Page 70 of Song of the Dark Wood

“My whole life is dangerous,” she whispered.

“You’re foolish to be so brave.”

“You’re foolish to think I’d be anything other than what I am,” Rowan countered.

Conor brushed his fingers over her cheek and down her neck. “I have no idea who you are, little Red. I’m not sure it would be wise of you to show me,” he murmured.

He struck with no warning. His lips brushed over Rowan’s as he drew her into his arms. She pulled him closer, her hands threading through his hair. Conor lifted her so that she sat on the edge of the table as he devoured her kisses. She moaned into his mouth, which only made him more ravenous. He tugged her hair, tilting her head back, trailing kisses over her jaw.

“It is dangerous for you to be here right now. I have very little control left after that,” Conor whispered, even as he kissed down her neck and cupped her breasts through her nightgown. “Why must you tempt me?” His voice was tortured and his touch rough as he nipped at the delicate skin of her neck.

Rowan loved that he couldn’t help himself. His desperation spurred on her own. Shivers rushed through her body, and she wanted to be lost in the rawness of his touch.

His fingers expertly worked the buttons at the front of her nightgown until he slid his hands inside to palm her breasts. She felt helpless to his ministrations, but for once, she didn’t mind being powerless.

Conor pushed her back so that she lay on the table. Her skin prickled in goosebumps as he kissed and licked a trail down her chest. He sucked one of her nipples into his mouth, dragging his teeth over it. Rowan arched up off the table with a surprised, desperate moan.

Conor jerked back as if someone had hooked him around the neck. His eyes flared with a bright blue and gray glow.

“Get out!” he barked.

She stared at him, dazed.

“Get out, Rowan!” he screamed again.

Rowan sat up and hopped to her feet. Her knees trembled as she hurried out of the room, grasping at the sides of her nightgown to cover her chest. In the hall, she bumped into Charlie, who gave her a knowing smirk.

“Best you stay in your room the rest of the night, little Red,” the reaper said solemnly. “No matter what you hear, stay put. Seems he’s a little out of control right now.”

Rowan nodded and walked back to her room, locking the door and collapsing on the bed. She realized then that her dagger was still strapped to her thigh and she hadn’t thought to reach for it once while Conor was kissing her.

Rowan lay in bed,reading Orla’s journal. Most of the early entries were simply about her interactions with the Wolf. From what Rowan could tell, Conor had been equally distrustful of Orla as he was with her. Then, the entries shifted.

Today,I overheard a conversation between the elders about the nature of power. I was so nervous, hiding in the shadow of the meeting room, listening to them speak. They reasoned that the new religion to the north was fueled by faith and belief in a singular god. Instead of faith being divided among multiple deities, it was focused on one, and since faith builds a god’s power, it explained the rapid spread of the new religion.

Rowan stopped readingand considered the words as she bathed and dressed for the day, pondering the questions of faith and power as she pinned her hair away from her face.

She gazed out the window at the daylight bouncing off the trees in the Dark Wood. She wondered if Aeoife was worried about her back in Ballybrine, but she needed to focus on the task at hand. What Rowan was doing was for both of their good. She wasn’t entirely confident that the Mother’s plan would really produce a positive result. Still, it was the best plan she had at that moment, so she had to stick to it until she knew more. She sat down by the fire with Orla’s journal and continued to read.

It istime I write a secret that no one knows. I have a gift for spying. It took me a long time to realize, but I can lurk in peace where there are shadows. It is the strangest thing. As if someone can stand mere inches away and still not see me. It is how I have overheard many things I should not. Which has left me with the question: Do all Red Maidens have such a gift?

Rowan stared at the words.Perhaps they all had secret gifts.

So far, Orla’s journal brought Rowan as many questions as it did answers. She needed to find the rest of the Maidens’ journals to see if they spoke of secret talents. Rowan read the words over again.

“You’re quite entranced.”

She jumped, dropping the book on the floor.

Conor leaned against her bedroom door. “I knocked, but you didn’t answer. I was worried, so I just came in. What has you so enthralled, little Red?”

“It’s private,” she said with a frown.

Conor looked delighted by her answer. “Is it, now? You think you deserve secrets in my home?” His tone was playful.

“You think I don’t?” Rowan challenged.

“I think you’re up to something.”

---