Promises (39 page)

Suddenly the old Tresez wound on my back flared, and I forced my eyes open. Several Tresez had circled me and were watching. A man with jade-rimmed eyes stood beside them;
Maes
.

“
How could you?” I whispered. “How could you deceive me like this? You said I was your hope!”

He made no reply, but instead looked away.

“
Look at me, Maes!”

His gaze snapped back, and an icy coldness filled my veins. How could I have ever trusted him?

“
You know nothing of deceit, mon espoir, nothing.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

Marcus yanked me to my feet. My shoulder cried out, but I refused to scream again. I couldn’t let him break me. I turned, my hand grasping his wrist. I felt that icy sensation of the power transfer, and then it was suddenly cut short. My breath caught and his eyes met mine.

“
Enough,” he said. “That party trick won’t work on me. You’re weak and predictable, Cheyenne. Try to take my powers or run again, and I won’t be as gentle next time.” He dragged me towards his horse, then reached into a pack. “Here.” He shoved a new shirt and jeans into my hands. “Get cleaned up and changed. You’re a mess. Maes will take you to the creek.”

I held the clothes, staring at them as if I’d never seen such things before. How could this have happened? Callon had been right all along; I was a fool to have doubted him. A blind, arrogant fool…

Maes didn’t look back at me as I followed him across the meadow to a small stream. He waited in silence as I removed what was left of my bloody shirt and shorts. At least I could be thankful for my swimsuit. I splashed the cold water on my face and arms, removing the dirt and blood. My fingers grazed my neck and stopped as they passed over Maes’s necklace. The ruby stoned lie…

I snapped the cord off and threw the necklace into the stream. I’d done this myself. I’d been the fool yet again. With no one to turn to for advice or help, I could only believe what I’d been told. Maes had taken advantage of that, building a false sense of security, before separating me from my guardians and bringing me to Marcus.

I should’ve known dogs were only loyal to their true masters.

I headed back towards Marcus, not bothering to wait for Maes. He spent a long while looking at me, like a trophy hard won.

“
You look better.” He moved closer, and I stepped back. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“
What do you call throwing me around in the air?” I answered coldly.

“
That was you foolishly thinking you could escape. You’re surrounded by my army, my dear. They would’ve done much worse if in my place.”

I clenched my fists. “You mean showing me your power, and forcing me to submit.”

A smirk emerged. “I have to say, this is one of the things I like about you, Cheyenne. You say it like it is.”

“
Well, I have to say, Marcus, there’s nothing about you that I like at all.”

We stared each other down. Eventually Marcus turned away and gestured to his horse.

“
You’re riding with me,” he said.

I looked around; his army was emerging from the forest. It was much bigger than I imagined, and there were some still hiding in the trees. I gritted my teeth and mounted. I was in no position to attempt escape, not yet. I’d have to bide my time. Marcus smiled, climbing behind me, and drawing me close.

“
Behave,” he whispered in my ear, “and everything will be fine.”

We set off briskly, led by a Tresez patrol. We rode for hours in silence, while my mind tumbled over everything once more. It had all changed so quickly. Now Colt was snatched from me, I’d been led astray through more treachery, and I was sitting in the arms of my enemy.

I was on a one-way path to hell, charging blindly with all my failures trailing behind me.

“
Why didn’t you kidnap me the moment you saw me, Marcus?”

“
What do you mean?”

“
When I jumped into your truck in Helena…”

I could almost feel his smile as he chuckled softly.

“
I didn’t want it to be that way,” he replied at last.

“
Why?”

“
Because you’re different.”

“
How?”

He exhaled, and his warm breath pressed against my neck. “You’re not your mother.”

I’m not my mother?
“What do you mean?”

“
You don’t seek power. In fact, you’ve actually run from it.”

I laughed coldly. Oh, I’d run all right, and look at where it had gotten me.

“
Maes told me a lot about you. I have to say all of it has turned out to be true,” Marcus continued. “You’re kindhearted, which is quite frankly astounding considering your parentage. That’s what intrigues me most about you.”

Maes had been spying on me? Why was I not surprised?

“
I also wanted you to see me for who I am, not the man they say I am. I was hoping to start our marriage off on the right foot.”

I dug my elbow into his ribs.

“
I have no intention of following through on either of my betrothals.”

Marcus chortled.

“
So both, huh? Oh, don’t worry. Poor Callon won’t get his way.” He leaned in closer, his voice hardening. “And don’t think I don’t know about Colt either. I’m the only one to whom you’re rightfully pledged. You just remember that, Cheyenne. I can end their miserable lives in an instant if you choose to disobey like your mother.”

A shiver ran through my body. He was threatening me with their lives. If I ran, he’d kill them…

“
That’s right, love. You should fear me.”

I clenched my teeth, struggling to keep my emotions intact. He didn’t need to see how much his words affected me.

He fell silent again as we continued deeper into the forest. It was hard to keep the flood of regret back. So many mistakes; silly mistakes that never had to be made, and not all of them mine. But it was no use lamenting now. I couldn’t change the past.

I glanced towards the Trackers. Watching them ride, always alert to their surroundings, told me they were very skilled. He’d brought his strongest men with him, his strongest to keep my guardians away.

Scouting parties sometimes ventured ahead, returning and reporting to Marcus, but always in French. It was his way of keeping me unaware of progress. My heart sank. He had every avenue covered. Short of a miracle, I wasn’t going anywhere.

We rode through a large valley until we came upon a rushing river. The current was swift, the white water crashing over nearby boulders. A group of Trackers split off, searching for a way to cross. Soon they found a spot, and waved us over.

The first Tracker crossed, his horse struggling to pull him through the rushing depths. He secured a rope on the opposite side, and we waited as those on foot used the line to cross.

With only the riders left, we began our descent into the cold water. Maes moved closer, watching me out of the corner of his eye. Marcus’s hands remained on the reins, and the water quickly covered us. The pressure of the current pushed against my midsection, and I grabbed hold of the saddle horn.

Suddenly a creaking caught my ear, and I looked up as an enormous pine tumbled into the river. The impact created a huge wave, which barreled right towards us. Marcus panicked, trying to get clear, but our horse lost its footing, and we were knocked into the water.

I was sucked under the surface as the current swept me away. I struggled to right myself, twisting to see I was quickly nearing the rapids. I knew I was no match for the current. I could, however, use it to my advantage. Using my legs, I attempted to redirect myself, bouncing off the boulders to change directions. If only I could move the water like the air…

The wild waters churned around me, and soon the white bubbles took over, blocking my vision. I smashed sideways into a rock and rolled off, back to the surface. Gasping and fighting to remain afloat, I opened my eyes. Marcus and Maes were not far behind. A stony determination was etched upon their faces. Accident or not, I wasn’t getting away.

The rocks were coming faster. The distance between each had grown smaller, and maintaining any sort of direction was proving difficult. I couldn’t even fight towards the shore. Another rock hit my left shoulder, and I winced as I was spun around. My back smashed into a large boulder. Any air in my lungs burst forth as pain rippled up my spine. Stunned, I barely noticed a large hand lock around my wrist and pull me to the surface.

“
I’ve got you, Cheyenne,” Maes said. He pressed me across his chest and began swimming to shore. Marcus’s dark gaze remained upon me.

A group was waiting as we arrived.

My feet never touched the ground as Marcus yanked me from Maes. We immediately headed towards his horse. He tossed me up into the saddle and caught me before I fell off the other side as he mounted behind me. He forced my leg over, and his arm secured my waist. I was gasping for breath, and I attempted to free my hand. He thrust it down harshly as he held it under his steely grasp.

“
Don’t even think about it, Cheyenne,” he said with an eerie calmness.

“
I didn’t…do anything!” I said between my teeth.

“
Don’t lie to me. You knocked that tree down to free yourself!”

“
You said you’d kill them if I did! Why would I do something like that when I knew there was no escape?” I snapped back.

Marcus said nothing more. The Trackers watched, waiting for his orders. Quickly Marcus waved his hand, and we were on our way again. Maes moved alongside us in his human form; his black gaze met mine, and for just a split second I thought I saw remorse.

Remorse?
I shook my head. It was a little too late for him to be having regrets.

I wanted to cry. I wanted to let out all those stupid pent-up feelings. I wanted to cry for allowing myself to fall for Maes’s trick, for allowing Matt into my life. For letting Marcus treat me like this. Why did I have to have a heart?

The ride was much more uncomfortable; the rapids had bruised me everywhere, and I couldn’t settle, not to mention the wet clothes. Marcus released his hold on my hand but kept his arm secured around my waist. Gently, he eased me forward and pulled up the back of my shirt. Sighing, he ran his fingers over my spine, applying slight pressure as he advanced up to my neck. I flinched as he hit the tender areas.

“
You wouldn’t be in pain right now if you hadn’t tried to swim away.” He lifted my shirt down, and eased me back into his chest. “We’ll be stopping soon, and you can rest then.”

I didn’t bother to reply.

Within the hour we stopped and made camp for the night. He helped me down and Maes immediately stepped up beside me. Marcus latched on my wrist, knowing it would only take a second for Daniel to whisk me away if he appeared. That was, if my guardians were even close…

He led me through the large camp. A tent had been erected in the middle, close to a fire—surrounded by the entire Tracking party. As dusk approached, I could make out multiple fires. This really was an army. And even with this much power, he
still needed me…

We neared the first fire. The three Trackers from the meadow were there. He pulled me close to the warmth.

“
You need to keep an eye on her while Maes and I take care of things,” Marcus said firmly. “Don’t screw this up like last time.”

Nodding, the dark-haired Tracker stood up. My palms instantly became clammy. Marcus pushed me forward, and I resisted. At least if I remained with Marcus, he’d keep me alive. I didn’t get the impression these three valued any life outside of their own.

“
Cheyenne, go,” Marcus said. “You’ll be fine.”

The dark-haired man took hold of me as Marcus moved away. He led me to sit on the ground near the fire. I glanced back, watching as Marcus and Maes disappeared into the forest of tents. I curled my legs to my chest, trying not to remind myself I was sitting with three men who’d tried to kill me on multiple occasions.

I kept my attention on the fire. My thoughts drifted to my guardians, and my breathing hitched. Were they even alive? Marcus had threatened to kill them if I left, but had he done it anyway? I hadn’t seen any signs that they were tracking us.

I wrapped my arms tight around my legs, and my tears spilling once more. If anything had happened to them…

“
You caused a lot of trouble last time we met, sweetheart,” the redhead said coolly. I looked up, wiping the moisture off my cheeks. “If I remember correctly, you smashed a rock into my face.”

I was in no mood for intimidation. “If I remember correctly, you deserved it.”

“
You’re just a little firecracker aren’t you?” he chuckled. “No wonder Marcus wants you so bad.”

“
No,” the blond broke in. “There’s more to it. She holds something that he can’t resist.” My eyes met his across the fire. “She holds the rings, boys. The last surviving heir. Power and greed can overtake a man’s soul. Throw a little beauty into the mix and, well... ” A malicious grin grew. “He’s been following you since the day you jumped into the river. You’re only alive because of Maes. Marcus deliberately sent his second in command to keep an eye on you.” I felt the blood drain from my face. “You shouldn’t be so trusting with strangers, because nothing is what it seems.”