Page 167 of The Knucker King

Trewoofe smiled down at him. “Little familiar…” He stooped to peck a kiss to the Grim’s head. “You did your best. We are all here, alive, and safe. We cannot ask for more than that.”

Avice’s heart melted. She placed the calendula next to Bramble and tossed her arms back around him. Trewoofe joined in, holding the pair to him. Ashling drifted in and landed on her head. She had never been so grateful for her little family.

Olwilla – who had been standing back from the tender moment – murmured to another Wulver who stuck their head into the pavilion. The Queen cleared her throat, breaking their small, intimate moment.

“The meal is ready,” she said. “Would you like to join us for something to eat?”

Avice blushed as her stomach growled. “I would love to.”

Trewoofe chuckled. “We all would.”

62

Chapter 62

Avice

Led by Olwilla, they left the pavilion, with Bramble limping just behind them. When Trewoofe had offered to carry him to the central fire pit, the Grim had given him such a look that the King snapped his mouth shut.

Once they were settled by the welcoming fire, piled wooden plates of roasted boar and apple were placed in Avice and Trewoofe’s hands. It smelt delicious, and her mouth watered at the perfectly cooked offerings. There was no cutlery, and she smiled at the memory of Trewoofe struggling with his spoon. She wondered if the Wulver had similar issues with utensils and that is why there were none. Using her fingers, she popped some tender meat into her mouth. She savoured the smoky flavour as it melted on her tongue.

Something about the support of her little family, the kindness of the Wulver, and the delicious plate of food offered, had her emotions finally bubble over. Avice dropped her chin to her chest as silent tears poured down her face, soaking her dress front.

Trewoofe missed nothing.

He put down his plate and wrapped his arm around her shaking shoulders.

He lowered his lips to her ear. “Are you well, little witch?”

Avice sniffled and shook her head. “No. They tried to kill me. If not for you, they would have.”

Trewoofe emitted a low growl. “And they will die for it. I will sweep them all from Albion.”

“You cannot!” Avice exclaimed. She felt the eyes of the ten or so feasting Wulver on her and lowered her voice. “You cannot. So many of them tried to stop the Moot and their guards: Joan, Catherine, Matilda… Many women protested my treatment.”

He let out a huff. “You already know that I cannot say no to you. So, if you wish for me to hold back my rage, then I will.” He ground his fangs. “I will not lie, Avice. I killed many men that day, they stood in my way and would not move.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the flowing tears to ebb. Avice was glad they were dead. Yet, guilt gnawed at her. Why should she feel guilty? They tried to make her admit to crimes that were not even crimes. Who had she harmed? No one. They wanted to kill her and did not deserve her remorse.

“I am both sorry and not sorry they are dead,” she whispered. “These feelings swirl within me like the wind blowing the leaves. If the Moot are gone… things could be different for the women above.”

“I did it to keep you safe,” Trewoofe said gently. “Like I took the Tall One’s life, I took their lives. If you asked me to march upon the village and sweep it from the land, I would. You asked me to stay my fury, and I will.”

Avice brushed her tears away. “You would do that for me?”

“I would do anything for you.” He kissed her temple. “If you asked me to fetch the Moon, I would reach up into the night sky, pluck her from it, and give it to you wrapped in ribbon.”

Bramble finished gnawing on his bone and plonked his head in her lap. You should not feel guilty they are dead. You have done nothing but serve the people of Lamorna, but they would end your life for simply being a witch.

“Agreed.” Ashling flared red as he perched on Trewoofe’s horn and spoke more viciously than Avice had ever heard from him before. “If I were a younger Wisp, I would burn down the gallows and the church. That Cross God has been nothing but trouble since his followers arrived.”

Avice put down her plate and ran her fingers over her pendant. “The church…”

Something, in the shadow of her memory, niggled at her.

Trewoofe squeezed her shoulder. “Little witch, are you—”

“Shush, Lord. Just let me think for a moment,” Avice whispered. “I am trying to recall something while I was in the cage. The magic, the vines…”