Benedict wasn’t done. “I want to apologize for how your visit has gone,” he said. “We have never had a prisoner escape before, not in our entire history. This should never have happened, and we would like to extend our deepest sorrows for the danger that you were put in.”
I smiled at him, nodding before looking down at the baby dozing in my lap.
There was a little extra wine and some extra sweets after dinner, and by the time we retired up to bed, we were exhausted. Bridget mercifully ran me a bath while Jasper played with Lowell. I don’t think either one of us were in a place where we were willing to leave him with anyone else.
The bath was just what I needed to help me relax. When I got out, I pulled on a soft nightgown and stepped back into the room. Jasper had dozed off in bed with Lowell sleeping against his bare chest. I smiled, looking at the two of them, wishing I could take a picture so I could savor this moment forever.
I climbed into bed and sipped at the tea that Bridget had fetched for me. As I pulled the covers over me, Jasper’s eyes fluttered and he looked at me and smiled. Carefully, he scooted himself closer to me until our arms were touching. I rested my head on his shoulder and gently stroked Lowell’s hair. I looked up at Jasper and he kissed me, softer at first before it intensified.
“I love you so much,” he whispered to me. “And I’m so, so sorry.”
“You have absolutely nothing to apologize for,” I told him.
“I have so much to apologize for. There’s—”
“Shh,” I murmured, putting a finger to his lips. “Don’t you dare do this to yourself.”
“I’m never going to put you in danger again.”
I shook my head. “You can’t promise that.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“That’s a little bit better.”
Jasper carefully shifted the baby to one arm and put the other around my shoulders, pulling me close to him. I laid my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. It was so soothing, so steady. I was so relaxed.
Jasper ran his fingers through my hair as we lay there, cuddled together. We didn’t have much to say. Our energy had been drained, and right now, I was just content to sit there in my husband’s arms. There was nowhere else in the world that I would rather be.
Lowell began to squirm, and I sat up a little straighter, reaching my arms out so I could hold him. Jasper handed the baby over to me. Lowell yawned, stretching his arms above his head before snuggling into my chest. I rubbed his back.
I couldn’t believe that I had almost lost the light of my life. This little bundle held so much joy for me, and my world would be utterly empty without him. Seth had been so close to taking everything from me, my entire world. One wrong move, one false start, and things could have ended completely differently.
The baby was warm against my chest, and Jasper was warm by my side. These two boys were all I was ever going to need in my life. And I had almost lost everything, including my own life. At the thought I became emotional, tears welling up in my eyes and dripping down my face. Jasper’s eyes had been closed as he rested his head against the headboard, but when I sniffled he opened them and looked at me.
His face looked heartbroken, and he pulled me closer to him.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he said, echoing my own thoughts.
We stayed at the castle for another week as Ingrid recovered and all loose ends of the trial were wrapped up. The Easter holiday passed, and we celebrated with roasted duck and ham in a massive banquet. Even the elders who didn’t observe the holiday respectfully attended with us, as others had with Passover and other holidays. It was a great feeling of relief and community that filled the dining hall that night.
There was a brief funeral for Seth, but it wasn’t filled with much mourning. Benedict said a few words, as did Jasper, but no one else had anything to say. The elders offered to have Seth interred at the castle, but Jasper opted to keep his body in his family’s mausoleum in the Wolf’s Peak cemetery. Even after his brother’s death, Jasper continued to take the higher ground.
Finally, the morning came when we were to start for Wolf’s Peak. We had spent the last day or so packing and relaxing. The weather had finally turned spring–like, and we walked through the gardens watching the flowers and trees budding where there had only been snow before.
“It had to be just as we were leaving,” I sighed, watching the birds fly over the sun.
Jasper kissed my forehead. “We’ll be back.”
“In happier circumstances, I hope.”
“I’m sure,” he smiled.
We heard the balcony door open behind us and turned to see Benedict. “Your carriages are here,” he told us.
Jasper looped his arm through mine and we started back toward the castle. Lowell and I sat on a chair while the men loaded up the carriages, and then it was our turn. We climbed in with Stephen, Annabelle, and Daniel, and then we were off.
For some reason, the trip home didn’t feel as long as the trip there had been. We were all much more relaxed, myself especially. This time, I wasn’t worried about my testimony, about facing Seth. I could enjoy our cross–country travels a bit more and not be seized by panic. That didn’t mean I was without nightmares, but they were few and becoming farther and farther apart.
Perhaps it was simply the knowledge that Seth didn’t exist on this earth anymore that was a comfort to me, but whatever it was, I was cherishing my newfound composure. I had faced a monster, a demon, and I had come out alive. I had beaten him. For all the hardship I had faced in my life, I had succeeded. I had a wonderful, kind husband and a beautiful baby, and the one person that threatened them was now forever gone. I was free.
When Wolf’s Peak came into sight, my heart leapt. When I had first arrived here, the mansion had seemed foreboding and intimidating. How times had changed! I couldn’t wait to walk the halls, peruse the library, and sit in the blossoming garden. When summer arrived in full–force, I’d be able to take Lowell for a dip in the lake. Someday soon he would be running across the courtyard and making mischief in the fountain.
Our carriage came to a stop, and we climbed out. Jasper wrapped his arms around me as I carried the baby inside. We were home.
We were home.
Epilogue
“Hazel hold still!” demanded Annabelle.
“I’m trying, I’m sorry, I’m shaking!”
“Here, drink this,” Bridget said, handing the trembling bride a cup of tea.
“Thank you,” Hazel breathed, taking the cup. Her hands rattled the cup as she tried to bring it to her mouth.
“Don’t you dare spill that,” Annabelle told her.
“Sorry, I’m sorry!”
I reached out and put my hand on her shoulders. “You’re all right,” I told her. “Breathe in, breathe out.”
Hazel did as I requested, working hard to steady herself. She still teetered, and finally Annabelle finished the satin buttons that stretched all the way down the train of the dress. Annabelle led her to a chair where Hazel could sit while Bridget did her hair.
Hazel’s gown was perfectly her. The soft chiffon was printed with pale pink flowers and edged in lace with a soft lace neckline. A pair of gloves made of the same lace were clenched in her hands.
Annabelle undid the pin curls in Hazel’s hair, and the bride’s soft honey curls fell around her shoulders. Brushing through the spirals, Annabelle carefully twisted the front section back and secured it with a lace and flower comb. We had offered to weave a crown of flowers, similar to what I’d had, but Hazel wanted to keep things simple. I thought the comb was a perfect complement to her wedding ensemble.
When Bridget was finished helping Hazel into her bridal slippers, she came over to help me into my bridesmaid dress. She tied the sage green sash just above the flowy skirt, and slipped an orange blossom into my hair.
The door opened and Hazel’s mother, a rotund woman with hair the same shade of gold as her daughter’s, walked in. She put on a wide
smile. “How are we doing?”
“Almost done,” Annabelle said, adding the final touches of rouge and lip color.
“I still can’t stop shaking,” said Hazel, holding out a hand as proof.
“Here, drink this,” said one of Hazel’s cousins, handing her a fluted glass containing a bubbly liquid.
“Thank you,” she said, taking the glass and sipping its contents.
There was a knock on the door, and Bridget peeked out into the church hallway.
“Are you ready?” Jasper’s voice asked.
Bridget glanced back into the room. “Are we ready?”
Everyone nodded. “We’ll be right there,” Bridget said.
We pulled ourselves together and filed out into the corridor where the rest of the wedding party was waiting. Hazel stayed hidden out of sight until Adam began his walk to the altar, and as soon as he was out of sight we pulled her over and made sure she looked perfect. As the music swelled, I linked arms with Jasper, and we walked down the aisle together.
THE END
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SNEAK PEEK #1
Prologue
The moon shined down on the party, illuminating everything it touched. It wasn’t time for the moon to be full, yet; that would be a few days from now, but it was still bright. Behind me, a fire crackled, surrounded by partiers. Things were getting a little bit loud, and I had drank more than I should have. Luckily, Adam’s house was far enough out of Weylyn that the party wouldn’t attract attention or scandal.
A warm breeze blew across my shoulders. Where had I put my shawl? I’d set it down...somewhere. In the house? Maybe?
I didn’t see it near the fire, so I started toward Adam’s stone, gothic revival home. I’d only visited his homes a few times, but even in my slightly–inebriated state, I could remember the layout well enough. I slipped in the side door and into the kitchen. Bottles of wine in various states of fullness were scattered around the kitchen, although most of the bottles were outside, in the hands of the party guests.
With the weather as nice as it was for this time of the summer, very few people were in the house. As I searched through the dim lighting, I caught site of a couple embracing in the living room. I tried not to look for too long, but I could tell the woman was Stella Darby. I had no idea who the man was that she was with, and based on their compromising position, I suspected I wasn’t going to want to stick around to find out.
I tried to remember where in the house I had been. My brother, Harry, and I had come in the front door, greeted by Adam. We’d gone through the entry, through the parlor and living room to the dining room and kitchen, then out the back door to the courtyard. I’d had my shawl then, right?
Ugh, I couldn’t remember. No, wait, Adam had taken it when we’d come in the door. He’d hung it in the entry hall. That was right. I started back through the dining room and paused outside the living room doorway. To get to my shawl, I’d have to pass by the intimate couple, and I really didn’t want to do that.
I had another option. Annoyed, I went out the kitchen door and circled the large house to get to the front door, dodging wayward partiers. Everyone here had imbibed far too much, and they’d probably have headaches tomorrow. I’d have one too, more than likely. I was in full control of my faculties, and I could walk in a straight line, but my thoughts were just a bit fuzzy and I was giggly.
I stepped in the front door and went to the coat closet, searching through for my green shawl patterned with flowers. The light was so dim, and after a few moments of searching, and several moans from the living room, I gave up.
I’d ask Adam for it another time. It wasn’t a huge deal, as long as my mum didn’t ask about it. If she did, I’d have to say I lost it, which wasn’t exactly a lie, but I didn’t want to go too far into detail.
I was leaving through the front door when I heard footsteps on the stairs behind me and turned to see Adam.
“Hazel,” he said with a smile, his voice with a genuine happiness to see me that made my heart beat a little faster. “Where are you going?”
“Oh, I thought I’d head home,” I told him.
“But it’s my birthday!” He wasn’t stumbling drunk like some of the others outside, but he was tipsy enough to be relaxed and just a titch loud.
“Your birthday isn’t until tomorrow,” I reminded him.
“Ah,” he said, pointing. I turned to see the clock had struck midnight minutes before. “It’s after midnight, so it is my birthday.”
“Well, happy birthday, then.”
“Thank you. You’re the first to wish it to me, you know.”
“Perhaps because you were upstairs, away from the party?”
“That might have something to do with it.”
“It’s been a lovely party, Adam, but not really my style. I’m tired and more inebriated than I should be.”
“You can stay here,” he offered. “Go ahead, I’ve plenty of rooms.”
I shook my head. “I appreciate that, Adam, but my parents will be back from their trip tomorrow, and I don’t know what time. I don’t want them to come home with me gone.”
“All right. That’s fair, I suppose. Will you at least let me walk you home?”
“Adam, you can’t leave your party.”
“Who says I can’t? It’s my party. Besides, I’ve been upstairs for the last five minutes and I don’t think anyone’s even noticed.”
“Adam––”
“Hazel, the woods are dangerous. Please, let me walk you home.”
I sighed. “All right.” I felt bad, tearing him away from his party, but was also secretly thrilled at the idea of walking through the woods with Adam.
“You had a shawl, didn’t you?”
“I did, but I can’t find it,” I said.
Adam frowned. “Let’s see.” He turned to his closet and rummaged around, but came back empty handed. “I could have sworn I hung it here.”
“Don’t worry. You can bring it over another time.”
“All right. Sorry about that. Let me grab you a blanket, at least. It’s getting chilly.”
He started toward the living room, and I didn’t have a chance to stop him.
“What the bloody hell is this?” he asked, flicking on the light. “Oh, for god’s sakes, Henrick, can’t you keep it in your pants?”
I craned my head around the corner to watch the scene in the living room.
“Adam, turn the light off,” Stella pouted, her cosmetics smeared across her face, and her blonde hair a mess.
“No, both of you get out of here,” Adam instructed. “For real, on my bloody sofa?”
Henrick grumbled, but grabbed Stella’s hand and the two of them headed toward the back of the house.
“Jesus Christ,” Adam muttered as he came back with a folded blanket in his hands. “Sorry about that.”
“I wanted to warn you, but you were too fast.”
“‘S all right,” he said. He threw the blanket over his shoulders, then held out his arm. “You ready?”
I took his arm, my heart hammering. I knew he could hear it, and that only made a blush spread across my face. Adam, for his part, didn’t seem to notice.
We started toward the woods. My family’s home and the Wellington estate were separated by about a half mile of thick forest. I wasn’t concerned about walking through the trees at night, but for whatever reason was. In a few nights, when the moon was full, I would understand. Then, the forests would be full of werewolves, but now I was almost certainly safe, even outside of the village proper.
“It feels no different then twenty–four,” he admitted.
“How disappointing. I’ll remember that when I get there,” I told him, and he laughed. Like my brother, Adam was a few years older than I was. I’d be turning twenty–three in the spring.
The moonlight caught on Adam’s golden blond hair, hair that had gotten a little long as of late, falling over his eyes and peeking out the back of his hats when he wore them. I didn’t mind, though I had heard my mother comment about it. Adam might have been a lord, but he didn’t care much for dressing nicely. In fact, I was almost sure that now that his parents were gone, he was relishing the freedom of allowing his hair to grow as much as he wanted.
“It really was a lovely party,” I told him was we walked through the trees.
“Don’t lie, you hated being there.”
“I didn’t hate it, I just didn’t know many people.” Most of the partygoers had been men that had been in the same year as Adam and Harry, along with a few women scattered within. Most of the women knew it wouldn’t be proper to get caught there, so the ones that had attended were the ones who didn’t care.
“You hated it.”
“It wasn’t my style of party.”
He paused. “So, why did you come?”
“Well, it’s your birthday.” I was quiet for a moment. “You know, you didn’t have to invite me just because Harry is my brother and we’re neighbors.
He smiled at me. “Would you like to see something?”
“What is it?”
“A surprise.”
I laughed. “All right. Let’s see.”
The Wolf's Cub (The Wolf's Peak Saga Book 3) Page 22