Unlocking Adeline (Skeleton Key)

by J. D. Hollyfield

  It saddens me that I’m not going to be able to say goodbye to my parents. Tell them that I love them both. Tell my dad I’m not mad about what he did. That I understand. I want to tell him stories of his home and the people I met. Tell him about his hurting mother.

  I think about Locke. About us. I wish I was able to tell him I was sorry for giving up so easily. I should have never just let him push me away. I should have done a better job of warning him about Farah. He may not have wanted me, but if I was able to leave him with one thing, it was to know that he was wanted, by me. All of me.

  I feel like I simply blink, but when I open my eyes once again, the doctor is gone and my parents are both next to me. “What do you mean, the key? Did she have it?” That’s my mom. I can tell her sweet voice even through the echoing slowness.

  “It was next to her on her on the floor. I need to take her back. That’s the only way she has a chance to survive.” My dad’s voice a muffled echo.

  “But, Richard, you can’t. Look what they did to her. They will just kill her.”

  “If I don’t, she is already dead. It’s the only way.”

  My last thought is to beg, because I don’t want to go back. He doesn’t want me there and I no longer want to be his burden.

  The constant banging of reconstructing the woodshed chips away at my sanity. Each thrust of the hammer, or the digging, is a slam to my pounding head, reminding me of the poor choices I made with the whiskey last night. And the night before that. But the reason why I took down the whole bottle comes to mind and my anger sets in tenfold.

  The only woman I ever let in and she tricked me. Embedded herself deep inside me and tore out my insides. I was willing to give her everything: a life where she would want for nothing. She would never be sad again, under my protection. I would show her every damn day how important she had become to me. All the emotions I couldn’t even explain to myself yet. But I would show her. Love her.

  But the whole time, behind my back, she had been making plans to betray me. This is yer fault. Ye threw her at yer brother. I dip my head down, trying to rub out the throbbing headache in my temples. I told her she would be a better fit with him. Now I’m gutted that she chose him. But I just thought after what we had shared. What she gave me. I couldn’t bear to listen to any more of her excuses. Her lies. I couldn’t get the image that Farah built for me out of my head. So I shut down and allowed the anger to take its course. I did the one thing I knew she would want. I gave her an out, and she took it.

  My eyes blaze again at the thought. She left me. I gave something to her and she broke it. My trust. I said some bastard things to her. I helped push her out the door. But I couldn’t think straight after all that Farah had told me: rumors that she had chosen him and bragged about it around town. She had been with my brother.

  The puzzling part that I couldn’t piece together was I did go to see Greta. She confirmed Addie had been with her all night. But why would Farah lie to me? It still didn’t explain the poison. She stood there acting innocent, as if only I was to blame. How could she run off with my brother after giving herself fully to me? Giving me the purest gift.

  She’s no innocent.

  I anger myself more at the thought. Then after everything, she expected me to wrap her up in sweet endearments, believing her and begging her to stay. Did she think I would confess my love for her? That… that… I can’t even bring myself to call her something negative. I slam my hands on the wooden surface, throwing the papers off my desk.

  She just left. After everything, and I can’t even bear a negative name for her. More banging sounds, this time, from the closed Captain’s door.

  “Oh heavens, what do ye want?!” I yell.

  The door opens and my brother walks through, as leisurely as a normal summer’s day. “I must say, Brother, ye have been quite the treat these past few days. Have ye not been feeling well?” he pokes.

  “And what’s it to ye?” I busy myself with tidying up my desk. I can’t bear to look at him. I can’t bear the image of him touching her, smelling her. Everything only I was meant to do.

  “I was actually just going to point out that maybe ye should go find her and force her back here,” he suggests.

  “Why? So ye can continue yer courtship? Have more secret hideaways with her? If ye want her, then ye go get her,” I bark, wanting to smash my fists into his pretty face.

  It doesn’t help my anger that he begins to laugh. “Secret hideaways? And where do ye get this humorous nonsense from?” The fire in my eyes answer for me. “Ahhh, the nightly disappearing act. She didn’t tell ye, did she?”

  “Tell me what, that she was spending her nights doing God knows what with ye? No, she didn’t need to. She was caught and forced to admit it. Not that she did that either.”

  He laughs again, and I snap. “Ye will not be laughing when I put my fist through yer nose. Now unless ye have something of importance to say to me, GET OUT!”

  “Oh, Brother, I must admit that I find it gratifying to finally see ye in love with a woman. And yer one lucky bastard that it’s her.”

  “I do not time have time for riddles, Brother. Ye won, now leave.”

  “Oh, Lockelan, she knows I’m not her match. She’s known for some time. Mother told her the first day she was here. Only the chosen ones who bear the mark will be bonded together. It’s never been about who wins. She knows it’s always been ye. And she knows my heart lies with Maria. The other night, she covered for me so I was able to spend the night with her, and not look like the fraud taking up a mistress before I am even done messing with ye.”

  My chest tightens. My hands clench tightly to my sides, I can probably snap a bone in my own hand. “So what are ye saying?” I demand.

  “That Addie chose ye, a long time ago. She knew I was just a decoy to get ye to open yer damn eyes. She went along with it, because ye were being such an arse. She enjoyed poking at ye some, which I actually found admirable in her. She chose to stay, did ye know that? Or did ye chase her off with yer unkind words before she was able to tell ye? Poor lass was scared ye would turn her down. But I told her ye would be relieved to hear her decision. That ye would practically fall to ye knees for her. I guess I was wrong with that, aye?”

  He can’t be telling me this. If this was true then she wouldn’t have left.

  “Ye are lying to me. She left the moment I handed her that key. That does not show the commitment of a girl who wanted to stay.”

  “Ahh, yes, well I can’t answer that for ye. It may be due to the excessive force ye had on her. Demanding that she left. Or maybe it was the way ye treated her. I’m sure it didn’t help that she saw ye leaving Farah’s cottage, half dressed. Or the fact that Farah made it clear to her ye both wanted her gone. Or maybe because Farah tricked the errand boy into swapping out the letters to the chef, which I just got him to confess. Wanted to come by and let ye know. But yes, it will forever be a mystery what drove her to leave.” Christof now tapping his fingers against his chin, “But either way, I am saddened that she is gone. Certainly can’t blame her for leaving. I too, would run after the failed trust ye had in her.”

  I get up from my chair, slam it against the wall, and prowl toward my brother. “I dare ye to tell me how to treat people.” I get in his face, but he doesn’t back down.

  “Ye can be mad all ye want, Brother, but ye drove her away, no one else.” I go to swing when we both hear it.

  The sounds of rumbling.

  Thunder.

  Someone is using the key.

  I push past my brother, but he is high on my tail. Storming through the castle, I make it to the entrance and see Ellie running up the stone path toward us.

  “What is it? Who just entered?” I demand meeting her halfway.

  “Sir… sir.” Out of breath, she is unable to reply.

  “Oh, just say it, Ellie.” My patience is running thin.

  “It’s him. It’s Richard McAllister. He has returned, Sir,” She heaves.

&
nbsp; My blood immediately begins to boil. “That son of bitch has some nerve to return here.” I growl, storming toward the center of the village. I will get my hands on him and end his life, something I should have done when I first saw him a year ago.

  “But wait, Sir, there’s more!” Ellie runs after me. “He is carrying Miss Adeline, Sir, and she does not look well. Her eyes were closed, and she looked… She looked as if she was….” I stop in my tracks to make eye contact with Ellie. “What do ye mean he’s carrying her, why?”

  “I’m not sure. Her skin is very pale and she had not woken, even after her father ran with her to the sorcerer, Sir.” My heart stops. In my chest, a sudden feeling I cannot explain. Panic? Uncertainty? Why has Richard returned, and why in God’s name is he carrying his daughter?

  I run.

  I don’t stop until I get to the entrance of Greta’s cottage. A gathering has formed and I have to push my way inside. Breaking through the barrier of villagers, I stop in my tracks. Ellie was telling the truth.

  “What is going on? How dare ye return here, Richard. Ye and yer daughter made yer choice. Ye are not welcome here.”

  Surprising me, Richard turns to me, eyes blazing. He comes at me and immediately, two of my guards blocking his attack.

  “Ye were supposed to take care of her! Ye promised! Ye promised! Is that how ye run things now? Ye decide one is no good and ye send them home on their death bed!?” He tries to come at me again, fighting through the hold he’s in.

  “I did no such thing. Yer daughter chose to leave on her own, and she left in the same health she entered.”

  “Liar!” He breaks down crying. “Look at her! Look what ye have done. Ye take yer hatred out on me, but please not my daughter. Please. Save her. Please don’t let my daughter die.”

  The words confuse me. Die? Why would Addie be dying? “I give ye my word. Let Greta heal her and I will stand trial. I will pay for the sins I have brought on Wren. I will trade my life for hers. Please, don’t let her die.”

  Again that word. It rings like a loud drum in my ear. Why does he keep saying that? “Stop! Stop saying that. Adeline left here fine. There is nothing wrong with her.” I speak with truth, but the look on Richard’s face is telling otherwise. I peer over to Greta who looks sullen, and again to Ellie, who is in tears.

  “Where is she?” I demand. I need to see her for myself. Prove this is just another scam of hers. I won’t let her trick me once again.

  At my request, everyone slowly moves, providing an open path to the counter where I now recognize Adeline. I inhale a gust of air. Oh, Addie. The look of her almost brings me to my knees. No. That can’t be her. My legs refuse to move. I refuse to believe that is her lying on the counter, pale and frail looking, and she isn’t moving. When my feet finally give in I slowly make it to her. “Christ Almighty.” I place my fingers around her small hand, feeling the clamminess of her skin. “What happened to her?” I turn, needing answers. “Release him. I want answers and I want them now. Who did this to her?” My guards release Richard and he stumbles forward to his daughter. I begin to block him so he cannot harm her, but then I remember he’s the one who brought her here.

  “She came home like this. I heard some ruffling in the living room, late one afternoon, two days ago. I came out to find her bleeding from her stomach. She was unresponsive. We rushed her to the hospital. She had three stab wounds to her side. They were able to stitch her up and stop the bleeding, but her fever wasn’t breaking. They couldn’t help her. It’s then it hit me. She was poisoned. The only thing that would cause this was the metal from an Ironbark Skewer dagger.” Richard lifts the side of Adeline’s hospital gown to show her stomach.

  “Bloody hell,” I gasp, bringing my focus on Adeline. I take a deep breath and lift the sheet higher to see the full wounds, purple and infected. The green lining around the wound indicates he is correct. She was indeed stabbed with an Ironbark. Someone tried to kill her.

  “I don’t understand. I gave her the key. She left with it. I heard the thunder shortly after. She chose on her own to return home.” I feel the panic begin to set in. How did this happen? As horrible as I was, I was only giving her an out. I can’t imagine she would have wanted to stay after the bastard things I said, but she didn’t stay and fight. If she didn’t want to stay here, and make a life with me, I wasn’t going to force her. I may have wounded her with my words, but this…

  “Please help her. Please, don’t let my Addie die.”

  His pleas are like knives scraping all over my mind and body. I lift my hands and thrust them through my hair. This is not happening. This is not happening. “Greta.” My voice cracks, giving away my worry. “Help her. Give her an antidote, now,” I order. Reaching for Addie’s lifeless hand, another feeling flies through me. Fear. No one is moving fast enough. “Well, what are ye waiting for, dammit! Mix something together! Use yer magic!”

  “Lockelan, I can try, but she has been infected with the poison for more than one should be and still be alive.”

  No. No.

  “No, ye will make the antidote and ye will heal her. Now.” There is no other solution to this.

  “Loc—”

  “NOW!” I boom. I can’t. I can’t even imagine that there is another option but for her to wake up. The room feels like it’s spinning. I try to get air into my lungs but I’m struggling to breathe. I turn, leaning over Adeline’s still body, brushing away her loose hair. I know she loves when I do that. “My sweet Adeline, who did this to ye?” Who would do something like this? “Yer going to be fine. Just please wake up. Don’t be stubborn, alright? Just fight it. Yer going to be fine,” I repeat the same line over and over, hoping I believe my own words, but there is a tugging feeling in my chest that fears the worst. “Greta!” I yell again, this time choking through her name. “Please. Make the antidote. Give it to her.” I focus back on Adeline. God, she doesn’t look well. Her skin, it’s pale and becoming almost a translucent fade.

  “Addie, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I let ye leave.” I press a kiss to her forehead and another on her cold nose. I press my forehead to hers and can feel the chill.

  “Greta,” I call her name again, but this time is more of a soft plea.

  “I’m here, son. I am going to have to ask ye to step aside. I need to do my work.”

  “I’m not leaving her,” I bark. “Ye will do what ye need to do with me here.” I refuse to leave Addie’s side. Greta takes a look at my expression and doesn’t argue.

  “Alright, son, but I need ye to move some so I can address her wounds.” I stand still, holding her hand while I watch Greta work. I order everyone to leave the room except Richard and my brother.

  Greta tends to her potions, mixing together oils and herbs with an array of colored powders. Once she has created a salve, she lifts Adeline’s gown, revealing her horrible wounds. Just as explained, she has three vicious dagger shaped cuts, searing her perfect skin. Richard begins to sob at the sight of his daughter. If I wasn’t fighting so hard to keep it together, I might soon too. The comfort of my brother’s hand, resting on my shoulder, is the thread that is keeping me together.

  “Wrap thee in love and protection. Bind the sickness and take flight from this soul.”

  Slowly, Greta begins to spread the salve onto her wounds while repeating a spell. I stand impatiently waiting for change, for anything, until Adeline’s body begins to shake uncontrollably. Richard sobs. “Oh God, not again. She’s seizing. Her body is fighting it, oh God.”

  Greta steps forward, placing her hands on Adeline’s hips. “Hold her body down so she doesn’t hurt herself more,” she quickly instructs.

  I grip her shoulder blades and Christof grabs her legs. “What is happening!?” I bark.

  “Yer chosen is just being stubborn. It shall pass. Just hold her now.” Greta begins reciting more of her magic and thankfully Adeline’s tremors subside, and her body becomes limp once again on the counter.

  “What? What now? What should be happ
ening?” I’m asking question on top of question, not getting an answer fast enough. I just need her to wake up. I need her to open her eyes, so I can tell her how damn sorry I am for what I said, and admit what I should have a long time ago.

  “Now we wait. We will clean her wounds every four hours. We will have to force this liquid down her throat.” Greta brings Adeline’s gown back down, covering her. “Lockelan, please, will ye carry her to my bedroom so she is more comfortable?”

  “No, I want her in the castle. In my bed. So I can watch over her.”

  “Well, it wouldn’t be wise to have her so far from—”

  “Ye will stay in the room next to mine until she wakes.” Greta offers me a sullen look.

  “She will wake, dammit!”

  She nods. “Okay.” She doesn’t reassure me. She just allows me the comfort of agreeance.

  I bend forward, lifting Adeline in my arms, the weight of her too light. She feels so fragile. I want to shake her awake, so she opens her eyes to yell at me. Fight me to put her down. Bringing her cold body to mine, in hopes to offer her some of my body heat, I turn, demanding orders from Christof.

  “I want to know who did this. This happened to her before she went through that door. The marks are evidence of the Ironbark Skewer dagger. Someone tried to kill our future queen and I want to know who.” I take a moment to gather myself. I don’t want to show weakness in front of my men. Christof steps forward and I automatically block Adeline’s body.

  “Brother, I will not hurt her. Trust in me, we shall find who did this. My devotion to her is just as strong as yers. We will bring whoever did this to justice.” My brother’s words offer some comfort. I feel extreme guilt for believing he would ever take Adeline from me. When all he ever did was help her. He welcomed her into our world, when I only offered her my cold shoulder. He helped her fit in, when I did nothing but force her to hate me even more for taking her. He was the one who didn’t turn his back on her, as I did.