Part 5


Bella contemplated leaving but one question kept nagging at the back of her mind. How can Moonflower and Anthony fall in love?

She was startled from her thoughts by Abigail's cough as she sat down gasping to catch her breath.

"Where were we young one" She rasped

"You were saying Running Wolf took Anthony prisoner in exchange for Arthur Wiggins"

"Ah yes"

Anthony was a willing prisoner, he cared little for the man who killed his unborn child. Moonflower explained to Running Wolf that Anthony was the one who had saved her so Running Wolf granted Anthony the freedom to move wherever he wished if it was within their lands and he was accompanied by Moonflower. Moonflower was reluctant about the intimacy of being alone with Anthony but accompanied him none the less – she felt obligated to do so as he had saved her life.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked as they sat at the waters edge admiring the deer who had come to drink there. Anthony sat mesmerized by her beauty in her people's garb. Deerskin never looked so... tempting he thought.

"Doing what he drawled" As he chewed on a piece of straw.

"Helping my brother avenge what your father did"

"It's the least I can do" He replied looking away shamefully

"What about what you did to me?" She asked as anger clouded her voice.

Anthony took both her hands in his, she tried pulling away, but he tightened his grip forcing her furious dark brown eyes to meet his glade green ones.

"I will do ANYTHING to repent for that sin" Moonflower bit the bottom of her lip as she tried to ignore the sincerity of his words.

"What about Lady Katherine? Don't you miss her? You are to be wedded soon."

Anthony gritted his teeth as he recalled his fiancé. Katherine was indeed the most beautiful woman in the state, next to Lillian of course, she had no dearth of suitors, but she had her eyes set on Anthony who unlike the other men was bold over by a simple woman. Francis Bennett; stole his heart at the Mayors ball when he was 16 and she held it ever since. Katherine was intrigued by his lack of attention, eventually her intrigue became an obsession. The Odessa family had their sights set on the Wiggins land while Katherine had her sights set on Anthony. Katherine was a terror to say the least. Her hand maidens feared her; there were rumours going around that she had murdered the last maid who had disobeyed her by having her burned alive. The Odessa family approached Arthur Wiggins and coaxed him into accepting their proposal for Anthony and Katherine to marry. Anthony set his mind on running away to Oregon with Francis once he summoned the courage to confess his love to her, that fantasy was short lived when his middle brother came to him and asked for help as he had got Francis Bennett pregnant and required Anthony to champion his cause to their parents.

Eventually Jackson Wiggins wed Francis and moved over to Oregon, Anthony accepted the marriage proposal from the Odessa's and swore he would never love again. He submerged himself in his work, being an accountant required him to travel around so he used it to his full advantage.

"My priority is your justice. I want to…" He pulled her closer

"I want to show you that not all of us are the same, to prove to you and your people that there is humanity in us. I want to earn your respect and forgiveness" Moonflowers breath hitched as she stood up abruptly.

"It's getting late – we must go back my brother awaits us. Thank you… but… I'm not ready to forgive you yet" She said as a single tear cascaded down her cheek.

Lady Katherine had assembled a mob when she got word of Anthony's imprisonment.

"You want them all exterminated" One man croaked

"Every last one of them it's not as if they are close to extinction, except Moonflower – it's her fault this all started I will deal with her personally. Bring Lillian back with Anthony – you can kill her little half breed child." She said nonchalantly as she continued fanning herself.

"So, what happened?"

"You're going to have to wait till tomorrow. An old woman needs her rest and its almost sunset." Abigail said as she practically forced Bella out the door.