by Betty Bolte
“She’s not as she seems, either.” Tara shook out the blanket and laid it flat on the wood floor, then tossed the pillow to one end. She caught Grant’s perplexed gaze. “I can’t put my finger on why I feel that way, though.”
“More unexplained situations.” He pulled the cover over his legs as he lay down in the bed. “I want to get back to civilization as soon as possible. This whole adventure is more than I bargained for.”
“Adventure is one word for it.” Debacle might be a better one. She sank onto her makeshift bed, wishing they could sleep together as before. But as long as he denied the truth in front of him, what he had witnessed, they had no future together. He had no respect for her and what she did. Better to end whatever their relationship had been and go back to her quiet life. Alone.
Chapter 21
Light slowly replaced the darkness. Grant peered at the window, relieved as dawn arrived and he could stop pretending to sleep. Listening to Tara’s even breathing as she lay curled up on the floor under the window. Her slight frown in sleep marred her pretty features. Desire speared through him, making him shift restlessly. So many questions flew through his brain, rapid fire and stinging.
Questions regarding their dilemma, the mysteries of the hollow, the history of Lenore’s dwelling in the valley. But most of all why Tara would make up such a far-fetched lie about healing him because she was a witch. Up until that moment, he’d been planning on asking her to be his woman. They shared so many interests and enjoyed a lot of the same things. Perhaps they might have had a future together given time. Not now. Sadness washed over him at the thought. When he could see clearly across the room, he flung the covers off and rolled out of bed.
He’d slept in his clothes in case sudden flight proved necessary. Anything could happen, and he would not be caught flat-footed and unprepared. Lacing up his boots, he glanced up at the sound of Tara stirring. She sat up, yawning and stretching her arms above her head for a moment. Then she looked at him, the warm greeting in her eyes morphing into a wary expression. She pressed her lips together with a shake of her head, and then she scrabbled to her feet.
Scrambling the blanket up into a messy bunch, she shoved it onto the bed and then tossed the pillow beside it. “Ready to rock and roll?”
God, but she was beautiful even with her jeans and sweater all rumpled and her long, curly, brown hair tousled about her shoulders. Her hazel eyes still held remnants of sleep as she raised her brows, waiting for his reply. He thought he was falling for her, falling in love with her, until she threw cold water in his face by way of announcing herself to be a witch. Like that was possible. Why the charade? She probably didn’t want a relationship with him. She’d even suggested he date her sister, so he’d found his answer. Move on, bub. The lady’s not that into you. A decidedly depressing thought.
“Grab your stuff and let’s go.” He strode over to the chair to grab up his pack. “We’re done hanging out in Raven Hollow.”
“Right behind you.” Tara crossed the floor to lift her backpack from its resting place. She turned to aim determined eyes at him. “I so want to get out of here.”
After the events of the previous day, he couldn’t agree more. He nodded and moved to open the door. Holding it, he motioned for her to precede him through it. As she stepped past him, he inhaled her sweet scent, and a pang of regret stabbed him in the gut. Still, she’d made her choice, and he’d made his. They’d have to learn to live with their decisions. He followed her into the main room and detected coffee and cinnamon, two of his favorite aromas.
“I trust you both slept well?” Lenore busied herself pouring mugs of coffee for each of them. She hobbled toward him, a toothy smile on her wrinkled face.
She reminded him of his grandmother before she died from cancer. Thin, emaciated even, yet feisty until the end. He’d not been able to say goodbye to his grandma, a regret lingering in his heart. Surely he could do something to make Lenore’s last days a little nicer. Show his appreciation for her kindness.
“Fair.” Grant accepted the mug she handed him and took a long sip, letting the hot, fragrant liquid slide down his throat. The pain helped him wake up more fully and be alert to his surroundings. He had to succeed in his mission to protect Tara even though she had become delusional. “I’m afraid we’re going to have to leave now.”
Tara sipped her coffee, her gaze flicking between him and Lenore. When she focused on the crone, a slight frown dipped between her assessing eyes. What did she think as she studied the woman? Not his problem. His task remained clear. Get them out of the hollow and on their way, or die trying.
“Lenore, we appreciate your putting up with us for so long, but now we really must be on our way.” He sipped again, and then set the cup on the table. Which he noted was set for three with toasted cinnamon raisin bread, a yellow cheese wheel on a board, and a bowl of fresh cherries. A gleaming knife lay beside the board. A weapon or merely to slice the cheese?
“After breakfast, surely.” Lenore wiped her hands on her apron before employing her cane to limp toward him. “You can’t possibly expect to go hiking out of here on an empty stomach. I won’t hear of it. Sit, sit.”
He started shaking his head before she’d finished speaking. No way would he delay their departure. That path led to them constantly being hindered until they ended up stuck for another night. “Really, we have to leave now.” He looked at Tara, raising his brows to ask for her agreement. “Right, Tara?”
Tara nodded and then took a gulp of coffee before placing her mug beside Grant’s. “We’ve overstayed our visit. My sisters will be beside themselves with worry. I must get back to town to let them know I’m okay.”
“But I made your favorites.” Lenore attempted a smile, but it wilted from her lips before fully forming. “Please don’t go.”
“We must.” Grant perused the bent woman, noted a slight tremble in her shoulders. Suppressing some emotion or another? It didn’t matter. An urgency built in his chest, pressuring him to walk out the door and never return. “Now.”
Lenore’s lips pressed together into a flat line and tears stood in the corners of her eyes. She gripped the head of her cane with both hands, leaning heavily upon it for support. “If you must, then so be it.”
Grant swallowed his apology. Time to lead Tara home. Then be on his way. Away from all of the craziness he’d endured over the last three days.
“Come on, Tara.” He hefted his pack to slip it on, then hesitated with it in both hands as Lenore limped over to the hearth, back turned and head bent. Was the crone crying? Ah, hell. He couldn’t leave her in such distress. Man, how he detested tears. He cut a glance at Tara who shrugged and slipped one strap of her pack onto a shoulder. Then an idea popped into his mind. A way to leave on better terms for his peace of mind. “Wait, give me your pack.”
Tara tilted her head as her hands froze in midair. “Why?”
“What’s left of our picnic? Anything?” He pulled the pack off her shoulder and rummaged inside.
“Enough for our lunch on the hike out.” She frowned at him, arms crossed over her stomach. “Why?”
“We still have the bars.” He pulled out the two sandwiches, checked to ensure the sealed packages remained intact, and a slightly crushed bag of cheese crackers. He peered at the meat and cheese, noting no change in their appearance. “Okay if we leave these with Lenore as a thank-you gift?”
She blinked at him for several moments, obviously mulling over his idea, and then grinned. “Fine with me if the sandwiches are still good.”
“I believe so.” Her smile coupled with the twinkling in her eyes made him want to kiss her.
He leaned toward her but caught himself, spinning away before she could guess his misguided intention. He’d shut the door on a relationship with her, so the physical connection also must end. Damn. He hated the idea of never touching her, never kissing those tantalizing lips. Enough. The decision had been made. Straightening his shoulders, he eased over to where Lenore
dabbed at her eyes with the corner of her apron.
“Lenore, we’d like to thank you for your hospitality by giving you a little something.” He held out the stack of sandwiches with the bag of crackers on top. Waited as she slowly pivoted to stare at him, tears on her cheeks. “It’s not much, but it’s all we have. We’d like you to enjoy these.”
Lenore blinked slowly as her expression shifted, becoming lighter and happier with each passing second. Lenore stared at him as he placed the offering in her hands. She clutched the gift to her so hard he thought she would crush everything.
“Careful.” He extended a hand, prepared to help if she needed him to take the items away. “You may mangle the sandwiches that way.”
“Oh, my gracious. Thank you! Thank you! You have no idea how much this means to me.” Lenore smiled at him through her tear-filled eyes, exposing her misaligned teeth in a wide grin.
Not the reaction he expected. “You’re welcome.”
“Grant…” Tara sauntered toward him, cautiously.
“Is something wrong?” Grant turned to address Tara only to see her eyes widen and brows shoot up. He pivoted his head to see what had surprised her and raised his brows. “Lenore, are you okay?”
The woman trembled violently, the sandwiches and crackers crushed to her chest. She needed assistance, so Grant stepped closer to support her, gripping her bony upper arm. Something akin to a mild electric shock pulsed through his fingers and up his arm, but he couldn’t release his grasp. Not only did the current act like a shock, locking his fingers in place so he could not let go. But he also didn’t want to. If he did, the crone would fall. He braced her with a hand on her back, finding her cool to the touch as her legs wobbled, barely keeping her from falling.
“Grant, no!” Tara ran over to his side and grabbed his arm, tugging to try to free his hand. “Stronger than I expected. Hold on.”
Lenore’s entire body shook, her hands falling open and dropping the wrapped sandwiches and crackers to the floor with a thump and crash. A whooshing sound grew in the room, and he could’ve sworn he heard a bell ringing in the distance building into a crescendo that overpowered his senses. Lenore’s eyes lost focus, staring through Grant as though he didn’t exist. She straightened from her habitual hunch and raised both arms, reaching toward the ceiling with outstretched hands. The current zipping through him grew stronger as Tara chanted unintelligible words and yanked once, twice, three times before Grant could finally free his hand. He stumbled backward several steps, taking Tara with him. He blinked at the scene before him.
His eyesight must be on the fritz again. He blinked to clear it, but the strange vision remained. The kitchen blurred and shimmered like a watercolor painting dissolving. The walls and floors and ceiling all disappeared until the three of them stood in the grassy clearing, surrounded only by the forest. The crone had transformed into a young woman, with long black hair cascading to her waist and smiling blue eyes. A crown rested on her head, displaying a mass of glittering jewels resembling the arrowheads. Her fair smooth skin and even, pearly white teeth added to the stunning effect. Beautiful barely described her. Stunning in an otherworldly way. An angel or perhaps a regal fairy queen. He blinked, hoping against hope he was dreaming. Or having a nightmare. Something to explain what exactly stood beaming at him with a wide smile.
The unkindness of ravens swooped into the clearing, flew around the trio and then soared up and into the trees. Perched on branches, they flapped and croaked, creating a raucous yet cheerful chorus. Their iridescent plumage shone in the morning sunlight, bright and full upon their backs and wings. They peered at the people, tilting their heads first one direction and then the other before yet again calling to one another. Grant surveyed the commotion, sensing the birds did more than communicate. They seemed to celebrate. But what?
“Tara, are you seeing what I’m seeing?” He shot a worried frown at her, then stared at the vision of the woman resplendent in a flowing gown of purple silk. For that had to be what it was. A dream. A vision. Surely not real.
“If you see Lenore as a young, beautiful princess, then yes.” Tara folded her arms and smiled up at him, one brow lifted. “Seeing is believing, right, Grant?”
He’d always believed in the mantra. Empirical evidence had served him well for his scientific analysis of rocks and minerals, stratification and sediment. But apparently seeing didn’t necessarily equate with believing. With that being the case, then perhaps one could believe in something without being able to see it. Like God, or Santa Claus. Or magic?
He glared at her and sighed. “I have no clue what has happened, Tara. Even after seeing it with my own eyes.”
“Seems to be happening quite a lot lately. You must admit you can’t explain everything you see, Grant.” She grinned smugly at him and then turned to Lenore. “Would you care to tell my dumb-founded companion what we both know just happened?”
“I’d be delighted to.” Lenore nodded her regal head with a beatific smile on her lips. “It’s quite a tale. Long ago, a sorceress placed an enchantment over me to teach me a lesson…”
Grant opened his mouth to deny the existence of witches, then snapped it shut when Tara raised a brow in his direction with a quick shake of her head. Perhaps he’d said enough. Now he obviously should listen.
Chapter 22
The expression on the man’s face satisfied her almost more than his kisses. He appeared stunned and abashed as he stared at Lenore with wide eyes. Tara observed the pair, the play of emotions on each of their faces as they stood silently regarding each other. Tara had been confused but finally understood the mystery of the woman’s existence in the forest. She anticipated a good story to come as to how and why the beautiful lady had been enchanted. But would Grant face the truth or deny it yet again?
“Did you learn the lesson she intended?” Tara smiled at Lenore, knowing the answer even as she asked.
“Indeed, I did.” Lenore folded her hands in front of her for a moment. “Thank you so very much.” Tears glistened in Lenore’s eyes as she sauntered toward Tara, hands outstretched. “You have both saved me.”
Tara clasped the offered fingers and felt Grant stiffen beside her. “We are glad to have been of assistance.”
“You’ll need to be more forthcoming than that.” He cleared his throat and shifted to one side when Lenore glanced at him with laughing eyes. “What exactly did we do?”
Lenore giggled, a light, airy sound filled with joy and relief. “Only freed me from two-hundred years of imprisonment.”
“Wow. That’s a very long time. I’m glad we stumbled into Raven Hollow.” Tara squeezed the lady’s hands and then released them. “What kind of incantation were you under?”
The weight of Grant’s glare made Tara chuckle. He needed to wake up and smell the magic in the air.
“A terrible curse, but one I know now I fully deserved.” Lenore bowed her head as she interlocked the fingers of her hands in front of her long, stately skirt. After a pause, she lifted her gaze to encompass Tara and Grant together. “Back when I was a girl, I was a horrid person. Too selfish and haughty to consider the needs or feelings of others. I insisted on being treated as the princess that I am. Or was. I was haughty and arrogant and filled with a need to put others down to make me more important.”
“I can’t imagine.” Knowing what she did about the crone’s willingness to help and her kind hospitality, Tara had a hard time picturing this beautiful young woman as behaving poorly to others. “What do you mean?”
“No matter who did what for me, I was ungrateful and demanded even more from them.” Lenore pressed her hands to her stomach. “I was never pleased or satisfied with anyone’s actions or comments. Not even my father’s little gifts he’d bring home to try to sweeten my temper. When I was disappointed, I threw horrible tantrums and meted out unwarranted punishments on my servants.”
“Sounds like some people I know today.” Grant shook his head once and leveled his gaze on Lenore. “Powe
r can go to a person’s head and make them do some strange and terrible things.”
“Exactly why she cast the spell.” Lenore inclined her head toward Grant, acknowledging the wisdom of his observation. “I deserved to be punished, although at that time I did not agree.”
“Who cast the spell? An evil queen?” Tara chuckled at her little joke.
“My aunt, a most powerful sorceress, cursed me to live as you saw.” Lenore’s sad gaze drifted from Grant to scan the clearing and finally light upon Tara. “She loved me enough to want me to be a better person, a more caring princess, a more compassionate leader of our people. Alas, it took so very long for the lesson to be learned and the right people to come along to release me from my prison. As I said before, not many visitors have happened by. The animals, the ravens in particular, have kept me company for all these years. They knew you were the ones most likely to free me. For that, I am truly grateful to them.”
“So what broke the spell?” Grant sheepishly glanced between Tara and Lenore. “I know, I’m admitting they exist. But what exactly did we do to save you?”
“I passed the test my aunt devised so very long ago.” Lenore’s expression sobered. “The touchstone, or test, of whether I could learn to be grateful and compassionate toward others. I had to wait for a generous person to think of my welfare without me demanding it. Or asking or hinting. Without me doing anything to prompt or trick them into doing so. Believe me; I tried to trick the last person who happened by.”
