Sarah went on, her voice soft. “You said you had news to share, and I never got to hear it. I wish I could say something to make it right, to make up for leaving you.” Her shoulders drooped in a sigh. “I know it doesn’t really matter anymore, but I can’t seem to do anything right and wish I could fix this. Seeing you like—” Sarah shook her head, trying to cast the image aside. “It just made death seem too real. I don’t know, maybe that’s what I’m running from.”
You can’t outrun death. She could almost hear Edith’s voice in the wind, and she turned her head toward the forest, foolishly scanning the trees for her familiar face. But, of course, there was no one.
Sarah rose on shaky legs, feeling an intense desire to run from this place and never look back. With tears pouring unchecked down her cheeks, she gave Edith’s final resting place a wavering smile. “I hope your boy is beside the angels to greet you. Don’t forget about me,” she whispered, laying the handkerchief carefully over one of the thorny branches marking the grave. The square of fabric flapped gently in the breeze.
She picked her sack off the ground and gingerly made her way through the slumbering rose bushes. Keeping her eyes focused on the woods, she walked with determined strides into the trees. She was so intent on not looking behind her that she tripped over an exposed root and nearly toppled over. The saying about not being able to see the forest for the trees came to mind, and her steps faltered. But she had thought this through and saw everything clearly. There was nothing to doubt, she reasoned, trying to bolster her courage as she picked up her pace. She was doing the right thing.
And when she began to question in her insecurity, she ran, trying to escape the doubts that followed at her heels.
****
Night was approaching fast. Will planted a fist against his mouth as he stared at the flames, thinking in silence, though his mind was already made up. He could not take Sarah away from her family; she would never forgive herself for leaving them. It was why he had remained in Serimone after his parents’ deaths, because he knew he would forever question if the people and his uncle needed him. And there was also the matter of taking responsibility for an unwed woman, and he could never afford for the two of them to marry if he left his livelihood behind. . . . Not that she had mentioned marriage, only a temporary respite.
Will chastised himself for thinking—wanting to believe—that more was there than what she had asked of him. The situation was hardly permanent, and she needed a friend and protection on her brief journey, nothing more. It would be completely unwise, foolish even, for them to escape together. No matter that he was tempted.
Against his better judgment, he allowed himself to consider last night, the way she had allowed him to touch and hold and comfort her without a second thought. He had never felt as protective of her as when she was asleep, with her vulnerability and hurt evident in every line of her face. No feeling could compare to that of holding her in his arms, with her fully trusting that he would keep her safe. And when it had been just the two of them as they shared the sunrise, it felt like nothing stood in their way—no obstacles to stop him from admitting his feelings and asking her to be his for eternity, to wake up in his arms for the remainder of theirs.
Groaning, he shoved his fingers back through his hair and rose to his feet. The sun was close to setting, and he was only putting off disappointing her. Whipping on his cloak in agitation, he glanced back at the fire and decided that he wouldn’t put it out; he would be back soon, anyway.
He slammed the door behind him, upsetting a patch of snow on the roof. It slipped over the side and landed on the ground in a heavy heap. Frowning, Will stomped through the forest, making his way to the small brook at which they were supposed to rendezvous. He half hoped that Sarah would not be there, because then there would be no need for him to give her an answer he was sure would be displeasing.
An owl hooted somewhere nearby, and he halted in his tracks. There was something not quite right about the sound, and he found himself straining his ears when he heard it again. Turning in the direction he thought the false hoot came from, he caught a flash of green dart behind one of the snowcapped trees. His first instinct was to assume it was an animal of some kind, but it had been too tall for that.
Taking a cautious step, Will could just make out the slight fluttering of a cloak in the breeze. He held his breath. Sarah had said that there was someone impersonating the Shadow. Was it possible this was he?
His suspicions were confirmed when the imposter stepped out from behind the tree, fully revealing himself. The man was dressed in brown leather pants, lace-up boots, and the Shadow’s signature green cloak with the hood drawn over his features. He even had the gall to wear a pack of arrows and hold a bow, as if he knew how to use it.
They stared each other down. Will calculated how many steps it would take before he could reach out and strangle the man who was tampering with his sacred identity, who had nearly killed Sarah and taken the life of her friend.
He had just estimated the distance between them when the man skipped backwards a step and then bolted into the forest, challenging him to follow. Will took off after him, running in the opposite direction of his and Sarah’s meeting place. He would meet her later after he dealt with this filth.
He followed close at the imposter’s heels, but he couldn’t seem to overpower him. What the man lacked in speed he made up for in agility as he slipped through small gaps between the trees and darted under short limbs that Will had to avoid. He was beginning to think it was a fruitless pursuit when his ears picked up the rumbling sound of Glenborough Falls in the distance. Now with a new goal in mind, he charged after his target, planning to force him into the water and, if need be, over the falls.
The roaring grew louder, and Will knew they were almost upon the water. But then the man suddenly released the bow and removed the quiver from his back, dropping it to the ground as he ran.
Confused but knowing an opportunity when he saw it, Will bent and snatched them from the ground, barely breaking stride. Slinging the pack over his shoulder, he set the arrow in a movement as familiar as breathing and broke through the trees to find the hooded man sloshing through the shallow water.
“Halt!” Will yelled, raising the bow as he splashed into the freezing ankle-deep water after him. “I have you in my sights!” The man jerked to a stop, turning around slowly to face him. Will squinted into the near darkness. “Now remove the hood.”
The man ignored his command and advanced on him slowly, hands raised in surrender. There was something familiar about the way he walked. . . . Will drew the string back, letting him know he meant business. “I said stop!” The imposter obeyed, though still he did not reveal his identity. “The hood,” he growled, angling the bow.
The man reached up and flipped his hood back without hesitation. “You wouldn’t shoot a woman, would you, darling?”
He felt Jade’s cocky grin across the feet that separated them and ground his teeth in irritation. Lowering the weapon, he glowered at her. “You’re the one who has been masquerading as the Shadow? You murdered someone, Jade! This isn’t one of your little games.”
She sauntered toward him, her eyes narrowing in that catlike way that let him know she was pleased with herself. “I’ve never killed anyone, William.” Pressing a hand to her heart in a move meant to distract him, she cocked her head to the side and turned her lips down in a pout. “It hurts that you think I could do such a thing.”
“Well, then what is this?” He shook the bow in front of her face. “I could have killed you!”
“I had to get your attention somehow.” Jade flipped her braid over her shoulder. Shooting him a seductive smile, she placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned toward his ear. He tightened his grip on the bow, but didn’t give her the satisfaction of pulling away.
“I was not the one who killed that woman, and you know that,” she whispered, her mouth brushing his ear. Will pursed his lips and thought he heard one of his knu
ckles pop. “But I know who did.”
That caught his attention.
Gripping her shoulders, he pushed her back to see her face. “You know who broke into the castle?”
She grinned coyly and ran a finger playfully down his chest. “I know a lot of things.”
He grabbed her wrists and held them tight, though she didn’t pull away. “Cut the charade,” he said sternly, giving her a little shake to knock some sense into her. “Now who killed that woman?”
Her voice turned husky, a habit she couldn’t seem to break. “And what will you do for me if I tell you?”
Will released her abruptly and took a step back, suddenly disgusted with this woman he had once called a friend. “Good God, Jade, what is wrong with you? You can be so exasperating!”
The façade chipped away for a moment, and he could see his words had hurt before the indifferent mask veiled her features once more. “Aren’t you curious?” Her voice had lost its purposefully alluring tone.
Though he was terribly curious, he knew that Jade would never divulge the secret; she loved them too much to lose one so intriguing. Will turned around without another word, tromping back through the shallow water.
“I know your secret, too,” she blurted loudly to be heard over the falls. He hesitated, and she cried out a little desperately, “How else would I know that you would follow me in this costume?”
Swallowing tightly, he turned back to her, feigning ignorance, though his heart was beating wildly in his chest. “What are you talking about? I have no secrets.”
Jade straightened the front of her shirt, tucking it back into her pants where it had come loose. She smoothed her braid, a nervous movement meant to regain her composure. “I recently discovered your alter-ego, and I must say that I’m surprised I hadn’t thought of it before. You had me fooled along with everyone else.”
Dropping the guise, he sloshed over to her. “Who else knows?” She grinned, lording it over him. He leaned down and enunciated each word. “Who. Else. Knows?”
A delicate brow arched in defiance.
“Who did you tell, Jade?”
“I’m not the one you should concern yourself with!” she snapped. Blinking, she seemed to realize how harsh her tone had been, and her expression turned suddenly sad. She retreated a few steps. “You foolishly trusted her with your secret, but I won’t tell a soul, William, if that’s what concerns you—I promise. I shall remain silent if you just answer one question.”
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, wondering how she knew about Sarah’s awareness of his secret. Jade was still backing towards the falls, and his eyes widened as he realized her intent. “Jade stop!”
She did. Tilting her head to the side, she watched him intently from the knee-deep water. The cold didn’t seem to affect her. “Why not me? Just answer me that. She doesn’t deserve you, you know,” she added quietly.
Will took a few tentative steps toward her, eyes darting to the frothing water that spilled over the falls. She would never survive that drop. “Come back from the edge and I’ll discuss this with you.”
“And that shall garner your attention?” Shaking her head, Jade stepped onto a large rock that jetted out over the edge of the water. She didn’t possess the nerve, did she? Will swallowed.
“You never wanted me,” she went on. “I see now that deceiving that girl could never bring you into my arms.” Her face looked tormented. “Just say my name. My real name—the name you gave me when we were children, when I wished to forget my past.”
Will was suddenly aware of how deep her obsession for him went and searched his mind for a solution to get the both of them out of this alive. He took a few more steps, having to pick up his knees as the water deepened. He kept his eyes focused on hers as he sloshed along, and his thighs went numb. “Don’t do this. Please.”
A lone tear spilled down her cheek. “Why not? I spend my life being used and controlled by men and receive nothing in return. What do I have here but emptiness and loss—of my home, my parents, of your affection?”
Seeing she refused to be talked down, Will suddenly raised the bow in a last ditch effort. “Get down from there or I’ll shoot.” He realized that it was foolish to threaten to kill someone on the brink of suicide, but it was all he could think of.
“You won’t shoot me.” She seemed so certain of it, and he knew it was true; he couldn’t do it.
He tossed the bow down, and it swirled in the frothing water and then dropped over the falls. He kept his eyes focused on Jade as he advanced cautiously, trying not to startle her as he rose up on the rock before her. The sun had set, and it was difficult to make out her features in the pale moonlight. “You’re right. I can’t shoot you.”
She wrapped her arms around his middle, startling him. Jade sighed, pressing her body hard against his own, as though he would evaporate if she lessened her hold. “It feels so good to be in your arms.” She paused, arms freezing. “But I can never really have you, can I?”
Will hesitated, barely returning her embrace. He knew he couldn’t lie to her, even under such dire circumstances. “I’m sorry, no. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you in my life. You deserve more than this.”
She released him, and he caught a flash of teeth as she smiled sadly. “Thank you for that. I will always love you, William, and your secret is safe with me.” Something in her eyes shifted, and his own widened in alarm as he realized she was done speaking. Then she took a step back, and her body tumbled over the falls.
“Marian!” he cried thoughtlessly, lunging for her. His breath was forced from his lungs as he landed on the rock, hard, but he managed to grab ahold of her slick wrist before he lost her completely.
Will grunted, struggling to hang on as the falls pulled at her from below. “Hang on,” he yelled, reaching down with his other hand. His stomach slipped over the rock, and he caught sight of her face. She looked vaguely frightened, yet her mind seemed intent on something other than their plight.
“Say my name again,” she cried.
He ground his teeth, trying to get a better grip on her. His chest slowly inched over the edge of the slick rock, further over the churning water far below.
“Say it!” Jade screamed desperately when he remained silent. She seemed more concerned in hearing him affirm her existence than she was in helping him pull her to safety.
Muscles straining, he managed through clenched teeth, “Don’t let go, Marian!” The words were lost in the roar of the water, but she smiled anyway, knowing he had said what she wanted to hear. Will felt her hand relax, no longer returning his hold.
He arched his back as he struggled to hold on, trying to turn his body to take some of the strain off his arms, but his sudden weight shift caused his body to jerk across the wet surface of the rock. Eyes widening, his free hand searched frantically for some handhold as Jade’s weight pulled him over the edge.
His hand slipped over an exposed tree root, and he made a desperate grab for it. Their bodies jerked to a stop as he closed his fingers around the end of the root, and their weight nearly yanked it from the sodden earth. Groaning in pain, he tightened his hold around Jade’s wrist. He knew that there was no air in the spray of the falls where her body dangled, but he couldn’t let her go.
“Hold on!” he yelled. But she had already gone limp. Just hold on, he told himself, closing his lids tightly as he focused on doing just that. His fingers had gone numb, and they loosened against his will, slipping from around the exposed root. He closed his eyes and his last thought as they both fell toward the rocks at the base of Glenborough Falls was that he would get his wish: He would die attempting to save someone.
~Chapter 30~
Tapping her foot anxiously, Sarah stared off into the darkening forest. “Come on, come on,” she muttered, stomach knotting anxiously. But the sun had set, and there was still no sign of Will. He had said he would come, whatever news he had for her, but maybe he had changed his mind.
Sarah shiver
ed as a cold mist from the brook blew her way, soaking through the cloak and chilling her to the bone. She’d been waiting for what must have been close to an hour, and she was starving and half-frozen. The time spent waiting had allowed her to think—and overthink—and when Will had neglected to make an appearance, she had felt conflicting emotions. She was partly disappointed that he wasn’t willing to do something like this for her, but that displeasure felt more like relief the longer she stood there.
Had she been out of her mind to propose that they run away together to Locksley? She had never suggested something so rash and felt ashamed for even thinking up such a ridiculous plan. Crazy girls ran away with boys they hardly knew, not Sarah—good ol’, logical Sarah. If Janice could see her now, acting as brazen as she, Sarah was sure she’d grab a bowl of popcorn to munch on while she watched the drama unfold.
With time to reflect the longer she spent away from the castle, the place where Edith had been murdered, she began to see the reasons for her recklessness with more clarity. And she felt more ridiculous and impulsive because of it. Yes, she had panicked when she’d witnessed Edith’s murder—even now she had to close her eyes when she thought of it—and that panic had only escalated when she considered how she would have to leave Karen and the Joneses for good someday. And when she imagined she might lose Will, the person who had offered her comfort after the tragedy and to whom she had clung in her time of need . . .
From a psychological perspective, it made sense, her holding tightly to the beacon that had helped her through a traumatic experience. But, while understandable, it didn’t excuse the selfishness of her actions.
Her shoulders bowed under the weight of what she had almost done to both their lives. She had felt a little slighted when Will never made an appearance, but she was starting to think that it was for the best: She could never leave her family like this, disappearing with a man they had never met in a different era, with no mention of where she was going—her parents would have an aneurism! Not to mention Lilly. How could she have considered abandoning her young sister for longer than necessary, prolonging her return to go on an adventure? And the entire purpose of her being here was to track down the king’s murderer, something she hadn’t put any effort into recently.
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