Page 41 of The Thirteenth Child
Then I heard laughter coming from outside. Only my godfather’s laugh could reach so low a bass.
I slipped my feet into a pair of leather clogs—payment from Alletois’s cobbler after I helped ease the arthritic pain from his gnarled joints—and went out.
He was in the side yard, his silhouette a stark contrast to the sea of green shoots and leaves beginning to sprout. There was another black form beside him, smaller and lower to the ground, and as I watched, I realized it was chasing him.
“Down! Down, you beast!” he cried, but I could tell how happy he was.
It was a puppy, and it raced after my godfather with pure merriment, tail swishing back and forth like a furred fan. A bubble of laughter burst from me before I could stop it, intruding on their moment, and causing Merrick to look up, startled.
“Oh, Hazel, did we wake you?” he asked with concern, already across the yard in three long strides.
“Not at all.”
“Happy birthday, darling girl,” he greeted me, giving me a short but warm hug and a kiss on the top of my braided hair. “Many, many happy returns.”
“Thank you,” I said, reaching on tiptoe to press a kiss to his cheek. “Who is this?”
“A gift for you,” he declared.
The puppy danced between us, as if begging to be introduced. Up close, he was far bigger than I’d realized, already coming up to my thighs. His paws were the size of teacups. He’d be a monster once fully grown.
“For me?” I squealed, and knelt down for a proper inspection. He was solid black save for a scattering of white freckles across his snout.
“They reminded me of yours,” Merrick said, catching my observation.
“Does he have a name?” I asked, scratching behind the pup’s floppy ears. He felt every bit as soft as my velvet quilt.
“I left that for you,” he said, smiling. “He’ll grow quite large—the perfect companion on a farmhouse so close to the forest.” He nodded toward the tree line, and I was touched by his thoughtfulness. Through the winter, we’d heard the echoing cries of wolves, and there were many times, coming home late at night from visiting a sickbed, when I would catch sight of their green eyes as they stalkedme.
“They look like stars,” I said, rubbing his nose. “I think I’ll call him…” I paused, considering his happy face. “Cosmos,” I finallydecided.
Above me, Merrick let out a sound of amusement.
“I’m so glad you returned today,” I went on, allowing him to help me back to my feet. “The sweet irises are just about to open their petals. I hoped you wouldn’t miss it.”
Earlier in the spring, I’d filled my window boxes with medicinal flowers and herbs. Everything had begun to bloom, coloring the cottage with explosions of reds and purples, yellows and oranges, and so many shades of pink.
“I look forward to seeing them,” Merrick said, but didn’t followme.
“Merrick?” I asked, turning back. He’d paused, suddenly motionless as stone even as Cosmos pranced about. Something had changed within him. “Do you want cake first?”
Merrick’s eyes were suddenly huge and luminous and sad. “We can, if you like. After…”
“After?” I echoed.
“I…” He swallowed and looked over his shoulder, as if hearing things I could not. “I’m afraid there’s somewhere I must take youfirst.”
I glanced down the lane, hoping he only meant a stroll. “Rightnow?”
Merrick cocked his head, still listening to the silence, his expression pained. “Oh, Hazel. I’m so terribly sorry for this.” He took my hand in his and without further explanation, he raised his free fingers and snapped.
Chapter 16
The ensuing flash of lightwas bright and blinding. Stars floated over my vision for a moment longer.
“Oh,” I said once my eyes cleared.
“Yes,” he agreed.
