Chapter Twenty
On the ride to Sybil’s farm, Raven told Sage all about her and Landyn’s journey—Boucher’s cruelties, the empty crates, and the key father had given her. But she couldn’t bring herself to disclose that Father was gone. She wanted to wait and tell her sisters when they were together, mostly for selfish reasons. She didn’t want to have to relive it again. When Sage asked where Father was, Raven told her he had something to take care of. He always had some job to do, so Sage didn’t question her father’s absence.
As the sun began to rise, Sage relayed her story. She said she had met Marcus in the chateau, and they departed together.
“You left us there?” Raven asked in anger. “You left without finding us?”
“It was on my insistence,” Marcus said, defending Sage.
Raven swung her gaze to Marcus with a scowl of disapproval.
“We couldn’t wait,” Sage clarified.
That didn’t appease Raven. “You could have found us and told us.”
Sage glanced at Marcus. “Marcus promised to teach me to read. And he did! I can read now.”
It was as though Sage and Raven were from two unrelated countries. Different things were important to them. “I was worried about you.”
“I’m sorry,” Sage answered sincerely.
Raven sighed softly. She loved Sage, even though Sage didn’t make the most rational decisions. “I’m happy you can read.”
Sage grinned at Raven, pleased and surprised at the admission.
“Then you don’t know that Brother Nicolas was murdered,” Landyn explained.
Raven noted there was something in his voice, some underlying tone. It was as though he were trying to judge their reaction.
Sage nodded. “I know.” She looked at Marcus. “We were there. That’s why I had to go with Marcus.”
“If you were there, who killed him?”
“I don’t know,” Sage said quickly.
Raven met Landyn’s gaze. Sage wasn’t telling the truth. Raven knew her sister and could tell she was keeping something from them. It looked as if they both had secrets.
Sage continued her story.
Finally, when the sun was high overhead, they arrived at the small village of le Val. It was nestled between two hills in a valley. Sybil’s farm was the last structure on the south side of the town.
They went around the hills of the small village, so no one knew they were there. The location was one of the reasons their father liked the farm so much. That, and Sybil’s friendship.
They rounded one of the grassy mounds, and the single-story wooden structure came into view. Three fields surrounded the building, two harvested and empty. One was filled with stalks of barley.
Raven felt a twinge of guilt. She should have been there to help Sybil with the harvest. She knew it was a lot of work for the women.
Her gaze shifted to the cottage, and a warm feeling of comfort and safety spread through her. Her family travelled around a lot. Sybil’s farm was the closest place to a home they had. They could rest here and feel secure. She slid from the saddle.
While the others dismounted, she scanned the fields. Anxiety swelled within her. Where was Willow? She couldn’t see her friends, either. Maybe they were all inside the cottage. Finally, she took up Thunder’s reins and began walking down the dirt path.
A small breeze rushed by, stirring fallen leaves around her feet.
Amid the stalks of barley in a field, she spotted a dark head poke up. A young girl watched them for a moment before running toward the cottage.
Raven grinned. She recognized Emma immediately by her slight limp. The girl had fallen from a tree when she was young and injured her leg. It had never healed correctly.
Landyn moved up beside her. She inhaled a deep breath and cast him a nervous glance. She wished it had been Willow’s blonde head she saw amidst the barley stalks.
