Page 13 of Her Dark Promise

“I know I did, but—”

“They took everything away from me. That town. Those people. Not only was I left to die, but they… They…” She held her throat as she had that far-off look on her face as if she were reliving that moment all over again and signed,I willneverforgive them.

Of all the things I thought she would say, this was not one of them. I swallowed, contemplating what she had just said and thinking about what that would mean. “Where is all of this coming from?”

She was trembling, and I could feel the fear and anger. Against my better judgment, I placed a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to bring her some sort of comfort. “I know. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about what happened to you. We will get them, we just have to be wise about it.”

She nodded her head in quick, deliberate movements.

“You understand that you would need to live away from this castle in order to create relationships with the villages to save the children.”

She finally looked me in the eyes, “It would only be for a few months out of the year.”

“And you would need to speak to many humans.”

She set down the tools that were in her hands and walked over to me. I could see the resolve on her face as she said. “You saved me. You saved Mariam and Callum. Every single year you save the children from the horrors of the forest and send them away to live elsewhere. You are—”

“Don’t say it,” I said more sternly than I intended, but I didn’t need her telling me that I was a savior. I wasn’t.

She bowed her head and then looked away. “It is my turn to give back the gift you have given to me for all these years. A home. A place to heal.”

Awkward silence ensued. I didn’t know how to respond to her. I couldn’t imagine her out in the world. She had only known this castle and before that…

“Just like you said earlier, if not me, then who?” Emilia asked after another moment.

She was right. If not her, then who else would take over the role? I was cursed to roam these lands, unable to cross the invisible barrier.

“Callum could.” The moment I said it, I knew she would agree with my decree, but the hurt in her eyes made me reconsider. I sighed. “I will consider it. We still have time until the Reaping.”

She gave me a small smile and a bow before returning to filling another pot with fertilizer.

Chapter four

We didn’t speak again for the next few hours, and I finished the row of plants that needed to be repotted.

Garden.Check.

Do you not care for that bird of yours?

I straightened at hearing her voice. No, not here.Give me this moment, you old hag.

That is rather rude, Callie. Respect your elders.

“You don’t have a right to ask for such a request,” I answered aloud.

I heard rustling and remembered that Emilia was still in the greenhouse. She set aside her tools and quietly exited through the front door to give me privacy.

Once the door had closed, I addressed her again, “You are merely a figment of my imagination. You have no power over me.”

That doesn’t take away from the little fact that he has yet to return.

My eyes widened as I looked up at the sky and realized that she was right. Callum would have immediately sought me out if he had returned.

Oh, that’s right. You don’t care about him or anyone else for that matter.

“I don’t care. You saw to that yourself.”

I only gave you exactly what you deserved. I wonder what Callum deserves…

---