Page 10 of Deliverance

“It would involve cutting back the forest.”

There is a heavy pause from the two in the office until what the mayor suggested registers in my mind. Cut back the forest? Before I know what I am doing, I shove the door open and burst into the office, my eyes wide and heart slamming against my chest. “No, you cannot do that!”

“Iris!” Robert exclaims, taking a step towards me, but it is his father whom I am watching. The mayor is standing behind his desk now, leaning forward and pressing his hands against it like he needs the support. He does not look surprised by my sudden appearance, simply weary as though he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“The forest is sentient,” I explain despite knowing they will not understand what I mean. You must experience it for yourself to know the true power of the forest. “Those are not just trees, they have feelings and help to protect us from the fae. If you cut them down, the fae will be able to walk freely.”

“We have no evidence to show that the trees make up the ward that keeps the fae at bay,” the mayor counters, his expression kind. There has been a debate going on in the villagefor years about whether the boundary is in the ground or in the trees themselves. It seems Mayor Marshal is a believer in the former.

“Besides, Iris,” he continues, “the wards are failing, fae are slipping past and taking people. We need to show them who is boss and cut back their home. An act of brute strength is the only thing those creatures understand.” His lip curls as he speaks, his hatred and resentment of the fae clear for all to see.

I cannot believe what I am hearing. Not only will they be destroying the woodland that protects us, but the fae will not take kindly to us destroying their home. Does he truly think the fae will just hold up their hands and concede as trees are torn down? No, that is the thinking of scared fools. The fae are vicious and deadly, taking any slight as a personal attack. This plan could destroy us all.

“You cannot do this.” Pleading with the mayor, I step right up to his desk, my fear shining in my eyes. It is not the fae I fear, though, but this idiotic plan. “It will be seen as an act of war and will end in disaster. It is wrong.”

Robert uses the opportunity to move to my side, resting his hand on my shoulder. “Iris, we need to protect our village.”

Stiffening at his touch, I take a step to the side and gently shrug his hand off. What is it about today that is making everyone touch my shoulder? I am sure they mean to be reassuring, but it feels more like an act of control, of restraint.

Raising an eyebrow at his change of tune, I turn to him and place my hands on my hips. “You did not want to be here. You wanted to leave everything behind, and now you seem happy to stay and destroy the forest?”

He flinches, and I notice his father’s eyebrows rise. He didn’t know about Robert’s little escape plan. There is a small part of me that feels guilty at revealing this in front of his father, but that part of me is overshadowed by the fact he agrees with thisridiculous plan. All of this is completely out of character for me. I would never usually speak to someone like this, especially not the mayor and his son, but after everything that has happened today, I am not playing around.

It seems that Robert is feeling the same. Reaching out and catching my hand, he threads our fingers together, his expression earnest as he gently pulls me closer to him, his father momentarily forgotten.

“We can stay and carve out a life for ourselves, me and you.” Eyes aglow, he leans forward as he speaks, animated as he lays out a life for the two of us. “We can marry and create a family, but I need to know you and our child would be safe. That means we must act against the fae. Their attacks have increased. We need to do something to deter them.”

His words are so at odds with the conversation we had the other day when all he wanted to do was run away from the village and his responsibilities. Now, he is offering something any unmarried woman in the village would dream of, something I always thought I might want. In my daydreams, I have thought about marrying Robert, only now that he’s mentioning it, that dream does not settle quite right.

He’s just saying this to make me agree to their plan.The thought rings through my mind, and I instantly dismiss it. This is Robert, and he would not try to manipulate me this way—we’re friends, after all.

I’ve heard nothing of these attacks, so how do we know they were by the fae? Women are missing, but villages being attacked by fae? Why have I not heard of this before now?

“He is right, Iris,” the mayor comments, startling me from my thoughts. “And I need you to stand at Robert’s side today, smiling and showing how proud of this village you are.” Looking between us, he smiles warmly, pride shining in his eyes. “Ourguests will be here at any moment.” A bell rings somewhere within the house, and his smile widens.

“Oh, they are here. Let us go greet them.” Striding from the office with a spring in his step, the mayor quickly leaves the room, taking his strong presence with him.

I start to follow, having been given my orders for the day—to be pretty and silent, smile at his son’s side, and show how perfect everything is here. It is all a lie, but I will play along for the sake of my and Robert’s friendship. However, I am still not sure exactly why he wants me here with him when he could easily manage without me.

What better place to keep an eye on me and make sure I do not mess up his plans?Another sharp, snarky thought ricochets through my mind, so at odds to my usual docile self.

“Iris, wait a moment.”

Pausing at the threshold of the office, I glance over my shoulder at Robert. My eyes widen at what I see behind me. In complete disbelief, I turn and stare at Robert’s outstretched hand. A small golden band rests in his palm—an engagement ring. Gasping, I look up at him and then back to the ring, not believing what I am seeing.

“I was telling the truth, Iris. I want to marry you. I want us to be together and make a life we can be proud of.”

He has mentioned marriage before in passing, but we are not even courting. This is moving too fast. I need time to think and speak with my mother before I make a decision. Something is making me hesitate, yet I am not quite sure what it is. Perhaps it is the fact he has not once mentioned if he loves me or not. I may be a fool for believing a love match is possible for me, yet I do not want to settle for the sake of what is expected of me.

“Robert, I do not know what to say.” Laughing lightly, I shake my head, completely overwhelmed. “This is so fast.”

He seems to realise I am not going to be rushed into a decision and smiles reassuringly, squeezing my hand. “I know, and you do not have to give me an answer today, but I need you to wear the ring as we meet with our guests.”

Frowning, I tilt my head to one side as I examine the male before me like I do not know him. His comment strikes a warning chord in me. He wants me to pretend to be his fiancée for the sake of appearances. Does he even want to truly marry me?

“You want me to lie?” I question, the note in my voice giving away my displeasure at the notion.

“No, of course not.” Smiling, he rushes to reassure me, still holding tightly onto my hand. “I trust in the fact that you will choose me when you are ready. We just need to show a strong united front.”

---