A Life Earthbound (32 page)

And so she walked, clad in a long, cotton dress the color of the deep sea that flowed around her legs, caressing her skin as she strolled down the cobblestone walkway. In her arms she carried a wicker basket, hoping to pick some of the wildflowers in the meadow, maybe for a centerpiece or for her own pleasure in her room. Her mother despised wildflowers, so it was unlikely they’d fair long if she placed them in plain sight of the guests coming later that evening. Pristine, perfect roses in shades of pink and red were what her mother preferred, and her discerning and overly critical eye could spot a flaw with a bloom from a mile away.

But Rhiannon loved wildflowers, she always had. Just like the wild roses in the back gardens, the wildflowers in the meadow were the essence of freedom. And maybe that was just it…she was drawn to the Earth’s interpretation of freedom. Surely, there was nothing more free than a wildflower, flying on the wind as a seed, carelessly burrowing wherever fate chose to plant it, and bursting to life without restrictions. It was beautiful, and stunning, that freedom. She only wished she possessed more of it herself.

Because thinking of her freedom had her thinking of Liam, her lips curved slightly as she began to hum one of his favorite songs. It was a song of her namesake, with lyrics about a woman taken by the sky.

As she approached the wrought iron entrance gates, she heard a rustling of birds overhead and glanced up in time to see them flutter from the tree and dart away, almost as if they were skittish and agitated. Her brow creased as she watched them go, but she heard no sounds other than her own which would have disturbed them. It was still very early, barely even six in the morning, and no one would be awake. The silence hung heavy in the air around her now that the birds had fled the area. The strangeness of the still air, coupled with an odd feeling of dread had chills shimmering down her spine. Something was off, something was different…

She glanced around, half expecting to see someone jump out of the shadows at her, only to see nothing moving and to hear nothing except her own beating heart. Even the gardens were still, all the creatures that dwelled there either asleep, or cowering in fear.

She debated whether or not to just go back into the castle. Surely she could pick flowers another time, later perhaps, when the others were up and about. She just had this terrible, all encompassing feeling of trepidation cloaking her like a dark shroud, and she couldn’t seem to shake it.

Just as she was about to turn and go inside, she spotted something in the meadow that caught her eye. It was black, laying in the tall grasses amongst all the wildflowers.

Eyes sharpening, she tentatively approached the gate, attempting to stare through the wrought iron bars to get a better look at the object. It wasn’t moving, but it was hard to tell not only what it was, but how large it was due to the grasses covering it from view.

Again, she deliberated whether she should just ignore it and go inside, but her curiosity got the better of her. It was probably just someone’s jacket that had been dropped yesterday and had been carelessly forgotten. And once she confirmed that was all it was, then she could pick her flowers as planned. Surely there was no need to be afraid…she wasn’t in danger, not here, not on Euphora…

With a deep, steadying breath, she laid her palm against the wrought iron gate, causing it to melt away at her touch. Clutching the wicker basket tight in her hands, she began to walk along the path through the grasses toward the mysterious object.

It was about halfway between the gate and the giant oak tree, several yards away, so she took her time, glancing in all directions, listening for any sound and searching for any sign of movement. If this was some kind of trap, she was prepared to run. And if it wasn’t…then she’d feel foolish, but that was the least of her worries.

As she got closer, she eyed the object apprehensively, biting her tongue as her heart beat furiously in her chest in both fear and uncertainty. Was that hair?

Pausing mid-step, she struggled to see around the grasses, unsure she was seeing what she thought she was seeing. Certainly this wasn’t a body…

But then she saw the hand, laying pale white against the rich brown soil, and her heart leapt from her chest into her throat, lodging itself there, choking her breath and preventing any sound from escaping.

She was screaming inside her head to run–run fast and far and away from this nightmare. Certainly it wasn’t real, but if it was…

Still something had her stepping forward again, and again...until she was a few feet from the form, which was now in plain view. What she saw made the basket fall from her hands as they clamped over her mouth in horror and shock.

The body lay face up, dressed in a black Enforcer’s uniform and drenched in blood that pooled into the soil. Sandy hair fell back from a chalk white face, and the still and empty brown eyes stared up at the sky, seeing nothing.

It was obvious the blood had come from the vicious gash slit across the throat…blood that no longer flowed; blood that had gone cold in the night.

Tears sprang hot into her eyes as she gasped out a breath, her hands still pressed against her mouth, as if it may keep her from screaming.

But she knew that screams couldn’t save him.

Michael was dead, and she cursed the part of her deep inside that wept with ashamed, delirious relief.

The next few minutes were a blur. She remembered running, remembered nearly tripping over the skirt of her dress as she flew through the atrium. She had brief flashes of seeing Blythe on her way to enjoy her morning run and collapsing into the other girl’s arms. Blythe had been alarmed, but thankfully she had believed her when she somehow explained what she had found. She didn’t even remember what she had said, had blocked out the words in a haze. But Blythe had understood and rushed with her to get Thea and Sebastian, who in turn went immediately out into the meadow.

Rhiannon had led the way, but she hardly remembered offering to do so. It seemed as though her feet just carried her back to that spot, drawn to the destruction and demise of the man who would have been her husband.

Within an hour, everyone knew.

Sebastian had ordered most of them to stay inside the castle, away from what was now considered a crime scene. It was surreal, Rhiannon thought, as she stood just outside the gates of Euphora, clutching her arms around her chest. The idea of someone being murdered…here, just outside her home? Surely they had seen bloodshed and battle there, but not cold-blooded murder in the dead of the night with no explanation.

Who in the world would want to kill Michael? Perhaps he had made enemies in his life, maybe in his time as an Enforcer…but then why kill him here?

In the meadow, Rian and Brogan surveyed the scene, checking for traces of demon or of human…unfortunately though, it appeared as though too much time had passed and whatever trace was gone. So they searched instead for the murder weapon, stepping tentatively through the grass.

Rhiannon watched them with dull eyes, trying to figure all the possibilities. But nothing seemed logical…there just didn’t seem to be any reason she could come up with for Michael to have been the target of assassination. And though she knew he was not well liked, surely no one had killed him for being arrogant.

She heard a sound behind her and saw Liam approaching, his eyes clouded with worry and apprehension. She watched as he came closer, held his eyes as he thrust his arms around her and pulled her against him, burying his face in her hair. She held on, closing her eyes, blocking out everything but the feel of him against her. Her hands clung to his shirt as she pressed her face to his neck, comforted by the feel of his warm pulse. He, thank God, was still alive. If it had been Liam out there in that field…but no, she didn’t even want to think about it.

“I’m sorry, Rhia,” he murmured, pulling away to look into her eyes, cupping her face in his hands. “I’m sorry you had to find him this way.”

“I’m sorry, too.” She looked away, feeling the shame and guilt rise in her as she remembered her first lucid feeling upon finding Michael…the wave of relief. For that, she was truly sorry.

Pushing away from Liam, she spotted her mother and father racing forward, having apparently slipped past Sebastian. Serendipity looked furious and mortified, and Rohan just looked dumbfounded.

“Rhiannon,” Serendipity spat as she rushed toward her daughter. She glared once at Liam before turning to Rhiannon. “Thea has contacted Burke. He should be here any moment.”

“Are you alright, Rhiannon?” Rohan asked, watching her closely, examining her, gauging her emotions.

“This isn’t about me,” Rhiannon replied, straightening up as she faced both of her parents. Beside her, Liam braced like a fighter poised to spar. “If I hadn’t found him, Blythe most likely would have. It’s pure coincidence that I happened to stumble upon the body first, so don’t try and make this about me. Burke is going to be understandably upset and we need to focus on finding out what happened to his son.”

Serendipity’s eyes narrowed, then shot to stare at Liam. “I’m sure we will get answers, soon enough.”

They all turned at the sight of a bright gold light, signaling Burke’s arrival to Euphora.

Rhiannon watched, chest clenched with sympathy, as Burke rushed forward to where the Furies were standing beside the body. He collapsed to his knees and stared with dull shock at what was left of his son. Rian and Brogan stood at his side, ready to console him as best they could.

“This is just disastrous,” Serendipity was muttering, shaking her head as she stared at Burke, her eyes cold and dry.

Rohan patted her on the back, thinking she was upset, as he watched Burke mourn his son. Reaching out with his other arm, he wrapped it around Rhiannon and pulled her close.

Unused to the gesture, she was momentarily confused, only to realize he intended to comfort her. Strangely pleased by it despite the circumstances, she leaned into him and glanced over at Liam, who turned to meet her eyes.

He tried to smile, but there was a dark, restless anxiety in him that resonated through the air.

Thea and Sebastian emerged from the castle, having heard that Burke had arrived. They walked swiftly, with purpose and righteous anger over what had happened, the two of them emanating pure power. Rhiannon watched them, mystified by the sheer energy sparking in the air. Certainly they would not be resting until this murder was solved.

They swept past where she stood with her parents and Liam, and went straight to Burke. He got to his feet and stood straight and tall, his grief fading and fury replacing it. Even though they were several yards away, Rhiannon heard him loud and clear the moment he spoke.

“Who did this?” he bellowed, his voice echoing through the meadow. Thea was saying something to him that Rhiannon couldn’t hear, but it was clear that it did nothing to soothe him.

He glanced over Thea’s shoulder and spotted Rhiannon and her parents standing by the gates, and without hesitation he bolted forward, charging through the meadow like an enraged bull. Rhiannon braced against her father, pulling out of his grasp just in case Burke decided to throw a punch. God knew what any man was capable of after losing his son…

“Burke, I don’t even know what to say…” Serendipity rushed forward to meet him, her hands on his shoulder to comfort, but he only swatted her away without a second glance.

His eyes had honed in on Rhiannon and he rushed toward her, murder in his eyes. Both Rohan and Liam started to pull her back, to step in front of her, but Burke suddenly reached out and gripped Rhiannon’s throat, roughly dragging her to him in one vicious swipe. Her feet dangled above the ground as he held her inches from his face, looking quite capable of strangling the very life out of her.

“This was because of you, wasn’t it?” Burke roared, squeezing the very breath from her throat. She struggled against him, her hands over his, desperately trying to pull them away. But the anguished rage in his eyes terrified her more than anything she had ever witnessed.

“Let her go!” Liam shouted, lunging at Burke, only to stop short as Burke pulled the pistol from his holster and pointed it at Liam’s chest.

“Stay the hell away from me, boy,” Burke growled, pointing the gun at Rohan when he started to move toward Rhiannon. “This is her doing, I know it is.”

“Burke, what’s going on?” Thea and Sebastian raced forward, looking alarmed and confused. Burke just rounded on them, his hand still clamped around Rhiannon’s throat, but loosening just enough for her to gasp in snippets of air. “This whore is responsible for my son’s murder.”