The Ravenswynd Series - Boxed Set

by Sharon Ricklin Jones

“And you’re first telling me now?” I asked, fuming. Why didn’t you say anything sooner?” My voice was higher pitched and louder than usual, but this news had me completely unnerved.

  “I did not want to ruin your first night, Elizabeth. I am telling you now only because you asked.”

  “Oh, so you didn’t plan on mentioning it at all. Is that how it will be with us?”

  The way he’d chosen to deal with this rumor opened my eyes to the unfairness of his so-called gift. He opened his mouth to speak, but I held up my free hand to stop him.

  “Okay, let me get this straight. You get to know everything - every single thought I have, and I get to stay in the dark about something this important?” I tried to pull my hand away, but his grip tightened.

  “Elizabeth, I did not want to worry you.” His voice was apologetic and soft, his eyes loving.

  I glared at him and asked, “So which is it? You’re only telling me because I asked, or because you see the unfairness?”

  “I understand your anger,” he said, nodding. “And I see that I should not have tried to shelter you from this. You have my word; I shall never hide anything from you again. But you must try to see things from my perspective, my sweet wife. It was your first night at Ravenswynd. That would have been a terrible way for your new life here to begin. Do you see?” He began to touch my face and neck with his fingertips sending tiny currents flashing up and down my spine.

  My heart raced now as my mind filled with a surging dread of Rohan.

  Why was he doing this? Would he ever quit? What the flaming hell did I do to deserve this?

  At that moment I couldn’t tell if I was more angry or scared, and even the gentle touch of Emrys didn’t seem to be helping.

  “You did nothing. He is an evil, hate-filled rogue. It has nothing to do with you, my lovely,” he said, still caressing my face.

  “What about my sister’s dreams? Don’t they mean something? Is Rohan really always lurking around, watching us?” I allowed myself to quickly forget about Emrys’ lack of honesty as my new worries began to take hold.

  “I am not sure about Melinda’s dreams. But remember, it is me that he hates. I believe my very existence is an ever-present reminder to him. And I am quite sure that my resemblance to my father must be a constant torture as well. I do not believe that his attack was necessarily directed toward you personally. His main intention is to hurt me. He is well aware how greatly any successful assault on you would devastate me.”

  “Well, that’s not much of a consolation, considering I am the target of his revenge. After all, if he gets to you through me, it is still me!” Memories of the night he’d attempted to rape me flew through my mind and I cried, “Emrys, he nearly succeeded!” I could barely breathe as the fear took hold of me, looming larger than life. My eyes blurred and burned as I struggled to keep the tears from spilling out in a flood.

  Emrys brushed the wetness from my cheeks. He took the cup, and the minute he placed it on the side table I fell into his open arms, the safest place on earth for me now. I couldn’t imagine ever being alone or out of his sight again. Rohan’s intentions made that a complete impossibility. And even though I loved to be in Emrys’ arms, how could I spend the rest of eternity in constant fear?

  “It will be alright. We will find him and take care of him,” Emrys stated coldly.

  “Will you have to kill him?” I whispered incredulously.

  At first he continued to hold me and rub my back trying to console me, and then his breathing came quick and shallow as he tensed up, struggling to restrain a flare of anger. “We will do whatever it takes.” He spoke through clenched teeth, his voice a low, deep growl. Though his words were somewhat of a comfort to me, I was not able to hide a sudden shiver as I realized the truth of what this meant.

  I felt Emrys relax as he made a conscious effort to control himself and rein in his anger. He sat there holding me for several minutes, then wrapped me up in the quilts, and urged me to finish the Ambrosia. He filled the hot tub, and it wasn’t until I was immersed up to my neck that I finally began to settle down and relax. After a long and unusually quiet soak, we dressed, still in silence.

  When we finally went down for breakfast we found that we were so late, everyone had already eaten and left to go about their day. Priscilla whipped up a plate of scrambled eggs and toast for us, but I had no appetite. I picked at my eggs and ate a half slice of toast. As I sipped my coffee, all I could do was try to imagine them murdering Rohan. Over and over in my mind I played out the memory of the night he had attacked me, wondering all along if this was my way of easing my guilt of wishing him dead. Then, I pictured what he must have seen, if indeed he had been spying on us during our honeymoon, and as I did, I could no longer tell if what I felt was outraged embarrassment or intense hatred. I felt so violated. And all I knew was that I wanted to feel safe again, and that it couldn’t be soon enough.

  Emrys said very little during our meal. He seemed to be deep in thought himself, and occasionally to be listening to my thoughts; a furrow etched between his brows as he eyed me with empathy.

  Our quiet meal was interrupted when Kelsey pushed through the door carrying a stack of clean plates to store in the side cabinet. It was apparent by her gasp of surprise that she had assumed the dining room was empty. She started to take a quick step back into the kitchen but instead hit her backside on the door - which had swung shut, and in turn, caused her to lurch forward and drop half of the plates. The shattering glass echoed loudly in the nearly silent room. Priscilla came running through the door with such speed that it pushed Kelsey three feet forward and completely off balance, causing her to drop the remainder of the plates. If Kelsey had been human I was sure her face would have been crimson. She remained white-faced, but she looked mortified and began to apologize profusely.

  “I’m sorry mum, it was an accident,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

  Priscilla kept her voice even lower, but by the tone we could tell she was scolding her daughter. The two of them kneeled down to pick up the broken pieces of glass, and without a second thought, I went to the doorway and crouched down to help them. Priscilla mumbled angrily under her breath making it clear she blamed Kelsey and wasn’t about to let it go.

  “It’s alright, Kelsey. Don’t worry about it,” I said, giving Priscilla a sideways glance. I hoped she could read my face as I attempted to let her know she should stop her lecturing now. “It was an accident.” I smiled at Kelsey and told her about the time I dropped a whole tray of dishes at the restaurant where I had worked. “Don’t feel bad. At least it was only Emrys and me here today. When I dropped that blasted tray, the whole restaurant was filled with people. It was awful! I thought I would die of embarrassment.”

  Priscilla ignored me completely and took the broken glass into the kitchen. The minute the door closed Kelsey gave me a grateful grin, whispering, “Thank you, Miss Lizzy. You are so very kind.”

  Her mother returned then with a garbage pail for the rest of the pieces that Kelsey and I had retrieved. We dumped it all into the pail, and before they left the dining room I called out, “Kelsey, don’t forget. I need you in my quarters after breakfast.” I had a feeling that somehow she needed me to make my request sound more like an order, at least in front of her mother.

  Kelsey turned to me happily and said, “Yes, Miss Lizzy. I remember.” Her brown hair bobbed up and down with her nod.

  Priscilla glanced in my direction for a brief moment. I couldn’t be sure, but it seemed as though she was almost relieved. But relieved of what? And why on earth did she treat her daughter not only like a child, but also like a servant?

  I went back to my chair and found Emrys standing there with a wide grin on his face.

  “Do you understand what’s going on here?” I whispered, pointing toward the kitchen door. He knew exactly what I was asking.

  We sat back down, and he began to explain. “It is apparent that those two became fixed in the mother-daughter relationsh
ip at one of the most volatile of times. That is to say, they were made Ravens when Kelsey was a teenager. I believe she was seventeen when my mother found them near the bridge. I am not sure who was more ill but, it was obvious, both were near death. All I know is that Priscilla chose to stay in our society, never remarried, and forced her daughter to stay on as well. And I am not sure why the child continues to take orders from her as she does. She has always been very quiet and shy, and sad too, I suspect. I believe her father succumbed to the fever.”

  “Well, I’m going to get to the bottom of it,” I stated, and as an afterthought added, “Kelsey is not a child!” I didn’t have to ask why he still smiled as he did. He was happy I would be busy; getting my mind off the other problem at hand.

  “I am sure you will be a bright light in Kelsey’s world. If there is anyone at Ravenswynd who can pull her out of her shell, it shall be you, my sweet wife. Why do you think I chose her for your mistress...I mean assistant?”

  “Seriously? You had this all figured out ahead of time? You knew I would react like this?” I was impressed with his ability to see through me so well.

  He nodded and said, “Yes, I have great intuition…most of the time.” He was quick to correct himself as he let out a soft chuckle.

  “Well, what do you have planned for the rest of the morning?” I asked with a grin. “I have an appointment with my assistant.”

  It felt good to smile. It felt really good.

  Emrys pushed back his chair, stood and said, “I need to meet with the two gatekeepers, and then I plan to speak to the person who saw...”

  I held up my hand to stop him. I didn’t even want to hear his name out loud and ruin the rest of my morning.

  I stood up and said, “Okay. Will you please walk me to our quarters?”

  “Of course I will.” He took my arm and planted a soft kiss on my forehead. “As you wish.”

  * * *

  “Lock up after I leave. Use the peep-hole before you open it, and keep the deadbolt locked as well.”

  “Yes, sir!” I promised, grinning at his verbal list of orders.

  Emrys stood with his back to the closed door and took me by my arms. “Come here.” He pulled me close and our lips met; a short, but soft, tender kiss. As he held me to his chest, I wrapped my arms around him, lacing my fingers at his back. We both had a difficult time letting go, but he finally said, “I will not be gone long, my wife.”

  He turned toward the door just as someone knocked, and he opened it without looking through the peephole.

  “Come in, Kelsey,” he said, stepping out of the way.

  “I see you didn’t bother checking to see who it was!” I chided, half-joking. “So, these rules are only for me to follow?” I gave Kelsey a quick wave.

  Kelsey slipped through the doorway and into the foyer. She looked uneasy, no doubt feeling like she was intruding, and she sidled over to the hallway table pretending to rearrange the flowers.

  “I knew it was Kelsey,” he said softly. “You asked her to meet you after breakfast, and I knew she would come up right after we did.” His dark eyes flashed back at me; my questioning his rules didn’t seem to amuse him, but all he added was, “Have a nice chat, Elizabeth. I know you will enjoy yourself!” He bent to kiss me once more and then pulled the door shut. Chuckling, I promptly pressed the doorknob button, flipped the deadbolt, and then turned to join Kelsey in the inner hallway.

  She had a puzzled look on her face as I came near and she said, “I’m sorry to intrude, ma’am.”

  “Nonsense, Emrys was just leaving.” I quickly changed the subject, hoping to ease her mind. “These flowers are gorgeous. Did you choose them for us?” I asked, sniffing a rose; the scent was light and lovely as a fresh spring morning.

  “Yes, ma’am, it is one of my tasks. I must say, one of my favorites as well.” She kept her attention on the flowers as she spoke, not looking at me.

  “Let’s go sit in the living room, shall we?” I tried to get her to walk ahead of me, but she stood her ground, deferring to me. I wondered if each step of the way in our relationship was going to be this difficult. She was definitely trained to be a servant, and no amount of coaxing would make her see things differently, at least not in one day. I reminded myself of how much time I had: forever.

  After convincing her to sit on the sofa, I asked her if she’d like something to drink. Without a blink, she jumped to her feet, heading for the bar. I reached out and had to physically stop her, gently leading her back to the couch.

  “I can get it, Kelsey. Please, sit. Right now you are my guest, please. What would you prefer: coffee, tea, or Ambrosia?”

  Her brown eyes popped opened wide, brightening like the sky after a storm, and she asked, “Ambrosia? You would share your nectar with me?” She fidgeted with her apron strings and licked her lips.

  It was obvious how nervous and unsure she was, and yet she couldn’t hide her excitement.

  “Of course, why not?” Her question made no sense to me whatsoever.

  “I am usually only allowed to partake when we’re in our own quarters. My mum says...”

  “Wait.” I interrupted her. “Do you and your mother still share a suite?”

  “Why, yes, of course we do, but it’s not exactly a suite.” She gave me another puzzled look, scratched her head, then folded her hands together and placed them in her lap.

  As I prepared a glass of Ambrosia, trying to understand her situation, I asked, “Kelsey, can I ask how old you are?”

  “Seventeen. Well, I was nearly eighteen when I was turned.”

  “And when was that?” I figured it was long ago, just not how long.

  “I’m not sure of the date, exactly. We were sick, you see. I barely remember how it happened. We were servants of a prominent family in London, but when we came down with the fever they forced us to leave. I believe it was in the spring of 1904.”

  “And you’ve been here ever since?” I asked, handing her the glass.

  As she unfolded her clenched hands and accepted the drink, I hoped she wouldn’t spill it in a nervous fit.

  “Yes. It’s the only life I know. I’ve never even attended a gathering.”

  Her shyness was beginning to make a little more sense now. “Why haven’t you ever gone to a gathering? I don’t understand.”

  “Oh, I’m not permitted to go, Miss Lizzy.” She took a small sip and licked her lips. “My mother would never allow it, not to mention - the rules...”

  “It seems to me,” I spoke up loudly, interrupting her again, determined to get her to understand something other than the rules, “you’ve been of age for quite some time now. You may still look seventeen or eighteen, but seriously, why do you believe you have to let your mother control you? Even the humans are emancipated at eighteen. Didn’t you know that?”

  Kelsey took another swallow, this time larger than the first. It was plain to see her mind was at work as she frowned, glanced away, and swirled the liquid in her glass. She tapped her fingers on the glass, looked back up at me with a nod, and cleared her throat.

  “I remember hearing that. But mum told me I would not be able to make it by myself in the world. I need to stay on here, to get my supply of Ambrosia. We are paid for our services in more ways than one,” she explained in a soft tone. Something told me that Kelsey had a difficult time justifying her mother’s theory, but was too timid to challenge her parental authority. Her fingers continued to tap the glass.

  “And she told you that you are only allowed to drink within your own room?” I asked. “And does she control how much you drink as well?”

  “Well, yes, unless I am in need of extra strength for some reason.” She took another gulp and smiled at me. “I feel I am quite fortunate to have been assigned to you, Miss Lizzy. I never imagined you would let me drink with you.” I sensed she had started relaxing a little when her fingers finally came to a rest. Ambrosia usually had that effect on us.

  “Why is it you aren’t permitted to go t
o any of the gatherings? Did your mother explain why you weren’t allowed?”

  “Mother didn’t have to explain it to me. I already knew why.” She looked down at her glass and took a deep breath. “You see, many years ago I was with someone...mated, that is. I am now what they call ‘damaged goods.’ There would be no point for me to go the gathering. I shall never be in a position to choose, or be chosen. I am doomed to live a life of solitude.” She looked up again, and I sensed a deep sadness in her.

  “I see,” I said flatly. “It sure doesn’t seem fair to me.” I sat down opposite her on a chair, finally understanding her heavy burden: sadness and loneliness.

  “Well, actually, I’ve not let myself think about it much. I try to keep busy helping mother, and I enjoy being in my gardens when she allows it.” She wiped her mouth with her apron.

  “You do understand that things are not as they were in the old days, don’t you? I realize things may be different here in this society, but come on - you must want a life of your own! And besides that, I don’t see why you couldn’t go to the gatherings just to have fun. I know there are others who go for that reason.”

  Kelsey just shrugged, apparently at a loss for words. This unfairness was about to drive me nuts, and I slouched back into the chair, pulled my feet up under myself, ready for a long talk. I wasn’t sure why, but I needed to get her to understand that she was old enough to stand up for herself.

  “There is a difference between an employee and a slave - and Kelsey; you should be free to do what you wish.”

  “Oh, no, Miss Lizzy. Pardon me if I correct you, but we signed an agreement. We promised to stay on as servants, twice our ages long.”

  “Do you mean two times the age you were when you were turned?”

  “Yes, both of us, doubled. Me mum was thirty-four, and I was seventeen.” It was obvious the girl had started to mellow out more with each sip she took. She was more animated and quick to speak, and far less timid now.

  “Well, it appears to me, you’ve just gone past your agreement.” I surprised myself with my sudden ability to add numbers so fast in my head, but how hard was it to add thirty-four twice, plus seventeen twice? Sixty-eight plus thirty-four, which came to one hundred and two. If she was correct about the year she transitioned, their time would have been up in spring of this year.