Gloria stared out the window with a bowl of soup in her lap and watched the setting sun paint Pinewood in warm golden hues. The muddy streets were beginning to dry and snow had retreated from the sun’s warm gaze into the shade of the pine trees that dotted the village. The hint of a warm breeze drifted through the window, and Gloria watched exhausted, muddy villagers wrap up their long day of work.

  Gloria shuddered as images from her nightmare crept to the forefront of her mind. She’d dreamt it again last night and woke up screaming, but Seth wasn’t there to comfort her—he’d gone to stay with Elias at Killian’s house.

  She took a deep breath. She’s gone now. He can’t— She can’t hurt me. It’s just a dream…

  “If you keep staring out the window your soup will get cold.”

  Gloria jumped and looked back to see Mrs. Angie enter the room. She stammered and quickly scooped a mouthful of vegetables into her mouth.

  Mrs. Angie watched her curiously, then came over and sat at the foot of the bed. “What’s bothering you? I heard you crying again last night.”

  A spike of anxiety ran through Gloria, and she shook her head, trying to focus on her soup. “I-I don’t think I should talk about it.”

  Mrs. Angie patted her foot. “Come now, try an old woman.” She tried to catch Gloria’s eye. “Does it have to do with Seth?”

  Gloria’s eyes snapped up. “How did you…?”

  The old woman smiled a little. “Just a hunch.”

  Gloria looked back at her bowl, her face beginning to warm.

  “So, tell me,” Mrs. Angie said. “What’s on your mind?”

  Gloria fidgeted with her spoon. “I…I don’t know what to do about him.”

  “Oh?”

  “Things between us are…complicated. There’s a lot of…” She peeked at Mrs. Angie. “Fear…and…and pain. I’m afraid I’ll get hurt again.”

  The room was uncomfortably quiet, and Gloria stared at her reflection in her soup. Maybe Kayla was wrong, she thought. How can we come back from this? She blinked back a few tears. From the pain…the terror? Her lips trembled as memories began to flood her mind—the creek, Giantstoe, the mountain.

  She shuddered as fragments of The Lady’s temple simmered in her mind. Now that we’re safe, he’ll demand the truth soon—I’m sure of it!

  A soft sigh from Mrs. Angie pulled Gloria from her thoughts. “When Seth was delirious with fever, do you know who he kept calling for?”

  Gloria shook her head, still staring at her soup.

  Mrs. Angie put a hand on Gloria’s shoulder and squeezed it. “You.”

  Gloria clasped her bowl tight. “Are…are you sure?” she whispered.

  Mrs. Angie raised an eyebrow. “Am I sure—? Of course I’m sure! That’s not exactly something that you can easily miss.”

  Gloria didn’t look up.

  Mrs. Angie sighed. “I can tell he cares about you a lot,” she said. “He kept asking where you were and if you were safe. That was all he could talk about.”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Gloria stared into the broth again and The Lady’s hideous black eyes seemed to reflect back at her. But her face… she thought. How can I ever forget that face?

  Mrs. Angie lifted Gloria’s chin and looked into her eyes. “Whatever happened in the past, hasn’t changed how he feels about you.” Gloria struggled to hold her gaze. “Give him a chance. I think he’d want the opportunity to make things right.”

  Gloria swallowed. But you don’t even know the half of what happened…

  A knock at the front door interrupted them. Mrs. Angie frowned, then stood, and brushed off her skirt. “I wonder who that could be.” She smiled at Gloria. “I’ll be right back dearie.”

  She left the room and Gloria listened to her open the front door. “Oh Seth!” she called. A cold rush went through Gloria. “Welcome! Come in, come in. Gloria’s eating dinner right now, but I’m sure she’d love some company. Do you need anything to eat?”

  Anxiety coursed through Gloria when she heard Seth enter Mrs. Angie’s house. “Oh, no thank you, Mrs. Angie. I’m good.”

  “Are you sure? You look like you came straight from the fields.”

  “I’ll be fine; I’ll eat later.”

  There was a short pause. “Alright then, I’ll be out here if you need me.”

  “Thank you.”

  Gloria’s throat tightened as his footsteps got closer. She put her bowl on the bedside table and found herself fussing with her hair in a vain attempt to look respectable.

  The door creaked open, and Seth stepped into the room. Gloria looked up and his face lit up when their eyes met. His shirt was streaked with mud and freckles of dirt dotted his face.

  Seth looked down at himself, then blushed. “Now that I’m here, I feel like I probably should’ve washed up before coming to see you.”

  Gloria fidgeted with the edge of her blanket. “I don’t mind.”

  Seth grimaced and looked at his muddied arms. “Ah, yeah, I should’ve washed. I bet I’m tracking dirt all through Mrs. Angie’s house.”

  The room went quiet, and Gloria could hear Mrs. Angie faintly humming in the other room. “How’s Elias?” she asked quietly. “I heard him speaking to Mrs. Angie this morning, but he didn’t come in to see me.”

  Seth shrugged. “I’m not sure. He’s been hard to catch lately…”

  The room went quiet again. Gloria fiddled with the blanket while Seth shuffled his feet, neither one quite sure what to say.

  Then, the door creaked open, and Mrs. Angie stepped in. “Oh don’t mind me,” the old woman said. “I’m just cleaning up dinner and thought I’d collect Gloria’s bowl.” She picked up Gloria’s bowl from the end table, then paused by the open window. She took in a deep breath of the evening air and sighed. “My! What a lovely evening.” She glanced at Gloria. “You know, it would do you some good to get some fresh air.”

  Gloria followed her gaze. “I suppose. It has been rather boring to sit here all day.”

  Mrs. Angie nodded, then she looked down and frowned at the bowl in her hands sighing dramatically. “Oh dear, but I’m afraid I’m a bit too busy to go on a walk at the moment.”

  Gloria glanced from Seth to Mrs. Angie. What are you planning?

  A sly smile tugged at the corner of the old woman’s mouth, and she looked back at Seth. “Ah, Seth, you’re not busy are you?”

  Seth straightened and shook his head. “No ma’am.”

  “Would you be willing to escort Gloria on a short walk? Just to give her a chance to get some fresh air and strengthen her legs.”

  A smile spread across Seth’s face. “Of course! I would be happy too.”

  Gloria’s eyes darted between Seth and Mrs. Angie. A walk? With Seth? Alone? She stammered then faked a yawn and started to slid under the covers. “Actually, Mrs. Angie, I think—"

  Mrs. Angie’s eyes glinted mischievously, and she shook her head. “Oh, no, my dear. You’ve been lying down for quite long enough; you need to use your legs. Now is the perfect time. Not too hot, not too cold, people are heading home for the day.” She nodded. “Yes, you need to go on a walk.” Gloria glanced nervously at Seth. “It doesn’t need to be long, but you do need to get outside.”

  Mrs. Angie stepped back and gestured for Seth to come over. “She’ll need a steady arm. She hasn’t walked much since she woke up.”

  Seth stepped over to Gloria’s bedside and gingerly held out his hands to help her up—on the palms of his hands were rough callouses and Gloria noticed a few raw blisters on his fingers. She glanced up nervously and slowly took his hands. Despite their roughness, his warm hands tenderly closed around hers, and he gently helped her to her feet.

  She wobbled a little and Seth started to catch her. Gloria flinched and let out a little gasp. Seth grimaced and averted his eyes. “Sorry,” he muttered. “You seemed like you were going to fall.”

  Gloria swallowed and glanced at Mrs. Angie who gave her an encouraging nod and mouthed, Give him a chance.

  Gloria looked back at Seth and tried to smile. “It’s okay,” she murmured back.

  Seth brightened and returned her smile. “Here, if you lean like this…” He adjusted his hold and wrapped an arm around Gloria’s waist. “It’ll be easier to walk, and hopefully be more comfortable.” He looked down at her. “How does it feel?”

  Gloria stiffened and stared at the floorboards. “It’s alright.”

  Seth’s grip tightened around her waist. “Good. Are you ready then?” Gloria nodded and he guided her through Mrs. Angie’s house, then out the front door.