“Take his life, Helena,” Stephen said, voice quiet, flat. “Finish it. Put the cap on this black need of yours.”
“No!” She pulled from his grip and staggered from the table. Her knees buckled and she fell to the floor. Her sight was almost gone, so thick were her tears. She clutched her chest and tried to ease the hot, cramping pain there.
She could not do this. Finally, finally, she understood what Stephen meant by black seeds and the fruit they bore. It had consumed her life, cut out any goodness, throttled it with the overwhelming lust it generated, the obsession it fostered. If she finished this, then it would never let her go.
Helena felt hands on her shoulders. Stephen’s hands. They were gentle. “Elen, my sweet. Come. Shhh, all is well now.” He drew her into his arms and held her, his body strong and warm against hers.
For the second time in her life, Helena wept her heart out.
* * * * *
“If what you say is true,” Richard said, “and I don’t doubt your sincerity, Stephen, then we will find the proof we need. We have a direction to look in now.”
Helena remained in Stephen’s lap, for he had made no move to dislodge her. Nor would she voluntarily withdraw from the deep comfort of his arms around her, or the feel of his heart beating against her shoulder.
Richard sat on the floor beside them, one elbow resting on his bent knee. “You have provided a powerful lesson for me, Stephen. Was that your vengeance for my stupidity these last few years?”
Stephen stirred against Helena. “My lord, in truth, what you think of me no longer matters. Not now.”
Helena’s heart warmed. She knew Stephen was thinking of her as he spoke.
“So I gathered,” Richard said dryly. “You have changed, Stephen.”
“In some ways. Regarding your obsession with Phillip of France, however, my opinion has not changed at all. I still feel that declaring war on France just because their king irritates you is wrong. England has suffered enough. Where does it end?”
Richard sighed. “Yes, I’m beginning to understand what you mean.” He pointed to the table where Savaric lay unconscious, his hands and feet now trussed with rope. “Your lady provided a strong illustration for me.” He inclined his head in her direction. “You have been wronged by me, too, Helena of York.”
“Formerly of York,” Helena corrected.
Richard shook his head. “Of York,” he said firmly. “I would be a fool if I did not restore title and lands to a family it appears has worked tirelessly for the people it is supposed to protect—a family that has given at least one life in that service. I will make amends for all the damage I have caused. You must see to it, my lady. Put it right, in my name. Will you do that?”
“I would be most honored, Your Highness.”
He put his hand on the floor, ready to lift himself and frowned. “Damn, but this floor is cold. Do you think I cannot afford chairs to sit upon, Stephen?” With a nod, he left the room. Stephen and Helena were alone.
Stephen plucked the golden circlet from Helena’s veil. His fingers tugged at the ties of the wimple.
“Will you help me?” he asked. “I refuse to kiss you when I cannot let my lips wander farther than the edges of your jaw.”
Smiling, Helena whipped the offending fabric away and felt his big, warm hand on her neck. His other hand turned her to face him.
Stephen’s eyes were dark, solemn. “I am glad you did not kill Savaric.”
“I believe that is what you intended all along, despite your demands,” she replied. “You knew, didn’t you? You knew in the end I would not do it.”
Stephen shook his head. “I hoped, that is all. I saw you could not kill the second assassin and hoped it meant the vengeance you wanted was beyond you. I merely forced the issue. One way or the other.” He grimaced. “I did not want to wait any longer, Elen. I wanted you free of this, or…”
“You free of me? Is that the price I would have paid if I had killed him?” she asked.
He took a long time to answer. “In truth, I don’t know. In my gut, I would have sooner walked back to the Holy Lands than live with a soul blackened as yours would have been. But in my heart…” He sighed. “In my heart, I could not let you go. I am glad I did not have to face that choice.”
“So am I,” Helena admitted. “For it was not until I had given up the need for vengeance that I realized how much I need you with me. It seems my instincts have worked against my intentions all along. I married you to keep the peace and love I had found, before I even knew I had found it.”
His hand cupped her cheek and his eyes shone with joy. “Elen, my love, my sweet warrior, I would walk a thousand deserts for you.”
She laid her hand against his heart. “If you need me, I will come.”
Stephen’s own heavy hand rested against Helena’s. “I am yours to command.” He kissed her, at last, and the taste of his mouth was intoxicating. “Forever,” he murmured against her lips.
“Forever.”
More historical romance by Tracy Cooper-Posey
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Diana by the Moon – Part of the Jewels of Tomorrow series.
He is Arthur’s man. His duty is his life. She fears and mistrusts him. The only way they will survive is to work together.
Britain, 469 A.D.: Shortly after the Roman legions returned to Rome, leaving Britain open to Saxon attacks, Diana's abusive parents die during a Saxon raid on their villa farm, the same day her brother takes most of the male slaves and servants to join the rebel Celt, Arthur.
Diana, who no longer trusts anyone, must find a way for the women in her household to survive after the enemy has stolen everything. They struggle to eke out a living from the meager provisions remaining.
Alaric, proud Celtic warrior and trusted lieutenant to the upstart British leader, Arthur, has been sent by him to establish and maintain a line of signal beacons — one of which must be built on a strategic hill on Diana's property.
His mission is critical to the security of Britain. Alaric must overcome his hatred of Romans if he is to fulfill Arthur’s ambitions in the north. He forces Diana to agree in return for the protection of Alaric and his men. Diana is pulled into a deadly political net, when Roman British enemies, including the Bishop of Eboracum, take exception to her new Celtic allies.
A haunting tale of two lives touched by the coming of King Arthur, and two hearts and souls struggling to come together against odds as great as those against Britain itself. Only together will they survive, or else be sundered…forever.
Diana by the Moon is part of the Jewels of Tomorrow series.
__
Reviewer’s Top Pick, Romantic Times Magazine
Night Owl Reviews Reviewers’ Top Pick
This novel drew me in so completely, so thoroughly, time just simply faded. Diana by the Moon is a work of written art. Tracy Cooper-Posey has penned a beautiful story; of one woman’s courageous journey of self-discovery amidst turbulent times. Love Romance Passion
With her dedication and sheer will, Diana is an enthralling and moving character. Alaric and Diana’s hot and delicious romance exceeds expectations. Another “can’t miss” by Cooper-Posey! Night Owl Reviews
Click here to buy Diana by the Moon now: http://bit.ly/18GDmNY
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Ab
out the Author
Tracy Cooper-Posey is a #1 Best Selling Author. She writes erotic vampire romances, hot romantic suspense, paranormal and urban fantasy romances. She has published over 60 novels since 1999, been nominated for five CAPAs including Favourite Author, and won the Emma Darcy Award.
She turned to indie publishing in 2011. Her indie titles have been nominated four times for Book Of The Year and Byzantine Heartbreak was a 2012 winner. She has been a national magazine editor and for a decade she taught romance writing at MacEwan University.
She is addicted to Irish Breakfast tea and chocolate, sometimes taken together. In her spare time she enjoys history, Sherlock Holmes, science fiction and ignoring her treadmill. An Australian, she lives in Edmonton, Canada with her husband, a former professional wrestler, where she moved in 1996 after meeting him on-line.
Her website can be found at http://TracyCooperPosey.com
Other books by Tracy Cooper-Posey
Blood Knot Series (Urban Fantasy Paranormal Series)
Blood Knot
Blood Stone
Blood Unleashed (Upcoming)
Blood Revealed (Upcoming)
Beloved Bloody Time Series (Paranormal Futuristic Time Travel)
Bannockburn Binding
Byzantine Heartbreak
Romani Armada
Kiss Across Time Series (Paranormal Time Travel)
Kiss Across Time
Kiss Across Swords
Kiss Across Chains
Guardian Bonds (Gargoyle Paranormal Series)
Carson’s Night
Beauty’s Beasts
Sabrina’s Clan (Upcoming)
Destiny’s Trinities (Urban Fantasy Romance Series)
Beth’s Acceptance
Mia’s Return
Sera’s Gift
Short Paranormals
Solstice Surrender
Eva’s Last Dance
Guns ‘n’ Lovers Series (Romantic Suspense)
Red Leopard
Black Heart
Blue Knight
White Dawn (Upcoming)
Silver Noon (Upcoming)
Golden Day (Upcoming)
Go-get-‘em Women (Short Romantic Suspense Series)
The Royal Talisman
Delly’s Last Night
Vivian’s Return
Ningaloo Nights
Sian’s Run (Upcoming)
Jewells of the Morrow series (Historical Romantic Suspense)
Diana By The Moon
Heart of Vengeance
The Perilous Maiden (Upcoming)
To Soothe a Savage Heart (Upcoming)
The Heart of the Enemy (Upcoming)
The Cherlebury Rose (Upcoming)
The Duchess of Winter (Upcoming)
Despite The Sands Of Time (Upcoming)
Scandalous Sirens (Historical Romance Series)
Forbidden
Dangerous Beauty
Romantic Thrillers Series
Fatal Wild Child
Dead Again
Dead Double
Terror Stash
Thrilling Affair
Contemporary Romances
Lucifer’s Lover
An Inconvenient Lover
The Sherlock Holmes Series
Chronicles of the Lost Years
The Case of the Reluctant Agent
For reviews, excerpts, and more about each title, visit Tracy’s site and click on each title in turn: http://tracycooperposey.com/books/tracys-trilogies-series/
Copyright Information
This is an original publication of Tracy Cooper-Posey
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.
Copyright © 2013 by Tracy Cooper-Posey
Text design by Tracy Cooper-Posey
Cover design by Dar Albert
Wicked Smart Designs
http://wickedsmartdesigns.com
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
FIRST EDITION: November 2003
SECOND EDITION: July 2010
THIRD EDITION: November 2013
Cooper-Posey, Tracy
Heart of Vengeance/Tracy Cooper-Posey—3rd Ed.
Romance—Fiction
Paranormal – Fiction