Dark Secrets by Husk Shona

Author:Husk, Shona [Husk, Shona]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Carina Press
Published: 2013-02-18T05:00:00+00:00

The Lawman’s Wife

Virtuous, honest and above reproach, like her husband’s heart.

There was a letter on the kitchen floor that I almost didn’t see. On the front was an H, nothing else, but I knew the handwriting the same way I had six years ago. For a heartbeat I thought I’d fallen asleep and was dreaming, my past blending with my present.

I scooped up the letter then crept upstairs so I could read the contents in private. In the attic I lit a candle and sat at the table. Wax trickled down the side, and I stared at the paper, desperate to know what Anisa had written, yet unwilling to have it confirm my fear that she hated everything I was. She must know what had happened.

It would be a fitting end to one of the worst days of my life. I unfolded the paper and smoothed it out; it was blank. I laughed, knowing immediately what she’d done. After her sister had found a poem she was writing to me she’d written them in juice—was she hoping I’d remember? I held the paper to the candle and let the juice darken in the heat. Her words emerged out of the white.

I’m sorry.

The candle flickered, dancing behind the paper. Sorry I got branded? Sorry he found the ribbon? Sorry she told him everything? No, I’d be dead if he knew. Did she know the risk she’d taken in writing this? While it might have kept her prying sister away, it wouldn’t fool her husband for half a breath. Or did she simply not care about the danger?

I did. I would find a way to see her and I’d warn her and tell her of my half-formed plans for us. I moved the paper, searching for more writing. Letters formed.

Don’t reply.

I almost crumpled the paper but a final line appeared.

Don’t Seek me out.

My heart stuttered.

Then I looked at the words more closely. The “Don’t” had been added after—it didn’t line up with the other sentences. Seek had a capital S. The longer I stared the more certain I became. She wanted me to find her, but she was afraid. I had a healthy fear of Brixen and I only saw him once a ten-night.

I carefully folded up the letter and tucked it beneath my pillow. Tomorrow I’d find her, and I’d ask her in person. If she could look me in the eye and tell me to leave her to her fate, I would. I had to. Breaking vows was a serious thing. Not that I’d ever made any to know how that felt. With a sigh I pinched out the candle, lay on the bed and let the darkness envelop me. My dreams were full of those moments that I held close.

Anisa was in my arms as we danced. The heat of the day had faded as the sun had sunk and colored the sky in shades of gold and pink. Her arms were wrapped around my neck, her body against mine, but we didn’t care who was watching.

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