Defiant

by M. J. Haag

As he answered, a flash of unnatural green light reflected in his eyes.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I stared at young Tommy Bell until the light faded. Without a doubt, it was the same light I’d seen in my mother’s eyes before she died. However, Tommy remained whole and healthy, if increasingly more uncomfortable the longer I stared.

  “Thank you, Tommy,” Kellen said, taking my arm. “We’ll try hanging around the alehouses and hope for the best. Have a pleasant day.”

  I nodded and managed a smile before Kellen led us away.

  “You saw it too, didn’t you?” I asked.

  “I did.”

  “What do you think it means?” I asked.

  “That we’re even further from the truth than before. Why would a king, who put a ban on the use of magic, use magic to influence a young lad to deliver a package? Had it been from the King, his guard would have only needed to ask the boy, and young Tommy would have excitedly done it for the cap alone.”

  “Kaven is acting on his own.”

  “He has dark hair then? Kaven?”

  I’d forgotten that Kellen had never had the displeasure of meeting him.

  “In the light it’s a warm brown. Darker than my hair, but far lighter than yours. At night…” I shrugged. “I suppose it could be dark if one weren’t paying much attention.”

  She glanced knowingly at me. I’d been paying far too much attention to mistake his hair as dark.

  “Then, I believe Kaven is acting without the king’s knowledge. However, Kaven is the prince’s servant. Perhaps this is a son’s act against his father?”

  I growled in frustration.

  “I’m done with this game and want it over.”

  “And how do you propose ending it?”

  “We know the king isn’t involved, and we have the letter promising help. I say we confront Kaven to discover the truth and go to the king with whatever admission Kaven makes.”

  “And if there is no admission?”

  I stopped walking and glared at Kellen.

  “Are you being difficult for a reason?”

  “Yes. To spare us both additional misery. If someone is willing to use magic and take people while daylight is shining, do you honestly believe they will openly admit their transgression? If Kaven is the culprit, you’ll find yourself taken like Judith and Anne. And, I’ll find myself without a sister. If Kaven isn’t the culprit, you’ll survive the encounter but likely cause a stir which is exactly what Maeve is working so hard to avoid.”

  Defeated by her logic, I started walking again.

  “Then what would you have us do?”

  “For now, I would have us arriving at Mr. Bentwell’s post-haste.”

  Thanks to Kellen’s ever-present cache of coins, we hired a small carriage to deliver us to the bookshop in mere minutes. We returned the read books and selected new ones at our leisure before returning to the market. We’d only just rounded the corner when we spotted Hugh and Sabine.

  I waved and smiled.

  “I hope you had enough time,” Sabine said. “I hadn’t anticipated Hugh’s speed when I suggested three hours.”

  “It was plenty of time to select new books,” Kellen said.

  The ride home was quiet and much more comfortable, thanks to the bags of flour, sugar, and dried beans that Kellen and I used as seats.

  When we arrived home, there was already a carriage in the drive.

  “Bollocks, I’d best get inside. I’d hoped we’d left early enough that I would be back to answer the door for any guests.”

  “It’s nothing to worry over,” Kellen said. “Maeve doesn’t mind answering it.”

  Sabine gave a grateful smile and hurried inside.

  “Do you need any help carrying the supplies in?” I asked Hugh.

  “No.”

  I hated that he was still hurting so.

  “All right then. I think I’ll take the pig for a walk before I go inside to read.”

  Kellen shot me a warning look.

  “I know to stay on our property,” I said. “I’m quite capable of listening, and Hugh will be in the yard if I need to call for help.”

  Neither tried to stop me as I went for the pig’s tether. More than anything, I just needed time to think. I knew that Kellen had no idea what to do next. I didn’t either. And that was entirely unacceptable.

  Taking the pig, who was much more docile today, I started toward Mother’s clearing.

  “Stay close,” Hugh warned.

  I waved to acknowledge that I heard him and disappeared into the woods, not taking the path but veering to the left toward the ridge to make a slow circle of our property and avoid going anywhere near the retreat. The pig stopped occasionally to root in bracken and produced a few truffles.

  Holding the black misshapen globes, I recalled the old woman at the Brazen Belle.

  “Mr. Pig, these truffles are lovely, but the old woman who gave you to me said you can do better. She also said I should cut your portions even further.”

  The pig’s head jerked up from where he’d been rooting, and he let out a concerned squeal.

  I sighed.

  “I wish my life was as simple as worrying over whether or not I would have enough to eat. What am I to do, Mr. Pig? Why are my friends disappearing? I would give anything to know where they are.”

  The pig grew agitated, pacing in a circle and grunting and squealing.

  “Hush, my friend. I won’t cut your portions. I intend to walk you more. I’ll help you become the trim handsome pig I know you to be.”

  He stopped squealing and looked at me. Again, I was struck by how human some of his responses seemed. He probably just knew food and work-related words like “portion” and “walk.”

  “Come on,” I said. “Let’s keep walking.”

  He huffed a great breath then started trotting along the ridge, his nose to the ground. I didn’t often walk him this way for fear that the land would give way under his weight and we would go tumbling to the trees below.

  Near the pines tucked a fair distance from the back of the shed, the pig stopped abruptly. He grunted softly several times. However, he didn’t otherwise move, his gaze fixated on the cluster of pines still a length away.

  The absence of the birdsong, or any other noise beyond my breathing, created an unnatural hush as if the forest was waiting for what might happen next. It unnerved me as did the pig’s odd behavior.

  “What is it?” I asked the pig.

  He walked around me and nudged me forward. I took two halting steps toward the evergreens, my skin prickling with trepidation.

  “Perhaps we should—” The pig jostled me from behind, sending me into the dense green branches. He gave several squeals and grunts when I turned to look back at him. Human fear shown in his intelligent eyes, but he still moved toward me as if to continue nudging me along.

  “I’m going,” I said. “Don’t hurry me.”

  He quieted and waited. Facing the trees, I took a step back to try to peer through the dense branches.

  “Is anyone here?” I whispered.

  Not a sound came from inside. Yet the tingle of awareness, of not being alone, continued. My hands shook as I pushed against the needled branches that caught in my hair and tugged at my clothes. Closing my eyes against the onslaught, I continued forward until I suddenly broke free.

  My foot caught on something, and I went tumbling forward, a thick layer of needles cushioning my fall. Rolling to my side, I looked back at what had caused my fall.

  Near the base of the trees lay two bodies. Skin wrinkled and shriveled like old grapes, they could have been there any number of years. Yet, the dresses and hair told me otherwise.

  I’d found Anne and Judith.

  My chest tightened, and my eyes watered as I stared at the remains of the two people I held dear. Their mouths were open and their hands partially raised as if to stave off an attack. What horrors had they faced before their deaths?

  A questioning grunt drew me f
rom my grief. I wiped my eyes and got to my feet, pushing my way through the branches once more. I fell to my knees before the pig.

  "How did you know?" I asked, voice breaking.

  He grunted and snuffled my hair. I let myself believe he was consoling me. I needed it.

  "What am I to do?"

  Although it was quite obvious the pair had died because of magic, I remained no closer to discovering who had killed them. The only clues I had were based on the conversation from young Tommy Bell. A man with dark hair.

  However, Kellen was right that we couldn’t assume it was Kaven, alone. Only one thing remained certain. We still had no idea who or what we were dealing with.

  Getting to my feet, I started toward the house. I barely noticed the pig following me until it bumped my legs when we passed his pen. I opened the gate and watched the pig trot in. He went straight for his little shelter and hid away inside. I wished I could hide away somewhere, too.

  With heavy steps, I went to the house. Poor Mr. and Mrs. Tiller. Anne was their only child. From Anne, I knew they had hopes she would remarry someday. Now, that would never happen.

  Judith was, no, Judith had been Mother’s age. Content with her spinster status, she’d happily worked for our family. Her own Mother and Father were being cared for by her siblings in a small village north of here. She hadn’t gone home often, but I knew she’d still be missed by her loved ones. By us.

  The kitchen door opened despite my numbed fingers. I hadn’t even realized I’d gotten so cold.

  “Eloise?” Kellen said, setting her book on the table and coming to me. “What’s wrong?”

  Sabine, who was at the cutting board, stopped her meal prep to come toward us. I looked at them both, feeling the tears gather again.

  “I found Judith and Anne. Their bodies were left in a cluster of trees behind the shed.”

  Sabine covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide. Kellen took me by the arm and led me to the stool near the fire. As soon as I was seated, she moved away from me.

  “Can you discreetly request Maeve’s presence, Sabine?” she asked.

  I looked at the pale woman and doubted any interruption would be subtle, given her state. Kellen seemed to think the same thing.

  “Never mind. I’ll fetch Maeve. Can you make some tea for Eloise?”

  Sabine nodded, and Kellen left us in the kitchen. The silence grew deafening.

  “I thought Anne was away visiting someone,” she finally said.

  “Anne disappeared in the middle of the day several days ago. Judith disappeared a few days before that. When Judith disappeared, we’d hoped she’d gone to visit her family. But, we checked, and they hadn’t heard from her. When Anne disappeared, we reported the disappearances to the guard. They were unbothered by two housemaids gone missing.”

  Sabine joined me near the fire, slowly sitting on the other stool there.

  “Could you tell what got them? Was it a wolf?” She shivered lightly. “I heard tales of a sickness and death years ago because of creatures from the Dark Forest.”

  “It was no creature from the forest,” I said. “It was magic.”

  The door opened just as I spoke those last words. Maeve walked in with concern on her face.

  “Eloise, we talked about you casting these accusations. Sabine, you mustn’t listen to her.”

  “They’re dead,” I said. “Judith and Anne. I found their bodies between the ridge and the shed. It looks like the life was drawn from them, leaving behind nothing but dried husks. Without their clothes or their hair, they would have been unrecognizable.”

  Maeve stared at me as if weighing the truth of my words.

  I stood.

  “Come. I will show you.”

  “That’s not necessary, Eloise. You’re shaking. First, let’s fix you some tea to calm your nerves.”

  I shook my head.

  “The shaking will likely continue no matter what I drink. They’re out there. Alone. Abandoned. Dead.”

  Sabine took my hand.

  “Not abandoned,” she said. “We will fetch them and bury them.”

  Maeve said nothing more as I led the way out the door. Hugh emerged from the shed when we neared.

  “You had better come with us,” Maeve said quietly. “We will need your strength.”

  No one spoke as I followed the path back to the trees and pushed my way into the hidden clearing. Sabine started crying when she saw what was left of her cousin. Kellen and Maeve paled but neither shed a tear. Maeve didn’t know them well enough, and Kellen would never let herself feel that deeply. It didn’t matter. I cried enough for both of them.

  “There’s room next to Mother,” Kellen said. “Judith and Anne would like it there.”

  Sabine shook her head.

  “It is a kind offer, but Anne belongs with her parents. And I’m sure Judith’s kin would want her close as well.”

  “You’re right,” Maeve said. She took a calming breath. “Hugh and I will wrap the bodies and place them in the wagon. It’s getting too late to travel to town tonight.” I hadn’t even noticed the darkening sky. “It would be safer to leave at first light.”

  Sabine looked at the bodies and quickly agreed.

  “Back inside, girls. A calming tea will help you sleep tonight.”

  “Lady Grimmoire, thank you for the offer to care for the bodies, but such work is better left to me. I’ll help Hugh then finish dinner.”

  “Don’t worry about dinner,” Kellen said. “Eloise and I will finish it.”

  “Very well,” Maeve said. She stepped toward Sabine and hugged her. “I’m so sorry for the misfortune that has befallen your family.”

  Sabine hugged her in return. “Thank you, My Lady.”

  Kellen and I followed Maeve back to the house. While we cooked, Maeve paced in the kitchen.

  “Do you still believe this to be the work of the King?” she asked, stopping abruptly.

  “I’m not certain,” I said. “There are many reasons to believe these deaths are related to the Royal Family. The arrival of the prince’s servants the day of Mother’s death. The King’s insignia on the messenger’s hat. And there is very little evidence to direct the blame elsewhere.”

  Maeve took my hands in her own.

  “You must stop saying such things.”

  “What should we say?”

  “Nothing.”

  I couldn’t stop my look of disbelief.

  “I understand your anguish and need for justice. But if you accuse the Crown of killing by use of magic with or without proof, you’ll die, and your sister will truly be alone.”

  I glanced at Kellen who continued to cook as she listened to our exchange. Maeve’s concern was very real and exactly Kellen’s fear. Yet, it was the risk that something might happen to Kellen that spurred my insistence.

  “And if the next victim is Kellen? What good will my silence have done?”

  Maeve released my hands and considered me for a quiet moment.

  “Kellen? Would you mind terribly if I spoke with Eloise privately?”

  Kellen and I shared a look. We didn’t keep secrets.

  “Of course,” Kellen said.

  “Come with me, Eloise.” Maeve turned and left the room. I quickly followed.

  She led the way upstairs to her room. It was still empty save for the small bed in the side room and the large bag of clothes which she’d arrived with. She went to the bag and withdrew a folded piece of paper.

  “I had hoped to never share this with you,” she said. “You and Kellen have been through so much. But I need you to understand everything.” She clasped my hand once more. “You and Kellen mean much to me. I want to keep you safe. To protect you from everything that is happening. It was what your father wished, too.” She released my hand and looked down at the folded paper.

  “Tell me honestly, Eloise…do you really think your father went to the Dark Forest to find a trade route?”

  “Yes,” I said firmly.

&nbs
p; Maeve smiled sadly.

  “I disagree. He loved your mother very much. Losing her hurt him in ways we will never understand.”

  I felt sick at what she was saying. Yes, my father had loved my mother very much, but so much that he had given up on life?

  “I don’t believe that.”

  “I know.” She handed over the piece of paper.

  I unfolded it and stared at the official document. A marriage license. Father’s signature was on it along with Lady Grimmoire’s.

  “This is why I don’t think he will return. The moment he heard of your mother’s death, we wed. There is no love between us. He meant to leave you with someone who could protect you in full until you were ready to start your own lives.”

  The enormity of my situation hit me hard, and my hands started to tremble. Father wasn’t coming back. Mother was gone. Judith and Anne were dead. All that remained in my world was Kellen.

  “Why are you showing me this now?”

  “You’d just lost your mother, and I didn’t have the heart to tell you that you’d lost your father as well. I thought I could spare you. Discovering these deaths has changed that. Now, I worry that I won’t be able to protect you. Especially if you choose to pursue the accusation of the Crown in the death of your mother, Judith, and Anne. I hope showing you this will help you understand why I’m urging you against it. Kellen needs you right now. She follows your lead while holding herself apart from all others. You are her strength. What would she do without you?”

  “How will remaining idle keep us safe?” I asked.

  “We won’t remain idle. I will go to town and hire more help. More men like Hugh to protect the grounds. And you and Kellen will stay out of the woods.”

  I bowed my head and studied the document. How could everything have changed so much in that single moment of placing the necklace on Mother?

  “I will not pursue my accusation of the Crown,” I said looking up. “Unless there is no other choice. We will hide in the house, for now.”

  Maeve hugged me, her relief visible.

  “Thank you, Eloise. And forgive me for telling you as I did.” She pulled back to look at me. “I think it would be best not to tell Kellen of this. I fear for her wellbeing. She grieves so deeply already, keeping her pain to herself. Knowing that your father most likely will not return…”