The Blight of Muirwood (Legends of Muirwood 2)

Sowe bit her lip. “You do not have to give me anything. Pasqua and I will be fine. If the Abbey falls, Lia will protect us.”

His face looked pained. “I do not doubt it. But Dieyre’s threats are haunting me. If they force the gates open, I want you to run. Hide where you can. Wait until it is safe and then slip away. I will look for you on my estate. Can I trust you to do that, Sowe? Pasqua?”

Sowe nodded, unable to meet his pleading eyes.

Lia stood, staring at them quietly, unable to mistake the pain in Edmon’s eyes.

“This may be the only chance I get to say goodbye,” Edmon said. “The Aldermaston wants us in his manor house before sunset so that we can be seen entering.”

“I know,” Sowe whispered, still unable to look up. “Goodbye then.” She clutched the coins and fidgeted with her hands. Tears dangled from her lashes.

Sowe looked so beautiful in the fading light that Lia could only stare, her back to the door to prevent anyone from intruding on the moment. She held the crossbar brackets behind her.

“Sowe.” His voice was just a whisper.

She glanced up at him, her eyes deep with fear and brimming with longing. He leaned down and kissed her on the mouth. Watching from the doorway, Lia was stricken by its simplicity, its tenderness, and with the crushing sickness of jealousy that Colvin would never do that to her.

When their lips parted, he grasped her shoulders and forced her to look at him. “I can only leave knowing that you will do everything to safeguard yourself.” He reached down and took her trembling hands and brought them up to his mouth for another kiss, like Duerden had. “I hope these coins will aid your departure. If not, and nothing happens, then they are a small token of the pleasure you have brought me on my stay at Muirwood. Or you can take them as payment for a kiss, which I did not ask your leave to take.” With one finger, he traced the bottom of her chin. “For that, I beg your pardon.”

She nodded mutely, struggling to find her voice. Then said softly, “I forgive you.”

Edmon enfolded her in his arms, rested his chin against her hair and then broke away and started for the door.

Lia felt the door tug behind her, but she was gripping the crossbar brace so tight that it did not open. Coughing in warning to Edmon, she turned and opened the door and found Colvin standing there, sweat glistening on his forehead, his blade sheathed in its scabbard. He looked startled to see her, his face showing the surprise before hardening into impassivity again.

“Edmon,” he beckoned, but the other earl was on his way. He looked at Sowe who trembled like a leaf and said nothing until after he had exited the kitchen.

“What were you doing?” Colvin asked as they started away, without a single word to Lia.

“Bid the girl goodbye,” Edmon said in a tight whisper.

“By her look, you did more than that,” Colvin warned.

The whisper was louder, frustrated. “No, I said bid the girl goodbye! Lia! Do not just walk away from her.”

Colvin scratched an itch at his neck. “I will do that in my own…”

“When?” Edmon said with a surge of anger. “You are so hard-hearted, I swear. Your way then. Insufferable…”

Lia felt the tiny pleasure of vindication and shut the door so she could no longer hear them. But a moment later, there was a knock behind her and she turned and found Colvin standing there. He glanced at Sowe and Pasqua within, but then back at Lia again. His jaw was clenched with fury. She knew the look well and gave him raised eyebrows only, saying nothing.

“Can I speak with you?” he asked.

She shrugged and left the kitchen behind, shutting the door slowly. Her heart pounded inside her chest, but she tried to look calm and self-assured. It was a lie, but she tried her best to make it seem natural. They had not really spoken since that day in the grove of apple trees. The fading sunlight turned the gray walls of the Abbey a rich golden hue. Again she had the feeling of it calling to her, summoning her.

“Walk with me,” Colvin said and started back to the manor house. “Even though I cannot tell you where we are going, that would not stop you from finding us.”

She said nothing. He knew she had the Cruciger orb and could find him anywhere.

“Marciana told me this afternoon that she wished you were going with us, instead of Martin. He is a stranger to her, but I know that you trust him. You owe your skills to him. He has trained you well.”

“Thank you,” she replied, wondering what he would say next.

He did not say anything, and they reached the rear door to the manor house. He stood facing the door as if struggling with the act of extending his hand and opening it. “I do not fear for your safety, like Edmon does. He still has much to learn about controlling his feelings. I trust you to the Medium. If you follow it, you cannot do better.” He turned and looked at her. “We are leaving Muirwood tonight. I will not be coming back.”