Page 66 of To Love

The priest said nothing to that.

Alden looked Percival in his eyes and asked once again. “Who else knows?”

“No one,” he responded immediately.

Alden believed him.

“What will you do now?” the priest asked.

“We will bring you to the empress, who decides your fate. They say she is merciful, and perhaps by not revealing us completely, you’ve spared your life.”

Alden could sense Gareth was torn. Father Percival had shown Gareth and his old friend Eamon a kindness. He seemed genuine in his concern for Lila. And yet he’d set fire to the damn stables. Was responsible for their men not receiving proper weapons in a battle that could have been disastrous.

“There is good and bad in all of us,” Father Percival said. “I was not strong enough to fight the devil when he came for me. Perhaps you will be.” Whom he spoke to, Alden could not be certain. The priest spoke to the fire, to all and no one at the same time.

“The devil comes for all of us,” Darien said, smiling at a confused-looking Percival. Darien’s smile was as enigmatic as ever, holding more secrets than any man Alden had met.

“Indeed it does,” Alden whispered, thinking of his nights in Elara’s bedchamber. “Indeed it does.”

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

For the first time since she’d come to Castle Blackwood, Elara had too few duties to occupy her. With the traitor having been uncovered, and the majority of their recruits sent to Winchester, she was left with only those men who’d been recruited recently, Sir Eamon, Evelina, Amalia, and the servants.

Nights were the worst. Though she began to take evening meals in the hall with Eamon and the other two women, and often engaged in a game of chess after, she was forced back to her empty chamber each night with only memories of Alden.

Memories of what she had not said on that last day before he left.

“Elara?”

Evelina and Amalia had already dismounted. She did the same, giving the reins to a stable boy.

The house on the west edge of the village where they headed had a timber frame and stone foundation with only the wooden sign designating it an alehouse. The three women walked inside, Elara stepping on hay, which was strewn across the wooden floor.

She’d been here before, but never without an escort. Eamon had not been pleased to learn of the womens’ outing and attempted to provide them with a guard. Evelina scolded her father for being too protective, and they set off.

Along one wall was a long wooden bar, behind which ale barrels were stored. Similar to a small hall with its wooden tables, the tavern was unique, even among other taverns. Likely because it was run by an alewife, the woman’s touch evident in every little detail, such as the coordinating colors.

“Good day, Mistress Lucy,” Evelina said. A woman with short brown hair, not much older than Elara, greeted them. Before long, the three women were seated with mugs of ale before them.

“This is a new brew,” the alewife said. “Crafted with a touch of honey and some spices. I do hope you enjoy it.”

“Many thanks.” Amalia pulled it toward her and drank. “’Tis quite good.”

“I have a confession,” Evelina said when the alewife walked away. “I know Mistress Lucy because she allowed Gareth and me to meet here in secret during our courtship.”

Amalia, obviously, did not appear surprised. She must have known already.

“But the others . . .” Elara gestured to the tavern’s patrons.

“There were none. We met before she opened, and she even delayed it once for us. I have an affinity for this place,” Evelina admitted. The woman never giggled, but the sound that she made was close.

“Fond memories.” Amalia adjusted the sleeve of her gown as it hung on the table before them. “For you, perhaps. I was so worried.”

“As was I,” Evelina admitted. “I could not have dreamed all would work out so well. And for you,” she said to Amalia. “Tell Elara about the shop.”

Though it was closed that day, and Elara knew much about Amalia’s herb shop, it seemed she had good news to share. Amalia told her how the shop had gained the notice of an herbalist passing through who had much information to share for Amalia to improve her offerings.