The Duke's Curse (Legend Book 2) Read online

  “You’re lying!” Her hands tried to push me away. “You’re lying!”

  “He’s not lying, Allie.” Lancer finally stood, hands balled.

  I held onto her while her eyes found his. “W-what?”

  “He’s not lying because I’m also cursed. I’m also a reincarnation.”

  I felt her body go from tense to lifeless. I caught her and held her close against my chest. Lancer shook his head while M sighed. Arching a brow, I carried Alexandria to the couch.

  I eased her onto the soft cushions. “I was going to keep your secret longer, Lancer.”

  “She wouldn’t believe you. She would believe me. It’s the only way.” He ran a hand through dark, wavy hair. “Did you mean what you said?”

  “About what?” I knelt down, waiting for her to wake up. Her breathing was steady, so there was no need for concern.

  “About you being interested in her as Alexandria and not just the reincarnate of ...” I didn’t let him finish. I put out a hand to stop him from saying her true name.

  “I always told M something was different about Alexandria. Something inside her—a fire, a passion, yet a purity I’ve never known in anyone.” I ran fingers down her cheek, the lids of my eyes drooping to hide the emotion brewing. “There is no trace of her, yet there is so much of her here. Alexandria is a woman I would long to have for myself.” I rubbed my eyes with long fingers. “She is the woman I would actually consider over her, Lancer. Getting to know her—as a person, not just for the familiarity of her soul—I could love her unlike anyone.”

  Lancer’s jaw worked hard over my words. I could sense his desire to remove my hand from her skin. I smelled his building hatred of me and my pursuit of the woman he loved. His fingers played with themselves by his sides, fighting the urge to ball.

  “I loved her, for her. I had her first, Avalon. She loves me. She trusts me. If you love her as you say, then you’ll let her go and allow me to protect her before any of this rages out of control. We both know the outcome if that bastard gets his hands on her.” His forest green eyes blazed with a warrior’s spirit I knew so well.

  “I shall seriously consider that, Lancer. I give you my word.”

  His face softened from harsh to surprise. He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief at my compliance. Alexandria groaned beneath me, and we both leaned over her. I steeled myself for the next outburst.

  Those eyes I had grown to search for in my home greeted me with the fluttering of long lashes. She was so beautiful, so good, and so passionate. I knew even if she wasn’t the woman I sought to break the curse, Alexandria York was a woman I could give my life to.

  Was I just a man in this world and she just a woman—I’d love her openly. Yet this wasn’t that world, and she wasn’t that woman nor was I a normal man. My heart was locked away, and slowly, she was chipping away at its armor.

  She blinked for a few moments before locking her gaze on me. Alexandria searched and dived deep behind my gray eyes, begging for any trace that this wasn’t real. I watched as her tears swelled and overflowed as she pushed my hand away. Sitting up, she sniffed and was unable to choke back a broken sob. It was a sound of despair. A sound of hopelessness and I felt my chest squeeze, knowing I was the cause of such pain.

  “I need time. Please, I just need time.” With strength I was now just starting to understand, she wielded, Alexandria stood. Lancer moved toward her, but she held out a hand. “I need time, Lancer ... please understand that.”

  The man’s body slumped in defeat and nodded, allowing her space. She glanced over her shoulder. Our eyes met once more.

  “I’m so sorry, Alexandria.”

  She had been silent for a moment before her response made my blood run cold.

  “So am I.”

  Two

  Alexandria

  This couldn’t be real. I had to be locked in some sort of sadistic nightmare. Avalon was cursed? Everyone surrounding him was cursed?

  I locked myself in my rooms that I had begun to consider a second home. Now the elaborate furnishings, tapestries, and adornments made me realize my fate had been laid out before my very eyes.

  If I truly was the reincarnation of the Duke of Avalon’s wife, then these lodgings of the Duchess of Avalon were rightfully mine. I sat down on the bed, clutching my hands together on my lap and closed my eyes. I had been able to stop the flood of tears in front of people, but now that I was alone, they wouldn’t stop.

  Sobs wracked my body as the cold realization gripped me in fear. I let my body crumple to the mattress and desperately clung to the sheets as if I would fall.

  I, Alexandria York, was caught not in any storm, but a hurricane. A hurricane dictated by Avalon. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, Lancer, the man I adored and looked to for strength, had lied about everything. He too was cursed.

  Had he known my fate?

  Was he just trying to protect another woman from the Dragon’s claws?

  Did he love me?

  Or was it just him doing a duty?

  A fresh wave of anguish overwhelmed me.

  I cried until my muscles were sore, my chest aching, and my eyes dry. Never had I felt so alone in my life. I hadn’t felt this sorrow since my parents’ death. The last thing I remembered was staring out the window in a trance as the sun rose higher in the sky and then nothingness.

  When I came to, a crescent moon had replaced the sun. Pushing myself up, I wiped my eyes. Tapping the screen of my phone, I saw the time it glowed back was 10:22PM. I had slept all day. I ran a hand through my messy hair and decided to make an appearance. The breakfast from that morning had worn off and my stomach now twisted in hunger.

  Opening the heavy oak door, I stepped out into the hall and gasped. Jumping back, I let my heart rate fall back to a semi-normal rhythm. Sitting outside my door in a chair was Avalon. He was sleeping, arms crossed loosely over his chest, black hair playing over his closed eyes. He was the last person I wanted to see right now. I looked back to my room.

  Had he sat here all day?

  I reached over and carefully pressed on his shoulder.

  “Hey, Avalon, you can wake up now.”

  With lightning speed, his fingers snaked around my wrist and pulled me into him. He rose at the same time as he pulled, and I found myself held captive in his arms. His body was like knotted muscle, waiting for me to push him off.

  This was his way.

  I had become accustomed to his physical interactions with me already laced with rejection. Tonight, though, I was tired and weak from hunger. All I wanted to do was eat and slip between my sheets and wake up the next morning to the entire curse nonsense being nothing but a nightmare.

  The way Avalon clung to me this time, though, I knew I was awake, and this had to be real. His breathing was uneven as he leaned his head onto my shoulder. I was so confused. No man had ever dumbfounded me so.

  “I beg of you to forgive me.” Avalon’s voice was thick, choked. “Alexandria, I give you freedom to leave. You do not have to finish the statue if you do not wish to. I shall pay you in full, just ...” The small hitch in his voice was subtle, but I heard it. Eyes widening then tightening against my own emotions, I realized Avalon was just as distraught as I was. He sniffed and his fingers twisted in my hair. “I just ask you to forgive me for seeking you out. Had I not, your life ...”

  I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders and inhaled deeply. “Pray tell me, is this just an act? Or does the Dragon actual feel?”

  A broken laugh escaped his chest roughly. “It has been so long since I have felt anything, Ms. York, and I am rather terrified.”

  “Don’t be, and it’s Alexandria, you know that.”

  “I don’t deserve any familiarity with you.” Avalon pulled himself up to full height, and I saw the rain threatening cloudy eyes. His fingers traced over my cheek, burning me with his touch just as he always did. I couldn’t steel myself against him this time.

  “Am I truly the cursed reincarnate of your wif
e?” I kept my voice barely above a whisper.

  Avalon’s jaw tensed. “Yes, you are.”

  “What about God? God wouldn’t allow this to happen. How can I be cursed if I have no memory of it?” I was now resting on a broken foundation of faith. A faith that had cracked and scattered into a million pieces when my parents died.

  “I have been asking Him that question for so long now, and I still do not know.”

  My hysteria began to resurface. “This isn’t real. This can’t be real. Curses, God, death, being brought back, it cannot happen, Avalon. It just can’t. It’s not logical.”

  “I know, shh, I know, Alexandria, trust me. I have lived with the illogical for over a century.” His forehead rested on mine. “You are the first thing in my life to make sense in so long; I cannot even think around you.”

  “Avalon, you know I cannot be yours.” I dared to look into his eyes. “I am not your wife. She’s dead and gone.”

  “I know that, and I can respect that.” The pain reflecting on his face hurt my heart. “But you must know that I meant what I said last night. I will protect you as is my charge in life. You may never be mine, but I see now, I see.” His long fingers carded through my hair. “You are one I cannot lose. So long as you live, you shall be protected.”

  “Avalon ...” He silenced me with a quick shake of his head.

  “That is why I must place my shields again. I must keep my distance if I am to respect your choice. So please, do not think me cruel.” He gave a tight smile. “It is just my way of guarding myself.”

  I felt relief flood through me. “Thank you, Avalon, for understanding.”

  The handsome man before me suddenly became not so evil, not so dark to me. He was changing, and it frightened me. I was beginning to yearn for what I saw in him.

  “You must understand. We are cursed, and we shall speak more tomorrow.” His brows furrowed. “Yet, some things must be done in order for us to break this curse that will test all of us.”

  All I could do was gape at Avalon.

  What things did we have to do?

  How were we going to break the curse?

  How long was this going to take?

  The small tinkling of metal caught my ear, and my gaze dropped from his face to the chain around his neck. I reached out without my brain giving my body permission. Avalon didn’t stop me as I carefully fingered the matching bands. Swallowing hard, I looked back up and blinked back tears.

  “Were these ...” I couldn’t finish that thought.

  “Yes, they were.” Avalon’s voice was hushed.

  “Isn’t it torture? You know, holding onto them?” I tried to gather what little resolve I had left.

  “It is all that I have left.” Avalon reached out again and forced a tight smile. “It was all that I had left until I met you.”

  I allowed myself this one moment to see into the tortured soul of Avalon. I closed my eyes as his large hand caressed my face. Avalon’s skin was warm against my cooler cheek. Only last night, he had held me in his arms and kissed me, confessed to me.

  Can I trust him?

  Opening my eyes, the answer terrified me.

  Yes.

  Yes, I could trust Avalon.

  “I must go get something to eat.” I didn’t pull away, but I didn’t lean into him either. “I should also find Lancer and apologize to him.”

  Avalon nodded, breaking his hold on me. “As you wish, Alexandria.”

  Turning to leave, I watched his hands ball. His shoulders squared, his long strides held the confidence of a man unfettered by any curse. I knew, though, no matter how strong of a shield he put around his heart, it was being chipped away. The worst part was I couldn’t mend what I was breaking.

  I made it to the smaller kitchen and pulled out bread to make a sandwich. I opened and closed the refrigerator a few times, sighing. I could sense Lancer a mile away.

  “Lancer, it’s all right. I’m just getting a late dinner.”

  He came fully into the room with his eyes lowered to the floor and his hands shoved into his pockets. Lancer looked like a man who had been told he had days to live. I closed the gap between us, holding my arms out to him. No matter how he had lied to me, I needed his security. No matter who he was, I needed the void he filled in me.

  “Oh, God, Allie, I’m so sorry.” Strong arms wrapped me in an embrace that meant so much more. I couldn’t stop a silent round of tears.

  “It’s not your fault, Lancer.” I clung to him.

  He was my saving grace.

  He could make everything better.

  “I’m so sorry.” Falling to his knees, he held my hands. “I swear when we were together I knew nothing of who you truly were. I swear.” Forest green eyes met mine, and tears streaked down his cheeks. “All I knew was that I was in love with this amazing woman, and I wanted to make her mine forever. I knew only of my own curse and Avalon’s. I have no memories of my past lives. All I know is the one I have now.”

  I knelt down, my forehead pressing to his. “I believe you, Lancer. I know you’d never do that. You’re a good man.” I wrapped my hands around his neck. “I don’t know how I’m going to survive, knowing all that I do now.”

  “I will never leave your side again. I vow on my honor, on my life, that I will never leave you nor forsake you, Allie.” His lips crashed against mine in a desperate plea. I was just as starved.

  I forgot all about making a sandwich and kissed him back. Lancer was the only thing I wanted. I needed him with me, surrounding me, inside me.

  “I missed you so much, Lancer Rivers.” Whispering against his warm mouth, I heard him groan.

  “And I you, Alexandria York.” Low, husky, and his accent thickened to that of his Northern roots, his voice made me weak. I could smell his desire for me. The air permeated with the tension between us.

  Licking the shell of his ear, I felt his hands slipping under my shirt. I shivered as his fingers brushed my bare skin. I couldn’t hold him off. My resolve was weak. The past weeks of Avalon’s constant tug-of-wars and nights of Arthur had made me a wanton woman.

  “I’ve only been yours, Lancer. So take what is yours.” My voice sounded so strange to me. It was thick and full of taunting desire.

  In a matter of seconds, I was off the kitchen floor and bridal style in Lancer’s arms. I held him as if my life depended on it and kissed him over and over. He brought me to his room, kicking the door open and then shut.

  Tossing me on the bed, he yanked the curtains closed, washing us in darkness. All I could hear was the removal of clothes and our breathing. My heart was pounding so fast. I was both excited and nervous, but I didn’t know why. Lancer and I had stayed up for countless nights wrapped in each other’s arms. As his hands explored against bare flesh, a part of my memory burned the back of my eyes.

  I want to map you ...

  I gasped both from the pleasure of Lancer’s ministrations and Arthur’s words twisting my heart.

  Something was happening.

  I couldn’t describe it.

  It was as if I was being torn in two. A part of me wanted nothing more than Lancer to touch, taste, and take me. The other half screamed I belonged to someone else—Arthur?

  No, worse—Avalon.

  “Oh Allie, I’ve thought about this every night since we parted.” My attention turned back to Lancer as he settled himself between my legs. I felt him against my heat, pressing carefully as to not hurt me.

  No! What are you doing! Why are you giving yourself to him so easily? What about Arthur?

  Arthur isn’t real.

  What about Avalon?

  I don’t love Avalon.

  My brain screamed, but my body accepted Lancer willingly. I arched my back as he buried himself deep inside, just as he had before. He was the first and only lover I’d had. He was all man. Once Lancer began his taking of me, he wouldn’t stop until we were both drained.

  You’re making a mistake.

  I love Lancer; I want to be
with him. I shouldn’t feel guilty about this.

  Then why are you arguing with yourself? Why are you thinking of them?

  BECAUSE YOU ARE MAKING ME!

  “Ahhh ... Lancer ...” I cried out as he angled my hips and dove deeper. My nails dug into his back as he whispered things I had waited so long to hear into my ear. His mouth and hands were everywhere, drawing sounds from my lips. I felt along his skin, feeling large, hard muscles giving everything to me.

  I felt my mind’s pleading turn to a silent scream until it faded into the blissful quiet of completion. At that moment, two things happened. The first being I didn’t know if I would ever see Arthur again. The second was the haunting sound of a lamenting violin cutting through the night.

  Three

  Avalon

  Every Sunday, I could be found in the chapel of my estate for around an hour. Some days, I would read scripture to try to understand my situation. Sometimes, I would pray until I exhausted myself. Or days like today, when I just stared ahead at the stained glass mosaic of Christ in silence.

  I had been in here since five in the morning, and it was now almost noon. Orla had brought me tea and toast earlier, hovering over me like a worried mother. I shooed her away gently. I needed to be alone right now.

  Think, Avalon, think.

  What must I do?

  What must I say?

  I knew everything that happened in my own home. I had seen them go into his room, and there was no trace of her ever leaving to her own. My hands clasped as I willed my heart to strengthen the iron I had encased it in.

  I wanted to punish her.

  I wanted to go to her dreams and show her my anguish.

  I couldn’t do that to her.

  I was the very reason her world had come crashing down, and her struggle had only just begun.

  My ears picked up the sound of footfalls entering the chapel. I thought it was M at first, so I didn’t turn around. My body tensed at the sound of her voice.

  “Orla said that you’ve been in here longer than usual. How long do your private church services go?” Alexandria sat down next to me in the wooden pew. I couldn’t look at her.