On Fallen Wings (25 page)

Cael nodded. “I think so.”

“Nia,” I said, “I’m going to relax here and warm myself by the fire for a moment before returning home.”

“I’m taking a walk,” she said, flashing a glare back at me. She turned to Cael and pointed. “You shouldn’t do this.”

“I’m trying to save my family,” he said, “and there’s no one else I can trust.”

“Trust your friends,” she said defiantly, while walking toward the hall. “If they know something, they should tell the Elders.”

“They don’t believe in the Elders,” Cael said.

Behind me, I heard the door closing. Nia was gone. I stood and walked toward the fire, welcoming its warmth. Cael shifted on the couch, making the leather stretch loudly. I watched the thin flames and focused on the crackling of the wood, trying to forget the darkness of the moment.

“I haven’t lived a privileged life like you and Nia,” Cael told me. “My friends aren’t always honest. They deal with a breed of men most villagers will try to avoid.” He paused. “But they are my friends—and I depend on them.”

I pulled my cloak tighter and selected a small log from the base of the wall. I placed it carefully in the flames, and kept listening.

“I know where Sean is.”

I spun around. Cael was peering at me over the top of the couch.

“He
is
in Morgan.”

“Tell the Elders,” I said. “Tell them what you know.”

“I can’t tell the Elders. They’ll kill him if I do.”

“What?” I felt the blood drain from my face.

“You know that Owen trades with Morgan,” said Cael. “Today, one of their traders gave my friend Rance a message.”

“Rance?” I asked.

“Yes, do you know him?”

I nodded. “He’s Cecilia’s youngest brother,” I said. “I didn’t know that he worked for Owen.”

Cael’s face was stoic.

“What was the message?” I asked. “Is Sean safe?”

“His captors won’t release him,” he said, shifting again on the couch. “I don’t know if he’s okay.”

I left the fire and sat on the couch next to Cael. “What else did they say? Why can’t you tell the Elders?”

Cael shook his head. “They want a ransom. They said they won’t let him leave until I get them what they were looking for.”

I leaned closer. “What is it?

“The Fae Scrolls.”

The pain that had twisted my stomach released its grip and flooded my body with numb despair. There was no hope now, no chance of seeing Sean again.

“He’s lost to me then,” I said, covering my face and shaking my head. “He’s lost. Why did you bring me here to tell me that?” I was sobbing. “Why didn’t you tell Owen?”

“I’m sorry,” said Cael. “They made Rance take an oath. If we tell the Elders, they’ll kill him and start a war.”

“Are you certain they want the scrolls?” I looked up. “They’re sacred to us, not to Morgan. The scrolls mean nothing to them.”

“That’s what they demanded,” said Cael, leaning close enough that I could smell the remnant trace of Aurelia leaves on his neck. “Please don’t say that Sean is lost—he’s not. I’m going to get him back.”

“How?” I asked, lifting my face. “Are you going to tell Owen?”

“I’m going to give them the Fae Scrolls.”

“No!”

“If getting them will keep my brother alive, then I’m going to do it,” said Cael, defiantly. “Do you want him to die?”

“You dare ask me that?” I shouted, leaping from the couch. “I want Sean to live. I want him here, in this room, right now.” My fear for Sean, my fury at the injustice came to a breaking point. I blindly stumbled across the room to collapse on the couch against the far wall. “I want him safe.” I buried my face in my arms and wept at life’s cruelty.

I wasn’t aware of Cael until he sat on the edge of the couch next to me.

“I want him to be safe, too,” he said, whispering. He touched my back tentatively.

I shuddered.

“That’s why I’m going to get the Scrolls. I’m going to save Sean.”

I turned over to face him. “The Fae won’t give them to you,” I said.

“I don’t plan on asking.”

I shook my head. “You’ll never find them. They’re hidden.”

Cael chuckled wryly. “You faeries think that everything you do is secret. I know they’re in the temple.”

“I can’t let you take them,” I said.

“What should I do?” he asked.

“I don’t know.”

Then, something that I never imagined or wanted happened. Cael leaned close and kissed me.

Raisa Bannon

Questions took turns scrambling my mind while I wandered back through the shadowed forest. I wiped my face. It felt dirty. When I reached the meadow fence, I rested my forehead on the top rail. My hope was gone, and anguish buried any thought of peaceful days with Sean.

Maeia came toward me and nuzzled her warm nose against me. I leaned low to climb between the fence rails and reached to my hip to secure the satchel. It wasn’t there; I had left it at Nia’s home. I released a frustrated groan and climbed through the fence. I refused to go back and instead, pulled myself onto Maeia’s saddle. As she carried me across the field, I leaned close to her neck and absorbed the comfort that she offered me. It was a silent journey, and I thanked her with a quiet hug as I left her at the stable.

“How was your visit, dear?” asked Mother, as I entered the house. Everyone was already eating. “Is Cael feeling better?”

I nodded and closed the door behind me. My knot in my stomach was back. “I’m not hungry,” I said, wincing at the greasy smell of bacon gravy. “I need to rest.”

“Is everything okay?” asked Mother, sliding her chair back.

I hugged her around the neck from behind; her hair smelled like sunflower soap. “I’ll be okay,” I told her. “It’s been a tough day.”

“I understand.”

I wondered if she could. It was doubtful. Mother didn’t know everything.

“Would you like to talk, later?”

I shook my head and kissed her on the cheek. “I need a night of dreams,” I said, “to clear my mind.”

“Madeline came to visit this afternoon. You would be polite to return her call tomorrow.”

I smiled. Madeline had a peace about her that always made me happier. “Thank you, Mother. I’ll see her in the morning.”

I gave Father a hug. He pulled me close with one arm. I accepted his warmth and tobacco smell, and released a comfortable sigh.

“I love you, Father.”

“You’re a blessing,” he said, patting the back of my head, “a true faerie. If you need me, I’m here.”

“Thanks,” I said, releasing my pain into his chest and hoping that he understood. “Goodnight.”

After waving a short goodnight to my siblings, I drudged my feet upstairs to my room. The sheets on my bed were cold and unwelcoming, so I grabbed my thick fur blanket for extra warmth. I slid underneath and buried myself up to my neck.

Staring at the dismal gray sky outside my window, I tried to think about Sean, but my memory betrayed me and reminded me of Cael’s stolen kiss. I recalled the events of the day, wondering if I had done anything to invite Cael’s advances. I knew I was blameless, but couldn’t help feeling as if I had betrayed my love. “Where are you, Sean?” I asked. “I need you so much. Come back to me.” I rubbed the diamond on my necklace until the night absorbed my grief and made me sleep.

~ O ~

Determination arrived on fading rays of moonlight. I had woken early, planning my day and waiting for a reason to leave the comfort of my covers. There wasn’t one. Still, I inhaled a chilly breath of bravery, chose a warm woolen dress and slippers, and crept downstairs. I had been fortunate yesterday—Mother and Father rarely let me escape my chores. To complete my day’s plan, I needed a second offering of fortune to avoid working in the field.

I sparked a flame in the fireplace, and then in the oven, before scrambling outside to fill my apron with fresh warm eggs from the henhouse. I chose a round salted roast from the pantry. I was slicing it into thick strips when Mother arrived at the kitchen.

“Good morning,” she said, looking at me with wide eyes. She was wrapped in a long robe. “Are you feeling better?”

I smiled an answer while arranging the pork on a baking sheet. “I want to get an early start,” I said. “I would like to visit Madeline before midday.”

Without speaking, Mother lifted a bottle of cider from the floor and placed it onto the counter. As she pulled a kettle from the ceiling, the back door opened. Father appeared with a glowing lantern in his hand.

“Hello, Neal,” said Mother, abandoning the kitchen to embrace him.

I looked away while they doted noisily. When Mother returned to the counter, I glanced back at the dining room. Father was placing his coat on the wall and warming his hands in front of the fire I had started.

“You’re awake early, Father,” I said, approaching him. I gave him a large hug. Prepared to offer plenty of affection, I hoped he would release me from my morning duties.

“Yes,” he said, groaning while I squeezed him. “I started before dawn so that all the work gets done. I want you to visit Madeline.”

I hadn’t expected this. “Are you certain?”

He nodded and flopped into his chair at the end of the table. “This thing that happened,” he said, “has given you plenty to worry about. I won’t trouble your mind with your work here.”

“My work here?”

He nodded. “Hard work clears the mind,” he said, “but unfinished work is a burden to a worried soul.” He lifted his beard with a wide grin. “Your soul has enough to carry right now. Take care of that. Your chores will always be here.”

“Thank you, Father,” I said, feeling guilty for my plotting. “That was kind of you.” As I looked at him, a part of me wondered what he wasn’t revealing.

“I’m your father,” he said, absently waving a hand at me. He looked at Mother. “And a husband. I’ve learned that a happy woman makes a peaceful home.” He slapped the table. “Now, where’s my morning meal?”

I was happy to oblige and hastily finished preparing breakfast. When the food was ready, I served everyone, even Mother. The delightful smells helped me discover that despite my reluctance to eat, my stomach was longing for nourishment. While gorging down the eggs, which were not as tasty as Mother made them, I realized I hadn’t eaten in a day. I wondered if my hunger was adding to my melancholy. Perhaps it was. I finished my meal without saying much, and scrambled upstairs to bathe.

~ O~

Although I had known Madeline and Colin my entire life, I always treated visits to them as a special occasion. Madeline kept a tidy home and her influence was addicting. I made my bed, scooped up my soiled socks, and arranged my sandals and boots. I dusted my dresser and even scraped the old wax from my windowsill. Feeling prepared and proper, I chose my cream-colored dress, the one that Sean adored, then brushed and twisted my hair to perfection. I examined myself in my small mirror before going downstairs.

“How long do you plan to visit?” Mother questioned, as I offered her a goodbye embrace.

“I don’t know,” I answered. “I hadn’t planned that far.”

“Please come home well before dusk. I don’t want to send Ethan after you, and I still worry about the bandit.”

“Don’t worry, Mother,” I said, chuckling softly. The bandit was the least of my troubles, lately. “I’ll return soon.”

A soft breeze tickled the wind charms in Madeline’s apple trees, and their low hum carried a soothing hymn across her yard. The day was warmer and helped me feel at ease while walking the uneven stone walkway to her home.

“Good morning, dear,” said Madeline, opening her front door as I approached. She held her arms wide to welcome me.

I accepted her embrace.

I was thankful that I had prepared myself to look proper. She was exceptionally dressed. She wore a white dress with a green bodice and angel flowers braided neatly in her hair. She carried the same minty rose scent that never left her.

After she welcomed me inside, we wandered to the small sitting room and chatted with Colin, who was leaving to organize the search for Sean. While he discussed the planned journey in detail, a part of me strained to pry open and tell him what Cael had told me, but I held my peace and gave no sign of the secret knowledge I carried. Still, it hurt me to know that men were risking their lives for no reason to search for Sean; I believed what Cael had told me, but could not yet see what action I should take. Every possible move seemed to end badly for someone. I was relieved when Colin left and Madeline and I were alone.

“How is Cael?” she asked, drifting back to her seat across from me.

I swallowed a breath of guilt—wondering how much she knew—and stared back at her. As I watched her eyes, which seemed to penetrate my thoughts, I answered. “He’s feeling better. He was cut under the chin and across the ear.” I motioned with my hand, tracing his injuries on my face. “I gave him some Aurelia leaf paste.”