Red

Chapter 5

Please don’t walk over here. I beg him in my mind. Leave it to Duncan to ruin everything.

“We have to move before he gets too close,” I whisper to Josie.

“I think we should just go back for now,” Josie yawns.

“You’re just tired start walking up,” I say pushing her shoulder.

“Red, we’ll find him just not now,” Josie says climbing out of the trench. “Duncan can you help us get Thunder out,” she yells over to him.

“Thanks a lot Josie,” I say climbing out and tugging at Thunders bridle.

“Why would you hide in a trench?” Duncan asks me.

“Why were you talking to yourself,” I say giving him Thunder’s reins and taking his riding lamp.

“Look, I need you to stop running off,” he says as he gets Thunder half way out of the trench.

“I didn’t run off. Josie and I we’re just riding,” I smile at him, and he glares at me.

“If you’re not careful something bad could happen to you Red. Who knows what lurks in these woods at night,” he says wiping mud off my chin. “Keep him calm he’s almost out,” he says easing Thunder up a little more.

“It’s okay Thunder,” I say petting him and cooing in his ear. “Come on just a little farther,” I say as Duncan gets him all the way up on the road. “That’s a good boy,” I say petting his nose and taking the reins.

“If you want to keep going you’re on your own Red you can, but Josie’s dad was looking for her and he was pretty worried,” Duncan says knowing it would make Josie change her mind.

“That was a low blow,” I whisper to him.

“Sneaking off after we made plans is even lower,” he says going to get his horse. “Come on Josie.”

“Red,” Josie says looking over at me.

“Fine I’m coming,” I say tugging Thunder along. When something jumps from out of the bushes, and frightens him. It’s the wolf from earlier. “Thunder it’s okay,” I say as he kicks and jumps in terror. “Calm down Thunder come on boy,” I say trying to grab his reins but he kicks at me and I fall.

“Now, what did you do to the poor horse,” Duncan asks riding out of the bushes. “Oh God Red you’re just a danger magnet,” he says getting off his horse and calming Thunder before he stomped me to death.

“It wasn’t me it was that crazy wolf from the other day,” I say getting up and a pain shoots up my leg. “Crap,” I yell in pain.

“Wonderful, did you bring a medical kit?” he asks knowing the answer to that. “What am I supposed to do with you?” he smiles at me.

***Duncan***

“Josie can you tend to her while I try to look for this wolf,” I say tired of Able budding in to everything. If he could only leave well enough alone Red would be okay. “Keep the lamp with you if you see something use it to lite this,” I say handing her a torch.

“You need me to go with you. That thing hates you,” Red says trying to get up.

“Would you relax I’m a big boy I can handle myself,” I say throwing her words right back at her.

“You have to give respect to get,” she sneered at me letting Josie look at her leg.

“I’ll only be a second,” I say going into the clearing around the bushes. Sunlight was starting to break through and I had to get Able as far away from Red as time will allow me. He can’t tell her the truth she’d never forgive me.

“Able where are you?” I ask knowing he was somewhere in the foliage surrounding the clearing.

“Able come out so I can talk with you,” I hear a rustling in the bushes behind me. “Can we stop playing these tiresome games of hide-and-seek?” I ask laying out a blanket. “Here’s some clothes and food for when you change back. Try to stay away from the village until night fall. I’ll come back then, and bring things so you can go away for a while,” he growls at me.

“I’m sure leaving is the last thing I’d want to do too, but father is hell bent on killing you and getting Red’s powers next month. If you want to see another day you’ll stay in this clearing.” More growling.

“Fine have it your way,” I say sticking him with the tranquilizer father used to trap him. “I know you love Red, but I love her too and if she knew about this… Well it won’t end happily ever after for me.”

I hate keeping this from Red, but I need time to make her understand there was no other choice. It’s not like I’m going to let father kill him. Able will be safe as long as he listens. In fortnight it will be the grand ball and everything will be okay.

***Red***

“So how was your day of courtship with the duke,” Mother asks as she shows Josie and I color swatches for the bridal party. She’s been hard at work planning her wedding and mine. I don’t have the heart to tell her how much I hate this, and how stupid this is. She hasn’t had much to do since father left and I haven’t seen her happy in so long.

“Do I have to pick him? He’s so old and…old,” I say making mother and Josie laugh.

“I’m sure there’s much more to the duke than that. He’s very taken with you,” my mother smiles at me.

“Oh God no. Is Uncle Kane going to take his offer?” I ask her. She just smiles at me. “What?” I ask taken back by the sparkle in her eyes.

“I just can’t believe you’re all grown up. You’re getting gentlemen callers and having a ball. Soon you’ll be saying this to your daughter,” she smiles at me and caresses my cheek. “My baby is not a baby anymore.”

“Mother,” I say as tears gently fall from her soft brown eyes. I hate seeing her cry even if she’s happy. I wipe her tears away and gently kiss her cheek. “I hope I don’t have to marry someone older then Gram,” I say making her laugh with my bluntness.

“I’m sure you won’t,” she says hugging me and looking at Josie. “My, you girls are turning into really exquisite young ladies.”

“Mom, is it okay if Gram and I make your ball gown?” I ask knowing if she said no, it wouldn’t make a difference because we already started. “Think it would take a lot of stress off of you so you can focus fully on the wedding.”

“Why thank you Roselyn. You are so thoughtful. Why wouldn’t the duke be taken by you?” she smiles at me. “So what colors do you girls like. Black and white, or blue, cream and gold?” she asks holding the final contestants side by side.

“The blue and gold,” Josie says. “I think we can get really nice arrangements to follow that color scheme,” she smiles at my mom.

“How about you Roselyn?” she asks as Duncan comes into my room. “Hey stranger we’ve been looking for you every where,” mother smiles at him.

“I was out in the square,” he smiles at her.

“Yes, with Lucy, how is she?” mother asks and my heart skips a beat. Lucy was gorgeous and obsessed with Duncan. Had she got her father to ask Duncan to court her? Waves of jealousy moved through me like an angry sea. They were crashing over my head and drowning me in furious heat.

“Lucy looks like a beached gold fish, pale and stupid,” I huff under my breath. “Then again idiots travel in packs like wolves.”

“I didn’t come in here to be insulted, and Lucy is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever lead eyes on,” he says knocking the wind out of me like a punch to the chest.

“Maybe you should get out more often,” I say hopping off my bed and storming out of my room.