Ashes of Iris

by Stephanie Poscente

  “He's alright,” she nodded vaguely, still processing his words. “He's got a house there. And there's a woman, too, I think.”

  “A woman?” Fantir sat upright from his perch against the fireplace. “Is that what you said?”

  Sophie was startled by his reaction and unable to speak, but her silence only aggravated him.

  “Answer me, girl!” he said, springing toward her and shaking her by her shoulders. “A living woman?”

  “I-I don't know,” Sophie gasped, “I didn't see her.”

  “Sophie,” Rausch moved toward her, crouching before her and pulling Fantir's hands from her arms. “How do you know there is a woman?”

  “I heard a voice,” she answered, rubbing the deep red prints left by Fantir's frantic grip. “I was leaving, and the door was closed, but I heard a voice speaking.”

  “Speaking directly to him?” Fantir demanded. “You heard him answer?”

  “No,” she replied. “He didn't answer. The woman would speak and there would be silence, but she answered as though he had spoken.”

  Fantir's eyes widened and Rausch turned to him, rising to his feet and rubbing his temples with his fingers.

  “Of course he would,” Fantir mumbled. “Foolish boy.”

  “Wait,” Rausch said to him, “we cannot assume anything.”

  Sophie waited, but they made no attempt to include her in the conversation.

  “Send her back,” Fantir was saying, “let her investigate.”

  “You have always been one to sacrifice the well-being of others for your own personal gain,” Rausch replied, his voice going cold.

  “Be sensible, man,” Fantir rolled his eyes. “It will not harm her to try.”

  “You want me to go back there and spy on him?” Sophie asked. She planted her hands on her hips and tried to look menacing, but Fantir merely scoffed at her. Rausch looked at her, his tired eyes full of concern.

  “Sophie,” he said. “I would never ask you to perform a task you were not comfortable with. If he has harmed or threatened you, you have every right to keep your distance. But, if you felt so inclined as to help us uncover more information-”

  “Oh, save it,” Sophie hissed, “I'll do it. You are going to owe me for this. And everything else I'm sure I'll have to do over the next week.”

  Fantir gave Sophie another warning about Jude when she glanced at a small clock on the hall table and remembered the time. She nodded impatiently, waving her hand and assuring him that she would be careful before hurrying to the front entrance. It was past six o'clock, and she wanted to avoid having him meet any member of her family, so she perched on a chair just inside the front door and waited impatiently for him to arrive, all the warnings pushed from her mind.

  Chapter 10

  Thirty minutes later, Sophie was still bouncing nervously in her chair, avoiding the curious gazes of passing wedding guests. When she heard the unmistakable ring of her sister's voice from an adjoining hall, she jumped from the chair and rushed for the door, a pang of guilt biting at her heels. In the back of her mind, she knew that it was a cowardly thing to do, but she couldn't bring herself to turn around. Whether Brian had acted upon his impulse after their conversation or not was still a mystery, leaving Sophie in the middle of a potentially explosive situation.

  The sun ducked low, peeking out from behind the grey blanket of clouds lingering in the sky. Its rays filtered through the trees and over the front yard, casting crooked shadows over the flowerbeds and rocky driveway. A thin mist hung on the air, as it had on each of the previous days, but the warm spring air was refreshing nonetheless.

  She sat, careful to brush the dust from the stone steps before lowering herself onto them, and waited with her hands folded on her knees. The small parking area on her right was packed full of various shiny rental vehicles. Turning her gaze upwards, she let the fading sunlight pierce her eyes, making them sting and water as voices floated through the air from somewhere inside, chattering and laughing.

  The minutes passed slowly as she waited, forcing the memory of Fantir from her mind. His behavior confused her and the constant sense of being betrayed was unsettling. Her shoulders tensed at the thought, rising to her ears before she shook her head and rolled them back down, taking a deep breath of the musky air.

  When the sun had faded from the sky, leaving nothing but orange and red splotches arching over the line of trees, a crunch of gravel finally alerted her to the approach of a vehicle. Her heart fluttered in her chest, the excitement she had been fighting for hours bubbled uncontrollably to the surface. A dark blue pickup rounded the corner and rolled through the break in trees and she stood, straightening the hem of her shirt and trying to look as casual as possible. She could see the outline of Jude's broad shoulders in the dim light, though his face was entirely hidden in shadows. He pulled around the circle, bringing the truck up to the base of the stairs.

  Sophie stepped carefully down the steps, thinking they would leave immediately, but he hopped from the truck and rounded the front, a wide smile on his face.

  “Sophie,” he said, holding out a hand in greeting. She took it awkwardly, unsure of his intentions, but he wound his fingers through hers and squeezed gently, sending another shock of butterflies raging in her stomach.

  “Hi,” she said, working hard to keep her voice from quivering. He smiled down at her before raising his eyes toward the castle, his eyebrows arched high.

  “What a place,” he said, stepping forward.

  “Yeah, I guess,” Sophie answered, keeping her feet planted. The last thing she wanted was for him to drag her inside. When he took another step, she pulled her hand from his and took a deep breath. “Ready? I'm starving.”

  “Oh,” he said, turning to her with a smile. She was surprised to see that the smile did not reach his eyes, which seemed dark and, somehow, disappointed. “Sure. Hop in.”

  She climbed into the cab, the rich scent of cologne enveloping her as Jude entered the driver’s side. He shifted into drive, casting one last look toward the castle before pulling away. She watched him carefully, noticing the longing that lingered in his gaze as they departed. He turned his head, looking at her from the corner of his eye and gave a small smile.

  “You look tired,” he said gently. Sophie shrugged, her eyes flitting to his and back out the window.

  “Busy day at the dock?” she asked. His laugh filled the cab, making her smile in response.

  “Not unless you consider sorting papers to be busy,” he chuckled. After a moment of silence, he turned to her once more. “Everything alright?”

  “Mmhmm,” Sophie answered, feeling self-conscious at his concern. She wanted nothing more than to take the focus from herself, but could find nothing to say.

  “Mmhmm,” he repeated, a smile playing on the corner of his mouth. “Anything you'd like to discuss?”

  His questions were making her nervous, replacing the butterflies in her stomach with anxiety. The engine hummed, and the trees began to thin as they approached the town.

  “No,” she answered. “I mean, I'd like to talk, but not about me if that's okay.”

  “Am I making you uncomfortable?” he asked, and Sophie expected him to laugh. He glanced at her when she did not answer. “Sophie?”

  “Sorry,” she said. “I'm just a little nervous.”

  “Nervous?” The laugh she had been expecting erupted then. “You're serious? What could possibly be making you nervous?”

  She felt the heat of a flush rising in her cheeks and was thankful for the darkening sky, hoping the growing shadows were enough to hide her embarrassment.

  “I-I'm not very good at this,” she stammered, keeping her eyes locked on the passing fields outside her window. “Dating, I mean. Not that we're dating, or anything. But I haven't really-” she broke off, feeling ridiculous.

  Jude did not respond, his gaze was soft as he watched the road in front of them. Sophie's breath was short, her nerves were frayed, and she was second guessi
ng her haste to see him again. The remainder of the drive was spent in silence as Jude pulled into a large parking lot beside what resembled a miniature stone castle, complete with turrets and moat.

  He climbed from the driver's side with his head bowed and walked around the front of the truck. Sophie pushed open her door, afraid to see his face. The force of his pull on her half open door made her stumble forward. His hands gripped her firmly around the waist as she tried to regain balance, and the touch melted the anxiety away. Her breath came in uneven bursts as she stood still, looking up into his face.

  The warmth in his eyes made her heart throb, and his hands brushed over her waist as his gaze drifted from her eyes to her lips. His mouth twitched into a brief smile as he returned his gaze to her eyes and leaned in closer. The scent of his cologne and the warmth of his breath washed over her, making her tilt her head reflexively, reveling in the intoxicating scent. His hand moved to her face, brushing the hair from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear, and resting against the base of her neck.

  “Sophie,” he whispered, pulling her closer.

  She allowed him to pull her until she was pressed against his body, every one of her nerves alive with the sensation of his muscular chest, arms, and legs touching her. She held her breath as his lips brushed over her cheek, his hand tangled in her hair.

  When he moved to press his mouth against hers, she saw an elderly couple standing a few cars down, staring at them and whispering to each other. The shock on their faces was jarring, as though she were committing a terrible crime. Pushing her hands against Jude's chest, she leaned back and looked into his eyes. A flash of confusion filled their depths until she motioned with her eyes to the couple. He glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of them and moaned quietly.

  “Perhaps we should go inside,” he said, turning back to Sophie with a smile. The warmth had not left his eyes and he gripped her hand before heading toward the entrance.

  They passed over a wide bridge, under which ran a small creek made of stones and gravel, and through a pair of double wooden doors. The building was decorated in such a ridiculous mockery of a medieval castle that she could not help but giggle. She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle the sound, but could not pull her eyes from the massive painted tapestry hanging on the wall in front of her. What it lacked in beauty, she decided, it made up for with abundant color. Jude smiled down at her.

  “It's wretched, isn't it?” he said. “I don't know why they've built it here. I suppose someone thought it would attract tourists. Unfortunately, this town is not known for its tourism, but the food is delicious.”

  As they waited for the hostess, Sophie sat in a velvet upholstered throne, swallowing laughter and rubbing the silken fabric on the armrests. Jude stood next to her, leaning against a carved stone lion that stood on its hind legs in what Sophie guessed was a gesture of ferocious authority.

  A woman approached to show them to their table – regarding Sophie with such distaste that Jude growled his displeasure – and led them through several mock-up archways perched down the center of a large room until they emerged in a quaint dining room with candles lining the walls at eye-level and an unused harp gleaming in the far corner. Jude nodded his thanks when she handed him a menu, but shook his head with a sigh when she was out of sight.

  “I hope you aren't offended,” he said, taking Sophie's hand across the table. “It's not personal.”

  “No, I know,” Sophie smiled. “I know there are all sorts of rumors about the castle. I'm sure that some people just don't understand. Although, I suppose I might be starting to agree with them.”

  She laughed but Jude's eyes widened and he leaned forward, something flashing in his eyes that she was sure she mistook for excitement.

  “Has something happened?” he asked quietly. “In the castle? Have you seen something?”

  “What? No. I mean, I have, sort of, but-” she bit her tongue, overly aware of his eyes on her face.

  “I’m sorry,” he leaned back in his chair and ran his free hand through his hair. “I thought something might have happened to you. There are things in that castle that would frighten hardened men let alone a beautiful woman like you.”

  The compliment was lost on Sophie as she pondered his words. She thought of her encounter in the kitchen, and that afternoon, but there was no way he could know about that.

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “Sophie,” he answered, tracing the arch of his eyebrow with his finger, “I've told you everything I know. Though I have not been inside the castle, I am aware that there are,” he paused, “strange occurrences. I've lived here long enough to notice the turnaround rate of the staff, and to hear their stories. Why do you think everyone keeps their distance?”

  “Oh,” she replied, relaxing her shoulders and taking a deep breath. “Yeah, there are some weird things. Why on earth my sister thought it fit for a destination wedding, I will never understand.”

  She had meant the statement as a joke, but Jude's eyes lit up and he smiled in interest.

  “You said she will be married on Saturday,” he said, tilting his head to the side. Sophie watched as his blond hair gleamed in the candlelight and marveled at its smoothness, fighting the urge to reach out and stroke it.

  “Yes, Saturday,” she said, and then remembered her conversation with Brian that afternoon. “At least, I hope she will be.”

  She went on to tell him about the confrontation with her sister and the following conversation with Brian. He furrowed his eyebrows and nodded in sympathy, taking her side in each situation.

  “Of course you were upset,” he said, squeezing her hand as their meals were placed in front of them. “None of this is your fault, Sophie, you must understand that.”

  “I do, I guess,” Sophie replied, thankful for his sympathy. “It's not that I don't want her to be happy, because I do. I just hope she's getting married for the right reasons, you know?”

  “Of course.”

  “And the rehearsal dinner is tomorrow night,” she groaned. “I don't know what I'm going to do. I've gotten myself into quite the mess.”

  “Sophie,” Jude said, and Sophie noticed then how much she enjoyed it when he said her name, “if you need me, for anything, I'm here. Anything.”

  His blue eyes bore into hers as he spoke and she felt the giddy nervousness return, her mouth breaking into a smile despite the tone of their conversation. They ate in silence. Sophie avoided his gaze throughout most of the meal, though he watched her intently. Her nerves had returned with the food’s arrival, and she was having trouble steadying them. The wheels were turning in her mind and she gazed at Jude as he pushed his empty plate away and took a sip of water. A thought struck her and she was instantly caught between two opposite desires. The first was to spend as much time with the man in front of her as possible, and the second was to avoid any unnecessary chiding from her family. His warm grip on her hand swayed her toward the former, and she sucked in a breath.

  “If,” she started to say before her courage failed her. Jude leaned back in his seat, pulling his hand from hers and smiling contentedly.

  “If?”

  “Nothing, nevermind.”

  “Sophie,” he warned. “Spit it out.”

  “No, it's just,” she said, “I was just- and don't feel obligated or anything- but I wanted to know if, well, I'm alone for my sister's wedding, and I was wondering-”

  “Am I receiving an invitation?” he smiled, his eyes dancing.

  Sophie lowered her eyes, the burning in her cheeks disrupting her thoughts.

  “Only if you want to,” she mumbled.

  She felt his fingers brush her reddened cheek and looked up to see him gazing at her with such intensity that the burning flush she thought had reached its peak doubled in strength.

  “I want to,” he replied, stroking her face gently before taking her hand once more.

  When he pulled onto the gravel driveway two hours later, Jude let out a
sigh and slowed the truck to a crawl. The tires crunched beneath them, echoing through the still night air. The moonless sky was painted a striking black. Sophie could see only the outlines of lit windows in the distance. His arm draped over the back of the seat and he tapped his hand along with the low music on the radio.

  Pulling to a stop at the base of the front steps, he killed the engine and turned to her with a smile. She smiled in response, grateful again for the darkness that surrounded her.

  “Thank you,” she said when he did not speak.

  He nodded once, his eyebrows rising.

  “Thank you,” he said, pulling his hand from the back of the seat and brushing his fingers along the length of her arm. She closed her eyes at his touch, her skin tingling along the lines he made. “I am happy to have company I enjoy.”

  “Do you ever want to move back?” she asked. “To England, I mean.”

  He sighed, his gaze shifting from her face to the outside wall of the castle behind her.

  “Had it been my decision, I would have never left,” he said quietly, his voice full of regret. His face brightened after a moment and he brought his eyes back to meet hers. “But then, I would have missed this.”

  With a squeeze of her fingers, he leaned to the side and she held her breath as he pressed his lips softly against hers, barely making contact, but touching enough to send sparks flying through her body. He pulled away after a moment, a tiny smile on his lips and warmth in his eyes so deep that Sophie felt she might drown.

  Pulling away and leaning against the headrest, Jude watched her as she turned to leave. She pushed the door open and stepped carefully from the truck, giving him a small wave as she let the door slam shut.

  He gave her a smile as the engine roared to life, and then pulled away, leaving her standing at the base of the steps with a wistful look in her eyes. Before she had a chance to climb the stairs, the front door was pulled open, the light from inside bathing her in a yellow glow.

  “Sophie May Iris,” Aunt Marilyn exclaimed from behind her. “How dare you?”