Page 56 of Besotted
“Sweeting?” Aunt Elspeth’s cheerful call came from near the edge of the brush. She was too easily spooked and wouldn’t follow me all the way into the thick growth, especially in the dark.
“I shall be fine. I just need a few more seconds. Please.” I sniffled, the burning in my throat and chest too raw.
“I’ll wait right here, dear heart. You take all the time you need.”
“Thank you.” I could no longer pretend leaving Kresten behind hadn’t mattered. And suddenly all I could think about was going back and pleading with him to come along on this new adventure. Was there any way I could convince Chester to do so?
But even as the thought came, I thrust it away. Chester would never allow it. As Aunt Idony said, I could write another note and have it delivered to him. It was the best I could do.
My chest swelled with sorrow—sorrow over the loss of a future with him, sorrow in missing our friendship and the closeness we’d developed, sorrow at the thought of never sharing any more laughter or smiles or banter, sorrow that we wouldn’t have adventures together—for life with him would never be dull.
I brushed at the wetness on my cheeks. At the soft crunch of a step nearby, the hairs on the back of my neck prickled. But I had neither the time nor the presence of mind to call out before something heavy banged into my head. Pain reverberated through my skull and down into my body. I felt myself crumpling, and then everything went black.
Chapter
18
Kresten
I had tolet Aurora go. I repeated the words to myself over and over during the hike away from the cottage. When Vilmar had suggested I return to Birchwood with him, I was readily swayed, since I was weary from my wound and wallowing in my loss.
The next morning, when I exited Walter’s home, I halted abruptly at the sight of so many men amassed. They were in the process of saddling horses, donning weapons, and packing saddlebags with supplies they were purchasing from the townspeople.
With a nod at me, Vilmar broke away from the group and headed my way.
“You’d better not be going after her,” I growled as I stalked toward the rain barrel.
He followed me. “Good morning to you too.”
The water level in the open barrel was low, but I cupped my hands and splashed the cold water on my face anyway. Faint morning light glistened on the rippling surface, and I wished I could somehow drink the light and find that it would take away the ache in my chest. It had resided there all night, growing only heavier as the restless hours passed.
Vilmar waited until I’d finished before speaking. “She could be in danger. Queen Margery is anticipating Aurora coming out of hiding and has set snares all throughout southern Mercia.”
I dried my face with my sleeve. “Her elite guard will guide her safely to Delsworth.” I was counting on Chester more than he knew.
“If we follow her, we can ensure her safety.”
The frustration that had festered since seeing him in the cottage turned into a burning wound. I shoved his chest, sending him toppling backward so that he landed in the dirt street on his backside. “Cease this endless hounding! You shall have her only over my dead body.”
The others stopped their preparations and stared. Mikkel began to cross toward us, his expression full of confidence and determination that made me angrier. He ought to be the next king of Scania. It was in his bones and his bearing. I was a poor substitute, and the realization added to my frustration.
Vilmar accepted Mikkel’s outstretched hand to aid him back to his feet. “You don’t realize the scope of the issue, Kresten—”
“I realize you wish to involve her in a war that isn’t hers to fight.”
“But it is hers, and it will be until the queen is vanquished.” His voice contained a note of passion that surprised me.
Was Aurora in greater peril than I realized? Or was Vilmar simply looking for another way to persuade me to go after her?
One of Walter’s daughters approached with a mug and trencher. I accepted it with a nod of thanks and waited until she walked away before divulging my thoughts. “We were sent to the Great Isle for our Testing. We didn’t come to solve all of their problems. Our duty is to our country alone.”
Mikkel spread his feet and crossed his arms, his gaze imposing and hard. “We are small-minded to believe our Testing can only occur in the places assigned to us with the specific challenges we were given. Rather, the Testing happens whenever we allow our circumstances to push us to grow in the areas we most need it.”
“Are you telling me I’m small-minded?”
“I admit to my own narrow view of the Testing at first. I have since learned the Testing is intended to push much deeper and wider than we can imagine.”
Mikkel never failed to rankle me, perhaps because of my own insecurities or the differences in our temperaments. Whatever the case, I guzzled my ale, ready to be on my way into the forest and away from my brothers.
