With a lazy stretch to ease her sore muscles she sat up, relishing the thought that, for now, she did not have to rush away, hide, or run from Decimus. Today and tomorrow were hers, and hopefully a week or more.
Mary stood. She would not think on her present situation; she would remain focused on enjoying this day.
Glenda had generously tucked a bone comb in with Mary’s clean garments. When she discovered this, Mary felt she could have hugged the woman. The knots and tangles came undone and she braided her long hair, then secured it to the back of her head with the comb.
Michael was nowhere in sight but his absence did not alarm her. She knew she was safe and that he was not far. He would not leave her for any length of time without speaking with her first. She was certain he was nearby and would appear soon.
She foraged in the debris by the fireplace in hopes of finding a crock, pitcher, or bucket—anything that would hold water. No luck, though she found a few items that would be useful to them and she left them on the table.
Eager to give her face a wash, she headed for the stream. Michael was there, filling a bucket with water. Mary wished she could sing out what a glorious morning it was, but her throat was still healing, though now it did allow her to make sounds just above a bare whisper. She decided to wave her hands to express her excitement with the day.
“I thought you would sleep more. Our journey has been tedious and harsh.”
He returned to filling the bucket as she kneeled down beside him.
She scooped up a handful of cool water and let it trickle through her fingers. Then she scooped another handful and splashed it over her face. She repeated the process over and over, enjoying the sensation of the cool water against her warm skin.
She felt refreshed, renewed, and giving her face another splash a thought struck her. How hot and miserable it must be for Michael in his dark garb, and on impulse she scooped up another handful of water and tossed it at his shroud-covered face.
He stared at her speechless and motionless, water dripping from his facial hood.
There was a hint of mischief in Mary’s smile as she waited for him to respond and when he did not, she reached out to scoop up another handful of water.
“Do not dare,” he warned in a strong, harsh tone.
Her blue eyes widened, her smile turned devilish, and when she threw the water at him he ducked and charged at her. She scrambled to get to her feet, laughter in soft ripples coming from her throat.
He had her about the waist, then up in his arms in seconds. He walked to the water’s edge and when she realized his intentions, threw her arms around his neck to let him know that if she went in then so did he. She pressed her head to his chest and thought she heard the rumble of laughter deep inside him.
“Attacking when defenseless is unwise.”
His breath was warm and scented with berries. She looked up at him, though she could see nothing but the black hood that concealed him. She ached to reach up under it to touch his face, if just for a moment. To know he was real and of flesh and blood.
She did not surrender to her foolish impulse, instead she smiled.
“I wish . . .”
His words were whispered but she heard them. What did he wish? She wanted to know, wanted to hear, wanted him to share his wish with her.
His hood brushed against her cheek and her eyes closed while her senses trembled. It was the closest she would come to feeling his cheek to hers.
He lowered her to her feet and stepped away from her as though he required distance between them.
This upset her. She did not wish him to move away, she wished him closer.
Foolish thoughts, she warned herself, but ones she could not ignore.
“I intend to hunt for food today. You will be all right?”
The brief moment of play had passed, leaving her to continue questioning her odd feelings for him. Was it simply gratitude or loneliness she felt, or had this shadow of a man touched her heart somehow?
She nodded letting him know she would be fine.
“What will you do?”
What should it matter to him? But then he probably wanted to make certain she would remain close to the castle grounds. She expressed herself by stretching out her arms to her sides, tilting her face up to the heavens, and turning in a circle.
“You will enjoy the day.”
As strange as it seemed, she could feel the smile behind his words.
“I will not be long.”
She patted her chest to let him know not to worry, that she would be fine. For some reason she felt safe here among the ruins of the castle. Perhaps she felt a kindred spirit with the place, or perhaps because it was her home for a brief time, she felt at peace.