Miss Brown's smile faded. "Did I say Miss Smith? I meant Miss White. Miss Smith was a friend of mine from when I was a child. She passed away from pneumonia not too long ago."
Catherine eyed the maid thoughtfully through the mirror. It was a lie and she knew it. Why do they all continue the charade? I do not understand.
There was a knock at the door, and Miss Brown jumped to go and answer it. Catherine heard his voice before she saw him, and she stood to greet her husband. She was taut as a bowstring as he strode in, smiling. Every gesture and every smile was suspect now that she knew about the spell. She had replayed the words over and over, preparing to say the spell to release Edward or prove that it was all a lie from a spiteful Mr. Thorn. Could I go back to the way I was, not knowing the truth and believing I was insane? She shivered just to think of it. While on the other hand, was it fair to keep Edward bound to her if he did not love her?
"Catherine, you look a vision." He swooped over to her, bent her back, and kissed her.
Her breath caught in her throat. She had not kissed Edward since that forced kiss with Mr. Thorn. Edward was passionate and strong, but she found herself comparing the kiss to the one she had shared with Mr. Thorn. These were dangerous waters indeed. I love Edward. Mr. Thorn only kissed me because he was under a spell... Just like Edward. She could take the guilt no longer. She placed her hands on Edward's chest and pushed back gently. He stood her back up, grinning all the while.
"Edward, we need to talk about my time away. There are things you should hear," she said.
He frowned at her. "Darling, what are you talking about? You've never gone away."
She touched his shoulder. "Yes, remember I disappeared twice? I went into the forest, into the Thorn Kingdom. I danced with Those Who Dwell in the Thorns. You know this because I have told you before, but you did not listen." What she could not understand is why he would not listen. The entire village seemed content to look away even when there were people dying. Like poor Miss Smith. How many others are there that I do not know about?
He laughed. "You have the strangest sense of humor. There is nothing in those woods but tangled bushes of thorns, a few fox and badgers." He shook his head. "I am glad you brought up going away, however. I was thinking about it recently, and we never took a honeymoon journey. I think it's time we remedy that. What do you think, the seaside, Bath, or maybe to London for the end of the season?"
"Edward, please listen to me. This is important." She grabbed both of his hands and forced him to look at her. She had never tried to assert her authority over her husband before. She could no longer live with the guilt weighing down on her.
"Darling, I always listen. But these Thorn Dwellers are just myth and superstition."
"No, they're real; Mr. Thorn showed me. I have seen them with my own eyes."
Edward yanked his hand from Catherine's. "I would appreciate it if you did not mention that man's name."
Catherine shook her head in surprise and took a step back. "I know Mr. Thorn is somewhat of a rogue but--"
He grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Did he touch you? Catherine, did he force himself upon you? Because if he did, I will go out and find him!"
Catherine trembled with fear. Edward's eyes had changed color from their usual blue to a feral yellow with slit-like pupils. The truth was right on the tip of her tongue. She knew she must confess to ease her own suffering, but she feared telling the truth might unleash whatever was lurking behind Edward's eyes. What happened to the man I married? You have changed and so have I. Once more she considered the words of the spell Mr. Thorn had given her. If she spoke them, everything would revert to as it was. It would be as if she had never met Edward at all. She knew what she must do, but she could not do it.
"He never touched me. We only spoke a few times. I heard from Miss Larson that he had a reputation. That is all."
The tension in Edward's arms relaxed. He pulled her close and buried her head against his chest. "I'm sorry, I overreacted. I love you and I want to protect you. I fear for your safety with that man at large. He is too dangerous to live." Edward's words shocked her. She never thought to hear her husband speak about killing another man. He did not notice her concern as he continued. "We'll take our honeymoon journey soon, and until then we have time to decide where to go." He pulled back and kissed Catherine on the forehead. "We've talked enough of unpleasant things this night. Let's enjoy ourselves and forget about all the rest."
She nodded in mute agreement, terrified of her husband and the apparent monster he was becoming. His eyes had turned back to blue, but she could not shake her fear of him. They headed downstairs to greet their guests, arm in arm. Edward would not let her go, though she did not try to break free. Mr. Hobbs and the footmen were in their finest, awaiting them at the bottom of the stairs. Each man looked impeccable with white gloves and starch-pressed shirts and coats.
Catherine could see out the double doors to the driveway out front. Lanterns had been hung and they glowed yellow in the twilight fog. The first carriage arrived, and Mr. Solomon ran out to greet their guest. The first to arrive was elderly Mr. Cedars and his son, Nathaniel Cedars. The elder Mr. Cedars had entirely white hair that thinly covered his splotched head. He leaned heavily on a cane, near bent over. He leaned also on his son, Nathaniel, who was of middle age, already balding and with a paunch that stretched tight his waistcoat. Catherine smiled and greeted them. Mr. Cedars was gracious to her but began haranguing his son about not finding a bride as they entered the ballroom.
The next to arrive was Mrs. Bloom and her daughters, Camellia and Delphine. The twins were wearing bright gowns, in fuchsia for Miss Camellia, and cerulean for Miss Delphine. Each gown had ample ruffles and lace to supply an entire ladies' accessories shop. Their mother wore black.
Edward leaned in after the ladies passed by. "Mrs. Bloom will wear nothing but black since her husband passed away nearly a decade ago."
Catherine knew Edward was trying to draw her out with gossip, but she was still in shock from his earlier transformation. Between the spell and his change in demeanor, she found it difficult to relax around him. Besides, given her current situation, she could not help but feel a pang of regret for Mrs. Bloom, who must have loved her husband dearly and still mourned his loss.
There were a string of other guests. Dr. Rowan and his wife brought their oldest son, who was back from Cambridge on holiday. Mr. Francis Rowan was a dashing young man who had bright red hair and an easy smile. He greeted Catherine by bowing with a flourish; when he looked up, he gave her a wicked smile. She saw a hint of his father as a young man when he smiled. Lydia and her husband arrived after them, and they arrived in style. Their carriage was painted white, and on the door was an oak tree with a heart carved into its trunk. The carriage had been hung with lanterns on the four corners, with paper covering them to change the color of the light. Their coachman was wearing a white suit and top hat. Mr. Byrd walked up to open the carriage door, and Lydia burst out wearing a baby pink gown, with a large skirt. Lydia also wore a decorative headdress that was made of lace. She kissed Catherine on both cheeks and spoke in a hurry before her husband dragged her away. After that came Mrs. Lilac and her spinster daughter, Miss Bernadette Lilac. They both wore huge headdresses piled with feathers that wobbled as they walked into the ballroom. The stream of guests began to trickle after that. Mr. Mapleton, a man well into his sixties, brought his very young wife, who could not be more than nineteen. The Alders came with their daughter, Miss Edna Alder, who was out in society. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she absorbed her surroundings. I wonder if I was ever that optimistic. She has her entire life before her. I envy her innocence.
Most of the guests had arrived, and it was time to open the dance. Catherine had not seen Mrs. Rosewood yet, but she suspected she would be along soon enough. Catherine was excited to share the fruits of their shared labor with Edward's aunt.
"Shall we go in and start the dance, darling?" Edward asked.
> "I hope you were not going to start without us," said a familiar and unwanted voice.
Catherine's back stiffened. She turned to her guests. Miss Ashton and her parents were handing their coats to Mr. Fox.
"Mrs. Ashton, Mr. Ashton, Miss Ashton," Edward greeted them all warmly. "I am glad you made it."
Catherine stood still, expecting some snide remark. She had not come face to face with Miss Ashton since the day they had met. She knew an eventual meeting would occur, but she had hoped to be better prepared for it. Miss Ashton's eyes practically skimmed over Catherine as if not seeing her at all.
"We would not have missed the ball for the world," Miss Ashton said and placed her hand on Edward's elbow. He pulled his arm away.
"I hope you enjoy the ball," he said a little stiffly. Catherine had to wipe the smile off her face to keep from gloating. He chose me! This was followed by the crashing feeling of realizing it was all because of the spell. "Shall we?" he said to Catherine, offering his bent elbow.
She took his arm and followed him into the ballroom but not before taking one last look at Miss Ashton. She was smirking to herself, and Catherine feared what was to happen next.
Chapter Twenty-five
Ray sat in the crook of an old oak and watched the silhouettes inside the house move past the windows. I do not understand these human gatherings. How can they dance without moonlight? Without feeling the earth beneath their feet? He tilted his head back and gazed at the full moon. The fog had begun to roll back, and for the first time in a very long time he saw the stars twinkling against the night sky. The moon hung against the velvet curtain of night like a giant pearl. They will be expecting me to present Lady Thornton as the heir to the Thorns tonight. His gaze flickered once more back to the house. I failed for the final time. I may as well relish my last night of freedom.
Though there was no reason to do so any longer, he had been watching Lady Thornton. He had been so certain she was the one. Her failure to pass the last test had shocked him down to the core. He had waited for days, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Just one look and he would accept his fate and face the council. He would acknowledge he had been wrong. The opportunity to see her never arose. She had not left the house since they parted. Damn this spell she has over me. I have not had a human woman captivate my interest since... her. He turned to swing his legs down from the crook of the branch. I have not desired a woman since I spotted the guardian's daughter walking in the garden.
How ironic that he had first officially met Catherine in the garden. He would not count the night of Lady Thornton's arrival, when the witch had tried to intercept them by sending one of her hellhounds to stop Catherine. At the time, he thought the witch was just looking to cause trouble. He had wiped both Lord and Lady Thornton's memory of the terrible night. The less the villagers knew about the things that happened around them, the better. Keeping the Fae's secrets was part of his job. He had spent the better part of twenty years keeping the humans in ignorance in order to protect the Thorn Kingdom from another disaster--the one he had caused by inviting the guardian's daughter to the dance.
The witch had always been a thorn in his side. They were both locked to this place, and she was doing everything in her power to force him to release her. Since Lady Thornton arrived in Thornwood, the witch had met him at every turn, anticipating his moves and countering them. Was Lady Thornton planted to distract me? He shook his head. What benefit would the witch gain from his punishment? Unless they administer the ultimate punishment. My death could mean her freedom. I would never have thought her that clever, but that was the problem from the start; I underestimated her. He sensed something on the wind, which made him uneasy. This entire plot was marked by the witch's hand. If she could make me desire Lady Thornton, could she suppress that essential spark in Lady Thornton that was meant to awaken the king? He may well have been grasping at straws, but he had few options left. Tonight was the night. He must produce a true heir or face the council's wrath.
A flapping of wings and a gust of wind blew past. He turned as Tabitha settled herself upon a branch across from him. In her talons a gray field mouse squirmed. He had begun to resent the feathered messenger. She had an uncanny ability to show up when he was most vulnerable.
"I suppose you have come to remind me tonight is the final night," he said.
She ignored him and leaned forward to capture her meal with her beak. The morsel was small enough that she swallowed it in one bite.
She hooted softly with pleasure after she finished and said, "I am, though I assume you knew that already." She turned luminescent, round eyes towards him. "I was there when she joined the dance. You've made great strides. Have you administered the final test?"
He considered not answering, easier to evade than to lie. In this case a lie was necessary. His every word would be reported back to her master, no doubt. "Not yet, I plan to do so tonight."
She ruffled her feathers and picked at a few with her beak as he spoke. When he finished, she looked up and said, "You've put it off a bit, have you not?"
"The full moon holds power; now is the right time."
Husky laughter met his announcement. Ray looked to Tabitha. He had seen her only once in human form; she'd taken on the visage of a petite woman. The laughter did not match Tabitha, but he had to be sure. The owl remained in animal form, and her large eyes were directed at the ground. Ray turned his head downward to see a young blonde woman standing at the base of the tree. He recognized her as the presumptuous woman who had tried to put a spell on the Thorntons. He jumped down from his perch and landed in front of her.
"You have courage to come into my domain." She did not seem like the bold type to me.
She laughed again. It did not fit her features; there was something off-kilter about her appearance. A shimmering light clung to her skin and blurred the edges of her outline. Her laughter was familiar, though; not that he had ever heard it before.
"I have no fear of you, Ray Thorn," she said. "My plans have all come together, thanks to you. I would never have been able to wake Catherine's power without letting her into the forest."
A cold chill crept down his spine. "You." He held back from pointing though he was tempted to do so. I should have known. The game is not over, not by a long shot.
She smiled wickedly. "You caught on quick this time. How do you like my new form?" She spun in place, lifting up the hem of her skirt as she twirled. "This girl was desperate for power. She wanted so badly to have simple human things, money, respect, and a grand home. It led her to ruin, I am afraid. Her heart was delicious, though, so full of malice and deceit." The witch sighed with pleasure.
"You have her heart; why use her any further?"
"She did have her uses. I needed her for the final act. I could not let her spoil it, so I took her heart ahead of schedule." She examined her nails as she said this. It was all meant as a goad to entice him to act. That was the witch's flaw; she thought Ray harbored a secret compassion for the humans when the truth was he would be glad to see them all wiped from the earth. They were a disease infecting the land and weakening his people. The witch was vain enough to belief their brief tryst meant something to him
"I see," he said through gritted teeth. He was at the edge of his patience. No matter what he felt for humans, he was tired of the games the witch wanted to play with him.
"I think Catherine will be the most delicious of all. She is innocent, more so than Miss Smith. With a higher concentrate of Fae than I have ever witnessed before. She is hardly human at all. No wonder she is withering in the human world. She has blossomed here; I am glad I had you bring her to me."
Ray felt as if he had been struck in the gut. He refused to let her see the effects of her words upon him. "You're very welcome. We have been working together for a long time. How many years has it been now?"
"Nearly twenty." She smiled and stroked the side of his face. Though he found this form repugnant, he still felt the faint draw of attraction to t
he woman that was hidden beneath the mask. He told himself he hated the humans, but she was not entirely human. Just like Lady Thornton. He shoved that thought aside. It was the spell, nothing more. "Our game is coming to an end, my dear Mr. Thorn." She smiled. "I do not think I need to remind you what happens if you try to cross me tonight?"
"I would not dream of it." He took a step back away from her, afraid he would do something he would regret. "For the history we share, answer me this: what is Catherine; why is she special?"
She waggled her finger in front of him. "Tsk. Tsk. You should never ask a lady to reveal her secrets. However, if you come to the manor tonight, I may reveal it all to you."
She sauntered away, swinging the thin hips of Miss Ashton as she did so. Ray watched her go, conflicted. A choice lay before him, either risk crossing the witch and potentially break the pact they had made near twenty human years ago, or sit back and watch Lady Thornton have her heart cut out like all the rest. I know this is all vengeance. Every one of those girls was meant to humanize me, and until now I never cared about a single one of them. And I am not even certain it is her I care about or if it's the spell making me care.
"What are you going to do?" Tabitha hooted softly. There was no mocking in her question only a hint of concern. It rankled to have an enemy pity him, but there it was.
Damned if I do, damned if I don't. He crossed his arms and stared at the manor for a moment, considering his options.
"It would appear I have a dance to get to."
Chapter Twenty-six
Their opening dance had been tense to say the least. Catherine felt every eye in the room upon her. It may have all been in her head, but she felt the room teeming with tension. Edward alone seemed to be oblivious to the whispers and the dark looks their neighbors were giving them. He smiled, his bright white teeth gleaming under the candlelight. When the dance led them apart, he kept his eyes upon her as if there were no one else in the world but the two of them. Is this love or is it magic? She wanted so badly for it to be true, but she feared her hopes were in vain. Groups of two entered into the dance, and Catherine spotted Miss Ashton dancing beside them along with Mr. Nathaniel Cedars.
Heart of Thorns Page 22