Page 21 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
“You understand what it’s like to lose something?”Williamthrew his hands up. “Whathave you lost of value,Ella?Huh?Themill is my family’s livelihood.Withoutit, my parents will lose their home.Mymother will have to find work somewhere else.Myfather will be looked upon as a failure.Withoutthe mill, they have nothing.Ihave nothing.Thisis bigger than?—”
“Than what?”Ellashot back. “Notknowing your name?Orwho you are?”
“Yes!”Williamyelled. “Thatmill is my only way of supporting a family.Youthink you can support us without it?”
“Us?”Ellayelled back.Everyonethought they knew what she needed.Whatwould make her life complete. “Thereis nousin this.Inever agreed to marry you.”
“Of course, and why is that?Youthink you are better than me.Thanmy family.Ormaybe you’re waiting for a better offer?OnefromAlbert?Haveyou been counting the days until you will beMrs.AlbertHuntington?OrmaybeMrs.ThaneTenebris.Wereyou showingMr.Tenebriswhat other skills you have whileMr.McCoylay dying on the floor?Howmuch does he pay you?”
Ella smiled, stepping closer toWilliam.Hiswords opened something up in her.Somethingdark and vindictive.Afeeling that made her feel more alive than she had in months. “Moremoney than you will ever have.”
William bent slightly, his face inches from hers, his hard voice barely a whisper. “Ihope so because you’re going to need every bit of it.Youhave less to offer thanIdo.Youhave nothing.Nofamily.Noland.Youbring nothing to a marriage.Whatdo you think will happen to you when the prettyMr.Tenebrisgrows tired of you?”
“Why would you care ifThaneleaves me orAlbertbeats me?Iam nothing but a burden to you, toAilith, to this village.Toeveryone.”EllashovedWilliamaway.Shehad no fight left in her. “Don’tever speak to me again.Ever!”
Ella turned and raced down the stairs, ignoringWilliam’scalls.Thedarkness welcomed her, and the stars watched.
CHAPTER10
ELLA
The almost full moon was still hiding behind the clouds asEllaraced across the dusty floor of the barn and into the damp night air.Theworld around her looked different.Shadowsdanced on the muddy trail, begging her to follow them.Sheblindly chased after them.Williamfollowed, begging her to stop.Shedidn’t want his pity or his apologies.Shewanted to disappear, to fade into the darkness.Pleasetake me away,she begged the night that surrounded her.Herfeet took her down a small game trail; branches and thorns pulled at her dress and skin.William’spleas faded as the darkness took her into its warm embrace.
Ella stopped; her side ached from running.Somewhereshe had lost her cloak and a slipper.Shetook the other one off and limped down the trail, unsure of where she was.Theclouds parted, and the moon shone down brightly.Thenight air was cool on her damp skin.Shelimped down the trail, listening forWilliamor the swollen river.You’relost,she berated herself.
She pushed through the branches and undergrowth and found herself on a muddy road.Aroad she had no idea where it led to or where it ended.Andto top it off, heavy clouds moved across the sky again.Fatraindrops hit her face and hands.Ellabit back the sob that clogged her throat.Tearswould solve nothing.Theywouldn’t get her home.Theywouldn’t take back the wordsWilliamsaid.Theywouldn’t make her remember who she was.
But they were all she had.
She stood on the side of the road, unsure of what to do.Shecould turn around and hope to findWilliamand his regrets.Orsit here and wait.Waitfor something in her life to make sense.Ijust want to go home.Backto whereIbelong.Can’tsomeone help me?Onlythe wind and rain answered.No.Shestarted down the road in what she hoped was the right direction toward the inn.
The rain fell harder, making it difficult to see the road.Herfeet ached from walking for what felt like forever.Infront of her, a yellow glow bobbed in the rain.Shepaused, wiping the water from her face.Asit got closer, the jingle of harnesses rang out.Pleaselet it be someoneIknow, she begged to whatever god was listening.
The carriage slowed and came to a stop. “Ella?”
She sobbed at the sound ofThane’svoice and the warmth it brought with it. “I… uh,I’mlost.Canyou please help me?”
“Gods below, of course.Whathappened?”Thanestepped closer to her.
Ella shook her head, backing away. “Don’t.I’llruin your jacket.I’mwet and muddy, andIlost my shoe.”Shedidn’t pull away as he pulled her into his warm embrace.Thesoft scent of night filled her senses.Shesagged against him, no longer caring if it was right or wrong.Shewanted someone to be on her side.Anyonewould do.Thanescooped her up and carried her to the carriage.Shewished he would take her away.Thathe was, asSissysaid, some prince here to rescue her from the wicked truths.Heset her down on the soft, dry seat of the carriage, wrapping his jacket around her.
“What happened?”Thanebrushed the wet hair off her cheek.
“Albert showed up.AndthenWilliam.And…”Shelooked down at her hands; they were covered in tiny scratches. “Ijust want to go home.Please.”Shehated how small and weak her voice sounded.Shehated the way her body shivered and teeth chattered.Howhelpless she felt.Shehated everything right now.
“It’s okay.”Thaneknelt in front of her.Hisdark hair dripped on the floor of the carriage.Themud from her feet and dress stained the floor and velvet.
“I’ve ruined your carriage.”
“This old thing.”Thanesmiled at her, catching the first tear that fell.Itseemed to shimmer on his finger. “Areyou hurt?”
Not anywhere that he could fix. “No.Ijust…Igot lost.Canyou take me home?”
“I would love to.”Thanesat back on the bench.
Ella tugged his jacket tighter around her shoulders, watching the muddy water shift on the floor of the carriage.Shedidn’t want to see the pity inThane’seyes.Thatwas an emotion that people gave so freely.Theynever asked before they handed it out and expected the recipient to be grateful and accepting.
She took a deep breath, trying to clear the tears and disappointment that burned her eyes. “Didyou have a nice evening?”
