The nanny goat bleated once as I held it's head back. Baring the neck, I closed my eyes and slit it's throat. I laid it down on the stones by the lake. Blood trails ate through the snowy gravel and stained the dark water like tea. I dipped my finger in the wound and dabbed it on my forehead, shivering with the early morning chill.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡElfN1kTMGD
The priestess beside me raised her hands across the lake and scattered ashes from the sacred fire we had burned before the sacrifice. Emalia's stifled weeping was carried to me on the breeze but I knew she wasn't crying for her father on the lake bed. She had never liked the sacrifices we offered to our gods on the new year, festival days and when a person died. She had wailed at the sight of the skinny goat being led to the altar. copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YdvLAOqSd
“May you lead Lord Vultuff to the halls of his fathers, gentle Dylene. Accept our offering and show him mercy, we pray.” The priestess called out across the calm water.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq5K6x3ssS
“Show my love the way home,” I uttered aloud, grief choking me and the scent of fresh blood filling my nose, “Show him to the halls of his fathers.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26ehUfBO1i
Brisam's body had looked nothing like Sidimund's. He was as peaceful in death as he had been in life. Even the claw marks on his neck hadn't been too gruesome. We had buried him in a humble ceremony the night before after the arrival of Theodric Vultuff's party. copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5gFA2gps8
As they had shoveled the icy earth over his shrouded body, I didn't cry. I took in the cold like a tonic. I willed myself into ice. I wanted to dissolve into snow.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZzJJFgN7J
I needed to feel nothing.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaQUrK93ya
As we prayed for the salvation of my husband and sacrificed animals to appeal to the gods for his sake, anger sizzled through my veins. The priestess and I faced the gathered crowd of servants and nobles. I lifted my eyes, my gaze settling on Theodric. I needed someone to blame for everything that had occurred and he was such a tempting target.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0fDGQFWf8
Hatred left me wilted, vicious as adrenaline in my heart. I knew my place though. I would never act with aggression so it would only rot in me until I turned bitter as the winter wind. copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T7ECRkSEs
The priestess concluded the ceremony and we trudged up the incline towards the estate. I followed the majority of the crowd, loneliness wrapping me in it's talons. A hawk flew overhead, a mouse screeching helplessly in it's break. I watched in morbid fascination as the bird lighted onto a bare tree by the lake and decapitated the rodent. copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkCse3cn7L
“Lady Hania?”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡytMO6sFMoV
I glanced forward. He was standing in my path, head bowed and mouth turned down. In the short time I had known him, one thing was for certain. Theodric appeared to lack his father's charm. He was as interesting as peasant's horsebread. copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuO28qTsjy
“Yes my lord?”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVTwo8AAwH
“When we arrived, you have mentioned that you needed to speak with me on a matter. Yesterday evening was...hectic. What with all the messy business-”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4b8TiBy40
“A man was killed. Please don't demean it with casualty.” I cut past him, gathering my black skirts in my hands. My fingers were gray with cold.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZuh1CIV51
“My lady, I wasn't finished speaking.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZXnwlv6W1
I halted in my steps. Though his tone wasn't demeaning, his words me feel like a child. Like his father had made me feel many times during our marriage. I kept my eyes on my hands clenched together in front of me as I turned.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj6ZsZi3xm
Theodric sighed. “I did not mean to offend you. I fear our situation is a difficult one. I only want you to know that we will marry when you feel ready. You are only newly widowed and in mourning. I don't want you to feel coerced.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30mxina0jf
“Lord Theodric, your father's will dictated that I marry you or lose my standing and my child. I don't feel coerced because I don't have any other choice.” My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten breakfast. The cloud of grief that had haunted me through the night made me forget the growing child in my womb. “I will speak with you at another time.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NfZbLlHSi
I turned my back on him, blood running hot. Rage was easier than sadness, it made me feel powerful when I was really quite pathetic. I pressed my hand to my stomach and breathed deeply. I still had my last piece to play. It was a gamble but it could pay off. I wanted to tell him of it when I was calm and in control of the situation.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHBPH3PZ7n
Lost in my thoughts, I tripped over a protruding rock beside the castle keep. I caught myself against the wall and glanced down at the snow. A animal print strange to the area was impressed in the fresh drift. I knelt down and traced my finger along it. My heart dropped to my stomach.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbnIJG6TGp
A bear paw. copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IdpIoa363
Perhaps my dream from goddess had been a warning. A phantom was haunting me. The demon bear could be a spirit from the next world sent by my vengeful husband. Perhaps he had heard me laughing on the wharf as he sank into the lake never to see the light of day again. Maybe I was cursed.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPKXEr1uq9
“Lady Hania-”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMkfv3VBXB
“Yes?” I sobbed a gasp and peered upwards.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16kfv3EG6K
Argath Mercer hung over me. His voice was kind but his expression was wolfish, his direct gaze flashing with warning. I recalled the rumors of the death of Sidimund's second wife as I allowed him to help me to my feet. I pulled my arm away and hid it behind me.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtzureVsIl
“May I escort you inside, my lady?”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz8WODZKfW
“No-” I blurted, drawing a quick breath to calm myself, “No, thank you.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh3GwyJafQ
I stumbled away, feeling his eyes on me as I carefully trotted across the cobblestones. Whenever I did speak with Theodric, it would be when he was alone. Argath couldn't be near. He was not for me and therefore could not be trusted.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYjusKJodr
And so, I did not visit my husband's son until later that night.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP1SMQwLAM
My prayers were fervent on the cold chapel floor. Brisam had been my only friend and ally, the only man who could speak for me in a place where the voices of women were not heeded. Without him, the absence was more painful than I could bear. I couldn't think on it or else I would lose focus. I hoped that the grief that hollowed my cheeks and dulled my eyes would be attributed to the loss of my husband and mother.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW3LDAkmKz
After leaving the chapel, I cut down towards my husband's study. I had a feeling he would be there rummaging through Sidimund's documents. I had seen him in the windows of the study, pacing as he read, when I had gone for my walk earlier that afternoon. If he was so curious about my husband's dealings, I couldn't understand why he had been so distant while Sidimund was alive.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGyxa1hUpv
I knocked on the door. If Argath was with him, I could excuse myself and say I felt faint. I hoped the two of them would be there but Theodric opened the door alone. copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaln27dzTO
His face was too subdued and tired to be handsome. I tried to remember how he had looked as a youth the one time I had seen him at Ignit Covert. Perhaps he had seemed fresher except for his amber brown eyes. Even at fifteen they had seemed drained of verve. Like a man under an evil spell. Perhaps it wasn't me who was cursed.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCLpnoZIKK
“Lady Hania, you are still awake?” He opened the door further, revealing that he was in only his shirt sleeves, the linen edges tucked loosely into his trousers. A book was in his hand, his finger holding his place.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYqQvBSNvi
I shifted my weight, pinning my hands to my torso. “I hope I am not disturbing you.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQsEevMs5F
“You are but it is a welcome distraction. Please come in.” He waved me inside the warm room.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqi1QFqPoa
I almost recoiled at the sight as he moved around the circular table before the hearth. It was as though Sidimund stood before me once again, papers splayed out and figures being worked. A silver ink pot had tipped over and black pearls stained the stones beneath it.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG90xEBpr6
“You upset the ink.” I pointed out awkwardly, glad for a moment to gather myself as he fussed over it.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKXaobGbDL
“I am so clumsy with these hands sometimes. It's as though they don't belong to me.” He shrugged, dabbing the ink from the floor.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUc9W2PmSd
I furrowed my brow at his strange comment but plastered a cool simper as he straightened his posture. “Lord Theodric, I wanted to know if your man informed you of the details from my husband's will?”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsTGsqk3QM
Theodric folded his arms over his chest and nodded. His left forearm was wrapped in a bandage. He noticed when the wound caught my eye. “I am a hunter. A wild boar caught me with it's tusk a week ago.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yw6JVhq6V
“A blessing you were not gored to death.” I spat, my poisonous tone betraying the cool I wanted to portray. copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXQo6MqW9j
Theodric gave a breathy chuckle and glanced away. He poured two goblets of red wine from the canter on the table and held one out to me. “Yes. Well, it was too close for my comfort.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GL2ndtIgj
“I'm sure.” I took the wine and moved towards the fire, gathering my wits. “My husband's will stated that if I had children, the conditions of the inheritance would be amended.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqS0wCWO22
“Not just children, my lady, but male issue. You have only a daughter, correct?”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe0BD7n43x
“Yes she is only a daughter.” I scoffed, whipping towards him and leveling my glare on him. “I will be direct with you, Lord Theodric. I cannot marry you yet.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡnce8eBmIkD
He did not cow under my stare as others had. If anything it only strengthened my reserve. “I told you, my lady. You may wait as long as you need.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O3UPAxLpA
“Or as long as needed. It will be a few months for sure.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaPOLsV9wY
“Of course.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTaV2pxp8R
“Not until late spring if nothing goes wrong.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aG65vHCh7
Theodric narrowed his heavy eyebrows. “What do you mean, my lady? I would prefer you not to speak in riddles.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5h2T3vOc2
“My husband left me a parting gift before departing this world. It seems I am with child.” I blinked slowly and gave a tight lipped smile.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUWYPYnmnw
Theodric smirked and scratched at the angle of his jaw. “His child?”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqGUwLpdoG
The presumption was insulting. I gripped the goblet. “How dare you utter such slander-”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCLCFFFatS
He shook his head and laughed, a true smile that looked too similar to my husband's breaking forth. The Vultuff charm that Sidimund had possessed in spades took hold. I prefered the man dull and tired. “I apologize, I was only-”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgM8eC7CYv
“Making a joke at the expense of a widow?” I barked. “Have you become wooden headed locked up in that manor of yours?”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dVP7sBwG0
I refused to stand there and be insulted with all I had endured. I splashed the contents of my goblet on him, red wine dribbling down his chin like blood. “I bid you goodnight, my lord.”copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1CZDhEjs8
I wanted to sneak into his room that night and smother him in his sleep. I seriously considered it as I strode back to my chambers. However, the memory of Argath's wary glare scared me away from such a temptation. copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFpZODBWgA
In the quiet of my solar, my hand went to my neck but there was no pendant for me to pray with. My father's pendant hadn't been on Brisam's body when they brought him in, cold and blue. The shock of the loss broke through my defenses and I collapsed in a heap by the door. I fell asleep there until dawn when I finally dragged myself to my chilled bed. I dreamed of Theodric's face dripping with blood.copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpNnfUPQrv
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