Woman Beheld (3 page)

Several minutes later, the clouds overhead broke and the silvery light from a giant moon illuminated the landscape. A large building loomed before them with crenellated towers. It appeared to be a castle surrounded by a thick, stone wall that stood at least fifty feet tall. Surrounding the wall was nothing but water, its rippling waves dappled by moonlight. It was then that Elle realized they were flying or, more to the point, he was flying and carrying her with him.

The pain in her stomach increased again and Elle forgot about everything, but praying to every God she could remember, asking them to save her baby’s life.

They landed on a large balcony. A wave of his hand opened the glass doors before them. Striding through them, he hurried over to a large bed and placed her on the soft mattress. Reaching out, he pulled a long, gold cord over her head.

Almost immediately, a door opened and a man hurried in. “Yes, Defender?”

“Get the healer, Samau. Her baby is in distress. We must do what we can to save them both.”

Elle stared up at the man who saved her from her attackers. He looked so worried. It was as though he felt responsible for her. It was ridiculous when she thought about it. He didn’t even know her name and he acted as though her life and the life of her child were more important to him than anything.

“I’ll never be able to repay you for saving us.” Something told her that she would die this day and she would never see or hold her baby. “I don’t think I’m going to—”

“Shh…” Daffyd grabbed her hand and kissed the palm. He pressed it against his face. “Don’t think about that.” He pressed his free hand against her belly. “Your child moves. It is still alive and so are you.”

“But if I should die…” she couldn’t bring herself to finish her sentence.

“You will not die.” He stared into her eyes for a moment, then sighed. “If you should, I will care for your child as my own. He will never want for a thing.”

“It could be a girl, you know.” She smiled through her fears. What if she really died here? Who would mourn her? She bit her lip as another pain ripped through her abdomen. Who would mourn her anywhere? It was time she finally came to grips with the fact that she had no one. This strange man had given her more in the last twenty minutes or so than anyone had since Barry died.

It was too bad she was dying. She could feel it. Her life ebbed away with every strong contraction. Every gripping wave stole more of her energy away as her baby seemed to fight harder to escape the prison of her womb. It was fitting. She would give up her life for her child without a second thought.

It took every ounce of willpower she possessed to reach up and cup her hero’s cheek. “Thank you, for trying to save me, Daffyd, but I think I’m a total loss. Please save my baby, even if it’s at the expense of my life.”

Daffyd held her smaller hand in his. She squeezed his tight, but not enough to harm him. Her head thrashed on the pillow, perspiration covered her brow, locks of dark russet sticking to her face. Reaching up, he brushed the damp hair from her forehead.

Never before in his life had he ever felt so inadequate. He was of no use to her other than a body to hold her hand. A lump formed in his throat when he realized that this gorgeous woman could die in his arms, in his bed, and he didn’t even know her name.

“I will care for your baby. I will care for both of you. You will not die.” Daffyd wanted to gather her in his arms, hold her close, and tell her everything would be all right. He couldn’t. Not yet. He would only frighten her more.

He met her violet gaze, marveling at the color of her beautiful eyes. “Tell me your name.” He would have compelled her had that been one of his powers. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. So far, that he knew, only the defender, Tristan had that particular ability. He’d often considered the other man lucky to have that power. Now, Daffyd realized that
he
was the lucky one. Tristan had not yet found a woman with whom to share his life.

“Elle,” she said on a groan. “My name is Elle.”

“A beautiful name for such a beautiful woman.”

“Ha! Right. I’m fat and sweaty and screaming. I’ve probably broken your fingers squeezing them, and you say I’m beautiful.” She shook her head. “If anyone is beautiful, it’s you. Who else would have helped me in that alley? Who else would have carried me to get help?” She cast her gaze around the room with a frown. “Why didn’t you take me to a hospital? I’m dying. My baby is dying.”

Tears slid down her cheeks. Real fear filled her face “Why did you bring me to this place when you know I need a doctor?” She tried to sit up, but Daffyd gently pressed her backward.

“The healer I have provided for my people is the best there is. She will be here soon. You and your child will be fine. You’ll see.”

Daffyd prayed to the gods that he wasn’t lying to her. Though he’d only known her for a few minutes, he knew he needed this woman in his life. What other woman would be so brave at facing death? Only a woman capable of being the mate of a defender could be so bold.

The sound of hurrying footsteps reached him and he almost bowed his head with relief. He would have gotten the healer himself, had he been able to leave Elle’s side. He had no doubt in his mind that she would have told him to go, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave. He needed to be with her, holding her hand.

“You know, it’s funny,” Elle said as she stared at him, her eyes glazed over as she panted through the pain. “I don’t know you, not really, but I know you better than I know just about anyone else.” She shook her head. “Isn’t it odd how much you can learn about someone in such a short time?” She squeezed his hand.

“What do you think you know about me, love?” He lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. He was unable to stop himself. He needed the contact with her.

“I know that you’re honorable.” She attempted a smile, but it turned out more of a grimace as she groaned with the pain. “I know you’re brave and that you would put a stranger’s life above your own. I also know that you have a high tolerance for pain because I’m squeezing your fingers tight and you haven’t flinched once.” She gasped and reached for her stomach. “I wish I had a high tolerance for pain right now.”

“What else do you know about me?” He wanted to know. First impressions were everything. These first impressions meant even more. The trauma would magnify what she felt, and if she found him lacking, it could make her reject him. Gods knew how Daffyd needed her to accept him as he was, because he was too damned old to change now.

She attempted to smile again. “I know that you put others’ needs before your own.” She looked around. “This is your bedroom, isn’t it? You know, if I have my baby in your bed, you’re not going to be able to sleep here. I’ll most likely ruin the mattress.”

“Anything else?”

“I know that you’re some kind of super hero. As crazy and impossible as it seems, you’re stronger than the average man, you can fly, and if I’m not mistaken, you have somehow taken me to another planet because Earth only has one moon, not two.” She paused to concentrate on her breathing. “One other thing,” she said after she caught her breath.

“Yes?”

“You must be someone important because the average Joe doesn’t live in a castle.” She stared deep into his eyes. “Who are you?”

Elle stared at the man who held her hand so tenderly. Who was he and why did he care what happened to her and her baby? It wasn’t as though she didn’t appreciate his help. She thanked God for his arrival in that alley and for the strange powers that gave him the advantage over the four young thugs who had most likely planned to kill her.

“I am Daffyd Soduur, defender of Mikkant.”

“You said that before.” She gasped when another pain gripped her. It was as though someone tried to rip her apart. Sweat beaded on her brow and dripped down into her eyes. Reaching up, she brushed it away. “Where’s you’re healer? What’s taking her so long?”

The words had barely left her lips when the door burst open. Two women and a man rushed in.

“How can I be of service, Defender?”

Daffyd glanced up at the women. “Help her. She is under my protection and needs your assistance.”

At that moment, a sharp pain tore through Elle and she screamed. “Please. Save my baby. Even if you can’t save me. Save my baby!”

“Shh…love,” Daffyd said as he brushed the perspiration from her brow. “Alia will save you both.”

“Don’t make,” she paused to groan. “Promises you can’t keep.”

“Such negative thoughts, my dear.” The older of the two women leaned close. “Do not tell me what I can and cannot do.” Reaching out, the woman placed her hands on Elle’s stomach. “Lend me your power, Defender.” The woman held one hand out to Daffyd. “Close your eyes and release your energy, push it into me.” She met Elle’s gaze. “Close your eyes and picture a place where you can relax and feel safe.”

Elle closed her eyes and thought of a lake in a fertile valley. She imagined herself walking down a mountain path toward the clear water lapping the shore. Every small wave washed more and more of her anxiety away.

Somehow, the pain eased. The woman’s hands did something to ease the terrible ache. Before, it seemed as though her baby fought to escape her womb. Now, it seemed content to stay where it was, in the warm cocoon of her body where it could continue to form and grow.

She relaxed into the woman’s gentle touch. She could feel her body welcome the presence of another female consciousness and that of a male. It was Alia and Daffyd. She was sure of it. The two held her life force and her baby’s life force in a gentle, yet unyielding grip.

The baby was there. She gasped when she realized it wasn’t just one child, but two. Twins. A boy and a girl. No wonder her stomach was so big. She carried twins all along. Pride washed through her. She was uncertain if it was her own or Daffyd’s. Why would Daffyd feel such pride for children not his own?

Warmth surrounded her, encompassed her. Like the morning after a nightmare, the memory of the pain and fear faded to nothing.

All of this time, she’d never suspected that she carried twins. Even the doctor hadn’t guessed. There had always been one heartbeat. At least it sounded like one. Now, she knew that the two little hearts beat together as one.

She saw them in her mind. It was better than an ultrasound, better than anything other than holding them in her arms.

Looking up, Elle met Daffyd’s gaze. The sense of pride she could feel inside her shone on his face. Why would this affect him so?

With his free hand, he lifted hers to his cheek. His larger hand held hers captive against the side of his face. Warmth radiated from him, seeping into her fingers. “You have no idea how exciting this is for me.” He was happy and so animated that his face lit up like that of a little boy at Christmas. If she’d thought him handsome before, he was absolutely gorgeous with that wonderful smile.

“Why does that make you so happy?” If his expression was any indication, he couldn’t have been happier if the children she carried were his.

“I’m happy because I, too, can feel that your premature labor has subsided and your babies are content to remain safe in your womb for a while longer.”

There was something else. Elle was sure of it, but she didn’t know what. “Thank you.” What else could she say? She glanced at the healer who looked very tired, though she kept her eyes closed and her hand linked to Daffyd’s. Elle closed her eyes as a shaft of something that could have been jealousy tore through her.

She shook her head. How could that be? She couldn’t possibly be jealous of people she’d met less than an hour ago. She had no business being jealous because the woman held his hand. She’d only just met the man for goodness sake. Taking a deep breath, she met his dark gaze. “I can’t thank either of you enough.”

“There is no need to thank me.” Reaching down, he smoothed the hair back from her sweat-soaked brow. “I will not say it was nothing because it was everything. You probably cannot understand it yet, but the Fates say that you are my match. If you are, you and your children are everything to me.”

Elle stared up at the man, her mouth open as she searched for something to say. Had she even heard the man right? Was she going crazy or was this really happening? “I-I’m what?”

“You are my match in every way. The Fates sent me to rescue you because you are the woman I have waited lifetimes for.”

Elle stared up at the man and bit her lip. “I wish what you said was true. You have no idea how many times I have wished that I wouldn’t have to go through this alone.” She pulled her hand from his cheek and rubbed her stomach. One of the babies kicked as though it could feel her hand.

The healer still sat as though in a trance as she held her hand against the side of her protruding belly.

“I think you can tell Alia that she can stop now. I feel much better. I think the threat of labor has passed.”

“She will only release my hand and end your connection when she is certain that the danger to you and your little ones is over. Until then, she will keep the connection and continue to heal you all.”

What could she say to that? Not only would she appear ungrateful if she yanked her hand from the other woman, but it would look as though she didn’t care for the welfare of her own children.

Still, she could barely stand to keep contact when the unreasonable jealousy roiled through her. If the woman didn’t let her go, Elle was afraid she’d clobber the other woman over the head with something.

Why did she feel this way?

You are jealous because he
is
your match in every way. He is the man destined to be your husband and you his wife for the rest of your life.

Holy God! I’ve gone insane!

Daffyd watched several emotions chase across Elle’s face, from wariness, to disbelief, to shock. She stared at him with her mouth open for a moment before her head fell back against the pillow.

“She’s unconscious,” Alia said, releasing Elle’s hand. “Don’t worry.” Alia rested her hand on his shoulder when he would have gathered Elle in his arms. “She and her fetuses will be fine. She needs the rest. She’s exhausted. Leave her to her sleep.”