Have Yourself a Merry Little Secret : a Christmas collection of historical romance (Have Yourself a Merry Little... Book 2)

by Collette Cameron

  “The troll woman?” Thora asked in disbelief.

  “Either way, I shall kill them both for daring to burn my castle.”

  “How do you know it was them?” she asked desperately and added to throw him off the track of the cat, “Perchance it was a fallen spark from a nearby bonfire. It would make more sense.”

  “It would,” he agreed. “Except the squires saw the troll woman and the cat.”

  Dread filled her. “They saw them?”

  “The squires said they were fighting the cat, trying to burn it and save the castle.”

  Thora’s jaw clenched, and her fists balled. The squires were lying. She looked down to hide her anger.

  “They said the troll woman ran by and shoved one of them into the fire, promising to return to eat them.”

  Thora’s mouth dropped. They thought she was the troll woman.

  “I will find that cat and behead it. And I will find that troll witch and burn her. I have trackers and hunters out searching now. Have no fear, dearest. These monsters shall not escape.”

  Disbelief filled Thora, and she could only stare at her father in horror. How had this got so out of control? How could her father believe a cat could burn down a stable? And then, her shoulders slouched. How could he not? It was what she had believed most of her life, what she had professed. She told everyone she had been attacked by the Yule Cat. “Father…”

  He kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry, Thora. Nothing will stop me this time.”

  Bastian walked through the remains of the stables. Blackened beams rose like a giant skeleton around him. He searched the charred relics, inspecting for anything that could be saved. Unfortunately, almost everything was a complete loss. He eased a loose charred board aside with the toe of his boot. He had seen burned houses before, but this fire had been so hot it laid waste to almost everything. He lifted his gaze to the sky.

  Beaumont bounded into the blackened remains, sending ash flying into the air around him.

  Bastian scratched the large dog behind his ears. At least Beaumont had survived.

  Large flakes of snow drifted down, coating the ground with a covering of white.

  Bastian patted the hound and lifted his gaze to the surrounding shops. They had been lucky the fire had not spread to other buildings. Very lucky.

  He continued through the remains of the stable, Beaumont padding along beside him. Bastian paused to kick another board. They would start clearing the remains before long. Before winter set in and it was too late. He tested another board with his foot. Beaumont nosed the board, pushing it aside. When it fell away, Bastian noticed something glinting beneath it. He bent to inspect it. Perhaps it was a tool they could salvage.

  He reached down, brushing ash from the top. A piece of gold. Strange. He picked it up. A bracelet. A thin golden bracelet embroidered with swirls. He glanced at the ground. It had been buried beneath the ash, so it had been there before the fire started. He scowled. What would a bracelet be doing in the middle of the stables?

  Thora sat on the floor of her room, staring at the darkness beneath her bed. She knew the little cat was there. Somewhere. Hiding. Frightened. She had shoved some blankets under the bed, hoping the cat would sleep in them comfortably. She had stopped at the kitchens, and the cook had given her some venison. Thora broke it into smaller chunks to leave a pile for the cat.

  Had Bastian seen the cat last night? Did he know about it? Did he suspect she had been at the fire? What did he know? Terrified for the little cat and for herself, Thora chewed her lip thoughtfully. If anyone found out she was the troll woman, what would happen? Her people would be angry. Would they ever believe anything she told them again? Would she be punished? Thrown in the stocks for burning down the stables? And what would the villagers do to the cat? She sighed softly.

  She should tell the truth -- she should tell Bastian. He was smart and would figure it out eventually. Maybe he would help her keep the little miracle alive. Yes, that was what the cat was for surviving the abuse of the squires. A miracle. That’s what she would call the cat.

  She gazed into the darkness beneath the bed. This little miracle couldn’t be the Yule Cat that had attacked her when she was eight summers old. It didn’t match up with what she remembered. She recalled the animal that had scratched her being much bigger. Plus, her miracle hadn’t tried to eat her. It didn’t make sense that Miracle would come down from the mountains to attack the children who didn’t finish their chores. More likely, Miracle had ridden into the castle on a merchant’s cart.

  Firelight from the hearth bathed her room in a soft glow that reminded her of the stable fire. Its light didn’t reach beneath the bed. She couldn’t see the cat. She pulled her knees in to rise from the floor.

  Two glowing eyes peered at her from beneath the bed.

  She froze. The memory of her attack returned with startling clarity. Two glowing eyes stared down at her from the branch of the tree...

  Just like the ones beneath her bed!

  Chapter 9

  Paralyzed with fear, Thora’s chest tightened. The Yule Cat! She had been mistaken! Miracle was the cat that had attacked her years ago. She was transported back in time to when she was ten, and the glowing eyes stared at her from the tree. Was the Yule Cat going to eat her now? Had it returned to finish the job it had started eight years ago? She trembled. Even as these thoughts raced through her mind, part of her refused to believe it. It was just a little cat! How could it eat her? Did it have magical powers to consume someone in one gulp?

  Miracle stalked closer, those eyes moving toward her.

  The need to flee gripped her, and she pushed her feet beneath her, preparing to run.

  The black cat poked its head from beneath the bed. The glowing eyes were gone, replaced with wide brown eyes.

  Thora blinked, stunned. What had happened to the glowing eyes?

  The little cat moved hesitantly to the pile of venison and began to eat, chewing on one piece and then looking around the room cautiously before taking another.

  Confused, Thora stared at it. How could the glowing eyes have vanished? She knew those glowing eyes belonged to her little cat. She had seen the eyes under her bed! There was no other explanation. And yet, where had they gone?

  The cat seemed more interested in eating the venison than it did with eating her. Stunned, Thora sat and looked at Miracle. Just a little skinny black cat, its tail tucked beneath it as it ate. It wasn’t going to eat her. It had the chance the night before when she was asleep, but instead, it had slept with her. Suddenly, the thought that it could eat her seemed preposterous.

  The realization brought doubt and bewilderment. Miracle had glowing eyes, the same eyes as the creature who had attacked her. How could Miracle have the same eyes she’d seen on the Yule Cat? It must be a coincidence. It must be…

  Laughter rang out from the hallway behind the closed door, drawing Thora’s attention. She was afraid someone would enter her chambers, find Miracle, and accuse it of being the Yule Cat as the squires had done.

  As she had done. Her shoulders drooped. This cat was not the Yule Cat. It couldn’t be.

  She was afraid her people would not believe her, and they would take the cat to her father. The thought sent anxiety through her. She looked back at the cat. She had saved the cat and would not let anyone hurt it. She had promised to protect it.

  Miracle shifted its head from the doorway to her. Its eyes caught and reflected the firelight. Glowing. Then, Miracle looked back at her, and its eyes were normal.

  Thora’s mouth dropped.

  It must be a trick of the light.

  As Miracle continued to eat, Thora was tortured by her thoughts. The creature who attacked her had glowing eyes, but was it just a deception? She touched the scratches on her cheek, running her fingers across the scars. Could she have been wrong to believe it had been the Yule Cat? Had it just been an animal? Had Bastian been right?

  Bastian strolled through the keep searching for the two squi
res, Rob and Tommy. He wanted to find out exactly what happened the night of the fire. He found Rob in the kitchens, seated at a table, eating a loaf of bread. He was a tall boy with dark hair and a pinched look.

  “Are you getting enough to eat, Rob?” Bastian asked, walking up to him.

  Rob jumped up from his seat on the bench. “Aye, Captain. I’m catching a quick bite before Sir William and I are off to check the traps.”

  A practice in futility, Bastian thought. But he showed none of his feelings. The men had to think this job was relevant and important. He nodded. “I would like to ask you about the night of the fire.”

  Rob’s eyes lit up. “Aye. It was horrible.”

  Rob’s sudden enthusiasm made Bastian think he had told this tale before and relished the attention. Bastian inquired, “What were you doing before the fire?”

  “Fighting off the Yule Cat!” Rob exploded with excitement, his eyes bright.

  One of the cooks near the hearth looked up, wiping her hands on her apron. She met Bastian’s gaze and turned back to stirring the black pot hanging over the fire.

  Bastian nodded, looking back at Rob. “Before that. Why were you outside in the courtyard?”

  “Oh.” Rob’s eagerness drained, and he sat on the bench. “Well, I was waiting for Sir William to return from the night watch. I was going to tend his horse and retire for the evening.” He shook his head. “A shame about those horses.”

  Was that sorrow in his tone or guilt? Bastian sat beside him, hoping that would keep him from speaking so loudly. “Was it just you and Tommy waiting?”

  Rob bobbed his head. “Tommy was waiting with me for Sir Garrett. Sir Garrett and Sir William patrol together for the watch.”

  “It was cold that night.”

  “Aye!” Rob exclaimed. “Freezing. Me hands were numb. It was lucky we had that bonfire.”

  Bastian stared. A bonfire. The night of the stable fire. Coincidence?

  Rob noticed his stare and quickly added, “It was just a small one. Just enough to keep us warm.”

  “How long were you waiting?”

  Rob shrugged. “They didn’t return until after the fire started.”

  “What did you talk about when you were waiting?”

  Rob’s brows furrowed in confusion.

  Bastian guessed by Rob’s reaction that this wasn’t the usual interest in the incident. He was certain others were more attracted to the part of the story with the Yule Cat. He waited.

  Rob’s gaze searched the ground as if looking for the answer. “We were just talking. Oh! About girls.” He grinned sheepishly, and then when he glanced up at Bastian, his grin faded.

  “Then what happened?”

  His lips curled up. “And then it came from the darkness like a shadow.”

  Bastian listened impassively. This sounded rehearsed. Fake. “Which way did it come from?”

  Rob’s grin evaporated again, and he shrugged. “We didn’t see which way it came from. But suddenly, the Yule Cat was there.” He curved his fingers. “With sharp claws. Its mouth was open. It was going to eat us!”

  “Didn’t you complete all of your chores?”

  His tale interrupted, Rob lowered his hands, and his passion waned. He scowled.

  “Isn’t that the legend?” Bastian asked. “The Yule Cat eats children who don’t finish their chores.”

  “Well, I…” Rob raked a hand through his dark hair. “I thought I did. But maybe I missed one.”

  Bastian knew Sir William, Rob’s mentor, and he knew that William would not tolerate Rob failing to do a chore.

  “Maybe it was after Tommy. Anyway, it came at us, and we drew our swords to fight it,” Rob continued, making the motion of pulling his sword from his belt and holding it up.

  Bastian was not impressed. “Was it small?”

  Deflated, Rob lowered his hand. “What?”

  “The cat. I mean, cats are usually relatively small.”

  “Well… it wasn’t a normal cat. It was a giant! Did you see the scratch marks it left?”

  Bastian nodded. He had seen the marks that looked suspiciously like those of a sword. “How big was the cat?”

  Rob hesitated with a frown. “About…” He held out a hand about waist high and slowly lifted it to a height above his head. “About this big.”

  “That is a big cat.”

  Rob nodded his head quickly. “And then that troll lady shoved me from behind into the fire.”

  “Where did she come from?”

  “I don’t know. We were too busy fighting the Yule Cat.” Rob grinned, pleased with his tale.

  “Did you hit the cat? Injure it?” Bastian wondered.

  “The Yule Cat? No. It was too quick.”

  “But there were two of you.” Bastian stood. “If you were here…” He motioned to the spot where he stood with his hands. “…and Tommy was beside you, and the bonfire was here…” He pointed slightly to his right. “Then, the Yule Cat must have been here.” He indicated to his left. “In front of you. But you didn’t see where it came from?”

  Rob scanned the area as if recalling the positions. “No. As I said, it just came out of the dark.” He rolled up his sleeve. “But look at my arm. My entire sleeve was on fire. I had to put it out in the horse trough.” He displayed his forearm to Bastian.

  His arm was splotchy with red patches. Burned. Bastian had no doubt the part of the story about him getting burnt was true. But he wasn’t sure how it happened. “How did you know it was the troll woman who pushed you? Did you see her?”

  “No. I was on fire, but Tommy saw her running away.”

  “And where was the cat?”

  “My arm was on fire! I didn’t see where it went.”

  Bastian scowled. “If it attacked you to eat you, why didn’t it eat you?”

  Rob opened his mouth and then closed it. “We had swords. It must have been afraid of us. After all, we are going to be knights soon.”

  Bastian stared at Rob. His story sounded like a made-up tale from a child that was going to further fuel the myth throughout the village. “And when did you notice the stables were on fire?”

  Rob scratched his head. “Well, first, we put out my arm.”

  “Tommy helped you?”

  Rob nodded. “And then we went back to our bonfire and extinguished it. We were going to go into the stables and wait for Sir William and Sir Garrett. We noticed black smoke coming from inside.” He looked at Bastian. “That’s when we saw the fire.”

  “Then neither the Yule Cat nor this troll woman could have started the fire.”

  “Who else could it have been? It had to be them. They did it on purpose.”

  “Why?” Bastian asked. “Why would they burn the stables?”

  Rob lifted his shoulders. “Maybe someone inside didn’t do their chores.”

  Bastian stared at him in disbelief. There was no one inside except the horses. He put a hand on Rob’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

  Rob lifted his chin proudly. Bastian stood.

  As Bastian headed for the door, he paused to glance back at Rob. The boy sat at the table, eating the loaf of bread. Something about his story was off. It didn’t make sense. A troll woman and cat starting a stable fire? It was just as likely that Rob started the fire accidentally when his arm was ablaze. But if there were no cat or troll, how did Rob’s arm catch fire? Was he careless and got too close to the bonfire? Bastian knew he needed to talk to Tommy and compare their stories to figure out the truth.

  As he was exiting the kitchens, he almost ran into Thora. She pulled back, and then a smile spread across her lips. He liked when she smiled; it lit up her entire face. His gaze moved from her lips to her eyes. Such vibrant blue eyes. Such flawless skin. He saw a smudge of grease marring her smooth cheek.

  “What are you doing here?” They asked at the same time.

  Each of them replied with smiles.

  Thora bowed her head, and a lock of her red hair fell forward, glistening in t
he hearth firelight. “I’m just getting something to eat.” She licked her lips, moistening them. “I wanted to thank you for bringing me to my chambers last night. I guess I was more tired than I thought.”

  Bastian nodded. “We both were.” When she looked at him again, his blood simmered. He took a step closer and lifted his hand to cup her chin. He rubbed his thumb along her cheek, brushing away the grease.

  Her mouth dropped, and for a moment, his thumb stopped moving as he gazed into her eyes. “Grease,” he whispered in a suddenly dry throat. He dropped his hand, staring into the pools of her deep blue eyes.

  A clang of something falling sounded from the kitchen, and Bastian stepped back, clearing his throat. He ran his fingers over his own cheek. “It was dirt.”

  She blushed and touched her cheek, nodding. “Is it gone?”

  He bobbed his head in answer.

  A grin curved her sensual lips as they stared at each other. He had always admired her for her kindness, but when had she grown into such a beauty? How had he missed it? “I’m on duty soon. I’d best -- ” He moved around her.

  She watched him with her intriguing, sultry blue eyes, eyes that suddenly made him feel longing. He took a step backward before turning away.

  Thora watched him go, her face tingling with delight from his touch. His gait was confident and powerful. For a moment, she simply gazed at him. His cloak swirled out behind him. Then she came to her senses. She had meant to find him and ask him about cats and their glowing eyes. “Bastian!”

  He paused and turned to her.

  She walked up to him, chewing her lower lip thoughtfully. “Why don’t you think the Yule Cat is real?”

  Bastian’s gaze swept her, and he took a deep breath. “Thora, I know what you believe. I know that you think this Yule Cat is real and that it attacked you. But the village, your people, are made nervous by such stories. This barn fire didn’t help. It’s dangerous to keep spreading rumors like this.”

  She remembered the Yule Cat jumping onto her and scratching her cheek, and yet part of her was beginning to doubt what she remembered was the truth. “Do all cat's eyes glow?”