Page 35 of Haunted Hearts

Nine

Lillith feltfurious with Blaze by the time they arrived at Alderwood Castle. The last thing she wanted right now was to bring him inside her home. Everyone was going to be alarmed that he was there. She could only hope no one would try to kill him.

“It’s Lady Lillith,” called out one of the guards from the battlements as they rode over the drawbridge and into the courtyard. The rain continued to soak them.

“My lady,” said the stableboy running up to greet them. “May I take your horse?”

“Nay,” she said. “We’re not staying.”

“Aye, you may.” Blaze dismounted and then helped Lillith to the ground. “Can you tell me where to find Lady Lillith’s uncle?”

“Blaze, no,” she said in a mere whisper, not able to believe he was really going through with this.

“Lord Arthur is in the great hall feasting with Lady Beatrice and his knights,” said the boy.

“Thank you.” Blaze took her hand guided her toward the great hall.

“Blaze, stop this. I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I don’t like it.”

He stopped in his tracks, looking at her with a stone-like face. “Me playing a game? I think it is your family playing a game at my expense.”

“Let’s just leave. My uncle doesn’t need to know that we were even here,” she pleaded.

He stopped and faced her once more. “Lillith, I am not a man who gives up easily.”

“I can see that.”

“I also want this alliance more than anything, but I was hoping to talk to Arthur and convince him to let us be married instead.”

“Y-you were?” Suddenly she felt relief. “So, you’re not going to cause trouble because he tricked you?”

“Nay. Not now, anyway. I need this alliance. And although I don’t like being deceived, I will not confront him about it at this time.”

“Thank you, Blaze.”

“However, I want to be clear. If I can’t convince him to change his mind, I will go through with the wedding with Serena after all. I need this alliance, Lillith. My future as a knight depends on it.”

“Oh. I see,” said Lillith, now feeling heartbroken. If things couldn’t be changed, Lillith was going to live in misery the rest of her life. Seeing Serena married to Blaze instead of her was going to kill her.

“Lady Lillith?” Sir Gunderic opened the door to the keep. “What are you doing here? I thought you were at Skull Manor with your sister.”

“We thought we’d stop by and make a quick visit,” said Blaze.

Sir Gunderic’s eyes opened wide. “Lord Payne?”

“Aye, it’s me. The man to whom you are now aligned. I take it Lord Arthur is inside?”

“Well, yes, but . . .”

Blaze didn’t wait to be introduced. He pushed past the knight and made his way to the great hall.

“Excuse me, Sir Gunderic,” said Lillith, running past him, leaving a trail of rain water in her wake. “Blaze, wait. Let’s think things through before you say anything.” Before she could stop him, he’d entered the great hall. Everyone became quiet, and her uncle stood up on the dais.

“Lord Payne?” asked Arthur. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s the warlock,” she heard one of the kitchen maids whisper. Everyone moved away from them.

“Lord Bonnel, I wanted to come in person to thank you for betrothing me to your niece. Even though, you failed to make it clear at the time which one of the girls I was marrying.”