Page 35 of The Masked Baron
“Yes,” Ellis said. “Hiding from me. Afraid of what I might do to her if I find her.”
“Shouldn’t you be afraid of her after whatever she did to your family?”
“What she did to my family was cowardly. If I have learned anything about this woman, in the many stories I have collected about her over the years, she is extremely cowardly. Driven by jealously, fear, and starvation for attention. But she has been weakened since I have hunted her. It has forced her to remain in hiding for years on end. I think the only reason she called out last night is because she saw two horses instead of one. She saw a female instead of a male. She never would have dared call out if she had known I was with you.”
“But a witch...” Andalin argued.
“You are a God-fearing woman, are you not?”
Andalin nodded without hesitation.
Ellis reached his hand across the table toward her, almost as if he was attempting to extend her comfort. “Then, you and I know she can have no control over us. Sorcery has power only over those who believe in it. I tell you she is mad and nothing more.”
He knew Andalin needed his reassurance, and her eyes watered involuntarily. “What does this mean for you? What will you do now?”
Ellis shrugged. “I will bide my time. I have waited a long time just to find her. And now, thanks to you, I have proof she is still alive and not just in my imagination. I have narrowed down the part of the woods where she likely resides. She will be brought to justice; there is no doubt in my mind. My first responsibility lies with you. I want to ensure your safety. I have guests arriving soon, and I must also see to a few of the tasks on the land that fall to a baron.”
“I don’t believe you.” Andalin shook her head. “You are too driven and obsessed with this to just lie low. You are telling me this to put my mind at ease... to help me sleep tonight. Well, you can forget about any chance of me trying to follow you again. I learned my lesson.”
Ellis eyed her and then slowly blew out a long breath. “I did plan on taking one last ride tonight and being back before breakfast.”
“Why can you not bide your time like you said? Surely you can wait until Lord Kerrigan can go with you. He has in the past, has he not?”
“Yes, he has come with me in the past,” Ellis said, frowning. “He, like you, understands I am fixated on bringing this woman to justice. I simply cannot wait a week. I don’t want her to try to find a new place to hide or have time to plot and scheme against me.”
Andalin quickly stood and crossed to Ellis’s side. If she was truly his friend, then she had to stop him. She knelt by him and pulled his arm toward her. “Please, don’t go. She will be waiting for you tonight. The wisest choice is to catch her off guard. Go in daylight, and bring Lord Kerrigan and Mr. Lewis with you. Birks can stay here with the rest of us. The witch will be expecting you to play the brave knight and go alone. Do not play into her hands.”
Ellis looked down at Andalin’s grip on his arm, but Andalin did not remove it. She meant what she said, and she had to prove it.
“How can you know what she will expect?” He shook his head. “I don’t even know what she will expect, and I have spent the last ten years trying to learn everything about her.”
“You said Sephira and Serenity were the same person. It means your sister was tricked by that woman. She came to her alone, just like Sultare was cursed when he was alone. The one quality you said she owns is cowardice. She will not be brave enough to act in the daylight with so many onlookers. You can play off her fear. She is human, is she not?”
Ellis didn’t blink. He stared at Andalin in a completely unnerving way.
“Yes,” Ellis admitted. “She is human.”
Andalin stood, almost regretting the crush lines on the fine fabric of her dress. “Then, why not take my advice and wait? You can further discuss the matter with Lord Kerrigan when he arrives. There is no need to be hasty and ruin ten years’ worth of work.”
“I did not know you could be sensible,” Ellis joked.
“I think I used to be very sensible. Ever since I arrived here, I have not even known myself. I want to blame you, but I blame you for everything else, so you might as well be free from this one.”
Ellis gave a low chuckle. “I feel I have found more of myself since you have arrived than I have in years. Your presence settles me.”
His mask did not keep Andalin from admiring the gentle way he looked at her. “I’ve been such trouble for you!” she said with a laugh. “I surely drive you to the Black Forest more than I help. But it cannot be this time.” She couldn’t offer the same protection he could offer her, but she felt the need to help him. It was hard to bear the thought of him returning to the Black Forest, though she could not explain why. When had she begun caring for the Dark Rider? “Ellis, please don’t go back tonight.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “I must.”
“What of a bargain?” she countered, feeling desperate. “Hannah said Mr. Lewis predicted it would rain tonight.”
Ellis put his hands out. “So if it rains, I stay, but if it does not, I go? I’m not worried whether or not the rain is perilous to my health.”
Andalin’s gaze dropped. “Humor me. For the sake of knowing I will sleep so much better if I know you are here protecting me.” Andalin felt her cheeks burn at her admission, and she could not meet his eyes.
Ellis dropped his napkin on his plate and stood, closing the gap between them. He lifted Andalin’s chin up with his finger. “Very well. If it rains before midnight, then I will wait another day.”
Relief stole through her body. Hannah had told her Mr. Lewis was always right about rainstorms since the extra moisture in the air gave him rheumatism in his shoulder. But would it come before midnight? She would just have to pray for a miracle. Ellis didn’t need to join his parents and sister in the graveyard.
