Cursed

"How have things been?" Paul asked as we drew closer to the village. All my attempts at avoiding a conversation had failed.

"They were much better until you returned," I replied bitterly.

He turned to face me as he aproached the doors to the blacksmith's shop and smiled. I knew that he had only insisted that I accompany him so that he could torture me like this. I sighed and pushed past him. I know how much Henry hates Paul. I may be cruel, but I wont let the old man face him alone.

"Henry, we need a shoe change," I yelled. There was a muffled banging noise from the other room and after a few seconds a very sooty Henry emerged.

He smiled when he saw me, but simply scowled when his eyes fell on the boy at my side.

"Lady Ackerman," he said, nodding in recognition. He never called me Suze when my family or Paul's were around. "Mr. Slater."

"It's Simon, actually," I pointed out. Henry muttered a hurried apology. This is why I hate telling people who I am. At least Henry treats me like the daughter of his late best friend when we are alone.

"Hector, another one for you," he shouted. Then he turned to us. "Just take the horse round back."

As soon as we were out of earshot, Paul began to laugh.

"I know what you mean now," he said. He was obviously referring to my constant complaining about the way we were treated. He, of course, loved it. Why wouldn't he? People like him thrive on attention, even when it is negative.

As we approached the door to the stables, where Jesse worked, I felt the knot in my stomach tighten. It felt as though a dagger had been plunged into my gut and someone was now twisting it around. I only hoped that Paul knew to keep his mouth shut...and Jesse.

He didn't look up as we entered. He was busy cleaning something when we pushed open the heavy doors. I could not see what it was, but he did not notice us.

"Shoe change?" He asked, throwing the filthy piece of cloth he had been using as a duster aside. He hastily wiped his hands on his black pants as he rose to his feet and, for the first time since we had entered, looked at us.

For a moment, I was terrified that Paul would spot the way that Jesse's eyes lit up as they landed on me. If he wanted to say something, he did not. I noticed the corners of his mouth twitch slightly as we looked at each other. Then his eyes fell on Paul and his face was onceagain unreadable.

"Horse," Paul said, thrusting the reins at Jesse. "He broke a shoe. How long will it take you to fix it?"

I had to close my eyes in disgust at the way he spoke. I hate him, I hate everything about him. It is one thing for him to treat strangers like this, but not people I actually care about. Though I had no intention of informing him of my late night 'meetings' with Jesse.

"Oh," was Jesse's reply. He did not sound as disgusted as I felt at Paul's treatment of him. I guess he was used to people treating him like dirt. "Only a few minutes, assuming that the horse stays still."

I opened my eyes, feeling my anger melting away, to see Paul observing me with great interest. He turned to look at Jesse, who had already begun his work on Paul's unfortunate horse's shoe.

"You are new, aren't you?" Paul asked, his voice softer than before for some reason. Jesse paused his work while he glanced up at him to see who he was talking to.

"I am," Jesse replied, returning to work. Paul smiled. "What is it to you?"

I had to stifle a laugh. Paul was stunned. No man had ever spoken to him like that before.

"I was curious," Paul replied, his voice changing tone again. "And as the governer's son, I have every right to ask questions about the people who live on his land."

Jesse did not bother to hide his amusement. He let it out in the form of a chuckle as the old horse shoe fell to the ground. He reached over and picked up a new one.

"What do you want to know?" He replied, his voice full of amusement. "I am a backsmith's assistant. My life would not interest you or your maid."

My smiled broadened as Paul looked at me in disbelief. He obviously wanted me to say something, but anything I could have said would be in Jesse's defense. I did not want to embarrass him anymore than Jesse already was.

"Done," Jesse said, dropping the horse's leg. "Now, if that is all, I have work to do."

He flashed me a smile as he passed the reins to me. Not to Paul, to me. His fingers lightly brushed mine as he gently placed the soft leather into my hands. Our eyes met and suddenly I forgot all about Paul. Jesse smiled at me reassuringly and I felt myself blush at this small action. It is ridiculous.

That was when I realised that I had made a huge mistake. It took only one glance at Paul to see the recognition in his eyes.

He knew.

He smiled knowingly at me as I suddenly pulled the reins out of Jesse's hands.Suddenly, I felt cold. I did not doubt that the colour had drained from my face. That, I was sure, was what assured Paul that Jesse was the 'someone' I had snuck out to see last night.

Surprisingly, he did not say a thing. Instead, he took the reins from me and took the horse outside.

Seeing the confusion in Jesse's eyes, I was about to explain to him who exactly Paul was when a deep voice called out from behind me.

"Lady Simon."

Paul's voice was as cold as it has always been. But this time there was something else present. Malice, unless I am mistaken.

In an instant, the confusion in Jesse's eyes vanished and in its place lay emotions that tugged on my heartstrings until they were about to snap.

Hurt.

Betrayal.

Disbelief.

Fear.

I was on the verge of tears by the time he spoke.

"You better go ma'am," he said, his voice taking on that respectful tone that I had become accustomed to hearing. But it did not suit that voice.

"Don't be like this," I begged. His eyes took in my attire, travellingfrom my expensive heeled shoes all the way to my immaculate hair.

He didn't reply. Not verbally. But the way that his eyes so perfectly displayed the hurt he was feeling said all that needed to be said.

I pulled my cotton shawl over my shoulders, but it did nothing to chase away the chill that caused my skin to itch and my heart to stop beating.

"She is right," I heard my father's voice say from somewhere behind Jesse. I was incapable of tearing my eyes away from the eyes which were so full of hurt and betrayal...negative emotions caused by me. "Don't throw all you have away because of class."

Something happened at that moment, something that changed everything between Jesse and myself.

I looked at my father, but his eyes were not on me. Instead, they were on the man infront of me, who had also turned to look at my father.

I gasped. The sound was torn from me and Jesse spun back around. This time the disbelief in his eyes was not because of my social status. This time it was because of my gift...that curse I had spent all of my life condemning.

The gift that Jesse and I share.

"Susannah?" Jesse's voice was faint, yet I could still detect the emotions hidden in it.

"Suze!" I spun around to find Paul, who had thankfully stepped outside, thrust his head between the gap in the doors. "Hurry up."

But I had no intention of following Paul. Nor did I have any intention of staying with Jesse. Instead, I picked up my skirt and ran through the back door of the stable, throughthe store room and out into the village.


AN - I know it's short, but I had to get that out. Now that Paul knows the truth (or does he really), all hell can start to break loose.

So...review and let me know what you think :). And if you have time, check out my other current fic, Something Wicked...it's rating will probably o up to 'M' next chapter...And keep your eyes open for a new story whenever I manage to squish all of my ideas into a prologue...it's inspired by the movie 'The Frighteners'...and so far it's called 'DeathAin't No Way To MakeA Living'.