Page 10 of Taken By the Soldier
I lean back and try to think.
There really is nothing to it—I need to run away ASAP.
But suddenly, I’m very aware of my lack of shoes. Crap.
Well, after I run away, I can find proper clothing and shoes in an abandoned house somewhere. The most important thing is escaping Luka and his soldiers before the wedding ceremony can take place. If vows are exchanged, I suspect getting away will be extra difficult—especially if he plans for us to consummate our marriage tonight.
The truck rocks hard and soon comes to a stop. All the men spring to full readiness. The back door slides open into the black night. I recognize the familiar hissing chorus of nighttime insects from my childhood camping trips outside the city, and the sweet, familiar scent of honeysuckle reaches me, bringing back more memories of my family.
A firm hand on my forearm causes my heart to skip a beat. I don’t have to look. I know who has a possessive hold on me. Maybe he suspects I’m planning to make a run for it.
Once everyone climbs out of the truck, a chill creeps over my skin. My nightgown is nothing more than a long, silk piece of fabric separating me from the cool, August night air.
Taking a deep breath, I trudge through the darkness under Luka’s guidance, and the surface of the long, paved driveway is cool upon the soles of my feet. A few words pass between the soldiers and the other two women, but their voices are so hushed, I can’t make out their conversation. The group keeps close together, and the moon emerges from behind the clouds, sparkling across a body of water.
The lake. My mind tries to focus on the name of it, but I can’t quite remember. My father took me and my sister on camping trips in Western Maryland a couple of times. Once, we stayed on a huge lake and rented jet skis. I smile inwardly at the happy memory. A lifetime ago, but sometimes it seems like yesterday.
As if reading my thoughts, Luka places his lips at my ear and says, “This is Deep Creek Lake. Have you been here before?”
Deep Creek Lake. Of course. I glance in his direction but can’t see his face in the swallowing darkness. “Um... no,” I lie. Maybe if he thinks I have no idea where we are, he won’t keep such a close eye on me. Not that I can remember my way around by any means, but… still. If I can get him to let his guard down for a few minutes, I might succeed in running away.
“You’re a terrible liar, Judith.” His breath hits my ear again, sending a rush of sensation through my center.
I suppress a growl of frustration and don’t offer a response.
Breathing in the crisp mountain air, I stare at the well-lit cabins that are scattered along the shoreline ahead. A thick, intimidating forest looms in all directions, except for straight ahead where the water shimmers under the stars and waxing moon. In front of each cabin is a dock and a small boat. I even glimpse a few jet skis.
Oh yeah. I would love to get my hands on one of those jet skis. I could zip to the other side of the lake and make it more difficult for the commander to track me down. If he even bothers to follow me. I mean, maybe if I give him enough trouble, he’ll forget about me and decide to take a more compliant woman as his wife.
Luka’s grip on my arm tightens and he pulls me to a stop. My heart races as I peer up into his face, his features obscured by the night, though I sense his demeanor has grown stern and serious. An undeniable air of authority radiates from him.
“We’re going to the chaplain’s cabin now,” he says.
My stomach bottoms out and a wave of dizziness falls over me, leaving my arms and legs tingling with weightlessness. “This is insane,” I whisper. “Please don’t do this.”
With his free hand, Luka reaches up and trails a finger down my cheek. My insides quiver involuntarily as his finger burns a trail along my skin. I shouldn’t feel this way.Tempteddoes not even begin to describe it. Clearly, I’ve been alone far too long. He’s a stranger—and he’s the enemy.
No, no. Not the enemy. Not exactly.
The war is stupid. My people started it and I can’t blame the Zasforrans for fighting back. And my own sister had been a resident of the Zasforr Islands, and before the invasion, I’d marched in front of the White House to protest the war.
My problem with Luka isn’t the color of his uniform. It’s the fact that his people think it’s acceptable to kidnap and marry women against their will. It also doesn’t help that most Zasforrans are rather backward in their ways. Zasforran men are very much the heads of their households, and they expect their wives to be obedient and submissive.
“It’s not insane, Judith.” He pulls me closer. “My people will survive. The horrors of the war will fade. This is our new home—and it’s your new home, as well. Can I count on you to behave during the ceremony?”
Disbelief swirls through me and for a few seconds, I feel as though I am falling. This is really going to happen. Not quite the big white wedding I’d once imagined as a child—that is, before I grew up and lived a little (and dated more than my fair share of toads) and realized I wanted nothing to do with marriage at all.
He tightens his hold on me, bringing his face close to mine. “Will you behave during the ceremony?”
“Sure, fine, I’ll behave during theceremony,” I say, uttering this last word with disgust. “But I’m not sleeping with you. If you try to touch me, I’ll kill you.” The vows will be meaningless. This won’t be a real marriage, and I still plan to run away as soon as possible.
“If you make a fool of me, Judith, I will punish you once you’ve recovered from your injuries. Remember that.” His threat drips with dark promise and authority, and his voice sounds husky.
What? Punish me how?I ponder the meaning of his words as he leads me inside the cozy cabin, praying his threat is a bluff.
An older woman with long, white hair rushes forward and greets me with a warm smile. “Hello, dear. I’m Cynthia. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Um, hi. I’m Judith.” How can this woman be so happy? All the women here are prisoners, aren’t they?
