At the end of his tale, I helped the children apply the salve to their burns as Qarla and the others finished cleaning up the meal. Once the bowls, spoons, and pots had been set out of sight, they bid their good nights and retired to their tents.
As I had the evening before, I climbed up on the wagon to watch the children settle in for the night. I rolled up my sleeve to let my aching arm breathe freely in the cooler air. If it weren’t for Kash’s mark, I would have ripped away anything lower than the shoulder long before then. My hand swept over the fullness of my belly as I gazed out into the vacant road, expecting Calish to appear at any moment.
“Would you like some company?” Marsh asked, stealing me away from my hopeful waiting.
“If you want.”
He climbed up next to me and playfully bumped his shoulder into mine. “We still good?” I assumed he referred to our argument the night before.
“Yeah.”
“Then, what’s the matter now?”
“Calish said he’d try to get back here today.” I felt the baby kick, and it made me wince. “It’s clear that’s not going to happen.”
“Not tonight, maybe, but he will.” Marsh leaned forward with his forearms resting on his thighs. “I didn’t feel right going today, should I go get the animals tomorrow?”
“I’d rather you stay.” I watched the guard pace the gate. “We have so much work here left to do. It’s not like we’re ready for them yet.”
His head bobbed. “My thoughts exactly. When do you think we’ll start serving the soup?”
“Tonight went well. I’m pretty sure we could do it tomorrow if we wanted to, but Calish asked us to wait for him.”
“Then we should wait.”
Yeah.
I didn’t want to go against Calish’s wishes again. It hadn’t been long since I had, and I still felt bad about it.
“I’m going to bed. You should, too,” he said, jumping off the wagon.
Suddenly, sleep no longer interested me. Seeing my husband keep his promise did. The roads of Ashlund would be too dangerous to travel, though. I’d rather have him return and make it than try and fall by the blade of an angry Citizen. Accepting the wiser choice, I let Marsh help me down, saying our final good nights when I reached my sleeping blanket.
Wrapped up in a madras-style throw blanket, Aria waited for me, inches from my pillow. A simple smile greeted me as I stretched out next to her. She yawned, and suddenly I felt guilty for making her wait so long.
“Mother Una?” a whisper came from behind me.
I turned my head to a boy carrying his blanket wrinkled up in his arms.
“Can I sleep next to you?”
“Of course, sweetheart,” I answered, patting the dirt next to me.
The boy laid out his blankets so closely, the edge overlapped mine. When he crawled in, I felt his toes touching my calf.
“Mother Una?” another whisper called. “Can I move next to you, too?”
I yawned and, with a gesture of my hand, invited them closer too.
Aria quickly pushed her blanket against my side and claimed the spot for herself. A few other children moved closer, and soon I was surrounded.
I spread my arms out wide and held as many children as I could. If I couldn’t hold them, I did my best to touch them with my fingertips or toes to let them know I cared. From the heavens, I was sure we looked like a litter of puppies all cuddled together.
I didn’t sleep well at all that night. Having them so close to me was bittersweet. While I loved the fact that they wanted to be near me and show their affection, I suffered by it. As they touched me, memories flooded my mind. While they slept, my spirit pushed through door after door of ill-deserved tragedy. I sobbed as they unknowingly unveiled their early beginnings. Stories of family. Loss. Grief.
And Woodsmen.
Bound by history I could not change, I watched the faces of their attackers and smelled their putrid smells. Their promises were poorly crafted lies—lies too sophisticated for a child’s mind to question. Overpowered and unequipped, they endured the whims of both inebriated and evil men. With each touch laid on innocent flesh, each sting of grotesque brutality, and every word of hate hurled at them, I felt the wolf in me grow stronger. It heated with such intensity, my skin prickled as the anger radiated outside my body.
Throughout the night, their screams echoed in my ears. I abducted their memories and hunted the monsters that lurked in the corners of their minds. My teeth sank deep into the necks of the Woodsmen, and my claws eviscerated them. With my hands, I tore their heads free from their necks and their limbs from their torsos. The children watched their attackers die a thousand deaths.
I will make the Woodsmen pay with currency of blood, breath, and flesh.
Chapter 29
I didn’t realize I had slept until my eyes squinted against the rising sun. My heart pounded hard against my chest, and I felt more exhausted than when I had lain down the night before. A strong iron taste coated my tongue and filled my senses, but as I came to, it dissipated into the typical morning breath accompanying an unseasoned thistle soup. As I stretched my arms above my head, feather-like tufts tickled the back of my hands. I rolled and pushed myself up, sobering my foggy mind. Seed-laden grass standing proud between the blankets separated me from the sleeping children.
I stood in the center of a green island, easily twice the size it was the day before. Wiry purple vines sprawled in every direction. Blooming with white flowers, the growth reached the entrance and wove itself through the remaining debris of the house.
The guards, who had been on watch two or three at a time, kept their weapons ready. “No one has been in or out, my Lady.”
I waddle-ran to Marsh’s tent and threw back the curtain. His hairy backside greeted me. Ergh. Trisk’s legs were tangled in his as they slept, making waking my naked brother that much more awkward.
“Marsh!” I pushed his shoulder.
He flipped over, grabbing his blade before his eyes opened. When they did, he dropped his hands to cover his manhood, cutting his thigh as he did.
“What the fuck, Una?” He reached back for his blanket, but Trisk had wrapped her bare chest with it.
I threw him his trousers. “Get up.”
He wiped away the thin line of blood rising from his cut and sucked it off his thumb. “What’s going on?”
“Just get dressed and get outside.”
The sunrise had changed from red to orange, drawing out various shades of green among the carpet beneath the waking children.
When Marsh emerged from his tent, he froze. His head whipped around as if the guards had missed an intruder. Trisk stepped around from behind him, her hair piled on top of her head, ready to be bound. When she saw the growth, her hands lowered, forgetting their task and letting her hair fall over her shoulders. Confused by the sight, it took her a breath to retrieve her slingshot from her back pocket. Once armed she couldn’t locate an enemy in view.
He whispered into her ear, then cautiously, Marsh approached the grass. Trisk made her rounds, peering into each tent to take an account for the volunteers.
Marsh slid his hand over his mouth, pulling on his beard as he lowered his arm. “This is too much ground to dig up, Una.”
I agreed.
“Do you have any idea what this is?”
“No. I’m as clueless as you are. Maybe something in the blankets is feeding the ground?”
“You mean like the soap used to wash them?”
“Yeah. Maybe it rubbed against the dirt, like a fertilizer? Maybe?” I guessed.
“Then why didn’t it grow over there?” He pointed to an extra blanket lying alone in the brown grass.
I shrugged. “This makes no sense.”
He squatted down, plucking samples from the ground to assess the soil. He rubbed blades of grass between his fingers and smelled them. All I could do was watch. And wonder.
Trisk came to my side, pushing her slingshot into the rear pocket o
f her trousers. “Did you do this?” she asked, her tone more accusing than her words.
“Of course not.”
Her eyebrows jumped.
“Trisk, I have no idea how this—”
“All rise for the Lord of the Authority!” the guard at the entrance shouted. The children, who sat within the green island, huddled together, afraid and unsure of what to do.
My shoulders let go of their tension. I headed for the gulch as the black carriage rolled into view. “Thank the gods, Calish is here,” I confessed to the guard standing at attention.
“Actually,” a voice from inside said, “I’m the Governor.”
That voice.
Reinick stepped out and fixed the black and silver uniform to hang perfectly over his commanding frame. The driver found Reinick’s hat inside the carriage and bowed as he held it out for the Governor. Reinick took it proudly, brushed the brim free of the man’s fingerprints, and set it regally atop his head.
Reinick came alone.
For every footstep he landed toward the property’s entrance, I took one backward.
What does he want?
He stood at the edge of the road, looking into the gulch designed to keep men like him away. “How am I supposed to get across this?”
“Pardon us, sir.” The guards hustled to move the bridge over it.
“Get the package,” he commanded as he strutted across. He made no attempt to hide his judgment while surveying the grounds. While most people would begin with a customary greeting, Reinick did not. He followed a blooming vine to the green area beyond. “How are you able to grow anything in this heat?”
I didn’t have an answer. None of us did. “Calish isn’t here.”
“I know, my dear, he’s in town tying up the loose ends for this afternoon.”
You’re such an ass.
The chauffeur ran across the plank. Beside him, a garment bag swung like a child trying to fly a kite too heavy for the wind. His gait was almost comical, but it annoyed Reinick. Out of breath, the man slowed and walked the rest of the way, tending to a cramp in his side.
Our land is not that large, nor was the temperature unbearable. I couldn’t help but wonder why a more able man had not been assigned.
Perhaps Calish had something to do with it.
The thought made me happy.
Reinick inched to the contrasting border of live and dead grass. “Put that on, Una. Hurry up.”
I accepted the bag from his man and weighed it in my hand. “What is it?”
“A dress.” He brushed his foot over the blades of green. “The coronation will commence this afternoon. Since you’re Calish’s wife, you will also attend. I had this made for you. I’m sure you’ll find it appropriate for the event,” he paused, “not that you’ve ever been to one.”
Opening the zipper tickled the pads of my fingers, though the sensation felt more like a warning than suspense. I pulled a deep red gown from inside. The silky underlayer was topped by a lacy black fabric along the skirt, a thousand gemstones sparkling in the sun.
This took more than two days to make.
More proof the Governor’s death came as no surprise.
I handed the bag back to the chauffeur and held the dress up to see it properly.
It’s strapless.
My arms and all my secrets would be revealed.
Oh, gods. I can’t wear this!
“Problem?” Reinick asked in an irritated tone.
“It’s, well…” I tried to think of something to say, some excuse for me to refuse to wear it other than confessing the truth.
“It’s what?” He folded his arms across his chest.
“Well, it’s a little short.”
“Might I remind you you’re representing your entire kind today?”
“My kind? Do you mean Scavengers?”
He rolled his eyes. “Women, you idiot.”
I didn’t respond for fear of saying something else wrong.
Oh, how I wish Calish were here.
“You are the wife of the Lord of the Authority. It’s your responsibility to present appropriately and in a way that honors your husband and the gods.”
“I mean no offense, sir, but I doubt Calish agreed to a dress this revealing.” My finger traced the cascading neck line. “Husbands of any merit don’t flaunt the treasured attributes of their wives to a crowd of strangers, especially their pregnant wives.”
“Don’t be naïve,” he scoffed. “Why do you think the gods give you those so early on in the pregnancy?” He pointed to my breasts. “To please the taste of men. It’s a gift to be given a voluptuous woman.”
I slouched to make my chest less prominent. “They are necessary to provide nourishment for my baby, Reinick.”
“You know nothing! I blame your parents for your poor upbringing,” he excused me. “I’m not having this discussion with you, girl. Now, you will wear the dress. Go put it on, or my men will dress you.”
I held it out for him to take. “Not without more length. And sleeves.”
Reinick stepped toward me, sucking a lungful of air through his flared nostrils. He leaned down so his nose nearly touched mine. “You may think you have some say in what is going to happen here today, but let me make it clear: you do not. If you refuse to do what I have ordered as the Governor over this land, I will kill you where you stand and serve your remains to your husband during his celebratory dinner.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a menacing grin as he paused to let the thought simmer. He stood and looked to Marsh, who was paralyzed by his words.
My body trembled. I’d seen him kill a man before. It didn’t faze him then, and I doubt he’d hesitate to do it again.
I can’t wear this dress.
If Kash’s branding was intended to be some sort of favor to Reinick, he didn’t seem aware of it. I couldn’t stand next to my husband with the mark of the enemy displayed for the world to see.
Marsh stepped forward to be next to me, and Reinick increased the distance between us. “What if it doesn’t fit?” Marsh asked.
“Then make it fit.”
“I’ll help you, Una.” Marsh snatched the dress from me and led us away from our grandfather.
“Where are we going?” I whispered as we headed toward his tent. “I can’t wear that. It’ll show off my mark!” I glanced over my shoulder to see Reinick crouching low to touch the green grass with his fingertips.
Trisk was straightening up when Marsh pushed me through the door. “Oh! You startled—”
“Reinick is out front, he wants Una to put on this dress for Calish’s coronation.” He tossed her the garment.
She uncrumpled it and held it properly at an arm’s reach. “You can’t wear this.”
I felt tears coming. “How did you—?”
Trisk shut me up. “Marsh told me.”
He gave her quick instruction. “Go get Qarla and the other one, maybe they can help us.”
“Did you tell them about the mark?” I whined.
“No, but they’re about to find out.” He hurried his bride out of the tent. “Better them than the rest of the world. Now, put that thing on, and let’s see what we can do with it.”
“I can’t,” I cried.
“Una, stop it. Let’s see what it looks like before you start panicking.”
I nodded and began to disrobe quickly as he made sure no one else entered the tent. The gown was snug but had a panel in the front compensating for my pregnancy. It didn’t look as short as I’d thought, but if we were elevated at all above the crowd, they’d be able to look up and under it. My heaving breasts poured out the bodice, creating a line of cleavage reaching to my neck. The mirror I’d used to visit Nik two nights ago confirmed what I already knew to be true. The dress revealed too much. I didn’t mind if all the Citizens of Ashlund saw my breasts—I’d agree to go topless—if I could only cover my left arm.
“Just look at you,” Qarla doted as she and Sterle entered the tent. “You look beautiful!”
When I turned, their eyes fell to my arm and the branded marks darkened by scarring flesh.
Qarla’s hand flew over her mouth. “Oh, my gods!” She repeated the muffled words, her eyes darting between my face and my mark as if to confirm her suspicions.
The letter K, though still healing, was unmistakable.
Sterle fell to her knees, terror holding her tongue silent but not keeping her fear from rolling down her cheeks.
I couldn’t look at either of them. I crossed my arms over my chest, although it was not my cleavage that brought me shame. “Please. I cannot go like this.”
“No, my Lady, you most certainly cannot,” Qarla agreed, lowering her hands slightly.
“Can you help her?” Marsh begged.
Qarla didn’t try to make light of the situation. “It’s going to take a little time. Can you stall her grandfather?”
Marsh nodded.
“Sterle, get the sewing machine ready, and don’t say a word about her marks to anyone.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She hopped up from her knees and dashed out.
Qarla and I stood facing each other. “Miss Una—”
“I know, it’s bad.” I gasped for air. “But I’m still the same person.”
She nodded. “I’ll be right back.” Qarla ducked outside, leaving me and Trisk alone.
I breathed deeply. In a single moment, my secrets were made known, and everything changed. I rubbed my belly and gnawed at the skin inside my cheek.
“When is this thing supposed to happen?” Trisk asked, sitting on an overturned crate.
“He wants to take me with him now.” I ran my fingers through my hair in a desperate attempt to tame it. “He said the coronation happens later today.”
“What about the children?”
I dropped my arms, suddenly wanting to scream. I cursed.
I didn’t think about them.
The four guards would be no match for the Woodsmen if they came to make good on Kash’s threat.
“I have to take them with me.” I thought about it again and agreed with myself. “They have to come with me, Trisk.”
“I’ll go ready the wagon.”
Scavenger Girl: Season of Toridia Page 34
