Oak And Mist (The Ambeth Chronicles Book 1) (13 page)

‘Really?’ said Alma, an expression of hope dawning on her face.

‘Really,’ smiled Thorion, feeling a pang as he looked at her. Her red hair gleamed gold in the morning sun and her blue eyes shone. She let out a deep breath then smiled. ‘Thank you,’ she said, her voice calmer. ‘So much. For everything.’ Then, to his surprise, she gave him a hug before jumping to her feet and starting to run again.

‘Wait!’ called Thorion, stopping her in her tracks. ‘The quickest way to the Gate is through here.’ He pointed to a path stretching off to her right.

‘Thank you… again!’ she called. She turned down the path, waving as she went.

Thorion, smiling, sat back on his bench and considered the future in all its potential. Alma’s arrival had given them all hope, and it was obvious Caleb thought the world of her. Offering a silent prayer of thanks he got to his feet and started to walk, his thoughts filled with Light.

***

Alma slowed her pace, huffing and puffing, her hand to her side as she tried to regain her breath. She wouldn’t kill Caleb after all, she decided – she would just make him suffer for a while instead. Slowing to a walk, she jumped in alarm as a tall elegant figure stepped into her path. ‘Oh!’ she said, completely flustered to see Deryck. He bowed, extending a strong hand to her in greeting.

‘Lady Alma, we meet again.’

Alma took the extended hand and Deryck let her hold it a moment before retrieving it, smiling to himself.

‘Lord Deryck,’ said Alma. ‘It-it is a pleasure to see you again.’ Inside she was dying. She had no idea what to say to him, plus she really, really needed to get back to the Gate. But she couldn’t pass up this chance to speak to him again. If only she could think of something to say.

‘The pleasure is mine,’ said Deryck, his green eyes meeting hers. ‘And where do you go in such a hurry this fine morning?’

‘Well, I am going home, actually,’ she said. ‘In fact, I’m sorry, but I’m a bit late.’ She was moving from foot to foot in her agitation – realising this, she forced herself to stand still, focusing on Deryck. He was clad in brown trousers and tunic with leather armour pieces tied on over the top, outlining his well-made form.

‘Did you stay here last night?’ asked Deryck, sounding surprised, his tone less formal. ‘Do you stay over often? It’s just, I did not see you in the Great Hall, to my regret.’ He smiled at her and she almost stopped breathing. Then, realising he was waiting for an answer, she tried to put her thoughts in order.

‘Um, no, I mean, I’ve never stayed here before, overnight, that is. It was… kind of an accident.’ Deryck raised his eyebrows but said nothing and Alma ploughed on. ‘You see, we were at the Hall for a little while, listening to the music, but then we decided to have supper in my room and I fell asleep in my chair and then woke up this morning. So you can see, I really need to get back home.’

Deryck, who had been listening with a smile, suddenly narrowed his eyes. ‘We?’

‘Oh, well, Caleb and I,’ Alma said, unsure why this would matter so much to him, although by the frown on his face it obviously did. ‘We spend a lot of time together here – he’s helping me with my research, you see.’

Moving closer to Alma, Deryck looked at her, one corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. ‘And does research with Caleb usually involve supper in your room?’

Alma swallowed. Was Deryck… jealous? She dismissed the idea as ridiculous – she hardly knew him, and had no idea why he would be worried about anything she did. She smiled at Deryck, her mouth trembling a little. ‘No, not at all. I mean, we’re just friends.’ All at once it was very important that she let Deryck know this. ‘And when he suggested it, it sounded like a nice thing to do, that’s all.’

‘Oh, so Caleb suggested it, did he?’ asked Deryck, his smile becoming broader and reaching his eyes, changing his face completely. ‘Well, I would keep an eye on friend Caleb, if I were you,’ he went on, his tone teasing. Alma blushed. She didn’t know where to look. Desperately wanting to change the subject, she cast around for something to ask Deryck. Anything.

‘So why are you up so early this morning?’ she asked, braving his smiling green gaze. The effect he was having on her! She needed to calm down.

‘Arms practice,’ he replied. ‘As you can see, I am still wearing my armour.’ He spun around to give her the full effect and Alma’s blush deepened. Desperately trying to be cool, she nodded her head.

‘Impressive,’ she said, then mentally kicked herself. But Deryck seemed pleased by her response.

‘Well, it’s a bit battered,’ he said, indicating the scratches and scrapes across the supple leather, ‘but it does the trick. I have another set for tournaments.’

‘Oh, OK,’ said Alma, not really sure what else to say. Deryck seemed momentarily at a loss as well. He broke a twig from the hedge next to him and twirled it around in his hands.

‘So, well, I suppose I should keep going,’ ventured Alma. The sun was becoming warm and she undid her hoodie and took it off, tying it around her waist. Was it her imagination or had Deryck’s eyes widened a little?

‘Er, yes, Lady Alma. Forgive me if I have delayed you,’ he said, formal again. Then, his voice slipping back to its normal tones, he asked, ‘Do you know the way from here?’

‘Yes, I’ll be fine from here,’ replied Alma without thinking, then could have bitten out her tongue. A prime opportunity for him to escort her to the Gate and she had thrown it away – she was just no good at this kind of thing. She looked at him as he stood there, a smile playing on his well-moulded lips. Oh well. She stuck out her hand. ‘Um, it was nice talking to you.’

Deryck took her offered hand, kissing it gently as he bowed. She tried not to gasp. Straightening, he held her gaze for a moment. ‘Yes, it was nice. Safe travels, Lady Alma – may we meet again soon.’

Stepping aside, he let her continue down the path to her destination, watching her as she went.

***

Thorion moved down the Long Walk on his way to meet Adara. Still amused by his conversation with Alma, he inclined his head as he passed the turning where he had sent her, wondering if he could still see her. He could – standing in the pathway, talking to Deryck. Thorion’s eyes widened and he drew back, not wanting to be seen. But Deryck’s focus was all on Alma and Alma’s, Thorion could see as she scuffed her toe in the gravel and tilted her head in response to what he was saying, was all on Deryck. Breathing hard for a moment, his mouth tight, he stood in the shadow of the tall hedge and took stock, trying to calm down. Even though he knew it didn’t have to mean anything, words spoken in a firelit room echoed through his mind. Adara could see what others could not – was she right in her concern about Denoris’ son? He knew he could not bind Alma any further than he already had, that he would not permit it. Her choice to work for the Light had to be made freely or not at all. But he could not deny the small tendril of worry that had started to grow in his mind. He needed to talk to Adara.

Caleb woke with a start, knowing there was something he was supposed to be doing. He sat up slowly, rubbing his hands over his face, trying to recall what it was. Then he remembered – Alma! It was like a shock of cold water. He jumped out of bed, pulling on the clothes nearest to hand and running his hand through his hair in a vain effort to make it presentable. He hoped she hadn’t woken yet – oh, why of all days had he chosen today to oversleep! Leaving the door wide open he ran out of his room and raced up the stairs. But when he got to her room he found the door unlatched, her dress from the night before thrown across the bed and no Alma.

He sank down into one of the chairs by the fireplace. Noticing Alma’s blanket on the floor, he reached over and picked it up, draping it over the chair opposite. Then he leaned forward, his head in his hands and let out a groan. He had failed her. Leaning back, he blew out a breath, considering his options. Perhaps she was still here? Maybe if he ran he could catch up with her and apologise. As soon as the thought entered his mind he was on his feet and running out the door for the stairs. When he reached the foyer below he ran out the main doors then stopped, blinking in the bright sunshine. The guards! They would have seen her. Turning, he spoke to the nearest one, who was looking at him with barely concealed concern at his dishevelled state.

‘Have you seen the Lady Alma this morning?’ he said abruptly, too worried to bother with pleasantries.

‘Yes, Caleb – she passed by some time ago. Seemed in a hurry, if you don’t mind my saying, sir,’ replied the guard.

‘Which way did she go?’ asked Caleb, crestfallen. He had no hope of catching her now, but he could still try.

‘To the Long Walk, sir,’ said the other. Caleb whirled and ran, calling his thanks over his shoulder as he did so.

***

Thorion saw Adara before she saw him, her lithe form clothed in green, her hair shining in the sun as she bent to smell an early blooming rose. Smiling, he moved quietly towards her, hoping to take her by surprise.

‘Good morning, my lady,’ he said, laughing a little as she jumped.

‘Oh, Thorion,’ she said, laughing back at him, ‘I didn’t hear you coming. Look,’ she went on, ‘it is one of the first roses. Is it not beautiful?’

Thorion looked at her tenderly. ‘It is not the only thing of beauty in these gardens,’ he replied, and had the pleasure of seeing her blush, her long lashes lowering to hide her golden eyes. He took her arm, twining it through his. ‘Come my dear, let us go. I am in need of open space and fresh air this day.’

Adara lifted her eyes to his, a questioning look in them as she fell into step beside him. ‘There is something troubling you, is there not?’ she asked, leaning close to the High King. ‘And on such a fine morning too.’

Thorion looked at her. ‘Ever you see to the heart of me, Adara. I would take your counsel, if you please, for I confess I am worried about Alma.’

A furrow appeared in Adara’s smooth brow and she waved her hand in front of her face, discouraging a buzzing insect. ‘But – she is working hard with Caleb, is she not? I get no sense that she is anything but committed to our cause.’

Thorion frowned, looking ahead as they strolled along a well-kept gravel path. ‘You are right, of course – there should be no cause for concern except…’

‘Except?’

‘This morning, I saw her in the gardens. She was terribly distressed, had slept here accidentally and was worried she could not get back in time. I had to calm her down, remind her that the bracelet she bears will get her back to her own world.’

‘So, is she all right?’ asked Adara, her lovely face worried. ‘The poor thing! And it will not go well for Caleb if he has let her oversleep.’ She chuckled a little at the thought and looked at Thorion, expecting a similar response, but his expression was serious. ‘What is it, Thorion, what has happened?’ she asked, placing her other hand on his arm as they stopped for a moment in the shade of a tall tree.

‘It is Deryck. I think you may have been right to be worried about him,’ he replied, his blue eyes shifting to grey.

‘But, what has he done? Surely… he has not tried to take her?’ said Adara, sounding shocked.

‘I do not think he will have to try, Adara,’ said Thorion sadly. ‘A moment after I sent Alma on her way I saw her talking to him, all her urgency forgotten. And he seemed as taken with her as she was with him,’ he went on, his face becoming thoughtful.

Adara frowned and shook her head slowly, light and shade moving across her face as the tree above them swayed in the gentle breeze. ‘Perhaps it is just that, Thorion, an attraction between them unrelated to who Alma is. Perhaps they just like each other. Stranger things have happened, you know. Though it is a shame for Caleb.’

‘But he is Denoris’ son,’ he said quietly. ‘And you know what that means.’

‘It doesn’t have to mean anything!’ said Adara. ‘The boy is his father’s son, yes, but he is not his father. And if they want each other we cannot do anything to stop them. You know this to be true!’ Her voice became more emphatic as she spoke, her golden eyes wide. ‘If you forbid her to him, or him to her, you will only make things worse, for what may be a momentary infatuation will become something more intense. There is nothing more exciting than forbidden fruit.’

Thorion breathed deeply, exhaling through his nose. His face relaxed as he looked at Adara, his hand reaching to tuck a loose curl behind her ear. ‘You are right, of course,’ he said, smiling affectionately at her, though a shadow of worry still lay behind his eyes. ‘There is nothing we can do but watch over her and hope she chooses to stay on the path. I will not bind her any further. And I agree,’ he went on, a wry smile on his face, his eyes sliding back to blue. Adara looked at him quizzically. ‘It is a shame for Caleb.’

***

Running down the Long Walk, Caleb quickened his pace, even though he knew he was too late. His arms pumped and his chest heaved as he darted past two elegant figures walking slowly along the path. ‘What ho, Caleb,’ one of them called. Caleb slowed immediately, recognising the voice of the High King. He hastily tried to fix his tousled appearance, then turned to bow to Thorion and Adara.

‘What is it about this morning?’ asked Thorion, laughter in his voice. ‘First Alma, then you, racing down the Long Walk as though wolves were after you both.’

Caleb’s face lit up. ‘So you have seen her, my lord?’

‘I have, Caleb,’ said Thorion, looking kindly at him. Caleb became more aware than ever of his state of disarray and tugged at his tunic, trying to straighten it. ‘But she will be long gone, I’m afraid. I sent her to the Gate an hour or more ago.’

‘Then she is all right? She will be able to get home?’ He still couldn’t believe he had let her down. Adara took his arm and gently led him to a bench to sit. As she offered him a drink from the slim silver flask she wore at her waist, her perfume wafted all around him, the soft floral scent calming him slightly.

‘Peace, Caleb,’ she said. ‘Alma is fine, and she will not be late home.’

‘Though she may not be too pleased with you the next time you see her,’ smiled Thorion.

Caleb hung his head, running a hand through his hair and making it even messier than before. ‘I know,’ he said. ‘I-I meant to wake on time, but...’

‘Done is done, Caleb,’ said Adara, darting an amused glance at Thorion. ‘Alma is fine and no harm will come to her. Do not worry now. Save it for when she returns.’

She smiled mischievously at Caleb, who stood up and wiped the top of the flask on his tunic before replacing the lid and returning it to Adara with a bow. ‘Thank you, my lady,’ he said. ‘And my lord,’ he continued, turning back to Thorion.

‘So, what will you do now, Caleb?’ asked the High King. ‘The day awaits, and it is lovely.’

‘Well,’ said Caleb, somewhat shamefacedly, ‘I thought actually I might go back to bed.’ Bowing again, he took his leave of Thorion and Adara, hearing their combined laughter behind him as he made his way slowly back to the Palace. At least she got home, he thought. Maybe, if she wasn’t too angry with him, she would stay over again.

***

Deryck stood on the path, still twisting the small twig in his fingers, so deep in thought he had stripped it of bark and leaves. His armour was beginning to chafe and he really needed to get back to his rooms and bathe, but he wasn’t ready. Not yet. He could not stop thinking about Alma. It had been a stroke of luck to run into her this morning and, he had to admit, she intrigued him more than ever. How well she had looked, her cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling, tousled red hair gleaming in the morning sun. Used to seeing women in their long gowns, her tight jeans and fitted t-shirt were fascinating to him, the way they outlined her body. He had tried to hide his reaction from her, but wasn’t sure he had succeeded.

He had been with many girls before, beautiful girls, but there was something different about Alma. He liked hearing her voice and would have been happy to stand there talking all morning had she not needed to leave so urgently. And then there was the issue of Caleb. The surge of jealousy that moved through him when he heard Alma name him as her supper companion was unlike anything he had experienced before. Ever Caleb sought to be at the front of things, to impress Thorion! And now he had wormed his way into Alma’s quest, into her research, into her rooms.

Deryck clenched his jaw in anger – he needed to make his move, and fast. He was sure Alma was interested in him; Deryck knew he was interested in her. The question was, how to remove Caleb from the picture without upsetting Alma? He fought to control his feelings, knowing it was vital he kept his focus and remembered what was important. He could not fail his father again, not like he had at the Gate. Finally letting the tortured twig fall to earth, Deryck started to make his way back to his rooms, rubbing his shoulder as the aches and pains from his practice became more apparent. His thoughts turned to Alma again, and he smiled.

***

Alma blinked, fighting to regain her vision after the disorientation of the crossing and the move from sunlit forest to twilit park. For she had done it. It was definitely the park, and it was definitely evening. She just needed to find out what day it was. Taking off her pack, she rummaged in the pockets for her phone, praying the battery had not gone dead. Finding it, she held down the power button and waited. The screen icons appeared and she flicked through to find the calendar. Seeing it, she let out a sigh of relief. The day still read ‘Friday’ – she had been in Ambeth for less than 24 hours and was wearing her bracelet, so there was no way it was next Friday. She really, really had done it! Sinking down to sit cross-legged on the cold ground, she thought what that meant. She could stay overnight in Ambeth now, spend more time with Caleb, sleep in her beautiful room and, hopefully, see more of Deryck. She even felt rested, a change from her normal state after crossing over. This was perfect, she thought, hugging herself with excitement. Getting up she made her way home, noticing the glow of the television in the front room as she let herself in quietly through the side door. Sticking her head around the door she found her mother watching a movie, a half-eaten bowl of popcorn on the low table in front of her.

‘Hi, Mum,’ said Alma, her mood still buoyant after the success of her crossing. ‘What’re you watching?’

‘Oh, hello Alma,’ said Eleanor, looking around. ‘I didn’t hear you come in. How was the park?’ she said, her blue eyes momentarily concerned.

‘Fine,’ said Alma, ‘but I’m starving. See you in a sec.’ Pulling her head back she made for the kitchen, hungrier than usual, having had no time for breakfast in her mad dash from Ambeth. She made herself a sandwich and added a bowl of crisps and a large glass of mineral water, making her slow way back down the passage to the front room.

‘Where’s Dad?’ she asked, depositing her food on the table before sitting down next to her mother, exhaling a sigh of relief.

‘He’s working late again. Alma, don’t eat all that in here,’ Eleanor protested, but Alma cut her off with a look, pointedly indicating the popcorn on the table.

‘Mum, I’m fifteen, not five,’ she said, frowning. ‘And you eat in here all the time.’

Eleanor looked at Alma and her face softened. Smiling, she conceded. ‘Fine, but don’t spill anything.’ Leaning forward, she stole a crisp from Alma’s bowl and winked at her daughter. Alma rolled her eyes before picking up her sandwich, her mouth watering. Tuna salad, made with mayonnaise, celery and spring onions; one of her favourites. Opening the bread, Alma placed a few crisps on top of the filling, to her mother’s amusement.

‘Hungry, are we?’ she said as Alma took a huge bite of her sandwich, closing her eyes for a moment in contentment as she chewed.

She glanced sideways at her mother, swallowing her mouthful. ‘Oh, not you too.’

‘Not me too what?’ countered her mother, intrigued.

‘Oh. Well.’ Realising what she had just said, Alma took a moment to think of her answer. ‘It’s just, some of my friends give me a hard time about how much I eat, that’s all,’ she answered, taking another bite.

‘Really?’ said Eleanor, making a face. ‘Why would they do that? You have a healthy appetite, there’s nothing wrong with that.’

‘That’s what I say,’ said Alma through a mouthful of sandwich, and Eleanor laughed.

‘So, what’s on?’ asked Alma, once she could talk again.