Page 60 of Haunted Hearts

Sixteen

This whole nightwas naught but a blur for Blaze. He had a hard time focusing on anything but Lillith. She was being the perfect hostess, seeing to all the guests and their children who came calling. Even after the card reading she’d just had, she still managed to hold her head high and acted as if nothing was wrong. Lillith was a strong woman, and Blaze admired that about her.

The children even convinced Lillith to bob for apples along with them. She dunked her entire face into the water like he’d seen her do before. It took her several tries, but she easily came up with an apple clamped in her teeth.

Even with the witchy gown she wore, Blaze’s heart went out to her. She was trying so hard to fit in to his family. He wanted that more than anything. She had even seemed to befriend his mother, which, in his opinion, was not an easy thing for anyone to do.

Lillith was wonderful with the children. He realized she would make a terrific mother, wife, and also a perfect lady of the castle someday. Sadly, it wouldn’t be here and with him.

He envied the lucky Sir Edward Bancroft who was getting her as his wife. Blaze supposed the betrothal to the baron was a smart match for Lillith’s family. After all, she would have everything she needed or wanted. That was something Blaze could never give her.

He cursed inwardly, wishing he hadn’t even seen those stupid cards tonight. It was evident now that every hope was gone and there was no way that he and Lillith would end up together. He felt just like that fool on the card he’d picked up. Before all hope had diminished, he thought if he broke off the betrothal with Serena, something might happen that he could still have a chance of marrying Lillith. Nothing but a fool’s dream, is what it was.

“Damn it,” he spat, kicking at a pebble. He’d caught a glimpse of the horrible death card in Lillith’s reading as well. It was the card he hated the most in that blasted deck. It was also the last one he wanted to see tonight. The more he thought about those blasted cards, the angrier he became. Sam, his mother’s cat, sat down in front of him and meowed.

“Get out of here,” he said, thinking this bad luck was brought on by the cat crossing between his legs earlier.

His mother was busy helping to light the lanterns, since it was now dusk. Candles were placed inside the hollowed-out turnips, and the faces carved in them glowed. The parade was about to start. This was the night that the dead could supposedly come back to life. The thought terrified the children and made them stay close to their parents. He, on the other hand, didn’t believe this silly superstition for one minute. However, after seeing that death card tonight, part of him feared that someone was going to die.

He had to stop that from happening. If Lillith died, he wouldn’t know how to go on without her. Blaze would also blame himself. He should have burned those damned cards long ago, but didn’t want to upset his mother. Now, he no longer cared. Since his mother was distracted and so was Lillith, he figured it would be the best time to stop this problem and keep it from ever happening again.

He stormed off to his solar to get the cards. He’d be able to throw them into the bonfire before everyone gathered around. Yes, he decided, by burning the cards mayhap he’d somehow change the events of the future that were predicted for his sweet little Lilly Bee.

Blaze approached his room, making a beeline to the deck of cards, still sitting on his table. Scooping them up, he turned to go, but stopped. He had the feeling someone or something was watching him. The room was dark, but the window was open and the light from the full moon spilled into the room.

“Don’t let her go, Blaze,” he heard someone whisper from over by the door. He spun around, and for a brief second, he swore he saw his father standing there in a long cloak, but then the vision disappeared. Blaze shook his head, thinking he was going mad.

He left the room, quickly heading over to the bonfire. When no one was looking, he tossed the deck of cards into the flames, glad to see them burn.

“Lord Blaze, what was that you tossed into the fire?”

He turned around to see Orvyn standing there in a long cape watching him.

“Nothing,” he said with a shrug. “Were you just inside the keep, Orvyn? Up by my solar, by any chance?”

“Nay, my lord. Why would I be there when the festivities are here in the courtyard? If you’ll excuse me, I need to lead the parade. The children are anxiously waiting.”

“Of course,” said Blaze with a slight nod.

“Oh, look,” said Milo approaching the bonfire. “It looks like something fell in by accident. I’ll scoop it out, my lord, before it burns.”

“Leave it,” Blaze commanded, with an outstretched arm to keep him from getting any closer.

“But someone might have lost something important,” said Milo.

“Believe me, it’s nothing important. Now, go help Orvyn with the parade. Just keep everyone inside the courtyard since it is already dark.”

“Aye, my lord,” answered Milo, looking back at the fire once again. “When does the veil to the other world open up? I can’t wait to see which of the dead come through.”

“How the hell should I know?” Blaze stormed away, not wanting to talk to anyone right now. All Hallows’ Eve was never a favorite holiday of his. And for some reason, he had the feeling that by the end of the night, he was going to hate it even more.