Furious (12 page)

Without moving her body—in fear of attracting the dogs’ attention—Lucia shifted her gaze from them to Draken as he smiled at her from his place next to his horse.  He simply stood for a moment and stared at her before he set down his brush and strode toward her. 

“Well, I suppose I should introduce you.”  Looking from her to the dogs, he kissed her on the cheek before he bent to one knee and hugged the gray Irish wolfhound closest to him, “This is King.  He runs the show.”  Releasing his hold on the dog, he stood and ruffled the ears of the black lab standing next to King.  “This is Zora; she’s the cause of great dispute between my two boys here.”  Brushing past Lucia, Draken knelt in front of the third dog, a pit-bull/terrier mix.  Draken chuckled as the golden furred dog licked his face excitedly, “And this is Ruger.  He thinks he’s a person and gets highly offended when I make him sleep with the other two dogs.” 

Nervously, Lucia offered a shaky, “Hello.” 

Draken erupted into laughter, “They aren’t going to attack you.  They’re just babies, they mean you no harm.” 

Unsure, Lucia bent and gave each dog one stiff pat on the head.  Standing, she met Draken’s furrowed brow.

“Haven’t you ever had a dog?”

“No”, she offered stiffly. 

“Well why not,” he scoffed. 

Bending over and attempting a looser version of her first pat, Lucia answered, “I always wanted a dog, but they weren’t allowed at the orphanage.  By the time I was out on my own I was too busy working to feel right having one.  I didn’t think it would be fair to the dog to leave it at home alone that often.” 

Ruger licked her face and she quickly stood and beamed up at Draken in delight, “I think that one likes me.” 

Draken, whose expression held a hint of sadness at Lucia’s confession, changed to one of delight as he bent and picked up a stick.  “They all like you.  That’s the nature of dogs.  As long as you’re good to them, they’ll love you without question.”  He threw the stick a great distance out into a field and the dogs eagerly chased after it. 

Watching the dogs run, Lucia asked, “Are those the guard dogs?” 

Draken cast her a sidelong glance, “Yes, why do you ask?” 

She lifted her brows and shrugged, “Well you just said that they’re babies and that they mean no harm, but can that be true if they are guard dogs?” 

He turned his gaze back to the approaching dogs and smiled as Zora and Ruger tried to take the stick from between King’s teeth.  “They’re guard dogs in name only.  While I’m positive they’d attack an intruder, they’d never harm any one without provocation.” 

Lucia nodded, feeling like a ninny for allowing these not-so-viscous beasts to keep her locked in the manor on multiple occasions. 

Draken threw the stick again and grabbed Lucia’s hand, practically dragging her to the horse.  “Do you ride?  Would you like to take the horse out for a while?” 

Remembering why she’d been intently searching for him, she pulled her hand from his and tried to renew her anger.  “No.  I don’t ride and I don’t want to take the horse out for a while.  I want to know what’s going on.  Why is my stuff in your house?” 

Draken bent and picked up the brush and began stroking the horse with it, ignoring her questions. 

Lucia demanded, “Are you ignoring me to be rude, or because you don’t know the answer to my question?” 

He turned and scanned the grounds, looking above her head as if he were trying to find something.  Before she could protest, he grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her into the nearby stables.  The dogs, having retrieved the stick, made to follow but instinctively stopped at the threshold of the stables, choosing to lie just outside the door and await their master’s return. 

Inside the barn Lucia protested, “Draken, your hurting my arm.”  She shrugged free of his grip, “I don’t know why you’re so furious all the time.  I’m the one who has no idea what the hell is going on...  ever!” 

Clenching his jaw, Draken backed her into a stall as she practically screamed, “Just tell me what’s going on!” 

Draken clamped a hand over her mouth and peeked over the stall on both sides to ensure their privacy.  “Listen.  I don’t know how to approach you with this; it’s certainly something I’ve never done before.  I’d meant to discuss this with you in a much more suitable atmosphere, but since your pressuring me.”  He appeared unsure as he speared a hand through his satiny hair.  “Oh hell….you’re moving in here with me and we’re to be married tomorrow.” 

With his hand still clamped over her mouth, Lucia’s eyes grew wide in incredulity.  Draken dropped his hand from her mouth and again scanned the stables for any eavesdroppers.  Lucia stood for a moment with her mouth agape and eyes wide until finally she erupted into hysterical fits of laughter.  She laughed so hard that tears streamed down her cheeks and she doubled-over to hold her aching belly. 

Draken whispered loudly through clenched teeth, “Lucia, pull yourself together.” 

Lucia stood up and rubbed tears from her cheeks, her smile still stretching from ear to ear, “Oh, Draken you caught me off-guard with that.  I haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing your sense of humor until now.”  Beaming up at him as she stood somberly staring down at her, her smile slowly faded.  “Draken, you are joking?” She tried to convince him more than she questioned.  Still he stood and stared. 

Lucia’s expression changed to one of serious concern and it was her turn to tiptoe and peer over the stall, “This
is
a practical joke…isn’t it?”  Annoyed, she brushed past him, “It’s not funny, Draken.  You’re really scaring me.” 

Draken forced the stall door closed, just as she approached it, locking them both in the stall. 

Turning on him, Lucia roared, “Stop it!  It’s not funny anymore.”  Her chest was heaving and her hands were shaking uncontrollably. 

Draken walked up to her and cupped her face in his hands as he bent down and kissed her forehead, “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to frighten you.  You’re safe with me, I’d never let anything hurt you.”  He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back gently. 

She relaxed in his warm embrace and sighed deeply, “Don’t do that to me, I was really scared.  I almost believed you.” 

His caressing touch ceased and Lucia looked up at him and into the realization that he wasn’t joking.  He meant every word he’d said. 

Anger and fear welled up inside her and Lucia shoved him with all her might. 

He smiled softly down at her as his massive frame remained unmoved by her shove.  Realizing she needed space he took a step back as he spoke, “Lucia, I know you feel…” his words were cut off as his step backwards was fumbled by a rake lying face down buried just under the hay they were standing on.  Draken fell back and landed with a hard thud, the back of his head smacking the wooden wall of the stall. 

Lucia gasped, “Are you alright?”  She made to help Draken up as he rubbed the back of his head.

“Fine.”  He moaned and one eye closed as he rubbed the sore spot on his head. 

Instantly Lucia froze.  This was her chance.  She looked down at him then quickly turned and shoved the stall door open.  Slamming the door closed behind her, she bolted from the stables.  She heard Draken’s thunderous boom follow her out, “LUCIA!”

Exiting the stables, she nearly tripped over the three dogs as she turned and ran in the opposite direction of the house. 

Instantly, the dogs sprang to their feet, but remained at the stable door waiting for their master, tails wagging excitedly as they eagerly watched Lucia run.  She was unaware that Draken had sprung to his feet to chase her down, but had been delayed by the latch on the stall door closing firmly into place after she’d slammed the door shut. 

She ran blindly through a thickly wooded area of the estate.  The sun was now high in the sky and her heart raced.  She didn’t know where she was going, but she didn’t want to stop for fear that Draken would catch up.  The closely set trees and bushes caught on her flimsy t-shirt and pulled at her hair.  She could feel branches slap at her face and arms as she ran with her hands up in front of her in an effort to clear a path.  She ran until her lungs burned and her legs nearly gave out.  Exhausted, she stopped to rest on a log that crossed her path. 

Shaking like a leaf, she was now worried about what Draken would do if he caught her.  She hugged her body tightly and rocked back and forth on the log still trying to catch her breath.  She tasted blood and licked her lip realizing she must have been cut by a branch. 

Seconds passed like hours and she decided her rest was long enough even though she had barely caught her breath.  Jumping up, she looked in the direction she’d come from to see if Draken was in sight.  She scratched at her throat and hands and turned to run when she noticed that when she scratched her throat and hands it only made the itching intensify. 

Looking down she saw that her hands were red and swollen with several scratches.  She remembered the doctor’s words right after the accident, “You’ll have to steer clear of foliage that could scratch or irritate your new skin.  Where you have scars from your burns, the skin will be extremely sensitive.  Sun block must be worn at all times and you must avoid allergens and skin irritants.” 

Her hands reached up and felt her throat, which suddenly felt constricted from more than her run through the woods. 
Oh God!
 
I’m having an allergic reaction.  Why is it only on my scarred flesh?
Her thoughts raced even faster than her pounding heart.  Realizing she was having difficulty breathing, she stared down at her still swelling hands and instantly knew she needed medical attention.  She turned to head back to the house, hoping she’d make it in time, but ran square into the solid wall of Draken’s chest.

He grabbed her arms and glared down at her in a fury, “Where in the hell do you think you’re going?”  Seeing the panic on her face and realizing it wasn’t related to his great chase he released his grip as she looked up at him with pleading eyes and in a panic. 

She held up her hands and brushed her throat squeaking out a barely audible, “Something’s wrong.” 

Chapter 18

Grabbing her hands, Draken felt their heat.  He felt her throat and asked, now panicky himself, “Can you breathe alright?” 

Lucia shook her head, afraid to speak. 

Draken picked her up and carried her a few yards to a clearing and his saddled horse.  He hoisted her up onto the saddle and mounted the horse behind her, “Okay?” 

She looked at him, eyes wide, and nodded. 

Draken urged the horse as fast as he could and they were at the back door to the manor in minutes.  Draken slid from the horse then reached up and eased her down into his arms. 

Carrying her in the back door, he was met by a roomful of maids, who upon seeing Lucia’s state, shrieked almost in unison, “Patrick, fetch the doctor!” 

Without breaking stride, Draken carried Lucia upstairs and straight into his bathroom.  He set her on a white marble bench that sat against a wall and began running a bath. 

Lucia whispered, “What should I do?” 

Draken turned from the tub and tried to reassure her, “Your skin is just having an allergic reaction from the thorn bushes you ran through.”  He ran a comforting hand over her hair, “We need to rinse your skin to remove any allergens.” 

She nodded her agreement and began removing her clothes.  When she was completely naked, Draken wrapped her in a large white towel and gently placed her in the warm bath.  “Scoot down so your neck can rinse”, he suggested. 

Lucia did as she was told.  Draken knelt next to the tub and cupped handfuls of warm water over her reclined head and asked, “Can you breathe any better?” 

Lucia whispered, “My throat’s tight”. 

After several moments of soaking, there was a knock at the bathroom door and a voice from the other room, “Mr. Shatan it’s me, Dr. White.  May I enter?” 

Draken stood, “Yes Doctor, please.”  Draken stepped back to allow the doctor room to examine Lucia.  Dr. White sent Draken to retrieve a glass of water while he retrieved a bottle of capsules from his little black bag. 

When Draken returned with the water, Dr. White handed Lucia four capsules and ordered her to drink them down with the water, then stood and left the room grabbing Draken’s arm and pulling him along as he left.  “Mr. Shatan, it appears that she’s having a simple allergic reaction to something she has come in contact with.  As I stated months ago, her scarred flesh is highly sensitive and must not be irritated.  The bath is a good idea; it will help soothe the skin.”  Dr. White grabbed his coat that was hanging on the bedroom’s doorknob.  “I’ll leave this bottle of Benadryl with you.  I don’t imagine she’ll need more, but it’s best for you to have some around just in case.”  As Dr. White was exiting the room, he stopped to shake hands with a grateful Draken, “Have a good evening Mr. Shatan.  If her condition should worsen, please contact me.  Although, I doubt that it will.  The Benadryl should do the trick.  Have a good evening.” 

With Dr. White’s departure, Draken returned to the bathroom.  Lucia still sat in the water up to her neck. 

“How are you feeling?  Is it better” he asked, his voice laced with concern. 

“The itching is going away and my throat’s not so bad.” 

Draken turned from her and ran a hand through his hair as he drew in a ragged breath.  Lucia was coming to recognize this gesture as an indication of his frustration.  Turning back to her, her assumption was confirmed as his expression darkened and he barked, “Stay in the bath for a while.  When you’re finished, get dressed and rest.  The doc says the medication he gave you will most likely make you sleepy.  Rest.  When you wake, meet me in the library for dinner at seven.” 

Turning to exit the room, he stopped and glared her, “That’s not a request.”  She heard his footsteps on the hardwood floor as he departed.

Resting in the tub, Lucia realized that her body was still tense from the events of the day.  She pondered how she could appeal to the logical side of Draken, and then she smiled to herself as she wondered if he even had a logical side.