Cringe, My Darling

By K. Massari

Calesta, a medieval princess, wants nothing more than to be free of the tyranny of a man known only as 'The Tormentor'. Scores of brave knights have tried to kill him, to free the land of his cruel iniquity - in vain. He always seems to be one step ahead, he always seems to get away.
Now Darian, once a henchman for the Tormentor, is on a mission to save Calesta and win her heart, over the dead body of the evil bedeviling violator. Calesta fears for her life and his, and tries to fight alongside her lover, to be free of the dark shadow of agony that clouds their every thought - once and for all.
But the Tormentor does not play fair nor does he intend to. He makes use of a ritual called Midnight Magic which grants him an unlimited supply of power The Tormentor relishes destruction and torture, bloodshed and chaos. Can Darian and Calesta figure out a way to render useless the potent midnight witchcraft before it is too late? Or will they be embroiled in a fight which will not only cost them their lives but their eternal souls as well, so that love will be banished from their hearts ... forever? Is it love or is it torture? A new historical thriller by K. Massari

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. Massari
• Release date: Apr 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310478642

K. Massari

I've always been passionate about horror. Whether it was watching Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff or Lon Chaney Jr., or devouring Stephen King's books, I have been drawn to and fascinated by the dark side, what creates suspense, tension and terror.

Book preview

Cringe My Darling

A medieval tale of horror and deceit

By K. Massari

Cringe My Darling

By Karen Massari

Copyright © 2016 Karen Massari

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved.

This ebook is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, or actual events or organizations, is purely coincidental.

Cover Design: www.selfpubbookcovers.com/FrinaArt

Formatting: www.tugboatdesign.net

Part I

"There is no way I can leave. There is no way I can survive on my own. I am doomed. I am so young, why must I live my life this way? Is there a small hole somewhere perhaps, a rift? If I go over everything carefully, will I see it? I am his creature … I can run, but I can never really escape. He is not alone – he plots with many minds. He leaves nothing to chance. Why is he always stronger? Why does it seem to me he is stronger even … than God?"

I am talking to myself again, mumbling as I stand in the wind and the rain clinging to the tombstone of my lover. I am Calesta and I scream into the storm the injustice of his murder. They have taken everything away from me and my life is dangling on a fine string. Cut it off, cut me off! I can take no more. I was once a princess and now I am the most wretched soul on earth.

I see the rider approaching on his black stallion. He will yank my hands away from the last piece of decency I have left in this world. Let him get soaked first. Should I run? Lead him into the trench behind the chapel? Ha, let him fly off his horse and land in the mud next to the corpses old and yet so full of undead menace.

Let the dead rise even by day to help me avenge this crime. I stand ramrod stiff as he gallops into the graveyard. His black horse comes up close but I do not waver. Let it strike me, let it strike me down on the spot and I will call it a blessing.

Ma’am, he sends me to take you back!

No!