Chapter 37

Eric and William come in, their hair dripping and soaked to the bone. A thunderstorm had set in making it impossible to look any further for River. Eric throws his heavy wet coat to the floor, his cheeks and nose nearly blood red. I watch as Lily helps William out of his wet coat, her hands trying to warm his.

We go and sit by the fire in the dining hall, that fireplace the biggest in the castle. I have Goody bring some hot tea for them both, Eric asking for a mug of ale. I glance at him and he grins. "The rain is coming down so hard you can't see for more than a few feet. I've never heard thunder that loud or seen lightening that bright. The rain was cold and biting, the wind harsh. We'll go back out at first light but I'm afraid all traces of River will be gone by then."

William leans back against his chair, his eyes closing. "That storm came out of nowhere. Seth thought he saw a hooded figure going toward the burnt forest, so we ride that way. Much of the forest has regrown since that night with the Barron but some of it refuses to grow. We entered the south side, the burnt ground crumbling under our horses' hooves. I look up to see a slender figure crawling through some burnt fallen trees. As Eric and I head that way the storm begins, it came sudden and hard. The closer we get the more intense the storm; a lightning bolt even struck one of the new grown trees."

Lily helps William slide off his wet boots, her eyes looking him over. She sends for a blanket, wrapping it around William's shoulders. William looked tired, his eyes lids beginning to droop.

Lily smiles at me and I know she will not tell William about her conversation with Iris till morning. I smile back at her as we take our husbands to our chambers.

Eric peels his wet shirt and pants off, his naked form muscular and beautiful. He catches me staring at him and chuckles. "Do you like what you see wife?"

I throw a fresh pair of pants at him, running my eyes over him again. My grin grows from ear to ear as I feel a heat in my cheeks. "Of course I do husband."

Eric walks up to me, his bare chest glowing in the amber light from the fireplace. He titles my head up by my chin and slowly kisses me. I can feel his finger under my chin, his lips pressing firmly on to mine. He kisses me till my breath is ragged, my body aching for more.

Too soon the kiss is over, his hand sliding down to my belly. "Your bump is growing."

I lay my hand over his, my eyes gazing back into the heavenly blue that is his. "I do hope for a son this time Eric. I want to give you a son and I don't think this castle can handle another princess."

He nods his head, his hands taking me about the waist. "No, I don't think it could Snow. I only wish for you and our child to be well. Son or daughter, it does not matter to me. We could have a castle full of daughters and I would never be more proud. My Hope and Willow are my heart; almost losing Hope has made me see how precious life is. I have talked to William about Liam and his heart will never heal. That is one wound that will always remain on his heart. I do hope Lily is with child soon, that might heal them both."

I lean my head against his chest, my hands resting on his firm arms. "I do as well; Lily and William have suffered so much at the hands of the Bassett's. You have to find him Eric and this time I mean to show him no mercy. Neither the north tower nor the dungeons will provide him any safety, he will hang for this."

Eric pulls me from his chest, his eyes studying my face. "You mean to have River dead? You will not need a hangman's noose wife; my ax will do the deed for you."

"You ax or William's arrow, as long as the deed is done." Eric takes my hand, his feet striding toward our bed.

"The night has been long and I am tired wife." He sits on the bed pulling me in his lap.

I snuggle up in his arms, feeling so protected and safe. "It has been a long night. Rose is staying with Farron. Sirra says he is strong and it looks as if he will live. Rose and Farron are in love and I think they may wed soon."

"Yes, I thought as much. Farron talks about her day and night. I am glad he has chosen her, they are a good match." Eric leans back, pulling me down with him.

We lay like that for a while, sleeping finally coming for us both.

I wake to find Eric gone and both of my children in the bed with me. Hope is curled around Willow, my precious angels sleeping so soundly.

I kiss them both on the forehead as I climb from the bed. Putting on my dressing robe I glance out the window. The rain was still coming down just as hard as it had during the night. I see Goody throwing a bucket of scraps to her pigs, the rain soaking her before she can get back to the kitchen.

This rain had set in over my kingdom, the rivers beginning to swell their banks. My thoughts turn to Eric, William and the others out looking for River. In the back of my mind I couldn't help but think this rain was some Romani magic, that River had casted a spell over the land.

Could I have been so wrong about River, could he be just as evil as his sister? Every sign points to yes, his actions had proven that.

A light rapping on my chamber door makes me jump. I open the door to find Lily on the other side. She looked as if she hadn't slept at all. "Lily, come in. You look awful cousin. Have you had a vision or bad dream?"

"No, not a vision. It's Hunter, he had a bad dream and when I cradled him in my arms I saw it. The rain that looms over the land is not natural. River is behind this Snow, he means to drown your kingdom. I saw the never ending rain, the rivers climbing over their banks, the lake roaring over the fields. I saw William and Eric drown; their bodies floating pass the castle. We have to stop this, we must go the the Romani elders for help." She collapses into a chair, her body looking fragile.

"Lily. You must rest and eat. Let us get some breakfast and you some sleep and then we will go to Romani village." She tries to stand again only to have her knees buckle under her. I catch her, helping her back to the chair.

"I think I will rest a bit. Snow, my flow has still not come. I pray this is the start of something good for William and me." I take her hand, helping her to her feet.

Walking with Lily back to her chamber I notice Iris whispering to herself in the corner. "Iris, are you talking to Liam again?

"Yes." Iris looks down to the floor as if she's embarrassed.

"What did he tell you child?" I place Lily in bed, waving Iris to come to me.

"To tell Da that the river is the rain." I look at her, her words like a riddle.

She goes back to playing with her dolls, Hunter playing with his wooden horses. I sit in the floor with them, taking a doll. "Iris, what do you mean sweet one?"

"The river is the rain, that's all he says. Liam has been saying since the rain started." Clara brings in a tray of food, the children running to her.

"Iris, can you ask Liam a question for me?" She swallows her sip of cider, nodding.

"Yes Aunt Snow." I put some jam on her bread, Hunter gobbling down his bacon.

"Can he tell me more about the river and the rain?" She grins at me, her smiling reminding me of her father.

She looks over her shoulder and starts whispering again. When she turns to me she has her eyebrows creased together. "Liam said the rain will end when summer comes."

Another riddle and I was still no closer to having my answer. My only choice was too seek out someone older and wiser than me.

I knock on Muir's door, Quert greeting me. Muir looks as if he's been waiting for me, standing at the window. "Queen Snow, you come seeking answers."

"I do Muir; I'm not sure what to do. There is so much that has happened to my land since I was crowned and I feel helpless against this new threat. This matter with the Romani twins has me perplexed." He waves for me to take a seat.

"The young one, Duke Hammonds daughter, she has the gift of the veil. She can lift the veil of death and talk to those on the other side. What message has she received that brings you to my door?" Muir looks at me as if he can look into my very soul.

"She speaks to her baby brother, the child Lily and William lost. He tells her the river is the rain and that when summer comes the rain will end. Hunter's visions have shown Lily that this storm will drown my kingdom as well as my husband and William. What does any of this mean Muir?" Muir walks to me taking my left hand.

"Bring the child to me, I wish to speak to her." I send a guard to bring Clara and the children to Muir's chamber.

Once Clara has arrived Muir has a talk with Iris. I watch her, she looks so frighten. When they are done she runs to me. "Aunt Snow can I go back to Mum now?"

"Yes, your mother should be waking soon." I kiss her forehead as she takes Clara hand. Hunter laughs at Quert, the small man singing some silly song.

Muir grips his walking stick as he approaches me. "It would seem that deception is at work my Queen. The dead are not dead, the innocent have been corrupted and the truth is all lies. You need to seek out the Romani elders, especially the one that come for River; she will have the answers you seek."

I thank him as I take my leave; Quert gives me a quick smile as he closes the door. I was still now closer to having answers but one thing was for certain, Lily and I must ride out to Romani village.