Eternal Fire (19 page)

I smiled. “Me neither. Victor changed my life with just one kiss.”

Liz smiled back at me. “Been there, done that. Charles rocked my world like that too—a kiss so hot and sizzling that I gave up everything I knew just to be with him forever.”

“
Some people search their entire lives to find what we have,” I said. Victor was the sweetest gift I’d ever received, and my world was a better place just because he was in it. I’d never thought I’d be able to love a man so much, but I did. I felt a jolt in my soul every time his lips sweetly touched mine, and I had to laugh at fate’s sense of humor.

As I dreamt about my lover while the warm water soothed my aching muscles, the nasty bearded man walked in, leading the other girls to the barrels next to us. “Undress!” he ordered.

“
Where’s the nursemaid?” one of the girls whimpered.

He pulled out his whip. “Never question my authority! Do as I say and remove your clothes!”

As he lifted his hand to deliver the lash, I called him over. When he turned to look, I ordered, “Leave and don’t come back until we’re done bathing,” I said.

“
And don’t forget to think about what a sleaze ball you are,” Liz added.

His arm lowered, and he slipped his whip away. “Please forgive me, ladies, for my rude and inappropriate behavior. I am, as this fine woman suggests, a sleaze ball.” And with that, he turned around and walked out in a rush.

The girl I’d met in line turned to meet my gaze. She had long red hair and blue eyes. “Thank you. That was very brave, and I can’t believe he obeyed you! I’m Yolanda.”

“
Nice to meet you,” I said.

“
You called me by another name out there. I talked to the other girls, and no one knows you.”

“
Oh, yeah, uh…sorry for the mistake,” I said. “I thought I was trying to rescue a friend, but I guess I got captured for nothing.”

Liz came over and tapped my barrel. “Clock’s a-tickin’. Get out of there before you turn into a prune. We’ve gotta go.” She handed me a white linen towel.

“
How did you get dressed so fast?” I asked, climbing out.

“
You like?” She motioned to the fabulous white and gold velvet gown with an over-layer of flowing silk chiffon. It was decorated with delicate ivory braids and laces. She spun around slowly. “Well?”

“
I do believe it’s a mite too small,” Yolanda said. “If you don’t cover your lady-parts, you will be offered to the men straight away,” she said, nodding toward my sister’s cleavage.

“
I like to see them try,” Liz retorted.

I nudged Liz and gave her a stern look, as she wasn’t doing much to help us remain inconspicuous. When I reached for my dress, I noticed it was gone.

“
Don’t panic,” Liz said, throwing me a black and white one.

“
What was wrong with the one I picked?”

“
I thought you might want to impress Victor.”

“
I do.”

“
Then go with this one. It’s way more romantic and fits your fairytale perfectly.”

“
Fairytale?”

“
You’re about to rescue your king and live happily ever after, right?”

“
Whatever they told you, it’s a lie! There’s no happily ever after here,” Yolanda said in a grim voice.

I swallowed hard, knowing that in her case, it was probably true. I would have my king and my one-way trip to somewhere else, but she and the others were destined to live out her days as a concubine. If she resisted, she’d be beaten or killed, and I was sure Ethano’s behavior would be even more harsh when he was angered by mine and Victor’s departure, after his plans were foiled.

Interrupting my thoughts, Liz handed me the dress. She had picked a long black dress swirled with ivory and silver. The scooped neckline, flowing layers of lace, and ethereal, billowy sleeves were amazing. The tri-colored corset covered in beaded lace, beaded trims, brooches, and delicate trim seemed a little over the top; it was clear that Ethano spared no expense for his concubines.

A group of nursemaids came in to help us get ready. I slipped into the gown, which hugged every single curve on my body. A nursemaid came over and brushed my hair, then pulled it up into some elaborate hairstyle that would have made an eighties prom queen jealous. Another painted my face with thick makeup. We were given a choice of expensive jewelry to wear, and I was elated about that, because it meant I’d no longer have to hide the gold band on my finger. I did have to keep the ruby turned, hidden in my palm, as I was sure it would give away the fact that I was an Immortal.

A tall, balding man walked in and divided the women, clearly separating the cooperative ones from the uncooperative. He approached and met my gaze. “Are you interested in attending a celebration?”

I smiled. “I love parties. Will there be champagne…er, uh, wine?”

“
I assure you that you will enjoy yourself,” he said.

“
Then sign me up.”

Liz and I were led to yet another room.

After offering a speech for an hour, concubine orientation, of sorts, the man asked for volunteers. “If any one of you chooses to attend the event, you will be rewarded handsomely,” he said. “You will be paid more gold in one night than you’ve ever had in your entire lifetime.”

Liz raised her hand. “Gold? I want gold. I’ll do it…and so will my sister!”

I elbowed her. She sounded so fake that I was sure they wouldn’t buy it.

Much to my surprise, he fell for her false enthusiasm and motioned us to stand along the wall. After a few minutes, we were taken into a ballroom filled with rich noblemen and other women in fancy gowns. I stared up at the towering cathedral ceiling and dark mahogany cross beams. It was beautiful. Iron wrought chandeliers and dark stone walls made the room feel gothic. It totally fit Ethano’s character. Seasoned concubines in gorgeous gowns also worked the party, and I could tell that some of them didn’t mind being there, as they’d likely been lured with promises of gold, gems, and a better life.

“
Well, I guess I can add high-class concubine to my résumé,” I said sarcastically.

“
Don’t panic,” she said. “We’ll just slip out.”

“
How? Every guy in the room is ogling us like hungry dogs, watching every move we make.”

“
I guess the dresses are a little over the top,” she finally admitted.

“
A little?”

“
Stay calm. We’ll uh…we’ll just compel the doorman,” Liz said.

“
If we leave the room without being escorted by a man, it’ll look suspicious.”

“
Then the answer’s obvious.”

“
Liz, you can’t possibly suggest we—“

“
C’mon! Surely we can get one of these guys to try to take us to his room.”

“
Seriously?”

“
Dead serious, and I’m going to tell him we’re twins, double the trouble.” She smiled.

“
Go for it. I’ll compel him so fast his head will be spinning.”

She tapped her chin. “Hmm. Which one?” she asked, looking around at all the noblemen.

I lost focus when I heard a familiar voice, an ominous voice I’d never, ever forget. My heart lurched and my breath quickened when I saw Ethano talking to a slender girl not too far away. I hadn’t expected to see him so soon, as I figured he’d search every nook and cranny of my castle first, looking for me. Thoughts of what he’d done to me flooded my mind. I feared Ethano because I didn’t have the strength to defeat him, but at the same time, I wanted to rip him apart. “I want to kill him,” I whispered.

“
I know, sis, but you’d best swallow all that rage, or you’re gonna ruin the plan. We’ve gotta get our fellas and get the hell outta here.”

“
Ethano has arrived,” a man next to me said, trying to make casual conversation.

“
How wonderful!” said another man.

Yeah, right. Freaking wonderful,
I thought sarcastically. “How did he get back so fast?” I whispered, gripping Liz’s arm tightly.

“
I don’t know, but we have to get out of here,” she said.

“
I know. If he catches us, we’re screwed.” I looked around and then sashayed toward a skinny man who’d been staring at me the entire time. I was sure I’d be able to snag him quickly.

Liz didn’t waste any time and quickly looped her arm in his. “Do you think you can handle two ladies, milord?”

I smiled seductively.

“
I-I don’t know,” he stuttered. “I’ve never thought of such a thing, and you are both so beautiful.”

“
Shall we give it a go? Perhaps it will be unforgettable for us all,” Liz coaxed.

He glanced at her. “I only want one,” he said. “I want you.”

Liz gazed deeply into his eyes. “You want two.”

“
No, just one,” he repeated.

I was shocked, wondering why Liz was unable to compel him. I shot her a look, and she pulled me aside.

“
Ethano has some kind of block going on here, like he did back at the church,” Liz said.

I swallowed hard. “What are you saying? We don’t have our powers?”

“
We sure don’t. We lost them the second he stepped inside the ballroom.” She nudged me. “Anyway, let’s get to work.”

“
Please take us to your room, milord,” I said, batting my eyelashes at the skinny man. I’d never been good at fake seduction, but I was trying my best.

“
You’re very pretty,” he said, “but I really want your friend.”

“
He only wants you,” I whispered in her ear.

“
It’s this dress,” she whispered back. “Men dig cleavage.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. I couldn’t believe she’d worn that—but then again, it was Liz.

Liz touched his arm. “This is my sister, and I simply can’t bear to leave her alone with these wolves. Do you have a friend for her?” Liz asked.

He smiled and called his buddy over, and the stranger wrapped an arm around me. “I’d love to be with this one. She’s lovely,” he said.

When I noticed that Ethano was greeting all the working girls one by one, kissing their hands as if he were some kind of gentleman—and we all knew better—I shot Liz a terrified look as my pulse spiked. We needed to get the heck out of there, as quickly as we could. Even though I didn’t have my powers, I wasn’t afraid of the men we were planning to leave with. They were skinny little things, and I knew I could break them like a twig if they so as much touched me.

I coughed and nudged Liz when Ethano walked in our direction. Shuddering, I could still feel his breath on my neck, and the thought sickened me. I swallowed down the fear, though, knowing I had to be brave. I had every hope and expectation of bringing Victor safely out of that castle, but part of me was frightened he would slip away if I was caught.

My heart beat a million times a minute as Ethano approached. Out of instinct, I threw myself on the man standing in front of me and began kissing him on the lips, while Liz kissed the other.

Ethano passed us up since we were otherwise engaged in a make-out session.

Even though I was kissing a stranger, the tension released from my shoulders, and I sighed in relief. “Let’s go,” I said to the man. “I must have you now. I can’t wait any longer.”

The man smiled and escorted me out the door, past all the guards, and into the dimly lit corridor.

My nerves calmed as soon as we were away from Ethano, and I let out a long sigh. “Perhaps we should all have a drink together,” I suggested.

“
I’d love a glass of wine,” Liz said, looping her arm around the man’s.

“
Then we shall!” he chimed.