The Ciphers of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #2)(39)

Maia’s heart burned at the unexpected, beautiful words, and she stared at her friend with mute amazement. The look of transformation on Dodd’s face was like the metamorphosis of a butterfly. He stared at her, eyes wide with shock. His mouth parted, too dumbstruck to speak.

Suzenne marched up and hit him in the chest with her fists. “Say something!” she begged him, her brow bending with worry.

Maia watched as Dodd seized her in his arms and crushed his mouth against hers. It was a hungry kiss, a greedy kiss, and Maia’s heart twisted with jealousy watching it, watching them cling to each other like two drowning souls—a release she herself could never have. She was so happy for them, she wept. But the tears hurt.

Dodd pulled back to stare into Suzenne’s face, using his thumbs to brush away her tears. “You truly mean it?” he gasped in disbelief.

“Yes, you fool!” Suzenne cried with bittersweet joy. “Now please tell me you still care for me as well. I am fit to burst . . . or . . . box your ears!”

“How can you not know?” Dodd said with a tortured sigh. “I have always loved you. My heart has always been faithful to you.”

“He says it at last,” Suzenne drawled, shaking her mane of golden hair and pulling him into a hug so tight it had to hurt.

Dodd pulled away, his look brooding and a little accusing. “What about your parents? Will you push me away again if they object?”

Suzenne shook her head vehemently, imploring him with her look. “Listening to them has been my utmost regret. I will defy them if I must, but perhaps seeing me suffer has made them soften. Let me prove my loyalty to you.”

“I forgive you. Let us never speak of it again.” Then, pulling her into his embrace, he nestled his cheek against her hair and they held each other, swaying. Maia stood quietly, transfixed by the achingly sweet moment.

“Do not leave,” Suzenne murmured. “It is death if you leave.”

“As you command me, my lady.” He stroked her hair. “I was going to summon the courage to murder a king. I am sorry, Maia. In my heart, I believe he deserves to be slain.”

“Not by your hand,” Maia replied softly.

Suzenne dipped her head against his chest. “Whitsunday,” she said.

“What?” Dodd asked.

“We will marry on Whitsunday.”

He pulled away, staring at her as if she had uttered the most sacred of words. “Your parents?”

She nodded. “That is when I will tell them. And nothing they say or do will alter my decision. If the king is displeased with me, then I will claim sanctuary here as well. Maia and I will pass the maston test together soon.” She reached up and touched his lips. “Whitsunday.”





CHAPTER FOURTEEN




Chancellor Crabwell



It terrified Maia how quickly the season turned. One moment, the earth was hard and frozen and spikes of ice clung from the eaves of the abbey’s kitchen. The deepest part of winter was like a stifled breath, a gasp, and then—it was spring. Her father was coming. The Apse Veil was still closed, and the Aldermaston did not yet feel she was prepared for the maston rites. Every day she stalked the grounds, visiting the promontory and looking for signs of the Holk’s return. She missed her grandmother and worried for her safety.

The skeletal branches of the Cider Orchard were now white with blossoms, not snow. It was a beautiful sight, and she loved roaming the grounds with Suzenne and Dodd. Their relationship had deepened since the tragedy, but they always welcomed her to join them on their jaunts, including her warmly and openly. It was a little painful, watching them squeeze each other’s hands as they strolled the apple orchard. She imagined what it would be like to walk that way with Collier, to wander the grounds alongside him, holding his hand. Still, she was happy for them, happy for something so good to have come out of so much pain.

One spring day, they were out for one of their walks in the Cider Orchard. Maia was listening to the chirping larks and the drone of bees as she looked at the abbey. The scaffolding had all been removed, and only the interior work continued. The spires reached high enough to pierce the huge cotton clouds above it.

“I have given some thought to something,” Dodd said in a low voice.

“It is always dangerous when a man thinks too hard,” Suzenne replied, nudging him.

“I know—I start getting ideas and who knows where they will lead. If the king succeeds in revoking the sanctuary of Muirwood, this will be a haven no longer. I think we should flee to Pry-Ree, to Tintern. Jon Tayt has shown me several ways to escape the abbey grounds unnoticed—”

“I do not speak Pry-rian!” Suzenne interrupted, looking concerned at the thought of sneaking into the Bearden Muir.

“But Maia does. Surely your grandmother would grant us exile. I could get us there safely. Jon Tayt has taught me much about surviving in the woods and hiding our trail.”

Maia nodded and ducked beneath a low-hanging branch full of blossoms. “He has taught me as well. And I have no doubt we would find sanctuary in Pry-Ree if we sought it. But I hope my grandmother returns soon. I do not think she will surrender the authority of the abbey willingly.”

“Do you expect to see her?” Suzenne asked.

“I expect it every day, but she is delayed for some reason, and we have heard nothing still. There is much she must do, being the High Seer . . . especially now. But I cannot see this ending any other way than in a confrontation with my father, and I believe with all my heart she will return in time.”