Deadly Secrets by M J Marlow (good short books .txt) 📖

door fast. “It is a long way to Plymouth. We must get there to meet the boats.” “Elis!” Sylvia sobbed as their friend collapsed to her knees. Elis was as white as a sheet and unresponsive. “Oh God, Sabina. What did they do to her?” “He was my friend,” Elis said softly, her voice filled with pain. “They murdered my friend!” She burst into tears and Sylvia threw her arms around her as Sabina looked for something to wrap around her. Elis looked up at them in confusion. “Why would he kill my friend, Sylvia? There was no need.” “Sabina? Sylvia sobbed as she looked at Elis just sitting there, frozen in place. She waved her hand in front of the girl’s eyes and Elis did not respond. “What did he do to her?” “Be quiet, Sylvia,” Sabina frowned as she sat down on the other bunk. “I need to think.” Sylvia helped Elis over to one of the bunks and sat down beside her, stroking her back and rocking her. Sabina saw the built in desk and smiled. As the wagon moved off, she went to it and opened the lid. She pulled out a pen and a sheet of paper and wrote ten notes. She folded the first and went to the door, opening the little window. Then she tossed the note out, smiling. “They think we’re helpless children, Sylvia,” she said as she sat down on a nearby trunk. “But they’re going to learn different.” The wagon kept moving through the rest of the day. When they finally stopped for the night, the girls were yanked out and held as the leader came towards them. He held out a piece of paper and looked at them coldly. “Which one of you is responsible for this?” he asked them. “Speak and the other two will not be harmed.” “I did,” Elis said as she glared at him coldly. She looked at the sisters and they knew to stay quiet. “You really think you can steal children and they will sit quiet for you?” she snapped as she met his eyes. “Well, that is not going to happen, you murderer!” He slapped her across the face and she didn’t flinch. “Is that all?” she laughed at him, letting herself rage. “I’ve been beat by stronger men than you. I will not tremble in terror or break down and whimper for any man ever again!” Someone in the shadows began clapping and everyone turned to see a tall, dark-haired bearded man stepping out. His sharp eyes swept over the people in disdain and Elis watched as they all went to their knees before him. But her eyes did not remain long on the older man who looked like her Papa. Alexei was standing at the man’s shoulder, looking at her captors coldly. She ran to him, and he held her as she struggled not to cry. Somehow she had the feeling it was not the right emotion to display at the moment. “Ivanev!” The man she had been facing got to his feet and went to the old man. This stranger slapped him across the face and said something in a language Elis did not understand. The man went to his knees and lowered his head, his face pale. Whatever had been said, it had cowed the man completely. A chair was brought and he sat down and held his hand out to her. Elis went to him at Alexei’s nod and he smiled as he held her hand, lovingly and with great pride. “Granddaughter, you have our fire! I am quite proud of you.” He looked over at Rafael. “That one will not bother you again.” He let her go. “Bring chairs for my grandchildren and their friends!” he barked and people went into action. “We will eat before we judge this clan.” For the next several hours, they ate with the people who had kidnapped them and Elis wondered what was going on. Her grandfather was definitely the man in charge here. People jumped as he gave orders and did so with an eagerness that intrigued her. Papa had never spoken to her about his parents so she knew nothing about this enigmatic man. When the meal was over, he clapped his hands and the people were on their knees again. “In deference to my granddaughter and her lovely friends,” he said harshly, “the trial will be in English.” He looked up as he heard someone riding in. “That will be your cousins, Elissa.” He nodded as Philip, Nicholas, Daniel, Martin, and the MacGregor brothers rode in and dismounted. They smiled briefly as they saw that Elissa and the girls were well and then bowed to her grandfather. “Seats for our guests!” When the chairs had been brought, he clapped his hands. “We sit here in judgment on the clan Ivanev.” He looked at Rafael in anger. “You stole our granddaughter, Ivanev, and murdered one who was dear to her to do so. What possible defense could you give for such an action?” Rafael could only hang his head. Anton turned to Elis. “Did he lay hands on you, girl?” “Only to control, Grandfather,” Elis told him. “He said he was going to make me marry him when Alexei arrived.” “Do you realize what this means, Ivanev?” her Grandfather hissed. “By law and custom, a marriage of the High King’s female relatives must be approved. By attempting to force her, you have stripped yourself and your clan of all protection.” He looked over at Philip and the others. “He can stand to your English laws, gentlemen, for his actions.” “MacGregor,” Philip looked over at Andrew. “Take him into custody. Martin, go with them and see your nieces safely home.” “That one stays,” Anton stated coldly. “Send another, Lord Philip. We have questions for Baron Everley.” Philip nodded to Nicholas and his brother balked a moment. He did as he was told and the five men rode off with Sabina and Sylvia without a word. Elis looked at the stern look on her grandfather’s face and wondered what he wanted with Baron Everley. She looked at Alexei and guessed from her brother’s look what this was about. Her grandfather would kill him! She could not allow that to happen to him. He had only wanted to keep her safe from the others. He did not deserve to be harmed for that. Everley stepped forward and bowed to her grandfather again. “Your Majesty,” he said simply. “I am ready to answer any questions you have for me.” He looked at Elis briefly and saw her concern and he was heartened. She really did care about him. “You and my grandson involved my granddaughter in an intrigue,” Anton said coldly as he glanced over at Alexei, who hung his head and remained silent, “that nearly led to the loss of her innocence. Is this correct?” “Yes, sir,” Everley nodded. He did not explain. As far as he was concerned, Alexei had been wrong to involve his sister in that action. “And is it also correct that you forced my granddaughter into an engagement with you,” Anton’s voice grew even colder and harder, “with the lie that it would protect her from the bastards you were hunting?” “She would not go home, sir,” Everley told him, “so it was the only thing I could think to do.” He lowered his eyes as he saw the older man’s censure. “I failed to take into consideration the depths of their depravity and believed they would honor that bond.” “Were you Rom, Baron Everley,” Anton said in a deadly calm voice, “you would lose your hand at the very least for daring to dishonor my granddaughter in such a fashion.” He softened just a bit. “Your attempt to keep her from harm speak in your favor.” He looked over at his granddaughter and saw her concern. “Your petition for courtship is approved,” he said after long moments of silence, “but if you ever treat her with such disrespect again, I will slit your throat!” “What?” Elis could not prevent the cry of anger that was ripped from her throat. She looked at Everley and then at her grandfather, both of whom were stunned by her outbreak. “Perhaps I might be asked if I want him to court me, Grandfather?” “That is your right, of course,” Anton nodded, amused by her fierceness. One minute all concern for the man, the next hissing and spitting and demanding her rights. Yes, she was quite definitely his grandchild. “How say you then, Elissa. This man’s defense for his earlier decision was that he sought only to protect you…” “Not true,” Elissa said as she moved to Everley and looked up at him. “Tell the truth, Baron Everley. You had other reasons for wanting the engagement.” She saw it in his eyes and she took a step back, shaking her head in fright. “You couldn’t! You are practically a stranger to me.” He smiled and she was angry. “Fine! Do whatever you want!” She moved even further away. “But you will be an old man before you ever see me coming down the aisle to you!” She turned her back on him and heard her grandfather’s pleased laugh. “Then the courtship begins, young lord,” Anton chuckled. “I wish you well of her. She is Rom and you will find the way to her heart filled with obstacles.” He clapped his hands. “The clan is in need of a prince,” he said as everyone turned to him, “or a princess,” he added as he saw Magda. “Magda, step forward.” She did so and went to her knees before him. “Your brother dishonored your line with his actions. Did you condone them?” “My brother did not discuss his decisions with mere females, my lord king,” Magda told him bluntly. “If he had, I would have reminded him that he was risking dishonor.” She glanced over at Alexei and the longing Elis saw in her eyes was echoed in her brother’s eyes. “You have no other brothers,” Anton said as he caught the look and hid his amusement; “and your cousins are not of an age to lead. Until they are, Magda, you are elevated in rank. Rise, Princess Ivanev and answer the question our grandson has neglected to ask for far too long.” Alexei stepped forward and bowed his head to his grandfather. Then he took the ring off of his finger and turned to Magda. They stood looking at each other for several moments in total silence and then she nodded and raised her hand to his. He slid the ring on her finger and everyone cheered and clapped as they kissed. “Among the Rom,” Anton smiled broadly, “are you now promised to each other.” He looked at Magda’s cousins and saw the eldest, a young boy of fourteen. “Stefan Ivanev. Study hard and well. When you are able to pass the ritual, you shall be the new prince of the Ivanev and your cousin may wed.” He saw Magda’s and Alexei’s displeasure. “I am certain your cousin and her intended will be quite willing to help you.” He turned to one of the men hovering near him and the man leaned down and listened. Elis realized the twelve men around him were his guard and wondered again just who her grandfather was. He was looking at her as the man moved off. “The former Ivanev prince robbed you of a friend, granddaughter; a treasured companion. Please accept from my hand, a new friend and companion.” The man he had sent away came back, struggling to hold down a silver gray stallion. “His name is Shadows Dance.” Elis was delighted. She moved towards the horse as everyone watched in horror and raised her hand to its nose. The horse froze and came down on its hooves an inch from her feet. No one spoke as she grabbed the bridle and pulled