“It wouldn’t be the first time she told a tall tale to get some attention. And the fools of this town will be in the woods killing anything that moves in the brush. Animals. Even neighbors.”
“I don’t want to believe she’d cause such a ruckus in the village.”
“Then you don’t know women very well. Good day, Lord Kenrick, I must be on my way.”
Sarah needed a good switching. She had the whole village up in arms over the alleged monster. I only hoped Lord Kenrick came to his senses before something horrible happened.
Raul stood, leaning against a tree as I approached. His tunic sleeves were rolled up to reveal strong, bronzed arms. He’d already set a blanket along the bank of the creek amongst a scattering of wildflowers.
As if sensing my scrutiny, he turned to look at me. In a few strides, he was at my side.
“Ah, my little Brielle, you made it. I wasn’t sure if Rhyne had got the chance to give you the message.”
I swallowed hard, my pulse soaring out of control. “I’m glad you’re here, I’ve wanted to get back to the marketplace to see you, but Gram has been watching me like a hawk.”
“Well, we’re here now. I hope you’re hungry,” he teased, reaching for my hand. “I’ve brought dried venison, bread, and fresh strawberries for lunch.”
“It’s perfect,” I said, as he led me over to the blanket.
We sat down, facing one another, food spread out between us.
“So you’ll never guess where I’ve just come from.” He smiled, handing me a strawberry.
My blood sang in my ears as his fingers brushed mine. “The village?”
He chuckled, the sound intoxicated me. “I meant before my arrival in Dark Pines.”
He always went to exotic places, countries and lands I only dreamed about seeing. “Tell me.”
“Bastiala. It’s a small country along the sea. The waters are clear, sparkling bluer than the skies. And the sand is warm beneath your toes. When I sat upon the shore, I wished for nothing more than to share the sunset with you.”
My breath caught in my throat. “It sounds beautiful.”
He reached for my hand and clasped it in his. “It is. Perhaps one day I can show it to you.”
“I-I’d like that.” Shyness overtook me, and I glanced at our fingers, which were entwined. Maybe it was time for a change in subject. “Sarah is making quite the spectacle,” I said as he released me and handed me a hunk of meat.
“So I noticed. Half the village is swarming the eastern portion of the forest. But fear not, soon they’ll realize her folly.”
I sighed, nibbling on the venison. “Why is she doing this?”
Raul’s eyebrows shot up as he laughed. “I think she’s jealous.”
“Jealous? Of who?”
“You.” He ate a slice of bread, then washed it down with water from the skin he carried. He wiped his hands on his breeches then slid closer to me. His palm slid over my arm.
My stomach fluttered as if someone released a jar of fireflies inside me. I caught my lip between my bottom teeth and raised my eyes until they met his.
“Bri,” he whispered my name. “I’ve missed you. No matter what town or country I visited, I couldn’t keep you from my thoughts. I lay awake at night, wondering what it’d be like to have you with me. To see your smiling face every day. So I hurried back here. To you.”
He leaned closer, his hand cupping my face and I knew he was going to kiss me. What if I messed up or he thought I wasn’t good at this? His knee pressed against mine, making me all too aware of the warmth radiating between us.
I lifted a hand to his firm chest. His heart beat erratically against my palm.
“Bri … ” he said again.
The sound of horse hooves thundered through the pines and we leapt apart. Shite. What if it was Gram? She’d surely punish me.
Lord Kenrick came into the clearing; Sarah perched behind him, a smirk on her face.
“What are they doing here?” Raul glared as he climbed to his feet, temper flaring.
Kenrick climbed from his steed. “I hope we’re not intruding.” He glanced between Raul and me.
Right then, Rhyne came loping through the woods as well, with Gertie on his arm. Thank God. I grabbed tight to Raul’s arm giving him an apologetic look. “No. Of course you’re not interrupting.” I gave a shaky smile, wondering if they’d seen how close together we’d been. “Raul, Rhyne, Gertie, and I were just about to have a picnic. You’re more than welcome to join us.”
Though deep inside, I regretted their interruption.
“Thank you. Sarah said she wanted to face her fears and come into the woods.” Kenrick reached up to help her from the saddle.
My jaw clenched. He could’ve let her climb down on her own.
Sarah grinned at him then cradled her arm, playing up the injury. “Mother agreed I could go as long as Lord Kenrick accompanied me. So I made us a nice picnic.”
Raul’s hand squeezed mine. His nostrils flared like an angry stallion. Any moment now, I half expected to see him tackle our intruders.
“Sarah mentioned this was one of your favorite picnic spots.” Kenrick smiled at me then spread a blanket out beside ours. “I can see why you like to come here. The stream, the flowers, lots of sunlight.”
Had he come here because of me? He watched me, as Rhyne and Gertie plopped down on my blanket. With a smile, I tugged Raul to sit back down as well.
I turned to Rhyne. “Hope your shop wasn’t too busy today.”
“Not as bad as I thought it’d be. Luckily Da didn’t need my help so I could get out of there on time.” Rhyne cleared his throat and I caught his eye. He gave me an apologetic look, nodding toward Sarah and said, “Gertie has agreed to go to the festival with me.”
The red haired girl blushed. “My mother was a little up in arms about it, but I told her there was no one else I’d rather go with.”
“Oh, how wonderful. Do you have your gown picked out already?” I asked.
She popped a strawberry in her mouth and nodded. “Yes. Lady Weaver has made me a lovely green dress, of silk and lace.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“And what about you?” Gertie said. “Has anyone asked you?”
Sarah watched me carefully. I had half a mind to lie and say I had a couple invitations, but my conscience got the better of me.
I toyed with a blade of grass and felt Raul shift behind me so that his hand rested at the small of my back. “No. Not yet. Although, I doubt Gram will allow anyone to take me unchaperoned.” I laughed.
A cloud rolled across the sky, blotting out the sun; the woods darkened like a cloak had been thrown over them.
Sarah gave a startled cry and raised a hand to her chest. “My, that gave me a start. Ever since last night, I’ve been so jumpy.”
No way could I sit there and listen to her. I pushed to my feet, walking away from the creek to stand beneath an oak tree.
Raul joined me. He touched my shoulder and leaned forward to whisper in my ear. “I could see you home, if you’d like. Maybe we could stop off and pick some blackberries.”
“But Gram’s there. She thinks I’m with Rhyne,” I said, watching my friend as he handed Gertie some food.
“Ah, I understand.” He released his hold on me, sounding hurt.
“I—please don’t think I’m embarrassed by you. I’m not. It’s just, you know how she is. Gram doesn’t fancy any males being around me—well, other than Rhyne, but he doesn’t really count.”
He chuckled. “Yes, I do. Fear not, I’m sure we’ll find a way to meet up again.”
Rhyne glanced at me then turned to Sarah. “So, what did this beast look like?”
“I-it had big teeth, with large horns protruding from its head. And it had fur, and scales.” Her bottom lip trembled.
Kenrick, Gertie, and Rhyne gave her sympathetic looks, while Raul snorted.
“Why it sounds j
ust like something out of a storybook.” I envisioned the crude drawings of the beast I’d seen in the library—there wasn’t a single similarity in her descriptions.
Sarah whimpered. “And just as frightening.”
Kenrick patted her arm, and Rhyne nodded as if he believed every word. She wanted their attention and she got it. I pulled away from Raul and gathered my cloak. Sarah always had to have it all. The best dresses. The attention. Every male’s adoration.
“I best get home. I don’t want to get caught out here after dark,” I said.
Raul started to gather his things as well. “I’ll walk you.”
“No—I’m fine. Besides, like I said, Gram’s home and I’m sure you don’t want to face her this night. And I’m positive Sarah will probably feel safer with you all here.”
Kenrick frowned, peering over at me. I looked away.
“Bri, don’t be foolish. It’s not safe.” Rhyne shoved to his feet, hauling Gertie up beside him. “We’ve got the cart parked further up the trail. We can take the lot of us home.”
Kenrick stood as well. “He’s right. You shouldn’t wander the woodland alone. Let one of us see you home.”
“I told you before, I don’t believe in the beast.”
“Let her go.” Sarah brushed dirt from her skirts. “She knows these woods better than anyone else.”
I seethed. More like she wanted to get rid of me. “Thank you, Sarah. I hope your knife wound heals, I’d hate for it to scar your beautiful skin.”
She gasped. “You think I made it up?”
Instead of dignifying her with an answer, I spun on my heel and raced into the trees. Sticks snapped beneath my feet, my vision blurred with tears. Today should’ve been special. It was my first picnic with Raul, a chance to spend time alone with him. And we’d been on the verge of our first kiss. My first kiss. But, as always, Sarah ruined everything.
Brambles scratched my legs, snagging my skirt. Gnarled trees bent in gruesome forms, while thick shadows splayed out beneath them. A heavy gloom settled over the woodland as wisps of fog slithered like snakes against the ground. I shivered.
Don’t think. I picked an animal trail to follow, stepping over dead branches and forest debris. Blood pounded in my ears and the hair on the back of my neck prickled. I twisted around to glance behind me.
Nothing there. Only the trees. Urgency gripped hold of me and I picked up my pace once more. As I scrambled through the thicket, an overwhelming scent of rotten meat made me gag. I covered my mouth with my hand and stopped running when a bright red piece of fabric caught my eye. With hesitant steps, I moved toward it.
“Oh God.” I stumbled. There, sticking out from beneath a barberry bush was a severed arm, its finger pointed at me in accusation. My breath came in gasps as I scanned the rest of the clearing.
My foot nudged against something and I looked down in horror to find the head of Liam Gatekeeper staring up at me.
I screamed, backing away as fast as I could. All around me were pieces of his body, scattered like breadcrumbs. I shielded my eyes with my hands, until I bumped into something else.
With another scream, I whipped around only to find myself faced with an oak tree covered in dried blood and deep claw marks. My vision darkened and I prayed I wouldn’t faint, that I wouldn’t be stuck in the woods. Because somewhere out here, a monster lurked. If I didn’t believe it before, I did now. The Beast was real.
The snap of a twig drew my attention. There, moving in and out of the tree line was a dark haired figure. As if sensing my scrutiny, she turned and a gasp lodged in my throat.
Lucia. My dead cousin’s ghost.
“He’s here … ” Her voice wailed, carried on the wind.
My eyes darted about. Who was here? The Beast?
“Who do you mean?”
She slowly looked up and behind me. “He will kill you … ”
Kill me?
My legs wobbled beneath me, but I forced myself to stay put. Lucia’s ghost had come to see me again, to warn me. Was that why I’d seen her before? Had she been trying to warn me then, too?
“Brielle!” Raul’s voice echoed in the woods around me.
At the sound of his voice, Lucia’s ghost began to fade.
“Don’t go yet,” I said. “Please—”
A crash sounded next to me, and Raul burst into the clearing, panic etched into his face. He took one look at the body, then scooped me into his arms, shielding me from the gruesome scene.
“Shh … it’s all right. I’m here now. I won’t let anything hurt you.”
I clung tight to him, burying my head against his chest, as tears trailed down my face. He stroked my hair, gently, speaking soothing words. “Nothing will ever harm you, I promise.”
When I looked again, Lucia’s ghost was completely gone. Now it was just us and a dead body.
“It’s Liam.” My words came out in a choked sob.
His arms tightened around me, as if that alone could shield me from the world. For the moment, maybe it could.
A horse whinnied and I lifted my head to see Kenrick riding toward us with Sarah behind him, clinging tight. After loosening her arms from around his waist, he leapt off his horse, his jaw tight, as he scanned the surroundings. His mouth turned down when he noticed the body. What was left of it.
Then his gaze met mine. Within two strides he was next to me. He gave my arm a gentle tug, pulling me from Raul. He clutched my face in his hands as if searching me for wounds.
“Are you hurt?”
I shook my head, trying to ignore Raul’s rigid posture. His dark glance bored into Kenrick like a loosed arrowed.
Kenrick held me at arm’s length, brow furrowed. “Did you see anything?”
“No,” I whispered. “Just the body.” I left out the part about the ghost, not wanting to sound crazier than I already did. “There’s so much blood. Oh, God there’s so much blood.”
Kenrick’s fingers dug into my arms and he gave me a shake. “Try to remain calm.”
“She’s just found the shredded remains of a body, how do you expect her to react?” Raul’s chest puffed out, fists clenched at his side. His face darkened. Fiery heat seemed to radiate off him as if he’d been dipped in flames.
Just then, Rhyne and Gertie came into the clearing as well. “Oh shite.” Rhyne quickly grasped hold of Gertie, shielding her from the sight. “Bri, are you all right?”
“Y-yes, I’ll be fine.”
“Come on, Gertie, let’s get out of here. You don’t need to see this.” He led her back the way they’d come, casting one last worried look at me.
Kenrick glanced between me and Raul. “Take Brielle home. I’ll be back with soldiers to collect the body and carry it back to town.” He released me. But his hand grazed mine, his fingers giving a gentle squeeze. “Be safe.”
When he turned away, Raul gathered me to his side once more. “Come on, let me see you home.”
When we arrived, a sense of relief washed over me. I caught the familiar scent of our fire and the welcoming glow of candles in the windowsills, and the urge to get inside consumed me.
“You shouldn’t come inside,” I said. “Gram will—”
“I promised I would see you home. Not simply to your door.”
Still holding my hand, he whipped the door open. The aroma of pheasant and potatoes spiraled in the air. Gram sat at the table with Father Machai, a brown package on the table between them.
Gram glanced at us then leapt to her feet. She circled me, stopping only when she came to stand in front of me. “What’s happened?”
“I-I found a body.” My hands trembled. I swallowed hard, trying not to cry. “It was Liam Gatekeeper.”
She opened her arms and I rushed into them. As I nestled into her shoulder, she stroked my hair. “Hush now. Everything will be fine.”
“There was blood everywhere.”
“You’re home safe now, there’s nothing to worry ab
out.”
I hiccupped then rubbed the wetness from my lashes.
Father Machai’s chair slid back as he too stood. “This is grave news. Has anyone gone to notify Liam’s family?”
“No. Lord Kenrick said he’d retrieve the body.”
Gram glanced at Father Machai, exchanging a silent communication.
“I will attend Liam’s family. And I think it’d be best if Raul accompanies me to the village when I leave,” Father Machai said. “I don’t think it’s safe to be out alone.”
“Sure. I’d appreciate the ride.” Raul’s arms crossed his chest and worry lines furrowed his brow as he stared at me.
“Why don’t you two make sure Father Machai’s cart is ready to go while we finish our conversation?” Gram’s voice had an odd tone, as if she knew something she wasn’t willing to tell me.
I followed Raul outside to where the cart was parked near the tree line.
“I’m sorry our picnic didn’t turn out. I’d planned on us being able to spend time with one another.” He twined his fingers through mine. “I wanted it to be perfect, so you’d know my intentions toward you are sincere.”
“It was perfect. Well until I found the body.” My thumb grazed his knuckles. Emotions swam through me. I knew Gram wanted me to stay away from him. And I was sure after he left tonight, she’d have some words for me. But something drew me to him. Something I couldn’t explain.
We stopped next to the cart, the leaves dancing as a breeze came through. Raul drew me against him until our bodies pressed together. My hands rested against the muscled contours of his chest. I felt safe with him, like he alone could keep the monsters away. He bent down, his lips brushing against my cheek.
I took a deep breath, gripping hold of his tunic to pull him closer. He traced my jaw, his touch sending delicious chills through my body.
He leaned closer, his mouth a breath away from mine. My heart skittered against my ribs. More than anything, I wanted him to kiss me, for him to make me forget everything else. The body. The ghost. The strange whisperings. I didn’t want them to be my final thoughts of the day.
Legend of Me Page 7