Escape the Woods

by Gabriella Catherine

  I left my room with my arms outstretched, groping for Jack’s door in the darkness. My hands touched the bumpy stone walls. Then, finally, I felt wood beneath my hand. I took hold of the doorknob and burst into my brother’s chamber.

  My eyes went first to the roaring fireplace, then to the bed. Kolton threw off the covers and sat up. He stood to his feet, reaching for the sword beside the bed. “Are you all right?”

  Why was Kolton in Jack’s chamber? Reality slowly came to me, and I looked at the wall. No cross. Jack had a small wooden cross mounted on his wall. This wasn’t my brother’s room. It was Kolton’s.

  I was still winded, and my body trembled. Kolton was staring at me, waiting for an answer. He was shirtless, wearing nothing but black leather pants. My face heated. His room was much warmer than mine.

  “I just had a nightmare. I’m sorry.”

  He set the sword down on the table, his face relaxing a bit. “About Endor?”

  The dream began to replay in my mind, and tears came to my eyes. “Yes.”

  Looking down, I realized I was wearing nothing but a thin, sleeveless silk nightgown that accentuated my every curve. My hair was undone and a curly mess. I needed to leave, but I couldn’t stand the thought of going back into that haunted chamber. If someone found us alone together at this hour, neither of us dressed, we’d be in immense trouble. And it would be my fault for coming in here.

  Kolton took a step toward me. “Will you be all right?”

  “Yes. It was just a dream.”

  My heart pounded, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the dream or seeing Kolton’s muscular chest and abdomen. Or the intense, protective look on his face. The orange firelight danced against his tan skin. His chest expanded as he inhaled.

  “I should go now.” I was telling myself more than him. I looked away from his chiseled body. “Forgive me for waking you.”

  “You don’t have to be sorry. I’m here if you need anything.”

  “Thank you.”

  I looked at his face once more. His eyes were deep, his expression unreadable. Did he want me to stay?

  I shouldn’t be thinking like that.

  I turned to the door. “Good night.”

  I left his room and returned to my own. I didn’t bother waking Gabriele, but stirred the fire and lit every candle in the room myself, making my chamber as bright as possible. After checking for anything unnerving behind each of the curtains and beneath my bed, I lay down and fell asleep.

  CHAPTER 30

  Cordel and Grizelda’s wedding day finally arrived. I woke up early, and Odelette, Maddalena, and I began dressing and getting ready for the celebration. I put on a bright red long sleeve silk cotehardie trimmed with gold. Gabriele had just barely finished making it in time for the wedding.

  Kolton’s sisters also had colorful silk dresses to wear — Odelette’s was light blue and Maddalena’s pale yellow. We sat in my chamber as Gabriele and two other maids brushed and styled our hair. I requested she leave my long hair loose, and she brushed it until it shone. It fell down my back in silken waves.

  Once we were ready, the three of us left my bedchamber and headed outside. It was a beautiful early fall day, and the sun bathed the entire courtyard, which was filled with people.

  Kolton and Jack approached us, both looking strong, clean, and handsome. “Guten Morgen,” Jack said.

  Kolton looked like he just bathed. He was dressed in black leather hose, tall black boots, a white long sleeve shirt, and a dark green doublet. His brown hair was tucked neatly behind his ears. He smiled gently. “How are you this morning, Lady Scarlett?”

  Jack turned his attention to the two girls and led them a few paces ahead of us. He seemed to enjoy talking with them.

  I smiled at Kolton. “Better than last night. How are you?”

  A look passed between us, and my stomach fluttered.

  “Well, thank you.” Kolton’s gaze raked over me. Then he lingered on my face. “You look beautiful.”

  My cheeks heated. I was actually just thinking about the way he looked the night before, how handsome he looked. “Thank you.”

  Father approached us then.

  Jack slowed down so Kolton and I blended into his group as Father reached us.

  “Your Grace.” Kolton bowed respectfully, and his sisters curtsied.

  Father acknowledged them, then turned to Jack and me. “The wedding is about to begin. You should go stand in front of the church. Cordel and Lady Grizelda will be coming soon.” Then he hurried away, looking stressed.

  Jack, Kolton, Kolton’s sisters and I walked to the church and joined the crowd. Malachi and Jeremiah were already there. Merida stood with her family, and she waved to me.

  Father called from the Great Hall steps, “Make way for Lord Erguston Valesteine and his bride, Lady Grizelda Baumann!”

  The crowd parted, then the bride and groom emerged from the Hall, hand-in-hand, and walked down the path. Cordel smiled — he looked happier than he had looked in a long time. Zelda looked beautiful, and she waved to her family as she passed them. Cordel smiled at me and lifted his brows slightly. They took their places in front of the church, where the priest waited.

  The crowd silenced.

  “Do you, Lord Erguston Valesteine, agree to take this woman, in marriage before God?”

  “I do,” Cordel said, his tone serious but warm.

  “And do you, Lady Grizelda Baumann, accept this man, Lord Erguston Valesteine, as your husband?”

  Grizelda smiled at Cordel. “I do.”

  “I now bless your marriage in the name of God. You may present the ring.”

  Cordel slipped a thin silver ring onto Zelda’s finger.

  The crowd cheered. Tears blurred my vision as I joined in the revelry. I glanced at Jack, who looked as happy as I felt. Then, still holding each other’s hands, Cordel and Grizelda entered the church.

  ###

  After the celebratory church service, everyone headed outside. I watched my brother and his new bride talk with the wedding guests. Cordel was well-groomed and handsome, and Zelda was lovely in her floral wedding dress.

  “Lady Scarlett.”

  I knew that voice. I turned around, then my jaw dropped. “Lord Lukas?”

  He grinned.

  I ran to him and threw my arms around him. After a moment, I pulled away just far enough to look him in the face. “You have become so much older!” I laughed with joy, still wondering why he was in Darrenberg.

  “So have you,” Lukas said. “You look amazing!”

  “Oh!” I hugged him again, slightly breathless.

  “I have missed you.” He squeezed me tighter.

  I looked over Lukas’ shoulder and saw young Lord Micah. “Oh, Micah!” I pulled away from Lukas and ran to embrace him. “You’re here, too!”

  “Hello, Lady Scarlett,” he said politely.

  I marveled at how tall he had become. “You must stop growing up!”

  Lord Izaak touched my arm. I broke away from Micah to hug him. “You’re here!” I cried. “You’re all here!”

  When he released me, we made small talk for a few moments. Then the three of them excused themselves and left to find Jack.

  Someone else approached me as they walked away.

  Zachariah.

  I ran and threw my arms around his neck. “I don’t believe this!” Tears welled in my eyes. “Why are you here? I thought you were in Gorenhelm.”

  “I thought it was time for a visit,” Zachariah said. “I couldn’t wait one more day to see you and your family. It has been too long. Much too long.” He smiled, but I saw the pain in his eyes. Both of us had been through a lot recently, and it was wonderful to be together again.

  The two of us began walking side by side toward the castle, where the wedding guests were gathering for the feast. Zachariah fixed me with an intense stare. “Scarlett, while my brothers and I were traveling here, we came across your messenger, and he gave me your letter.” Concern was written all o
ver his face. “I read about what happened to you. About Endor.”

  I looked down at the road. The day was supposed to be a happy one, and I didn’t want to dwell on bad memories.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  I regretted ever mentioning it. “I’m fine.”

  Before I could change the subject, Jack approached. He hugged Zachariah, then clapped him on the back. “My brother. It has been too long.”

  “Indeed,” Zachariah agreed. He then looked at me and said grimly, “We will continue that conversation later.”

  KOLTON

  I watched as Lady Scarlett greeted the wealthy lords from Gorenhelm. She hugged them all while laughing and squealing joyfully. Most people knew Darrenberg and Gorenhelm were united regions, and that the two ruling families were allies. So of course Scarlett was friends with the four young lords.

  But when she hugged Duke Zachariah, I could tell he was special to her. She cared about him, perhaps as more than a friend. When he embraced her, she looked happier than I’d ever seen her look. She’d never smiled at me that way.

  The duke of Gorenhelm was only a couple years older than Scarlett, and he was as rich as Duke William. If he and Scarlett were to marry, it would seal the peace treaty for years to come, and the bond between the two regions would grow stronger than ever.

  Of course Scarlett’s father would want her to marry him.

  I watched the scene from a distance, not wanting to get in the way of whatever was going on between them. Scarlett looked even more beautiful today at the wedding than she had last night when she ran into my chamber after having a nightmare. I hated seeing her that frightened, but she looked so sweet in her nightgown, her hair falling around her shoulders, her face clear of any make-up. She was completely bewildered and trembling, and I wanted to hold her so badly. It felt wrong to let her go back to her chamber alone. I wanted to ask her to stay, wanted to sit by the fire and talk with her until she forgot about her dream. But that would have been inappropriate.

  Now, Scarlett seemed to have completely forgotten about me as she talked with Duke Zachariah. Soon, Lord Jack approached and joined their conversation. Then the three of them began walking toward the castle Hall.

  Feeling vanquished, I followed behind them.

  ###

  When I entered the Hall, the feast was about to begin. Everyone was finding their way to their assigned tables. Jack, Zachariah, and I walked toward the high table, where Father, Cordel, Grizelda, and her family sat. Lukas came and offered me his arm. “May I escort you to the table, my lady?”

  I giggled and let him lead me onto the dais. I sat between him and Zachariah. Jack, Izaak, and Micah joined us.

  The Reinhart family sat at our table also, but I wasn’t near Kolton. He and I locked eyes, but he turned quickly away. His expression was much too serious for a wedding celebration, but I was too far away to ask him about it. I’ll ask him if he’s all right later.

  The feast was presented, and the Hall was bursting with music and chatter. It was almost overwhelming, all the people, food, and noise. But I talked with Zachariah and Lukas, and I soon felt less flustered.

  “Who is that man there?” Lukas asked me, motioning toward Kolton, who was out of earshot.

  “That’s Sir Kolton. His father is the baron of Rhineland.”

  “He keeps looking at you.”

  My cheeks blushed and I smiled. “He probably isn’t looking at me.”

  Lukas looked at me askance. “Should I hold your hand?”

  I almost choked on my wine. “Excuse me?”

  “Should I hold your hand so he thinks we’re together and then you don’t have to worry about an unwanted suitor?”

  I laughed. “It isn’t like that. Sir Kolton is my friend, not an unwanted suitor.”

  I looked back over at Kolton, sitting by his family. When he glanced back at me, I smiled. He smiled back, but it was a lonely smiled.

  When the meal came to an end, the music grew louder, and the wedding guests began to migrate toward the dance floor. I made up my mind to go speak to Kolton, but when I stood from the table, Lukas took my hand. “May I have the first dance with the princess?”

  I glanced briefly at Kolton. He was watching Lukas and me from several yards away. I can talk to him later.

  “Yes, you may.” I followed Lukas to the dance floor.

  The dance was enjoyable. Lukas was funny and energetic, and he made me laugh as we danced together. He’d always been optimistic, entertaining, and occasionally flirty. I was glad to see he hadn’t lost the light in his eyes, even after the loss of his father.

  When the dance ended, Lukas walked off to ask Merida to dance. Kolton stood with my father in one corner of the Hall, and they seemed to be discussing something important. So I stood by myself and watched Cordel and Zelda dance.

  Zachariah joined me. “They make a lovely couple, don’t they?”

  “They’ll rule a sturdy region. And with you as an ally, Darrenberg’s future looks bright.” I looked up into Zachariah’s eyes. He looked thoughtful.

  “I’m glad our fathers signed the peace treaty years ago,” he said. “You’re the only family my brothers and I have left.”

  His expression was slightly worn down, but he was still the same Zachariah I’d grown up with.

  The music stopped as the dance ended. Zachariah turned to me and held out his hand. “Want to?”

  I smiled and placed my hand inside his.

  We joined the other dancers as a new song began. Barely thirty seconds into the dance, he asked, “So, when are you going to tell me what really happened?”

  I cringed. “You mean with Endor?”

  “Yes.”

  Following the dance, we stepped away from each other for a moment, then came back together. “Now is not a very opportune time. I’m a bit busy.” I tried to sound lighthearted.

  He took my hand and spun me around. “Can you just promise me you’re all right? And that you’ll explain everything to me later?”

  “Yes. We can talk later, when this is all over, and I’ll tell you everything.”

  “Fair enough.”

  We stepped apart again, then we came together. He took both my hands and pulled me closer. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

  “I’m glad you’re here.”

  When the dance ended, I walked over to Father, Sir Valdemar, and Kolton. They were deep in conversation, so I stood close by and waited, watching the dancers.

  Lukas soon approached me. “I just danced with your friend, Merida Pierce. What a maiden!”

  “Merida is lovely, isn’t she?”

  “Indeed! She told me her father is a stone mason who works for Duke William.” He went on to tell me the details of their conversation. Then he merrily said, “Excuse me, I’m going to ask her to dance again!”

  He strode off, and I realized Kolton was watching me. Father and Sir Valdemar were now having their own conversation.

  “Hello.” I smiled at him.

  “Are you enjoying the celebration?”

  “Very much. I’m delighted to see my friends from Gorenhelm. Have you met Duke Zachariah and his brothers before?”

  “I haven’t, but they seem like noble men.”

  “They are lovely.”

  He still looked very serious.

  “I’m sorry my father is keeping you from dancing. He must have discussed something important with you.”

  “We did discuss something of great importance. Your father has been so generous, and he’s offered me a deal. I’m going to work for him, here in Darrenberg, for a year, and in return, he’s going to pay the fee for me to attend Heidelberg University for a year.”

  Kolton was going to be living in Darrenberg and working for my father? My heart jumped. He was staying. He wasn’t going back to Rhineland, and I wouldn’t have to wonder when I’d see him again. I tried to hide my excitement at this news, but my smile was too big to conceal. “That’s wonderful news! I’m glad my father is abl
e to make your dream of going to Heidelberg a reality.”

  “It’s more than I could have asked for. I’ve enjoyed working for your father. He is a kind and fair man. I’ll miss my family, but I love Darrenberg and its people.”

  Kolton looked into my eyes. I hadn’t known him for very long, but I felt like we’d been friends for a long time. Like we understood one another. Like we could communicate simply by looking into each other’s eyes.

  ###

  The wedding celebration came to an end, and the guests began to leave. Zachariah and his brothers, along with the Reinhart family and Baumann family, would be staying the night at the castle. Kolton disappeared with Father and Sir Valdemar to work out the details of Kolton’s new job, so I didn’t see him for an hour or so.

  Before going to bed, I sat in the solar with Jack, Zachariah, Izaak, and Lukas. We sat close to one another around the blazing fireplace. We talking and laughed, reminiscing about the days when we were younger. We recalled stories about when we were children, when they would come to visit Darrenberg with their father.

  For a moment, I felt like I’d gone back in time to when I was a little, innocent girl, chasing my brothers and Zachariah and his brothers through the meadow. It was like I was seven years old again, walking around with my hair a mess, carrying a bow much too big for me, trying to keep up with the boys. One of them would offer to carry my bow for me, but I refused to let them. I wanted to show them I was as strong as any boy my age, and I could handle it on my own.

  Now, our lives were so different. Our mother died, and so had their father. Zachariah became the duke of Gorenhelm, and Cordel was now married. I could no longer run through the grass with a bunch of boys and my feet bare without people calling it improper. No longer did I refuse to pay attention to how I looked. I sat in the solar with the same group of boys, but my hair was neatly curled, my lips stained red, and my dress sophisticated and slightly low-cut.

  Jack, Zachariah, Izaak, Lukas, and Micah didn’t consider me “one of the boys” anymore. They, too, cared now about their appearance and were aiming to be married within the next few years.