The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (39 page)

Thea steeled herself for his questions. “Yes.”

“He is a lucky man to be alive. The curious thing is I see no mark where the bolt hit him. Most times a burned area indicates the entrance and exit.”

“The storm was fierce, and I was looking toward the window when the lightning hit. I didn't see where the strike hit him.”

Dr. Parker nodded. “Not to worry. Some doctors would recommend bleeding him, but I am coming to doubt the validity of such treatment.” The doctor looked at Bailey. “Keep him warm and talk to him, both of you. And if he wakes, give him liquid nourishment. I will return tomorrow, and let us hope he has regained consciousness by that time.”

The doctor gathered up his bag and stopped in front of Thea. “I will be honest with you, Lady Radford. The longer he does not awake, the higher the risk he will not survive.” He stared into her eyes. “You do not appear to be a hysterical miss. I know I can count on you to stand steady through this ordeal.”

“I will not give up on him,” Thea said with determination.

A kind smile crossed the doctor’s face. “Good.”

* * * *

After a few hours sleep, Thea went to relieve Bailey. “Has he stirred at all?"

“No.” The old butler glanced at Wulf. Sadness was etched in the lines of his face.

Thea touched his arm. “He will recover, Bailey. We must believe in him.”

Bailey started to say something, shook his head and shuffled out of the room.

Thea pulled a chair to the side of his bed and took Wulf’s cold hand. She rubbed his skin, hoping to infuse warmth into him.

“Come back to me, my love. Wherever you are, return to us.”

Not a flicker of an eyelash. She continued to talk, telling him about her childhood days, riding her pony and climbing trees to her mother and father’s despair. She smiled to herself, recalling the happy times. Bone-tired, she leaned back in her chair, one hand keeping contact with him.

She must have dozed. Suddenly, a jerking movement brought her fully awake. Wulf thrashed around in his bed. Thea jumped up and leaned over him, trying to keep him on the mattress. She yelled out for help.

Bailey must have been sleeping outside the door as he rushed in immediately. “What happened?”

“He just began to have these spasms.”

Bailey went to the other side of the bed to help restrain Wulf. “This doesn’t look good.”

“Don’t.” Thea put up a hand. “Say nothing negative where he can hear. I refuse to lose him.” Thea saw Bailey’s expression and knew he thought she was refusing to accept the inevitable. Wulf would live. She did not allow any other thought to enter her brain.

Dr. Parker returned the next day and his face reflected the worry seen on the other’s at Wulf’s bedside. “His color is not good.” He shook his head. “He continues in his deep sleep. I am sorry, Lady Radford, but there is no known treatment for people receiving a shock by lightning.”

Thea didn’t reply. She could not tell anyone a dead witch did this to Wulf. Thea did not know the repercussions herself. She’d been trying to read some more of the book she’d brought with her, but there was little information regarding the present situation.

“Thank you for all you have done, Dr. Parker. We will continue to care for my husband.” She walked out of the room with the doctor. “We will send for you if there is any change. There is no need for you to come every day.”

“I will visit when I can. Bless you, my lady. No one else can give him the loving care you do.” He started out the door and came back. “Would you like for me to contact his mother?”

“Not yet. There is no need to distress her at this time.”

The doctor looked doubtful, but agreed to wait. Thea watched him ride out of sight before returning to Wulf’s room.

Stale air hit her when she opened the door. Going to the window, she pushed the window pane up and breathed in the crisp morning air. Bailey and she had agreed to keep Wulf's spasms secret from the doctor. They suspected they were part of the process he must go through to dispel the curse. They didn't want to arouse any suspicions, and both thought Dr. Parker would not be able to stop whatever Wulf had to endure. Expelling the curse was obviously not going to be a simple process. Thea sent Bailey out to rest.

She stood beside Wulf’s bed, as she'd done since she'd regained her energy. Centering herself, Thea placed her hands slightly above his body. She swept her hands over his head and neck, and then along the rest of his body. She concentrated on sending the warm healing powers into him. With gentle movements, Thea waved her palms across his body and hummed a tune her mother used during her healing sessions. Thea prayed her healing powers were strong enough now to help.

He could not go on much longer without food or drink. She’d tried to place drops of water on his lips and into his mouth, but it wasn't enough.

The days fell into a rhythm. Once or twice each twenty-four hours, the spasms shook his body. Every day, Thea used her healing powers. After several more days, even Thea doubted Wulf would live. She sent word to his mother and sister.

Refusing to leave his side, Thea rejected Bailey and Elvie’s attempts to help her more so she could rest. Thea sensed the time was near when he would be rid of his monster or die trying.

Thea didn’t understand. Her battle was to stop the curse, but her powers were not strong enough to prevent Wulf’s injuries. She must keep all her negative thoughts at bay. There was time enough later to rethink what happened in the cottage.

On the morning of the fifth day, Thea sat staring at Wulf. In repose, his face looked peaceful. Even the scars were not as noticeable. She had something to tell him that she hoped would help bring him back to her. Leaning down, she whispered in his ear.

"My love, I suspect we are to have a child. You must fight to live. Our child will need his father." He gave no indication he heard her words.

The day went by slowly. She took a walk in the early afternoon with Elvie, but didn't stay away long. Her need to be by his side kept her from enjoying even a stroll.

She excused Bailey and started toward her chair. A sound brought her attention to the bed. Was that a movement in his body? Yes, a twitch and suddenly his body arched. A scream tore out of him. Tossing side to side, he began to moan. Bailey ran back in.

"What's happening?"

"I'm not sure."

They watched as Wulf flung his arms and legs around. Several times they had to take hold of him to keep him on the bed. Sweat poured off his body. He mumbled words they couldn't understand. Then he would be calm for a few minutes, before starting to throw himself around again. Darkness fell and Bailey lit a candle.

"Bring me a cloth and cool water, Bailey."

"Yes, my lady." He hurried out of the room. Wulf was quiet for now.

When Bailey returned Thea told him to go rest.

"I'll lay on a pallet outside the door. Call if you need me."

Thea wet the cloth and rubbed the cool water over Wulf's face, neck and chest. She took a dry towel to his sweat soaked hair.

A few hours later, he awoke moaning and twisting. He pulled on his sheet until it ripped. His body bowed so taut she feared he'd injure himself permanently. Finally as the blackness outside gave away to the dawn, he went into a deep sleep, silent and barely breathing.

Bailey stuck his head in the door. "Is he better?"

Thea sank wearily into her chair. "I don't know. He can't go on much longer putting such a strain on his body." Forcing herself back up. She decided to try one more time to see if her healing powers could help him. She went to his side, placed her hands over him and concentrated on sending her healing powers deep inside him.

When she finished, his whole body lay relaxed. Thea went to the window and opened it to let in the cool breeze. Standing between him and the window, she saw a misty grey cloud rise above his body and gradually form the shape of the wolf. The large furry head swung in her direction and emitted a low growl.

Thea spoke softly, but firmly to the mirage. “Go away, never to return. Your time is at an end.”

The breeze quickened and blew across the room, scattering the cloud. Grey particles fell to the floor. Thea ran to the door, opened it and called out to Bailey. He woke instantly and came to her side.

Pointing to the grey dust, she said, “Clean it up now, Bailey. The curse is gone.”

He nodded and went to get supplies to clean the room. Neither Thea nor Bailey said anything until the floor and room were completely clean.

“I’ll burn all of the rags and dust to be safe,” Bailey said.

"Good." She walked to Wulf's side. Leaning over him, she brushed back his hair and kissed his lips, then ran her hands along his body. Warmth began to come back into his legs, arms, and his lips. Hope filled Thea’s heart. She jumped when Wulf’s golden eyes popped open and his lips curved in a smile.

“If you keep touching me, you'll be in trouble. I’m incredibly hungry and not just for food.” A mischievous twinkle shone in his eyes.

“Oh, Wulf, I’m so thankful you’re alive.”

He moved his head side to side, observing the room. “We’re home?”

“With Hawley’s help, I was able to get you in the carriage and home quickly.”

“How long have I been asleep?” He held onto her hand tightly.

“Around five days. I sent for your mother and sister. We feared for your life.”

“More important to me, did we win?”

She knew what he meant. “Yes, the curse and wolf are gone.” For the first time, she saw his expression completely without tension.

“I don’t remember much about that night. I know I wanted to help you and moved slightly toward you and everything went black. It seemed like I was in the darkness a long time. I thought I heard your voice calling to me. At some point, something large and black came toward me. It was incredibly strong. I'd fight it and the thing retreated only to come back fiercer. I knew I had to beat it to free myself and get back to you."

Thea studied his face. “I almost failed you. In my struggle to fight her evilness and make the curse end she got a hit past me. I didn’t dare turn to you. She wanted me to lose focus. Then when we got back here, your body had to battle the damage she did with her strike and expel the wolf. This last battle was yours.

Surprise and something else crossed his face. “Remember the lines from the amulet?
Two lines must intersect, two opposing forces break.
We thought it meant our family lines. You and I marrying were the intersecting lines, but you and your ancestor were one opposing force and the wolf and I the other. Our love had to be strong enough to be willing to fight the opposing forces.” Wulf kissed her hand.

Thea trembled with desire, seeing the glow in his eyes. “My great-great grandmother devised a clever plan. She never believed anyone in your family or hers would love each other enough to do what was necessary to break her curse.”

Wulf grabbed Thea and pulled her down on the bed beside him, scattering kisses along her face and neck.

“Wulf, you must rest. You’ve been unconscious for days and have had nothing to eat and only a few drops of liquid.” Thea pulled away to go order him broth. He tugged at her hand.

“That hunger can wait. This can’t.”

Pulling her hand out of his grasp, she went to lock the door. She went back to him, took off her clothes and lay beside him, relishing in the warmth of his hands as they moved over her body. His lips followed, leaving a trail of heat and aching need behind. Her whole body yearned for his touch like a woman dying of thirst.

When his lips kissed her most intimate womanly parts, Thea gasped and her body arched.

His gaze flickered up to hers, and the fiery glow surprised her. It was not the fierce angry fire from the wolf, but a gentle blaze from her lover. He slid up her body and entered her in one strong thrust.

Cradling her face between his hands, he nibbled on her lips and whispered, “I love you, my beautiful healer, and I will never let you go.”

“Wherever would I want to go, my love? Everything I hold dear is here.”

A warm smile crossed his face. “We will need to do this often.” He began to move slowly in her. “I want lots of children running up and down the stairs, filling this old house.”

“You should get your wish in less than nine months.” He stilled and pulled back, staring at her. She laughed. “I am here to give you your every wish.”

“A baby?” Worry creased his brow. “Conceived before the curse was broken?”

“The curse only activated when the oldest son became sixteen. With the curse gone, if this is a son, he will not be affected.”

She noted his furrowed brow and knew her words did not fully convince him. She moved her body against his, and he began again to kiss her face and move faster inside her. For now, the subject was dropped.

* * * *

Lady Radford and Jane arrived the next day. Thea was sitting beside Wulf when his mother knocked and entered, followed by Bailey.

“Ulric, your wife’s letter indicated you were at death’s door.” She stalked across the room and placed her gloved hand on his forehead. “A bit warm and you are flushed, but you do not appear in dire straits.”