Besotted (The Fairest Maidens #3) - Jody Hedlund Page 0,60

you are safely settled at Delsworth, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to write and inform the young woodcutter of your whereabouts.”

“What if he returns before the month’s end?” The question tore from my throat, laced with all the agony I could no longer ignore. “He will be devastated.”

Chester released an exasperated sigh. “It makes no difference. He’ll be devastated note or not.”

Tears stung my eyes, the tears I’d wanted to shed at the loss of the man I loved but that I hadn’t allowed in our hasty departure and flight to Huntwell Fortress. Now several spilled over. I swiped at them, unwilling for anyone to see how deeply I would miss Kresten.

As more trickled down my cheeks, I spun and stalked away, needing a moment of privacy to grieve.

“Where are you going?” Chester called.

“Let her have a few minutes,” Aunt Idony said, likely with a restraining hand on his arm. “We can surely allow her that.”

“She can’t run off right now.”

“I need just a moment, Chester,” I called. “Please. After taking away the letter, you can spare me a moment, can you not?”

He mumbled something urgent to Aunt Idony that I didn’t hear as I pushed past the briars and into the covering of thick foliage. My footsteps crunched against the fallen leaves and brittle branches, and as the darkness enfolded me, a sob welled up.

“Elspeth will attend her,” Aunt Idony replied. “Won’t you?”

“Of course I will, dear heart.” A moment later, Aunt Elspeth grunted as she rose from the ground. I didn’t wait for her but plunged deeper into the brush, needing to hide my sorrow.

The tears fell faster the farther I went, until I stopped, knowing I couldn’t stray too far.

“Sweeting?” Aunt Elspeth’s cheerful call came from near the edge of the brush. She was too easily spooked and wouldn’t follow me all the way into the thick growth, especially in the dark.

“I shall be fine. I just need a few more seconds. Please.” I sniffled, the burning in my throat and chest too raw.

“I’ll wait right here, dear heart. You take all the time you need.”

“Thank you.” I could no longer pretend leaving Kresten behind hadn’t mattered. And suddenly all I could think about was going back and pleading with him to come along on this new adventure. Was there any way I could convince Chester to do so?

But even as the thought came, I thrust it away. Chester would never allow it. As Aunt Idony said, I could write another note and have it delivered to him. It was the best I could do.

My chest swelled with sorrow—sorrow over the loss of a future with him, sorrow in missing our friendship and the closeness we’d developed, sorrow at the thought of never sharing any more laughter or smiles or banter, sorrow that we wouldn’t have adventures together—for life with him would never be dull.

I brushed at the wetness on my cheeks. At the soft crunch of a step nearby, the hairs on the back of my neck prickled. But I had neither the time nor the presence of mind to call out before something heavy banged into my head. Pain reverberated through my skull and down into my body. I felt myself crumpling, and then everything went black.

Chapter

18

Kresten

I had to let Aurora go. I repeated the words to myself over and over during the hike away from the cottage. When Vilmar had suggested I return to Birchwood with him, I was readily swayed, since I was weary from my wound and wallowing in my loss.

The next morning, when I exited Walter’s home, I halted abruptly at the sight of so many men amassed. They were in the process of saddling horses, donning weapons, and packing saddlebags with supplies they were purchasing from the townspeople.

With a nod at me, Vilmar broke away from the group and headed my way.

“You’d better not be going after her,” I growled as I stalked toward the rain barrel.

He followed me. “Good morning to you too.”

The water level in the open barrel was low, but I cupped my hands and splashed the cold water on my face anyway. Faint morning light glistened on the rippling surface, and I wished I could somehow drink the light and find that it would take away the ache in my chest. It had resided there all night, growing only heavier as the restless hours passed.

Vilmar waited until I’d finished before speaking. “She could be in danger. Queen Margery is anticipating Aurora coming out of hiding and