Page 44 of May Queen: May Day

Chapter 12

“Mug, what are you doing here?” Flora asked in a low voice, watching out the stable door so Ricard wouldn’t see her.

“I’m doing what none of the other Druids could accomplish. I’m here to find the sacred necklace with the gold mistletoe and sickle emblem.”

“The necklace?” Her hand immediately slipped into her pocket to make sure it was still there. “What would it be doing here?”

“I have a feeling your mother either stole it or your father gave it to her and that she gave it to you.”

“That’s nonsense.” She faked a laugh. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, really.” He reached out and snatched up her free hand, holding it up in the air. “You wear the symbol of the Druids on your finger so don’t even pretend you know nothing about it.”

“Let go of my hand,” she said through gritted teeth.

“You are going to be the death of us all. I just know it.”

“You are talking nonsense.”

“I don’t think so. You’ve already led Lord Ricard straight to us. It’s only a matter of time before you spill your guts and tell him where to find our secret hiding place. More than likely, you’ll reveal it all to him in the throes of passion.”

“Stop it,” she snapped, pulling her hand away from him. “I am not that kind of girl.”

“I don’t believe it. Especially since your mother was that kind of girl.”

“Nay, she wasn’t. She was betrothed to my father when I was conceived.”

“Betrothed, but not married. You are naught but the product of two people’s lust, and you know it. You are a bastard child of a Druid. You are naught but a pagan. Your conception happened at the Beltane festival over twenty years ago. I know because I was there.”

Flora felt the air leave her lungs. “I don’t care what you think. My parents were in love and planning to marry. That is all that matters.”

“You don’t believe that any more than I do. That is why you’re avoiding him, isn’t it?”

“I am not avoiding him.”

“You are. If not, then why haven’t you come back to the forest? Your father wanted to talk to you, but you turned and ran.”

“That’s not true. I left so Lord Ricard would not find the Druids and kill them.”

“Where is the necklace with the sacred Druid emblem on it?” asked Mug. “I think you know where it is, and I am going to find it.”

There was a noise at the door of the stable and Flora noticed Nash standing there with a shovel, a pair of boots, and some gloves in his hands. Flora motioned to Mug to remain quiet.

“Mug, I have everything you’ll need to clean out the gong pit,” Nash called out. “The wagon is waiting out back of the castle.”

“Mmph,” Mug grumbled, throwing Flora a nasty glance and heading out of the stable with Nash. Next, Ricard’s brothers, Lang and Dayton, entered the stable, arguing about something.

“I still think it’s used for drying laundry,” said Dayton.

“Nay, it’s for the villagers to put in front of the tavern, so the whores have something to lean on,” Lang gave his opinion.

“Hello,” said Flora.

The two of them stopped and looked at each other and then back to her but didn’t say a word.

“I couldn’t help overhearing you talking,” said Flora. “Can I ask what you were discussing?”

Lang looked over to Dayton and shrugged. “Sure,” he said. “We were discussing a maple.”