Lured (The Brazil Werewolf Series Book 4) (6 page)

              The day before our wedding Tamas came to me offering to take me to speak with Ion.  My mother was reluctant but agreed.  Still, she watched us as we walked to his motor home from the door of our motor home.  He knocked on the door and we heard the muffled reply allowing us to enter. 

              Darkness met us as we stepped inside.  We walked toward the bedroom where the only light in the home shined from a cracked door.  Tamas nodded with a somber face toward Ion as we entered the room.  He winced as his gaze fell upon Fiona’s shriveled body.  I assumed that she had appeared much different when he last met her.  Ion’s eyes met mine before turning back to Fiona, finding her asleep.  He pointed his chin toward the living area. 

              “We should talk out there,” he whispered, “I don’t want to wake her.  She becomes upset while awake.”

              I nodded and we moved to the living room where Ion turned on the light.  I blinked away the spots as Ion turned to me both curious and afraid, “Tamas said you wanted to talk to me though I am unsure what it is about.”

              I bit my lip and then, nodded, “I wanted to know about the girl who brought Fiona to us,” I said, shifting from foot to foot, “I think that she may be my sister, Jaelle.”

              He tilted his head as he studied me and then, shook his head, “I thought your sister died,” he said, frowning, “At least, that’s what I was told.”

              “We never found a body.  We just assumed,” I said, twisting my hands in front of me, “All we ever found of her was her nightgown with blood on it but I think that maybe the blood belonged to me.  I was injured that night.”

              “Eva clawed you,” He said, nodding and then, sighed, “I apologize.  I glimpsed the mark at the bonfire.”

              I swallowed hard as I remembered the humiliation of having the mark on display, “It’s alright.  I’m sure everyone saw it,” I said, trying to fight back tears.  Ion gave me a sad smile and patted my shoulder.

              “I don’t know if I can help you much.  Unfortunately, I left before that girl arrived,” he said, frowning, “Garridan would probably be a better person to ask.”

              My shoulders slumped forward, “Thank you for your honesty.”

              “That’s what you’ll always get from me,” he said, glancing toward the bedroom, “Even when it hurts.”

              “Can I ask why you left?”  I said, studying his face, “I mean if it’s okay.”

              Ion nodded as he motioned to a chair.  I sat down as he took the chair across from me.  Tamas stood near me, “I left because of Fiona,” he said, swallowing, “She was fifteen when Emilian raped her. I was there that night. I was searching for him and found him standing over her.  She was terrified and there was nothing I could do.  He’d already done the deed,” he said as a muscle twitched below his eye, “My father was so proud of him.  I found out that my mother had been raped also but because she was werewolf, my mother had been forced to marry him.  She killed herself when I was three.  My father died shortly after the rape of Lilly’s mother.  I was to be alpha but I realized that I couldn’t be like him.  I didn’t want to be like him.  So, I left.  Emilian took over and I came here.  Sophia and Gavriel accepted me with open arms.”

              “Sophia and Gavriel took you in?” I asked with a raised brow.

              “My mother was Sophia’s childhood friend,” Ion said with a sigh, “She was proud of me for turning away from them.  I tried to pay penance to Fiona.  She became my friend and for a while something else but that fell through and I married Tanya to protect my niece from her.”

              “You still love Fiona,” I said, softly.

              He nodded, “But she will never love me because of Emilian,” he said, “She is blood bonded to him and now, she’s losing her life.  It makes me angry.  He’d already taken so much from her and now this.”

              My heart clenched as I stood, “I’m so sorry, Ion,” I whispered, “I am going to still hope that she’ll be cured.”

              He gave me a sad smile, “If I hope, it will kill the rest of my faith if she isn’t,” he said and then, shook his head as he stood to face me, “Talk to Garridan about the girl you saw.  He has a past with the Grey wolves that is more recent than I do.  He was part of their inner circle.  I’m sure he saw the girl and knows something about her.”

              I nodded as Tamas pulled me to the door.  I glanced back at Ion’s hopeless expression and swallowed over the tears of his despair.  If he couldn’t hope, I would have to for the both of them.

************

I was surprised to learn that my bridal shower would include the men.  I had always assumed that they didn’t but Tamas walked with me to the bonfire pit where the rest of the family waited.  He whispered that the rules changed after Mary Jane had received her parent’s wedding bands as gifts…Wedding bands they had worn during their deaths.  

              “How awful,” I whispered sadly as I glanced toward where Mary Jane stood close to Luc.   I couldn’t imagine how it had felt to receive such an awful gift during her bridal shower.  Worse, I was sure that the memory of that gift was fresh in her mind as she stood waiting for me to open my gifts. 

              Tamas turned to me and caressed my cheek interrupting my ability to see Mary Jane, “Don’t worry,” he said in a soft whisper, “Nothing like that will happen to you.  I promise.”

              I nodded, “I know,” I said, swallowing hard as my mind drifted to my sister, “But it makes me wonder about Jaelle.  If that was her, how have the Grey Wolves treated her?  She’s one of us.  What if they tortured her this whole time because she isn’t one of them?”

              Tamas gave me a sad smile, “There is a few minutes before the shower begins.  Maybe you should speak to Garridan.  He may have those answers for you.”

              I nodded as Tamas clasped my hand in his and lead me to Garridan who stood near the entrance of the pit.  His arms were crossed over his massive chest as he gazed toward the forest as if expecting an attack any second.  Finally, he turned back to me, meeting my eyes. 

              “Ion told me that you may be coming to speak to me,” Garridan said and gave me a sad smile before shifting, “He said it was about the girl who brought Fiona back.”

              I nodded, “Can you tell me about her?” I asked, frowning as I studied his face.

              He shrugged, “She’s Eva’s adopted daughter,” he said and then, narrowed his eyes, “Though why she adopted her I have no idea.  She’s never been very nice to her.”

              “What is the girl’s name?” I asked as my heart thudded hard in my chest.

              “She calls her little one,” he said and his brow creased, “But once I heard her called Jaelle once.”

              “That’s my sister’s name,” I said, swallowing hard as tears filled my eyes.  I turned and glanced toward where my mother and father stood wondering if I should tell them. 

              “Listen,” Garridan said, causing me to turn back to him.  He sighed as his face darkened, “If this girl is your sister, I understand your need to save her but she might be too brainwashed.  She believes Eva rescued her.  In her mind, she’s her mother no matter how bad she treats her.”

              I studied him for a moment, “What is your connection to Eva?”

              “I used to be her lover,” he said, swallowing hard, “I used to be in love with her before she let her life be taken over by the Grey family.  She wasn’t always heartless and cruel but when she became that way, there was no going back.  She ripped apart anyone who stood in her way to become alpha…Even me.  Her betrayal took every piece of love I had for her and turned it to hate.  It also ruined any allegiance I had to Emilian.  He fed her need for affection by rewarding violence and heartless endeavors.  When Eva became what she is now, It opened my eyes.  I saw Emilian for what he was…Cruel and heartless.  He was willing to hurt anyone to get his way even his daughters…Even Eva.  She actually respected him for that.”

              “That’s why you left?” I asked, frowning, “Because of Eva?”

              “No,” he said with a shrug, “Like I said, what she did opened my eyes but afterwards, the things that Emilian made me do because he was alpha and I was compelled to obey, darkened my soul.  I don’t want to be in darkness.  I don’t want to be evil.  I want to be good.”

              I gave him a sad smile, “Because you fought against it and wished for something else, you are good.”

              “Thank you for that,” he said with a nod, “When you are ready to retrieve your sister, let me know.  I’ll help you.  However, I must warn you.  You will need a plan.  Do not go in there without one.  Eva may have started off with a kinder soul than Emilian but now it’s darker than his ever was.  She won’t hesitate to kill your sister in the cruelest of ways.  She doesn’t hold back even where Emilian would have.  No one will stop her…Not the Grey Wolves…Not even Lilly and Aurora who are her blood.  She’d kill them to get what she wants.”

              I swallowed as all manners of evils filled my mind.  Garridan nodded as if he knew my thoughts. 

              “I’ll make sure we have a plan,” I whispered. 

              Garridan glanced from me to Tamas, “Now, we should stop thinking of these things…At least for today,” He said, patting Tamas on the shoulder, “We need to think of your marriage.  It’s more pleasant.”

              “Thank you,” Tamas said with a grin.

              “It’s not a problem,” he said with raised brows, “Congratulations.”

              Then, Garridan was walking away from us toward where Sophia spoke to my mother and Mirella before I clasped Tamas’ hand in mine ready to celebrate the light before the darkness came.

              Darkness still shrouded me when the light that was Mirella’s personality surrounded me the morning of my wedding.  She nudged me with a rough shove, impatient for me to move.  When I didn’t she did it again. 

              “You’re worse than Aurora,” Mirella said in a voice more like a chirp, “It’s your wedding day.  You should be awake and ready to face the day.  Don’t you want to see what you look like in your dress?  Come on, Nadia.  Please get up.”

              I opened one eye and tried to project hostility but Mirella only laughed and nudged me again, “Come on,” she pleaded, “You’ve only got a few hours.  It takes a good amount of time to make you beautiful.”

              “Hey!” I said as I opened both eyes to peer at her, “What’s that supposed to mean?” 

              Mirella grinned, flashing perfect white teeth, “I knew that would wake you up,” she said, laughing as I threw a pillow at her, “I don’t understand why you believed that.  You’re beautiful.  I want you stunning though so get up.”

              She nudged me again and I rolled my eyes.  Either I rose from the bed or I would be covered in bruises on my wedding day.  I groaned and sat up narrowing my eyes at her further.  My mother was already in the kitchen making coffee.  She turned to me and smiled. 

              “My baby is waking up for the last time in my presence,” she said and then, grinned, “I will miss seeing you in the morning…Even if you are grouchy.”

              I swallowed over the lump in my throat.  This would be the last time I would wake up to see my mother making breakfast in the kitchen.  I glanced around.  It would be the last time I would wake up in the only home I’d ever known.  I shook my head.  It was too early for this much sentimentality.  I forced a smile and moved further up in bed.  Mirella clapped her hands excited that I was alert. 

              “You are going to have so much fun this morning,” Mirella said barely able to keep from bouncing.  For a moment, I was jealous of her energy. 

              I raised a brow, “I’m pretty sure that I would have had more fun if you’d let me sleep an hour more.”

              My mother snickered and then, shook her head, “She wouldn’t allow you to do that,” she said with wide eyes as she glanced at Mirella, “She’s too much like her mother.”

              Mirella straightened and narrowed her eyes.  She faced my mother with pursed lips, “I am not,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

              “You didn’t know her when she was young,” my mother said, setting a cup of coffee on the bar and glancing at me with pity in her eyes, “The coffee is for you.  It will wake you up.”

              I smiled relieved, “Thank you, Momma,” I said as I stood and made my way to the coffee. Mirella bounced beside me to the bar and sat down.

              A knock at the door caused us to jump and my mother laughed as she walked to it and opened it.  Lilly walked in and shook her head when she viewed Mirella.  She raised her brows and smirked.

              “Somehow, I realized that I wouldn’t beat you here,” she said and turned to me with an apologetic expression in her eyes, “She does this to everyone.  However, I was already awake when she came for me.”

              Mirella’s grin widened, “Of course, I do this to everyone,” she said as I sipped the coffee from the warm mug, “I wouldn’t want anyone to feel left out.”

              “I wouldn’t have minded this morning.  I wouldn’t have been upset at all,” I said, chuckling into my mug, “But I’m up now.”

              Mirella’s grin widened, “See,” she said, grinning, “She sees reason.”

              Lilly chuckled, “I’m sorry that she’s so enthusiastic,” she said, smiling, “But to be fair, she does a wonderful job with hair and make-up and you don’t have to do anything but sit there.”

              I raised my brow and gave Mirella a mock expression of skepticism, “Okay but if you make me resemble a troll, I will shave your head in your sleep.”

              Mirella giggled, “Don’t worry,” she said, laughing as she pulled me from the bar toward a chair and bid me to sit down, “Even though I would rock being bald, I will make sure that you are at your most beautiful.”

              I smiled but narrowed my eyes, “You better.”

              “Don’t worry,” Mirella said, laughing, “Stay still.  Let me make sure that you take Tamas’ breath away.”

              Lilly gave me a secret smile, “I think she already does.”

              I swallowed as hope flooded me.  Could Tamas really have feelings for me? He’d already admitted he liked me. I smiled at the thought as hope flooded my soul.

*********

I marveled at how well Mirella had done.  I was beautiful…More beautiful than I’d ever been.  Still, I stood nervous and afraid outside of the doors waiting with my father standing beside me.  He stared down at me with tears resting in his eyes.  He swallowed in a valiant effort to keep his tears from spilling and gave me a sad smile. 

              “This day has come too soon for me,” he whispered, “I still see you as my little girl.”

              “You will always see me that way,” I said, softly, “Because I will always be your little girl.”

              He nodded as the doors opened allowing Aurora and Andre through, “Tamas is a good choice,” he whispered and I smiled.

              “He is, Daddy,” I said as my mind conjured up his image.   The doors opened again and Lilly and Marco exited. 

              “So, you like him?” He asked, searching my face.

              I nodded, “I really do,” I said, taking a breath because I had realized that what I felt for him was more than just liking him.  I trusted him.  I depended on him and I was falling in love with him so quick I was dizzy with it. 

              He nodded again, “That makes me feel better,” he said, smiling through the tears as Mary Jane and Luc stepped out of the door. 

              “I’m glad, Daddy,” I said, softly as Mirella glanced back at me and grinned.  She moved toward the door with Luca on her arm. 

              The doors opened and Mirella and Luc moved through them and the doors closed again.  My father stood awkwardly with me, trying to fight tears.  Pesha stood in front of us playing with his suit and Ruby held his hand.

              The doors opened and Sophia and Gavriel held their hands out to Pesha and Ruby to escort them down the aisle as ring bearer and flower girl.  They exited closing the door for the last time before my walk down the aisle.

              “I love you, Nadia,” he said tightening his grip on my arm. 

              I swallowed over the lump in my throat, “I love you too, Daddy,” I said in a hoarse voice, “I always will.  Nothing will change that.”

              The doors opened and for a moment I was stunned by the beautiful chapel before me.  Dark wood decorated the church from the pews to the wooden beams which made a dome ceiling.   Crystal chandeliers hung casting rainbows across the congregation. Red carpet reached from the door where we stood down the aisle to the pulpit which was raised by three steps.  My bridesmaids stood on each step to the right and the groomsmen cascaded down the other side of the pulpit. The preacher stood behind the pulpit dressed in a grey and white suit with a matching tie.  A large display of stained glass decorated the wall behind him depicting Jesus on the cross and two stained glass pictures below it of the piercing of his side and Mary holding his lifeless body.  Finally, my gaze moved to Tamas and my breath caught.  He was dressed in a black tailed coat and black pants with an ornate ivory vest covering a crisp white shirt.  A black bow tie was tied at his neck.  My eyes traveled to his and I gasped as a slow smile reached across his face.  I was drawn to him and took a step with my father gripping my hand which was clasped at his elbow. 

              Closer and closer I walked toward him.  My heart was in my throat as my destiny was made with each step and I realized my sister’s death had never been what made me.  It was the moment my parents chose him and the moment Sophia chose me.  This marriage was my destiny not revenge.  We stopped just before reaching him and the preacher began to speak.

              “Welcome to the marriage of Nadia Chrystal Scarrett and Tamas Michael Brazil,” he said, allowing his voice to boom across the chapel, “Who gives this woman to this man?”

              My father took a shuddering breath, “I and my wife do,” he said, turning to me and lifting my veil.  He smiled before kissing my cheek as a tear escaped his eye.  He clasped my hand as we moved to Tamas and placed my hand gently in his. 

              “Treat her well,” My father said, softly before moving to sit beside my mother who laid her head on his shoulder.  Tears rested in her eyes too.  I turned back to Tamas trying not to let tears flow down my cheeks.  His eyes were my anchor and I was able to push them away. 

              “You take my breath away,” he said so no one in the congregation could hear him, “You’re beautiful.”

              I took a deep breath, “You’re not so bad yourself,” I said, smiling as the preacher began.  He spoke of the importance of marriage and how your mate was to help you through life.  I gazed at Tamas realizing how much he had already helped me.  I understood in that moment that he was healing me.

              “Now, for the vows,” The Preacher said, turning to me, “Repeat after me.”

              Dutifully, I said the words, “I, Nadia Chrystal Scarrett, take you, Tamas Michael Brazil, to be my husband.  I will revel in what I know about you and look forward to learning what I do not.  I will respect you in all that you are and will help you through the good times and the bad.  I will be your best friend in life and will love you always.”

              Tamas smiled as his turn came, “I, Tamas Michael Brazil, take you, Nadia Chrystal Scarrett, to be my wife.  I will revel in what I know about you and look forward to learning what I do not.  I will respect you in all that you are and will help you through the good times and the bad.  I will be your best friend in life and will love you always.”

              “Do you have a ring for this woman?” The preacher asked with raised brows. 

              Pesha rose with a little pillow in his hand.  Tamas ruffled his hair and then, reached for the small band of white gold.  Little vines were engraved around the entirety of the band.

              “It’s beautiful,” I whispered and he grinned. 

              “Tamas Michael Brazil, do you take Nadia Chrystal Scarrett to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, through richer or poorer, through sickness and health and promise to forsake all others and love her for all eternity.”

              Tamas smiled as he met my eyes, “I do,” He said almost reverently. 

              The preacher turned to me, “The ring, Nadia.”  I turned to my brother who held the ring out proudly to me.  I smiled at him and picked up the matching ring to mine.  

“Nadia Chrystal Scarrett, do you take Tamas Michael Brazil to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, through richer or poorer, through sickness and health and promise to forsake all others and love him for all eternity.”

I stared at this man who I had already grown to love.  His protection and his willingness to help me was amazing.  I met his eyes as they began to grow worried and said the two words that would bind us together forever, “I do.”

              He released a breath and gave a nervous laugh, “You scared me,” he whispered in a shaky voice.   

              “Tamas, you may kiss your bride,” The preacher said in a booming, joyous voice. 

              Tamas pulled me against him and stared down into my eyes with such intensity that my stomach flipped.  Slowly, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine in a chaste and reverent kiss that meant more than any kiss he’d ever given me.  I inhaled sharply as he reached up and caressed my cheek as if I were something precious.  He pulled away with his fingertips brushing my jaw.  A slow smile broke across his face as he took my hand in his and turned toward our family and friends.  I blushed as I realized how quickly I had forgotten their presence. 

“I would like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Tamas Brazil,” The preacher said behind us in a way that echoed throughout the room.  Tamas raised my hand with his in the air as the crowd broke out in applause.  My heart thundered in my chest as the enormity of my marriage hit me.  Tamas Brazil was my husband and I was his wife for the rest of our lives.  I glanced at him as my heart swelled.  He was mine and I was happy to be his as we raced down the aisle to the limo.