Page 60 of May Queen: May Day

“You don’t want to consummate the marriage?” Lang chuckled and reached for the bottle but Ricard slapped his hand away. “And you claim to be the brains of the three of us?”

“He’s right,” said Dayton. “You should make amends with Lady Flora.”

“Her father is a Druid and you know what that means.” Ricard raised the bottle to take another swallow.

“Oh, that’s right, Lady Flora is a Druid, too,” said Dayton. “I see your dilemma.”

“My lord, forgive me for speaking freely, but do you really think it is fair to take this out on her?” asked Nash.

“Druids killed our parents,” he said again, taking another swig of whisky. With any luck, he’d get so soused that he’d pass out on the floor and forget all about spending his wedding night alone.

“Aye,” said Lang. “I’ll never forget Father’s last words.”

“Me, neither,” said Dayton. “He kept talking about a lone, crazy Druid who jumped out of the woods, swinging a sickle. He was so distraught that he failed at protecting Mother.”

“Well, at least he took off the man’s thumb,” said Lang with a chuckle. “That fool will never hold a sword again without his thumb. Pass the bottle, Ricard.”

“What did you say?” Ricard slowly lowered the bottle.

“I said pass the bottle already and stop drinking all the good whisky. I want some,” complained Lang.

“Nay, not that part. I meant about the lone Druid missing a thumb. How come I never heard about this until now?”

“I don’t know,” said Dayton. “Mayhap, it was because you were late getting there, if I remember correctly. I guess Father must have told us that part before you arrived.”

“There was only one Druid who killed them and he’s missing a thumb?” Ricard asked again, just to be sure.

“Egads, Brother, lay off the bottle. You’re starting to repeat yourself.” Lang grabbed the whisky and took a swig.

Ricard jumped to his feet. “Flora was actually telling the truth for once and I didn’t believe her. I need to apologize.”

“It’s late, Ricard. You might as well wait until morning,” said Dayton.”

“Aye,” agreed Lang. “You are soused and it’s getting close to the bewitching hour. Why don’t you just go to bed?”

“Bewitching hour?” he asked, staring into the flames. His mind went back to the nightmare he’d been having about Flora standing in the midst of flames. “I need to get to Flora anon.” He raced off, climbing the stairs two at a time, stopping in front of Flora’s chamber door. “Move aside,” he said to the guard, trying to open the door but it was barred from the inside. He pounded his fist on the wood. “Flora, open up. Let me in. I need to talk to you.”

When there was no answer, he turned to the guard. “Has she asked for me at all?”

“Nay, my lord,” said the guard. “She hasn’t said a word. She’s been so quiet that if I hadn’t been standing here the entire time, I’d swear she wasn’t even in there.”

“Oh, no!” Ricard had the feeling that Flora somehow snuck out again. “Stand aside,” he told the guard as he kicked at the door.

“Did you want to use this?” asked the guard, holding out the key.

“Do it,” said Ricard with a nod of his head.

The guard put the key in the lock and pushed open the door. It didn’t open easily. Ricard grabbed a torch from the wall of the corridor and the fire lit up the room. He chuckled when he saw the trunks and table barricading the door.

He stepped into the room and his heart sank when he spied the sheets and blankets tied together, leading to the window. He ran over and looked out, pulling on the makeshift rope, but Flora was already gone.

“I’ve got to find her,” he said, handing the torch to the guard and running to the door. Hopefully, he wasn’t already too late. There was only one place she’d go and that was to the forest.

“Whoa, there, Brother,” said Dayton, blocking the door with his large body. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?” He stepped forward, pushing his brother back into the room as the guard exited.

“She’s gone,” said Ricard, staggering from the amount of whisky he drank. “I need to find my wife. Get out of my way. I’m going to the woods to get her.”

“The woods?” asked Lang. “At this hour? It’s dark out there.”