Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
W e walked in silence down the path I had barely dared to travel.
No one wanted to see the place where their mother had died. Why would they? It wasn’t like it harboured a happy memory down here.
Maaier eyes me angrily. The rage simmered away under his surface. Why on earth was he mad? He wasn’t the one whose best friend was now being hunted because of him. Well at least I didn’t think so. But how would I know? It’s not like I know the first thing about him. Apart from the fact that he was a lord from somewhere up north and that he favours the colour red.
He was a vampire. There was no other explanation. A vampire that tempted every fibre of my being despite myself. I hadn’t the first clue where he was from. But I was certain he wasn’t actually a lord. He would have to have been wed by now. Judging by the lack of a ring on his finger. I wondered if there was a lady back up north waiting for him to return home with open arms. A sour taste hit my mouth. I was jealous of a woman I could very well have made up. Silly fool for wanting anything from him. That was me. A pretty fool.
I focused on the sound of the leaves squelching beneath my boots. Picturing Maaier’s head beneath my feet with each step. Distracting fool.
“Did you hear what they were discussing?” I broke the silence.
“That another woman is dead or that you are in love with the doctor?” He ground out.
“Oh for heaven's sake. I do not love ‘the doctor’.” I stopped to face him behind me. Tree branches gripping my puffed sleeves as I swung my arms out with exasperation. “Of course you are too fatheaded to see it.” I was sick and tired of everyone weaving their way into my relationships. Platonic or not. It was no one’s damned business.
“Fatheaded! You’re the one who dragged me out of bed for this utter nonsense!” He matched my stance.
“Why are you so concerned with sleeping Maaier? Out too late slaughtering women I suppose!” I snarled back. I turned away from him once again, this time more hastily. Storming away from the stubborn moron, I hurried to the tiny entrance to the river bank, the trees parting just enough to allow a single person through at a time.
The sound of water running close. I inhaled deep, letting the scent calm my frayed nerves. The scent of moist soil almost called me to my neglected greenhouse. I made a note to check on my plants that evening.
Maaier’s foot falls stilled behind me. I stepped forward with a squelch of mud beneath my boots. He remained where he was. Good. Now he will have to admit he knows this place.
I hadn’t been here in years. It was my mother's hide away. Where she would often sneak away to come paint or to even sit in silence. My body ached at the memory of her. It wasn’t often she would bring me down here with her. But when she did it was always to teach me things. I could never recall what. As if the lessons had faded with age.
Sighing through my nose I made my way to the river. The mossy bank thick, shining from the downpour overnight. The river itself was wild and free. Crashing against the sides as it raced down the current. If one fell in it was certain they would drown. I turned back to Maaier. He remained transfixed on the trees surrounding, his body stiff.
The question felt like lead on my tongue. ‘ Who are you really? ’
I tilted my head. Admiring the man before me. How could he possibly look the exact same now as he did in those strange memories. Shaking myself I turned back to the water.
I lowered myself to the bank. The soft earth beneath my knees drenching my skirt but I paid it no mind.
This very water took my mother’s life. This bank is where she was dragged to. Lifeless and still. Her vibrancy gone. Her colour she bloomed with faded forever to grey.
I swallowed my emotions. Not wanting to cry in front of Maaier. I wouldn’t let them fall. He would not see my weakness. Not now, not ever.
My fingers threaded together. Holding on to myself for support. My reflection gazing back through the water. A face so similar to hers stared back. My eyes grew misty. The reflection so much like her I could have sworn that it was her looking back at me through the watery expanse.
“How did you know her?” I called over my shoulder.
Maaier finally left his trance. Moving closer to me until he stood directly behind me.
“I assume you mean your mother,” He said evenly. I nodded.
“She was someone I had only ever watched from afar when I visited.” He shrugged. My hope deflated.
“How did you know I had known of her?” His voice was not angered. More curious than anything, with the slightest hint of grief.
I stood at this question, facing him once more. My back to the river holding that eerie reflection. A shiver rolled down my spine with a chill.
“You’ll think I’m mad,” I said small. Wrapping my arms around myself. Maaier moved forward. His hands met my shoulders, slowly moving one to cup my cheek. I allowed him this gentle moment. His eyes searched for mine, pleading for me to continue.
“Little bloom. Everyone's a little mad. But that makes their bleak existence just a little more fun.” He smiled as his thumb traced circles on my face. Taking a breath, I told my truth.
“Ever since I was attacked I’ve been seeing these strange memories of my mother. Things that don’t make sense and I can’t bring myself to try and see them unprompted. I feel like there is always someone lurking in the halls. Watching my every move. As if haunting me.”
“It’s not unheard of. Did you read the book I gave you?”
I shook my head, my brow creasing slightly. Why would he ask that of me at a time like this?
“Never mind.” He smiled. “There is a dark energy around that manor. It wouldn’t surprise me if the darkness somehow latched itself onto you.”
“You don’t think me mad?” My breath caught, holding until I heard the answer I so desperately craved. Maaier’s anger vanished. The rush of the water, the only sound surrounding us as a small smile illuminated his face.
“Vespera, my darling. If I thought you were mad, that would make me a raging lunatic.” I smiled despite myself at his words. The swell of being called his darling lightened my heart only slightly but enough to bring me the slightest tendril of hope.
“I just want to know what’s going on with me,” I said with a sigh.
Maaier dropped his hand to my waist, pulling me close to him. The rush sent my heart galloping. With our bodies almost touching, his hand cradling the small of my back. His dark eyes bored into mine.
“And you will. With time. You have a lot yet to learn.”
I couldn’t help but frown. The hope slowly faded the longer I remained silent. I was no better off than where I started. Without further word, Maaier led me back to the darkness.