Dark Sonata Page 14

  “Victoria? Can you see?” he inquired, sounding out of breath.

  Her gaze locked onto Ezra’s, who was mere inches from her, his body heat engulfing her. As seconds ticked by her mind returned. She looked around, her feet kicking in the water. The pool was deeper than it appeared for Ezra didn’t seem to be touching the bottom either. “W-what happened?”

  Ezra’s expression was guarded as he stared at her, the water sloshing around his broad shoulders. He was focused on her like she’d grown another head, his eyes moving over her face. He swore and looked away, taking a moment to respond. “You were poisoned with a very lethal fruit. Bloodberries can only be eaten when at the peak of their ripeness; otherwise they are poison to Liorians. The only cure is to … re-energize your body,” he spoke softly, his voice sounding breathless.

  Victoria tried her best to comprehend, but she wanted to groan in irritation instead. Being in the water with Ezra was a heady combination. His black shirt was sucked to his muscled body like a second skin. Dear Heaven above, his thick hair was smoothed back with the wetness, and his complexion was pure ivory against the vibrant water. His pale gaze reflected the vivid color of the water making her senses tingle when he looked at her. Water droplets stuck to his long dark eyelashes, the effect making her heart throb.

  “I’m sorry to say that you’re not finished,” he clipped out.

  She took a shaky breath, feeling his arm still clinging to her waist, holding her up. “So, am I am not replenished?”

  “Not even close. Your insides are still damaged, you have to ingest the water into your lungs,” he whispered. “We roughly have a ten minute window that we have to do this in.”

  Victoria heart started to pound. “My lungs? I will drown.”

  Ezra’s gaze bore into hers. “Yes.”

  Panic seized her as she started to push on his chest. “No. Let go!” She couldn’t drown; the thought horrified her. The thought of water filling her lungs and the panic she would feel made her want to jump out of her skin! Her whole body was trembling in terror. Victoria punched his chest, but instead of hurting him, pain erupting through her hand. His chest was like a brick wall! “Ezra no! You can’t do this!”

  “You will not die! I will bring you back to life,” he hissed and pressed her harder against the pool wall, preventing her upper body from moving. She kicked her legs trying to score a hit. She needed time to think, and she couldn’t when he was this close! He instantly grabbed both of her thighs, holding himself up in the water somehow. Before she knew it her legs were straddling his hips scandalously, his strong hands clamped right under her bottom on both sides. Victoria stilled, this moment of panic instantly morphing into something dangerous.

  Ezra was breathing hard, his hands still locked tightly to her. “You will have to trust me,” he breathed.

  “I don’t want to die … even for a second,” she pleaded, scared to move her body another inch.

  He exhaled and locked eyes with her. “I will not let you die, you will have to give me more credit than that.” He loosened his grip on her upper thighs, but did not let go, his fingers gracing her skin.

  He needed to stop touching her.

  Victoria blushed, unable to help it. Him being in between her legs was absolutely dizzying, his groin being pressed firmly into hers made her heart pummel. She couldn’t believe this was happening, never being this close to a man before. Especially when he was now peering down at her like he wanted to devour her, his gaze seeming to burn her skin where he looked. Ezra’s hands started to move, lightly squeezing her backside. His thumbs were caressing the sides of her bottom in a rhythmic pattern that almost had her panting. Excitement coursed through her body, electrifying her senses. She couldn’t focus with the pit of her tummy in turmoil, this delicious feeling flushing her limbs with heat …

  She heard him curse, lowering his head to her neck, his hands becoming more bold in their grasping. “Do you …” he breathed, his mouth grazing her flushed skin, “know how much I am restraining myself?” he said harshly into her ear.

  She let her head fall back, throwing caution to the wind. His body moving against hers was overwhelming. What woman had defenses against someone like him? He was too much.

  “Witch …” she heard him murmur. Instantly his lips were on her neck, kissing with an intensity that made her moan loudly. “Tell me you want me to touch you,” he ordered.

  Victoria felt his lips lower to the surface of the water where the swell of her breasts were. Dear goodness … what did he ask?! She felt hot, wanting him to touch her, anywhere! His hips were moving against hers; almost turning her into a wild animal. This carnal need she didn’t comprehend, not recognizing this urgency. What was he doing to her?!

  “Tell me …” he persisted into her skin. Ezra suddenly lifted her out of the water and his lips were moving over the tops of her breasts feverishly, and his hands sculpting, caressing her thighs. She was on fire, her mind burning, her senses heightened. What he was doing with his hands was driving her insane. She just wanted to give up, or give in—she didn’t know which. At this point she couldn’t tell where she began and he ended. Victoria felt more pressure exerting from his hands and she wanted to whimper and sing at the same time.

  “Tell me,” he ordered.

  “Tell y-you what?” she asked hoarsely and moaned; his hands were making it too hard to think.

  He jerked her body making Victoria lift her head. “Tell me that you want me to touch you,” he rasped, his breathing harsh. “Tell me Victoria.”

  Her skin tingled and her body felt like an eternal firestorm from his bold request. This isn’t fair … he knows exactly what he’s doing to her. The man was fully aware that she is putty in his hands! Victoria tried to think rationally. “Where? Touch me … where?”

  He laughed at her question, tilting his head at her. “Let me show you,” he whispered. He pressed her hard against the wall; his right hand rounded her bottom ending at her inner thigh. His thumb moved higher making her tense and his hand still. “Relax.”

  “Ezra,” she breathed, knowing she should stop this. Victoria tried to squirm but he held her firmly in place, eyes darkening, pupils dilating. Oh, the look he was giving her was so seductive it made her shiver, the quakes licking over her sensitive skin.

  He leaned his head into her neck as his thumb moved higher, and higher until he reached her womanhood through her lacy undergarment. She gasped at the imitate contact, his hand forcefully taking over. Ezra was murmuring something in a different language, breathing into her skin as his hand moved. Suddenly he ripped the fabric there, exposing her! His hand was instantly on her again moving over her bare flesh, her mind blown into fragments.

  Ezra exhaled and groaned into her ear. “Here, is where I want to touch you.” His skilled fingers moved over her sensitive spot making her body buck against him, “and I will, another time, touch you here again.” His hand was suddenly gone from her and his lips took hers with force, his tongue plunging into her mouth.

  And then something happened …

  They were both under the water, submerged. Ezra sucked the air from out of her lungs with his mouth making her instantly realize what was happening. He was going to drown her, for all of her air was gone. He held her down as she thrashed and kicked, desperate not to drown. His kiss was the kiss of death, and his bold touch would be forgotten. There wasn’t a single word to describe her absolute panic as she kicked for one last time before she took the water into lungs. Her mind suddenly went blank.

  Chapter eight

  Her body was engulfed in searing pain.

  Was she imagining the pain? God, she couldn’t tell.

  And what was this overwhelming sadness?

  Something has happened.

  She must remember. Yes, it was a dream she had, the sort of vision one never wanted to see again. Victoria frowned, it was tragic. The dream was heartbreaking and she had been crying. The anguish came back, fresh in her mind.

  There w
as a necklace given to her. It was almost like someone’s dying wish for her to keep it safe. Yes. A necklace with a silver ring attached to it, nothing fancy but very meaningful. Someone was dying … or had died already. She wasn’t sure.

  Victoria searched her mind desperately trying to see the image that had her so shaken. It was important but she struggled to recall the vision. Why couldn’t she see it?

  Then she remembered a key element of the dream …

  It was her! Not her who was dying, but her who had killed.

  Oh my God!

  She didn’t just kill anyone but someone who meant a great deal to her. She groaned in anger, thrashing her head back and forth. Why couldn’t she see who had she killed, her mind not allowing this simple request. Anger and pain ripped through her causing her to yell in frustration. It was like her mind was protecting her, not letting her see, wiping her mind of what she had done.

  “Victoria.”

  Victoria let out another sound of frustration.

  “Victoria!”

  Victoria thrashed awake, her body jerking as her arms flailed. “Ezra!” she screamed again, breathing hard, eyes squeezed shut. Sweat glistened on her forehead as she gasped for breath. Her eyes flickered open while she frantically surveyed her surroundings, her stare finally focusing.

  “Please, be calm!” A woman’s stern voice bellowed beside her. “It was only a nightmare, you are safe now! Be calm.”

  Victoria realized that she was in her bedroom, lying on the blush bed. It was just a night terror. Victoria glanced to her left, seeing a woman with graying brunette hair and chocolate colored eyes. She was dressed in a modest jade silk dress that matched the emeralds in her hair. The woman’s gaze held no compassion in their depths, just mild indifference as she stared back. Victoria let out a sigh of relief and laid her head back on the silk pillow, trying to calm her breathing. It was all just a bad dream. She must have fallen asleep … Victoria frowned, trying to recall earlier incidents. “Where is Perri?”

  “Once you are feeling up to it, you may eat some food to restore your strength.” She set a steaming bowl of delicious smelling broth beside her on a marble tray. “Your body has been through a lot,” she clipped out.

  “My body?” she repeated and glanced down. Victoria scowled. She was wearing a pink satin nightgown; it was lovely, feeling soft on her skin. She froze, feeling that she wore nothing under the thin garment. Taking a second to think, she knew that she didn’t dress herself in this … or did she? Her memory was fuzzy.

  “When Ezra restored you, you were too weak to even open your eyes,” the woman said and walked over to the vanity putting random things away. She shook her head while she grabbed some fabric from the ruby chest next to the mirror. “I thought Ezra was the one who was going to pass out when you finally woke. He looked paler than I’ve ever seen him.” She gave a big sigh. “That man will not last long, holding on to his soul by mere threads. He is worrying Cateria, and I don’t like to see her in such distress. But, contrary to what he thinks, I believe he would make a great Dark Lord. He doesn’t need his soul, it’s only holding him back.”

  Her memory was flooding back to her in flashes. Victoria placed a trembling hand over her mouth as she recalled being under the water, struggling for her life. But … she was alive and breathing. Ezra had brought her back like he had promised. Her skin instantly grew hot as she remembered what Ezra had done to her before he pushed her under the water. Victoria placed a hand on her burning forehead.

  “Are you alright? You looked flushed,” the woman said, standing by the bed.

  “Yes,” she said breathlessly. “I’m sorry. What was your name?”

  The woman gave her a cold look then replied, “You may call me Barbelo. I am on orders from my Mistress to take care of you. Perri is no longer able to service you.”

  Victoria sat up in the bed. “Who is your Mistress?”

  “Cateria,” the woman gave Victoria another ugly look. “I am loyal only to her,” she spat, hatred sparkling in her gaze.

  Victoria’s resolve snapped. “I am sick of hearing about Cateria! That woman has issues that go beyond her infatuation with Ezra,” she hissed, narrowing her eyes at Barbelo. “I am here to help Ezra. Everything that has happened so far was his doing; I am merely just trying not to die.”

  The woman’s eyes widened as she raised her hand high.

  “Hit her old woman and I’ll hang you by your feet,” Elm threatened from the doorway.

  Barbelo gasped and jerked around, her hand going to her throat. She took a second then stuttered, “S-she was talking ill of her betters!”

  “Betters?” he laughed harshly, striding into the room. “Cateria does not deserve the air she breathes.” He pointed to the doorway and lowered his voice, “Leave.”

  She gave Victoria a fleeting look then dashed from the room.

  Elm watched her leave then turned back to Victoria, his emerald eyes assessing her immediately. Victoria wanted to squirm but didn’t, holding herself firmly together. She pulled the bed covers higher on her chest.

  “How are you feeling?” he softly inquired, his gaze searching her face.

  Victoria swallowed, noting how much he reminded her of Ezra. They both possessed such intensity, their presence alone taking up any room. She closed her eyes for a second then glanced back up at him and observed that his red hair was tied back revealing two golden earrings. Elm wore black breeches with a gold threaded overcoat and a green silk shirt that hung loosely. Victoria looked away, and thought. “I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed,” she admitted truthfully. "No, actually, a lot overwhelmed."

  Elm pulled up the chair from the vanity and sat next to the bed. “I bet you are.” He continued, “I am here to discuss what needs to happen tonight. We have run out of time unfortunately. You’re about to feel more overwhelmed and for that, I’m sorry.”

  “Tonight?”

  He nodded. “Yes.” Elm exhaled and took a moment before talking. “Ezra did not want you to become restored for a good reason. Now that you’ve been restored, it’s like a blanket has been lifted off of you.” He gave her a serious look. “Meaning only that it is now easier to detect you.”

  Victoria nodded, slowly.

  “You need to listen carefully. The Liorians are coming to retrieve you tonight, knowing now that we have you. They can sense your energy and so can the Fallen.

  Victoria took a shaky breath. “Which part of the Underrealm? Perri has explained a little to me.”

  “All of them.”

  “All of them?” she echoed, feeling lightheaded. “So, they’re all coming tonight … for me,” she stated meekly.

  Elm tilted his head at her. “Correct. Though I am not worried as much about Ezra’s father as I am about Lord Krzan. Krzan does not know Moray wants you, but can tell you are here in Sydonia.” Elm shrugged. “He is just merely curious. He can tell something secret is going on and he hates to be the one left in the dark. If Krzan knew you could cure Moray,” he laughed, “then he would have already been here by now. Drake invited everyone to a grand party tonight to make it seem like nothing is going amiss. Liorian Masters included.”

  “But won’t Krzan be very shocked to find out that the Masters have been invited as well as Moray? That seems a little devious,” Victoria said with a scowl.

  Elm held up his hand. “Moray has not been invited. We just informed him that he is not welcome. The knowledge that Lord Krzan will be here will keep Moray at bay. Moray is dying, too weak to deal with the likes of Krzan. Moray will still come, but not to the party. He might have his army outside of Sydonia maybe waiting to ambush.”

  To her, this seemed like a disaster. “I feel like this might turn out … bad,” she admitted honestly.

  “We have no choice. Like I said, we have to deal with this because you are restored,” he said gravely. “We will keep Krzan occupied with drinks and women, while in the meantime Ezra will make the deal. When and if Michael agrees, they will take you to safety
shortly after.”

  She nodded, soaking in the information. “Where is Ezra?” she had to ask, trying not to sound too interested.

  He looked down for a minute, then back up to her. “He is not himself; he is not trusted around you. You would do well to remember that.”

  Victoria frowned, not liking the tone of his voice. “What do you mean?”

  “Ezra is close to turning, has been for a long time. His dark nature is too unpredictable. He does not trust himself with you, he would never forgive himself if anything happened,” Elm said truthfully.

  She swallowed.

  “You don’t look the same Victoria,” he continued. “Ezra, I believe, has a certain fondness for you that could prove to be very dangerous,” he paused, choosing his words carefully. “Your beauty is more radiant now, and Ezra doesn’t seem to have any restraint with you, if you get my meaning. Though, I can’t say I blame him,” he murmured with a warm smile.

  Victoria blushed. “M-may I see a mirror?” she asked, wanting to see what he was talking about. She couldn’t look that different, could she? Elm nodded and immediately a mirror manifested in his hand. Not bothering to ask how he did that, she took the mirror, gazing into it apprehensively.

  The image was someone else. “This is not me,” she whispered unbelieving. She touched her face with her free hand, noting how absolutely pure her skin appeared. Her lips were fuller, pinker. Victoria stared into her own eyes, seeing how crystal clear they seemed. The sapphire was shockingly vivid, seeming to glow through her thick fringe of sooty lashes. Her eyelashes had always been a light color, but now they were black. Her eyebrows were darker as well, arching higher. Her cheekbones appeared to be more pronounced, the graceful line of her nose was simply delicate. It seemed the only thing that stayed the same was her pale hair color, the silver contrasting with her dark lashes.