Page 18 of Far From Sherwood Forest
“I will dig a second grave just for you.”
She cackles. “Okay, okay.” She continues laughing long enough that she has to take several seconds to catch her breath. “Just keep in mind you could’ve been squatting at someone’splace who’d cash you in so some mad scientists could run lab experiments on you.”
“Make another comment like that, and I’ll gladly trade you for the mad scientists.”
“Noted,” she says, a grin still in her voice. “But fine. I’ll let you go since you don’t want to share all the juicy gossip with your bestie.”
I sigh and roll my eyes. “Goodbye, Ivy.”
Tossing my phone on the desk after hanging up, I open up my wretched laptop so I can respond to the few emails I have in my inbox. I don’t get too many, but I ignore them long enough that they start piling up.
I’dsomuch rather be torturing Robin than having to use this stupid computer.
I’m about halfway through the emails when there’s a knock on my door.
Could I just pretend I’m not here?
I suppose that’s not realistic since Brian and Laura saw me come into my office a few minutes ago. So, attempting to wipe the scowl off my face, I tell whoever’s on the other side to come in.
Brian opens the door and steps inside, followed by another man who’s a few inches taller than him with blond hair and wearing a plaid jacket.
“Sorry to bother you, Henry,” Brian says with a sheepish smile like he’s sincerely apologetic. I bite back a retort that if he was really sorry, hewouldn’tbe bothering me. “I know you’re working, but since I’m going to be out of town for the next week, I wanted to introduce you to Spencer.”
My scowl comes right back.
I’ve heard about Spencer—a little more than I would’ve liked.
He’s Brian’sboyfriend.
I’m fully aware that this world, this time, is vastly different than the one I come from, but it’s difficult to shake my devout Catholic upbringing despite the fact I no longer consider myself religious. Sure, as much as Prince John claimed to be doing the work of God, serving him neverfeltvery Christian. But back where I come from, being gay was punishable by death. Or, worse, castration andthendeath.
Even if I had ever thought about it—which Ididn’t—it would never have been worth it.
So, just seeing Brian and Spencer together makes me…uncomfortable.
“Why?” I ask before I can stop myself.
Spencer laughs and bumps his shoulder into Brian’s. “You weren’t kidding.”
Brian’s mouth forms a thin line, and his cheeks turn a little pink. He clears his throat as he tries to ignore his boyfriend. “He’s going to be doing that wildlife tour this weekend. Thought you should be able to put a face with the name.”
“Right.” I nod and look back down at my laptop. This ismyoffice, yet no matter who or what I look at, I want to punch it. “Well, now that that’s done…”
“We’ll leave you to it,” Brian says,finallygetting one thing right.
Wanting to make sure they’re actually leaving, I glance up just in time to see Spencer subtly grabbing Brian’s ass on the way out the door, their cheerful, lovesick laughter still audible even after it’s shut. My hands ball into fists. Gay or not, they could at least not make a show of it.
As I try to return to my emails, I start doubting thatthat’sthe reason for my unease.
I was completely alone for two years, and ever since Ivy got me out of that cabin, I’vestillbeen alone. I haven’t tried to change that, and I haven’t really wanted to. I’m fine on my own.The kind of isolation I suffered through back then was less of a choice than it is now.
But after seeing Robin for the first time in five years last night?
I don’t feel so alone anymore.
The thought that it’s fuckingRobin Hoodof all people who’s managed to make me feel that way has me wanting to say screw all the other fucking plans and kill him now.
Marley shifts beneath me, hooves crunching over dried leaves on top of the highest point of the ranch—a hill that has a view of the quiet town nestled in the valley below. The first light of dawn spills over the jagged peaks of the mountains and gilds the edges of the world in gold. Warm rays brush the rooftops in amber and catch the mist hovering above the river in the distance. Orange maples dot the landscape like fading fire.
