Chapter Twenty-Five #2
He glares at me, cupping my jaw with both of his hands. “Why do you make me feel like my body is on fire? I burn with need for you every time I’m around you. It’s all-consuming. You. Are. All-consuming.”
My heart catches in my throat. “Rhylen,” I whisper.
“Burn with me.”
“Always.”
His lips slam into mine with a passion, a fervent need. Our teeth clack in a frenzy of desperation and want, clawing at each other. Rhylen leaves a trail of kisses from my mouth to my collarbone. I grip his shirt, willing him to keep going.
He winces in pain, making my body still. I feel as if ice water was dumped on top of my head. Jumping back from him, I try to lift his shirt. “Did you tear your stitches? Oh, damn you. Too much, too soon.”
“Too soon?” he scoffs, grabbing my wrists. “Love, it’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. You almost died,” I snap. My voice falls to a whisper when I look up at him. “You almost left me.”
He drags a knuckle across my cheek while he wraps his other arm around my waist. “I’m not going anywhere, love.”
∞∞∞
The village is busy with the hustle and bustle of the Harvest Moon festival preparations.
I slipped out early this morning to the estate gardens.
I crave the moment of peace that I can only find within the plants.
After two weeks here, I’m starting to learn my way around the twists and turns of the hallways.
I slip out the doors unnoticed, leaving Rhylen to rest in bed. I take a deep breath when I hit outside; the whispers of trees finally cease. The cool morning is a stark reminder that the seasons are changing.
I follow the small winding path through the gardens.
The tall bushes give me the privacy I have craved since it all began.
Taking my time, I seek out the plants I need for a couple of medicinal shelves I noticed were missing from the infirmary.
Irric keeps the stores stocked very well here, helping their village healer with everything he needs for his people.
There’s a tall Rowan tree that stands in the middle of the garden. It calls to me. I rest my hand against the tree, feeling it sucking me into the tree. A barrage of emotions fills me, causing me to sink to my knees.
Memory after memory flashes in my mind. A pregnant queen with a simple, but stunning crown. Lady Emilie drinking tea with the same queen. A flash to small Ewan meeting a small Rhylen and Argus. Another flash to the Duke on his knees in front of the tree.
I can’t tell what feelings are mine and what are the tree’s. Confusion, an overwhelming sorrow, a happiness, a heartache. A whirlwind of emotions attacks me.
I hear my name being called in the distance, but I can’t move. I can’t pull myself out of the storm of memories and feelings.
“There you are,” Raia exclaims. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere this morning.”
At the sound of her voice, everything stops. It’s as if the tether that was keeping me in the emotions of the tree suddenly snaps. I lean my head against the tree. Raia lays her hand on my shoulder.
“Hey, are you okay?” Concern fills her voice. “Do I need to send for Irric?”
I avert my gaze. “No,” I tell her. “I’m fine. Seriously.”
Pushing myself off my knees, I walk over to the Calendula plants. I pluck a couple of the flower heads before I turn my attention back to her and her original statement.
Chuckling, I hand her my basket. I pray to the Fates she can’t hear the weariness in my voice. “I figured it would be pretty obvious where I would end up. It’s been a busy week.”
Raia shrugs, as if my argument was fair. She argues that she had searched high and low this morning, wanting to tell me that Lady Emilie would need help today. Guests are going to be arriving at the estate any day.
She walks towards the estate, ushering me along with her. “I also forgot to mention, Rhylen’s looking for you.”
My head whips to her. “What? He’s out of bed?”
Raia waves her hand dismissively. “He said he was fine.”
I take a small breath, willing myself to get on my feet and praying that Raia won’t realize I’m lying. Raia’s eyebrows are knitted together in confusion as she watches me move slowly. She opens her mouth to say something, but we’re interrupted.
“There you are,” a deep voice calls out. It sends a shiver up my spine as I turn to look at the newcomer.
Seeing him is the spark of energy that I need. I’m on my feet, throwing my hands on my hip and glaring at him. “What do you think you’re doing?” I chastise.
He smiles at me, making my heart skip a beat. “Looking for you, clearly. I’m fine. I feel fine.”
“Thief,” I start.
Rhylen pulls me into him, burying his head into the crook of my neck. “I’m fine, love. I’ve had plenty of rest over the days. The cabin fever is really starting to settle in. I need to move. I need fresh air.”
Raia scoffs, reminding us of her presence. “He means he needs mischief. His life is too boring when it’s normal.”
Rhylen tears away from me. He twists his nose like he’s smelled something awful and looks over at Raia. “Nobody wants normal, Raia,” he mimics.
Their teasing provides me the much-needed distraction from what I just saw. The questions spin in my head. I look at Rhylen, examining his face. There’s been a pull to him ever since he rescued us in the grove.
An undeniable attraction that has tugged at my soul, as if the Fates were telling me he was mine. I can trust him with the events that have unfolded in the garden today, but do I really want to come to terms with them? Admitting it aloud makes it seem so… real.
Rhylen and Raia walk back towards the estate, completely oblivious to the turmoil in my head. I follow them in, sparing one last glance at the tree. I promise myself then that I’ll tell Rhylen what’s happened here. After the festival, I amend.
∞∞∞
The festival has come at last. The sun starts to dip low in the sky when we sit down to get ready for the events this evening.
I sit in front of the mirror while Maisie braids my hair into a long, single French braid. She adds flowers and leaves to the braid, topping my head off with a flower crown she had made earlier this week.
Raia unveils a lilac dress with a neckline too revealing for my tastes. It makes me think of the red monstrosity Rhylen had made me wear weeks ago when we were rescuing Baelur. I turn my nose up to it, stopping her in her tracks.
“What’s that look for?” Raia bellows.
“Is that what you’re expecting me to wear tonight?”
Raia sighs, as if she were mustering the strength to pacify an obnoxious and unruly child.
“You are and I won’t hear anything otherwise.
I’ve worked hard over these dresses for the three of us.
Between all the time you’ve spent gallivanting around the kingdom, I’ve been doing these.
Appreciate it. We’re wearing them, that’s it. ”
My heart pinches at the neglect I’ve shown my friend. “I’m sorry Rai. I’m sorry I haven’t been here.”
Raia blows a raspberry at my remark. “Please, have you seen him? I’d be following him all over the place if he looked at me the way he does you.”
My cheeks heat at her comment. Maisie chuckles, tossing a flower at our bossy friend. Raia lifts out a soft olive dress for Maisie and a dark purple for herself. “Now hurry, we’re going to be late,” Raia chastises.
I walk behind the small partition that provides privacy to change.
Slipping on the lavender dress, it fits perfectly.
Raia walks around and grabs the laces to tighten the corset back.
It’s an off-shoulder gauzy dress that floats elegantly when I walk.
The skirt has small crystals clustering at the waist, before spreading down throughout the rest of the skirt.
I look at myself in the reflection glass, running my hands over the skirt.
Raia stands behind me, smiling wide. “You look perfect.”
I smile back at my best friend, hooking my arm into hers and reaching for Maisie. We make our way out of the room and down to the courtyard to meet with our friends.
The courtyard is full of the Duke’s family. A small minstrel is set up in the corner strumming their lutes and playing with flutes. I spot Wyll with the group. He wears a huge smile on his face while he dances around, strumming his beloved lute.
I scan the crowds, my eyes looking for my thief. He sits in a chair, lounging. One foot is propped up on the seat and he rests, slightly slouched to the opposite side of it. Rhylen looks carefree, like he’s enjoying watching everyone dance and drink.
He spots me among the excitement; a lust-filled glaze in his eyes.
Raia grabs my hand, breaking my eye contact with Rhylen.
Her smile is wide, excitement dancing in her eyes.
Maisie and Raia drag me towards the small group of people dancing in the middle of the courtyard.
I let the sound of the music pull my mind off of thoughts of Rhylen.
Raia, Maisie, and I dance in the circle, moving with the fast beat.
A hand grips my waist, pulling me into the stranger. “Oh,” I say as I find myself in Rhylen’s arms.
He gives me a wide smile. “I can’t let you find a new partner tonight, now, can I?”
“You’re ridiculous, thief.”
Rhylen spins me again. “As long as I’m yours, love.”
I open my mouth to respond, but a large bang and shouts come from the edge of the village.