Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Despite my worries from confession, Iris Maison seemed fine and in good spirits.
I’d subtly asked if Archie Senior had been a bother the night before, and to my relief, the young mother had informed me that he’d never come home and must have been working overnight.
Sister Lilith passed baby Archie back to her and the young mother hugged her in gratitude.
As it appeared, the newcomer’s skills with infants had impressed not only the tired mom, but the two other nuns in my convent.
Sister Delilyx skipped ahead with Lilith as we left the square.
“Seems you’ve warmed to our new friend,” I remarked as Sister Pandorian caught up with me as I trailed the other two.
She shrugged. “Warm is an overstatement; however, the bible does speak of forgiveness and second chances.”
“What changed your mind?”
“Babies are good judges of character.”
I laughed softly. “Or good finders of hip bounces and tickles.”
Regardless of the reason, something eased within me as we all walked towards the forest together. Crickets chirped and sprung through the grass as the rare comfort of sunshine lifted all of our spirits.
Delilyx turned on her heel and walked backwards, revealing a bundle of wildflowers she’d been collecting through the field. “You can check your moth trap! I bet these rainy nights mixed with this warm day brought out some beauties. Though, I wish you did not kill them.”
“Most moths have only a couple days long lifespan. I like to think I immortalize them—not destroy them.”
Two locks of blonde had fallen from Lilith’s veil, framing her face where Archie Junior had tugged them free.
It was an effort not to stare at her and her timid glances between Pandorian and Delilyx.
“When did you begin taxidermizing insects?” she asked, stepping over the brush and onto the forest trail.
Without thinking, I reached for her hand to steady her steps.
“It started at my old convent. My room was in the attic with one tiny window moths would get stuck in all the time. Their wings beating against the glass kept me awake so many nights. But also, I watched them, started identifying them, and finally preserving the most interesting ones. A hobby that carried over to Altar Church, I suppose.”
“Why did you leave your prior church and priory?” She glanced over with her blue-eyed stare. Was she inquiring about me or was she curious if there could be a way out for her from her current convent?
Pandorian and Delilyx slowed and walked on either side of us, kicking rocks and glancing up at trees, but I knew they listened on.
We hadn’t outright discussed in great detail the events that led us all to Howl Moor.
Most nuns did not speak much of their former convents, choosing instead to leave them in the past and embrace a new future, a new mission for christ. However, I assumed those nuns left of their own free will, or at least weren’t cast out, as I was.
As it sounded from what Sister Pandorian had said, Delilyx was, too.
They were terrible to her, she’d said that morning. I could only fathom the horror of how terrible. Not all churches and abbeys were like Altar Church, and for that, I hoped to never have to leave it.
Sister Pandorian spoke up. “It’s not proper to ask such a thing. You don’t have to answer that, Sister Jezebella.”
“I’m sorry,” Lilith said quickly. “I know I ask a lot of questions. It is only that I am eager to learn.”
“We’ve noticed,” Sister Pandorian said sternly. “Perhaps too eager.”
“It’s okay,” I interjected. “I… I… there was someone I believed to be a friend… maybe I trust too easily, but—”
Sister Pandorian took my hand, beseeching me with kind green eyes. “We don’t need to know. All is forgiven and washed new in the blood of the lamb, is it not?”
Despite the pit in my stomach at the memory, I nodded. “That’s a lovely thought, isn’t it?”
“Your lake is just up here to the left and your traps are there, correct?” Sister Pandorian asked, pulling me ahead with her.
Sister Lilith piped in behind us. “The lake is to the right, actually.”
“I believe I know my own town’s trails, Sister,” Pandorian spat. “It’s beginning to feel crowded, is it not, Sister Delilyx?”
“I’ve collected at least five species of flora,” Delilyx answered, happily bowing to caress a patch of moss. “However…” She paused and glanced through the trees. “I’ve never seen that path before.”
We all gathered by the mossy tree to peer in the direction she pointed. Sure enough, a winding path flanked by moss and ivy cut through a thicket and up a hill.
“Shall we explore?” Sister Lilith asked, already moving towards the dark archway of vines. “Or are you frightened of your own town’s trails, Sister Pandorian?”
A huff of a laugh left my throat as Lilith smiled, playfully jabbing at the glaring nun. Delilyx held onto Pandorian’s arm and lifted her bouquet above her head. “Let us walk through green pastures and lie down by quiet waters.”
The corner of Pandorian’s lips quirked despite her best efforts. “That’s not at all how that verse goes. You always butcher the book of Psalms.”
Lilith had already disappeared around the curve.
Leaving the two lovebirds behind me, I jogged to catch up with her, almost tripping over a tree root as I climbed a clay hill.
“Wait up,” I called. “How’d you even get up there so fast?
” I asked, out of breath, almost tripping over my skirts on the narrow climb.
Sister Lilith turned, her breathing steady, and smiled a self-satisfied sort of grin before offering her hand. “You should get out of your musty church more often and you wouldn’t be so out of breath. What, you’ve never climbed a mountain before?”
“No, but I’ve swam naked in a lake. Have you?”
“Shh!” Lilith’s eyes went wide as she bit back her giggle.
I glanced over my shoulder and down the steep, empty path. “They can’t hear us, neither can Altar Church, or Father Benedict. Our secret is safe.”
Sister Lilith rested against a gnarly dogwood tree. “If only that were true.”
“I won’t let what we’ve done reach your church.” I neared her, resisting the urge to touch her arms. “What are you so afraid of? What will they do to you if they find out?”
Sister Lilith’s blue gaze swept up to meet mine as her smile dropped like an autumn leaf. She fidgeted with something in her pocket. “It’s not me I’m worried about.”
The wind softly tossed her hair into her face, and on instinct, I reached to smooth it away, grazing my thumb slowly along her cheek. “You can tell me, Lilith. I’ll do whatever I can to…” My gaze fell to her parted lips and my train of thought evaporated.
She’d never been kissed.
I’d tasted her, I’d taken her, and yet I’d never kissed her. Not only was I a bad nun, I was worse—a horribly selfish first lover. However, despite the allure of her mouth, the pit in my stomach from earlier on our walk returned.
An image clouded my mind. A memory of leaning in, my eyes drifting closed, while the woman before me watched on, allowing me closer and closer, before…
A shrill voice called from in the distance, “No one said anything about hiking a cliff!”
I let out a small breath, matching Lilith’s slight sigh. Stepping back, I called back, mirroring Lilith’s former sentiment. “Maybe you two nuns should get out of church more often and into the brilliance of god’s creation.”
With a sly smile, she slid from where I’d somehow pinned her to the tree and continued up the trail. “Looks like there’s a clearing just up here past these blackthorn trees. Odd, a few are in bloom, though it’s not their season.”
“You swim naked, scale mountains without losing your breath, know the scientific names of bats, and can identify random black trees. What kind of bible are they allowing you to study at Damnation Creation Church?”
“Mind the thorns,” Lilith answered, fiddling with her sleeve. “Just tidbits I’ve picked up here and there.”
“It’s okay.” I put a hand on her lower back, and she stepped towards me as we walked, leaning into my touch. “It wasn’t a criticism. You see, I’m curious about you, as well. Yet, you remain an enigma.”
“I could say the same of you,” she replied as we ducked under dark branches. “Is that some sort of structure ahead?”
Prying my attention from the curve of her jaw, I followed her as we ducked past more low branches and reached a circular clearing of lush green grass.
In the center sat an enormous circular rock with a flat top.
We neared and walked up to the stone. Sitting on its edge, I rubbed the green, fuzzy top.
“Well, whatever it is, Delilyx will love it. It’s covered in moss; she loves moss. ”
When Sister Lilith didn’t reply, I glanced over to find her standing a few feet away, clutching something at her chest as she stared at the rock. My brows furrowed in concern. “Everything alright?”
With belabored breaths and stomping, Pandorian and Delilyx joined us, sloshing through the grass with heaves and pants. Pandorian pointed behind her. “That was not a fun adventure.”
“Moss!” Delilyx clapped, fluttering over to sit beside me. “Come pet it, Pandy, it’s perfect. Wow, what a find. How lucky we found such a place.” She looked around. “What is this place?”
“How’d this giant rock even get up here?” Sister Pandorian neared the stone and asked. “It must weigh two tons at least. This isn’t exactly a natural spot for it to exist.”
Delilyx continued petting the moss. “Maybe god put it here.”
“Lilith?” I pressed, noting how she hadn’t moved an inch, still standing, staring, and clutching something to her chest. “Say something,” I urged.
Delilyx leaned in and whispered, “It could be altitude sickness. We’re up pretty high, and I have a friend at my old abbey who got it and got all dizzy and started seeing stars.”
“You had no friends at your last abbey,” Pandorian corrected.
“You know what I mean,” she answered.