The Darkest Crown (The Eternal Darkness Duet #2)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I jerked awake, gasping. Marius was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching me. He reached towards me, and I flinched. He let his hand fall and looked at me regretfully.

“I’m sorry, my love," He said softly. I was so frightened, his words barely registered. “I had no way of knowing,” he continued. “How is this possible?” He looked at me, as if expecting an answer, but I had no idea what he was talking about. “Where have you been all this time?”

He reached for my hand again and I pulled back. His eyes filled with tears, and I stared at them. He had human tears, not blood tears. He reached for my hand again, and I was so distracted by his tears that I let him take it.

“Phaedra,” he breathed, holding my hand to his cheek. He turned his face and pressed a kiss to my palm. A single tear rolled down his cheek, and I watched it, mesmerized.

“I’m so sorry,” he murmured against my hand. “I should have never brought the child. Forgive me.” He looked at me in anguish, and my mind raced. I was afraid whatever I said would set him off.

“It’s okay,” I finally said, pulling my hand away.

He frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me it was you? Why did you let me hurt you?” When I remained silent, his eyes narrowed. “You don’t remember, do you? You don’t know me.”

I hesitated. As long as he believed I was this Phaedra person, I was safe. “I’m confused.”

He stared directly into my eyes. “You don’t remember now, but you will.”

He left me then, telling me it was still daytime and I needed to rest. After he disappeared, I sat in stunned silence, frantically trying to think of a way to use his madness to my advantage. I could play along, and pretend to be this Phaedra person, but Julian said he could read minds, so he’d know I was lying. Then again, if he could read minds, he’d know I wasn’t Phaedra. And he’d have known I wasn’t a witch. The more I thought, the more confused I became. But it was daytime, and I could only fight sleep for so long.

I stood to the side, watching the others dance around the fire. The air was heavy with the scent of lavender, and the sky was clear and full of stars. The gods had blessed us with the perfect night.

The music was lively, and wine flowed heavily. Everyone was having a wonderful time. I tapped my toe to the beat of the drums, growing impatient. Then I saw him, coming towards me through the crowd.

I scowled when he reached my side. “You’re late.”

He grinned and swung me into his arms. “Forgive me, wife.”

I laughed. “Just this once.”

I rose up on my toes to kiss him, and he pulled me tight against him.

“Will you dance with me?” he asked, against my lips. I nodded, and he pulled me closer to the fire.

We joined the other dancers, twirling, and clapping along to the music. Marius tipped his head back and laughed, and I watched the shadows from the flames dance over his face. He saw me watching him, and his lips slowly curved. I knew what that smile meant.

I grabbed his hand and pulled him through the crowd. He laughed, allowing me to drag him along. When we reached the edge of the crowd, I smiled at him over my shoulder, then released his hand and broke into a run. He whooped and gave chase. He could have caught me easily, but where was the fun in that?

When we reached the middle of the field, he grabbed me and swung me in a circle. I shrieked and laughed as we tumbled to the ground. He rolled on top of me, still laughing, and I reached up to move his hair out of his face.

His laughter faded as he looked down at me, and his face grew serious. He lowered his head and brushed his lips across mine.

“Phaedra.”

I jerked awake, flying upright in bed. I looked around, panicked, but I was alone. I pressed a hand to my chest, struggling to control my rapid heartbeat. Marius’ voice still echoed in my mind, calling me Phaedra. His hair had been dark in my dream, and his eyes brown, but there was no denying it was him.

I kicked the blanket off me and slid out of bed. I was still wearing my dress from the night before, and I ran my hand over the wrinkled fabric, thinking of Julian and Adam. The last time I saw them, the king had them in the grip of his power. I thought he was killing them. But where were they now? Had Marius gone back to finish them off?

I looked around the windowless room. “Hello?” I called. Instantly, he appeared in front of me, and I stumbled back, startled.

He grasped my arms gently to steady me. “I’m sorry to frighten you.”

I took a step back, and he released me. “A room with a door would be an improvement,” I said without thinking.

He laughed, startling me again. “Yes. You shall have a room with a door. Let me take you from this place.” He held a hand out to me, and I stared at it, not trusting him.

I didn’t want to take his hand. I knew he was going to fly us out of there, if what he did even was flying . How could you fly through stone walls? Reluctantly, I placed my hand in his.

He pulled me close, and I stood very still while he wrapped his arms around me. He placed a hand on the back of my head and gently pulled me to his chest. “Take a deep breath.”

I inhaled, filling my lungs with air, and then we were gone. It was a moment of darkness, then we were at our new location. I blinked, stunned by how different the flight was this time. There was no wind, no wild spinning. I wasn’t nauseous or disorientated.

“That was different,” I murmured.

He looked at me with regret. “I’m sorry, I made no effort to shield you before.” He raised a hand to brush a strand of hair off my face. “If I had known it was you… Will you forgive me?”

I nodded and looked away. I fully intended to use his madness to my advantage, but it was unsettling when he spoke to me like that.

I looked around at the room we’d landed in. It was enormous, with soaring ceilings, and an upper balcony on one side. The plaster walls were chipped and faded, and the few pieces of furniture looked like they’d crumble if I sat on them. There were no windows, only a large doorway on both ends of the room, and a massive fireplace on one wall.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“Still at the castle,” Marius replied. “In Germany.”

Germany! I turned away to hide my disappointment. How was I supposed to get home from Germany?

“I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve let my home fall into disrepair,” he said, looking around the room. “It’s been so long since I’ve entertained.” He shrugged. “I didn’t see the point in renovating.” He turned to me and smiled. “But have no fear, work will begin immediately. And I’ll hire a full staff.” He stepped closer and took my hand. “You can decorate however you please.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded. He lifted his free hand and brushed my hair back over my shoulder, letting his fingers graze my neck. I held my breath, waiting, but he lowered his hand. His smile disappeared, and he looked almost sad.

“I’m sorry for what I did,” he said, and I swallowed nervously. “I let the sun burn you.” He shook his head, then he frowned. “What happened to your power, Phaedra?”

“My name is Sarah,” I said hesitantly.

He shook his head again. “No. You are Phaedra. I knew it the moment I tasted your blood.” Suddenly, his gaze sharpened. “You must drink from me.”

I started to shake my head, but he grabbed my arms, pulling me closer. “I knew the truth when I tasted your blood,” he said excitedly. “The same will happen for you, when you drink mine.” I slowly shook my head. I knew what would happen if I drank from him. He was trying to make me desire him. He squeezed my arms. “You must , Phaedra!”

“Will you force me?” I asked fearfully.

He instantly released me, his expression softening. “No, my love. I would never force you to do anything.”

Freed from his grip, I stepped away.

“It would be the fastest way to regain your memories,” he continued, “but I will be patient.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, relieved that he wouldn't drug me with his blood.

He stared at me for the longest time, and I began to fidget under the intensity of his gaze. The silence between us stretched on, and I grew more worried with every passing second. Why was he staring at me like that?

“You were born in Andros,” he said softly, finally breaking the silence. “A small village, that lay in the shadow of the sacred mountain. We knew each other all our lives, but you never truly saw me until the night of harvest festival, in your seventeenth year. I don’t know what made you finally notice me that night, but whatever it was, I was grateful. Because I had always noticed you.”

Marius was looking at me as he spoke, with a mixture of hope and sadness. I remained silent, too frightened to say anything.

“When I approached your father for your hand, he threw me out of the house,” Marius continued. “But you badgered him endlessly, never giving him a moment's peace until he gave his approval.” He smiled softly, a far off look on his face. “We had a modest home, near the lavender fields. I was a carpenter, and you played the lyre. Shortly after we wed, I made a cradle for the babe we hoped to have. But that babe never came.” He stepped closer, and I swallowed. His words were drawing me in, making me wonder if he was using his power on me.

“You grew sadder with each passing year. You prayed to the gods- we both did, but they did not answer. One year, on the night of the winter solstice, you went to the temple and offered a sacrifice to Demeter, and she finally answered your call.” I watched Marius’s face harden, my heart beating frantically in my chest. “She cursed you, Phaedra. For daring to ask for a child, she cursed you . You nearly killed me that night.”

I was picturing it, as he spoke. I knew he was mad, that it wasn’t real, but his words still affected me.

“It was different for you then," he continued. "You had incredible abilities. The sun didn’t bother you, but you needed blood to survive. As the years passed, it became obvious you weren’t aging. So you changed me, so we could be together forever.”

He shook his head in amazement. “Neither of us understood how you knew how to do it. It just came to you, instinctively. For almost a century, we were happy. But you never stopped longing for a child. Then a fever swept through town, killing so many. There was a girl, barely four years old.”

“Stop!” The word burst out of me, surprising us both. I looked away, unsettled.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I only wanted to help you remember.” We both stood silently for a moment before he spoke again. “Will you walk with me?” Too upset to speak, I nodded.

Marius led me through the castle, pointing out various things. He told me what each room was used for, and spoke of the gatherings that used to take place there. He pointed out areas that needed repairs, and assured me that shutters would be installed immediately. I listened with half an ear, making a mental note of where all the exits were. We were just headed outside when a roar filled the air, causing me to freeze in my tracks.

“It’s alright,” Marius said. “Come.” He beckoned me to follow, and I nervously stepped out into a huge courtyard where two male vampires were fighting. They tore at each other, while a group watched from the sides. I gasped, and one of the fighters jerked his head towards me. The other took advantage of his distraction, and kicked him in the back, sending him flying forward. The vampire flew across the courtyard, slammed into the ground and slid several feet before coming to a stop in front of us.

I quickly stepped behind Marius, but he only grinned. “Bested again, Alfred?”

The vampire pushed himself to his feet and smiled ruefully. “I was distracted by a heavenly vision.”

He bowed his head to me, and Marius chuckled. “Did a heavenly vision distract you last time as well?”

The guys standing on the other side of the courtyard started laughing, and I looked around bewildered. What was happening?

The vampire in front of me, Alfred , only grinned. “No. Last time Eskel cheated.” He nodded his head towards the blonde giant that had kicked him in the back.

The others crossed the courtyard to join us, and I tried not to tremble. They were all massive, and I could practically feel the power radiating off them.

I was still cowering behind Marius, and he took my hand, tugging me forward. “Sarah, these are my most trusted friends, formally, the King’s Guard.”

“Not that he needs one,” someone muttered, eliciting laughs from the others.

“May I present Eskel, their fearless leader.” The blonde giant bowed his head to me, and Marius introduced the others, pointing to each of them in turn. “And this is Michael, Gregor, Hugh, Godwin, Harold, Marc, and Alfred.”

Alfred grinned. “He always saves the best for last.”

They all looked at me expectantly. I didn’t know what to say, so I just waved awkwardly. Apparently that was enough, because they all grinned at me. Marius chatted with them for a bit, and I watched silently, astounded by their lightheartedness. Watching Marius joke around with them was confusing. I’d only ever seen him be cruel. He tortured Adam and Julian, and he almost burned me alive, but now he was like a totally different person. I wondered if it was due to his madness. Like he had split personalities or something.

We eventually left, so the guys could get back to their training. What they were training for, I had no idea. Marius led me back inside, showing me to an interior room that would be my temporary bedroom, until the window shutters were installed. He left me for a while, and I sat on the bed and stared at the wall, trying to think of a way to ask about Allie.

As luck would have it, Marius brought the subject up himself, when he returned a while later with a glass of blood. He offered it to me, and as I took my first sip, he said, “I’ve sent for your sister.”

Surprised, I choked and almost spit out the blood. I coughed a few times, blinking rapidly.

“Allie’s coming here?” I asked, when I could finally speak.

“Yes. She’ll be here by the time you wake tomorrow.”

I stared into my cup. Allie was coming. I was relieved to know she was safe, but I’d planned on escaping. Getting us both out would be a lot harder. With her human speed and strength, I didn’t know how we’d manage it.

“I thought this would please you,” Marius said, making me realize I’d been silent too long.

“It does,” I said quickly. “Thank you.” I took a long drink, emptying my cup.

Marius sat down in a wooden armchair and stretched his legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankles. “Tell me about yourself,” he said. “Where have you been all this time?”

All what time? “There’s not much to tell.”

He frowned. “It’s been over two thousand years since you left me. There must be something to tell.”

He was talking about Phaedra. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to piss him off when Allie was coming, but I didn’t want to play along and have him read my mind and know I was lying.

“I want to hear about you ,” I said, sitting on the edge of the bed. He glanced at the empty chair next to him, and I pretended not to notice. “You said it's been two thousand years. What have you been doing all that time?

“What have I been doing?” He leaned his head back against the chair and looked up at the ceiling. “I have been trapped in this hell, tormented by guilt, unable to atone for my sins.”

Well fuck. What was I supposed to say to that?

He straightened his head to look at me, and his expression was so intense I almost flinched. “Say you forgive me,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

“Sure.” I looked down and ran my hand over the bedspread, trying to escape his gaze.

I heard the chair scrape against the stone floor and my head jerked up to see him walking towards me. I forced myself to remain still as he fell to his knees at my feet. He grabbed my hands and brought them to his chest, pulling me forward so that I was leaning over him.

His face was anguished when he spoke. “I should have never brought the child. I only wanted to make you happy. Say you forgive me, Phaedra.”

“My name is Sarah,” I whispered fearfully.

“You are Phaedra," he said roughly, squeezing my hands. “You must remember.”

I tried to pull away. “You said you wouldn’t pressure me.”

He closed his eyes, and the muscle in his jaw clenched. Then he slowly released my hands and stood. “I apologize. I will leave you now.”

I watched him leave, stunned by his sudden change in behavior. When the door closed behind him I flopped back on the bed. “Fuck!”