"Then let's pray for calm. Such dramatics are disconcerting for the soul, or have you any more rituals to exorcise spirits from the house?"
"No, I believe it is quite done."
"Excellent," Elke smiled. "Perhaps we should not mention this to Reverend Stubbe. He would look down upon such things. I think I will work on my embroidery this morning. What are your plans?"
Elke was being polite and keeping her company while she ate, and Aldine did have an appetite that morning. The release of nervous tension brought back her pleasure in food. Still, though, so not to take up too much of Elke's time, she ate quickly, to then join Elke in the salon.
For a while, Aldine read while Elke worked on their embroidery. The silence was comfortable between them.
Wilhelmina joined them for lunch and the silence continued, but more piercingly. It was an entirely different level of discomfort, but it was much easier to bear without constantly thinking someone or something was trying to kill her. Aldine accepted that there was some aftermath from the activities of destroying the talisman. That was fine. They would calm in a few days when they realized she wasn’t about to run through the house raving.
Heinrich came shortly after three in a cart with wooden planks on the back. As soon as she saw him. Aldine walked outside to meet him, feeling comfortable for the first time since he'd left that morning. That was as it should be, though, shouldn't it? That seeing her husband was a pleasure.
"Oak," he said as he jumped off the cart. Several thick planks were stacked in the back.
"For our bed," she realized as he started picking them up one by one and carrying them into one of the outhouses that had a space for work.
"Yes, our new bed. I like oak. It is a nice color." It was certainly more cheery than the almost black of the bed that had been. "A simpler design."
"I agree," Aldine said. "Can I help?"
Heinrich left and returned with another plank. "If you wish. It is hard work."
"I don't mind work. I will take it over embroidery any day."
"You say that now. Wait until we get started. Have you ever used a planer before?"
"No, but I have seen one used."
"Well, then, you can start on this one. All the rough edges need to be planed down."
"I can do that."
The planer was a wooden block with a blade cut into the bottom of it. It was harder to use than she'd expected, needing some force to draw across the wood, but she didn't mind. It was enjoyable just to be here with him, working together. They worked in silence, and she much preferred to be out here spending time with him than in the salon.
"You're beautiful when you’re concentrating," Heinrich said after a while, breaking into Aldine's focus.
"You working is not exactly a painful sight either."
He seemed pleased with the compliment, because he moved closer. A small thrill spiraled through her as he gently stroked down her cheek with the back of his forefinger. His eyes lingered on her lips and the thrill turned into something more heated.
Leaning down, he kissed her, a slow, lingering kiss. Soft lips pressed to hers and she lost herself in it. This was more playful, softer than the things they did in the dark. She didn't mind those things, but this was lighter, as if there were no expectations behind it. It was just him and her, enjoying being together. In fact, she wasn't sure he had kissed her, properly kissed her, during the day before.
Her breath echoed off the brick walls inside their workroom. Goosebumps had risen along her flesh from the soft touches between their bodies. Her lips felt like they were on fire and she needed him to quench the thirst.
With firm hands at her hips, he lifted her up and set her down on the wooden plank that ran between two stands. It gave slightly with her weight, putting their lips right in line and the kiss lingered. He toyed with her tongue, nibbled at her lips, teased along that most sensitive part along her lips.
"We're not going to get much work done like this," she said breathily.
"We have all the time in the world."
It was a lovely thought. There was no rush; there was nothing more important than playing and teasing—wanting each other. Burning heat inside her proved how much she wanted him. This desire she felt for him was something she hadn't expected, since their marriage had been an arrangement rather than a love match.
Warm hands stroked up her thighs under her skirts, slowly advancing. Aldine held her breath as the sensation grew more intimate and heady. His slow, even breathing flared on her cheek, but she felt his desire. Her own breath was constricted by her dress, which strained against her aching nipples, every breath teasing them further. "Heinrich," she said, unable to take much more of the tension that was forming inside her.
Hard fingers teased her through the soft cotton of her undergarments and she parted her thighs for him, giving him further access to her. It felt wanton; it was wanton, but right now, she wanted him with such force, she didn't know what to do with it.
His fingers pressing on her entrance made her groan, her back arching into the pleasure it rendered. There was nothing wrong with a wife wanting her husband so wantonly, was there? Each stroke had more moans escaping her throat, but he never rushed, his deft fingers teasing her at a mercilessly slow pace.
Slipping inside her garments, his fingers pressed inside her, the sensation flowered further and her head sank back, enslaved to the relentless sensation that was radiating out to every part of her body.
She didn't even feel the strings that held her undergarments give way, but she felt his fingers being replaced by the larger and firmer part of him, her body yielding as he pressed inside her. A fullness that felt so right, so lovely. The tension built a feverish edge and she needed more.
Fully enveloped, he ground into her, still at the same merciless pace. In the stillness, every contraction inside her was distinct and strong, wanting him deeper and firmer. "Heinrich," she pleaded, unable to take the strain anymore.
He ground into her harder, bringing the rush that built into a surge. It took her very consciousness with it, losing her in blissful pleasure as his groans echoed through her ears.
Heavens that they could do this. It was too good to be allowed. There had to be sin in something that was this tempting, this exquisite.
"Already we have christened this bed and it's not even built yet," he said, his breath harsh and striving. "This will definitely be our marriage bed and we will savor it every night."
"Yes," she said, smiling through her languid satedness. Every strength in her had just left her, but she didn't regret it for a moment.
Chapter 26
HEINRICH HELPED ALDINE out of the carriage as they returned from Sunday service with Reverend Stubbe. A mere week ago, Aldine had been a tense bundle of nerves sitting in the family pew and wondering what she was going to do about otherworldly things pressing in on her life. Now she felt like she was back to normal. Everything was right in the world, and she felt assured the world of spirits and superstition was something she could put behind her.
Wilhelmina and Elke walked into the house before her, but Aldine preferred to stay with Heinrich, who had been perfectly attentive to her. They were just about to have luncheon and even Wolfgang was joining them today, which was unusual. Normally he disappeared somewhere on Sunday, but not today.
No doubt Wilhelmina was overjoyed about this. Elke was probably not too pleased either, but Aldine still didn't know why they didn't like him. If it had been Wolfgang the curse had been acting through, it wasn't his fault. But their dislike could not be based on that or they would have said. It was something else. It wasn't any of her affair, she decided.
Ludwig was solemn and decidedly ignoring her. Clearly he hadn't forgiven the burning of the bed, but where did his anger stem from? Was it him the curse had been acting through?
Stop it, she told herself. There was no point rehashing something that was over and done with. It was time to focus on the future and to forget the past. Ludwig would c
ome around eventually. The important part was that the relationship between her and her husband was better than it ever had been. The distance that had existed between them had gone. It had been driven by his fear of further tragedy.
But she had been strong; she had defeated the curse and emerged victorious. Hopefully now, they would simply be happy, and children would come. At times, her stomach felt ill and she wondered if it was a sign that a child had taken root inside her. As of yet, there had been no confirmation.
Sighing deeply, she pulled herself out of her thoughts and looked around the table. The food smelled delicious, cold pork that had been braised in the oven for several hours early that morning. She could almost feel how tender it was before taking a bite.
"We are to visit Lady Thainer," Wilhelmina said in response to a question. "She asked us to call. But I think it is better you stay at home, Aldine, and… recover from your ordeal."
Aldine frowned slightly before smiling. They were excluding her, which was fine. She had no particular desire to spend the afternoon with Lady Thainer. "Of course," she said, realizing that they were worried about what she would say and do, perhaps reveal how she had been tearing through the house trying to find talismans to break. They clearly didn't trust her to act reasonably in front of this woman whom Wilhelmina wanted to make a good impression with.
The luncheon finished and they retreated to the salon for a little while. Heinrich was first to leave, saying he wanted to work on the bed. Luckily Reverend Stubbe wasn't coming to visit, because he would frown on any work being done on Sunday. Ludwig saw Wilhelmina and Elke out to the carriage as he had promised to drive them over to Lady Thainer's manor. Aldine wasn't sure that Elke wanted to go as much as she was required to go. Lady Thainer hadn't exactly treated her as a valuable guest last time. Her station as the wife of the second son obviously didn't put her in high esteem with the lady.
Elke had never mentioned a word of the treatment, but it was unjust. It was a reason Aldine didn't enjoy Lady Thainer's company to the degree Wilhelmina did.
And then the house was empty. Everyone had gone their separate ways and she was left to see to herself. In a way, it was a relief as there were no judging observation constantly trying to spot anything wrong with what she did and said. It was just her, and she could enjoy finishing her tea in calm silence.
The ticking of the clock was all that was heard, the bird chirped outside. It was actually quite a lovely house once away from the family relationships and power struggles. For a moment, she indulged in imagining what it would be like if only herself and Heinrich lived here. It was an indulgence that was never to be. Heinrich liked his family around him. Perhaps when children came, it would urge Ludwig to move out. Nothing had ever been mentioned in that direction. The house was large enough to accommodate everyone.
With nothing to do and no one to talk to, Aldine fell asleep, the slow steady ticking of the clock carrying her away. Her dreams were colorful. She dreamt of animals and the forest, but it was almost as if they had been drawn for a child's fairy tale. There was nothing sinister about them, but they were unusually vivid.
Aldine woke with a start in the salon where she had fallen asleep in a chair. She frowned, not liking anything being unusual. Just a strange dream, she told herself. At least colorful dreams of animals were better than other dreams she'd had in this house.
Picking up her book, she started to read again, but her mind drifted off and she caught herself reading the same sentence over and over again. Perhaps she needed to recover from the tension and exertion from the last few weeks. At times she had been utterly terrified and that was bound to take a toll.
Putting the book down, she gave up. Reading just wasn't on the cards for that day. Her teacup was next to her and she picked it up, but the brew was cold, so she replaced it. "Weber," she called and rose from her chair. The manservant didn't respond so she called again, before remembering that it was Sunday and all the staff had the day off. There was no one to brew her a cup of coffee and the kitchen was somewhere she wasn't supposed to go, so she walked over to the teapot and poured some more into her cup. It was barely lukewarm, but it had to suffice.
Aldine didn't sit down again, feeling as if she'd been sitting for a long time. There was sunshine outside, but the grass drew her attention. Its greenness was so bright it almost glowed. Perhaps the sun was growing stronger. The hour bell chimed, which was funny. It had chimed mere minutes ago. Something had to be wrong with the clock.
The warmth of the tea had also dissipated completely. Perhaps she should sneak into the kitchen and make herself a pot of coffee, except she never managed to do a good job of it. Maybe Heinrich would like some.
Putting the teacup down, she decided she would venture into the kitchen. Her body felt sluggish as she moved as if walking through thick air. It was a strange notion. Thick air—who had ever heard of such a thing?
Hair rose along the back of her neck when she heard whispers. Despair descended on her. No, it couldn't be back. There couldn't be more of this curse.
Turning where she was, she tried to listen for where they came from. It had to be people outside talking, but the direction of the whispers wasn't from outside. They were from the wall. From the pictures.
As she stared at them, she saw the people in the pictures talking, saw them moving. They were just going about their business. One was selling parsnips to a wife carrying a wicker basket, while a man on a horse kept riding, even disappearing out of the picture.
With sheer astonishment and utter surprise, Aldine stared at them. They didn't speak clearly what they said, because they were talking to each other, not her. She didn't know what to do. This was madness. Pictures didn't move and talk. This was mad. Maybe it was her—she was mad and she had been all along.
Moving to the next pictures, she saw them moving too. A courtroom where the judge banged his gavel on the wooden bench, drawing attention back from something shocking that had been said. The woman in the witness box beseeched them pleadingly. Was that a witch being tried? This curse was still active.
A scream was trapped in her throat. This couldn't be. She had broken the talisman. Had they shifted to something else?
"Heinrich," she called with a growing sense of panic. Things were not alright. Just as she had started to believe everything was fine, everything was falling apart again. Every shadow was turning sinister, from every direction something sought to hurt her. "Heinrich!"
The whispers increased, burrowing into her thoughts, but there were too many for her to hear what any of them were saying.
Clasping her ears, she refused to hear them. This wasn't happening. They had been in the clear. They had been free, but now they were returning to utter madness. The façade of peace and veracity melting before her very eyes.
Chapter 27
ALDINE RAN OUT OF THE house and the brightness outside assaulted her eyes. Her body almost felt like it was floating, her limbs slow in doing what she wished them to. How could this be? What was going on? She was under attack somehow, but she didn't understand what was happening.
It felt almost as if she was out of her body, watching herself, while at the same time squinting from the painful brightness.
"Heinrich!" she called, seeing the grass come up to her face. It hadn't felt like she’d been falling, but now her head was on the grass, and she could hear the wind whisper through it.
This was danger. Danger was coming. From where she didn't know, but a panic had taken over her mind. Somehow she was being inundated and incapacitated.
An ant seemed to stop on a blade of grass and it turned its beady red head to her. "What are you doing on the grass?" it asked.
Scuttling herself back, she tried to get away from it. Was that the devil talking to her? Was it the witches teasing her? Ants did not speak.
Getting her body to move was hard. It was as if she had to learn to operate it. Move this leg, then the other. She fell to her knees, but she was on gravel now.
&
nbsp; With determination, she walked toward the workshop where Heinrich was. It was a place of safety in this world that had turned upside down.
She called for him, but she wasn't entirely sure her mouth was working. Reaching for the end of the door, she grabbed it, relieved she had something to hold onto. It felt as if she was floating, as if the ground would not keep her down.
"Heinrich," she croaked and threw herself into the workshop. The planks were there, but Heinrich wasn't. Where was he? He was here; she knew he was here, but she couldn't see him. Were her eyes deceiving her?
A bird was staring at her, sitting on top of the edge of the door. It shook its wings and blue sparks came out. The noise of it was so loud it was deafening. Then the space in the yard out the door extended, making the house seem like it was much farther away. She was stranded in the workshop, knowing that she would fall if she stepped outside.
Deep terror bit into every part of her. She was going to die. She might be dying right now. The witches had finally struck and she was being pulled to pieces. Any minute now, her arms might tear off her. With all her strengths, she held onto them.
Behind her, the shadows were encroaching. They were coming for her, but if she walked outside, she would fall. A large hole was opening up, ready to swallow her. The wood beside her was producing rainbow patterns, coming apart in waves.
An anguished scream came and she wasn't sure where it had come from. Crouching down, she reached for the wall so she wouldn't fall. The rough of the wood seemed to pierce into her skin, but she refused to let go.
Steps like those of a giant echoed through her ears. Someone was coming. They were coming for her.
The shadow came across her, but she was too scared to look. Her breath too shallow to take in air. Her cheeks were wet and her throat was so dry she couldn't swallow.
Making herself look, she saw Wolfgang, but his face was distorted. He had horns. It was him. He was the devil. He'd been doing this to her all along.
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