The Last Witch (Incenaga Trilogy) (21 page)

Emmeline joined the crowd on their feet in triumph for the Black Knight. A garland of flowers was draped over his shoulders. He raised his hands and the crowd cheered and jumped to their feet. Taking off his helmet, he revealed black tousled hair and a wide grin. A young woman broke from the spectators and ran into his outstretched arms. He gave her a lusty kiss and the crowed whistled and cheered.

“How was that for a jousting match?” Erick hollered over the cheers.

“Wonderful! Is there another?”

“I believe that was the last set.”

“Oh,” Emmeline said, disappointed. She was hoping to relive the thrill of the joust at least one more time before night’s end. They stood to leave and Emmeline found herself swallowed up in the exodus leaving the arena. Erick reached for her hand but she was knocked further into the stream of people by a rowdy group of boys. She stumbled into a fence post and held on until she was bumped into her shoulder and pushed back in step with the herd of people. She craned her neck to find Erick but all she saw were masks and more masks. People laughed and called loudly to one another, singing songs of triumph and yelling hurrahs into the air. Emmeline covered her ears as she was driven forward. The commotion was too much for her, so different from her solitary upbringing. A child darted in front of her and his mother reached out to stop him, forcing Emmeline back. Someone slammed into her from behind and Emmeline threw her hands forward in a knee-jerk reaction. Her sleeves caught on the sides of her mask and it fell away from her face. Emmeline gasped, catching the child’s attention. He looked up, despite his mother’s scolding, and his eyes widened.

“Mommy, Look! Look at her eyes!”
he cried as he pointed his chubby finger at Emmeline.

Emmeline ducked her head
and searched for her mask. If she was recognized there was no telling what would happen among so many people. But all she could see were boots and sandals shuffling toward the outlet. She brought a hand up to cover her eyes.

“Erick!” she called out. But with her head down, she was afraid her voice was lost among the dirt and trampling feet.

“Mommy! Look at that girl!” the little boy cried again.

Emmeline could feel several pairs of eyes turn toward her, curious
to see what the boy was so excited about. The weight of their stares pressed down on her in a way she guessed was how a rabbit felt when it knew a fox was waiting to pounce. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to push toward the outer edges of the throng. But with the crowd pressing forward, she had no choice but to move with it, her mask gone.

A strong pair of arms wrapped around her and Emmeline relaxed at once.
Erick reached a hand behind her head and pressed her face into his chest as he lifted her away. Pulling her onto a bench three rows high, he didn’t let go until her mask was securely in place.

“How’d you find it?” Emmeline asked out of breath.
She patted the mask closer to her face, never more grateful for its cover.

“I was trying to reach you when you knocked it off. I saw
where it fell, but it got trampled a bit before I could get to it. Sorry.

“That’s alright. Thanks.”

“Why don’t we stay here and wait for everyone to leave before we go down.”

Emmeline smiled and nodded.
They sat shoulder to shoulder as the crowd dissipated. No longer in the thick of what felt like a stampede, Emmeline was able to appreciate all the different shapes, sizes, and personalities of the people passing them. They nodded and smiled, some commenting on the grandness of the night, but neither Erick nor Emmeline said anything in return. Emmeline’s shyness among so many strangers kept her from speaking out, but she wondered what caused Erick’s unusual silence. He seemed like someone who would chat with just about anyone. A breeze found its way to their bench and Emmeline shivered against the chill.

“Would you like to head back
down to the lake and sit by a fire?” Erick asked.

Emmeline hesitated
. Would it be safe for her to be so close to the flames? She still wasn’t sure she could keep herself from taking in too much heat. And after what had happened in Prince Weldon’s study, she wasn’t so sure she wanted Erick to witness her loss of control. A breeze ruffled her hair and she shivered again.

“
You’re cold. Let’s go,” Erick said. And then with a playful look in his eye, he added, “I have to warn you, once you are warmed up, I may ask you to dance with me.”

“Thank you for the warning,” she said, matching his playful tone
but feeling a tumult of unease inside. “I’ll be sure to think of an excuse before then.”

Erick’s head tilted back in laughter. He took her hand and led her
down the hill to the lake. They wandered around several massive fires before Erick found a secluded log rolled far from any flames.

“I don’t want you to get too hot,” Erick said. “We can move closer if you prefer.”

“No, this is perfect.” It would be easier, she thought, to be further from the flames. She couldn’t let her guard down with Erick and so many innocent people near.

“
Are you sure? Do you want to move closer?” Erick asked.

Emmeline shook her head
. “I’m fine.” She folded her arms, her hands tucked underneath for good measure.

Erick reached up to wrap his arm around her. He pulled her close and rubbed her arm
.

B
urning wood crackled to the rhythm of the music while smoke swirled above their heads in a dance of its own. A group of musicians played a rhythmic song, enticing those within ear’s reach to join in on a dance. Several couples gathered around the fire, their hands clasped together as they skipped to the beat and turned circles around one another. Before long Emmeline found herself eager to join them.

“Do you want to dance?
” Erick asked, pulling her up from the log. He spun her around and Emmeline laughed.

“It seems I
’m already dancing!” She said as he spun her again.

They skipped and turned, dipped and spun
, sitting only to catch their breaths. Emmeline sucked in the cold air, relishing the rush it gave her. She couldn’t sit for long, her impatient hands tapping the rhythm on her lap while her feet recovered. Not once did the fire beckon her closer or tempt her to take on any heat. She was having too much fun to question why this was. She simply wished to pretend as if she were one of the townswomen. And with every step and every twirl, she was able to forget the dangerous witch inside her.

After several dances,
Erick excused himself with promises to return. Emmeline nodded between skips, but was surprised by the intensity of the void that followed in his wake. She wanted to catch up with him, yearning to replace the emptiness she felt with his infallible warmth, but he was already lost in the crowd.

The music slowed and several couples embraced for a quiet turn around the fire. Emmeline wandered to the log and wra
pped her arms around her stomach. The longing for Erick burned its way into her chest, even though she tried to disregard it, or explain it away. As much as she craved Erick’s presence and the easy comfort that enveloped her when she was with him, she knew she could never have a life with him.

T
he townspeople began gathering their children to return home. The merchants packed up their wares into bundles for safe transport, and musicians put away their instruments. An old woman near the fire yawned and placed her head on her husband’s shoulder. He reached his arm around her and pressed his cheek to her forehead whispering something that made her blush. Emmeline smiled at their sweet exchange and then slumped on the log. What she wouldn’t give to be released from her betrothal and allowed to experience such a love.

Erick came up from behind
her and stepped over the log to sit next to her. He held out his hand and smiled. Dangling from his fingers was the silver necklace and dove pendant.

“
For me?”Emmeline whispered.

He gestured to
her neck. “May I?”

Emmeline blushed, “I couldn’t.” Her thoughts drifted to the blank face of the man she was to marry. What would he think if he knew
she accepted a piece of jewelry from another man?

B
efore she could protest, Erick reached around her neck and closed the clasp of the necklace. His fingers were warm where they touched her skin, leaving a tingling sensation that traveled down her back.

“You shouldn’t have, Erick.”

“I wanted to. You should have something to remember your first Pravoli Festival.

“Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome. It is nearing midnight, My Lady. I suppose you should get back before your glass slippers disappear.”

“They don’t
disappear; I’m supposed to lose them.”

“Ah, well, let’s make sure that doesn’t happen,
” Erick said with a wink.

The stars twinkled above them and a soft breeze ruffled Emmeline'
s hair as they strolled toward the horse. Erick looked up at the stars and then back down at Emmeline. He sighed and swallowed hard. Shaking his head, he lifted Emmeline to the saddle and joined her from behind. She could have sworn his lips brushed the back of her neck, but when she turned around in surprise, he spurred the horse into a gallop.

Emmeline looked
ahead, wishing she had met Erick in another time and another place. But time wouldn’t stand still for her, or allow her the chance to live the life she wanted. No, it barreled on and she had no choice but to move along with it.

And
the time had come for her to discover the depth of Mahlon’s treachery.

Erick
dismounted first, reaching up to help Emmeline down. Although she was firmly planted on the ground, he held on to her, his gaze searching her face.

“I don’t remember the last time I have enjoyed myself so much in one evening,” he said
. He let go and took a step back, running a hand through his hair.

“I
enjoyed myself as well,” Emmeline said. “Thank you for taking me, and for the mask.”

“Will I see you
at the stables tomorrow?”

“Of course.”

“Great. Until then?”

“Until then.”

Emmeline turned toward the door and the thought of what she had to do next suddenly overwhelmed her. As soon as Erick left, she would have to wander the dark forests alone in search of a pub she knew nothing about. It could be in the town, or out in the country, or anywhere. And who knew what she would find along the way, or if she would make it back unscathed.

Panicking,
Emmeline heard the many warnings she had received echoing in her mind. She could be taken, used, killed. Her heart pounded, her breath hitched. Was it worth the risk for a little information?

She clenched her fists.
Yes, it was. She owed the people of Pamizak, especially if she eliminated their last hope on her wedding night. A fresh wave of panic crashed into her and burned in her chest.

“Wha
t is it, Emmeline?” Erick asked. “What's wrong?”

She wanted to tell him. It would be so much easier
if he was with her. Not only did she feel safe with him, but she had promised the King she wouldn’t leave his side. But she knew that if Mahlon caught her alone, the worst he would do is harm her, not kill her. He needed her alive. If he caught Erick with her, he wouldn’t be as merciful. She would never be able to live with herself if something happened to Erick.

So once again, she prepared herself to lie to him.

“Nothing is wrong. Thank you for the delightful evening.” She crossed her arms, trying to hold herself together. She wanted to give up, go inside the safety of the palace and forget the meeting was ever going to happen. But she was tired of giving up and even more tired of being pushed around and left ignorant.

“Why are you trembling?” Erick asked, alarm evident in his voice.

“It’s cold out here. I’m cold. I should go. No, you need to go. I’m going to be late.”

“Emmeline, you aren’t making any sense.”
He paused, worry in his eyes. A sound came from around the corner of the palace. “Someone’s coming,” he whispered.

“Tomorrow, Erick.
Just go!”

Emmeline picked up her skirts in both of her hands and dashe
d to the hidden door. She had left it ajar so it wasn’t difficult to slip through the dark crack. Managing to close the door without a sound, she breathed a sigh of relief. She turned her back to the door and leaned against it. Her body trembled, her heart aching for the lie she had told Erick. She didn’t deserve his trust, or his friendship.

Her body shook
against the cold marble. Taking off her mask, she threw it on the ground and buried her face in her hands. She knew she needed to collect herself before she would be able to take one step into the dark forest alone. But how? She envisioned the route she thought might take her to the pub, imagining the paths she might follow. But that didn’t help. She didn’t even know where it was, let alone which paths to follow. She tried to remember the soothing song Adelia always hummed, but that didn’t help either. She imagined playing the harp, reading her favorite book, strolling among the gardens, but nothing calmed her in the slightest. She was close to hysteria just thinking about what lay ahead. For once she was forcing herself to face her problem and it was so much harder than she thought it would be.