by A. W. Exley
As a young girl she used to survey the growing garden below and imagine that one day, a handsome Warder would ride up on a white stallion and declare his undying love for her. In her outstretched palm, her Cor-vitis seed would spark into life and she would know her true mate awaited her.
Now she was past such fanciful daydreams. While she still believed in love, for her it would always remain hidden, obscured by time and the jealous actions of Ava.
Her bedroom took up the highest room in the tower, where she could be closer to the rain as it pounded the roof. She loved to watch rivulets run through the stone when storms turned the exterior of the turret into a waterfall. If she let her undine self touch the raindrops, she could snatch flashes of memory as they flowed past or dance from one to another to see events beyond her room.
Then the structure became her prison for forty years, as Ava had shackled Lettie’s mind with tendrils of insanity, given root by a scratch to her head. At the same time Ava bound Jasper, pulling his responsibilities tight around him so he couldn’t avenge his brother or defend his sister. They became Ava’s playthings—trinkets for her to torment as a sort of sick entertainment. Both of them endured in silence as they kept Elijah away from his mother and shielded the village from her influence by ensuring they always stood in her path.
Then an act of sacrifice and love set them all free.
Dawn gave herself to restore the Ravensblood tree and to release the entire estate. With Ava’s defeat, the minuscule poisonous vine growing inside Lettie shrivelled and died. The family shook themselves loose of Ava’s chains, and the world beyond their borders beckoned.
“What do you want to wear today, love?” Nurse Hatton bustled into the room and flung open the enormous wardrobe’s double doors.
Built into the curve of the wall, the wardrobe was far deeper than it appeared and it held a riotous assortment of gowns collected over the decades. If Lettie burrowed through the hanging gowns, it was like walking back through time. Would she find the girl she once was, huddled at the very rear?
Lettie pulled her gaze back to the interior of the room. “Something blue, please. And you don’t have to dress me. With Ava gone and her monstrous vines dead, each day I am feeling more like my old self.”
The nurse’s hand paused as she reached for a gown. “I imagine soon you’ll not need me at all.”
“No, I won’t,” Lettie whispered. “And you will also be free.”
The nurse had given forty years of her life tending Lettie, but unlike the undine, she didn’t have a lifespan measured in centuries. When the nurse arrived at Ravenswing Manor, she had been a youthful twenty-three years old, just like Lettie. But whereas Lettie’s skin and form were frozen in time and hadn’t aged since, the beautiful nurse was now a matron past sixty with wrinkles and drooping breasts.
“I’m sure I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.” Hatton selected a silk gown of pale blue, like the river’s reflection under a summer sky. She spun the dress around, and the skirts flared out like the flow of water.
Lettie took the dress and dropped it over a chair, then she gathered Hatton’s hands in hers. “While I could not have endured without you, I still believe it was cruel of Jasper to make you a part of our nightmare. You should have had your own life and your own family.”
The older woman pulled her into a hug. “I’m quite stubborn enough to make my own decisions, thank you. It has been a privilege to serve you all and to finally see that horrid woman defeated.”
It ached to think the older woman sacrificed the best years of her life to ensure Lettie didn’t dash hers on the cobbles below the tower window. So many lives ruined by Ava. Could they ever pick up all the pieces? At least there was one constant who had waited for Marjory. “Will you finally let Hector catch you now?”
Hatton laughed, but it was tinged with sadness. Hector, the family retainer, had fallen in love with Marjory the day she arrived. Passion sparked between the two long ago, and even the passage of four decades had done nothing to extinguish their flame. “We’re both long past such antics.”
Lettie patted Hatton’s arm. “You are never too old for love.”
Then she stared at her own palm. Once, a lifetime ago, love had burst into existence in her body, only to be stolen from her. Hatton could see out her twilight years with Hector, and Jasper would ensure the pair wanted for nothing. Lettie had only lonely centuries stretching before her. There would never be anyone at her side. Ava hadn’t just stolen Julian’s essence, she had devoured Lettie’s only chance at love.
“Let’s go down for breakfast and see what plans we can devise for our new futures.” Hatton snatched up the dress and took it to the screen by the wardrobe.
The turret room didn’t have sides or corners. Two centuries before, Lettie’s parents had commissioned special pieces of furniture with curved backs to fit snugly into the circular space. Even the large bed was curved at the head end. In surveying her familiar and comfortable room, Lettie realised in that instant she had to leave. She needed to wash the last pieces of Ava’s dead vine from her head, and her mind needed new, carefree memories to help her rebuild her life.
She moved to the screened dressing area. The delicate paper that stretched between wooden panes was painted with cranes wading in water. Silver accents made the water shimmer around their legs as they used their long beaks to find fish beneath the surface. Lettie traced one bird with a finger, sketching it in her mind so she would carry the impression of it when she left.
A half hour later, Hatton declared Lettie presentable and they walked down the stairs to the morning room. Located in a small room near the back of the house, it was both closer to the kitchens for the staff and had double doors that could open out to the garden on sunny days.
Breakfast was one of Lettie’s favourite meals of the day. Even under Ava’s reign, she had never minded waking early in the morning, but used to wander the large house like a sad spirit, haunting the dark corners as Jasper and Elijah kept to themselves. In those days, it was only later in the afternoon that the youth would take the stairs to her tower, a chess set tucked under his arm.
Now the morning room was full of conversation and laughter as they all gathered over coffee and delicious-smelling pastries. The buffet was laid with a selection of hot and cold dishes. Not for them the English breakfast of tea, kippers, and toast. Jasper and Julian had saved the lives of a French pastry chef and his family in the previous century. The grateful man had settled in the village and given them generations of talented bakers. Every morning for the last one hundred years, they had delivered fresh pastries for breakfast. Even Ava couldn’t stop the supply of baked goods.
Lettie placed two flaky croissants on a plate and kissed Jasper’s smoothly shaven cheek on the way to her chair.
“Sleep well?” she asked as she leaned to kiss Dawn’s cheek.
“As though I floated on air,” Dawn said, staring at her cup of coffee.
That meant Jasper was up to night time escapades. From her tower, Lettie glimpsed him by moonlight, flying Dawn from house to lake. Her serious brother revealed quite the whimsical streak where his mate was concerned. The woman softened his hard edges.
It was a double-edged sword watching the couple. Lettie was thrilled to see her brother make a true love match, and Dawn was the perfect nurturing heart for their sanctuary. Yet at the same time, their happiness amplified her loneliness.
Lettie swallowed a lump of bitter sadness as she took her chair across from them. She managed a smile when her eyes met Dawn’s. “Just make sure Jasper doesn’t drop you.”
Both women laughed, and Dawn winked and reached out to squeeze Lettie’s hand. The simple gesture of friendship warmed the cool waters that swirled in the undine’s veins.
“I don’t know what you two are talking about,” Jasper muttered.
The door opened to reveal the figure of Dr Day. This morning, he wore a tweed suit and matching waistcoat and looked every inch the country doctor. H
is sandy hair was slicked back from his face, and the moustache that graced his upper lip was likewise neatly trimmed and combed.
He nodded to Jasper, and then his hazel gaze fixed on Lettie. “How is my favourite patient this morning?”
“Quite well, thank you. I fear that like Hatton, you will soon find yourself out of a job.” Lettie poured two cups of coffee and slid one over to the doctor.
“Nothing would please me more than to see you fully recovered.” He took a seat beside Jasper. “If only we had known earlier that Ava infected your brain with a tendril of her vine. We might have determined a way to remove it years ago without harming you further.”
Lettie’s hand paused over the sugar bowl. There were so many things she would undo or do differently, if only time could be turned backwards. “None of us can change past events. We simply move forward.”
“Glad you are here, Grayson. We have much to discuss this morning, and I always value your input,” Jasper said.
The doctor sipped at his black coffee. The moustache wiggled as though it squirmed to keep itself out of a hot bath. “I’m not sure I am of any value to Warder business, but I’m always glad to offer my services where I can.”
Jasper finished his pastry and dabbed at his lips with a crisp white napkin. “Overnight, the raven returned from County Durham. Samuel knows of Lawson and Ocram, but has little to share in the way of information. The company is situated in Whiterock, halfway between South Shields and Sunderland. The firm is operated by a local Soarer family, but Samuel has kept out of their business. It seems I will have to journey there to see what I can uncover about both Dawn’s mother and the more recent failed investment.”
“Send me.” Lettie uttered the words without thinking.
All eyes turned to her.
“No, you are still recovering,” said Jasper.
She dropped her half-eaten croissant back to her plate. “Every day I am better now that Ava’s vine no longer controls my mind. Ask Dr Day for confirmation if you do not believe me. I need to escape this place, Jasper. Please. I need to fight for this family.”
Jasper’s hand curled into a fist around his napkin and a frown wrinkled his brow.
Lettie drew a breath, ready to plead her cause when an unexpected champion interjected.
“A change of scenery might be just the tonic for Lady Letitia,” Dr Day said. “And she is much improved; we have all remarked upon that.”
Lettie beamed. If her brother would not listen to her, at least he would heed the professional advice of the doctor. “I could swim in the old caverns in County Durham. Time in Gaia’s embrace would help clear my mind of any last trace of Ava’s poison.”
Jasper frowned, the deep lines etched in his forehead. “I don’t like the idea of sending you away on your own.”
That was Jasper, always worrying about the family.
Dr Day coughed into his hand. “If you would permit, I could travel with your sister and ensure she was well cared for? I would also be on hand if needed.”
“Yes!” Lettie seized upon his words. “I would not be alone, and you know the doctor would take most excellent care of me.”
Jasper let out a sigh and leaned back. He placed one arm on the back of Dawn’s chair and the couple exchanged a look.
Hatton stepped from her place in the sun by the windows. “I could go and keep an eye on both of them. It wouldn’t be appropriate for the youngsters to travel unchaperoned, and if I might say, I have been cooped up for just as long. I quite fancy a trip to the seaside.”
“Chaperone? Oh, pish. Grayson is like a brother to me.” Lettie waved a hand as ideas spun in her head. “In fact, that is the perfect disguise. Grayson and I will travel as brother and sister. Surely you cannot object to that, Jasper?”
Jasper’s dark brows arched.
Dawn laid her hand over his and worked the napkin from his fingers. “Are you sure you want to take on the role of spy, Lettie? I can’t even imagine how you would go about investigating Lawson and Ocram.”
“Ava drove me mad, not stupid. I once had a sharp mind, and I have learned a few tricks over the centuries. I’m sure between the three of us, we can ask discreet questions.” Excitement built in Lettie as escape beckoned. County Durham was still a rural area, but she would meet different faces who didn’t know her as the mad occupant of the tower.
Grayson took up her cause. “Shipbuilders always need the services of a doctor. I could make myself known as a new medical man in town. You hear much when attending injured workers.”
Hatton clapped her hands together as though the plan were finished and class dismissed. “Lettie can charm the locals, the doctor can tend to them, and I’ll be the nosy old woman. We’ll soon ferret out whatever secrets are hiding in Whiterock.”
Jasper frowned at his sister. “The Soarers will know you are a Warder, even if staying with Samuel didn’t make it obvious.”
She couldn’t conceal her undine nature, but she could put aside her revulsion for Soarers if it brought them one step closer to the truth. “But Grayson and Hatton are not. Even if I fail, they may succeed.”
The furrows remained in Jasper’s forehead, but two hundred and fifty years of being siblings had taught him when he couldn’t win an argument with his sister. Especially without their mother’s serene influence to smooth over disagreements. He let out a sigh and relaxed. “You will defer to Samuel if necessary and keep in regular contact. I will be there at the first hint of any trouble.”
Lettie squealed and jumped to her feet. She raced around the table and wrapped her arms around Jasper.
“Thank you. You don’t know how much I need this,” she whispered in his ear. She returned to her chair much slower, already wondering how long it would take to put things into place for her escape.
Jasper picked up his fork and pointed it at Dr Day. “You will have a care for my sister.”
“As though she were my own.” His happy expression vanished and a look of horror crossed his features. He turned to Lettie. “Brother and sister?”
“Yes, isn’t it simply brilliant?” She viewed him as a brother anyway; it was a marvellous idea. Not only did she get to escape to somewhere different, she would have a secret mission to find out about Dawn’s mother.
Subterfuge, deception, long buried secrets. What more could a girl want?
Flirtation, desire, and love, a voice deep within her sighed.
3
The others finished breakfast and took their leave. Elijah had studies and Dr Day had other patients to attend in the village. Nurse Hatton volunteered to accompany the doctor, and the odd couple left together. Only Lettie, Jasper, and Dawn remained in the morning room.
Lettie stared at her empty coffee cup. There was something she needed to do, but she had yet to find the courage to ask. As Jasper made to stand, she blurted out her request.
“I’d like to visit Julian’s grave, please.” The words barely whispered from her throat as they grew large and unwieldy in her mouth.
Jasper narrowed his gaze. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Before I leave Alysblud I would like to see his final resting place.” She needed to do this. Her mind had dwelt so long trapped in that terrible day. She needed to move forward, and to do that, she needed to say goodbye to her brother.
“I’ll have Hector harness a horse and perhaps pick some flowers.” Jasper claimed a brief kiss from Dawn and then left.
Dawn directed a curious look at her, but Lettie’s defences weren’t strong enough to withstand any questions, even gentle or well-meant ones.
“I’ll need a shawl . . . excuse me,” she muttered and beat a hasty retreat.
She nearly ran up all the flights of stairs to her room. In the circular bedroom, she grabbed a gossamer-thin wool shawl and balled it up in her hands as she drew ragged breaths. Memories threatened to overwhelm, but she used the shawl as a shield. Once she felt in control of her emotions, Lettie retraced her steps at a more sedate pace.
O
utside in the courtyard in front of the stables, Hector and Jasper waited. Jasper had donned a frock coat and a top hat. Hector clasped a bunch of wildflowers and stood by the head of a brown gelding who waited patiently for his passengers.
The old retainer moved to help Lettie up in the gig, concern written all over his lined face. So many years had passed, and yet events were crisp in her mind. She could still remember the chill that touched her that morning. Cold dew had soaked through her shoes as they helped Julian to the stables. Her concern had mirrored Hector’s grave face as her brother wobbled in the saddle.
She took the flowers and squeezed Hector’s hand, now wrinkled and covered in age spots.
“La vengeance se mange très bien froide.” At his frown, she added, “Julian will be avenged in cold deliberation, and our enemies will never see our blade coming.”
He smiled at that, a grim sort of smile of one who knows what must be done, no matter how unpleasant.
Jasper raised an eyebrow but remained silent. A faraway look appeared in his eyes as he chased his own thoughts. He clucked his tongue and the horse trotted on.
The trees embraced them as they headed down the drive and approached the gargoyle sentries at the entrance. For the first time in forty years, Lettie passed under their watchful gaze. A wave of relief broke over her when they left the estate, as though she walked under a waterfall and burst through the curtain of water. She had made the first step to freedom after so many years tied to Ava by a short string.
As they travelled in silence, Lettie decided to ask a question she had been pondering in her tower. “At the end, Ava said Father ruined her family and she intended to destroy ours. I have been trying to think what events she referred to. Do you think it was the last battle, in which Father was injured?”
Jasper glanced sideways at her and then returned his attention to the road. “That would be my guess. Her family must have been involved in the Soarer plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. The family responsible was decimated, and their phoenix killed and served as a pie. From what I remember, Mother and Father lived a quiet life after that and kept to themselves.”