She twists her lips. ‘Yes, of course. What was I thinking?’ She stands to leave, shaking her skirts into order.
‘I will get her back, Emmeline.’ ‘Hmm, perhaps she will grow to like Blacklands. I’ve heard much gossip from the village. The young maidens say Rhauk is not without charm.’
I tower over her, wanting at this moment to strangle the girl. I wonder fleetingly what difference this might make to history. I can’t take the chance even if I did surprise myself and do it. She doesn’t even flinch, just brushes her fingernails across the skin of my shoulder so that they leave thin red streaks, and smiles demurely, provocatively. Her message is clear. It makes me want to spew.
‘Maybe you should try him,’ I suggest.
Malcolm arrives, his eyebrows lifting with interest when he sees Emmeline’s eyes on me. She sees him and waves a loose wrist. To me she throws a cunning smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. Then she laughs, short and cynical. She leaves me with the impression that where Rhauk is concerned, she knows it all already.
‘What was that all about?’ Malcolm asks.
‘She’s bored. You should take her hunting.’
He scoffs. ‘She finds riding distasteful. Court life would suit that wench.’
‘She wants to leave here.’
‘When I am Lord she will, if not before. Father is aware of my wishes, as I am aware of her seductive games. She’s tried them with me as well, Jarrod. Being a cousin makes no difference to that wench.’ His voice drops. ‘Be wary, she’ll force herself between you and Katherine.’
I cringe, wishing there was something between Kate and me that would warrant forcing. But his remarks about being Lord one day remind me there are some things we need to discuss. His hostility towards me is coming from seeing me as a threat. ‘You will be Lord of Thorntyne Keep one day, Malcolm.’
‘Not if you have anything to do with it, cousin.’
I put my hand on his shoulder, trying to assure him my words are sincere. ‘I do not want Thorntyne Keep.’
He brushes my hand away. ‘Bah! For what other reason are you here?’
He will tell if I’m lying, so I can’t just give him any excuse. ‘It’s hard to explain my reasons, except that where I come from we’ve heard of Rhauk and his evil ways.’
His eyebrows shoot up. ‘His reputation is far-reaching for sure.’
‘And as I have … strange abilities – ’
‘Witchcraft!’
‘In a way, I guess,’ I acknowledge reluctantly. ‘It was decided I could help rid my relatives of Rhauk’s evil powers.’
I see with relief Malcolm is actually considering this explanation. I need him as a friend, not an enemy. ‘There’s something in what you say.’
I breathe easier, and feel aligned with him tentatively. ‘There is something else you should know. It’s about my brother.’
He peers at me with a frown.
‘He’s going to challenge you one day. I can’t say when, but I know it is his intention.’
‘Does he gather an army as we speak?’
This I don’t know. But when the challenge arrives I do know that after a difficult battle, Malcolm will win. I wish I could tell him this, but it might make him cocky, not prepare properly. And if this makes him lose the battle, then Thorntyne history will change. Jillian’s warning not to interfere rings in my ears. ‘He’s very strong. You should prepare thoroughly, and always be on alert.’
His green eyes shimmer with thanks. I think I’ve just made a friend.
The next couple of weeks pass in a blur. I become frantic for news of Kate. She remains at Blacklands with Rhauk. And I feel him now, his aura, his energy; something impossible to my imagination a short while ago. He grows edgy. I guess that’s because he can sense my powers growing. It makes him uneasy.
Every day I train. Richard and Malcolm help me, pushing me into new areas of magic as soon as I accomplish one aspect or trick. Morgana helps too as she has a talent of her own, not psychic or anything, a kind of mellow magic, healing with herbs her specialty. And thanks to Morgana my wounds are healing nicely. She removed the stiches from my neck only this morning. Both of us were pleased to see the earlier signs of infection disappearing.
Unfortunately Emmeline watches me train too, ever eager to find an excuse to be near me. I try to ignore her advances. I don’t want to be responsible for hurting her feelings, but as I get to know her better, I realise, the girl doesn’t have any, except for her own beauty and desire to have her sexual appetite satisfied.
I’m even growing closer to Richard and Isabel; especially now that they accept the evidence of my ‘witchcraft’. The feelings are returned. If there is one loyalty that Richard has, it’s to his family; except Rhauk, with whom he adamantly denies any blood link. To do so would mean to lose Thorntyne Keep; Rhauk as the eldest son, would inherit all. Richard will never let this happen, his love for his lands, his castle, his family, are the things that drive him.