Page 8 of Cruelest Vow

“Yes, I do! I know he uses violence as a method of control. But he loves me. If I ask him not to hurt you, then he wouldn’t.”

“Then you’re a fool, Lucia.” There was so much pain in his voice, his body shaking.

I wanted to comfort him, but it was forbidden. Just like everything else. “I’ll go if you play me a song.”

The haunting melodies he’d crafted stayed with me long after I left him almost every night. His guitar meant everything to him, the single gift I’d managed to provide only a few months before. I’d found a way, saving my allowance. He’d been shocked at the present, tears of joy filling his eyes. But it was a secret, just like our friendship continued to be. I longed to see the same happiness on his face again, allowing me to fall asleep.

He glanced toward the shadowed space leading to the barn’s door then nodded. “One song.”

I clapped my hands, jumping up and down a few times. “Thank you!” I watched as he retreated toward one of the unused stalls, retrieving his precious instrument. Then he eased onto a bale of hay, pulling the guitar onto his lap.

As he began to play, I was pulled into a beautiful dream where both of us were free. I envisioned a special place with lush green pastures and flowers everywhere, dogs and horses running free. I closed my eyes, the images so vivid and real I could almost smell the incredible fragrance as a light breeze drifted through the bank of roses. He was masterful, his fingers creating another world.

All too soon it was over, the melancholy music ending.

“Now, go home.”

I moved closer, daring to reach out and touch his face. We had a connection I’d never felt before and for a few seconds there was no one else in the world but the two of us.

Boom!

“What was that?” I squealed.

He jerked up, placing his guitar against the same bale he’d been sitting on, scanning the barn. Another booming noise caused the barn to shake, the horses immediately going crazy.

“Jesus,” he hissed. Vibrations were shuddering under my feet. Suddenly a section of the barn caved in, the gaping hole exposing a bright orange ball several yards away.

Then we both smelled smoke at the same time.

“God, no.” Groaning, he raced toward the back of the barn with me trailing behind him.

Cracking noises popped all around, the sound matching my screams.

Flames shot up toward the roof, a huge section of the building destroyed.

“We need to get the horses out of here.” He rushed toward the closest stall, yet I remained frozen. “Lucia! Help me.”

“Oh, no. Dar. What’s going on?”

“I don’t know but this is bad,” he said through clenched teeth. “Papa!” The sound was muffled by the roar of the flames.

I finally reacted, racing toward stall after stall, throwing open the gates then shooing the horses toward the doors. Terror raced through every muscle, my mind barely able to process what was happening. The building rumbled, flames now everywhere.

He turned toward me, the look on his face wild from rage. Then he flung himself over me seconds before another part of the barn exploded.

Horses whinnied in fear, several kicking against their stall doors.

“Goddamn it!” D’Artagnan yelled. “Are you okay?”

“Uh-huh.” I couldn’t stop shaking as I clung to him. “Who did this?”

“Your father has enemies. We need to get the other animals out of here. Can you do it?”

“Yes. Yes!”

He helped me to my feet, cupping my face for a few seconds before racing to the other section of stalls.

We continued working together, able to get all the horses to safety. The smoke was thick, so black I could barely see anything in front of me. I was strangled by the acrid stench, coughing as I stumbled forward. Then he grabbed me by the arms, jerking me against him. “My family is upstairs.”

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