“And you never see anyone?” I continue, not wanting to give up. There has to be someone. Some way…
“Just from afar. I watch the tourists down below. That’s it.”
“And you said that there are underground tunnels, right? Your father allows you to walk them from building to building?”
“Right.”
Okay… this will be a long game.
A fucking twisted and fucked up game.
I will have to play it. I will have to play along so I’m given that moment… the brief moment… to find my opportunity of escape. But it will happen. Not by force, but by wits.
“And when I marry you…” I say as I inhale the strawberry essence from her hair, “you believe your father will let us live freely as you once did?”
“I hope so. I know he has a plan, and I’m sure you and I being able to live a normal life as husband and wife will be part of it.” She inhales deeply and then lets it out slowly. “I really hope so.”
We lie in silence as I hold her and scan the room looking for anything to give me an idea of escape. I stare at the window and pray to see boots walking by. I eventually settle in and know I have to think bigger picture. The cat finally joins us and cuddles up against my leg for warmth. I can see my breath now, but I at least feel warm next to Ember.
She’s putting off heat in this cold hell.
“Thank you, Christopher,” she says as she presses her body even closer to mine. “I know you want to hate me. So, thank you for fighting that emotion off.”
“I don’t hate you.”
“But you have to fight for that. So, thank you.”
14
Ember
“Wake up. It’s your wedding day.” Papa Rich’s voice bellows off the cold, dank floor and walls.
I shoot up from the ground and stand as quickly as I can. I pray that Papa doesn’t consider my sleeping with Christopher under the blankets in such close proximity as a sin. But I had no choice. If it weren’t for Christopher’s kindness and sharing the blankets, I’m not sure I could have made it through the night. Even with the wool over me and the heat off of Christopher’s body, I still remained cold and uncomfortable for most of the night.
Christopher is much slower in getting off the ground, but he does reach out and grab my arm, no doubt refusing for me to be able to run toward Papa and be within his reach. Although I will gladly take another whipping with his belt over spending another night in the cold cellar.
Papa Rich glances down at the untouched food he sent. We had been too cold to go eat once we found the smallest amount of warmth with our body heat.
“You didn’t eat.” He looks at me, and adds, “Go make some breakfast for you and your fiancé and make quick work of it. Scarecrow has blessed us with his presence before the next big storm. We think winter’s coming fast and furious this year, and he wants to preside over your wedding before it becomes impossible for him to make his way here.”
“Today? You want me to get married today?” The words didn’t seem real.
“Snow-covered ground, eagles flying overhead in search of prey, and the good Lord’s grace deeming it so. What better a day to wed?”
I glance at Christopher, not sure what I will see on his face. Will he storm to Papa Rich in rage again?
“If the Lord deems it so,” Christopher says as he shakes out the blankets and folds them nicely and… in such control.
Papa’s brow raises and a smile masters his face. “Well lookee here. Isolation has chased the Devil right out of your body.” He looks at me and his smile grows even move. “Go on, girl. Get busy. You have to get dressed and ready for your big day, and we don’t have a lot of time. Scarecrow wants to head on home before it storms again.”
My head spins in uncertainty and confusion. Chaos bangs destruction inside of me. Both men seem… off. Both are unusually happy and at ease when they were both nearly homicidal only hours ago. But at the same time, I’m not going to risk upsetting either, so I quickly run out of the room toward the kitchen with Pine Cone underfoot. And Papa is right… I don’t have a lot of time because the smell of onion and sweat tells me that Scarecrow is here and waiting.
When I enter my room after making and serving Christopher breakfast, I am surprised to see a white lace dress spread on my bed. It’s not new, and actually quite old based on the discoloration, but it’s still beautiful. Long sleeves, delicate buttons that go up the back to the high collar, and such intricate design in the lace fills me with an excitement I have never felt in my life. I’ve never worn anything so pretty and worth so much money before. I’ve never received a gift, and for my first one to be so beautiful…