Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
I stared out the window into the dark and winced at the reflection staring back at me. It had been eight hours since I'd dropped Moll off at The Hoof and Saddle and made my way back to the hut. Morning would come soon enough, and I hadn't slept a wink. My cheeks were pale and the purple smudges beneath my eyes were visible even in the wavy panes of glass.
“Serves you right,” I muttered to myself as I settled deeper into my chair and pulled the woolen blanket closer around my shoulders. Anybody who could talk to a friend that way should have insomnia.
Part of me wondered if she was sleeping herself. She hadn’t exactly been kind either…
I pinched my lids closed as the memory of her cornflower blue eyes staring back at me came rushing in. So hurt and filled with accusation. I knew it had to be done but it didn't make it any easier.
There was a low tapping at the door, and the blanket fell from my shoulders as I leapt to my feet.
I opened the door to find Fetch on the stoop. “Hey buddy, I'm so glad you made it back! Is Moll okay?”
I bent low and the old bird climbed onto my hand and lifted one talon to reveal a rolled-up sheet of yellowing parchment.
A note…from Moll?
I rushed into the kitchen and lit a lantern before setting Fetch on the back of a chair. Then with shaking hands, I unrolled the little square of paper and spread it onto the table to read.
I’m not dead.
But also, fuck you.
My head spun as I blinked and then blinked again. The hastily written words blurred before my eyes, and semi-hysterical laughter bubbled from my mouth.
“Oh, Moll…you never change, do you?”
The laughter quickly turned to tears, and I slumped over the table pressing my head against the cool wood, not bothering to stop the flow. Whatever happened now, at least I knew she was safe—even if our friendship had died in the heat of those words, she would live. And if I had to make the choice again, I'd do it exactly the same way because a life without Molly in it wasn't worth living.
I gently pet Fetch's head, and he leaned into the caress. “You're such a good boy. Thank you for watching out for her.”
I blew out a long breath and made a circle around the kitchen. My appetite was non-existent, but I knew I should eat something. I hadn't slept and there was much to be done later, despite the holiday off work. I'd need as much energy as I could muster.
I broke off the heel of a loaf of black bread that Moll had made the day before, not bothering with butter or jam. I just tore off a hunk and popped it into my mouth. It was dry and dense and lacked salt, but in the moment, it was just what I needed. A taste of Molly’s terrible cooking.
We'd be together again soon. I was going to make sure of it. Then we could both apologize for the things we said.
I had just finished sharing my meager meal with Fetch and was trying to decide whether I should try to get an hour or two of sleep or to give it up when a low knock sounded at my door.
I tensed instantly and rushed to open it. If Molly had found a way to sneak back here after I had worked so hard to get her out, I was going to kill her…
I swung the door open to find Duncan Westerly, Prince of Alabaster standing there. Hair unkempt, gritty eyes looking as bleary as mine. I wrapped my arms around my waist, glad I hadn’t taken the time to change into my night clothes.
“Good morning, Your Highness…” I looked into the still-dark sky, and realized with a start that the sun hadn't even begun to rise yet. “Or should I say good…night? Is something wrong?” I asked, gripping the doorknob more tightly.
“Yes.” He shook his head and raked a hand over his stubbled jaw. “No. I mean, I was just having trouble sleeping and went for a ride. I saw your lantern lit as I passed by. There's something I'd like to show you. Will you come with me?”
It was a terrible idea. Still, there would be no sleep for me for the remainder of this night, and the thought of sitting in this hut all by myself, picturing Molly's betrayed and angry face made me sick. Besides, I had some questions to ask him about the images I’d seen earlier.
“Absolutely. Just let me get my jacket.”
“I've got a blanket on the back of my horse. I'll keep you warm.” Our eyes met, and I barely suppressed a shiver. “Should you let your cousin know you’re leaving?”
I shook my head and looked away. “No. She…is away the next few days visiting our aunt in The Smudge.”
He didn’t ask questions, and I didn’t elaborate further. I just called for Fetch and followed Duncan to a beautiful, chestnut stallion who tossed his head as we approached.
“Atticus, this is Ella. Ella, meet my stallion Atticus.”
I reached out slowly to pet the horse's soft muzzle. Fetch eyed him as he leaned into my touch.
“That's a surprise,” Duncan said. “He's a good boy, but he's not usually so affectionate.”
With that, Duncan held out his hands to create a makeshift stirrup for me to climb onto the horse. I sent Fetch to the skies before swinging one leg over with a grunt. A wave of heat rolled through me as Duncan leapt up behind me with ease, his body pressed up against my back.
“Where are we going?” I asked, doing my best to ignore the tension as he nudged the horse into motion.
“You'll see soon enough,” he replied, his breath warm in my hair.
I could have pressed him harder, could have argued and told him I wasn't going to go unless he told me where we were headed. Instead, the stress and exhaustion of the day hit me all at once and the adrenaline that had kept me going drained away in a whoosh . I leaned back and let my eyes drift shut as he tightened one arm around my waist and held the reins with the other.
And for the first time since I left The Hollow, what seemed like a million years ago, I felt safe. Like I could finally let down my guard.
I don't know if I fell asleep at the easy rock and roll of the horse's gait or from the warmth of Duncan's arms. But the next time I opened my eyes, we were at the top of a hill looking down. Little Alabaster was laid out before us on one side, and parts of The Hollow were visible on the other. The first blush of dawn lit the sky in a riot of pinks and oranges.
“This is amazing,” I whispered, loath to break the spell Mother Nature was weaving.
“Isn't it?” he asked.
For a minute, we just sat and enjoyed the view. Then he swung one leg over the stallion’s rump and landed lightly on his feet.
“I brought us a picnic,” he said. “It's not much because I didn't expect company when I left the castle, but I'm happy to share.” He reached out, his hands tightening over my hips as he lifted me out of the saddle. Like I weighed no more than a feather. Atticus moved at the last minute, nudging me closer to his master until I slid down the front of Duncan's body. I gasped as I brushed against every inch of lean muscle, my whole body tingling from the contact.
“Ah, Ella…I don't know who you really are or why you showed up in my life now, but I'm glad of it,” he murmured.
My breath was suspended in my chest as I stared up into his beautiful gray eyes and tried desperately not to get lost in them.
I don't know who started it, but a moment later, I was on my tiptoes and his head was bent and our mouths were fused. I had wound my arms around Duncan’s neck. Atticus let out a snort and began to stomp his feet.
Duncan let out a chuckle as he pulled away. “We have a routine,” he said, patting his horse's neck gently before reaching into his pocket and pulling out an apple. The stallion took it carefully between his teeth and crunched down hard. “He carries me without complaining and I give him apples.”
“Seems like a fair trade,” I said, glad to find that my voice didn't sound husky or strained even though I could barely catch my breath. I knew what Moll would say?—
“ I’d give him a ride, no apple required.”
Duncan took my hand and led me towards the very crest of the hill. Then he spread out the blanket he'd brought. It was massive, big enough for the both of us to sit and then for him to wrap it around us like we were ensconced in one fluffy hot cross bun. I let out a happy sigh as we watched the sun climb up over the horizon.
“This is it right here,” Duncan said, pointing to something in the distance. “In just a moment you'll see what I wanted to show you. There!”
I squinted and The Cradle between Little Alabaster and The Hollow seemed to shimmer and disappear. It was just a trick of the light as the sun came over the horizon at the exact moment, but in that instant, the land looked like it was one with nothing to divide it. The sight gave me a twinge in my heart. A dream of something not possible.
“I wish it could be like that.” As soon as the words left my lips I froze, realizing that I basically just all but blasphemed in front of the Crown Prince. But he only pulled me tighter against him.
“I wish it could be like that, too.” There was a sudden tension in him as he continued, his voice low and urgent. “And if all goes to plan, it will be soon.”
I stiffened and craned my neck to study his face.
“What do you mean?”
His jaw clenched and his nostrils flared. “I want to change the way we live—the way we all live. We shouldn’t be divided by walls that keep one group of people hungry and the other blind to the truth. There is enough for everyone to live in comfort. We have to tear down these walls that separate us and figure out how to work together to make things more equitable.”
“But…it can’t happen. There’s no way those in power would ever give it up.”
His eyes blazed with passion and steely determination. “So we take it.”
I drew back, stunned. “Duncan…what are you saying?”
“I'm going to stage a coup. And I’m trusting you, Ella with this. In the hopes that you will trust me, too.”