[u]Part 37[/u]
Isabel swallowed and briefly closed her eyes as she followed Max and Tess out onto the road through the forest. "Oh my stars. Max!" She turned around sharply so that she could no longer see Lord Edmund's corpse. Tess had rushed forward, was waving her hands through the air to send the ravens gathered around his body flying away. Isabel saw a glimpse of the fury in her sister's blue eyes before she turned.
It was only right that Tess would be the most upset at the sight of what had become of their guardian. She had always been his pet, had always loved him like the father he had never tried to be to them. Isabel knew that Lord Edmund had not loved them, had seen his care of them to be nothing more than his duty, but he [I]had[/I] protected them with everything that he was. While she had fought against his constraining ways for most of her life, she could not be anything but sorry that he had met such a horrifying end.
"I know Bella. Just try and remember that we're going to bring him back." The flat tone of her brother's voice made Isabel look at him. He was moving toward their guardian, his face expressionless. She wondered if Max truly believed that Tess was right - that they could revive Lord Edmund. She knew that [I]she[/I] wasn't so sure. She thought that she and her brothers and sister had depths of power of which they were unaware, but to bring back the dead? It seemed beyond impossible. His jaw stiffened as Isabel watched him. "Let's get this over with."
Close to half an hour later they had Lord Edmund's body down and secured over Evander's broad back. Max led the horse into the foliage along the side of the road. Isabel's heart was beating unsteadily as she looked around nervously. They had been out in the open for far too long. It was extremely nerve-wracking, particularly as the fact that neither Tess nor Michael could remember anything about their captivity in Nottingham Castle made it so that they had no idea what Sir Kyle and the Sheriff were planning for them. Because there could be little doubt that neither man would give up their search for the [I]demons[/I] haunting Sherwood Forest just because Sir Kyle had Elizabeth back in his clutches. It did not seem unlikely that they would be keeping a close watch on their guardian's body, expecting one of them to return to give Lord Edmund a proper burial.
As Isabel pushed Tess lightly ahead of her, her small sister beginning to falter with exhaustion, she realized that she had been right to be concerned. They had barely managed to conceal themselves back in the shadows of the trees when the thunder of horses' hooves started to shake the ground. Max paused, turned and shot Tess and Isabel a warning glance. They both came to an abrupt halt, knowing that movement of any sort was bound to attract attention. It did not stop Max from using the darkness of the forest to his advantage though. He pushed his way back towards the road, a slight frown on his face. Isabel guessed that he wanted to see what was happening, because, hadn't they discovered much of what had aided them over the past few days quite by accident?
Isabel's neck straightened as a bell began to toll in the distance. She guessed that it was coming from St. Mary's Convent which was very close to where they stood hidden. But the ringing was far from the slow, steady clangs one expected from a nunnery when it was calling its sisters to prayer. Instead it tolled quickly, the sound almost panicked. "Max?" Isabel whispered, afraid. Why would the feeling that everything was about to change again - and not for the better - not go away?
"Stay here," Max murmured in a low tone. "I will return."
"MAX!" Tess's voice raised itself, panicked, but Isabel put her arm around her to quiet her quickly.
Her brother seemed to be gone forever. Isabel had just about made up her mind to go after him when he returned, melting from the shadows. One look at his face and she knew it was bad - [I]very[/I] bad. "Max?"
"The Sheriff of Nottingham and his men just burnt the chapel at the convent to the ground," Max told them evenly. He took up Evander's reins and began to lead the horse again. Isabel grabbed Tess by the hand and pulled her sister firmly after her, ignoring the fact that Tess was so tired she was beginning to trip over her own feet.
"Why? To what purpose? Max, that is sacrilege!" Isabel exclaimed quietly. "According to Mary, the Sheriff is a God-fearing man. Why would he do such a thing?"
"Liz and I were married in that chapel," Max replied, his tone dark.
Isabel gasped, understanding immediately. "They are trying to erase your marriage?"
"Indeed. With no record that we are wed - and the only proof was in that chapel - my wife will be free to marry again." Isabel looked at her brother's face. She could see a vein beginning to pulse in his neck, his rage barely held in check. It was only then that she began to realize how personal the rivalry between Max and Sir Kyle was becoming. Max was going to [I]kill[/I] Kyle the next time he saw him. There could be no doubt of it. And it was also not until that moment that Isabel truly understood how much Sir Kyle DeValence hated her brother. He would not [I]stop[/I] until he defeated Max, having convinced his own father - the rightful law in the shire - to commit the crime he just had.
"Max, I am sorry." Isabel and Max both looked at Tess in surprise. "That this is happening I mean." Isabel narrowed her eyes. Tess noticed and scowled at her. "I am Bella! I may not like Elizabeth, but I certainly do not want Max to be miserable." There was a long pause and, then, "But maybe this is all for the best."
Isabel rolled her eyes. "I was waiting for that."
"You know that Lord Edmund is going to be furious when we bring him back and he discovers that Max has wed without his permission!" Tess exclaimed defensively. "This will make sure that he need never know."
"And the fact that Max fully intends to rescue Elizabeth? That we [I]know[/I] that Elizabeth will refuse to marry Sir Kyle, just like last time?" Isabel asked, wondering why her brother was not intervening, why he had not said anything to naysay Tess. She looked at him. He was staring unseeing into the trees, a strange look on his face. "Max, is this not true?"
He didn't answer Isabel. Instead he addressed Tess, his voice soft. "Tess, do you truly not remember anything of your conversation with my wife?"
Isabel watched in surprise as Tess blanched at the question. "No Max. I swear it!"
"Tess, I must have the truth," Max insisted sternly. "You [I]do[/I] remember, don't you?"
Tess's hands were twisting in front of her in dismay by now. "Yes," she finally admitted quietly. "I didn't want to tell you Max!" She wailed. "I hoped I wouldn't have to, hoped that you would forget her when we brought Lord Edmund back, when we returned to Antar. Because there is no choice now you know. We [I]must[/I] go back! As soon as we revive Lord Edmund, we must!"
Max let out a long breath. Isabel could tell he was trying to stay patient but that he was on the verge of grabbing Tess and shaking the truth out of her. "Tell me," he ground out through clenched teeth.
Tears were streaming down Tess's face. "She.she told me that she had made a mistake. That she did not want you anymore. That now that she was back in the castle, she realized that she was not made to be the wife of an outlaw and that she was too practical to want to live the life we have been forced into any longer."
Isabel felt her mouth fall open. These words did not sound like the Elizabeth she knew at all. She agreed with the assessment that Max's bride was practical, but all of her common sense flew out the window when it came to Isabel's brother. Why would she so suddenly change her mind? She stared at her sister suspiciously. "Tess, are these untruths?"
She was forced to take a step backwards when Tess whirled on her, her expression fierce. "You would think so, would you not Bella? You [I]would[/I] believe in a girl you have known for less than a sennight over your own sister! You barely [I]know[/I] the lady and, yet, [I]I[/I] must be lying." She turned to Max, pointing an accusing finger at the man who had been her betrothed all her life. "And [I]you[/I] threw me over without a single care for my feelings or for the fact that she is not [I]right[/I] for you! Yet, I still love you and care for you and tried to keep this from you so that you would not be hurt! I hoped that we would return to Antar without you ever knowing that she is a flighty bitch who lived out her courtly dreams but when things became too difficult, she chose to return to her comfortable life. Max! She is a noblewoman! Do you truly believe she could ever have been happy in the forest?"
Tess was panting in rage by the time she was finished. Isabel stared at her, unsure what to say. She could feel the shock coming off Max in waves as well. Their shy, malleable sister had never shown this side of her character. It made Bella almost afraid of her.
But Tess's words could not be ignored, mainly because it was so uncharacteristic of her to lose complete control in this way, to [I]attack[/I] Max of all people in such a way. She and Tess had had their squabbles over the years but Tess had [I]never[/I] been anything other than submissive and gentle in her dealings with Max. Isabel stared at her brother, could see the same thoughts passing through his head.
Because, in the end, what did they really know about Lady Elizabeth de Parkville? What Tess said was true. They had only known her for a little over a week. Had both she and Max only seen what they wanted to see because they had both so craved society with others, because they had both been so lonely in their exile at Castle DeHarding? Isabel had been attracted to Elizabeth's friend Alexander and, so, had she ignored what Tess was saying about Elizabeth's nature? Because, after all, if Max, their king, did not have to follow his destiny by marrying Tess, than why should she and Michael? It had freed her to follow her heart with Alex. Had that been the reasoning behind her blind faith in the young noblewoman? In the end, all of them - Max included - had actually spent more time in the company of both Delucies than they had Elizabeth. There could be no doubt that Elizabeth's friends were worthy and loyal, but could the same be said for the lady herself?
And, yet, Isabel could see her brother's face hardening even as she watched. He had listened to Tess and, yet, he still believed in his wife. Deep down, Isabel knew that she did too. They could not have been so mislead. It was impossible! Isabel had [I]seen[/I] the way Elizabeth looked at Max. There could be no doubt that she loved him. She practically [I]glowed[/I] in his presence.
She and Max exchanged a long look. Not for the first time, she was pleased that she and her brother had always understood each other so well. Max's expression was telling her not to show Tess that they did not believe her, that there was something else going on, something that neither of them even [I]wanted[/I] to contemplate, but which this little outburst was going to force them to confront later, in private.
Because Michael did not remember what had happened in Nottingham Castle. He did not remember how he had ended up there, nor how he had escaped. And now it had been revealed that Tess [I]did[/I]. That she had lied and she did know the whole story. It had never even occurred to Isabel before that Michael's memory lapse could be because of anything other than a sound bump to the head at the hands of Sir Kyle or his soldiers. It had never even crossed her mind that Tess's gift could somehow be responsible.
It had never crossed her mind that her sister might be capable of treachery on the level that Isabel was now imagining. But, now, looking at the fiercely possessive look on Tess's face as she stared at Max, waiting for his answer, she [I]could[/I] believe it.
"I am sorry Tess," Max said quietly, his voice betraying nothing of what he had just said to Isabel with his eyes. "You are right. I had forgotten how much I have hurt you in all this. Will you forgive me Sweeting? We will know the truth about Elizabeth soon enough I am sure." This last bit was said so fiercely, Isabel wondered how her sister could not see how furious Max really was under his calm facade.
Tess continued to eye him, her expression wild, but finally she wilted and fell against him. "I'm sorry Max! I didn't want to tell you. I [I]love[/I] you!"
"I know it," Max replied, pulling her gently against him. Isabel did not miss the shudder of revulsion that ran through him as he did so though. There could be no doubt then. Max believed just as she did. Tess had betrayed them. She didn't know exactly how, but Isabel was almost positive it was true.
It frightened her more than anything else yet had. Had they a viper in their own nest? She forced herself to follow after Max and Tess quietly though, willed herself not to betray her new knowledge to her sister. She could not accuse her until they had spoken with Michael, until they had figured out exactly [I]why[/I] he could not remember.
Until then, she would hold onto the hope that she and Max were mistaken. She [I]loved[/I] her sister and didn't want to believe it, did not want to believe that everything she knew to be true about her was a lie.
And, yet, as she watched Tess clutch at Max's hand desperately, Isabel knew that everything she had ever known was about to come tumbling down around her.
To be continued.
Isabel swallowed and briefly closed her eyes as she followed Max and Tess out onto the road through the forest. "Oh my stars. Max!" She turned around sharply so that she could no longer see Lord Edmund's corpse. Tess had rushed forward, was waving her hands through the air to send the ravens gathered around his body flying away. Isabel saw a glimpse of the fury in her sister's blue eyes before she turned.
It was only right that Tess would be the most upset at the sight of what had become of their guardian. She had always been his pet, had always loved him like the father he had never tried to be to them. Isabel knew that Lord Edmund had not loved them, had seen his care of them to be nothing more than his duty, but he [I]had[/I] protected them with everything that he was. While she had fought against his constraining ways for most of her life, she could not be anything but sorry that he had met such a horrifying end.
"I know Bella. Just try and remember that we're going to bring him back." The flat tone of her brother's voice made Isabel look at him. He was moving toward their guardian, his face expressionless. She wondered if Max truly believed that Tess was right - that they could revive Lord Edmund. She knew that [I]she[/I] wasn't so sure. She thought that she and her brothers and sister had depths of power of which they were unaware, but to bring back the dead? It seemed beyond impossible. His jaw stiffened as Isabel watched him. "Let's get this over with."
Close to half an hour later they had Lord Edmund's body down and secured over Evander's broad back. Max led the horse into the foliage along the side of the road. Isabel's heart was beating unsteadily as she looked around nervously. They had been out in the open for far too long. It was extremely nerve-wracking, particularly as the fact that neither Tess nor Michael could remember anything about their captivity in Nottingham Castle made it so that they had no idea what Sir Kyle and the Sheriff were planning for them. Because there could be little doubt that neither man would give up their search for the [I]demons[/I] haunting Sherwood Forest just because Sir Kyle had Elizabeth back in his clutches. It did not seem unlikely that they would be keeping a close watch on their guardian's body, expecting one of them to return to give Lord Edmund a proper burial.
As Isabel pushed Tess lightly ahead of her, her small sister beginning to falter with exhaustion, she realized that she had been right to be concerned. They had barely managed to conceal themselves back in the shadows of the trees when the thunder of horses' hooves started to shake the ground. Max paused, turned and shot Tess and Isabel a warning glance. They both came to an abrupt halt, knowing that movement of any sort was bound to attract attention. It did not stop Max from using the darkness of the forest to his advantage though. He pushed his way back towards the road, a slight frown on his face. Isabel guessed that he wanted to see what was happening, because, hadn't they discovered much of what had aided them over the past few days quite by accident?
Isabel's neck straightened as a bell began to toll in the distance. She guessed that it was coming from St. Mary's Convent which was very close to where they stood hidden. But the ringing was far from the slow, steady clangs one expected from a nunnery when it was calling its sisters to prayer. Instead it tolled quickly, the sound almost panicked. "Max?" Isabel whispered, afraid. Why would the feeling that everything was about to change again - and not for the better - not go away?
"Stay here," Max murmured in a low tone. "I will return."
"MAX!" Tess's voice raised itself, panicked, but Isabel put her arm around her to quiet her quickly.
Her brother seemed to be gone forever. Isabel had just about made up her mind to go after him when he returned, melting from the shadows. One look at his face and she knew it was bad - [I]very[/I] bad. "Max?"
"The Sheriff of Nottingham and his men just burnt the chapel at the convent to the ground," Max told them evenly. He took up Evander's reins and began to lead the horse again. Isabel grabbed Tess by the hand and pulled her sister firmly after her, ignoring the fact that Tess was so tired she was beginning to trip over her own feet.
"Why? To what purpose? Max, that is sacrilege!" Isabel exclaimed quietly. "According to Mary, the Sheriff is a God-fearing man. Why would he do such a thing?"
"Liz and I were married in that chapel," Max replied, his tone dark.
Isabel gasped, understanding immediately. "They are trying to erase your marriage?"
"Indeed. With no record that we are wed - and the only proof was in that chapel - my wife will be free to marry again." Isabel looked at her brother's face. She could see a vein beginning to pulse in his neck, his rage barely held in check. It was only then that she began to realize how personal the rivalry between Max and Sir Kyle was becoming. Max was going to [I]kill[/I] Kyle the next time he saw him. There could be no doubt of it. And it was also not until that moment that Isabel truly understood how much Sir Kyle DeValence hated her brother. He would not [I]stop[/I] until he defeated Max, having convinced his own father - the rightful law in the shire - to commit the crime he just had.
"Max, I am sorry." Isabel and Max both looked at Tess in surprise. "That this is happening I mean." Isabel narrowed her eyes. Tess noticed and scowled at her. "I am Bella! I may not like Elizabeth, but I certainly do not want Max to be miserable." There was a long pause and, then, "But maybe this is all for the best."
Isabel rolled her eyes. "I was waiting for that."
"You know that Lord Edmund is going to be furious when we bring him back and he discovers that Max has wed without his permission!" Tess exclaimed defensively. "This will make sure that he need never know."
"And the fact that Max fully intends to rescue Elizabeth? That we [I]know[/I] that Elizabeth will refuse to marry Sir Kyle, just like last time?" Isabel asked, wondering why her brother was not intervening, why he had not said anything to naysay Tess. She looked at him. He was staring unseeing into the trees, a strange look on his face. "Max, is this not true?"
He didn't answer Isabel. Instead he addressed Tess, his voice soft. "Tess, do you truly not remember anything of your conversation with my wife?"
Isabel watched in surprise as Tess blanched at the question. "No Max. I swear it!"
"Tess, I must have the truth," Max insisted sternly. "You [I]do[/I] remember, don't you?"
Tess's hands were twisting in front of her in dismay by now. "Yes," she finally admitted quietly. "I didn't want to tell you Max!" She wailed. "I hoped I wouldn't have to, hoped that you would forget her when we brought Lord Edmund back, when we returned to Antar. Because there is no choice now you know. We [I]must[/I] go back! As soon as we revive Lord Edmund, we must!"
Max let out a long breath. Isabel could tell he was trying to stay patient but that he was on the verge of grabbing Tess and shaking the truth out of her. "Tell me," he ground out through clenched teeth.
Tears were streaming down Tess's face. "She.she told me that she had made a mistake. That she did not want you anymore. That now that she was back in the castle, she realized that she was not made to be the wife of an outlaw and that she was too practical to want to live the life we have been forced into any longer."
Isabel felt her mouth fall open. These words did not sound like the Elizabeth she knew at all. She agreed with the assessment that Max's bride was practical, but all of her common sense flew out the window when it came to Isabel's brother. Why would she so suddenly change her mind? She stared at her sister suspiciously. "Tess, are these untruths?"
She was forced to take a step backwards when Tess whirled on her, her expression fierce. "You would think so, would you not Bella? You [I]would[/I] believe in a girl you have known for less than a sennight over your own sister! You barely [I]know[/I] the lady and, yet, [I]I[/I] must be lying." She turned to Max, pointing an accusing finger at the man who had been her betrothed all her life. "And [I]you[/I] threw me over without a single care for my feelings or for the fact that she is not [I]right[/I] for you! Yet, I still love you and care for you and tried to keep this from you so that you would not be hurt! I hoped that we would return to Antar without you ever knowing that she is a flighty bitch who lived out her courtly dreams but when things became too difficult, she chose to return to her comfortable life. Max! She is a noblewoman! Do you truly believe she could ever have been happy in the forest?"
Tess was panting in rage by the time she was finished. Isabel stared at her, unsure what to say. She could feel the shock coming off Max in waves as well. Their shy, malleable sister had never shown this side of her character. It made Bella almost afraid of her.
But Tess's words could not be ignored, mainly because it was so uncharacteristic of her to lose complete control in this way, to [I]attack[/I] Max of all people in such a way. She and Tess had had their squabbles over the years but Tess had [I]never[/I] been anything other than submissive and gentle in her dealings with Max. Isabel stared at her brother, could see the same thoughts passing through his head.
Because, in the end, what did they really know about Lady Elizabeth de Parkville? What Tess said was true. They had only known her for a little over a week. Had both she and Max only seen what they wanted to see because they had both so craved society with others, because they had both been so lonely in their exile at Castle DeHarding? Isabel had been attracted to Elizabeth's friend Alexander and, so, had she ignored what Tess was saying about Elizabeth's nature? Because, after all, if Max, their king, did not have to follow his destiny by marrying Tess, than why should she and Michael? It had freed her to follow her heart with Alex. Had that been the reasoning behind her blind faith in the young noblewoman? In the end, all of them - Max included - had actually spent more time in the company of both Delucies than they had Elizabeth. There could be no doubt that Elizabeth's friends were worthy and loyal, but could the same be said for the lady herself?
And, yet, Isabel could see her brother's face hardening even as she watched. He had listened to Tess and, yet, he still believed in his wife. Deep down, Isabel knew that she did too. They could not have been so mislead. It was impossible! Isabel had [I]seen[/I] the way Elizabeth looked at Max. There could be no doubt that she loved him. She practically [I]glowed[/I] in his presence.
She and Max exchanged a long look. Not for the first time, she was pleased that she and her brother had always understood each other so well. Max's expression was telling her not to show Tess that they did not believe her, that there was something else going on, something that neither of them even [I]wanted[/I] to contemplate, but which this little outburst was going to force them to confront later, in private.
Because Michael did not remember what had happened in Nottingham Castle. He did not remember how he had ended up there, nor how he had escaped. And now it had been revealed that Tess [I]did[/I]. That she had lied and she did know the whole story. It had never even occurred to Isabel before that Michael's memory lapse could be because of anything other than a sound bump to the head at the hands of Sir Kyle or his soldiers. It had never even crossed her mind that Tess's gift could somehow be responsible.
It had never crossed her mind that her sister might be capable of treachery on the level that Isabel was now imagining. But, now, looking at the fiercely possessive look on Tess's face as she stared at Max, waiting for his answer, she [I]could[/I] believe it.
"I am sorry Tess," Max said quietly, his voice betraying nothing of what he had just said to Isabel with his eyes. "You are right. I had forgotten how much I have hurt you in all this. Will you forgive me Sweeting? We will know the truth about Elizabeth soon enough I am sure." This last bit was said so fiercely, Isabel wondered how her sister could not see how furious Max really was under his calm facade.
Tess continued to eye him, her expression wild, but finally she wilted and fell against him. "I'm sorry Max! I didn't want to tell you. I [I]love[/I] you!"
"I know it," Max replied, pulling her gently against him. Isabel did not miss the shudder of revulsion that ran through him as he did so though. There could be no doubt then. Max believed just as she did. Tess had betrayed them. She didn't know exactly how, but Isabel was almost positive it was true.
It frightened her more than anything else yet had. Had they a viper in their own nest? She forced herself to follow after Max and Tess quietly though, willed herself not to betray her new knowledge to her sister. She could not accuse her until they had spoken with Michael, until they had figured out exactly [I]why[/I] he could not remember.
Until then, she would hold onto the hope that she and Max were mistaken. She [I]loved[/I] her sister and didn't want to believe it, did not want to believe that everything she knew to be true about her was a lie.
And, yet, as she watched Tess clutch at Max's hand desperately, Isabel knew that everything she had ever known was about to come tumbling down around her.
To be continued.