Emerald Dungeon (13 page)

Authors: Kathy Kulig

her cottage and she reached over to the other side of the bed and it was empty. “Jack?”

There was no movement in the bathroom and she didn’t see any of his clothes on the

floor. Had he gotten up and left without waking her? She stood and looked around for

a note or something but didn’t see anything. It was still early. Maybe he went into town to work at the store. After showering and getting dressed she strolled outside to a warm August morning. She looked into the forest where Shannon had taken her to Unfettered

last night. The trail was still there. It wouldn’t be hard to find now in the daylight. Her curiosity drove her into the forest. The walk was about fifteen minutes if she

remembered correctly.

Dana entered the forest and followed the trail. It was overgrown and narrow. She

was glad that she’d followed Shannon last night because she didn’t think she could’ve found her way in the dark. After several minutes, she found the stone pillars with the wrought iron gate and walked through.

She screamed. An icy terror gripped her as she stared at the place where Unfettered

should be. It hadn’t been but twenty or thirty yards from the gate and now there was

nothing. The building was gone, and there was no sign that anything had ever been

there.

Had she been hallucinating? Dreaming? Running back to the cottages, Dana

knocked on Jack’s cottage and when he didn’t answer she tried Kevin’s and Thea’s,

Damon’s and Shannon’s. No one was around. Could it be possible that she imagined

Jack and the others too? Covering her face with her hands, she ran up to the castle and it was closed. Checking her watch, she noticed it was too early for visitors.

Emerald Dungeon

A crushing weight slammed into her chest.
Jack, where are you?
What if he’d been a ghost all along? What if they all were? She looked up at the ancient castle. A five-hundred-year-old fortress must have many ghosts. Had she lost Jack for good?

Her hand went up to her mouth to smother a sob. My God, it couldn’t be. She loved

Jack. Yes, she was sure of that now. He was her Master. And given the chance she

would stay in Ireland with him and not go back to her old job. She could visit her

friends and family or they could come to see her. Why had she been struggling with

that decision before? It was so clear to her now. But if Jack was a ghost, he was lost to her forever. Tears filled her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks.

She barely registered the sound of footsteps on the gravel walkway. “Morning, my

lady, have you had breakfast?”

“Jack!” She ran over and into his arms.

“Hey, what’s wrong? You’ve been crying?” He lifted her chin and studied her

through narrow eyes.

“I woke up and you were gone.”

“Sorry, I promised Donegal to help move some furniture this morning. I figured I’d

be back before you woke up. It took longer than expected.”

Taking her by the shoulders, he held her back. “What else is going on? You’re

shaking.”

“I took a walk into the forest.”

Jack groaned.

Dana ignored him and continued. “I followed the trail to Unfettered and it’s gone. I

found the gate where Shannon took me through, but the building is completely gone.”

Jack nodded. “Yeah, it does that.”

She looked at him strangely, but then it seemed to make sense. “Will it come back?”

Jack shrugged. “Probably. When it’s needed or wanted badly enough.” He pulled

her into his arms. “Want to tell me why you were crying?”

Kathy Kulig

“I thought I lost you.”

“Ah, because you woke up and I was gone?”

“No, never mind. I’m staying here with you. I love you, Jack. Although it scares the

hell out me having to depend on you for a while until I can find work, I can’t imagine leaving you. This is where I belong. The security job may pay well but it doesn’t give me joy. You were right. Playing my harp gives me joy. Loving you gives me joy. Being

your sex slave gives me joy.”

Jack smiled. “I love you, Dana. I need you in my life, and I want you as my

submissive for as long as you want me as your Master.” He kissed her hard, crushing

her to his chest. “And I could take you right now.”

“Yes, I’m ready for whatever you have in mind, Master.”

He chuckled. “Be careful, remember I own a store full of bondage devices.”

“Now you’re teasing me.” Her pussy clenched thinking about the new things he

would try with her.

“Go back to your cottage, strip and wait on the bed. I’ll come down and teach you a

few things about knots and ropes, then feed you breakfast while you’re bound.”

“I’ll be eagerly waiting, Master.”

* * * * *

As the guests from the dinner show began to file out of the castle on the night of her last performance, she noticed Jack talking to a few of the entertainers. She was hoping to see him later tonight to discuss her plans for moving out of her cottage and into his apartment over the store. Although depending on Jack for a job and a home wasn’t

ideal, he insisted she would soon find employment either with her harp or in the

security business. She was following her heart, trusting him and their love, even though she felt like she was jumping out of an airplane without a parachute and expecting the ground to provide a soft landing.

Emerald Dungeon

Jack’s Uncle Lee had been in the audience that evening and after the show he came

up to her. “Glory, Dana, you do play the folk harp beautifully.”

“Thank you, Mr. Keagan.”

“Call me Lee. And can you forgive an old goat for being harsh with you?”

Dana smiled. “Of course, it’s all right.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“I’m pleased you’ll be staying,” he declared. “In truth, I’ve not seen my nephew this happy in a long time.”

Dana pressed her hand to her heart. “Thanks for saying so.”

“I’ll see you at the store. Good night.” After a few words with his nephew, he left

the great hall.

While she waited for Jack, she strummed out an old folk song Kevin was teaching

her. Mr. Donegal walked over to her. “Lovely performance, Dana, a gift you have

there,” Mr. Donegal said, admiring her instrument. “Like listening to an angel play.”

“Thank you. Your other harpist, Jane, should be back this week.”

“Wanted to talk to you about that now.” He scratched his chin. “Jane has decided to

stay home with her babe. She won’t be coming back to Rathmore Castle. She’ll fill in as needed but I’d hoped you’d considering staying on with us.”

“Really?” Her fingers gripped her harp so hard she thought she’d leave permanent

dents. Glancing around the room, she looked for Jack. He was going to be thrilled. Or was he? Jack was with a group of guests and entertainers and had just left the room,

taking the stone stairway to the lower level. She’d have to talk to him later. “Thanks, Mr. Donegal, I’d love to.”

He asked her to stop by the office the next day to make arrangements then left the

hall. Shannon came over. “You’re all smiles, Dana.”

“Jane has chosen not to come back to the show, and Mr. Donegal asked me to stay

and replace her.”

“And you agreed.”

Kathy Kulig

Dana nodded.

“Wonderful. I’m sure Jack will be pleased. Does he know yet?”

“No, could you tell him to meet me on top of the castle? I want to surprise him.”

“Sure thing. So glad you’re staying with us. I was going to miss you terribly,”

Shannon said, giving her a hug.

* * * * *

Standing on top of the ancient castle, she looked out at the glow of lights from the

cottages. A warm breeze swayed the pine trees. And the sounds of night creatures

drifted up from the forest and bog. No lights could be seen deep within the trees.

Unfettered had vanished for now.

Dana wondered how many lovers over the centuries had stood looking out from

that turret, a lord and lady, a crusader and maiden, struggling or arguing over some

impediment. Jack was in love with her. And she was in love with him.

This would be her new home. The excitement and anticipation tingled through her.

Yes, this was where she belonged. The door to the roof creaked open and Jack stepped

out. The sky was clear except for a few clouds but it was a warm August evening.

“Shannon said you had some news.” He took her in his arms and kissed her.

“Jane isn’t coming back. Mr. Donegal asked me to stay on. So you don’t have to put

me up in your apartment if you don’t want to. I can stay in the cottage.”

“I love you, Dana. I want us to be together as lovers and friends, as Master and

slave.” He hugged her then squeezed her breasts through the thick fabric of the

costume. Her body heated up. She wanted him right there, right now on top of the

castle. Gripping the material of his medieval tunic, she pulled him closer. Time seemed to stand still for a moment. Looking into his eyes, she saw lust and also love. How

could she have considered leaving him?

”Would you rather stay in the cottage or at the store?” His face was emotionless but

intense.

Emerald Dungeon

“I’ll stay with you.”

“Great. You can still work in the store if you like. I’ll give my uncle a good talking to. I’m sure over time he’ll get to love you. He’s cautious about people and remembers how a woman broke my heart years ago.”

“I think we’ll get along fine,” she said.

He hugged her again. “I’m so glad you’re staying with the troupe. When did

Donegal give you the news?”

“Right after the show.”

“And you didn’t come to tell me straight away? I might have to punish you for

that,” he teased.

“Please, Master, please.” Turning around, she raised her skirt, facing out at the

forest where Unfettered had once been. Where she learned about glorious surrender.

Bending forward, she stuck out her naked bottom to him. “My lord, I’m ready for my

punishment.”

“No panties? Hmmm.” His hand rubbed the bare skin of her ass. “My lady, I do

believe a most severe punishment is in order.”

About the Author

Kathy Kulig spins stories with passion and adventure. Her characters enter both

paranormal and contemporary worlds with steamy or erotic romances woven in. Gutsy

heroines and hunky heroes face the unexpected and overcome formidable odds,

because with courage, true love can find a way. These are the stories she loves to read and the stories she loves to write.

Besides her career in writing, Kathy is a cytotechnologist and has worked as a

research scientist, medical technologist, dive master and stringer for a newspaper.

Propelled by her love of travel and adventure, Kathy has visited a few places not

usually considered vacation hot spots—and lived to tell about it. When not writing or dreaming up her next story, Kathy enjoys traveling, relaxing by the beach with a book, mountain biking, movies and dinners out. She lives with her husband in a 100-year-old Victorian house in Pennsylvania.

Kathy welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email

address on her
author bio page
at
www.ellorascave.com.

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