by Tracy Lauren
“Is that thing secure?” she asks, gripping onto the knight’s arm.
“It is. There’s no way that beast is getting out of there without a key,” he assures her.
“Thank goodness,” Adelaide breathes out, her hand landing on her chest. I see the knight’s eyes flash over her bosom. I’m going to kill him, I think to myself. My mind reels over the scene playing out before me. Is Adelaide truly so happy to be back with her people, has she forsaken me so quickly? I feel sick inside over the thought of it.
“I wanted to say a few things to the troll, so that maybe after this awful ordeal I can move on with my life,” she says sadly to the knight. He looks down at her with sympathy.
“Shall I step away and give you some privacy, miss?”
“No! Please stay close. I’m frightened to be alone with him,” she pleads. I snarl and kick at my cage again, hardly able to believe what I’m hearing coming from Adelaide’s lips, lips that only a few short hours ago were so eager to meet with mine.
“I’ll stay with you then. You’ll be safe with me,” he promises.
“Thank you.” She smiles, tucking some of her wild locks behind her ear. “There’s something about you, Bennett Baker. You make me feel like everything is going to be alright.”
Adelaide’s words sicken me. I kick the cage again and again, unable to control my rage. I want to murder this man and all his brethren. Then there’s Adelaide… I don’t even know what to say to her. Have I truly caused her so much pain? Was she playing me this whole time, a means to her end? The cage rattles as I bang against it.
“Stop that!” the knight orders, turning his attention to me. “You have caused this woman enough pain, the least you can do is hear what she has to say! You owe her that!”
I kick the cage again in defiance and the knight draws nearer. If only my hands were free. I could reach between these bars and rip his pretty human face right off. But before he has the chance to speak another word, Adelaide’s hands are around him in a flash, one tangled in his hair and the other presses a blade to his neck. Both the knight and myself are frozen with shock.
Though her voice trembles, still she speaks. “Unlock the cage and I promise we won’t hurt you or your men.”
The knight swallows, his throat moving and making the knife shift. I see a drop of crimson slide down his throat. “And if I don’t?”
“I kill you, search your body for the key and then when I let Brom out we may or may not kill all of your men,” she answers, her eyes wide, as if shocked by her own words and actions.
“I don’t understand. Why are you trying to help this monster?”
“You don’t have to understand me, Bennett Baker. All you have to do is unlock that damn cage.”
“You promise you won’t harm my men?” he brokers.
“Brom?” Adelaide asks, looking up at me.
I nod. “I won’t,” I say, my voice coming out like gravel.
The knight fishes the key out and fits it into the lock. The door swings open and I step out, my arms still bound, my gaze locked onto Adelaide’s the whole time.
“And what do you plan to do with me?” the knight asks, his chin held high. I answer him with a head butt, knocking him out. Adelaide rushes to begin working on the ropes binding me, sawing them with her blade. She only has to carve a few short notches before I’m able to rip free of them. Still, I watch her tentatively, wondering what the next step in her plan might be.
“Come on!” she urges.
“Where are we going?”
“Away from these men, before they see what we’ve done!” she commands, gripping my hand. Together, we run back into the Perished woods.
We run like that for what feels like hours, the moonlight guiding us, but no pursuit ever comes. We either lost them, or the unconscious knight has yet to be discovered. We don’t stop until we reach a brook, its babbling sounding crisp in an otherwise silent night. Adelaide leans on a tree, catching her breath.
“Are you alright?” she asks as she sucks in air.
I go to her, pulling her hands into my own. “Are you?” I want to embrace her. I want to press kisses to her lips and tell her I’ll never let her go. But I don’t know what comes next, so I bite my tongue instead.
“I’m fine, they treated me well,” she answers, running her hands over my chest in the moonlight, searching for injuries. “You were the one bound and locked in a cage. Do you have any injuries?” she presses, continuing to search me rather than waiting for my answer.
“Adelaide, what are you doing? You had a ticket into the city. You should not have come for me.”
“You’re kidding, right?” she baulks, pulling away. “What kind of person do you think I am? Did you really think I’d let them hurt you? That I could just walk away and go start my new life, never wondering what became of you?”
“No…I just…I wanted you to be happy and to find your family.” I face the direction of Pontheugh, though I can’t see it through the miles of darkness. “I don’t know how I’ll get you back there now.”
“Brom—”
“Don’t worry, Adelaide, I’ll think of something.”
“No, Brom, we have to talk,” she says, stepping in front of me, forcefully garnering my attention.
“I suppose we should,” I agree. Too much has gone unsaid between Adelaide and me. We haven’t talked about this thing going on between us and I haven’t dared to speak of the depths of my feelings for her. What would be the point, if her heart’s only desire is to leave?
“Yes. We should,” she says, wringing her hands. Still, the silence between us stretches out awkwardly.
“I spoke to that knight earlier, right after we were captured. His name was Bennett.”
I stiffen and my nostrils flare in anger. “I did not like what I heard pass between the two of you.”
“Believe me, I didn’t either. The way he—” Adelaide cuts her words short when she sees me cross my arms over my chest. “Brom…are you jealous?” she asks, a smile playing at her lips.
I huff. “Jealous? Of a pathetic thing like that man?”
Adelaide smirks, but continues. “When I spoke to him, I realized something. He was exactly like the men from my village. He expected me to be the damsel in distress, to be this two-dimensional cartoon of a woman, and when I didn’t fit that model—when I had emotions, thoughts, and beliefs that differed from what he expected of me—he started to write me off as hysterical.
“And believe me, Brom, I don’t want to sound like a hypocrite. I know you’ve seen me actually be the damsel in distress. But that’s not all I am. I might be scared sometimes and once or twice I’ve needed rescuing. But I’m more than that. I’m human and I might be flawed, but I’m fine with who I am. For the first time in a long while, I’m okay with me.”
“There is nothing wrong with you, Adelaide. If that man made you feel otherwise he’s the one who’s wrong.”
“I know. I’ve always known that, but they tried to make me feel crazy for knowing it. And what I realized is that I don’t want to go back to a place that’s going to make me feel like the outcast, that because I’m a woman or pretty, that I have to live my life on the surface—fearful to emote.”
“What are you saying?”
“I guess I’m wondering if The Cocky Bull might be hiring,” she says with a shrug.
My heart races in my chest. “Do you really want to go back to my village? There are no humans there, you’d be all alone in that sense.”
“Humans are overrated. Besides, I wouldn’t be alone. I mean, not if I have…not if you’re around, that is.”
I’m struck speechless by these new revelations.
“I don’t want to bother you though, of course. I just remember you had said you were lonely before and I thought that maybe…” She trails off, looking nervous.
I take a deep breath and think about what I want to say to Adelaide, my woman, the love of my life. “Leaving you in Pontheugh was going to kill me, Adela
ide,” I confess.
“I wouldn’t have let them hurt you.”
“No, even if the men hadn’t come. If I’d have been able to walk you to your aunt’s door and seen you safely inside. Turning around and walking away, that’s what would have killed me, little one. But I’d have done it, a thousand times I would have done it, if only to make you happy.”
“Why? Why have you done all this for me, Brom?”
“Because I love you. I love you more than I ever knew it was possible to love another. I don’t even know when it started, but still, it happened.”
Adelaide puts her hand over her mouth and big, wet tears spill from her eyes.
“I kissed you,” I confess. “Back when you were in the throes of the sleeping curse. I kissed you and you awoke. It’s said only true love’s kiss can wake a person from such a spell. I should have known then. Maybe I did.”
Adelaide wipes her tears away. “Do you know why the witch wanted my blood, even though I wasn’t a virgin?” she asks. “She said she desired the blood of a woman in love.” Adelaide laughs. “Could it be the world knew before we did?”
“Perhaps we are both simply too stubborn to admit such a thing,” I offer, smiling at my woman. She inches closer to me and wraps her arms around my waist.
She shakes her head. “I’m not,” she tells me. “I’ve turned over a new leaf. I decided I’m not going to waste any more time being unhappy and I can’t think of anything that would make me happier than loving you.”
I feel peace in my core like I’ve never known. Adelaide is mine, now all I have to do is make sure it is forever.
“How are we going to do this, Adelaide? I told you once if a troll wants a woman to be his wife, he simply throws her over his shoulder and carries her back to his lair. Somehow I don’t think that will work for you though.”
Smiling brightly at me, she shakes her head, dismissing the notion.
“Can I make a promise to you then?”
“Please.”
“We will walk together now and always as friends and lovers. I will never ask you to be a slave to me, only my woman. Spankings will only be for pleasure and I will always let our children believe that you are the better fisherman.”
She laughs and burrows against my chest. “Do you mean it, Brom? You really love me?”
“More than I could ever put into words. And can you really love me, a monster? A troll?”
“My love for you is so deep it runs through my veins.”
“But your family,” I remember. “You wanted to get to your family.”
“I may not have gotten to Ellyn, but I have no doubt that I’m with my family.”
“I’d say a kiss is past due,” I tell her, and she stands on tiptoes to wrap her arms around my neck. She is pure sweetness and a hint of vanilla.
“Shall we go home?” I ask.
“I’d love to. I’ll even help you clean the fireplace when we get back.”
“Damn right you will,” I tell her. “We’ll be scrubbing char off the wall for weeks.”
“I’ll make it up to you,” she promises.
“You already have,” I tell her, gazing lovingly into her eyes.
“Brom?”
“Yes, little one?”
“You haven’t even seen me get started. I guarantee I’m a better fisherman than you.”
“Let’s go home and you can prove it.”
Epilogue
Adelaide
“Get off your feet, Adelaide! Join us for a card game or two!”
“I’m working, Everard! Besides, what do you think Crum would say if he came out and saw me sitting around playing cards with you beasts?”
“You’re a generous woman if you think Crum could even see you,” Aldous points out.
“Hell, she must be a generous woman if she’s Brom’s wife!” Everard teases.
“Don’t listen to him, Adelaide. He’s just jealous,” Malkyn shouts from the bar.
“Don’t you know it!” Everard agrees, slamming his mug on his table. I roll my eyes and laugh as I head into the kitchen.
“Smoked turmeric!” Crum shouts, the top half of his body obscured by a cupboard. He spins, to shake a little bottle at me. “This is the secret ingredient in more than half of my dishes! Smell that, smell that!” he urges, shoving the little jar under my nose.
“Ooo, that’s lovely!”
“Who’s cooking tonight?”
“Probably Brom, I’m feeling a little tired,” I confess. The old troll hobbles to a rickety stool and slides it over to me.
“Well, if Brom is cooking you’ll need the turmeric. Sprinkle a bit on top of whatever he makes and it just might turn the tides. Next week I’ll tell you all about my love affair with paprika,” he says wistfully, passing me a human-sized bowl of stew.
“How exciting,” I tease.
“You make fun now, but you won’t be when you have my spice-rubbed grilled fish. No, then you’ll be singing my name—CRUM! CRUM THE MAGNIFICENT!” The old man raises his cane in the air and dances a jig as he sings his own praises. I nearly snort stew out of my nose.
“Gods, is this what they pay you for?” a familiar voice asks. My heart races in excitement, even after all this time.
“Brom!” I jump from my seat and rush to the half door leading out back. Brom leans in to give me a kiss. When I open my eyes, he holds out a bouquet of hand-picked wildflowers.
“And they all said I was the generous one,” I say, taking the blooms.
“Who said that?” he asks, frowning.
“Never mind,” Crum interrupts. “Are you here to steal my woman again?” the old troll demands, grabbing the discarded jar of turmeric and shoving it back into my hands. Smiling, I tuck it into my apron pocket.
“Thank you, Crum.”
“I’d swear she was my woman,” Brom argues.
“Shows how much you know,” Crum says, snickering. “Go on, sneak out the back, girl. Might as well leave a little early today.”
I give the old troll a kiss on the cheek before I leave and he playfully accuses me of being in love with him, eyeing Brom to see if he can get a rise out of my husband.
“Don’t make me fight you, old one. I pride myself on being a reasonable troll, but I can only take so much of your flirting with my woman,” Brom warns him and Crum eats it all up, strutting around the kitchen like a cocky rooster.
“You sure I can leave early?” I ask.
“Go on, I want you to try that smoked turmeric,” Crum urges, shooing me from the kitchen.
“Tell everyone I said goodbye!” I call.
“What am I, your slave?” I hear Crum grumbling as we walk away.
“That old troll is too much,” I tell Brom once we are on the path home.
“He’s lucky he’s an elder or I wouldn’t allow half the flirting the two of you do,” Brom points out.
“Oh stop, Crum’s harmless. He only flirts with me when you’re there. I think he just likes to stir up trouble.”
“I’m not jealous,” Brom assures me, taking my hand. “I’m glad you’ve found a family here. And I’m glad Crum teaches you all of his recipes. I’ve never eaten so good in my life.”
“Good,” I say, smiling, and we swing our hands as we walk. “How was your day?”
“A merchant crossed the bridge. He had been looking for Willowbend.”
“That’s a shame,” I sigh, thinking of another village cut down by orcs.
“I gave him an updated map, sausage, and a few fresh apples before I walked him to the new crossing point. He traded for blankets. They’re very nice. Soft and warm and one is small.” Brom holds up his hands to show me the miniature size. “White with lavender blooms stitched into it.”
I smile warmly, excited to see it when we get home. “It sounds beautiful.”
Ahead of us a group of troll children play in a winding stream, hopping off the bank and splashing each other with the chilly water. The sound of their laughter carries on the wind, follow
ing us on our walk home. Though we aren’t walking long before I have to stop for a break.
“Would you like me to carry you?” he asks, placing a loving hand over my belly, the bump there definitely troll-sized.
“I’m okay, I just get winded so easily anymore.”
Brom ignores me and scoops me into his arms. I’m too happy to argue. “This is actually kind of nice,” I admit.
“It is where you belong.”
I agree, nuzzling against Brom’s neck as he carries me home and I daydream about a little white blanket covered in lavender blooms, tucked warmly around our half-human, half-troll baby.
Family is a funny thing. There’s the one you’re born with and the one you build. And both can be filled with so much joy and love.
For a long time I was lost without my parents, feeling like I would forever be alone in this world. But then I met Brom and somehow or another there was a spark between us, and that spark caught fire. Along the way he’s reminded me of all those life lessons my parents tried to instill in me and he’s even taught me a thing or two about relationships I never knew before. He’s the only person who’s ever taken the time to get to know me, tried to understand me, and stood by me through my highs and lows. And when you find someone like that, you don’t let them go. Instead, you try your best to reflect all that love back, so they can feel as treasured as you do. Now neither of us is alone anymore.
I see the bridge in the distance. Light filters in through the trees, reflecting off the stream water, making our home sparkle like a diamond. It looks like something out of a fairytale.
In the beginning, these woods were as frightening to me as Brom was. And don’t get me wrong, each are equally dangerous. But it seems I’ve fallen in love with both. I can see how people end up out here and sometimes I even think of Aunt Celia’s last words to me. She was right. I am better off in the Perished Woods and not because I’m a monster. While she may have seen only darkness in me, Brom only sees the light. Of course this is where I belong.
Author’s Note
First and foremost, thank you so much for giving my book a chance. I don’t know if I’ll ever stop being amazed by the fact that people want to read my stories. I can’t even begin to tell you how exciting that is for me.