Ivana’s plea only served to weaken his resolve.
“Lower you sword,” Nikolai repeated.
Leo’s arm had a will of its own and he heard Ivana scream when the weapon fell from his grasp.
Nikolai smiled. “Did you think I would let you win? Abiding by your gentlemanly code of honour was your downfall. You should have pooled your resources. You should have bared your fangs. You should have turned into the creatures you detest. Yes, one or two of you would have died, but it was the only way for you to have your victory.”
Lying on the cobblestones, Leo glanced at his friends expecting to see fear and terror in their eyes. But Elliot’s calm countenance surprised him.
“Say goodbye, Leo.” Nikolai sneered. “I may even take Ivana to my bed before I put her out of her misery.”
Anger flared in Leo’s chest. With his hand near a puddle, he flicked the water, splashing Nikolai in the eyes. It was as though time slowed. Nikolai blinked and sputtered as he raised his sword a few inches above his head to gain more momentum. Ivana fell to her knees with her hands clasped in prayer.
“Roll to the left, Leo,” Elliot shouted just as the tip of an iron spear burst through Nikolai’s chest.
Leo rolled away as Nikolai’s eyes grew wide with shock, his mouth falling open as he gasped for breath. He stumbled forward, the weight of his sword suddenly becoming a heavy burden.
“I’ve never been one for gentlemanly
conduct,” Sylvester said as he pushed Nikolai to the floor and twisted the spear further into his back. He bent down and picked up Leo’s sword. “I’ve got no patience for men who threaten women, either.”
As Nikolai groaned and cried out in his mother tongue, Sylvester grabbed him by the hair and with one mighty swing banished the devil from their door for good.
Chapter 16
Ivana stared at Nikolai’s body lying on the wet cobblestones.
A sudden sense of relief obliterated the fear that had been her constant companion for many years. Any memories lost to her by Nikolai’s hand sprung to life in her mind like fresh buds unfurling in spring. She remembered it all. She remembered everything.
Nikolai had not lied.
There was a cure. It lay hidden somewhere in the dark depths of the castle though he had never told her where. Despite her burning curiosity, she shook head to clear her thoughts before fanciful notions of being human again took hold.
There was only one thing that truly mattered to her: Leo was alive. He was still sitting on the ground staring in disbelief as the rain pelted Nikolai’s lifeless body.
Swallowing down a rush of emotion, she ran over to him, knelt down and threw herself into his arms. “For a second, I thought I had lost you.” She rained kisses over his damp face, combed her fingers through his hair to convince herself what she had witnessed was not just another form of mind manipulation.
“I thought so, too,” he replied before kissing her softly on the mouth. “I still can’t believe he’s dead.”
Loud cheers behind them captured their attention and Ivana turned to see Elliot and Alexander embracing Sylvester’s hulking frame. They took it in turns to pick him up and twirl him around. For the first time in years, her loyal servant’s mouth curled up in genuine amusement.
She wanted to hug him, too, for risking his life to save them.
“Can you bloody well believe it,” Elliot shouted shaking Sylvester by the shoulders. “I’ve never been one for gentlemanly conduct.” Elliot mimicked Sylvester’s words before turning and thrusting his arm forward in an attempt to re-enact the moment the spear pierced Nikolai’s chest.
“You certainly took the devil by surprise,” Alexander added.
Elliot caught their gaze. He left Alexander hugging Sylvester and raced over to put his hand on Leo’s shoulder. “Someone up there must be looking out for you, my friend.”
The comment caused a shiver to run through her body. Her heart was still bleeding. The pain of anticipating the loss of her love was still raw.
Leo gave a weary sigh. “I’m damn lucky. But I should have listened to Ivana. I was foolish to think I stood a chance against him.”
“I have to say you were remarkable with a sword.” Elliot nodded with approval. “I think if it had been a fair fight based purely on skill you would have won.”
“And you’re not biased in any way.” The smile touching Leo’s lips went some way to heal Ivana’s wounds.
“Not at all.” Elliot chuckled. “Indeed, I wonder if Calvino still tutors at night. I might take a few lessons so you will have someone to parry with once we are home.”