Page 44 of Haunted Hearts

Twelve

Blaze strolledthrough the orchard with Serena on his arm and the handmaid following close behind. He was only doing this to try to get to know the girl since it looked like he’d be marrying her instead of Lillith. She had always been so shy, that she’d never even talked to him when they were children. Lillith had been talkative, laughed a lot, and was always wanting to go on an adventure. Serena, on the other hand, had kept to herself. Most of the time she was in her bedchamber napping, he’d been told.

“So what do you think of my orchards?” asked Blaze, stopping under an apple tree. Serena held on to his arm, but he could tell she really didn’t want to do it. Blaze’s servants worked picking apples, watching them curiously.

“Very nice,” said Serena, letting go of his arm and pretending to fix her hair. “Don’t you think so, Posy?” He noticed that she tried her best to pull in the handmaid in for support.

“Hrumph,” mumbled Posy, not looking at all happy to be here. “The sun isn’t good for my lady’s skin. I’ll need to take her back to the manor to get her a proper head covering.”

“Of course. By all means, don’t let me stop you,” said Blaze, not feeling comfortable with this at all. Plus, he could see how much they feared him and it was ridiculous. “After all, I’ll want my bride in prime condition on our wedding night,” he said, just to goad them. He saw the terror in Serena’s eyes as the girl grabbed onto her handmaid, and they hurried away, almost bumping into Lillith and his mother.

“Serena, where are you going?” Lillith called after them.

“I’ve got to get in out of the sun,” said Serena, not bothering to slow down or to turn around.

“But it’s not even that sunny,” said Lillith with a shrug.

Blaze walked over to join them.

“I think I frightened your sister,” he said with a chuckle.

“Blaze, what did you do?” asked Minerva.

“I’m tired of them fearing me for no reason at all. I just thought I’d give them more to talk about, that’s all. Now, tell me what you two have been up to.” He reached up and pulled an apple off the tree, rubbing it on his sleeve to clean it.

“Your mother is altering one of her gowns for me to wear on All Hallows’ Eve,” said Lillith, sounding excited.

“Really.” He handed the apple to Lillith and reached up and took another off the tree. “Mother, what else is going on? I hope you’re not giving Lillith a hard time.” He rubbed the second apple on his tunic now.

“Nay, she’s not,” Lillith answered before Minerva could answer. “We are actually planning festivities for All Hallows’ Eve. I am helping her.”

“I’m not sure that is a good idea.” Blaze scowled. “We don’t really celebrate the holiday at Skull Manor. Not anymore.”

“Why not?” asked Lillith taking a bite out of the apple.

“Yes, why not, Blaze?” Minerva took the apple he handed her. “After all, we always used to do so when I lived at the manor. By the way, I’ve noticed that you’ve really let things slide around here. The entire manor needs a good cleaning.”

“I can help with that,” said Lillith, wanting to lend a hand.

“Nay,” growled Blaze. “I have servants for that. You are a lady and shouldn’t be doing such work.”

“Blaze, we have only one more day to prepare for Samhain – I mean All Hallows’ Eve. I’d like you to help us.”

“Mother,” he said, his eyes flashing over to Lillith.

“It’s all right, Blaze,” said Lillith. “I know about Samhain. Or at least a little.”

“She’s been asking me about it,” said Minerva.

God’s eyes, he couldn’t believe this. “What did you say?”

“I didn’t say much,” answered Minerva. “I figured you’d get angry with me if I said too much, so you’ll have to answer her questions, Blaze.”

There was silence between them, and thankfully Lillith changed the subject.

“Won’t you help us with the preparations for All Hallows’ Eve, Blaze?” Lillith smiled at him and gave him that irresistible little pout that could get him to do anything at all.

“Aye. Of course, I’ll help,” he said in defeat.