Chapter 12
The next morning after breakfast Maria announced that she was taking Periwinkle out for the day again and would return for supper. She hadn't felt the need to explain herself anyfurther since everyone was very preoccupied with Sir Benjamin and Loveday's wedding. Her Uncle only looked up long enough to give her a smile of approval.
Maria used all the preoccupation to her advantage and slipped out of the Manor and made her way to the stables. She greeted Periwinkle with a nuzzle and stroked her silvery mane, "Let's go for a ride, shall we?" She whispered softly to the petite mare.
At the edge of the forest Maria dismounted Periwinkle, "Now, I am not going to tie you here as before," Maria spoke to Periwinkle as if she were a person, "You are free to return home if you wish. I know you can find your way." Periwinkle contently munched on fresh blades of grass and Maria gave her a final pat before she entered the forest.
It was a breezy morning. There was a bit of chill at each gust but the sky was clear, a promise of warmth to come. Maria had just reached the clearing where she had agreed to meet Robin the week before. It was the same clearing where Maria had trapped Robin the day the curse had been broken.
It was Maria's idea to meet there. Robin propably thought she chose it just to spite him. But in actuality, it was a special place to Maria. A special memory. Because it was in that clearing when Maria saw a different side to Robin for the first time.
Her mind flashed back to when Robin had grabbed her shoulders and shook her, "You are a Merryweather," He had said in her face, "Right now I ought to kill you." Maria had been terrified of Robin and for a moment she regretted tossing his dagger back to him. But then she noticed how his voice had choked up at the end as if it were a struggle for him to think of harming her in anyway. A struggle between obeying and pleasing his father and doing what he felt was right.
Maria heard a snap of a branch in the distance and quickly ducked behind a tree. She had expected to find Robin there right away. Even though the curse had been broken, the forest still wasn't safe. And to much of the Merryweather's knowledge, a division had been created in the De Noir clan of those who were stuck in their beliefs and fueled with their centuries old hatred of the Merryweathers. Those who didn't want to see the families unite and Lord the valley as one. Those who felt that the valley rightfully belonged to De Noirs.
Maria carefully peeked out from behind the tree. She didn't see anyone so she let down her guard, convincing herself the sound she had heard was probably from an animal.
Suddenly a hand clasped around her wrist and she let out a scream as she was whipped around, her arm pinned behind her back, and face to face with Robin. He was smirking at her, "You know, you really should be more careful. These woods are filled with bandits and plunderers!" Robin chuckled as he mocked her.
With her free hand Maria threw a punch at Robin but he caught her wrist and pinned her arm back as the other. The rough texture of the tree dug into Maria's back and she winced at the pain. Robin stared down at her, amused. Then he gave her a quick playful kiss, his lips touching hers but a moment. And he dashed off, "Let's hurry!" He called over his shoulder.