Page 30 of Once Upon a Woven Wish
“Papa…” Her voice drifted.
“Secrets are heavy things, Serena.Too heavy to carry alone.”
This she understood, because she had been carrying the secret of the stranger close to her since the moment she stepped off the mountain with a satchel full of gold.
His worried gaze landed on her again.“Tell me.Before it eats you alive.”
She clutched the shawl tighter around her frame.She took a deep, cleansing breath to steady her heart.“Do you recall the old folklore about the Well of Wishes?”
Papa stiffened and clutched his book tighter.“I do.”
Serena’s mouth went dry, but she forced herself to forge onward.“Most folks think it is nothing more than a myth.That it doesn’t exist, but I…” She swallowed hard.“I found it.I went there.”
His eyes widened as he stared at her in shock.“Serena—”
“I didn’t know what else to do, you see,” she rushed on.“The taxes, your illness…I-I couldn’t let you die.I couldn’t let us be thrown out of our home.”
His shoulders sagged, as though in defeat.“Gods, girl.You made a bargain.”
“I had to.It was the only way—”
“Serena.”He scraped a hand down his face, leaving a bloodless trail she could see in the flickering light.“Gods, do you know what you’ve done?The Well always takes more than it gives.You mustn’t go back.Youmust nevergo back.Promise me.”
“Papa—”
“Promise, Serena.”Worry lines creased his forehead.He looked as though he’d aged ten years hearing her confession.
And she hated herself for that.She hated what she had done, but she knew it was the only way to keep a roof over their head and save her father.
She wanted to promise and keep it.But the stranger’s green-blue eyes and face etched in sorrow with a bit of hope haunted her.His voice, his sorrow, his curse.Deep down she was certain she would find a way to free him from his horrible burden.If only she could find his true name.Her gaze flicked to the book clutched in Papa’s hand.
“Will you promise?”he asked.
As emotion clotted her throat and tears threatened, she nodded.And even as she promised, she knew she would not keep it.
He blew out a breath.“I’m glad you told me.”
“What will we do about the Grand Duke and the king?”she asked, then, worried about the coming days.
He gave her a faint smile.“We will think of something.”
“But—”
“Shh.There’s nothing to be done about it this night.”
His tone was gentle, reminding her of days long past when she was a girl and he was larger than life.Now, he was weaker, older.Still her Papa, but different.Aged.
“You have dark circles under your eyes.Go rest,” he said.
She didn’t want to face her sister in the morning.Her hands cramped, and she realized she clutched the shawl far too tight.
“I will think of some way to deal with the king and the Grand Duke,” he said at last.
There was that self-loathing again.She had put this burden on him, and it shouldn’t be his.But she uncurled her legs from underneath her and rose with a nod.She kissed his cheek.
“Good night, Papa.”
She turned toward her room, Papa’s warning echoing in her chest.You must never go back.But in her heart, she knew she already would.
