Oak And Mist (The Ambeth Chronicles Book 1)

by Helen Jones

  ‘Do you always talk to birds?’ he asked, smiling in a way that made her blush even more. She wished the ground would swallow her up, but no such luck.

  ‘N-no, it was just, I was… Oh, it’s a long story. But no, I don’t usually talk to birds, I just thought maybe…’ She trailed off, realising by the expression on his face that he was teasing her. What on earth…? And where was Caleb?

  ‘Come on,’ said Deryck. ‘Let’s not stand in the rain all day.’ Strolling up to her he offered his arm, holding the umbrella over them both. Alma pulled her hood back, her dampened hair clinging in tendrils to her flushed cheeks as she looked at Deryck, confused.

  ‘Sorry… What are you doing here? Where’s Caleb?’ she asked, her heart pounding to feel Deryck’s warm arm twined through her own.

  Deryck gazed down at her with those dreamy green eyes, lips parted as though he was about to say something. Then he seemed to pull himself together.

  ‘He was detained, so I decided to come and meet you instead.’

  ‘Detained?’ said Alma, worried. ‘Is he all right?’ Deryck looked briefly annoyed.

  ‘He is fine,’ he said curtly, his tone harsh. Alma, taken aback, didn’t reply. She didn’t understand what was happening at all.

  They walked on through the dripping damp trees towards the field without saying another word, though Deryck was painfully aware of her, close as they were. He knew he should say something, had planned to invite her to meet his father, but found himself uncharacteristically tongue-tied. He could feel her tension as they moved through the trees and knew the effect he was having on her. What was surprising was the effect she was having on him. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms, taking advantage of the intimacy of the umbrella, but knew he had to play it cool. And he was jealous. Again. Of Caleb. This would not do at all.

  Alma, meanwhile, was lost for words. She could hardly believe what was happening. Wet gravel crunched underfoot as they reached the gardens. Trees and bushes hung heavy with raindrops, the sky above grey and cloudy. The distant hills were shrouded with mist and Alma shivered a little under her light waterproof. Deryck glanced at her then gently pulled her closer as they walked. Alma looked up at him, taking in the perfect profile, the golden hair brushed back from his brow. She could barely breathe; her head was spinning, her bracelet burning uncomfortably hot against her wrist. She didn’t mind, though – for Deryck, she would endure it. Despite the fact that it was raining, that she could think of nothing to say, that her feet were damp and her hands were cold, she wanted this walk to last forever.

  All too soon they reached the Great Hall. Deryck released her arm as they arrived at the double doors, flanked as usual by the guards, impassive in the rain. He kept her sheltered under the umbrella as the door was opened but did not enter, bowing instead as he said quietly, ‘I will see you again later, I hope.’ His green eyes met Alma’s one last time before he turned to go, leaving her standing open-mouthed in the rain, too stunned to go inside. Then she heard a shout and turned to see Caleb running from the opposite direction, under his own blue umbrella.

  ‘Alma!’ he said. ‘I’m so sorry! Quick, come inside, you’re getting soaked.’ He ushered Alma inside, shaking out his umbrella as he came in behind her and nodding his thanks to the guards as they closed the heavy wooden doors, leaving them in the relative warmth and dryness of the Foyer.

  Alma found herself inexpressibly glad to see Caleb, his calming presence the perfect antidote to the whirling emotions that Deryck inspired in her. She shook herself, scattering raindrops everywhere, glad to be inside. Peeling off her waterproof, she rolled it into a ball under her arm and gave him a smile. ‘Come on, then, we haven’t got all day.’

  He grinned back. ‘You don’t fool me. I know you’re not that keen on getting to the library.’

  ‘No, but it’s good to see you,’ replied Alma, meaning it. Together they went towards the tower stair leading to Alma’s room and started to ascend.

  ‘I’m so sorry I was late,’ said Caleb, ‘though I’m glad to see you got here all right. I suppose you know your way through the woods well enough at this point.’

  ‘But, I wasn’t alone,’ said Alma, running her hands through her wet hair and releasing a shower of drops onto the stone steps. Caleb stopped on the stair above, looking at her, confusion on his face.

  ‘What do you mean?’ he said, frowning. ‘Did Thorion come to meet you?

  ‘No,’ replied Alma, twisting her hair into a long rope, wondering why Caleb had stopped. ‘It was Deryck. Didn’t you know he was coming to meet me? He said-’ Alma stopped, realising Deryck hadn’t said anything about Caleb.

  ‘Deryck?! That sly dog!’ said Caleb, his expression outraged. ‘And where did he say I was?’

  ‘Well, he said you’d been detained… I’m sorry, is something wrong? I mean, I thought it was a bit strange he was there and everything, but the walk here was fine,’ said Alma, mystified as to the source of Caleb’s anger.

  ‘Oh yes, I was detained,’ he continued hotly. ‘Detained by his father, doing his dirty work. I should have known…’

  ‘Known what? What are you talking about?’ said Alma, but she was starting to guess. Deryck had obviously fixed things so that Caleb wouldn’t be able to meet her today, so that he, Deryck, could be there in his place. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. To be honest, it was almost too much to think about. Not for the first time she wished Sara could be there with her, for there was absolutely no way she could discuss this with Caleb. He was furious, and with some reason.

  ‘Deryck gave me a message that his father required my assistance – I knew I had to meet you but couldn’t refuse. It’s part of the protocol of the court. I never dreamed it was a set-up – how could they have known when you were coming across?’

  Obviously furious, Caleb looked as though he was ready to run back downstairs and confront both Deryck and Denoris. Alma hastily sought to placate him, in fear of what he might do. ‘Caleb, it’s OK. I’m fine, nothing happened.’

  This was the wrong choice of words.

  ‘Nothing happened? Did you want something to happen?’ snapped Caleb. Regret crossed his face and she looked away, not wanting him to see her reaction, but she knew. Of course she wanted something to happen with Deryck. And Caleb knew it too.

  Her heart hurt from it all and she sagged against the wall, damp hair falling forward as she struggled to find an answer. But Caleb beat her to it. Reaching out, he put his hand on her shoulder, trying to look into her face with his best puppy dog eyes. Alma laughed, unable to help herself. The tension broken, they resumed their passage up the curving stairs until they reached the door to Alma’s room. Caleb remained silent, though Alma could sense his heartache and knew there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn’t bear the idea of hurting Caleb. He was so dear to her, but she also knew that, given the chance, she would be with Deryck. Which would hurt Caleb. So she was stuck, whatever she did.

  Temptation, Frustration

  Opening the door with her key, Alma entered her bedroom, feeling better as she took in the calm, cosy space. The stars glistened in the vaulted ceiling and the shutters were closed against the damp, while a fire glowed in the fireplace. Her soft feather bed had been freshly made. Caleb must have arranged this, knowing she was coming across today. He stood resting one arm on the mantelpiece, staring into space, his jaw tight, obviously still upset. Dear Caleb – what a good friend he was to her. She wished so much he could be more, that she could feel for him what she felt for Deryck, for she knew it would make him happy. But what about her own feelings? Putting down her bag, she went over to him.

  ‘C’mon,’ she cajoled, trying to shake him out of his dark mood. ‘Let’s go study. You never know, today could be the day we figure out who those ‘hearts’ are.’

  At this Caleb brightened somewhat. ‘OK,’ he said, managing a half-smile as he looked at Alma. ‘Let’s go. We can research until lunchtime, then you have to meet
with the Elders again.’ Alma sighed. ‘Is that all right?’ asked Caleb, his expression perturbed. ‘I mean, maybe we can do something else later…’

  ‘No, it’s fine,’ said Alma, shaking out her waterproof and hanging it on a hook on the wall near the fire. Then she turned to face Caleb. ‘It’s just, I mean, I love meeting with the Elders, I’m learning so much, you know? Even though it’s confusing at times, it’s still really cool.’ Sitting down in one of the chairs, she rubbed her hands over her face before continuing. ‘I can just feel how much they expect of me and…’

  She trailed off, looking at Caleb and he came to sit opposite her, watching her as she shook out her hair to dry by the fire. ‘They can be a bit overwhelming, can’t they,’ he said sympathetically, watching the play of red and gold light on her hair as she combed her fingers through it. ‘I don’t envy you.’

  ‘Yes!’ said Alma, relieved he seemed to understand. Encouraged, she went on, warming to her topic. ‘That’s just it. It’s fascinating hearing about the history of this place, but I don’t know why it’s so important to them that I learn so much about it. And then when they start asking about the Regalia…’

  She twisted her mouth, feeling uncomfortable as she realised Caleb was staring at her. Tucking her hair behind her ears she stood up. ‘Well, I suppose we should get going, hey?’

  ***

  ‘This is interesting.’

  ‘What’s that?’ Alma looked up, smiling at Caleb. He waved the paper he was holding at her.

  ‘It’s about the Cup.’

  ‘Ooh, does it tell us where it is?’ Caleb made a face at her and she stuck her tongue out at him. He laughed. The tension between them was gone and Alma felt gladness down to her toes that they were back to their usual laughing, teasing relationship. ‘Well, it would make things easier,’ she said. Caleb just gave her a look. ‘Oh, okay, let me see,’ she went on, holding out her hand. Caleb passed her the paper. It was torn at the top, remnants of what looked like printed black letters at the ragged edge. Alma stared at them but couldn’t figure out what they might say, so she concentrated on the straggly writing instead, screwing up her face as she tried to figure out what it said.

  ‘She has left me again,’ she read, puzzling out the words. ‘I know she has gone to him. But I can’t care. Not as long as I can look upon the Cup. She is my heart’s desire.’ She looked at Caleb.

  ‘Sounds a bit odd,’ she said. ‘Like, I’m not sure if it’s the woman or the Cup he desires. What do you think?’

  ‘Well, I was thinking maybe it was something to do with one of our hearts.’

  ‘Because he’s… upset? I mean, I guess it’s a he.’ She looked at the paper again, reading on.

  ‘Her eyes gleam like jewels in the private heat of our bed, her skin like silk under my hands. I see the marks he leaves on her and I know she cannot leave him. But I love her more than anyone or anything and I cannot leave her either.’

  ‘Bleurgh,’ said Alma, her cheeks going red. ‘Um, that’s a bit… um…’

  ‘Yeah,’ said Caleb. He coughed, his own cheeks a bit pink as he looked away. ‘So, a candidate for our “heart betrayed,” d’you think?’

  ‘Well, I guess,’ said Alma, turning the paper over to see if anything else was written on it. Her face was starting to cool but the intimacy of the words coupled with her own troubled feelings had left her feeling shaken, to say the least. ‘Are there any more of these?’

  ‘Nope. It was just loose in a pile of stuff.’

  ‘So, no idea who he is or was or why he was so into the Cup.’ She shrugged, putting the paper down. ‘I mean, maybe. But without any more information, we can’t say for sure.’

  Caleb nodded. ‘Guess we’ll have to keep looking.’

  ‘Maybe we can ask Thorion?’

  ‘Er, I’m not asking Thorion about that,’ said Caleb, going red again. ‘No way. You can, if you want to.’

  Alma thought about reading the words in the presence of the handsome High King and blushed again. Um, no. Caleb was right. ‘Hey, maybe you should come to the meeting with me?’

  He looked up, one eyebrow raised, a half smile on his face. ‘Why’s that?’

  ‘Well, I’ve been thinking about it and I think you should. I mean, we’re both doing this, so you should get to come to the meetings as well.’

  ‘I thought you didn’t talk much about the Regalia,’ he said, though his face had lit up. Alma smiled at him. Dear Caleb.

  ‘Well, I just let them know what we’ve found. So, maybe you could do that today. Um, except for… you know.’ She blushed again. Damn! What was up with her at the moment? But she knew what was up with her. She also knew she wanted to make it up to Caleb, that it was important he wasn’t upset. Plus, it was right he should come along – he did most of the work anyway.

  ‘But-’

  ‘Thorion won’t mind, I’m sure of it. C’mon, come with me. You know you want to.’ She shot him a teasing look and he grinned.

  ‘Okay, I’ll come.’

  Alma smiled back then looked up at the clock on the wall. ‘Looks like it’s time for me to get changed,’ she said. ‘So, I’ll meet you there?’

  ‘Sounds good,’ said Caleb. ‘In the meantime, I’ll carry on with this.’

  ‘Really?’ But Alma could see how pleased he was. Getting up from the table she bade him farewell. Then she left, heading for her tower room.

  ***

  Deryck stood in the comfortable surrounds of his father’s apartment, deep in thought. The panelled study was furnished in rich woods and leathers in deep browns and reds, the fire in the fireplace reflecting gold light onto the fine carving and intricately woven carpet. An inherently masculine room, it was a place both Deryck and his father used often, his mother choosing to remain on their country estate. Deryck suspected that had more to do with not seeing his father than anything else, but beyond that didn’t give it much thought. He was alone, Lord Denoris being occupied with business elsewhere for the day. This left Deryck at a loose end, which was normally not a problem for him. He could find a friend to practice swordplay or archery with, or a girl with whom to while away the afternoon. There were books to read, the gardens to wander or he could take his horse, a fine black steed called Thetis, for a run through the woods and beyond. For the noble son of a high-ranking Lord there were no end of pursuits, which made his current situation even more untenable.

  Walking across the soft carpet to the bookcases that lined one wall, Deryck ran his hands through his hair, torn by indecision. Alma. He could not get her out of his head, the way she had looked at him as they walked together through the rain. Her mouth as she talked… He groaned, sitting down in a richly upholstered leather chair with his head in his hands. He needed to see her again. Deryck knew where her room was in the Great Hall, had made it his business to find out as soon as it was assigned to her. It had been an easy matter, bribing one of the chambermaids with a kiss and a promise of more. At the time his purpose had seemed so clear, his plan so simple. Seduce Alma, bring her across to the Dark and, at the same time, score a point against Caleb. But now things were more complicated. She had wormed her way into his head, and thoughts of her came to him at the most inopportune moments – although he had only seen and spoken with her a handful of times, she had made an impression on him like no other girl. Standing, Deryck chose a book from the leather-bound selection in the carved timber cabinets, then made his way out of the apartment towards the Great Hall. The rain had stopped and the gardens smelled fresh and green, a watery sun starting to break through the clouds. Coming to the heavy double doors, Deryck paused to be admitted, then made his way to the tower stair. He would talk to her, that’s all, he thought. Just see her again.

  ***

  Alma looked around her room with pleasure as she got changed, selecting a long burgundy gown in place of her usual sweatshirt and jeans. Twirling a little and laughing at herself, she crossed to the window, its wooden shutters open wide to the sun which had finally b
roken through the rain clouds. Leaning on the sill, breathing in the sweet cool air, Alma took in the view. The gardens spread out below her and she watched the small figures of the Court as they walked the pathways, the patterns they made as they moved on errands unknown. To one side was the green field leading to the forest with its Gates and mystery, while beyond the gardens the land stretched away to distant hills, green in the spring sunshine, the shadows from drifting clouds above causing an endless play of light and shade across their rolling peaks.

  Filled with the joy of the day, Alma moved reluctantly away from the window, realising it was time to meet Caleb – she had lingered long enough. She carefully latched the door behind her and set out along the narrow stone hallway, trailing her hand along the carved panels and admiring the pierced metal lanterns that lit the way. Not paying attention, she was almost upon the figure sitting in the window alcove before she noticed him.

  It was Deryck. He was reading a book, his golden hair falling forward and catching the light and Alma was so startled that she stopped dead. She had only just recovered from their encounter this morning – twice in one day might be too much for her to bear. Her heart started pounding as it usually did when she saw him, her bracelet burning against her wrist. Hearing her step, Deryck looked up and smiled. He closed his book, got up and came towards Alma, who stood as though rooted to the spot.