Reap (The Harvest Saga Book 1) (11 page)

Norris dismounted an enormous black stallion, which whinnied and grunted, rearing as Norris subdued him secured the beast to one of the porch railings. I wasn’t sure that the porch would actually stand a chance against such an enormous animal. Norris pushed his greasy long hair back behind his ears and smiled at me. It was the most frightening of his smiles, the one that didn’t reach his eyes. He stalked forward and I felt like an animal caught in a snare, thrashing around as it saw its fate in the eyes of its hunter.

“Why aren’t you in the orchards?” His voice was rough, harsh as the scar dissecting the flesh on his cheek. The shiny raised slash lifted and puckered as he smirked at me. It wasn’t the scar that scared me. It was him. I knew others with scars. Their kindness mitigated their injuries. Norris didn’t know what kindness was.

“I’m supposed to work for the Preston’s. I only work two hours in the orchards, then report here.”

“Well, allow me to be the first to inform you of your schedule change. You’re to report back to the orchards and then back here after you clean up this evening. Mr. and Mrs. Preston have invited you here for dinner this evening. A formal dinner.”

“As a server, or—”

“No. You’re apparently the guest of honor.” He laughed harshly, revealing the yellow grit around his teeth.

“Okay. Thanks for the message.” I quickly started toward the orchards once more. The last person I wanted to spend any time with was Norris Jones.

“Ah, ah, ah. I’m to deliver you. In fact, I’m to pay
extra
close attention to you for the rest of the week. Seems you’re marrying Councilman Preston’s son. Can’t have you doing anything to embarrass your new fiancé or his family, can we?”

Anger tore through me. “So they sent you, huh? Gonna stripe my back? You better tell Mrs. Preston to get a high-backed gown to hide it. Though, the blood might seep through onto the pretty white fabric.” In an instant, he was in front of me, his nose nearly touching mine. Rancid, hot breath fanned my face, but I stood my ground in a stupid attempt at false bravery. Inwardly, I trembled.

“Mr. Preston gave strict orders
not
to stripe you.” He slid his leather riding crop across my jaw, up my cheek and rested it under my eye. “But don’t worry. I can get
very
creative with my punishments. Some won’t leave any marks upon the body at all.”

“I’m sure Zander will object to your creativity. I’ll have to tell him about your threat.”

Laughing, he stepped back a few feet and I finally released the breath I’d been holding. “Who do you think suggested that I handle you
differently
?”

He nodded toward his horse. I was almost as afraid of it as I was of him. Norris mounted the midnight stallion and once it calmed down, reached down for my arm. I pulled myself up and sat in front of him, scooting as far away from him as was possible in the small saddle. Norris’s arms withered around my stomach as he clenched the reins. He whipped the horse and we took off, a tall trail of dust in our wake.

The ride was fast.  I was back with my team in no time. Kyan all but ran over me as Norris dismounted and then clenched my waist, harshly yanking me off of his devil horse. The horse was wild. It almost threw us twice on the short trip over. Even now, it whinnied and snorted like the maniac it was. I’d always liked horses until now.

“What’s going on?” Kyan addressed Norris, not once looking at me.

“She’s been cleared for full duty.” The two eyed one another for a moment, tension thickening the now unseasonably warm air.

“Abigail, go work with Laney.” He pointed down the row and I could see her signature blonde spirals beneath a tree. She was discreetly watching what was unfolding. But, I knew her, she’d heard every word. She never missed anything. For someone who spoke so loudly, she could be still as a statue when she wanted to be. I walked toward her and her eyes grew big.

She mouthed the word, “Norris,” and her light chocolate eyes glistened as she jerks them to the spot where I’d left the two men standing. I quietly shushed her and we began to work. Norris walked to the end of the orchard nearest us and secured his horse to the split rail wooden fence, giving it a few apples to eat. Devil beast. I figured it ate babies.

While he was out of earshot and probably couldn’t even see us too well, Kyan came over, crouching down beside me and Laney. “What the hell, Abs?”

“I know. It’s the Preston’s. They want me to marry Zander. They know that Crew and I kissed and now they’ve ordered Norris on me to ‘keep an eye on me’ until the festival.” What began as a whisper had transformed to a yell.

“Shh. Calm down.” Kyan scrubbed the back of his neck roughly. “This is not good, Abby.”

“I know! He said I have to attend dinner at the Preston house this evening and that Councilman Preston and Zander have told him that he can’t whip me, but that he can get creative in his punishments. He can punish me so long as my body isn’t marked. What does that mean?” I was nearly in panic mode.

Kyan trained his dark brown eyes on mine. “I don’t know. But he’s one evil son of a—”

Laney interrupted. “Shh. Here he comes.”

Throughout the rest of the day, Norris never let me out of his sight. When I went to relieve myself, I thought he might follow. Luckily, Kyan intercepted him and kept him busy for a few minutes. At lunch, he disappeared for a while and I was able to talk to Laney a bit. She was every bit as afraid of Norris as I was and as I was working with her, his very presence put her in danger.

But, being the awesome friend she was, she told me to come to her house after we finished in the orchard. She offered to help me get ready for this sure to be awful dinner. Mrs. Preston would die if I showed up in my normal jeans and plaid shirt. I had few clothes. Lulu had never been much of a seamstress and neither am I. Laney on the other hand, was amazingly talented. Give her a needle, scraps of fabric and she could fashion beautiful ensembles. Like spinning gold from straw like the little story Lulu used to tell me as a child.

With half an hour left in the day, the wind whipped our hair and thrashed our clothing. Thick gray clouds smothered the sunlight. The branches on the trees twisted and fought against the onslaught, scraping our exposed skin. Everyone rushed around to get the full bushels to the packers and from them onto the trucks and wagons. From there, the apples would be packed onto the train cars. Everyone had a job and rushed to finish before the storm hit. When their job was complete, they helped someone else complete theirs, until all was finished.

Soon thunder boomed in the distance. And, a few minutes later, lightning made its appearance. The warning whistles began filling the air. I heard the shrill pitch of Kyan’s whistle slice through the howling wind.

Laney and I grabbed the last bushels we had and ran toward the end of the orchard. Her foot caught on an uplifted tree root in our path. Apples tumbled over the earth around her.  As thunder crashed overhead, and rain began to sprinkle down upon us, she grabbed her right ankle and cried out in pain. Her face contorted in pain, a silent scream.

“Laney! Can you walk?” The wind whipped my hair around my face. The leaves were ripped from their branches and rained down around us.

“I think I sprained it. I don’t know if I can walk.” Tears formed in her eyes.

Crouching down, I tucked her arm around my neck, wrapped mine around her back under her arm and lifted her up. “Easy. We can do this. Let’s just take it slow. I’ll be your crutch.” I tried to smile and make it look genuine, but even I was scared of the storm at this point.

She nodded and we started hopping down the row. The rest of our team was gone, gathered with Kyan as protocol dictated. If we didn’t make it to him soon, he would come find us and help. He would come. Thunder crashed against the angry gray sky and lightning flashed brightly. It was closer. Right upon us.

“What about the apples?” she screamed above the wind.

“I’ll come back for them. Don’t worry.” All apples must leave the fields before the laborers. A Greater Rule. We were expendable, their crop was not. Simple as that.

She nodded again. The row seemed longer with each step, the end of it getting further and further away. Then, we saw it and both squealed in happiness, as we clung tight to one another. Headlights of the old blue work truck shone down the aisle in front of us. We waved our free arms frantically. Kyan stopped six feet ahead of us and jumped out of the truck.

“What happened?” The rain pelted his face.

“Laney fell and hurt her ankle. Take her to Evelyn.”

“I’ve got her,” and with that statement, Ky scooped Laney up as if she weighed nothing at all and ran toward the truck, placing her in the passenger seat.

I turned back to get the bushels that she dropped and I had abandoned. If we didn’t bring this bushel out of the orchard, we would all three be punished. Grasping frantically for apples that scattered away from the overturned baskets, my knees ground into the earth below.

A strange surge filled the air. The hair on arms and then the rest of my body stood on end. A low vibration hummed from the earth around me. I looked around frantically through whipping hair and tree limbs for the source of the strange feeling. Nothing. I couldn’t see anything unusual. The sky barked loudly right above me and then quieted. Eerily.

A loud crack and a flash of light fell, connecting with the apple tree beside me. The smell of burnt wood filled my senses and I barely had time to cover my head with my arms and curl up before one of the large branches gave up the ghost and fell toward me. My arms and back were battered by the branches and leaves as it crashes down. A scream was torn from my chest. I wasn’t not sure if the whole tree hit me or if it just felt that way.

A string of curses flew from a familiar voice and another as they counted in unison, “On three! One! Two! Three!” The weight of the large section of tree and its minions were lifted from my back. I looked up to see Kyan and Crew moving the once healthy tree half to the side. I uncurled and took note of my arms. Aside from blood pooling up from a few scratches, I was okay. Probably bruised, but I would take it. I could easily have been killed.

Kyan rushed to me, looking me over from head to toe. “Can you get up?”

I took his offered hand and pulled myself up. “We need to get out of here. Fast!” I nodded. The sky opened up. Rivulets of rain running into my eyes, down my face. Crew followed close behind us. The three of us crowd into the cab of the rusted out pickup with Laney. Kyan punched the gas to the floor board. Soon, we were out of the orchard, and in front of Evelyn’s cabin. Crew helped Laney into the house as Kyan came around to the passenger side where I sat.

“I’m fine.”

“Abs, she needs to look at you and make sure.”

I shook my head. “I’m scraped up and will probably have a few bruises but I’m fine.” He shook his head in protest before opening his mouth to do the same. But I stopped him, “This is nothing. I have to get home and get ready. I have to be at the Preston’s for dinner. If I don’t show up, you
will
have to carry me back here.”

He muttered something and looked up at me with pleading eyes. “You know I’m right. Norris is all over me. All they need is one reason. One slip up...and I’m in deep trouble. Deeper than any lashing Norris can dish out. This goes far beyond him for some reason.”

“Why does Zander even want you?” His anger flared but his words cut me.

“I don’t know, Kyan. Why would anyone want me?” I crossed my arms in defense.

“That’s not what I mean, Abs.” He grabbed my elbow. “I mean, he could pretty much pick any girl in the village, and half of them swoon over him anyway. He could pick someone who wants him. You don’t but he’s still forcing you into this. I just don’t get it and I...I hate it...for you.”

“Part of me thinks he just wants me because I don’t want him. Like it’s part of some twisted game to him. But, I can’t let him win Kyan. I won’t. I just don’t know what else to do. The Preston’s are much more powerful than I had ever imagined. They sent Lulu away. What will they do to my friends, to the people I love, if I don’t submit to their demands? Laney...” My voice broke. “Laney is scared to death. Norris has been watching us both all day. One slip up and it isn’t just my back on the line anymore. Something is going on. I don’t know what and I don’t understand, but this is beyond just me and Zander.” I shook my head and let out a pent up frustration laced breath.

Kyan looked at me, jaw clenching for a long moment and then finally said, “Let’s get you home.”

I checked on Laney quickly. Crew was seated at her side, waiting patiently as Evelyn taped her ankle. She whispered in my ear and I nodded, turning to leave.

“You’ll help her get home?” I asked Crew.

“Of course.”

In the cab of the truck, a couple of feet between me and Kyan, tension separated us once again. “Ky, can you stop by Laney’s house for a minute. I need to pick something up.”

Looking in the small mirror
that sat atop Lulu’s dresser, the now familiar pang of regret crept into my heart and mind. I should’ve just agreed to this marriage to begin with.  It was always going to happen, regardless of protest. Zander would get his way. Now Lulu was in Olympus. I didn’t know what was happening to her there. What I did know was that my heart hurt without her.

She would’ve helped me get ready for this night.  I bathed, careful to clean the fresh abrasions. My hair had been washed with the lavender soap we kept hidden away for special occasions. It had been brushed, braided and coiled tightly at the nape of my neck. Pins held it into place. The dress Laney told me to get out of her bureau hung delicately across my curves.

I’d never felt more like a woman than right then. The dress was exquisite. Its capped sleeves delicately skimmed my shoulders, while the beaded square neckline emphasized the swells of my breasts tastefully, revealing neither too much nor too little.  The bottom layer was emerald colored silk, while the top layer was gauzy and swished over the top delicately as I walked.

It was the single most beautiful garment I’d ever seen and I was scared to death to wear it. What if I ruined it? Split a seam or accidently spilled something on it. Laney would kill me and I would be mortified, would die of embarrassment in front of everyone. What if it was too fancy for this particular dinner? Was I overdressed? Underdressed? I couldn’t imagine being underdressed for anything in such a divine piece.

I tilted the mirror up and down, moving back and forth in front of it. Nothing seemed bunched or pulled. Hair looked good and I pinched my cheeks for some color. Before I left her at Evelyn’s, Laney had insisted that I take her lipstick. I wasn’t even sure where or how she got all of this stuff. Makeup and fine fabric weren’t things you often saw in the village

The black flat dress shoes that Laney let me borrow squished my toes, but I took a deep breath and started walking slowly toward the Preston’s. The storm had blown over and the dark clouds had given way to sporadic billows that punctuated a sky that faded from gray blue to gold across the horizon.

Walking toward the sunset, I silently hoped that all would go well with dinner. I felt as though I was walking into a den of hungry wolves, fangs bared, frothing at the mouth, gnashing and snarling menacingly. The image of Mrs. Preston’s toothy, straight, white smile popped into my head.

As I crested the last knoll before the Preston estate, the sound of music stopped me in my tracks. Beautiful classical music poured from its direction and I followed it like a sailor to a siren, blissfully ignorant to its danger.

Before I could knock on the door and was greeted by a smiling Zander Preston, who offered his elbow and ushered me inside. He grinned and leaned down to my ear. “You look ravishing. Perhaps I will get to do some of that later.” He winked and I had to stop myself from vomiting a refusal. I was in the den and must survive.

Scattered among the couches were Mr. and Mrs. Preston, Mr. Harrison Cole–Crew’s father, Crew, and a stunningly beautiful woman, seated between the two. Everyone stood. Mr. Preston’s suit was dark gray, as was Zander’s. They had probably been made from the same fabric. Cut from the same cloth. Most people in the village had matching things. We could not waste what we were given by the Greater cities.

Introductions were made again, though I had met everyone but Mrs. Cole. She was dressed in a deep red gown, cut into a ‘v’ at the neckline. It was tight and silky, and clung to her like a second skin. I’d never seen anyone wear anything so revealing and yet be covered from neck to toe. I shook their hands and smiled when appropriate.
Survive.

“Abigail. It’s a pleasure to see you again.” Mr. Cole extended his hand and I took it as well. “You know my son, Crew.” I nodded and accepted his formal handshake as well. “This beautiful creature is my lovely wife, Alyce. Her dark brown hair loosely curled down her back, a small piece pinned back on one side with an ornate piece of hair jewelry.

Her face was covered in makeup which made her face look flawless and beautiful. Full lips were painted the color of a blood red rose to match her gown, which I noticed up close was covered in small glass beads and stretched to the ground, where a small train pooled behind her feet. Her eyes were mostly brown, but there is a honey colored circle surrounding the pupil, the honey pooled and spilled out further into the brown on the outsides, reminding me of a spotted butterfly. How did this family get such unique eyes? And from both parents?

“Abigail.” Her eyes lit up excitedly. “I’ve heard so much about you. It’s wonderful to meet you, my dear.” She clasped my hand inside of both of hers. I swallowed.
Who had been talking about me?

“Thank you.”

An awkward moment of silence hung in the air until Marjorie, a village cook, popped her head into the room and announced dinner. I couldn’t miss how her eyes widened as she took me in and then shifted between me and Zander.

Mr. and Mrs. Preston led the way into the dining room. This was the only house in the village that boasted a separate room housing only a long wooden table and chairs. Zander ushered me inside, his hand upon the small of my back.  Crew followed directly behind us. His parents and the Preston’s claimed seats around the table. Crew’s suit was made of different material than his father’s. Small gray stripes streaked along the fabric of his, while his father’s was solid in color. The Cole’s had the finest clothes I’d ever seen.

On the table, bowls and platters of steaming food surrounded an enormous turkey, its skin golden-brown. The aroma from the bounty on this table alone, made me salivate with anticipation. I’d never in my life eaten a meal so grand. This much food would feed a dozen families if divided right.

Mr. Preston settled into the chair at the table’s head, with Mrs. Preston to his left. Crew settled in the seat to her left. Mr. Cole sat opposite of Councilman Preston. I sat to his left, and to my left was Zander. Crew, seated directly across the table stared unabashedly at me. Averting my eyes, I tried to get him to look away, but felt the warmth from his gaze on my anyway. He couldn’t do this. I’d pay dearly and given that they already took Lulu away, was scared of what they might do next.

Kicking his shin, I looked at him in warning and he finally relented. No one seemed to have noticed. Not even Zander. Marjorie filled our plates, which was strange. I’d always served myself, never been served by another. She rushed around filling glasses with apple wine and water.

Darkness crept in through the window. The candles glowed as warm as the food in my stomach. Crew didn’t stare at me anymore during dinner. The time and meal were passed in awkward silence. Awkward for me, anyway. Lulu and I, along with Kyan if he joined us, would always laugh and discuss our day during dinner. It was eerily quiet, save for the clinking of silverware upon porcelain and glass bottoms upon the wooden table.

When all silverware was abandoned, all plates and glasses empty, Marjorie cleared the table in front of us. All of our plates, the serving bowls, even the turkey was whisked away into the kitchen. Like a whirlwind, she sat small plates and new forks in front of us and once we were all settled, brought out a beautifully decorated square cake with two layers, the bottom one larger than the top. Small flowers sculpted expertly from icing draped formally across the layers of cake. It was exquisite.

She carefully cut and served a piece of cake to each person. Mr. Preston cleared his throat and raised his glass. The Cole’s and Mrs. Preston and Zander follow suit and so I raised my glass of sweet apple wine as well. “Thank you for attending dinner with us this evening. I do hope you have enjoyed the bounty that Orchard Village provides. This cake was made in celebration of a momentous occasion in the life of our only son. He has certainly made us proud to be his parents and even more so by picking such a lovely young lady to join with him in marriage.”

I swallowed hard.
Oh, crap
. Crew’s eyes met mine and I quickly looked away.  Zander glanced over at me, smirking. “I cannot imagine a better match for our son. And, so with this dinner and beautiful dessert creation, we welcome you to the Preston family, Abigail Kelley.” He took a deep sip from his glass and everyone followed suit. Crew trained his eyes on mine just as he took a small sip. I gulped the rest of my half-full glass down. I felt nearly as empty as that glass as I swallowed it down, trying to accept my fate.

I’d never been more eager to return home in my life. Being treated like royalty wasn’t something I wanted, or something I enjoyed, apparently. So, when the Councilman suggested that the ‘young people’ retire for the evening to rest up for a hard day’s work ahead, I was quick to find the door. I accepted hugs and offered goodbyes to everyone mechanically and stepped onto the porch.

Zander stepped across the porch to meet me. Everyone’s eyes were on us. “Until tomorrow, my love.” He leaned before I could even protest, and kissed me full on the lips. I wanted to cringe. I wanted to smack him, to hear the satisfying sound of my hand making contact with his deceitful face, but I valued my skin and the skin of those I love and so I allowed it. Bile rose in my throat. I disgusted myself.

I broke contact first and looked over. Mr. and Mrs. Preston smiled menacingly. Mr. Cole stood back in quiet appraisal, while Mrs. Cole looked as if she’d just seen a puppy lick the cheek of a child. Crew looked off into the woods. I stepped off the porch and onto the pathway and started walking home, thinking what a big mess this situation, my life, was at the moment. Tears burned my eyes.

Someone grabbed my elbow. I turned around to find Crew looking down at me. “Here. Wear my jacket home. You can bring it back to me tomorrow.” Without another look, he helped me shrug his dark suit jacket on, turned and walked quickly back to the porch. “Thanks,” I muttered. Not that it mattered.

I walked into the darkness down the trail that led into the woods, through the fields of hay. The smell of wild onions surrounded me, but even they couldn’t drown out the masculine, crisp smell that was Crew, emanating from the warm jacket wrapped around me. In the woods, the chirps of crickets and scurried steps of small animals could be heard. Shivering, I tucked my hands into the pockets of Crew’s jacket.
What is that?
I eased the object out just enough so that I could see what it was. It was a piece of paper, folded up into a tight square. When I got home, I locked the door behind me, lit the candles and examined the paper with the firelight. It was a note from Crew.

Meet me at the swans at midnight.

—Yours, Crew