Read Whisper and Rise Online

Authors: Jamie Day

Whisper and Rise (3 page)

BOOK: Whisper and Rise
2.79Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

“Thank you,” I said, bowing, although I didn’t mean to be polite. I felt like a small child, scolded from the room while my parents talk in secret. It was annoying, and it upset me almost as much as seeing Darian again. I shoved Ethan forward and followed him up the stairs.

“What’s going to happen?” asked Leila, when I opened my bedroom door.

I slammed it shut. “What are you doing in my room? If you’re afraid, this was a poor haven.”

“I’m not afraid.”

“Really?”

I rubbed my necklace and stared out the window. The meadow appeared calm and normal. The horses grazed in small groups. I noticed Maeia with one of them, enjoying the spring grass as if nothing had disturbed her earlier. The men we saw in the meadow were gone. Darian was gone. Now, I was the one staring east.

“I’m only worried,” said Leila, kneeling next to me. She reached around my waist. “It’s not the same as fear.”

I shrugged, but allowed her warmth to calm me. “Nothing is going to happen to
you
. The bandit was coming after me.”

“That’s why I’m worried.”

I looked down. My sister was still innocent, still pure. She had lived with me through the trials of Moon Season, but had maintained everything she was supposed to. She was the perfect choice to replace me in the Fae. I loved Leila.

“I’m not afraid of him,” I said, forcing a deceiving smile. I
was
afraid of Darian. The day was proof of that. The man could still affect me. “He’s already taken everything he can from me.”

“Why did he come here?” asked Leila. “What else does he want?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows.” I grabbed Leila’s shoulder. “Maybe that’s why I’m worried.”

My honesty made her smile.

We stayed in my room, forbidden to listen to the words of our parents downstairs. Ethan tried to sneak down and spy on them, but Father heard his steps and cursed him for interrupting. After that, my brother sulked at the window while Leila braided my hair.

When Mother finally opened my door, shadows were creeping across the meadow. “Rhiannon, will you join us?” She didn’t wait for my answer and promptly disappeared.

“Whatever happens,” I told Leila, “It’s for a reason. We learned that in the winter.” I stood and walked toward my open door.

“Will you be strong?”

I turned back to answer. “Moon Season made me strong.”

Downstairs in the dining room, Colin and Father were engaged in animated discussion. They stopped talking as soon as I appeared in the hall.

“Rhiannon, dear child,” said Colin, leaping from his chair like an excited courter. “We have a remarkable resolution for your dilemma.”

“That was fast,” I retorted. I winced from my rudeness. “I meant to say, thank you.”

“Sit down,” said Father, seemingly oblivious to my outburst. He looked satisfied and triumphant. “Let’s talk about your journey.”

“What journey?” I asked.

“Sit down, dear.” Mother prodded me in the back. “I believe you will find our solution interesting.”

I was confused, but obliged everyone with a flat smile.
What journey?
As I sat on the bench, Colin slid closer to me and Father leaned to whisper.

“You’re going to DarMattey.” Father grinned as he spoke.

“You’re sending me away?” My words spun as the room fell from focus. “I wasn’t serious when I offered to leave,” I told him. “I was trying to offer an option.”

“It was a brilliant plan!” said Colin, beaming as if he’d suddenly solved all the problems of our village. “Nia’s wedding is soon. I know you want to be there.”

“You’ll travel to DarMattey,” said Mother, and stay with Nia’s sister. After the wedding, you can return home.”

“While you’re away,” interrupted my father, “I’ll find protection for the house. The bandit won’t know where you’ve gone, and before you return, we’ll have the help we need to keep you safe.”

I stammered. “I—I’m going alone? What about Cael Bauer? He could protect me. He’s strong.” Cael was as strong as his brother Sean had been, although that was the only similarity between the two men.

“That’s not possible,” said Colin. “Cael has responsibilities to help Owen Dorsey. He’s also part of the guard for Darian.” Colin smiled. “You won’t be alone once you arrive at DarMattey. Madeline and I will travel there soon. We’ll all stay at Sianna’s home, together.”

I was still confused; everything was happening so fast. I stammered out my next question. “When will I leave?”

Mother placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll help you pack your things. You’re leaving tomorrow.”

Hallowed Places

 

Anticipating the journey made my night restless and long. I had never left Aisling before. I had never been anywhere. When I managed to sleep, anxiety crept into my dreams and presented horrible images of what awaited me. I started missing my bed, while its comfort still warmed me; the familiarity of the village, that I hadn’t left yet; and my family, though they were sending me away.

While I imagined dark creatures lurking in the forest of Taylor’s Ridge, I also thought of Sean and the quest he had once made for me over that mountain. Those thoughts were my only comfort and allowed us to be together again—if only in my mind. I smiled at Sean’s memory and caressed the diamond on my necklace, the same diamond he had once kissed with an offering of courage.

The sun arrived too early. I remained in bed, listening to the morning bird songs while my stomach twisted in fear of the day, and I tried to imagine a reason to stay home. This was an adventure I didn’t want or ask for and my head ached from the night’s torment. As Mother’s baking filled the house with smells of bacon and fresh biscuits, offering a remedy to my pain, I dressed in a sturdy brown riding skirt, an old linen shirt that was down soft from many washings, and supple leather boots. My finest green gown I’d carefully rolled into my travel pack, along with my comb and ribbons to dress my hair before the wedding. Despite my earlier misgivings, I suddenly felt eager for a change of scenery. Moon Season had stolen the colors from my world, leaving me feeling as washed out as a pale grey river stone. Now, for the first time since those terrible dark days, I felt a glimmer of my old enthusiasm for life. This journey would be an adventure, and I was suddenly looking forward to it.

Mother was in the kitchen, rosy-faced from leaning over the stove. From the smell of things, she must have been up since dawn.

“Good morning,” I greeted her, inhaling the succulence with a yawn.

Mother presented me with a goblet of cold cider and a smile. “How did you sleep?”

“I didn’t much,” I admitted. I suspected she knew the answer anyway. I drank from the goblet—the sweet apple taste offered refreshing encouragement. “I’m nervous.”

Mother kept her back turned while she sliced a pile of dawnberries, but I could tell she was smiling when her cheeks rose. “You’ll have a wonderful time.” She placed her knife on the counter. “I’d love to see DarMattey.”

“Then come with me,” I said. “We’ll attend the wedding together.”

As my heart began to rise, Mother pulled me close and hugged me. “We all have a purpose and a place. Mine is here. Yours is unknown. Go and find it.”

I knew she was trying to sound wise, but her words didn’t make sense to me. Even her hug felt awkward, as if she didn’t want me near her. Before I could clear my hesitations, Father entered from the back door.

“Maeia’s ready for you,” he told me, boasting a grin. “I brushed her coat clean. What’s bothering her?” Father whispered and nodded toward the pantry where Mother was making a fussy racket, banging pots and canisters around the shelves.

“I don’t know,” I whispered back. “She’s been odd for days.”

“The journey will be good for both of you.” He tossed a leather purse into my hands. It was heavy and jingled when I caught it. “That’s for you. You might need it in DarMattey.”

Puzzled, I opened the purse and lifted a couple copper coins. “Money?” I asked. “Why will I need money?”

My family had traded horses since before I was born, and Father had collected plenty of coins like this from his dealings. In Aisling, practical trading involved substance and useful things. Few villagers used money, since most possessed none.

“They don’t barter much in DarMattey,” answered Father, chuckling as I examined the odd designs in the copper. “You’ll need food while you’re there.”

“Sianna will provide for Rhiannon,” said Mother, emerging from the pantry. She took the coins from my fingers and dropped them into the purse. “There will be no use for these at all.”

I glanced at Father, who nodded his intention that I keep his offering.

Mother didn’t argue. Instead, she grabbed my hand and pressed the pouch into my stomach. “I suggest you keep this hidden if you intend to keep it. There’s no need to attract attention in a new place.”

“Rhiannon will get plenty of attention there.” Ethan appeared at the end of the hall and grinned at me as he teased. “They might even laugh at you.”

I groaned. My brother had confirmed my fears from the night. DarMattey was foreign and I would be a stranger there. I suspected they would accept me as much I wanted to go. As my stomach twisted tighter, Mother released my hand and returned to the kitchen.

Father scolded Ethan and then reached out with a large hand and pulled me close to him. The scent of sunflower soap from the horse brushing lingered on his arms. It gave me as much comfort as his embrace. “You’ll be safe,” he said, warmly. “That’s what matters. DarMattey is a different place, but the people there are as kind as you’ve known here. They would be fools not to love you.” When he wanted to, Father could calm a bear.

My stomach eased its grip enough for me to thank him and I squeezed him tight. “I’m going to miss you.”

Mother placed a smoking plate of bacon on the table. The smell curled and beckoned us to inhale.

“I’ll miss all of you,” I said, smiling at the food that had lured me downstairs. “And I’m going to miss your cooking, Mother.”

“Yes, you will.” She grinned. “Sianna taught Nia how to cook.”

The twisting in my stomach returned. Nia had always been a horrible baker. Despite my mother’s efforts to help my best friend improve, Nia’s cooking had progressively worsened every season. I rushed to the table and fought Ethan for the thickest slice of pork.

 

~ O ~

 

While I finished my preparations for the journey, earlier doubts returned and took up residence in my stomach, making me feel like I was falling from a tall tree without landing on the ground. I closed my eyes and waited for the feeling to pass—but it never left me. Unsure of what to pack, since I had never been on a journey, I added three more dresses, my favorite sandals, a brush, and a tiny jar of rose powder to the leather satchel that Father brought me from the barn. Then I took a final look at my room. I hadn’t meant to stay in this house forever, but I never imagined leaving this way, under threat. I dropped my bag and crawled under my bed, retrieving a written memory of Sean from behind a broken board. His letter to me. I held it close and allowed his voice to whisper in my mind.

“Our love follows fate.” His voice sounded so close, so real. If I opened my eyes, he could have been standing next to me. I knew better, but I savored the memory.

As I tucked the parchment into a satchel pocket, the peace was broken by Leila’s excited squeals downstairs. For a moment, I tried to recapture the feeling Sean’s letter had ignited, but my sister’s voice was too loud to ignore. I left my room and stepped slowly downstairs.

My good friend Madeline rushed toward me when I passed through the front door. “You’re going to have a wonderful journey,” she said. Her voice carried exhilarating refreshment, like a fulfilling song.

The stomach flurries left me. Suddenly, I was excited again. I dropped the satchel and welcomed Madeline’s hug; she was warm and full of energy. I accepted all she offered. “Thank you for coming,” I told her with a smile. “I was nervous until now.”

Madeline leaned back and held my hands. “It’s a beautiful day to travel, and DarMattey is fantastic. I look forward to joining you soon.”

“Is your bag ready?” Father leaned behind me and lifted the satchel.

“Yes, Father,” I answered, stepping forward to allow him room to pass. “I wasn’t sure if I should take a blanket or a pillow.”

“You won’t need them,” offered Madeline, interrupting with a grin. “Sianna has plenty for all of us.”

“I packed one already.” Father smiled as he lifted the bag on Maeia, who stood ready on the front lawn. “I won’t send you away without a comfortable sleeping blanket.”

I smiled back at him before turning back toward Madeline. It was good to see her, and her bright smile told me she felt no burdens for the difficult decision she was once a part of—the choice to remove me from the Fae. I had never blamed her for my exit, but had wondered what our next meeting would be like. Several weeks later, her face was kind and forgiving. It was as if, in her eyes, I were still welcome in the faerie circle.

“Travel with good fortune,” she whispered. “Give this to Sianna.” She handed me an ivory envelope that smelled like roses. “You’ll finder her at the first store when you reach town. We’ll talk more when I arrive.”

Mother and Leila cried while we shared final hugs. Then Ethan led Maeia through the front gate. There, I mounted my saddle and faced my family.

I patted my beloved mare on the neck and rubbed behind her right ear. “Our fates are joined,” I said. “Goodbye. I’ll miss you all.”

I nudged Maeia forward and turned for one final look over my shoulder. The tears from my family shared everything I loved about Aisling; even Ethan was crying. I wiped my face, nodded my acceptance to their wishes, and began my journey.

 

~ O ~

 

I had expected curiosity as I traveled through the village; however, everyone’s reaction to Maeia was overwhelming. Children squealed and ran to us. They asked permission to touch her shiny coat before backing away and frightening each other with giggles and squeals. Friends and relatives offered support to me and asked where I was traveling. Strangers gaped and stared as we trotted past their homes. Maeia didn’t like the attention, and tried ardently to gallop down the road, but I held her reins tight and let the braver children feed her green apples.

Near the center of our village, before my first intended stop, we passed Michael Dunn. He carried a heavy sack of flour over one shoulder and stopped walking when we approached. As he petted my horse with affection, Abigail Bree stepped from behind the trees, bringing with her a shadow that instantly cooled the day.

“Hello, Rhiannon,” she said, walking toward us with deliberate intention.

I lost a breath and stared. As one of the Fae, she had chosen to remove me from the sisterhood. I had been uncertain what our first meeting afterward would be like, and the ice in her voice confirmed my worries.

“Hello.” I squeezed Maeia’s reins tight. “How are you, Abigail?”

“I’m well. Thank you.” She stopped walking and circled us like a preying wolf.

Maeia glanced nervously around and snorted a warning.

“I heard that Sean found your white horse,” she said, twisting his name without a hint of pity for my lost love. “She is magnificent. I’m sorry I never saw her before.”

“It was a difficult season,” I admitted. “After the cruelty of the winter, I didn’t leave the house much.”

“I know.” Abigail stopped pacing. “When will you return the scrolls you stole?”

“Have a good journey,” said Michael, interrupting the moment. He scooped his sack of flour and lumbered away.

He was smart to leave us; Abigail’s words stabbed the air, scratching everything they touched. The Fae scrolls were the sacred record of Aisling. I had taken them last season to meet the ransom demanded by Sean’s captors. The scrolls never made it. Darian, the bandit, stole them. I looked up at the sun, hoping the cloud that veiled its warmth would pass soon. When it didn’t, I stared back at Abigail, refusing to answer her question.

Abigail reached out to touch Maeia’s nose, but stopped when Maeia stiffened. “Where are you going?”

“It’s okay, girl,” I told Maeia, stroking her slowly. “It’s all right.” I took a deep breath and answered. “We’re going to Evermore.”

“Oh, I see.” Abigail took a step backward. “Have a pleasant visit.”

No visit to Evermore is pleasant.
“It is good to see you,” I said, trying my best to disguise my lie. Truthfully, I was mortified. My voice shivered. “Will you come to the house sometime?”

Abigail didn’t answer as she returned to the trees from where she came. I didn’t move, but watched to see if she’d look back at us. She didn’t.

“Come on.” I nudged Maeia. “It’s only a little further.”

Maeia stood in place, facing east again, and refused my prompting to leave until the sun returned to warm us. Even then, her steps felt awkward and out of pace. She knew something wasn’t right. I rubbed the diamond on my necklace, hoping she was still wrong, but understood that the sudden reunion with Abigail was perhaps a sign of things to come. My friend, my dear friend, had changed from a trusting ally to a cold reminder of the winter past. I swallowed a breath of painful memory and forced my mare forward.

When we reached the trail leading to Evermore, I stepped down and led Maeia through the winding gap in the trees. Morning light caught the tips of the overhead leaves; they sparkled in silence, as if the souls of the departed rode upon the tiny rays, welcoming us with subtle grandeur. The tranquility on the trail was a welcome change from the rest of the village. I took long deep breaths and waved one hand in the air to capture the magnificence.

The clearing was also calm. Evermore lacked a breeze or a sound, and yellow flowers on tall stems grew from every spot of soil, except one solitary mound. That’s where I knelt. That’s where Sean lay buried. Maeia stayed in the trees—she refused to enter the clearing—and watched as I allowed my sorrow to flow.

BOOK: Whisper and Rise
2.79Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Cursed by Fire by Jacquelyn Frank
The Place Will Comfort You by Naama Goldstein
Whispers at Midnight by Karen Robards
Tracie Peterson by The Long-Awaited Child
Angel's Devil by Suzanne Enoch
Forbidden Reading by Lisette Ashton
Young Bess by Margaret Irwin