The Second Life of Magnolia Mae (18 page)

She didn’t blame Pelonis for his reasoning. After all, she’d gone to him to find a home for Avengar. By doing that, she’d found Alistair. Some might say that she only wanted to marry him so that her people would be even more secure in this place, but the truth was she loved him. It was not something that she admitted often, but she felt it deep in her heart. The more time she spent with him the more she saw his resemblance to the Bash she’d left behind in the future. Certainly, that was what she was supposed to see when she’d been ill and had been told that they had not left her. They were here with her. It had all started making sense after that last dream.

Now she had to make sure that she didn’t allow Kamille to take away her happiness once again. While scrubbing the floors, she was soon lost in her own world. The day passed by much more quickly while she thought back on her happy childhood.

“Daciana?” Nonna’s voice broke through the memories. “Dear one, I believe that the floors cannot get any cleaner, though you can. Get to your chambers, and I will have a bath brought up for you.”

She put the rag into the basin of now cool water then stood and stretched out her stiff limbs. “Have the men returned?”

“Not yet. They’ll arrive soon. I am sure of it.” She felt a sense of dread for the days that lay ahead.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

T
HE HOT WATER FELT
amazing against her sore muscles. Soaking in the tub, she decided it was the best feeling in the world, at least at this moment. Finally, she forced herself to pick up the soap to wash her hair and body. Sliding down into the water, she rinsed out her hair then got out of the tub. Quickly, she dried off and pulled on a dress. While brushing her hair, her door flung open, and a ghost-white Railynn stood there.

“Come.”

The look on her friend’s face told her that whatever it was that had sent her crashing through that door was something urgent. Nothing was said as they ran through the corridors. Railynn led her down the stairs to the entrance. She saw the hunting party coming through the doors carrying someone.

“What happened?” Magnolia pushed her way toward them, forcing herself to walk closer. Blood was covering the men who had Jaceson in their grasps.

“Jaceson, m’lady. He is still alive for now.”

“Get him to his bed. Railynn, have someone bring up boiling water and some ale. If you see Nonna, send her. I will go to her room to see if she’s there getting ready.”

Railynn did not move. The girl stared at Jaceson.

“Now.” Her voice was low but forceful enough to send the girl running to do what she had asked. Magnolia ran ahead of the men. She tossed open the doors to Nonna’s rooms but did not see her. Once in Jaceson’s room, she stoked the fire then pulled the blankets from the bed. She tossed them onto a chair. Rushing back out of the room, she went to get fresh linens, knowing that she would need some. When she returned to the room, they were laying Jaceson on the bed. When she reached his side, she could see that he had a large wound in his thigh.

“The boar impaled him,” one of the men said. “What can we do?”

“See what is taking Railynn so long. I need Nonna’s supplies and that water and ale now. We do not have time to waste.” Carefully she cut the material of his pants with the dagger she had on her. Peeling back the filthy blood soaked rags that had been shoved into the wound to try to staunch the bleeding, she wanted to gag as blood poured forth, too freely for stitches “Get a large metal tong. It may need to be cauterized.” Dirt was mingled in with the blood. She picked up a clean rag then applied pressure to the wound.

Nonna and Railynn rushed into the room. Magnolia took the ale from Railynn and poured some on the wound. Dirt and blood flowed away from it. One more time, and she was satisfied that there was no more dirt in there.

“There is too much blood, dear one. I cannot do anything for him.”

“No, I will not lose him. Hold this there.”

Nonna placed her hand over the blood-soaked rag.

Magnolia crossed the room, took the metal tongs into her hand, poured some ale over it, and then instructed that it be kept in the flames until she asked for it. “When I say, you will hand it over as quickly as possible. It cannot be allowed to cool.”

Looking at the other men who had not left the room yet, she saw that they doubted that their friend could make it through the procedure. Honestly, she was not sure that he would either.

“I need him to be held down firmly. He cannot be allowed to move. Is this understood?”

They all nodded and took places around the bed. She said a silent prayer then asked for the tongs. They were in her hand within seconds. Carefully she lowered them to his thigh. The skin sizzled, and his body lurched up. She pulled the tongs back and gazed down at his thigh. The wound was closed up.

Jaceson had stopped moving, and Railynn let out a loud wail. One of the men carried her from the room. Magnolia handed the tongs back to the man who had given them to her. She picked up a clean rag and soaked it in the basin of fresh water. Cleaning the dirt and blood off of him gave her something to do. This was not a helpless moment, and she would not allow it to become one.

As the men started to leave the room, she finally realized that Alistair was not there. “Where is Alistair? Was he hurt?” She could not believe that he would not be here by choice.

“No, m’lady. He and a few others went after the boar.”

Anger filled her, burning her when their words sunk in. He had abandoned his brother in his time of need.

“Thank you for bringing him here as quickly as you did and for your assistance. Dinner should be ready. Go and eat.” Magnolia pulled a chair close to the bed. After she cleaned him as best as she could, she had one of the men place a pair of clean trousers over one leg. She had cut off the other in order to keep an eye on the wound. The filthy shirt was pulled off and a blanket placed over his body. Nonna had left so quietly that Magnolia had not even noticed she was gone until she returned with some food, drink, and broth.

“You need to eat, dear one.” Nonna’s kind eyes looked into hers.

“I can’t lose him, Nonna. Not again.” A sadness filled her.

Nonna’s wrinkled hand reached out and touched her cheek.

“You did far more for him than I would have been able to do. You didn’t give up.”

“I can’t. I won’t lose him.” Her lips pursed together and her brows were drawn down with determination. “I have already lost so much. Losing him would be more than I could bear.”

“I understand.” Nonna’s voice was filled with love, and Magnolia knew that the old woman understood. “You need to eat to keep up your strength.” Nonna left her alone in the room.

She nibbled at some food while watching Jaceson. He was so pale and still. Would he make it? He had to — he simply had to pull through this. The chair was getting more and more comfortable as the room darkened, enticing her to sleep. Magnolia reached her hand over to Jaceson’s forehead to check to see if he felt feverish, but he was simply cold. After tossing another log on the fire and placing another blanket across him, she settled into the chair. Dragoste had found his way into the room and curled up at her feet. She allowed sleep to claim her.

Magnolia opened her eyes to darkness. After lighting a candle, she went over to the fire to toss another log on. Dragoste lifted his big head and watched as she moved about the room.

At his bedside she reached her hand out to touch Jaceson’s forehead. It was warmer than it had been before, causing her to worry since the room was cold. She pulled the blankets back to look down at his cauterized thigh. It was a nasty, swollen, red color. She covered him again and sat gently on the edge of the bed.

“I cannot lose you the way I lost Mama and Daddy. I thought that you had left me, but you were here all along. Jace, please don’t leave me now. I need you.” Large tears clouded her vision then spilled over, trailing down her cheeks. “If you leave now, who will be there for me on the day that I marry? Who will give me advice? Who will remind me of who I am? There is so much left for you to do here.”

Time dragged on slowly through the night. The silence was filled with her talking. When she ran out of things to say, she sang song after song. She needed for him to know that he was not here alone, that she would stay with him just as he had stayed with her.

“How is he?” A smooth voice came from the shadows of the doorway.

“Alive, that’s all that I know.” She flicked her gaze angrily at the man who should have been there the entire time.

“I was told that you saved him.” He stepped into the room.

“What did you do?” Venom dripped from her voice. “You left him to go after the boar?”

“I could not stand by and watch him die.” Alistair’s voice quaked.

“So you abandoned him when he needed you the most? Is that the kind of king you’ll be? Will you always run with your tail between your legs? You couldn’t stay with your brother, a man who has done everything that he possibly could for you. You left him to die alone because you could not bear it?” She didn’t care that her voice echoed off the walls. “A coward is all that you are. Only a coward would leave someone he loves for fear of how things will end!”

Alistair’s eyes darted between her and his brother. “I didn’t know what to do.”

A smirk flashed across her face. “You think I did? I was scared, afraid that he would die in my arms. There was so much blood. It seemed like it was everywhere. He was so pale, so cold. But I couldn’t leave him. I would have never forgiven myself if I had.” She turned away from the man who claimed to love her.

“Daciana, what can I do?” His voice shook as he spoke.

“Leave. You’re good at that. Your parents will be here soon. It’s possible that they will arrive today. Then you can inform Kamille that she need no longer worry about Jaceson or myself. You may return home with them to Marcello where you belong.” Her voice was cold as ice.

The sound of the door closing behind him as he left echoed loudly in her ears. Lying gently on the other side of the bed, careful not to touch Jaceson, she wept until the tears seemed to dry up. She had lost the man she loved and was very likely losing her only connection to her brother. Hopelessness wanted to swallow her whole. Dragoste pushed his cold nose up against her face, nudging her softly. She curled over to her side and wrapped her arms around the large wolf. Her wolf would not leave her. Dragoste was a constant in her life. She had discovered from Nonna that Dragoste had been found alone as a pup, near death, when Daciana’s father had brought him to his daughter. She had nursed him back to health and he’d stayed with her ever since.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

M
AGNOLIA DIDN’T WANT TO
leave Jaceson’s side the next day. The sky was overcast and dreary. Snow would soon be flying. The sea looked angry, and waves crashed to the shore. When she glanced toward the mountains, she swore that she could see them coming, although even if they were there, she knew that they would not arrive until nearly sunset — if they arrived today at all.

But the snow would not hold off simply because she wanted it to. She knew that everyone was prepared for another storm, but she had to double-check just to be certain. When Railynn came in to check on Jaceson, she asked the girl to stay with him until she returned. Railynn seemed both happy and distressed by the request.

“He will be alright. I just want someone here in case he wakes up. He cannot be trying to get out of bed just yet.” Magnolia offered a tired smile before leaving the room.

In the entryway to the castle, she saw ladies scrubbing at the floor to clean up the blood that had been spilled there. They had already cleaned up any that had fallen while Jaceson was carried to his room. Magnolia continued past them, out to check on the livestock.

Gwain appeared by her side. “M’lady.” He smiled up at her, slipping his little hand into hers.

“Gwain, what are you out here doing?”

“Making sure that the sheep and cattle are safe. I took Genevieve’s cat to her when I saw it wandering about. I would hate for her to lose that cat in the snow like I lost my dog.” He smiled up at her despite the sadness in his eyes. “I checked on the chickens. They are all safe and warm. Fed and watered them while I was there.”

“What would I do without you around?” She was grateful that Gwain was there. His show of responsibility proved that he would grow to be a fine young man.

“Is Jaceson going to be alright? I saw them bring him in.” His fingers gripped her hand a little more. So that was the reason he had come to her.

“I believe he will be alright. He needs plenty of rest. You’re welcome to come visit with him anytime you want. He enjoys talking to you. Jaceson speaks very highly of your improving skill with a bow and sword. Though I do believe I heard him say something about you not knowing how to read.”

“I cannot read, m’lady. Neither can my sister.” He looked up at her.

“I think it’s time that you learn. I’ll see what is in the library. What do you think of one night a week anyone who wants to hear a story can come sit in the great hall and listen to one? Meanwhile, I’ll teach you to read. It is a valuable skill that you’ll need. What if I needed you to carry out a very important matter for me, and it had to be done in a specific way? You would need to read so you could follow instructions. As long as the weather is not so bad that you must stay at your house to be safe, you may come every day after your training and chores for a lesson.”