Queen of My Immortal Heart

Chapter 14 **Trigger Warning! This chapter contains explicit content including gore! Reader Discretion Advised!

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the camp. Cameron opened the door and Luke jumped out before the truck was even in park. Luke walked quickly past all the cheering and clapping soldiers, straight to Malkar’s tent. He knew the soldiers were just happy to see their Queen safe, but he didn’t have time to stop. Nicole's life hung in the balance. The two soldiers guarding the tent pulled back the flaps as he approached and Luke walked straight in without breaking stride. “She needs blood. Now!” Luke said to Malkar as he entered the tent. “Of course, I’ll get some from the cooler.” Malkar said. He rushed over to the big blue ice chest under the table his map was on and pulled out five bags of synthetic blood. Luke settled Nicole down on the nearby cot and covered her with the thick blanket that was folded at the bottom. “Here, Luke.” Malkar said, handing him a bag of blood. Luke tore open the bag carefully and held it to Nicole’s nose. Even though she was out cold, her little fangs slipped out into place. Luke popped the bag to her fangs and watched anxiously as they quickly drained the bag. “She doesn’t look so good.” Malkar commented, handing Luke another bag and taking the empty one from him. “What happened out there?” he asked quietly. Luke popped the second bag to Nicole’s fangs and watched her drain it completely before answering. “Mortimer r***d her,” he said quietly, his voice seething with rage. He took the third bag from Malkar, noting the stunned expression on his face. “No,” Malkar breathed. “Yes. I walked into the lower chamber through the secret back door and shot the bastard through the heart mid stroke.” Luke explained through clenched teeth, straining to keep a tight hold on himself. Mortimer was dead and Nicole needed him right now. “It was a better death then he deserved.” Malkar said grimly. “Yes, but it was either that or run the risk of him escaping with Lucard.” Luke replied. “Lucard got away?” Malkar asked. When Luke nodded, Malkar walked over to his radio and alerted all his men to be on the lookout. When he returned, Luke was pulling the last bag away from Nicole’s fangs. They slowly retracted back up. “Her parents will want her home immediately.” Malkar said quietly. “I know, but she needs to rest now. Have your men ready the plane and store Mortimer’s ashes in the cargo hold. We’ll also need more blood for her.” Luke said calmly, tucking the blanket around Nicole’s shoulders to keep her warm. “Of course, right away. Your men are welcome to stay here to help with the search for Lucard, if you wish.” Malkar replied. “I’ll leave five of them here to assist you,” Luke replied, standing and turning to Malkar. “The other five will have to return with me to help guard our headquarters.” “Of course. The help is greatly appreciated. We’ll need it to track down that slippery leech and bring him down.” Malkar said. “Of course.” Luke replied. “The sun will be up soon. Will this tent be enough to protect Nicoleta?” “Absolutely,” Malkar said easily. “All of our tents are designed with thick material to block out the sun while we’re in our death sleep.” “Good.” Luke replied. “I would like to leave as soon as it’s dark, General. I need to get her home. Please don't give any details to their majesties. I will explain when I get there. It will only cause them to worry more.” “I’ll take care of everything, Luke. You just get some rest. You may sleep here with her if you wish. I will bunk with my soldiers today.” “Thank you, General. You have been very helpful and I’m in your debt.” Luke said, shaking Malkar’s hand. “Not at all, Luke. Anything to protect my Queen.” Malkar nodded and turned to leave the tent, closing the flaps tight behind him to block out the sun. Luke washed his face and neck in a nearby basin, then ran some fresh water in it. He found a small rag and wet it in the cool water. He hated to uncover Nicole, but he wanted to wash the rest of the blood from her body before they left for home. He couldn’t let her parents see her like that. He should have asked Malkar for clothes for her, but it would have to wait until later. He’d be bedding down for his death sleep now. Luke walked over and gently lifted the blanket. When he saw all the dried blood on her thighs and swollen s*x, he felt his rage build all over again. For the second time, he wished he could have one of the Witches bring Mortimer back to life just so he could torture and kill him again. Luke gently spread Nicole’s legs and washed away the blood from her thighs. Then he moved up to her s*x, spreading it carefully. He felt bile rise in his throat as the full damage to her body was revealed. He'd seen some of it in the pyramid, but it looked even worse in this light. Mortimer had not only ripped through her maidenhead, but had ripped her outside as well. She had two deep tears on each side of her entrance. Lucky for her, it would all heal in her death sleep. All accept her lost virginity. Luke swore under his breath. He should have gotten there sooner. She had needed him and he'd been too late to stop Mortimer. She'd deserved to lose her innocence on silk sheets, her body being worshiped by himself and no one else. She deserved a gentle, patient, soft introduction into love making, not the horrid, terrifying way she'd had to endure. Luke was a virgin himself, but at least he knew how to treat her body with respect and gentle care. Luke finished washing her and walked back to the basin to rinse out the rag. He threw out the bloody water and wiped out the basin and left it to dry. Luke removed his shirt and settled down on the cot, wrapping Nicole in his arms. Her body was warm from the blanket and her color was slowly returning. Luke nuzzled her soft hair and kissed her forehead. He felt her breathing slow and eventually stop as the sun peaked over the horizon and she fell into her death sleep. If it weren’t for the fact that he knew she would awaken that night, his heart would have ripped in two. It still jarred him to hear her heart stop and all life leave her body. Luke closed his eyes and felt his body relax slowly. Valtar and Ara would be pleased that he had saved their precious daughter, but devastated by what had happened before he could get to her. He shook his head, again wishing he could have arrived sooner. As sleep slowly overtook him, he turned his mind to happier thoughts. His final thought, before he fell asleep himself, was of Nicole standing at the altar with him, saying their vows, and becoming his wife, then consummating the marriage slowly and blood bonding her as his mate for eternity. A slow smile crept over his face as sleep took hold of him. He couldn’t wait. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luke awoke with a start. There was something moving around outside the tent. He saw a big, dark shadow on the flaps that the setting sun was casting. Luke got up quietly and crept over to the flaps. He picked up a sword from the weapons locker and held his breath. Lightning quick, Luke unzipped the flaps and leapt out, sword at the ready. Nothing. No one was stirring around. No one was near the tent. As a matter of fact, the camp was quiet. All the vampires wouldn’t wake up from their death sleep for another thirty minutes, judging by the sun’s position on the horizon. Luke lowered his sword and turned to walk back into the tent, when something caught his attention. There was a note, written in blood, pinned to the side of the tent. Luke walked up to it and snatched it off. He felt his heart squeeze with fear as he read it. I HAVE THE SILVER BLADE. QUEEN NICOLETA WILL DIE BY MY HAND. AS WILL ALL WHO TOOK MY SON FROM ME!! LUCARD SATAN Luke crumbled the note in his large fist. That vile leech had sent someone to the camp as they’d slept and threatened his Nicole. Luke walked back into the tent, securing the flaps again, and knelt down beside the cot. Nicole looked so beautiful to him, even in her death sleep. It infuriated him that Lucard had escaped justice and was still a threat to her. He swore silently to her that he would marry her and keep her safe for the rest of their lives as soon as they returned home. Luke kissed her forehead and got up. He went outside again to relieve himself in one of the portable bathrooms, then returned to wash and dress before Nicole awoke. Half an hour later, Luke had washed, shaved with a razor he found near the basin, and dressed. Just as he finished combing his hair back and was putting it into his usual ponytail, he heard a sharp intake of breath and a low moan coming from the cot. “Nicole,” Luke said quietly, walking over to the cot. He knelt next to her and took her hand. “Are you alright, my love?” Nicole opened her eyes and blinked several times. She looked around as though trying to figure out where she was. When her beautiful silver eyes met Luke’s, she smiled at him and breathed a sigh of relief. “Luke,” she breathed and sat up. She threw her arms around him and he held her tight. “You saved me,” she said quietly, pulling back a little and resting her hands on his shoulders. “I didn’t think you would make it in time, but you did.” Luke’s face crumbled. She didn’t remember what had happened. “Luke, what’s wrong, my love?” Nicole asked, lifting Luke’s chin so she could look him in the eye. “Nicole, I didn’t make it in time. Mortimer was raping you when I shot him.” Luke said, his voice racked with pain. “I remember, Luke. However, you saved me before he could finish.” she said calmly. Luke’s head shot up and he searched her eyes. So she did remember after all. She wasn’t angry or hurt. Instead, she was just grateful Luke had saved her before Mortimer could kill her. He shared her joy in that. “So Mortimer. Is he……dead?” Nicole asked carefully. Luke smiled at her. She needed some reassurance that she was safe. “Yes, my love. He is dead. I shot him in the back, through his heart, with a silver bullet.” Luke explained. “Oh thank you!” Nicole exclaimed, hugging him again. Luke hugged her tight. He would not tell her about the note or Lucard. That could wait until later. Let her feel at ease for now. “Kiss me, Luke,” Nicole said in a low, sexy tone. He had never heard her speak in that tone before, but Luke felt his member tighten with anticipation. She kept speaking with that tone, she would drive him mad! In a good way, of course. Luke ran his fingers into her thick hair and cradled the back of her head and she placed her hands on his cheeks. Luke leaned forward to kiss her, when the flaps of the tent flew open. “Oh, begging your pardon, your majesty.” Malkar said, looking away. “I only came to let you know that the plane is ready to take you home.” “Thank you, General.” Nicole said, dropping her hands to the blanket to hold it in place. “Do you have any clothes I could wear home? My parents would freak if they saw me in nothing but a towel.” “I do, but they will be a little big on you, your majesty.” Malkar said. “I’ll make it work.” Nicole said sweetly. Malkar walked over to his foot locker and pulled out a pair of camouflage pants and a white shirt and handed them to her. “Thank you, General. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me for a moment, I’d like to get up and dress.” “Of course, you majesty.” Malkar bowed and exited the tent, Luke following behind him. “I found this note pinned to the tent before sunset.” Luke told Malkar, handing him the note. Malkar read over it twice, then folded it and handed it back to Luke. “He’s threatened our Queen.” he said quietly. “It couldn’t have been him who brought it here, though,” Luke said thoughtfully. “It was before sunset. He had to have someone else bring it here.” “Good point. Which means he has another accomplice. One that can go out in the daylight. That makes him even more dangerous.” Malkar replied. They stood there contemplating this new information in silence for a moment when they heard a small shriek from the tent. Both men took off at a sprint until they reached the tent. Nicole stepped out, just as they reached the flaps, tears running down her cheeks. “What is it, Nicole?” Luke asked softly, wrapping her in his arms. Cameron and some other soldiers came up behind Malkar. “Are you alright, you highness?” Cameron asked, out of breath from running. Nicole’s shriek had alerted everyone in the camp and they all were coming to see what was going on. “No. He took my rings!” Nicole cried, looking up at Luke. “My royal ring and your engagement ring. Those bastards took them!” She burst into tears and grabbed his shirt. Luke heard everyone let out an audible sigh only to gasp again behind him. They had not had a chance to formally announce their engagement. Cameron breathed a sigh of relief. “You scared us, your majesty. We all thought something had happened to you. I have your rings in my pack.” “Oh thank you!” Nicole cried happily. As Cameron searched his pack for her rings, everyone began to return to their posts. “Here we go, your majesty.” Cameron said, pulling them out. He handed them to Luke to put on her fingers. “I found your dress and cape too, your majesty. They are wrinkled and dirty, though.” “It’s alright, General Cameron. You have given me my most important treasures and I thank you greatly for it.” Nicole said, giving him a big smile. Cameron bowed to her. Luke felt that twinge of jealousy again. “May I, your majesty.” he asked Nicole, taking her right hand. Nicole giggled and blushed. “Why yes, Lord Sangre. Please do.” she said in a proper, authority-like voice. Luke chuckled as he pushed the royal ring on her right middle finger, just as Father Loragen had two nights before. Then, Luke lovingly placed his engagement ring on her left ring finger and kissed it, making Nicole blush again. He loved it when she blushed. She was so beautiful with the light rose pink on her white skin. “Thank you, my Lord,” Nicole said and stood on her tiptoes to kiss Luke’s cheek. This time, he blushed. “Very touching, your majesty,” Malkar said quietly. “However, we really should get you to the plane. Your parents are waiting anxiously for your return.” “Of course, General. Thank you for all your help and that of your men. It is greatly appreciated.” Nicole said, bowing slightly to him. “A pleasure, as always, to serve my Queen.” Malkar bowed deep. Nicole nodded, then Luke took her arm and led her to the truck that would drive them the short distance to the plane. As he settled her down in the back seat and hoped in the passenger’s seat, he couldn’t help but think how happy Valtar and Ara would be to see their daughter safe and sound. However, would they be just as happy with his plan to marry her right away so he could keep her safe after they found out exactly what had happened to her? They may just take her and hide her away for the rest of their lives and not tell anyone where she was. He hoped not, though.