Ashes of Iris Page 6

  Popping a third strawberry into her mouth, she leaned back in her chair and enjoyed the sweet flavor as it rolled over her tongue and tickled her cheeks. Aunt Marilyn was chatting animatedly at her, waving her hands through the air, though Sophie was not quite sure what she was saying. Her glance had focused on an area to the side of the serving table, in a darkened alcove. Some slight movement caught her attention a moment before, but she could see nothing in the shadow.

  “For the first time, I feel excited. I know you know that I have had some difficulty since,” Aunt Marilyn paused, casting her eyes up to the ceiling. Sophie was shaken to discover that her aunt was discussing Uncle Gus for the first time in over a year and was horrified by her own lack of attentiveness. Continuing with a deep sigh, Aunt Marilyn smiled at Sophie, “since he passed. I truly think that this trip was the best thing for me.”

  She paused again, but only for a fraction of a second.

  “And for you.”

  “Me?” Sophie's eyes widened.

  “Yes, you. You've changed since he died, Sophie. I thought you were grieving, but it's more than that. It's like,” she hesitated, “like your spark is gone.”

  If she hadn't been so shocked at her aunt's observation, Sophie would have laughed. Instead, she averted her eyes, fighting the urge to sulk like a spoiled child, and said nothing.

  Aunt Marilyn continued. “Please, don't be angry. I want you to feel better. I want to feel better. We can help each other.”

  The pleading tone in Aunt Marilyn's voice tore at Sophie's heart. Her eyes filled with unexpected tears and she looked up at her aunt, whose eyes were also swimming.

  “I'm not angry,” she managed to whisper, brushing the back of her hand over her eyes. “Maybe at myself. I thought I was managing, but obviously not. If you could tell just by looking at me-”

  “It's not so bad, honey,” Aunt Marilyn interrupted. “I just know you so well. I could see the difference in you. I'm sure I've changed a lot too.”

  “You're a better actress than I am,” Sophie said, folding her arms across her chest. Her heart felt stiff and hollow and she yearned for solitude and the chance to expel the emotions that had welled so suddenly. Aunt Marilyn must have sensed her thoughts, because she dabbed at the corners of her mouth with her napkin and rose slowly to her feet.

  “I think I'll take a walk. You don't mind finishing up on your own?”

  “No,” Sophie replied. “Have a good time.”

  With that, her aunt left and she was on her own. The bright sunlight streaming through the window was at odds with the shadow that had fallen over her. Thoughts of Uncle Gus flashed in her mind and she squeezed her eyes shut, wishing them away but they would not go. Tears flooded to the surface again at the memory of his final days in the hospital.

  He had looked so weak, so frail. It was not her uncle that she watched struggling for breath and clutching her hand. It was a shadow of him, a shadow that was slowly being crushed by the weight of the cancer that had consumed his lungs, his blood, his body. The arms that had once wrapped around her, lifted her in the air, provided her with a sense of comfort and acceptance she had not experienced before or since, were shrunken and withered. She had clasped his hand in hers, felt the dull thump of his pulse falter on her fingers and watched his final breath shudder from his lips. Death had taken him quietly in the end, though his suffering had lasted nearly nine months.

  When she lifted a hand to her face, it was wet with fresh tears. She wiped them away with her fist, the napkin in her lap forgotten. Shifting in her chair, Sophie prepared to rise when a familiar figure in the corner caught her eye.

  He gave the tiniest of nods when their eyes met but she was too startled to respond. Her first thought was that he was a staff member there to assist them while they ate, but his old-fashioned clothes and the memory of his languid posture in the entrance hall on their first day at the Isa made her think again. She was wary of the way he kept to the shadows. Averting her eyes for a moment she fidgeted with the tablecloth in front of her but before she could gather the courage to speak, she looked up again and he had vanished. Brushing her lips with her napkin, she stood from her chair and pushed her un-emptied plate to the center of the table.

  She made her way to the small sitting room from which she could access the patio and courtyard they had used the previous day. Sitting upon one of the two loveseats were Brian and Katie. He leaned back into the armrest while Katie splayed her feet upon his thighs and basked in his unfaltering attention. Sophie battled with herself, standing awkwardly in the hall, trying to decide whether she should find another exit from the castle to avoid disturbing them when Katie glanced in her direction.

  “Soph,” she squealed, stretching out both her arms in a show of welcoming. “We were just talking about you.”

  “Oh?”

  “Don't get worked up, it wasn't anything interesting. Where are you going?”

  Sophie fiddled with the edge of her shirt and glanced out the French doors toward the trees.

  “For a walk.”

  Brian looked around at her. “By yourself?” he asked, concern crossing his handsome features.

  Sophie felt heat rise in her cheeks at his attention. She kept her gaze carefully planted on the garden across from the patio while she answered.

  “Sure,” she said, her voice slightly higher than usual. “I don't think there's much to fear out here.”

  “What about bears?” Katie asked. Her eyes were closed in relaxation as Brian rubbed the arch of her foot with both hands. “Don't bears live in the forest? Or cougars?”

  “I'm not going that far,” Sophie replied. “I just want some fresh air.”

  “Be care-” Brian began, but Katie cut him off. Her eyes flashed open and for a moment Sophie thought she could see a glimmer of unidentifiable emotion in them.

  “Don't get lost, or scratched, or hurt in any way. If you ruin my wedding, I'll kill you.”

  “Honey-” Brian spoke again, but Katie raised a hand to silence him.

  “I mean it,” she said, pointing a warning finger.

  With raised eyebrows Sophie nodded, giving Brian a weak smile before hurrying to the doors and escaping onto the patio. As she shut the door, she could hear Katie speaking.

  “I can't wait until it's just you and me. If I had it my way, we'd never leave the bedroom.”

  Sophie shut the door with a loud snap and darted across the lawn, passing the colorful gardens overflowing with flowers, and disappeared into the shadow of trees. It wasn't until she was entirely out of sight of the castle that she slowed her pace.

  If she had it her way, she thought bitterly. Hasn't it always been?

  The air was cooler than she expected, sending a ripple of chill over her neck and arms. She pulled the sleeves of her shirt over her hands and balled the ends into her fists, unwilling to turn back for a jacket. Though sunlight pierced the curtain of trees in places, it offered nothing but a dull, green light. Her feet smothered the dried bracken carpeting the ground. With each step, the crunch of leaves echoed around her, interrupting the scattered birdsong that floated overhead.

  In her haste to escape, she had chosen an area of wood that offered no path and left her to navigate the brush on her own. She scrambled through the dense plants. Low bushes and prickly weeds grabbed at her ankles as she passed. Branches caught her shirt every now and then, sending her stumbling. When she paused for breath and gently rubbed the shallow scrapes on her arms, it did not occur to her that she was travelling deeper than she intended into unknown territory. She plodded on, enjoying the silence and solitude, stepping over fallen trees and branches. There was no sign that any human had previously walked there – everything seemed pristine and untouched. Even the air was crisp, albeit dense, and she relished each deep breath that saturated her lungs with cleanliness.

  An unseen branch swiped at her face and she cursed under her breath.

  “Katie is going to kill me,” she said, rubbing at the sting on
her cheek.

  A few yards ahead, an ancient tree stood in her way, its wide trunk blocking most of her view. Carefully, she stepped around and over the cascading roots, one hand pressing against the coarse bark for balance. As she rounded the other side, a sigh of relief escaped her lips. A few yards away she could see a shallow path winding through the trees, perpendicular to the direction she had been travelling. Though she had been unaware of it, tension had begun to creep into her limbs, but the sight of the path loosened the anxiety. She stepped onto the narrow dirt path, instinctively turning to the left, and began to walk, keeping her pace relaxed.

  The air had become warmer and the light no longer filtered into the trees at an angle. Sophie began to notice the burning tingle in her throat. The sudden awareness of her thirst indicated just how long she had been wandering alone. Anxiety began to build again. Though she had travelled a fair distance on the path, everything around her looked the same. Trees, shrubs, brush – there was nothing to stand out or inform her of her location. Her heart began to thud erratically, but she maintained a forced level of calm.

  The narrow path twisted and curved around trees, leading Sophie on with few obstacles and after some time the trees began to thin and her nerves began to subside.

  “Finally,” she breathed in relief. Her strides lengthened – every step growing more hopeful.

  Branches reached at her as she passed, but she ignored everything except the bright light coming through the trees ahead of her. As she stepped through the barrier of trees, the sunlight burned her eyes and an unexpected heat wrapped itself around her body. A flock of birds was swept from the surrounding area, scattering in a flurry of rushing air, beating wings, and shrill calls.

  As the bright spots faded from her vision, Sophie lowered her hands from her eyes. The moment of relief was shattered as she was met with the sight of a tiny wood cabin. She staggered back, her hand seizing a nearby tree trunk which she used to keep herself upright. The path had not been leading her in the right direction, after all.

  The cottage appeared vacant. Weeds and vines crawled up the walls and windows, creating an eerie aura about the entire property. The stench of rotting plants wafted to Sophie's nose and she cringed in disgust. After a moment's hesitation, she dropped her hand from the tree and stepped forward. A rush of wind rustled the tall, yellowed grass and sent a whistle over the dilapidated roof of the tiny cottage. Curiosity mounted in her and she stepped through the weeds and grass to get a closer look. She could smell the mold in the wood, the scent growing stronger with every step she took.

  Despite the overgrown nature of the place, the door was accessible on one side and she pressed a hand against the rough surface. To her surprise, it swung inwards with barely a creak. Stepping into the dimly lit space Sophie expected to see signs of abandonment and vacancy, but the cleanliness of the room shocked her. Sunlight filtered through the dust-fogged windows, casting light on the furniture and belongings scattered about.

  A wooden dining table stood to her right. Four chairs sat around it and a vase of flowers decorated its center. The small kitchen was opposite the door, consisting only of a few cabinets and a wood-burning stove. The armchairs circled about a quaint fireplace made up a cozy living room to her left, and she spotted an open book laying on one of the armrests.

  Only after absorbing the sight in front of her did Sophie realize that she was trespassing. The cottage was far from vacant, despite its outward appearance. She stepped back over the threshold quickly, pulling the door closed.

  Before it could snap shut, she heard a voice call from inside.

  “Stop.”

  Her heart spluttered and she closed her eyes. Releasing the handle and stepping back, her hands raised involuntarily, palms forward, in a sign of apology. After a few quiet moments she realized no one had followed her. Her breath still came in short bursts, but the initial fear subsided. She stepped further from the door, prepared to leave, when a voice called again. It was coming from inside the cottage near the window that stood beside the table she had seen a moment before.

  “Stop,” it said again.

  Without a second thought, Sophie ran. She turned on her heels and bounded through the tall grass. Upon reaching the cover of trees, she flung herself behind a wide trunk and clutched her chest with both hands. Her breath was ragged, loud, but she could not stifle it nor the rush of adrenaline that had overtaken her senses.

  Another glance back toward the cottage assured her that no one had followed her into the trees. With a deep breath, she turned to find the path but instead ran headlong into a tall form standing in front of her. Stumbling in shock, her heel caught a jutted tree root and she tumbled backwards. A loud crack echoed through the trees as her head collided with the thick bark of the tree, making the forest swim before her.

  A moment later, a strong hand gripped her by the arm and pulled her forward, while another rested against the back of her head. Fingers prodded gently over the bruised area, causing her to wince in pain.

  “What are you doing here?” a deep voice murmured in her ear.

  “I-” she began, but another surge of pain made her cringe.

  “It hurts?” the man asked, his fingers still combing through her hair.

  Unable to speak again, Sophie gave a weak nod. The hand left her head and seized her other arm, pulling her to her feet. She stood unsteadily, focusing her eyes on the forest floor before trying to speak again.

  “I-I got lost,” she mumbled.

  “Not surprising,” the man said. “It is not wise to wander the forest alone.”

  Her head was throbbing, protesting at the slightest movement. She did not answer, but moved her hands up to cradle the back of her skull. The skin was tender and slightly swollen, but there was no blood. A rustle made her look up, wincing as her eyes rolled in their sockets.

  He had shifted to stand beside her, one hand still gripping her arm.

  “I will show you the way,” he said, “but you must not come back here.”

  His voice was soft, but the menace in his words sent a shudder through Sophie's body. She nodded in response and allowed him to steer her through the trees, frighteningly aware of how vulnerable she was. They went silently for a few minutes before she fought up enough courage to speak.

  “I'm-” she began, “I mean, I didn't mean to-” her head throbbed, blood pulsed in her ears. She could not find the right words.

  The man did not respond to her babble, but his grip loosened and his hand fell from her arm. She could feel the tingle of blood rushing to where his fingers had dug into her skin. The sun was falling lower in the sky, the warmth creeping from the air as quickly as the light. As they walked, her stomach rumbled and her legs began to feel weak.

  He did not speak again until they reached a break in the trees, through which she could see the familiar patio across a shadowed courtyard.

  “Oh,” she sighed. The pounding in her head had grown worse, but her eyes were focused and clear. “Thank you.”

  Looking up into the man's face for the first time, she noticed that he was younger than she had thought. His eyes were dark and his features were hard, like his voice. Dark hair fell about his forehead, brushing over his eyebrows and ears. He watched her eyes as she studied him, but no sign of emotion appeared on his face. His glare remained cold.

  With a slight nod, he turned away.

  “Wait,” Sophie said, reaching out to touch his arm. He froze at the contact, looking down at her fingers. When he turned back to her, his eyebrows had furrowed and his eyes were bright. The sudden change took her aback, causing her to falter. Her hand fell limply to her side.

  “H-How did you-” the question trailed as she watched him compose his face into the hard mask it had been.

  “No one lives in this area,” he said, guessing the question she had failed to ask. “I assumed you were staying here. Was I wrong?”

  “No,” she answered. “Not wrong. I'm sorry. Thank you for bringing me.”

/>   With that she turned and half-ran through the courtyard, eager to be rid of his hard glare and cold voice. Without looking back, she pulled open one side of the doors and entered the castle. The bright halls welcomed her back with their warmth. She pulled the door shut and moved away from the window, still able to feel his eyes locked on her from afar.

  Chapter 5

  Sophie lounged on a reclined armchair, soaking in the bit of sunshine that managed to pierce the haze in the air. A warm breeze rustled the pages of the book she had let fall onto the patio floor beneath her. Her eyes were just beginning to droop with the heavy weight of fatigue when a screech in the room behind her made them fly open in surprise. Pulling her sunglasses onto the top of her head, she stretched her arms before rising to discover the source of the noise. When she entered the quaint sitting room, she could see a huddle of girls surrounding her sister. They squealed and laughed, embracing one another vivaciously.

  “You look so good,” one girl was saying, petting the sides of Katie's long hair.

  “I'm so jealous,” squealed another.

  “I can't believe you're getting married!”

  Katie reveled in the attention, standing in the center of the group with a bright smile. She held her left hand out at eye level, letting the large diamond flash in the afternoon sun. Sighs and coos filled the air. Sophie tiptoed past them, hoping to make a quick escape, when Katie called to her.

  “Sophie,” she said, “come and meet my bridesmaids. Girls, this is my sister.”

  Introductions were made, though Sophie was hard pressed to remember their names. They all looked so similar she thought they might have been siblings.

  “You must be thrilled for Katie,” one of the girls said.

  Holly? Sophie thought, narrowing her eyes in an effort to remember. No. Natalie.

  “I am,” she answered, unable to decide which name was the correct fit. “She deserves all the happiness in the world.”