Page 90 of Witchbane

I softened my gaze to hide the depth of my pain, the depth of my longing. It was one thing not wanting her to fear me, but for the woman I loved to be kept from me because of our way of life was almost unbearable.

Mistaking my reaction for confusion, she shrugged. ‘Well, yes. Wouldn’t you be the same if you were me and the one fighting to save her life?’

‘Things aren’t that bad,’ I argued, though we both knew how my father’s obsessions could ruin people’s lives. ‘I would have listened if you had come to me and confided in me about being a witch.’

She studied my face, looking as though she wanted to believe me but didn’t dare to. ‘Are you certain about that, Theo? Regardless of what you might wish to happen, we both know you have your loyalties, as I do to my own family.’

It was true, but I wasn’t going to accept her insinuating that those loyalties would force me to stand back while an injustice was carried out.

‘Even if that is so,’ I said, keeping my voice low, ‘we have each stood up to our parents, regardless of our love and connection to them.’ She didn’t seem to grasp what I meant. ‘Look at your father’s visit.’

There was more rustling nearby. I tensed, raising my finger to my lips. It happened again. I pulled Rue into my arms and held her against me as I shifted back against the tree, shielding her body with my own so she could not be seen.

Hearing Garnier’s voice, I cringed. Damn the man. I peered round the tree to see him looking in my direction.

‘Were you speaking to someone?’ he asked looking past me.

I let go of Rue, moving her gently to the side of the tree furthest from his vantage point, and stepped out of the shadows to address him.

‘Only myself.’ I laughed. ‘And a fieldmouse that ran over my boot a moment ago.’

He raised his eyebrows. ‘I didn’t take you to be someone frightened of mice.’

‘Yes, well, it caught me by surprise.’ I wished the man would leave and give me a chance to bid farewell to Rue.

‘We’re returning to the town now,’ he continued. ‘Will you be joining us, or do you want to keep searching?’

I rubbed my face to make him think I was weary from looking, then groaned. ‘I’ll just have one last look around here then I’ll follow you back. I think I know where you left Warrior.’ The truth was I had little idea, but Warrior was a well-trained horse and knew how to find me when I whistled for him.

‘I shall leave you then. I want to follow your father and the others to the jail. My cousin, if you recall…’

Remembering his mortification at discovering his cousin was one of the witches, I gave a sympathetic nod. ‘I understand,’ I said, relieved that he didn’t want to wait for me. ‘I’ll see you later.’

As soon as I could no longer hear his footsteps or the vegetation moving as he passed through it, I stepped back behind the tree to Rue. I couldn’t see her straight away, but then her fingers curled around my hand. My heart lurched at her touch.

‘I know I need to go,’ she whispered. ‘I’ve been thinking about my father, and how you went out of your way to bring him to me.’

It felt good not hearing anger in her voice.

‘I understand how difficult it must have been for you after all those years, but at least now you each have a clearer understanding of what the other has gone through.’ I thought of her father’s shock at learning that the money he had sent to Ophelia and Rue had not reached them. Rue now knew he had not simply left them to fend for themselves. He cared. It was the one thing all children needed from their parents.

Her eyes welled up. I wanted to pull her into my arms, but hesitated.

She saw I was battling with myself. ‘Don’t.’

‘What?’

‘I think you should let me go now.’

I was confused by her reaction. ‘Rue, surely you know I would never hurt you.’

She stared at me, her eyes filled with sadness. ‘I want to believe more than anything else that you would never deliberately do anything to hurt me, Theo.’ She looked away from me then into my eyes again.

‘Then what’s wrong?’ What had I done to cause this reaction?

She sighed. ‘I’m frightened in case I trust you and you let me down.’

Her words were like a dagger to my heart. How could she be frightened of me? I stared at her. Unable to find the words, I pulled her into my arms and held her against me. She tensed and I was about to let go when she relaxed, slid her arms around my back and lay her head upon my chest. It felt so right, our bodies pressed against each other. I kissed the top of her head and closed my eyes, happy that she didn’t fear me. Could there be anything worse than the woman you loved above all others being frightened of you?