Awry

Gabriel shifted uncomfortably and Tristan took a step back, ashamed of himself for asking so great a sacrifice from his brother. “I’m sorry.” Tristan shook his head. “I am a broken man without escape. I should not ask you for such things. You are more than generous to have even heard my words.” He looked at Gabriel. “Do what you will. Leave with Raven. Live free of our father. Enjoy life. I will not hold your choices against you ever. I promise.”

  Gabriel breathed in and out slowly, his eyes never leaving Tristan’s face.

  “Enough,” called Tennius, entering the small stone room. “Your father will have our heads if he finds you two spent the evening conspiring. Out!” He pointed to Gabriel.

  Gabriel shot his eyes to the guard. “One minute.”

  Tristan watched as the guards all entered the small room, their large forms blocking the light from the courtyard and casting shadows across the brothers.

  Tristan’s heart filled with darkness in return, all hope draining from its well.

  Gabriel put his hands on Tristan’s shoulders and leaned in close to his face. “I will do this for you.” His brown eyes were sincere. “I will marry your girl and love her and protect her like my own. You are my brother and my very soul. I will not let you down.” He swallowed. “I promise.”

  Tennius clasped Gabriel’s shoulder and Gabriel righted himself, shrugging off the large man. “No need for force,” he snarled at Tennius. “I’m leaving.”

  Gabriel turned his back to Tristan and followed the guard out of the stone room. As he reached the exit, Gabriel turned around one last time.

  “Be brave, my brother.” He looked at Tristan. “Come home alive.”

  Tristan nodded, trying to look brave.

  But bravery and death were almost always companions.

  36

  Friday night, Scarlet and Heather sat on the floor of Scarlet’s bedroom painting their nails as they talked about boys.

  Well, Heather talked about boys. Scarlet half-listened, her mind focused on other, more pertinent, issues.

  Nate had been locked in his bedroom—which he referred to as the “cave of concentration”—all week trying to decipher the map to the fountain. Without success. The map was complicated and didn’t match any geographical images Nate had seen before. Had it not been for her father’s journal stating that it was, indeed, a map, they probably would have given up by now.

  “I feel like all the boyfriends I’ve ever had were just lame, you know?” Heather’s voice cut into Scarlet’s thoughts. “When you compare them to immortals who fight off Ashmen, they just seem silly.”

  “Yeah.” Scarlet finished her left hand and started painting her right. “But I’d take a curse-free relationship any day.”

  “Would you?” Heather asked.

  “Of course.”

  Scarlet’s phone beeped with a text.

  Heather looked up. “Is that Gabriel?”

  Scarlet grabbed her phone off the nightstand and nodded, keeping her eyes on the screen as she texted him back.

  Heather tilted her head. “Gabriel’s cursed to never know love without you, right?”

  Scarlet nodded again.

  “So, he’s like…forced to love you?”

  Scarlet’s heart felt heavy as she looked up. “No. I mean yes. I mean…he says no, but it feels like yes.”

  Wow. That sounded confusing.

  Heather started blowing on her nails and pulled a magazine off of Scarlet’s bed. “Well, which is it?”

  Good question. Great question, actually.

  “Honestly?” Scarlet sighed, watching Heather flip through the magazine, careful not to disturb her wet fingers. “I don’t know.”

  Heather looked up with puckered lips. “Don’t you think that’s weird? Don’t you think that makes your relationship…fake?”

  Scarlet was about to get defensive and argue that what she and Gabriel had was real. And hot, of course.

  But she couldn’t.

  Because, even if their relationship was real, it was still controlled by the curse. And the curse sucked.

  Heather skimmed a few glossy pages and muttered, “See how no one in this magazine is wearing clogs? Yeah, that’s a hint, Scarlet.”

  Scarlet wasn’t listening. “I’m stupid.”

  Heather considered. “I wouldn’t say that. You just have trouble picking out footwear, that’s all—”

  “Gabriel can’t love me,” Scarlet said absently.

  Heather looked up, confused. “I thought you were the only person he could love.”

  Scarlet looked at Heather. “Exactly.”

  Jumping up from the bed, Scarlet started searching for her shoes. Not by the door…not under the window….

  “What are you doing?” Heather blew on her nails again.

  Scarlet looked under her bed. Nope.

  “Something I should have done the day I found out about the curse.” Scarlet walked the perimeter of her bedroom.

  Finding her shoes—which were not clogs—kicked off by the closet, Scarlet slid her feet into them and hurried out of her room.

  As she headed down the stairs, she heard Heather call out, “I hate how you always leave me sitting in your bedroom without explanation!”

  Scarlet called back, “Love you!”

  She smiled to herself as she heard Heather mutter, “Yeah, yeah. Love you, too. Whatever.”

  37

  Gabriel forced a smile on his face as he entered the great hall for the engagement ceremony. He hadn’t slept at all the night before.

  Tristan had been sent away that morning and Raven was furious with him for agreeing to marry the Scarlet girl. And now he had to find a way to take care of both women.

  All because of his wicked father.

  Gabriel’s legs were weak as they carried him to the center of the room and waited for his father to announce the girl.

  Who was she? Had Gabriel ever seen her before?

  Probably not.

  If she lived in the eastern woods, she was either an outcast or a thief. Neither of which made Gabriel feel any better about marrying her. But he had promised Tristan he would care for her, and that is what he would do.

  People gathered at both sides of the large room, murmuring and smiling. The son of the earl being wed to the daughter of a peasant was extraordinary news and the townspeople were buzzing with gossip and giggles. This was exciting for the villagers.

  It was not exciting for Gabriel.

  Soon, the court doors opened and in walked two forms. An older woman, dressed in a red cloak and a peasant’s dress. And a younger girl, also in a cloak, with her face hidden in the shadows of her hood.

  She probably wore a hood because she was hideous. Tristan had failed to mention that tidbit when he’d been so desperate last night.

  His father entered the hall and stood before the people with a smile. “Today, I am pleased to introduce you all to the family that shall be joined with my own through the marriage of my son. Please give your blessing to Scarlet Jacobs.”

  At the declaration of her name, Scarlet pulled her cloak back, revealing her face.

  And Gabriel stopped breathing.

  Stunning was barely an appropriate term for her beauty. She was breathtaking and devastating at the same time. Her long dark hair was full and wavy, her blue eyes sharp and exotic. Her skin was flawless and her red lips were perfectly shaped.

  No wonder Tristan had fallen for her. She was more perfect than any female Gabriel had ever seen.

  Gabriel kept his smile intact, playing to the crowd. His look of adoration and wonderment, however, was not faked.

  Scarlet’s eyes roamed the room and her smile faltered a bit as she took in the crowd around her. But once her eyes met Gabriel’s, her smile grew and melted his heart. She looked at him with love and loyalty, like a lost soul who had just found home.

  It felt wonderful to be smiled at with such love.

  And then Gabriel remembered.

  She was not looking at him, but at Trist
an. For she did not know Tristan’s twin brother stood to take her as his bride.

  She did not know she was being deceived.

  And she did not know that her true love was headed for war.

  Gabriel would have to tell Scarlet of his father’s wretched plan and the arrangement Gabriel had made with Tristan.

  He would have to break her heart.

  He looked at the gorgeous girl who was now walking up to his father and taking his hand.

  How could one break the heart of something so beautiful?

  Gabriel swallowed and carried on his fake smile. At his fake engagement ceremony.

  Fake. It was all fake.

  ***************

  Scarlet sat through hours of praise and well-wishes, Tristan at her side. She had practically smiled the entire journey from the woods to the court, thrilled at the thought of a life—a real life—with Tristan.

  Tristan, however, seemed tense. There was no sparkle to his eye or laughter in his smile. He was cautious and careful around her as she sat beside him accepting the blessings of the people in the hall.

  Her mother must have noticed Tristan’s odd behavior as well, for she kept eyeing him with a look of suspicion.

  Hours and hours of greetings and kisses passed before Scarlet had a chance to have Tristan to herself. They walked with arms linked down a wide hallway that separated the court from the earl’s private dining area, escorted by two guards.

  Scarlet’s mother had gone ahead, staying at the earl’s side with a stiff stance.

  “Leave us for a moment,” Tristan said to the guards, and stepped away from Scarlet as the guards dispersed. When the guards were out of sight and it was clear Scarlet and Tristan were alone, she threw herself into his arms and kissed him shamelessly.

  She hadn’t held him or touched him since yesterday and a day was too long. But his kiss felt…different.

  His hands weren’t upon her, drawing her body close to his like he usually did, and his mouth didn’t roam her throat like she was used to.

  In fact, it was several moments before he kissed her back at all. And even then, it felt…careful.

  Scarlet drew back. “What’s wrong?”

  Tristan licked his lips and took a deep breath. Hesitation clouded his face as he paused. “I’m not Tristan.” He looked at her apologetically. “I’m his twin brother, Gabriel.”

  Scarlet’s heart stopped.

  ***************

  “You lied.” Ana stormed into the dining hall and walked up to Cornelius. She paid no mind to the dozen attendants waiting beside the table.

  Smiling at his servants, Cornelius said, “Please allow us a moment to ourselves.”

  Ana waited until every servant had left the room before ranting. “You promised me a marriage between Tristan and Scarlet. That boy,” Ana pointed to the door she had just walked through, “is not Tristan. I will not have it. Scarlet will marry no one but Tristan, or you will not gain possession of the map.”

  Cornelius sighed. “You tire me with your threats, Ana. Scarlet will marry Tristan’s brother, Gabriel, and you will give me the map. That is how it will work.”

  “No. You promised me Tristan—”

  “I promised you a son!” Cornelius pounded a fist on the table. “I offer to marry your dirty, penniless daughter to my noble son and you dare to threaten me? Your daughter will marry Gabriel.”

  “She will not.” Ana held her chin high, furious with herself for trusting a man.

  Cornelius brought his face close to Ana’s, his wine-saturated breath drifting across her cheeks. “Very well. Scarlet does not need to marry Gabriel. She may go back to poverty with you. But Tristan will not return to her.”

  Ana slanted her eyes to him. “What do you mean?”

  “Tristan is now in the service of the king. He left this morning, not to return until the king says. Which is likely years.” Cornelius shrugged. “So, go on. Embarrass yourself and your family by denouncing a noble marriage. But your daughter will not be with Tristan. Not ever.”

  Ana thought for a moment.

  What a mess she had made. Tristan was gone and Ana would surely die soon, leaving Scarlet with no one to care for her.

  What a horrible mess.

  Scarlet was going to lose everything she loved. But she might still have a chance at a noble life.

  Ana bowed her head respectfully, hoping to stroke the earl’s great pride and gain a bit of mercy. “Scarlet will happily marry Gabriel. And I will give you the map upon their vows.”

  Cornelius smiled again. “You are no good at being submissive, Ana. But I appreciate your effort.” He clapped his hands and the servants came back in. “We shall have a proper engagement dinner and pretend this whole thing never happened.”

  Ana nodded and excused herself. She needed to find Scarlet.

  Immediately.

  38

  Gabriel slowly made his way to the front door of the cabin, trying to avoid the sick feeling in his stomach. Scarlet was here to “talk.” Which didn’t sound good.

  Opening the door, he started to say hello when Scarlet interrupted him.

  “Why are you dating me?” Her voice was soft and her eyes big.

  “Uh…” Wrong answer, wrong answer. “Because I love you.”

  “I love you too,” she said quickly. “But why are you dating me?” Scarlet’s face wasn’t angry or sour, she was simply…curious.

  “Because you’re a piece of my life.” And you distract me from the cold emptiness that sucks away my hope.

  “Yes, but I’m also a piece of your curse.” Scarlet paced the porch for a few seconds, the wooden planks beneath her feet creaking.

  Were they really having this conversation on his porch?

  Scarlet shook her head with a groan. “What are we doing, Gabriel?” She stopped pacing and looked at him with defeated eyes. “This is crazy.”

  “What’s crazy?”

  She gestured back and forth between them. “This. Us. We’re crazy.”

  Gabriel stepped outside and shut the door behind him since, apparently, they were having this conversation on the porch.

  Scarlet continued, “We can’t be together just because of some stupid curse, Gabriel. That’s dumb. I mean,” she ran a hand through her hair, “I keep dying because of a curse, and Tristan is probably shaking in pain somewhere right now because of a curse, and you…” She looked up at him sadly, “you aren’t free to love whoever you want because of a curse.”

  She blinked. “We shouldn’t be dating, Gabriel. We should be breaking the curse.”

  Gabriel was silent. Mostly because he couldn’t argue with anything Scarlet had said. But also, because the hole in his chest was growing wider and taking over his lungs.

  He was losing Scarlet. He was losing hope.

  But was it fair for him to hold on to her? To ask her to stay with him just so his soul wouldn’t ache?

  No.

  She was better off free. And she always had been.

  Scarlet took a step forward and looked into Gabriel’s eyes, her face small and genuine. She softened her voice. “If we end up together, it needs to be because….” She searched his face. “Because we can’t live without each other. Not because we have no choice.” Her eyes skated across his face. “Don’t you think?”

  The hole continued to expand and he could do nothing to stop it. Because Scarlet was right.

  He slowly nodded. “Yes.” Pressing his lips together, he said, “If we’re meant to be together it shouldn’t be like this.”

  It hurt to say that aloud. To admit it.

  Scarlet’s face looked relieved and worried and hopeful all at the same time. “Do you really mean that?”

  He nodded. “Yes, I do.”

  And the truth broke him in half. It left him incomplete and brought him right back to the pit of emptiness.

  Home, sweet home.

  39

  After confessing to her that he was not Tristan, Gabriel watched tears gather in
Scarlet’s eyes.

  “Please don’t cry.” He looked up and down the hallway, nervous that someone would see and lowered his voice. “You can’t cry, Scarlet. We have to pretend that everything is fine. You have to smile and nod while we have dinner with my father so that he won’t revoke the arrangement.”

  Scarlet stared at the floor with her mouth open. “Tristan was sent to the king’s army? What if he gets injured? What if he dies?”

  “He won’t die,” Gabriel said confidently. “He is a great archer and a cunning fighter. Even if everyone else falls, Tristan will stand. I know it.”

  “Why did Tristan not tell me?”

  “My father imprisoned him last night so he could not go to you.”

  Scarlet blinked and a tear fell to the stone floor of the hallway. “I do not understand.”

  “Neither do I.” Gabriel rubbed the side of his face, cursing the predicament he was in. “My father is a greedy and selfish man. He has destroyed many hearts with this deception and I will never forgive him for what he has done to Tristan. But,” Gabriel placed a gentle hand on Scarlet’s arm and waited for her to look up at him. “Tristan asked me to care for you, to marry you and keep you safe, and I promised him I would.”

  Scarlet shook her head. “I do not need to be taken care of. I can provide for myself.”

  Gabriel was quiet a moment. “I…I’m sure you can but—”

  “I have no doubt you are an honorable man and a great brother to Tristan, but I will not marry you just so I may live an easy life. I will not. I have managed to take care of myself for many years and nothing will change that.”

  Gabriel swallowed, unsure of what Tristan would want him to do.

  “I apologize if I have hurt your pride.” Scarlet looked at him. “Thank you for your willingness to marry me. But I must decline. I will wait until Tristan returns.”

  “But that could be decades.”

  “So be it.” Scarlet straightened her shoulders.

  Gabriel stood speechless. He was confused, relieved and upset. All at the same time.

  Tristan would not be happy about this.