Page 63 of Unbound By Shadows
Eldridge chuckled. “Yes, that’s a good way to describe it. I believe it started with Julian beating his woman in the Padu. Is that right, dear?”
“Yes, he was abusing Margery. She had failed to lure enough bettors to the tent that night. We had been traveling with the Padu market at that time.”
Selene’s pulse picked up at the familiar name.
“Normally, Julian kept Samael in shackles until just before a show and then cuffed him immediately after. But that night the crowds were sparse and Julian was angry. After he had unshackled Samael, he turned to pull Margery by the hair. The crowd began to cheer—they were a cruel, savage group—so Julian continued to abuse her.”
“That’s awful,” Selene said. Her thoughts went back to thegruesome scars she had seen around Sam’s wrists and the leather bracers he wore to hide them.
“I don’t know if it was too much for Samael to bear or if he knew there wouldn’t be another opportunity without the chains, but he took his chance. We all watched as he reached out and grasped Julian’s head—”
“Twisted it right off his body,” Brunie exclaimed.
“Clean off,” Eldridge said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. The audience started screaming. I watched as Samael gave fully into his demonic instincts. He began plucking the heads from any vampire he could reach. And when they started to flee the tent?”
“Fire!” Brunie cried. “The fire he set grew until vampires came running out screaming—it was a glorious sight! But I was locked in my wagon, you see, and eventually, the flames spread.”
“Once Samael realized, he ran to pull the doors off each wagon. But for some, it was too late,” Eldridge said sadly. “He got to Brunie’s tent a bit later than he would have liked.”
Brunie gestured to the burned side of her face. “I welcomed the pain. I would have endured burns throughout my entire body to see Julian die!”
Eldridge shrugged. “And die, he did. Without a head, well, there’s no coming back from that. And as for the rest of the vampires that were burned but not beheaded? The morning sun took care of them.”
“He spared Margery, though. And anyone else who was innocent or had been kind to him. He freed us all,” Brunie said, her eyes misting with tears.
“A true hero,” Eldridge said.
Selene felt spellbound. She was in awe of everything Sam had been through as well as the resilience of Brunie and Eldridge. How did they have the fortitude to survive such an ordeal, let alone take a little demon under their wing?
“After that we came here.” Eldridge gestured around the room. “Built this house. Tried to forget.”
“We had begged Samael to come with us, but he refused,” Brunie said. “He wanted to live alone, he had said, and fled into the forest. Of course, we were sick with worry for him.”
Selene nodded, remembering Queen Thema’s story of how Sam rescued her in the forest.
Eldridge smiled. “But then one day, years later, we received a letter from Samael telling us how he was working as a guard at Queen Thema’s castle. A few months later, he came to visit. It was a glorious day. He built much of our furniture, and continues to visit us every so often. We’ve asked him to stay on many times, but he’s always refused.”
“What’s so wonderful about the Malkina that keeps him there?” Brunie grumbled. “They’re haughty and vain. Terrible cooks too, from what I hear.”
“Dearest, I think he believes himself to be bad luck for us.”
“Rubbish.”
“It’s his choice, Brunie. I’ve always said he's as clever as a Goblyn. Seems he’s stubborn as a Harpy too.”
Brunie swatted him on the arm and got up to go back in the kitchen, leaving Selene alone with Eldridge. The strain of reliving such painful memories was evident in his face. Leaning toward her, the Goblyn met her eyes.
“Selene, you must understand that although many terrible things have happened to Samael, he’s never given into true evil. He tries very hard to do his best and control his instincts. He believes in justice and is driven to uphold it.”
“I understand.”
“Sometimes, he just needs a bit of patience. Andpermission. His experience with females is… limited. He doesn’t always understand the unspoken, and he fears making a mistake. Fears losing control. If someone were to want something from Samael, well… ”
He paused and gave her a meaningful look. “She should be bold in asking for it.”
Chapter 25
After obsessing all day about what Selene had thought about his time in the blood wagons, the last way Sam wanted to spend his evening was at a boisterous party to celebrate the founding of Snowmelt. Though as Eldridge nudged him toward the waiting carriage, it seemed he didn’t have a choice. Selene and Brunie were already seated in the back, their laps stacked with the pies they had spent the day baking.
