Dark Embrace

By Carolyn Christy

Deep within the Dark Forest surrounded by shadows that pulse with

power, resides a Dark Castle. No one dares to enter this forbidden place.

For those who foolishly tred there are never seen again.

There are tales of ungodly creatures who roam those woods. Of a Black

Lord who wields immense power. A creature of darkness who is feared

by all.

No one dares to enter his domain.

No one but she . . .

Mia

She lures him with her grace.

Fascinates him with the gentleness of her soul.

Tempts him with her immense beauty.

Arousing a hunger that cannot be denied.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 5, 2017
• ISBN: 9781532028656

Carolyn Christy

Gertrude Elizabeth Hogg was born on June 3, 1915, in Wells County, Indiana. She was one of three children born to Mary Alma Mastin Hogg and John Henry Hogg. Her brother, Bruce Lee, was born in 1913 and Max Olin was born in 1918. Unfortunately, the childrens mother passed away after contracting the Spanish Influenza in 1918 when Max was around 6 months old. John Henry eventually married Mary Almas sister, Carrie May Mastin, and Carrie raised the children on the farm. Gertrude attended Ball State Teachers College and received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. In 1956, she received a Master of Arts degree in Education from Eastern Michigan College. Gertrude taught school for most of her adult life. She found great satisfaction in bringing struggling students up to grade level in math and reading, donating her time before and after school to that purpose. Gertrude married two Presbyterian ministers, the first of whom died in the Philippines during World War II. Gertrude played the piano, organ and trombone and was a talented artist, but never really pursued art. She raised three children. Her oldest child, Janie, is a former art teacher and a colored pencil artist in Tucson, AZ. Her youngest, Don, is a photographer in Cleveland, OH., and her middle child, Carolyn, is a teacher and a musician in Dayton, OH. Gertrude passed away in Clearwater, FL, in 2003, having been a devout Christian throughout her life.

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Copyright © 2017 Carolyn Christy.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-2864-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-2865-6 (e)

iUniverse rev. date: 09/30/2017

This book is

dedicated to the little loves in my life. The ones who call me Gram …

Harmony, Max and any future babies that shall bless my life.

I never knew how much love my heart was capable of until I saw your sweet little faces.

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W ill you allow your senses to awaken, to be seduced by my darkness? Thereby setting me free …

Mia was beside her Father as they walked down the path near their home. The woods blanketed the dirt road on both sides. Dense vegetation and … darkness. Not ordinary shadows but a deep abiding darkness that chilled one’s flesh.

Mia held onto her Father’s hand tightly wanting to leave this part of the path when he suddenly stilled.

Wide eyes looked up at him. Her voice was soft as she asked, What is wrong, Papa?

She saw the fright on his face as he stared into the deep darkness. We are not alone, my precious child. Then she heard it.

Horses pounding the ground with their hooves as they raced with power towards them.

Quickly, Mia.

Her Father pulled her behind large untamed bushes hoping the dense vegetation would keep them concealed. He held her close as the horses exploded into their vision. Mia heard his heart pounding behind her back. She knew he was afraid.

Then a voice filled the silence. Go out and find the fools that have dared to tred upon my land.

That voice … Her breath caught and held for it held such beauty. Beauty that was carefully controlled. She felt those dulcet tones sweep into every pore of her being. Into her very soul. Slowly, cautiously, she moved her head from behind the tree. Her eyes searching the darkness until she found him.

The shadows swirled over a tall, formidable frame as he sat upon a black steed. Power, unholy in its might, oozed from the man. As did the menace. She could not see his face due to the shadows but she knew the instant his eyes found her.

She felt as if she had been struck by electricity. Her very being filled with a powerful emotion. Almost making her dizzy with its intensity. She held tightly onto her Father’s hand as her senses flared to life. As if she had merely been asleep awaiting the presence of this man. She felt breathless with innocent longing.

The Black Lord sensed the presence of another. Knew of her presence. For her innocence was strong. Powerful.

Easily, he saw through the shadows. Zeroing in onto a young girl with wide blue-violet eyes, alabaster skin and lips the hue of a rose. Blonde hair hung over her slender shoulder in a plait that ended at her waist. His eyes narrowed.

Her beauty in its innocence was breathtaking. In womanhood her beauty would be staggering.

Yet, he was a man full grown. 28 years. Despite his darkness, he would not allow himself to reach the level of debauchery that his sire had. He would not lust after a young girl. No matter how staggering her beauty promised to become.

He impatiently tore his steed around. The darkness immediately swallowed him keeping him hidden from her eyes. His voice filled the night. Find those rebels. And do not fail me!

She heard the horses race off. Felt the menace, the power slowly recede from where she hid.

Her Father carefully moved away from the tree and the protection he thought it offered. His voice was soft with fear. That was the Black Lord, daughter. We are fortunate that we were not seen. If he saw us, we would be dragged to his lair and never seen again. He is greatly feared for his power is dark and unholy. It is rumored that he is even more powerful than his own sire. We must be careful and stay away from this road. Promise me, my dear, that you will never enter these woods. Promise me.

Mia automatically answered. I promise, Father.

Yet her eyes lingered upon the darkness.

5 Years Later …

Mia heard the birds singing outside her window. Heard the villagers begin to rouse from their homes. Felt the heaviness upon her chest. As if someone were placing stones there. Her breathing was becoming ragged. A strain for every breath.

In fear, she opened her eyes. Feeling the pounding of her heart as it beat with such an alarming, irregular pattern.

She was dying!

Secretly, she had gone to the village doctor as soon as the heaviness within her chest had begun. After a careful examination, he had determined that her heart was failing. She was to die soon.

That had been a month ago and this onslaught this morning had, by far, been the worst.

Tears filled her eyes as sorrow flooded her entire being. She had always dreamt that she would find a grand love. Someone with whom she could give her heart to. And now it seemed as if she would never find it. Death would come for her soon.

Mia! Come down here, you lazy girl.

Her stepmother’s shrill voice brought her out of her sorrowful musings. She wiped the tears from her eyes with shaking fingers. Carefully, she walked to her door and stood there for a minute trying to gather her strength.

Mia!

Slowly, she walked down the stairs and saw her stepmother in the kitchen.

Viola turned as Mia entered. Stern brown eyes regarded her. She noticed the paleness of her face. A paleness which only emphasized her beauty.

Are you sick, girl?

I don’t feel well this morning, came her soft reply.

Viola’s eyes narrowed. Are you carrying a child?

Mia’s eyes widened in shock. No! Why would you ask such a thing?

Vegard cannot keep his eyes off of you, Mia. I had wondered if, perhaps, you two were in love.

Mia could barely keep the revulsion from her face. Love? Vegard knew nothing of the word or its meaning. She had already noticed the lustful way in which he stared at her. But that was all. He was incapable of loving another.

Viola was Vegard’s mother so she was very careful when she spoke. I do not love him, Stepmother.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. Do you not see the way he looks at you, child? He loves you and will make a fine husband.

No, he will not, Mia thought. She would never consent to marrying him for he was a hard, cruel man. His reputation was well known in the village. And she was very careful to keep out of his way when he came to visit his mother.

There was that one time when she had not been so careful. Vegard had come while his mother had been away visiting a sick friend.

He had waited and planned his visit well. For she was alone on that day …

He had entered the house quietly closing the door behind him. She heard a soft thud while boiling water for her tea. Startled, she turned and froze. Immediately filled with fear.

Your mother is not here, Vegard.

He stood against the door. Quiet and still. His eyes so dark and … hard. They travelled over her. Lust filled eyes that drank in fair hair which was carefully pinned in a chignon upon her head. Over her face, lingering upon lips as red as a rose.

Mia released the cup and stepped back. "What do you want?’

You! I want you, Mia.

Revulsion flooded her entire being. She had no affection for this man and would never marry him. He was a loathsome man. A well-known bully in the village and a thief. His reputation was well known. Most villagers stayed away from him.

As she had done. Until today.

Not wanting to rouse his anger, she softly, spoke. I do not love you.

Harshly, his laughter rang out as he walked into the room. You will. I can make you love me. Just give me the chance to win your heart.

Mia looked up at him. Into that face one would call passable if that scowl would ever cease. She looked into those eyes. Mean eyes. She saw the lust there but no love. Just lust.

No, I am sorry. I will never love you.

His face grew red and menacing. He advanced upon her only stopping when she flinched back. I give you a choice when I can so very easily force you.

Her blue-violet eyes were wide with shocked horror. You would rape me?

The smile he gave her, sly and cruel, chilled her to her very core. If that would make you agree to be my wife, then yes. I will. One way or the other, I will have you. You will be mine!

Never!

Mia picked up her skirts and ran as fast as her frail heart would allow up to her room. She locked her bedroom door and dragged a chair placing it underneath the handle.

She backed away. Eyes wide. Heart pounding with such unspeakable fear.

After long moments that seemed like an eternity, the front door opened and closed. He was now gone!

She fell upon the bed sobbing. If only her father was still alive. If only there was someone whom she could turn to for help.

Her tears continued to fall. Mind frantically searching for an answer. Then suddenly, a thought came to her. Her father had distant relatives that lived in the village located past the Black Castle.

The Black Castle.

She had promised her father that she would never enter those woods yet she had no choice. She would not wait for Vegard to rape her.

She would go there for refuge.

That afternoon while Viola napped in her room, Mia locked the door to her bedroom and took out her warmest cloak.

With shaky fingers she tied the strings together and peered out the window. Past the Black Castle and to the thick dense forest. Her distant relatives lived past that ominous castle. She would go there and seek shelter. If she could make it safely through the forest.

Her blue-violet eyes rested fearfully upon the thick forest and then rose to the Black Castle. It was a foreboding place situated high upon the mountain. Shadows encased the land making the forest and surrounding lands much more menacing. Even the moonlight seemed to shy away from the Castle.

A shiver wracked her spine. Yet, her eyes remained upon that ominous black structure.

The Black Castle and the Lord who ruled there.

All through her life, she had heard the rumors. Terrifying rumors. Brushing them off as just a myth not believing them until she had seen him. The Black Lord. Power, dark and so omniscient, rolled off the man. Then she had believed everything she had ever heard.

It had been years but his image so utterly powerful remained in her mind. Yet, if she could remain undetected, she should make it to her relatives.

She must!

The Black Lord sat upon his dark throne watching how the inhabitants of the Great Hall desperately tried to get his attention. His favor.

Cold eyes, the color of Winter, filled with shadows and of power, narrowed when he saw a voluptuous woman with flaming red hair step into the center of the room.

She was of medium height with long red hair and a body meant for pleasure. Her face was attractive until you glimpsed her eyes. They were green and calculating.

Right now, those eyes rested onto him. He saw the desire she had for him. Sensed her hunger for him. The longing she had to become his lover. Yet, despite her curves and fairness of face, he had never taken her to his bed. She aroused no desire within him.

Left him as cold as Death.

Like all women. There had been no woman whom he desired. No woman who ever aroused the dark hunger that dwelt deep within him.

No woman that he longed to give the dark sensuality of his touch to.

And after his thirty three years, he seriously doubted that such a woman even existed.

Something unnatural pulled at his preternatural senses. Something … so powerful. He called forth his dark power, narrowing his eyes as he slowly swept his gaze across the room.

An ominous foreboding settled in his being.

Suddenly, a vision rose forth in his mind. It began to shift, to fade and with ruthless control, he commanded it to remain still.