Gabrielle wasn’t sure how she felt about all this. She thought back to herself in the pastry shop in Versailles and at her home with the dogs. Was she really ready for all this?
Morrigan hasn’t been wrong yet. At that moment, a man from the field stepped out from the cover of the grain and waived Morrigan over.
“Looks like I have to correct the straps on the plow again. What would these guys do without us, Gabrielle? I’ll be back in a moment.” At that, Morrigan was off and jogging to the field, leaving Gabrielle alone in the barn.
Can I really help these people? A snap brought her back from her thoughts. Gabrielle slapped her hand over the bracelet.
The metal was cold to the touch. Another snap broke the silence and Gabrielle spun on her heels towards the sound. It wasn’t coming from her bracelet, no this was the sound of a snapping twig. She stepped further into the barn examining every bale of hay until she could see a shadow through the slats.
She locked her gaze on the figure and fell silent while it made its way around the side of the building.
Arawn. She crouched down and brought her hands up, ready to defend herself against whatever had found her. Gabrielle thought about the family out front. She remembered little Elizabeth, playing in the garden.
“You will not have them,” she snarled. The shadow was approaching a small window on the side of the barn. Allowing her body to tell her what to do, she lowered her stance and waited.
After a few moments, Gabrielle jetted forth and charged at the small pane-less window. Just as the figure passed in front of the opening, she propelled herself through the hole towards the shadowed figure.
There was an initial sting as she made contact with the creature. The figure let out a loud grunt as they collided and fell to the ground. Gabrielle landed hard on the body of a man, her arms wrapped around him in a vice grip.
Once she felt the dirt, Gabrielle released and rolled a couple of feet away. Before she could register what she was doing, she was on her feet and grabbing at a large stick on the ground next to her.
The man pulled himself to his feet, but a flash of red and the unbridled disdain for Arawn blinded Gabrielle as she swung the stick as hard as she could. The swing went wide and Gabrielle connected with nothing, following through and falling to the ground.
As she hit the hard earth, she lost her grip on the stick and it rolled several feet away. The man advanced on Gabrielle with his arms out and she turned on her palms and brought her foot up into his groin. He let out a howl of pain and doubled over.
Dirt covered her dress and small pebbles dug into her palms and knees as she crawled over to the stick. Using the large piece of wood as a brace, Gabrielle brought herself to her feet and charged at her attacker, who was still writhing in pain, hunched over on his knees.
She raised the stick above her head and brought it down on the shoulders of the man. The dull thud echoed as he yelled out in pain and fell to the ground.
He rolled to his back and brought his hands up to fend off the next blow. Gabrielle raised the stick above her head for another strike but as she brought it down, someone yanked the pole from her hands.
“Gabrielle! What the Hell are you doing?” Morrigan screamed as she threw the rod to the ground. Gabrielle stood in awe, unable to believe Morrigan would leave her defenseless.
“It’s him! Arawn! He was sneaking around the back! I caught him!” Gabrielle panted as she tried to get around Morrigan to get a better look at her attacker. Morrigan grabbed Gabrielle by the wrist and jerked her back. The man rolled to his side and tried to stand.
“Calm down, Gabrielle!” Morrigan shouted as she brought her attention to the wounded soldier. “That’s not Arawn. That’s Sam. He’s not a threat.” Sam, finally able to pull himself up, brushed the dirt from his shoulders. “Sam, are you alright?” Morrigan asked, her eyes never leaving Gabrielle’s.
“I suppose so. Granted, I haven’t been in a row since I left the war. At least, I thought I’d left the war.” Sam attempted a vague smile. His blue eyes shone like ice amongst the summer’s heat.
Though they were not the crimson eyes of Arawn, they were just as piercing and Gabrielle found herself lost within them. She suddenly understood why Morrigan insisted he wasn’t someone to worry about. Something about him brimmed with purity. As Sam inhaled, he winced in pain and doubled over. The two women ran to his side and held him up.
“I’m so sorry. I thought… well, I don't know what I thought. I just acted,” Gabrielle apologized.
“One of her best traits. I’m sure you’ll grow to appreciate it another time, Sam. Sorry about this. Let’s get you back to the house and get you something to drink.” Morrigan said, and the two held Sam as they escorted him back to the house.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Morrigan left Gabrielle alone in the kitchen with Sam for a moment as she went out to the cottage garden to gather herbs to make a healing tea. Gabrielle sat awkwardly across from Sam, ashamed that her rage had taken control when she attacked him.
The kettle heated on the stove and Gabrielle listened to the water boil as she tried not to look at the young soldier. He, however, was looking right at her, she could feel the heat of his gaze assaulting her features.
The sun had broken the ridge, and no longer came through the kitchen window. Instead, it was casting long shadows across the room that reminded Gabrielle of a jury judging her for all she’d done.
Running her fingers over the grain of the table, Gabrielle wished with every fiber of her being that Morrigan would come back and break the tension. It wasn’t until Sam spoke that Gabrielle even looked up.
“I—” he began, the word coming out shaky. “I’m sorry for the startle, Mistress. I didn't mean nothin’ by it.” Sam uttered, his voice just above a whisper. Gabrielle felt a rush of heat bore through her.
“No, I’m the one that should be sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong. I don't know what came over me. I guess I’m just on edge with…” Gabrielle trailed off. She couldn't explain Arawn to him, but she also didn't know what else to say.
“I’m sorry about your husband.” Sam began, mistaking her guilt for sadness. “Sargent was… he was a good man. He… well, he was like a father to me, you know? He never talked much about his life back home, but he took care of us.” Sam looked like he was trying not to tear up and Gabrielle reached out across the table and put her hand on his.
“I owe him my life.” Sam looked away, trying to stifle his emotions. Gabrielle didn't know what to say. She felt a deep sadness fill her soul, and she knew Hazel was grieving.
Sam’s a good guy.
“Sam, I’m so sorry. Cullen was lucky to have you by his side.” Gabrielle let a few moments of silence pass before she added, “I’m sorry I attacked you.”
Sam pawed at his face and adjusted himself in the chair. He winced as he put pressure on his arms and shoulders but he forced through it. Seeing him struggle, Gabrielle stood and placed a hand on Sam to help steady him.
“I’m fit as a fiddle. Honest. I’ve been through worse. Once, I was in this nasty battle with…” Sam trailed off and looked up. Gabrielle felt a wave of despair hit her as the thought of war and death raged through her mind.
“Well, um, talks of war are best left to the men I suppose. I apologize miss, for any discomfort I may have caused.” Sam looked away towards the window as a loud bang came from behind Gabrielle, causing them both to jump. Morrigan walked into the kitchen, arms full of herbs and vegetables.
She dropped her shoulders in apology and dashed over to the pot of water. Gabrielle and Sam watched as she set the vegetables aside and used the herbs to prepare a large cup of tea.
As Morrigan brushed past Gabrielle to bring Sam his remedy, Gabrielle could smell a mixture of fresh earth and herbs.
“Sorry that took me longer than expected. Some of those herbs look almost identical and I had to make sure I got the right ones or you could die.” Gabrielle and Sam both stared at Morrigan, wide eyed.
“I’m just kiddin’.” Morrigan gave a light chuckle as she spoke.
Sam paused with the cup to his lips and looked at Gabrielle, his pleading eyes asking if it was safe to drink. He gave a mild shrug that made Gabrielle snort and he took a large sip.
“What?” Morrigan looked from one to the other, confusion spreading across her features. “I see you two have made up. Wonderful. We have a lot to do together.” Gabrielle and Sam nodded in agreement, a snicker forming at the corner of Gabrielle’s lips.
The pungent smell of earth and ginger filled the air as Sam forced large gulps of tea down. Gabrielle met Morrigan’s eyes, which shone with a hint of ‘I told you so’. She nodded her head without saying a word. Morrigan was right; Sam is a good kid.
“Thank you for the… drink,” Sam burped; smacking his lips and tongue as he begrudgingly finished the last bit of tea.
“Foul, ain't it?” Morrigan jested, taking the cup from him and filling it once more. “It smells bad and tastes even worse but you’ll be feeling much better in no time at all.” Morrigan slid the cup across the table towards Sam’s already-disgusted face.
“Sam, I’m really sorry for all this,” Gabrielle began again, watching Sam force the tea down.
“Don’t worry, Mistress,” Sam said after swallowing a mouthful of tea. “Now I can honestly say I know the difference between good tea and shit.”
“Pardon that?” Morrigan interrupted, her lips forming a thin line across her face. Sam froze in horror.
“I didn’t mean nothin’ by it, honest.” Sam pleaded as Gabrielle stared on in amazement. A crinkle of a smile formed at the edges of Morrigan’s lips, until she couldn’t hold it any longer and burst into laughter.
“That's alright. It’s good for one thing and one thing only, and that’s healin’.” A shadow danced across the kitchen, causing the group to fall silent.
Morrigan turned and looked out of the window. She then stood, took a few calculated steps towards the doorway and peered out over the fields. Sam stood, his hand reaching into his coat as if he would draw a weapon. Gabrielle grabbed him around the arm and put one finger over her lips.
“Shh,” she whispered as Sam lowered himself back into the chair.
“Gabrielle, could I speak with you for a moment? Outside, please,” Morrigan said in a hushed tone, her eyes still scouring the fields outside. Gabrielle looked at Sam then back to Morrigan before standing and following her out to the porch.
The shadow of the house stretched over a small portion of the property, causing the air to feel several degrees cooler.
“There’s something else I have to tell you, Gabrielle. Your timing coming into this life is a little strange.” Morrigan looked around at the field as if she were expecting someone to be there. “I’m leaving tonight.”
“What?” Gabrielle gasped, grabbing Morrigan by the shoulder and turning her so they were face to face. Disappointment glimmered in Morrigan’s soft lavender eyes. She had just started this life and now Morrigan was leaving.
“I’m sorry. This is something we had planned for a while before you got here. I was set to leave this afternoon for another plantation further south so I could rescue some of the families there.” Morrigan clasped Gabrielle’s hands in her own and ran her thumb across the tops of her knuckles.
“Believe me, please,” she continued, her pleading eyes peering into Gabrielle’s soul. “If I had known you would be here, I wouldn’t have set this into motion but if I don’t go, people will die.” Morrigan gave a convincing nod as if she were trying to sway her to understand the importance of the task.
Gabrielle felt like her heart was being ripped out of her chest. She was finally in a place where she felt safe. She was with Morrigan, and now the one person she wanted to be with the most was leaving and she would be alone again.
Tears welled in her eyes and blurred her vision. She didn't want to feel alone in the world anymore. She wanted someone to be with her and to share the lives with. She wanted someone to love her.
Gabrielle felt a rush of emotion so violent that she couldn’t discern between happiness or sadness, pleasure or pain.
Without thinking about what she was doing, something took hold, and she grabbed the edges of Morrigan’s dress, pulled her in close and kissed her. With their lips pressed hard together Gabrielle squeezed her eyes shut and let the tears flow freely down her cheeks.
Her mind was a jumble of thoughts and emotions and she could taste the salt of her own tears in between her lips, but she didn’t care.
Nothing mattered. Nothing existed. Only the kiss. She kissed Morrigan as if it was required for her survival. As if Morrigan was oxygen, and she desperately needed a breath.
When the two broke from each other, all Gabrielle could hear was a ringing in her ears. Her vision was spotted by black and she felt like she had just gotten off of a ride at the fair. The sweet taste of berries mixed with the salt of tears lingering on her lips but it was the best taste in the world.
Her face was burning from blush and Gabrielle’s mouth stood slightly agape as shock took over. She wasn’t sure what caused her to make such a grand gesture, but as her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of emotions swirled in her head.
Morrigan stared at Gabrielle in a mirrored sensation of awe. Her pupils dilated, and she peered at the younger girl through half lidded eyes. A slight grin threatened to come alive in the corner of Morrigan’s mouth and she brought her hand to her lips in an attempt to cover it.
Both stood frozen in their petrified positions and neither spoke for what felt like hours. A commotion came from the porch as a rooster fluttered and chased off a competing male and the two broke from their spell.
“I—I have to go now, Gabrielle,” Morrigan began, her voice raspy and soft. “The sun will set soon and I have to be gone by then. You’ll have Sam to keep you company. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Morrigan turned on her heels and made her way across the earthen road to the path that cut through the field.
“Wait!” Gabrielle yelled, anger and confusion boiling over causing her to ignore the part of her mind that warned her not to speak. “No obnoxious comment about how cute you are?” Gabrielle let silence fill the void and then she added, “I’m not ready to be left.” Her heart was racing, and with the look on Morrigan’s face, Gabrielle knew that it was also breaking.
“You’ll be fine,” Morrigan yelled over her shoulder to Gabrielle, but wouldn’t turn back toward her.
It was like Morrigan knew if she came back to her, she wouldn’t be able to leave again. With these last words, she ran towards the fields and away from Gabrielle.
Gabrielle stood in silence for a while, listening to the ringing in her ears and the pounding of her heart. She was so lost within herself she felt like even if she wanted to move, she wouldn’t be able to bring her muscles to attention.
Every part of her tingled with the lingering sense of Morrigan. She thought back to the feel of Morrigan’s lips on hers, and her heart pounded harder.
Her mind then wandered to when she found Morrigan in Versailles, the way she was pulled in by his lavender eyes and how she had to force herself not to stare at the outline of his muscles through the shirt he wore.
Was I attracted to him then or am I attracted to her now? Her brow furrowed, and she chewed at the skin of her lower lip. Or is it both?
Gabrielle had never considered she could be attracted to a woman. In fact, she’d never really considered being attracted to anyone until she met Morrigan. Her parents had always been supportive of everything she wanted, but this?
Gabrielle shook her head in disbelief. Would they have been OK with this? Was she OK with this? Can I really be attracted to a girl? She knew the thought was wrong, and she felt instantly guilty for thinking it, but it was there nonetheless.
“Love is love,” she said to herself as she paced the length of the porch. “It doesn’t matter where it comes from, only that its pure and kind and I don’t know, it’s ju
st love.” She spoke a little louder this time, her frustration with herself showing through in the speed of her walk and the raising pitch of her voice.
The warm air danced around Gabrielle as she brought her eyes back to the spot where Morrigan slipped into the fields. Lost in euphoria, she didn't hear Sam approaching her.
“Where’s she going?” Sam asked as he stepped ahead of Gabrielle, causing her to jump. Embarrassment flooded her. Had Sam seen the kiss? Had he heard her talking to herself?
“Are you feeling better?” Gabrielle asked, bringing her focus back to the here and now.
“Actually, yeah I am. I feel better than I did before the wallop I took.”
Sam gave a small smile. While she returned the gesture in kind, Gabrielle’s thoughts were still with Morrigan. The two stood in an awkward silence for a few moments before Sam spoke again.
“Not to pester you Mistress, but you didn't answer me. Where’s Morrigan goin’? You don't look so good; is everything alright?” Sam’s face contorted with concern.
Gabrielle sighed; she didn’t want to deal with Sam and his concerns right now. Her mind was buzzing with questions she needed to work out for herself and she wanted to be alone.
“There’s a lot going on that isn’t obvious, apparently.” Gabrielle shook her head. “Nothing I should trouble you with, Sam.” Gabrielle pulled her eyes away from the path that Morrigan used to escape and faced the young soldier.
“I know,” Sam’s voice had a slight shakiness to it. “Please pardon my boldness, Ma’am, but I overheard you speaking in the barn. I wasn't sneaking or nothing. Honest. I was walking around to clear my head and I heard you.” Sam looked away, shame covering his features. Gabrielle’s heart quickened at the thought that Sam had heard them talking.
“How long did you listen to our private conversation?” Gabrielle snapped, the frustration showing on her face. She waited for Sam to answer for a moment. As he looked to the ground like a child being punished, Gabrielle realized how young he was.
The Gabrielle Series Boxed Set Page 32
