Redemption by M J Marlow (librera reader .txt) 📕

daughter back or I will be dead.”
Marius nodded and the boy leapt to his feet and strode out, followed by his cousin and the four nobles Marius had chosen as Marit’s personal escort. He prayed that they would find Marit before something foul happened to her. He also prayed that his daughter and Justin would have their chance at a life together. He turned to Jozef, who clapped his hand on Marius’ shoulder.
“He will keep his word, old friend,” Josef said as they went to the chapel to pray. “Justin will not fail your child.”

*
Marit could hear men talking somewhere off to her right as the cart came to a halt several hours later, throwing her roughly against the rails. They were angry and there were blows exchanged. Then there were screams of pain. Marit was shaking in reaction to that pain as she was lifted out of the cart and the blindfold taken away. Tavin was seated on a bale of hay nearby, his eyes shining with relief as he removed her gag.
“There were no others,” the man who stepped in bowed to Tavin. “We stopped them before they could get your cousin to the Overlord.”
“You did not do this?” Marit was confused.
“We do not abuse our own, cousin,” Tavin told her as he removed her bonds. “Men of Stormkeep would never act with such dishonor.” He saw the door opening again. “She is ready.”
Marit froze as she saw the woman from her trance-states, and yet not the woman. They shared a face, but there the resemblance ended. This one had silver hair and deep near black eyes. And Marit felt menace radiating off of her, not love. She could not help stepping back as the woman came up to her, smiling almost hungrily.
“She has been calling you,” the woman in black said softly. “The lady in the mountain.”
“I don’t know,” Marit told the woman. “I only know that I have been brought here against my will.” She frowned as she felt something about this woman. “Do I know you?”
“No, princess,” the witch smiled gently, “but I know you.” She moved her hand and Marit felt bonds tighten around her body. “The only weapon that can be wielded against the coming storm. Blood of our blood.” She was laughing now. “But before we can use you, child, we must open your eyes to all you have been given.”
“The mark of our house is a wolf,” Tavin said as he stepped up to Marit’s side, “for a very good reason.” He removed his clothing and shifted his form. Marit began to whimper in fear as the wolf-Tavin nuzzled her frozen body. He shifted back with equal effortlessness. “You must not be afraid, little cousin. You are of an ancient and powerful bloodline,” he said as he put his clothing back on, “and you must receive that power. You must become my mate.”
“I am your cousin,” Marit argued, “and I am promised to another man. One I wish to belong to.” She glared up at him. “Take me back to my father!”
“He had his chance to keep you safe, little one, and he failed you,” Tavin frowned at her. “You shall come with me now to our family holding at Stormkeep. Where,” he continued as he looked down into her eyes, “you will become mine.”
“I don’t want to be yours, Tavin,” Marit protested as he put a pair of delicate silver bracers on her wrists and pressed them together. She tried to part them, and found that she could not. “Tavin, please don’t do this.”
“It is the way it must be, little cousin,” Tavin replied. “The witch will give you something to keep you silent, and then we will be on our way.”
Marit watched him leave and then watched the silver-haired woman. She could not move as the witch took out a powder and put it into a cup of water. Marit was forced to drink the mixture; it burned her throat as it went down, and she fell to her knees sobbing in pain. The woman stroked her hair, and Marit heard the same lullaby from the earlier trance. The woman smiled as Marit quieted.
“You will remain silent now, princess,” the woman said softly. “Now,” she continued as she helped Marit to her feet, and the strange bond on her body was lifted, “it is time for you to go.”
Marit found herself being taken out of the barn. One of the men put a cloak on her and lifted her up to Tavin. He held her close as they headed away from the area as quickly as they could. She had to find some way to get free of them, Marit thought as the miles passed. She belonged with Justin, and she was not going to let her cousin’s strange demands get in the way of her being with the man she wanted. Several hours later, they stopped at a town along a river and entered the inn grounds. Marit was lifted down and she struck the guard and ran. Tavin yanked her back, his eyes showing his delight.
“Truly a daughter of our house,” he smiled and kissed her, enjoying the way she struggled against him. “I shall be a most fortunate man with you as my mate.” He looked at his men. “Get yourselves something to eat. We remain only long enough to complete this interview.” He entered the inn; his hand clamped on Marit’s arm painfully and they approached a table in the corner. “Lord, you are early.”
“There is no time to waste,” the lord Talbot frowned. He looked at Marit, whose features were hidden by the hood. “New plaything, prince Tavin?”
“My future mate,” Tavin replied shortly. “And therefore, none of your concern.” He beckoned to a serving wench. “So,” he said as he removed his coin bag, “you know what I require?”
“It is in motion,” Talbot nodded. “You are certain that you are ready to make such a bold move?”
“It is past time,” Tavin replied coldly. “You deal with my cousin’s intended, lord. Once the blame for his murder and my cousin’s abduction have been laid neatly at lord Barnabas’s feet, the rest will fall neatly into place.” His eyes were deadly cold. “Her father will have an accident and mine will become her guardian.” He yanked Marit back to his side roughly as she started to rise. “She will have to do whatever we ask of her then.”
“You are cold, prince Tavin,” Talbot smiled broadly. “I believe I can do business with a man like you. I am certainly looking forward to seeing an end of that bastard, Barnabas of Atherton.”
“Keep the drink coming for lord Talbot and his men as long as they require it,” he said as he handed the coin bag to the serving wench, “or until the coin is gone.” He pulled Marit to her feet. “Come along, my lady.”
Marit accompanied her cousin out of the tavern and to the ferry. The man on the ferry did not question them, especially when Tavin crossed his palm with more silver than he had seen in a week. Marit settled down to watch the ferry move across the water, intrigued. She had never been on a ferry before. It was a novelty she had never thought to see, much less use. They moved off into the forests beyond and made their camp deep in the shadows. She tried to run and Tavin shifted to wolf and ran her down. He took her back to camp, with her hand clamped gently but firmly in his jaws. He shifted and gave her some water with the antidote for the drug that had kept her mute.
“Lovely Marit,” he sighed as he pressed her down on the ground. “I have longed for the day you would return to us.” He ran his hand along her body and smiled as she shook her head in refusal. “You are mine now, little cousin. There is no refusing.”
“This is not right, Tavin!” Marit protested. “I don’t belong to you!”
“It is the way of our house,” Tavin told her. “As it has been since the first of us walked two and four,” he explained to her; “the alpha pair of our line has always been cousin to cousin.” He sighed as he saw her anger. “I must send thanks to your sire that he did not allow your mother to be taken from him. For then you,” he smiled as he lowered his lips to her neck and trailed kisses along her skin, “would not have been created.”
“Tell me why you and the prince Justin were fighting,” Marit asked as she tried once more to move away from him. “It isn’t just about me.” She saw him frown, as if he intended to ignore her question. “You dishonored your house and me by your behavior, Tavin. Tell me why.”
“It is a feud that has been in effect between our houses for centuries, Marit,” Tavin told her as he let her up. He helped her to a fallen log, his hand gripping her wrist at all times. “Northfell has no understanding of our kind. In the earlier days, they would hunt us and execute us as demons.” He nodded as he saw her look. “After it became apparent to all, save Northfell, that our abilities made us valuable allies, the executions ended. But the hatred and prejudice remain.”
“Prince Justin would never…” She quieted as she realized that she really had no idea what the prince would do. “My father must have felt that an alliance between me and Northfell might help end this ancient feud of yours, Tavin.” She saw his disbelief. “I do not have this ability to alter shape that you do…”
“You could,” Tavin broke in, his hand moving to her cheek. She pulled away from him and he saw the fear in her eyes. “You are of our house, Marit, and even you look at us with fear.” He pulled her to him, his eyes soft. “Open your mind, little one,” he whispered as he leaned his cheek against hers. “Would it be so bad to be able to run four and two as you willed? To feel the wind against your face as it brought you scents and messages? As a wolf, you would be stronger and faster…”
“It is not something I want,” Marit told him. “Not if it keeps me from being with him!” She pushed him away. “I want to be with Justin! Can’t you see that?”
“What I see, cousin,” Tavin told her as he stepped towards her, his eyes cold and angry, “is a frightened child who is denying her heritage. So you can be with that milksop from Northfell?” His eyes were blazing now and Marit backed away from him, her fear building. “Not while I live, Marit!”
Marit did not wait to see him shift. She turned and ran for her life. He was going to harm her; force her to become a monster. All so he could take her away from Justin. She ran, oblivious to the twigs grabbing her skirts, scratching her face and hands. Her cloak became caught and she undid the clasp and continued to run. The howl as he came after her made her blood run cold. She tripped and cried out in pain as her hands and knees hit the ground hard. By the time she was back on her feet, he was behind her. His eyes were still cold and angry and she knew she had to keep him away. She found a fallen branch and held it tight as he came towards her.
“Stay away from me!” Marit sobbed as he continued coming towards her. She backed away slowly, keeping