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GINATA SCREAMS AS MILLARD’S fist connects with Ceryn’s face with a sickening crunch. He pulls back his hand to hit her again and Ginata rushes to her side, no longer worrying about offending him, knowing he plans to kill her. “She’s not even conscious.”
Millard glares at Ginata but lowers his hand before shaking it, knuckles red from the impact. He turns to Finn. “Did you see the look on her face? She looked so confused. Stupid wench.”
Finn grins, but keeps his distance from Millard and Wolf.
“How did you manage to capture her like that?”
“By accident, really. I found her outside spying on you, she thought you might be here and she wanted to check.”
“Damn it. That means Everleigh knows where I am. Damn! Do you think she’ll come here?”
Finn shrugs. “Not sure. Ceryn said she was going to see if you were all here and then go back to the castle.”
“But if she doesn’t go back...”
He turns to Wolf, “I don’t like this.”
“A distraction? In the name of the King?”
Millard nods. “Yes, we need to do something.” He moves towards Finn, smiling as he flinches, and then patting his back. “Don’t look so worried, soldier, good work.”
Ginata cannot keep the look of confusion and shock off her face and when Millard catches it, he laughs, a hearty laugh, a look of glee on his face.
“Ah Ginata, you seem confused.”
She shakes her head. “I didn’t know that Finn was one of your men.”
“He’s a pretty new addition, actually, but seemingly as loyal as if he had served me for years.”
Finn looks at the floor, scratching at his neck, eyes darting to Ceryn’s bloody face.
“We’ll fill you in once our feisty friend comes around. I’m sure she’d love to hear the story too.”
Finn nods and stands awkwardly, while Millard takes the other chair, and Ginata sinks onto the floor, tucking her knees under her, and wishing she had kept a little bit of the death draught back for herself.
Wolf breaks the silence. “I’ll go and see if the traps have caught more food.”
Millard nods and grins at the three people left in the cottage with him, not caring that one is unconscious, one cannot look at him as he questions what he’s done and why, and the other cries silent tears, wondering how it all went so wrong.
***
THE TEACHER LEAVES Everleigh and Archer alone in Ginata’s work room. “I’m just going to ask Daisy a few more questions about these potions.”
As the door closes behind him, Archer reaches up and tucks Everleigh’s hair behind her ear. “I’m glad I didn’t die.”
“Again.”
“Yes, again.”
“Me too. I remember the first time I saw you...”
“In the woods – when you were watching me?”
“I wasn’t watching you, you nearly killed me, but no not then. Before that I saw you standing outside the castle. You looked at me and I felt like I knew you.”
“I feel like I’ve known you for ever.”
“That’s a really long time.”
“True. But it’s how I feel.”
“I thought I would be dead by now. My life was only going to be seventeen years. Too short. Now I have my whole life ahead of me...”
“Can I share it with you?”
“I want you to, but I’m-”
“What? Scared, petrified, excited, feeling sick?”
Everleigh laughs. “All of those things. I don’t know why.”
Archer leans towards her, his gaze on her mouth. “I think it’s called love.”
He presses his lips to hers and they kiss, until they hear the teacher push open the door.
They jump apart, avoiding looking at each other, or at the teacher, and they both miss his knowing smile.
“Archer, I think you’re ready for something to eat. I wonder if Daisy would feel happy about going down to the kitchen.”
They leave Ginata’s work room together and Will jumps up to help Archer into his seat by the window. Archer winces as he sits.
“Feeling better?”
“Yes. I have to be. If Weaver gets back tomorrow I’m not going to sit here in the castle while you all go to fight Millard.”
“Well, I won’t be fighting anyone.”
Archer grins. “Maybe not, but I will.”
“You might not be,” Everleigh says, sitting beside him on the window seat. “Daisy’s going to fetch food.”
“I’ll go with her,” Will offers, happy to be useful. “We’ll get enough for Ceryn and Finn. They should be back soon.”
“If he even went to the cottage. He could be anywhere.”
“If he’s there she’ll make sure he’s safe.”
Will nods. “She’s pretty incredible, isn’t she?”
Everleigh gives Archer a knowing look as Will heads off after Daisy.
“What?”
“I think he likes her.”
“Likes her, likes her?”
“I think so. It’s good.”
“I suppose so. He’s a good chap.”
“He is. The best.”
“The best?”
“Second best. No, that’s not right. He’s the best. My best friend, my longest friend.”
“And me?”
“You’re my first love...”
“Your only love?”
“I hope so.”
“It would be good.”
“I hope Ceryn’s not in trouble. She’s been a while.”
“She can look after herself. No fear.”