“Your Grace?” Rylan says. “The sun will set soon, so I suggest you say your words of departure.”
Without a word, Isabeau stalks out of the stable, Rylan at her side. I pause briefly. My voice is a scratchy whisper as I point out, “She’s no threat to the village.”
“I hope you’re right, Gabrielle, since you’re taking her home.” Girard shakes his head. “Do you want an escort through the forest?”
I give him a tight smile. “I will hunt there tonight, you realize?”
“You could have escorts then, too,” he suggests, gaze darting to Isabeau and Rylan. After a pause, he adds, “Be careful.”
“With monsters or lovers?” I crack a smile.
“I wish you could avoid both.”
I walk out of the stable and into the night. My sister is pointing at things and chattering on like a determined chipmunk. Isabeau looks wide eyed, as if she might flee.
“I can introduce you to the Hunter tomorrow, Your Grace,” I say, voice shaking slightly. “Come with us now.”
Isabeau stares at me. “You will?”
“I trained with the Hunter,” I remind her as we mount the horses. “I know his daughter.”
My sister rides ahead of us, not quite at the edge of the forest, but gaining distance too quickly. I call out, “Ry. The Beast of Brimmond has attacked two women, the Hunter’s daughter and Emma Iverrson. Do not make me chase you.”
“Emma?I had no idea.” Isabeau glances at me before saying quietly, “I knew her,before you. Is she alive?”
“The beast has only killed men.” I feel like the words sit heavy on my tongue, yet again, I cannot force them to form. “Emma was uninjured, merely startled. I honestly think she may have been lying.”
“How do you know these things? Is the Hunter’s daughter a chatterer?” Isabeau pats her horse absently.
“Is she, Gabrielle?” Rylan asks, eyes wide as if curious. “Tell us of her.”
“Rylan.” I give her a solitary shake of my head when Isabeau isn’t looking my way. “Please, don’t help.”
“I have questions, love, but the moon is rising soon, and I can feel the exhaustion pulling me toward darkness. I must be abed soon.” Isabeau stares at my mouth before whispering, “I would rather stay awake with you. I want to ...” She glances at my sister before saying in a normal voice, “Talk to you.”
Rylan’s snort carries in the growing gloam, but I opt to pretend it’s her horse making a sound rather than my sister laughing at us.
“Race me, Isa?” I let myself have a moment to stare at her. She could insist on answers; I could as well.What did she drink? Why?The truth, however, is that this is the last night with secrets between us. I want to see her smile. “Or are you too slow?”
Her eyes widen, as a smile blooms over her face. “Slow?”
“Youareolder than me,” I tease.
“Trying to get me into your house faster, love?” she murmurs in so low of a voice that even with my Hunter hearing, I can barely hear.
“Keep up, sister,” I call out as I let Clatterbuck have her way, and in the golden light that hints at sunset’s pending arrival, all three horses thunder toward Fleuriste Manor.
Two of the stablemen are waiting to take the horses, and I motion for my sister to go inside. A nagging part of my mind, one fed on doubts and questions, wants to ask what Isabeau carries in her vials. I want to ask her mother’s history. I want to demand answers on the curse.
Is whatever cursed her, perhaps, the beast in the forest?The thought hits me like a blow. Beasts I cannot name are rare, and curses are rare.Is the same faery responsible for cursing her and for killing men in the forest?
My sister darts inside, the stablemen take the horses away, and I am left alone with Isabeau. “I wish I could take you to my bed,” she says, staring at me.
I lean in and kiss her, earning me a shocked look when I pull away.
“Love?”
“I am master of my house, my title, and my life, Isabeau.” I capture her hand. “No one can command me.”
