shook his head.

"No. She was in lust with me. I doubt she even has a clue as to what love is. And I despised her completely. I even tried to kill her."

Alannah gaped at him. "When?"

He sighed softly. "When Mirana banished the both of us. I thought if I killed Iracebeth, I wouldn't have to endure her any longer. But Tarrant knocked my dagger out of my hand."

Alannah smiled at him. "But if you had killed her, it's possible you would have ended up in the White Queen's dungeons. Then we might have never met."

Stayne nodded, and then kissed her. "That…would have been a great tragedy." Alannah nodded, and slowly deepened the kiss.

"I agree." She moaned quietly as Stayne licked her throat. He smirked, and spoke in a low voice, sending a shiver through her.

"You taste so good, Alannah."

She sighed in pleasure, wrapping her arms around him.

Suddenly, the peace was shattered by the sound of someone pounding on the front door. Stayne looked up, exasperated. "Who the hell could that be?"

Alannah shook her head, bewildered. "I don't know. I rarely get visitors, and usually they just need my healing abilities."

Stayne gaped at her. "You're a healer?"

She nodded. "I took the same Oath that the White Queen did. My powers aren't as extensive as hers, but I'm rather good."

"Then why did you have a dagger when we first met? I thought part of the Oath was that you couldn't harm a living creature."

Alannah smirked. "I must have missed that part. I carry the dagger for protection." The pounding grew louder, and Alannah sighed in frustration.

"I'd better go see who it is before they break the door down." She climbed out of bed, and quickly pulled her clothes on. "Stay here."

Stayne nodded, and Alannah walked to the front door, yanking it open, ready to give her early morning visitor a few choice words in Outlandish. But any words were driven from her throat by overwhelming terror when she beheld the man standing in her doorway. She backed away, slowly shaking her head as she trembled in fear.

"Lord Maxwell. Oh No, no. No. no, no, no. You can't be here! You can't! YOU CAN'T!!" She babbled frantically, reaching out to slam the door. Lord Maxwell, who was tall and muscular, with graying hair and cold eyes, reached out and stopped the door before it shut, then stepped into the house and slammed her against the wall. He then spoke in a slow, soft voice that made Alannah shake with horror and revulsion.

"You don't seem happy to see me, Alannah. Is that any way to treat a suitor? I must say, your manners have not improved since our last meeting. No matter, there is plenty of time for me to teach you proper behavior. And I promise, it is a lesson you will not forget." Alannah sobbed in fear.

"Please…please go away. Please."

He looked at her, a malignant smile on his face. "After all the trouble I went to in finding you? You expect me to just leave?" He shook his head in mock sadness. "That would not be proper."

Alannah's eyes widened in terror as he bent to kiss her, and she struggled against him. He kissed her roughly, and she clamped her lips shut tightly. As soon as he stopped, she breathed deeply, and then screamed.

"ILOSIVIC!! HELP!! HELP!!"

Maxwell laughed maliciously. "Calling for someone? You and I both know that there is no one here. So why don't you stop with the hysterics?"

Alannah responded by screaming louder. Suddenly, she cried out as she saw Stayne come running down the hall.

Stayne, who had bolted out of bed at Alannah's scream, ran down the hall to the front door. The sight he beheld made his blood boil with rage. He walked forward, and yanked Lord Maxwell off Alannah, slamming him hard against the wall. Alannah sobbed in relief.

Stayne spoke in a deadly cold voice. "What is your business here?"

Lord Maxwell looked at him, a scornful expression on his face. "As if that is any business of yours, you worthless peasant."

Stayne smirked evilly, and then slammed Maxwell against the wall again. "I will not ask you again. What. Do. You. Want. Here?"

Alannah took a deep breath, and then spoke in a trembling voice. She shuddered in fear, and sobbed quietly, "Me. He…wants me."

Stayne looked over at her, mouth agape. She was looking at Maxwell with naked fear, and Stayne's heart twisted. 'What has this man done to her?'

Stayne looked at Maxwell, who was smirking in triumph. "That's right. So why don't you be a good lad and let me have what I want?"

Stayne took a deep breath, and then slammed Maxwell against the wall as hard as he could. Maxwell slumped, dazed and half conscious. Stayne then hoisted him up, and dragged him towards the door, flinging him into the dirt. He walked forward, and kicked Maxwell in the stomach, booting him over onto his back. Maxwell yelped in pain, and Stayne smiled maliciously at him. He reached down, and yanked Maxwell to his feet, dragging him to the end of the dirt drive that led to the house, and then spoke in a deadly cold voice.

"Get. Out. If I see your face again, I promise that you will curse the day your mother was born." He finished by flinging Maxwell out onto the path, then turned and walked back to the house.

As soon as he walked back in, Alannah gave a cry of relief and threw her arms around him. He held her as she trembled and shook with sobs.

"Shhh…It's alright now, my love. It's alright. Shhh."

Alannah gulped. "No. It isn't alright. He…HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!!" she wailed in anguish. "He's supposed to be dead," she repeated in a small voice.

Stayne looked at her, bewildered. "Who is he, Alannah? And why are you so terrified of him?"

Alannah shuddered. "It's a long story. We should probably sit down."

Stayne led her over to the couch, and she leaned against his chest. She then took a deep breath and began to speak.