Nightshade

by Shea Godfrey

  Jessa thought she saw a glint of something familiar move in those striking eyes. “You should be more specific. Take me with you.”

  “I don’t know where I’m going.”

  “All the better.”

  Darry closed her eyes. “What must I say to make you go away?”

  “There is nothing. Take me with you.”

  Darry stepped back and lurched to the side, grabbing the filly’s mane for balance as the earth tilted beneath her. Jessa slid forward and reached out, but Darry rested her forehead against the horse’s neck, using the filly to keep her feet. “Sweet Jessa, please…just let me go.”

  “Do you wish to go riding?” Jessa dropped her arm. “Or stand here for the next thirty years and argue with me?”

  Darry tried to ignore the fear she could smell. The instincts of the animals around her were dense and violent. “Thirty years is a long time.” The only scent that Jessa gave off was the hint of jasmine.

  “I’m very stubborn.”

  “Seven hells!” Darry said, and threw the reins.

  She stalked across the corridor and yanked open the opposite stall. The magnificent bay stallion within threw up his head as she slammed back the gate. He reared away as he caught Darry’s scent. Jessa’s heart leapt into her throat as the animal’s legs lashed out, missing Darry’s head by inches. Darry grabbed his mane and hit his neck with her fist. “Talon!”

  Jessa was thinking fast as Darry calmed him and assembled his tack, moving with the same urgency she had the first time. She stepped into the filly’s stall, holding out her hand, to which the filly lowered her nose. “Will you help me?” Jessa asked in whisper. “I need your help, my pretty.”

  Jessa took the reins, slipped her left boot into the stirrup, and mounted the horse. The filly snorted and stepped backward as Jessa ran a gentle hand along the horse’s neck, feeling the power and enjoying the thrill it sent through her blood. She tapped a heel and the filly stepped forward obediently. Jessa lowered her head as they passed through the gate.

  At the sound of hooves on wood Darry left Talon’s bridle and stepped to the door. “What are you doing?”

  Jessa looked down from her seat. “You would think to outrun me, saddling me with that plough horse?” she said, managing to sound insulted.

  “Talon is no plough horse, I assure you.”

  “We will see.”

  Darry stared at her.

  “Have you named her yet?” Jessa ran her hand along the muscles of the filly’s shoulder. “It’s bad luck to ride a horse without a name.”

  Darry did not answer, clearly uncomfortable at the question.

  “You didn’t name her something foolish, did you? Something like Sunflower perhaps?”

  “Her name is Vhaelin Star,” Darry answered with a rush of anger.

  Jessa felt her face flush and her emotions rose as the filly stepped to the side. “Hesta, Vhaelin Barrosha,” she whispered. “Easy.”

  Talon burst from his stall with Darry sitting easy in the saddle. The filly reared, and Talon turned in a tight circle and threw his head back as Jessa leaned forward and pulled at the reins. Vhaelin Star’s right foreleg pounded the boards.

  Darry met Jessa’s eyes. “Last chance.”

  “For what? To play the shy foreign Princess and retire to my rooms?”

  “If it pleases you.”

  “Try to keep up.”

  Darry let out a shout as the filly bolted forward. She yanked at the reins in an attempt to wheel Talon to the side. Vhaelin Star slammed into Talon’s shoulder and Darry slipped in her seat. Darry grabbed on as Talon backed up and shifted beneath her, saving her from falling completely like the well-trained war-horse he was. She kicked her boot back into the stirrup and dug her heels in.

  Vhaelin Star thundered from the stables and onto the lane that led past the small paddock. Several groomsmen looked up and another jumped from the path with a shout of surprise. A moment later Talon shot through the doors in pursuit.

  Vhaelin Star turned at the pull of the reins and the touch of a heel, wheeling to the right and heading for the gateway that led to the postern arch. A nearby stable hand yelled as he raced along the fence where the gate was still bolted shut. Vhaelin Star was too fast, though, and even as they neared, Jessa heeled her with purpose, feeling the filly gather her strength. She leapt, Jessa pushing back in her seat as they cleared the fence with several feet to spare. Jessa let out a hard breath as she was thrown forward in the saddle. She leaned into it smoothly and turned them yet again. Dust kicked up at their change in direction, but Vhaelin Star never lost her stride as Jessa glanced over her shoulder.

  Talon cleared the fence easily. Darry took the jump with more ease and turned the stallion, letting him have his head.

  Vhaelin Star flew beneath the postern arch with an echoing clatter of hooves and then she was gone, hitting her true stride as Jessa steered her from the road and into the grass. They were headed north where she knew there was nothing but miles of open land. Her hair whipped against her back as she kept low, her riding cape rippling out behind her. Darry kicked Talon hard in chase, her right hand on the reins and her left flat against his neck and urging him on.

  The ground disappeared beneath them, Vhaelin Star moving with absolute power and grace as Talon slowly closed the gap, striding with equal beauty but not quite as much power as the Ibarris filly. Darry spoke to him as they ran. Something inside her burned with a new anger that they did not have open land before them but, instead, the backside of an apparently faster horse.

  With a soft hand Jessa pulled back the reins, and the filly’s gallop changed just enough to allow Talon to pull closer. Darry’s smile was pure as she heeled her mount, letting him know what she wanted and that she needed more. His muscles responded, as did his heart, and they pulled alongside Vhaelin Star’s thighs and then her rider. Darry looked straight ahead with a purpose that involved nothing but the hunger for freedom.

  There were no limits then, nothing but tall grass and the setting sun as Talon took the lead with a final burst of speed and power. Darry let him run for all he was worth. Some dark part of her was content to let him race until they both folded into the ground; some part of her even wanted it.

  Jessa stayed near but not too close, maneuvering the filly to the side and away from the stallion. She had not ridden this hard in years and had forgotten how exhilarating it was, not only for the danger it presented but for the abandon as well.

  The ground passed away beneath them and after a time the landscape began to change. The hills in the distance that signaled the start of the Gonnard Forest became larger and more pronounced. When a stand of ancient maples gradually rose to the right, Jessa heeled the filly. “Drassa matisse, Barrosha!” she called. “Drassa!”

  Vhaelin Star answered the call. Jessa smiled, knowing that she had never ridden a more splendid animal. They gained on Talon and Darry glanced over in surprise as Vhaelin Star passed them. She was forced to pull up as the filly cut across their path.

  Vhaelin Star was on their left and they were being guided to the east. Darry saw the maple grove in the falling dusk and knew they had come nearly ten miles. Vhaelin Star was suddenly very near and Darry kicked Talon with a curse. The horse obeyed and Jessa adjusted swiftly. The filly swerved away. Darry heard the shout and looked back, sitting up straight and afraid she had cut too close. Talon’s hooves dug roughly into the dirt as he slowed and Darry turned him roughly about.

  Vhaelin Star bolted past them and Darry’s heart jumped into her throat as the cloak was thrown and the heavy garment hit her in the chest and face. Talon skidded to the side and kicked out as Darry yanked at the garment. “Jessa!”

  Vhaelin Star was racing toward the trees.

  “Damn you to all seven hells!” Darry shouted, shoving the cloak against the saddle and kicking Talon into action. “Hiyah!”

  Jessa did not look back as she guided the filly into the grove, letting the animal slow as she sat back in the saddle
. She was breathing quick and resting the reins on the filly’s neck. Talon thundered past them, terribly close, and Vhaelin Star reared and turned on her hind legs. Jessa was forced to grab the saddle.

  Talon turned hard once again and Darry brought him around. “Are you mad?” Darry threw the cloak as they neared.

  Jessa caught it and dropped it across the filly’s shoulders. “You’ll kill your plough horse, Darry. I would rather not watch that.”

  “Then go back.”

  “I didn’t know you were cruel.” Jessa’s words cut through the haze of confusion in Darry’s expression. Jessa saw a surge of pain in Darry’s eyes and her heart ached for her. “I would not have thought you were cruel.” She spoke with some effort, trying to gauge the effect of her words. Give her back to me, Hinsa.

  Darry looked away as Talon stepped to the side and waited for a command. When Darry looked back, Jessa saw within her eyes the woman she loved.

  “I’m not,” Darry said, and pulled on the reins. Talon stepped to the left and moved away.

  Jessa clicked her tongue and Vhaelin Star followed, weaving through the trees after them. Darry’s shoulders fell a little and her head lowered as she gave Talon his head. The war-horse trotted for a time and the filly followed at a distance.

  When the stallion stopped and lowered his face into the grass, Darry swung her right leg over his neck and jumped from the saddle. Jessa pulled the filly up as Darry approached. Jessa leaned down as strong hands took possession of her waist. She grabbed Darry’s shoulders and slid from the saddle, her body descending along Darry’s until her boots touched the ground.

  Jessa’s heart beat fast as their bodies pressed close and Darry held her firmly. Jessa found it hard to breathe and wanted very much to put her arms about Darry’s neck.

  “He’s not a plough horse,” Darry said in a quiet breath, and released her.

  Jessa let her go and Darry moved beneath the massive maples, the savageness still within her body but not as it had been. Tamed somewhat by their wild ride, Darry’s shoulders were not so tight nor her gait so fierce. Jessa followed at a distance, waiting until Darry stopped and touched the weathered bark of an ancient maple.

  Jessa brushed past her and spun smoothly, then sat neatly in the grass. “You’re right,” she said. “He is made for more than farm work.”

  Darry lowered her face and Jessa thought she saw a smile.

  “Come sit beside me, Darry.”

  “I cannot be your friend anymore,” Darry said, stepping away from the maple and shoving her hands into her pockets. She pulled her shoulders in as if to protect herself. “I can’t.”

  “As I said, that is your choice.” A surge of frustration washed through Jessa that somehow their relationship was no longer within their control. Had it ever been? She wanted desperately to ask what had happened and to know the great wrong that Bentley had spoken of. “Come and sit.”

  “It’s not my choice!” Darry raised her voice. “I can’t be responsible.” She swallowed awkwardly. “You cannot be near me anymore, do you hear?”

  “I may do as I wish, Darry. I wish to remain your friend,” she replied. I wish to be so much more, do you not see? “But if you cannot do that, for whatever reason, I trust your judgment.” She ached for her, ached for Darry’s touch again. She wanted that moment back when her entire world had hung in the balance.

  “But someone I cared for was made to suffer. Someone I used to love…because she loved me in return. They hurt her. Because of me, Jess. It was my fault, my mistake.”

  “No, not because of you,” Jessa said, certain of her words despite her lack of information. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “But if they…” Darry struggled with her words. From the moment she had seen Jessa in the stables, she had not thought only of Aidan. She had thought of Jessa, and all of the feelings Darry had for her swarmed up in her rage. “…if they…you and I.”

  “Darry,” Jessa said, her tone unyielding.

  Darry stepped close and dropped to her knees beside her. Jessa took hold of her uniform at the collar. “I don’t know much, Darry. Not much of anything, actually, but I do know that at least. It was not because of you. Whatever you’re thinking you’re wrong.”

  Darry lowered her face and her shoulders jerked. Jessa pulled gently at the jacket and reached out with her other hand. Darry stumbled and Jessa caught her, pulling her near and wrapping her arms about her.

  Jessa closed her eyes. “And if you don’t believe me,” she whispered, her heart breaking a little, “then I forgive you in her stead. Do you hear me, Darry? She forgives you. You are forgiven.”

  Darry shook within the embrace, a strangled sob slipping past her lips. Her arms slid around Jessa’s lower back. “Essa lana allah patrice ma, Akasha.” Jessa touched her lips to Darry’s cheek in a supple kiss. Do not hide so, Akasha, do not hide.

  The kiss broke her at last and Darry cried, giving in to her grief.

  *

  Darry wiped again at her face and opened her eyes, feeling almost peaceful in the darkness. She had not expected to find such solace in being held.

  Jessa’s touch was like a whisper as she pushed a pale curl from Darry’s face. She traced her fingertip along her temple and down her jaw, coming to rest on Darry’s throat where she felt the slow and steady beat of her heart. “Did you damn me to your seven hells?” Jessa asked.

  Darry took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You threw your cloak in my face and then rode away on a faster horse.”

  The urge to claim Darry’s mouth was close to overpowering, but Jessa knew it was not what was needed and had no idea if that was how to go about getting what she desired. It seemed to be, but she was not willing to ask just yet. “Ah, that.”

  “I wasn’t intending to return.”

  “Then we shall keep riding,” Jessa said.

  “We’ll go back,” Darry whispered, a curious look in her eyes that Jessa did not understand. “It’s all…everything is as it was meant to be.”

  Jessa moved her hand beneath Darry’s chin. She turned her hand, tracing her fingertips along Darry’s jaw once again. “Do you think so now?”

  Darry swallowed and stared at Jessa’s lips. Do you know how beautiful you are? You should be told every day, until your eyes finally close a thousand years from now.

  “Do you think so?” Jessa asked again.

  I would taste your lips just once before then. “Perhaps, but I’m very tired, Jess.”

  “Then sleep. I don’t mind.”

  “Are you not tired as well?”

  Jessa smiled. “No.”

  “Why do you always smell so sweetly of jasmine?” Darry asked, Jessa’s fingers burning along her neck. “Do you wash your hair with it?”

  Jessa’s smile deepened. “Are you asking for my most well-guarded secret?”

  “Is it a secret?”

  “Why do you always smell of musk and of the sea?”

  “I forget to bathe.”

  Jessa chuckled. “Yes, well, that probably isn’t a secret you can keep then, is it?”

  “Probably not.” Darry sighed, shifting to rise.

  Jessa lowered her leg and helped Darry sit up, her right hand lingering in Darry’s hair before letting her go.

  Darry wiped at her face again. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what? Things deserve their proper respect, yes? No matter the price. Tears are a better payment than most, Darry.”

  Darry accepted the words and then rose to her feet, offering both her hands. “Come now, my Lady. Let me take you home.”

  Home, yes. Jessa accepted the help and Darry pulled her up. Jessa stepped close as Darry grasped her waist. “We can still keep riding.”

  “I’m better now, Jess, truly.”

  “We can keep riding anyway.”

  Darry’s smile was almost timid as she stepped back, but not before she wrapped her fingers about Jessa’s hand again and held it tight.

  Their return seemed to take no
time at all despite the distance. They did not speak much as they rode. The silence between them was not strained or uncomfortable, but filled instead with a strange sort of promise, and when Darry would glance at her, Jessa’s eyes would find her. It was Darry who would turn away and Jessa smiled when she did, happy for the darkness around them that hid her blush. When they rode at a gallop they did so with ease, both animals content to keep apace until one of them would settle and they would slow to a walk once more.

  When they reached Blackstone Keep the postern gate had been left open for them. Darry thanked the guard as they passed beneath the arch, whereupon he saluted her. “Who won, my Lady?”

  “She did,” Darry answered with a grudging smile, and Jessa laughed with delight when the man chuckled and returned to the guardhouse. He announced the result to his comrades and their surprised laughter lifted into the night.

  “I think you’re not used to losing,” Jessa said as Vhaelin Star walked with a high step as if she knew she were the victor.

  Darry looked past the stables to the torches of the residence, a shrouded look on her face. “I don’t mind this time.”

  Jessa glanced at the high walls of the keep. Did Hinsa wait in the maze, and would Darry go to her?

  They dismounted at the stables and a groomsman came out and took their mounts, though Jessa was reluctant to relinquish the reins. Darry smiled a little when she saw this and retrieved Jessa’s cloak from the saddle, then shook it open and held it out. Jessa stepped close, allowing Darry to lay the garment about her shoulders. She closed her eyes when Darry’s fingers moved against her neck and her hair was lifted free of the hood. Darry carefully laid the curls and braids about Jessa’s shoulders.

  They walked down the wide boards of the stables and eventually along the path that took them to the residence. They moved along the stones in an easy walk, unhurried and quiet. When they reached her rooms Jessa opened the door and turned to speak, but Darry silenced her with a touch, taking Jessa’s hand.

  She brought her other hand forward as well and rubbed her thumbs on the soft skin of Jessa’s fingers. Jessa’s heart beat wildly at the caress and the hairs rose on the back of her neck.