Page 31 of Haunted Hearts

Eight

“Sister,did you find any evidence in Blaze’s solar?” Serena ran across the room to meet Lillith at the door when she returned to their chamber. “Did you find that dagger or some things used by witches?”

“Yes, did you?” asked Posy curiously, straightening out the blankets on the bed.

“I – nay. I have nothing to report. Blaze walked in before I had time to leave,” she said. “I made excuses and tried to get out of there quickly before he became suspicious.”

“Why did you tell him you were there?” Posy looked over as she slowly continued to fold a blanket. “I mean, I’d think your being in his chamber was already suspicious enough.”

“It doesn’t matter. We were friends for a long time, so I’m sure he thinks nothing of it.” Lillith was in no hurry to share information with these two. They despised Blaze and his family and she didn’t want to add fuel to the fire. She certainly couldn’t come out and tell them Blaze more or less admitted he was a warlock.

What she needed was to get away and clear her head. She’d just learned a lot of shocking information and wasn’t sure what to think about any of it.

“I think I’ll go for a quick ride in the woods,” said Lillith, trying to change the subject. “I mean, It’s such a nice day and all.”

“Good idea. I’ll come with you,” said Serena, eager to leave the manor. “Mayhap we can stop back home and see Mother.”

Lillith realized her sister didn’t feel comfortable at Skull Manor, but she didn’t want anyone along with her right now. She also didn’t want Posy or Serena to tell Arthur that Blaze knew of the betrothal deception and wasn’t happy about it. That was trouble waiting to happen.

“Nay, you and Posy need to stay here and help Blaze and his mother make the plans for your wedding,” Lillith told them.

“What?” Serena’s head snapped up. “I’m not marrying him, Lillith. You’ve got to help me get out of this betrothal.”

“I won’t be gone long,” promised Lillith, walking out into the corridor.

Lillith hurried out to the stable, hoping her sister wouldn’t follow. She entered the stable and went directly to the stall that held the horse they’d used to pull the wagon. Her guards had already left on their horses, and she didn’t have her own horse from Alderwood Castle here. Now, she regretted not bringing it with her. This horse wasn’t fast enough to outrun a snail. It was also not good for riding, but used mainly for pulling the wagon.

She walked to the adjoining stall and entered, seeing one of Blaze’s horses that she figured she would use instead.

“Nice girl,” she said, patting the horse’s flank. She decided to saddle and borrow it, and return it when she was done. She was sure Blaze wouldn’t mind. Lillith knew how to ride astride, so any of the saddles would do.

“Lady Lillith? Is that you?”

A boy poked his head up from sleeping in the hay. “Where are you going?”

“Milo?” Her heart sank when she saw her page walking over to join her. “I’ll be right back. I’m just going for a short ride, that’s all.”

“Then I’ll come with you,” the boy offered. “You shouldn’t go out unescorted.”

“You’re just a page. What could you possibly even do to protect me?” she said in aggravation.

“I’ve been practicing with my weapons and hope to be a squire someday.” Milo put his hand on his waist, then realized he wasn’t even wearing his weapon belt. He hurried back to the sleeping spot, picked up his belt with weapons, and strapped it around him. “I’ll be able to protect you, my lady. Honest, I will.”

“Oh, Milo, I don’t think so.”

The look of disappointment in his eyes made her want to build him up instead of bring him down. He was a boy with a dream and that was important. She needed to boost the boy’s confidence to keep that dream alive, even if it never came true. Lillith realized that everyone needed something to look forward to in life. Milo had been practicing hard, hoping for nothing more than to actually become a squire someday. As much as she didn’t want him along, she also didn’t want to hurt him either.

“Well, mayhap it would be good to have a man along,” she answered, watching a smile spread across his face when she called him a man.

His eyes sparkled and he stood up straighter. “I’ll saddle the horse from our wagon right away.”

“You do that,” she said, seeing a saddle and picking it up to use on the horse she would be using.

“That’s Lord Blaze’s horse, my lady.” Orvyn walked into the stables and hurried toward her. “What are you doing with it?”

Right now, Lillith felt like screaming. She was trying to sneak out of there and it was becoming a public affair. With Orvyn there too, now it would be impossible to leave in secret. Orvyn was Blaze’s stablemaster. She was sure that he wasn’t about to let her take one of Blaze’s horses without his lord’s permission.

“Lord Blaze knows about it,” said Milo, surprising her. “Besides, I’m escorting her and will make certain that no harm comes to her or the horse.”