Page 53 of The Guardian's Witch

Once alone, Lisbeth sat down to her needlework. The sound of the late afternoon rain drew her attention to the window and the puddles on the wide window ledge. The shimmer of the puddle and repetitive drone of the splashing rain mesmerized her.

She was back in the forest the day of the accident.Once again she was tossed inside the carriage while it careened through the forest.She waited while the scene played out,tormenting her,demanding she relive the terror.

In slow motion the coach was airborne and tumbling.Both her parents grabbed her and held her close.Her mother’s last words were branded in her head.“Ilove you,remember I love you.You will go on.The king must never know.”There was a jarring jolt.The carriage screeched,bounced,and tumbled down the gorge.It landed on its side.Everything was quiet except the echo of the single spinning wheel.Relief flooded through her at the sound of her father’s deep whisper, “Hold on,Beth.”His strong and steady heartbeat reassured her.

Now she soared high in the trees like a bird and looked down at the crushed carriage.From her vantage point the tableau looked unreal.She thought it a nightmare,but would never forget the image.Her mother,her beautiful mother,lay staring up at her with dead eyes.Her father still held her.

Men swarmed up the gorge like an army of ants.They were everywhere.Call out, you stupid girl, call out.Her mouth worked but there was no sound.Someone made his way among the twisted bodies.She took flight and dove at him ready to stretch her talons to grab him.As hard and fast as she flew she didn’t get any closer.Her head pounded and the pounding grew louder and faster the more she pushed to get free until it was one loud sound.She looked on in horror.The man took her father’s head in his hands and twisted.The sound of the crack echoed through the gorge.The pounding stopped.She hurtled down through the air and slammed back into her body.

Every inch of her hurt but nothing hurt as much as her soul.Hands grabbed her and tore at her.Numb,she didn’t resist.She didn’t care.

“Get away,you fools.”The leader moved toward them.

“She’s alive,”called out the man who groped her breast.

“Get your hands off her.She better be or I’ll have your head.”The leader swatted at the men and pulled them off her.She forced her eyes open but saw only shadows.The man reached out and closed her eyes.

“Go.” Lisbeth’s voice was a whisper. The vision faltered, then cleared. She sagged from the impact. Even she hadn’t heard conviction in the command.

She firmly gave the command. “Go.”

The vision hesitated, shimmered, and finally evaporated.

No one knew the depths of her visions, not even Laura. The tears ran down her cheeks. “I had a feeling. I should have done more.” She spoke in barely a whisper.

The remnants of the vision faded. Their deaths were not her fault.

No one has that power,no one.Everyone thinks it was only a horrible accident,but it was murder.

Chapter Fourteen

“Excuse me, m’lady.”

“Yes?” Lisbeth turned and faced Alice. Over the maid’s shoulder she saw the servants carrying her things into the master suite.

“It’s time to dress for dinner.”

Lisbeth glanced behind her at the now-empty hall. She turned back to Alice. “No, that won’t be necessary. I’ll take care of it myself.”

“Very well.” Alice and the rest of the servants finished their work and then went off every which way to tend to their other chores.

Lisbeth moved down the passage until she reached her childhood room. The door stood open. The bed was stripped, the chest lids gaped open, and the wardrobe doors stood ajar. It was bare and cold.

His wife.She straightened herself with dignity and trudged to Alex’s room. She had to determine how best to approach the king. She would beg him, appeal to him in the name of her parents. He must listen. Panic and anger knotted inside her. “What if he won’t?” Her voice trailed off to a whisper.

“What is it I won’t do?” Alex sprang out of his chair. A mischievous smile lit his features.

She was caught off guard by his presence. She hadn’t spoken out loud. Had she?

“Here, sit down.” He led her to the seat he recently vacated and sat beside her in the next-best chair.

“It’s nothing, Alex.” She smoothed out her skirt with nervous hands. “I was thinking out loud.” Her skirt as straight and smooth as it would ever be, she folded her hands in her lap and waited.

Alex put his hands on hers. Lisbeth’s eyes focused on the long tapered fingers that curled around her own. Their warmth ignited a tingle in the pit of her stomach.

“I should have told you everything when I returned from London.”

“Why didn’t you?” she asked in a quiet voice. A small kernel of hope began to sprout.

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