Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
I moved through the day like a ghost trapped in the halls. Not speaking, not seen. Victor’s words sounding like a chant over and over in my head. “You are not the only one who has felt death, Vespera.”
Had he felt the cold embrace of death’s hand too? Or had he experienced loss as I had? I couldn’t press him to talk more about it. I didn’t know him well enough. I was still slightly wary of him as well.
My mind was a mess as I made my way back to my room. Concentrating on the floor beneath me as I stepped. I didn’t even notice that a door had opened and someone had stepped out in front of me. My forehead hit them first, followed by the rest of my body as I fell into them. A spicy scent warmed my nose as my face had unwillingly buried itself inside the man's chest. Their chest rising and falling with a silent chuckle whilst I pulled my face away.
“Something on your mind, Vespera?” Maaier’s voice teased.
I narrowed my gaze, staring up into his dark eyes. God, I just wanted to be alone. But every single area of the home had been taken up by someone. I hated it. The silence now constantly filled.
“Yes, actually.” I threw a false smile, more of a sneer than anything.
“And what was that?” He mirrored my sickly sweet tone.
“I was thinking that I wanted to be alone,'' I said as I pushed past him. Maaier’s hands shot up quickly, gripping me by my upper arm. I froze in his touch, tiny currents of heat flickered over my body. What was happening to me? I had never felt this before Maaier. Who was this man?
“You aren’t alone, Vespera. Not anymore.”
I was tired and still on edge from my altercation with Victor earlier. All I wanted was to retire to my bed and read until nightfall.
“Why? Because you are here?” I huffed.
“Yes, actually. And if you don’t believe me. You will with time.”
I studied him then. His dark eyes flicked over my face. Dark hair falling loose from the tie holding the long strands back. My fingers twitched, as if desperate to run through the thick black locks. His throat bobbed as he swallowed. My tongue almost escaped my lips to feel the movement. Jesus above, what was wrong with me.
I pulled back from him. His hands loosened slightly as he watched me in silence.
“You don’t understand.” I said with a sigh, turning back to the stairs. Maybe the old library would be peaceful for a moment.
Maaier’s gloved hand darted out, grabbing my wrist before I took a step. He pulled me to face him once more, our eyes locking as he said, “I know what it is like to truly be alone, Vespera. And it is something I do not wish upon anyone. If you wish to be alone for a moment, so be it. But it is not forever.”
I searched Maaier's gaze, warmth and concern lingered behind his eyes. I had only just met this man. Why did he feel the need to tend to me?
“Come.” He ordered, pulling my arm through his whilst I was still distracted by his words.
I trailed along beside him, curious and demanding to know where he was taking me. Only to be met with no reply. He opened the library door and led me through.
The fireplace was already lit, casting a glow over the shelves of books, the scent of the woods smoke like a warm embrace.
“If you wish to be left alone, I will allow that. But if you need me, all you must do is call. I will be right outside the door.” He bowed his head before walking backward through the door frame, shutting it behind him.
My heart thumped in my chest. His actions brought a heat to my cheeks. Was he the one who had prepared this for me? Every detail oozed comfort, the warmth of the hearth with the blanket perched and folded on the lounge. Along with the pot of tea on the table beside it, a lemon tart poking out on a plate. My mouth watered. This was perfection. But how did he already know so much about me?
Surely he got the information from my grandmother or the staff.
That had to be it. Didn’t it?
My mind wandered to the attack once more. The fear in my heart rising to my throat. The man was tall but not too tall that he towered over me. I remember that much. He didn't have a scent. No cologne or aftershave to recall. How I wished I had tried to pull his hooded cloak off to look at the face of the man who tore my body open. If I had, maybe he would be rotting in a cell or even hanging from the gallows. I shuddered at the thought of how long he must have been watching me. Stalking me like a predator to his prey.
The thought ran through me as I sunk into the lounge. What if this was not the first time I had seen the man? What if it was the strange figure in the forest from that morning Victor arrived? My fingers massaged into my temples, circling the tension from my pounding skull.
This was too much. I had nothing to go on. Nothing but the fact that this man was either close to the family to know his way in or he was simply copying that of the murder of my mother. Unless it was the same person who had attacked my mother.
A pent up sigh escaped me. It was fruitless to consider the possibility of who it was, I truly had no idea. Only one fact rang clear. They knew their way around the manor. The thought chilled me to the bone. My fingers drifted from my temples to my hair twisted atop my head. I plucked the pins free, letting the waves of hair fall over me.
Maybe him coming back wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Maybe the next time he would be successful and I will have the pleasure of seeing the man who brightened my world again. If only for a second.
The fire crackled beside me. The wind outside only growing stronger. Shuffling sounded beyond the door. An ever so slight smile covered my face.
“Has being alone this long been sufficient?” Maaier called through the closed door.
“Not quite.” I called back.
Maaier didn’t respond. Instead choosing to let me be for a brief moment longer.
With a bite of the lemon tart, I started to read. Only I couldn’t focus on the book. Only the strange man beyond the door occupied my mind.