Legend of Me

by Rebekah L. Purdy

  Relief flooded through me. If Kenrick could track it, Dark Pines would be safe again. As we made our way back down the trail, Kenrick slowed and held out his hand to me.

  I sucked in a deep breath, then slipped my fingers through his. The heat of his skin made me melt, and I ordered my legs not to buckle. He pulled me against him until we stood staring at one another.

  Kenrick’s fingers traced my jawline, his face intent. “I can’t breathe without thinking of you. I don’t understand this connection I feel when we’re together. It’s like I’m bound to you by a magical knot. Ever since I arrived here, I’ve dreamt of you. Visions of us dancing at a ball, and of me riding for you in tournament. It’s as if we’ve met hundreds of times before. Yet, I know we couldn’t have.”

  Had he read my thoughts? The intensity of our connection frightened me. Not because I feared him, but I was terrified of what I might lose should I give him my heart.

  “Don’t doubt that you have the same effect on me,” I whispered.

  His thumb rested beneath my chin and he tilted my head so I couldn’t look away. Then, slowly, he leaned forward until his lips brushed mine. My arms encircled his neck. I tasted the sweet remnants of elderberry wine as he deepened our kiss.

  I fell into his touch. Yearning twisted in my belly, making me cling tighter to him. His hand slid from my face and he wrapped me in his arms, pressing me to his chest.

  Desire laced each kiss as if it would be our last. And yet, the familiarity of his embrace startled me. Breathless, I pulled back.

  “You, you stole Kenrick from me!” Lucia screamed at me. “And you call yourself family.”

  “It wasn’t like that,” I said. “I never meant for this to happen, you have to believe me. Kenrick stopped to help me and Gram. How could I know it’d lead to this—to our falling in love?”

  “He was supposed to ride in the tournament for me. But he didn’t because of you. My father promised him my hand in marriage if he won.”

  “Lucia, listen to reason. It isn’t Brielle’s fault,” Kenrick said, his arm about my waist. “I know what your father told you, but I had no intention of proposing to you. The Order is my first priority … ”

  Her dark hair snapped behind her like angry snakes. “Was it your priority when you told Brielle you loved her? When you kissed her in the garden?” Her hands swiped a vase from the table. It crashed to the ground, spraying glass across the floor at our feet. “You’ll pay for this, if it’s the last thing I do.”

  She turned on her heel and raced from the room.

  “I’m sorry,” Kenrick said. “But we had to tell her, she was bound to find out about our engagement sooner or later.”

  “I know, but I never wanted to hurt her. I didn’t realize how strong her infatuation with you was.”

  “Nor did I. But I promise, Brielle, I never had plans to marry her. That is a conjuration of her own imagination.”

  Oh God, what did these visions mean? Lucia had been dead for years, and I wasn’t old enough for us to have fought like that.

  “Brielle?” Kenrick hugged me tighter.

  “I-I … we should head back to the village now. I need to retrieve my things from the church.”

  Kenrick ran his fingers down my face. “I apologize if I’ve been too forward.”

  “I’ve no regrets.” I gave him a shaky smile and wondered why I was trembling. Then my thoughts strayed to Raul. What had I done? My heart felt as if it’d been ripped in two. What pull did they have upon me?

  “Nor do I.” He kissed my palm, then the back of my hand. “Let me see you back to the village, then home.”

  Hellfire! What if Gram discovered we’d kissed? It’d only take her one look at us to realize something happened. Yet, I didn’t want to be in the woods alone.

  I accepted the arm he offered and followed him back to the horse.

  After we’d gathered my things in the church, and had given the keys back to Father Machai, we made our way out into the night. The cool temperatures nipped at my exposed skin and I wished for my fur-lined cloak.

  As we walked across the road, a commotion near the gate caught my attention. People stood in small pockets while the guards pushed them away.

  When we approached, Percy Gatekeeper blocked our way. “No one is to leave Dark Pines. Per order of the Mayor, the gate will be shut before sundown every night and will only reopen at dawn, until the Beast is captured.”

  I pulled away from Kenrick. “What? This is insane. I have to get home; my grandmother is alone at our cottage.”

  “I’m sorry, but no one leaves.”

  “Perhaps, I could escort her out.” Kenrick stepped between us.

  “Milord, I’m afraid the orders cannot be bent, even for you.”

  Across the way, I noticed Bowman Butcher. His brow furrowed as he gazed at the gate. Rhyne still hadn’t come back, either. I squeezed my lids shut praying Gram and he would be all right.

  “If anyone is in need of a place to stay this night, the church doors are open,” Father Machai said as he joined our group.

  “I think you best go with him.” Kenrick grabbed hold of my arm, steering me toward the church.

  “I know. Gram would want me safe.” I fought the sob that’d lodged itself in my throat.

  Kenrick drew me into his arms, hugging me tight. “Don’t cry, Brielle. Your grandmother will be fine. She knows how to take care of herself.”

  The morning bells tolled, and I leapt to my feet, dashing out of the church. I maneuvered the narrow streets, dodging chickens pecking at scraps. Up and down the square, shuttered windows flung open to greet the morning as I raced to the front gates. The guards swung the wooden barriers open and a small crowd of people hurried inside.

  Where is he?

  As I searched for Rhyne, I clenched the fabric of my skirts—I’d never forgive myself if something happened to him.

  Then I spotted him. Dark circles painted the undersides of his eyes, his shoulders slumped. He carried a string of rabbits and his bow as he trudged between the people.

  His gaze met mine and he dropped his stuff to the ground. Without a second thought, I raced to him, then threw myself into his arms.

  “I was worried about you.” Tears streamed down my cheeks.

  He clutched my face in his hands. “Worried about me? How do you think I felt when I got to your grandmother’s and found you gone? I almost lost it, Bri. The thought of you stranded somewhere, by yourself.”

  My arms encircled his neck and I tugged him closer. “I’m glad you’re all right.”

  “And I, you.” A catch sounded in his voice. We pulled apart.

  “Is no man safe from her claws?” Sarah’s shrill voice snapped like the crack of a whip.

  “Obviously not. You’d think being caught in the Wanderer camp would shame her enough,” someone else said.

  I fisted my hands at my side. Like Sarah had room to talk. How many men had she pursued?

  Rhyne didn’t bat an eyelash as the whispers continued around us; instead, he retrieved his things, then reached down and clasped my hand in his. Over his shoulder, I saw Gram’s stooped form coming into town and I pulled away and ran into her arms.

  “Thank the Lord you’re safe.” She patted my face. “You had me up all night worrying.”

  “Father Machai took me in, I was quite safe.”

  Gram clung to my arm as we maneuvered through the people milling about town. Her smile fell away. “Listen, I need to go see Rhyne’s mother for a bit. Why don’t you run along now. I’ll be home shortly.”

  Rhyne caught her eye. “I’ll go with you. I’m sure Ma has been worried about me.”

  Somehow I knew they were about to discuss more than Rhyne being out all night. The looks exchanged between them appeared more serious.

  A loud ruckus near the gate caught my attention. Knights and other men carrying weapons came in, followed closely by Kenrick on horseback. They ushered in the
cart with the cage attached to it.

  “We’ve caught the Beast,” Fredrick Mason hollered, shaking a large axe over his head.

  Ladies shrieked, jerking their children back as the group paraded toward us. Men cheered, trying to get a closer look. When the processional stopped in front of us, I gasped. A grizzled man covered in blood sat in a small pile of bones, muttering incoherently to himself. On occasion, I’d catch words I understood. Flesh. Bones. Blood.

  His greasy, gray-black hair lay plastered to his head, his clothing hung tattered and stained. He raised dark eyes, and looked right at me. He crawled to the bars, pressing his dirt-encrusted face against the metal, and a sneer formed on his lips, revealing rotted teeth and spittle that ran down his chin.

  “You.” He pointed at me with a high-pitched giggle. “You’re going to be next. She said I could have you next.”

  I gasped, stumbling backward to put some distance between the crazed man and me. She? Who did he mean by “she?”

  “Steady there.” Raul ran up and caught hold of my arm. “He won’t lay a hand on you. I promise.”

  My legs quaked beneath me, but he held me tight against him. His hand brushed my skirts as he drew his dagger.

  “Raul. Stand down.” Gram grabbed his arm before he could throw the blade.

  Instead, Kenrick leapt from his horse and reached through the bars, gripping hold of the man’s shirt. “Quiet, monster. If you speak to this lady again, it will be your end.”

  The man laughed almost maniacally then turned to me once more. “I will taste your flesh.”

  Kenrick raised the hilt of his sword and brought it down on his head. The man slumped to the floor. “Take him to the town center and have Mayor Weaver meet us there.”

  Raul’s arms let me go as he slid his weapon back into his belt. “Keep safe, Brielle.”

  With that, he vanished into the crowd just as fast as he’d appeared.

  “You should head home. This is no place for you to linger, Lady Brielle,” Kenrick said as he came to stand next to us. “This man was caught in a pile of bones, chewing off the flesh of his newest kill. But be assured, he will be tried for his crimes.”

  In the distance, I noticed the ropes being slung over the wooden scaffold. He was right. I didn’t need any more nightmares. Yet, even I was aware that he looked nothing like the Beast of legends. Unless, of course, he could change forms. I shivered. What if they’d caught the wrong person? He could be nothing more than a cannibal. His nails, though blood encrusted, weren’t long enough to make the claw marks we’d seen.

  But with all the myths of shapeshifting people, this could very well be the man. Which brought forth another thought, would this metal cage be able to hold him? Unease swept through me. I needed to speak with Kenrick. None of this added up. Yes, they’d found in him a pile of bones, but that didn’t mean he was the monster. Or maybe it did. Maybe I’d hoped that it wouldn’t be for the mere fact that if it was, it meant Kenrick would soon leave.

  “Lord Kenrick, might I have a word?”

  He peered at me. “I’m sorry, milady, but duty calls.”

  Did he not see that this wasn’t the true Beast? Perhaps that was the plan: make the villagers believe the threat was gone. Maybe the mayor had put him up to it. Or maybe he truly thought this was the creature, given the man’s manic state and the bones surrounding him. But I couldn’t help but wonder as I walked away whether I should press the issue.

  Gram hummed to herself as she washed the last of the dishes. “Can you fetch me some more lavender and feverfew?”

  “You need to quit making everyone soap.”

  “Well, would you rather have them stinking to high-heaven?”

  I pulled my cloak on then grabbed a basket and my dagger. “Funny.”

  “Don’t you be gone too long, and make sure you stick to the paths. Even though they caught the Beast, it doesn’t mean there aren’t other dangers.”

  The sun shone bright through the treetops as I hurried toward the clearing on the other side of the creek. A large rabbit hopped into the bushes as I neared, while birds flitted overhead. When I got to the clearing, I set my basket down and took out my dagger, which I used to cut bunches of lavender.

  A low growl sounded from the tree line. I stiffened, while my pulse raced. A slight rustle in the tall grass caught my attention and I froze as a large, gray wolf stepped through the greenery. Its yellow eyes were intent on me.

  I fought to breathe, and my sweaty fingers gripped tight to the dagger. The animal bared its teeth, gave a low snarl, and circled around me.

  Something crashed through the brambles behind the creature. Startled, it turned from me. Raul lunged into the clearing, his face contorted in rage.

  “Brielle, stay still,” he ordered, as he then shifted his attention to the wolf and said, “This isn’t your territory.”

  The animal growled again, and the two of them circled one another like predators sizing each other up.

  The wolf backed up a step, then sprang at me. I screamed, waiting for the impact, but Raul threw himself at the animal and grabbed it by the scruff.

  The wolf yelped, fighting to leave his grasp. At last, it broke free, then scampered into the woods.

  “Raul!” I rushed forward. “Oh dear God, you could’ve been killed. What the hell were you thinking?”

  He took several steps away from me, his eyes glowing eerily. “Stay back.”

  The hell I would. I came to his side and clutched his arm—

  And pulled back in pain. His skin was so unnaturally hot that it burned to touch. I inspected his arms and body for any scratches or bites, but miraculously he had no wounds. Impossible.

  “Are—are you all right?”

  After several moments, he raised his head to look at me, eyes back to normal. “Shite, you scared me to death. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you.”

  “H-how, did you do that? How did you make it go away?”

  He sighed. “Fear. I was so worried he’d hurt you, I thought if I threatened him he’d leave you be.”

  “But … ”

  “Come, Brielle, let’s get you home.” He gripped hold of my arm and ushered me in the direction of the cottage.

  “Raul, come on now, we’re friends. You can tell me whatever it is that’s going on. I won’t judge you.”

  “I wish I could. But I don’t want to share secrets that are not mine alone. Times are dangerous for all of my people. Give me time, and I promise I will explain all.”

  I had no idea what’d happened back there. There was something much more going on here and I needed to find out what.

  However, by the time we got to the cottage, Raul was quick to disappear, giving me no chance to question him further. I had half the mind to follow after him and demand answers, but Gram called me inside to finish our preparations for tomorrow’s Festival of the Stars.

  Gram finished weaving daisies into my hair, then stood back to admire her work and teared up.

  “You look like an angel. No one will be able to resist dancing with you tonight. Aren’t you glad now that you decided not to accept any offers to attend festival? Now you’ll be able to dance with anyone you choose.”

  I smiled, turning around so she could examine the back of the gown. Of course, Gram had no idea that I planned to meet up with Raul there. I knew she didn’t approve of him, but for once I wanted to take the reins and decide for myself what I wanted to do with my life. “I feel like a princess.”

  The silk slipped across my legs like water, the blue lace overlay reminding me of the sea. Wearing my mother’s dress made me feel closer to her, as if she were going to present me to the village tonight.

  Gram ushered me over to the wooden rocker near the door. “Sit down while I get myself ready.” She kept her back to me as she laid out her blue dress and cloak.

  A few moments later, Gram hurried to my side. “Why don’t we get going? Don’t want to
be late.”

  I smiled. “I’m ready.”

  Tonight would be the night everything fell into place for me, when my future would be revealed at the Festival of the Stars, or at least that’s what I hoped. Gram and I climbed into the cart then slid onto the bench. With a slap of the reins, the horses moved forward.

  Gram glanced over at me. “I meant it when I said you’re beautiful tonight.”

  I laughed, toying with the skirt of my dress. “Yes, well let’s hope others think so too.”

  “They’d be foolish not to notice you, Brielle. Just remember that you don’t have to dance with anyone if you don’t want to.”

  I smiled and let it go. She’d made clear that if she had her way, we’d go back to the old days where neither of us wanted to go to the festival. But I’d reminded her that the mayor’s decree basically required me to be there.

  That didn’t mean I had to tell Gram I hoped to see Raul at the festival. Maybe even to dance with him.

  I squeezed her arm as I caught snatches of music in the distance. Things were about to change and I suddenly wondered if I was ready for it.

  Guards ushered us through the gates and Gram steered the cart toward the road in front of the tavern to park. She hobbled down then came around to wait for me.

  When I dismounted, she caught my hand in hers. “I’ll let you wander about on your own so you can find your friends. But you’re to meet me back at the cart when the festival is over, you hear me?”

  “Yes, Gram.”

  “All right, you be a good girl.”

  Jars with candles in them hung about the town square, a bonfire crackled and popped at the center. Musicians sat upon the small wooden stage, filling the village with saucy tunes.

  Dancing couples spun around, the women’s skirts creating a rainbow of colors. Men tossed back pints, joking with one another, while older ladies stood grouped together gossiping about what everyone wore. Even the Wanderers had come into town to perform. Fire eaters blew bright yellow flames from their mouths, and people cheered and gasped around them. Several others did tumbling acts, flipping and diving as they were tossed in the air.