Meanwhile, I began working to recover every memory of Darrow I could, but for all my efforts, I retrieved nothing but a strong impression that he had loved me, something I realized I’d never felt from Sir Henry. Darrow’s current fate was the consequence of his being my father. I understood that too.
Gabe had been correct earlier. Terrible things happened to people who were connected to me. And I had no idea how to make any of it stop.
Simon stirred and I shifted over to sit at the side of his bed. If it was true, that he and I shared some sort of history, then I felt desperate for a single glimpse of it. Not only because of what it meant for us, but also because it would prove that Lord Endrick hadn’t saved me in that fall from the castle window.
Maybe Lord Endrick had done to me what he had done to those who wandered All Spirits Forest, giving me enough memories to live in the world, but stealing away those that let me be part of it.
A sound came from outside the room, footsteps near the door, and I quickly retreated to my seat. The last thing I needed was for Gabe to walk in and accuse me of attacking Simon again. Eventually, the footsteps faded and everything returned to quiet.
I fell asleep with thoughts of Simon and Darrow, and questions of what I’d lost without even knowing it. Thankfully, it was a dreamless sleep. My mind couldn’t take any more than it already had to work through.
Tillie woke me at dawn. She touched my arm and said, “You must be hungry, child.”
I was, beyond my ability to describe it. I looked over at Simon’s bed, but he was no longer in it.
“He got up an hour ago, said he was tired of being an invalid. He and Gabe are eating now, but I thought if I didn’t give you a chance at the food, there wouldn’t be any left.”
I smiled and followed her into the small front room with a table full of biscuits, eggs, and bacon. Simon stood when he saw me, and reluctantly, so did Gabe. I understood Gabe’s anger. I’d nearly killed his best friend.
Simon wasn’t entirely steady on his feet, and his eyes had dark circles beneath them. But he managed a smile and held out a seat for me while Tillie set down a plate of eggs and homemade sausage that I immediately began attacking. I’d had nothing to eat yesterday and very little the day before that.
“You run a fine inn here,” I said between bites. “I can’t imagine you keep that many guests at any time.”
The corners of Tillie’s mouth crinkled, pleased to see me enjoying her meal. “True, though there is always room for someone in need.”
“I can’t pay you for this.”
“Give her the necklace in payment,” Gabe muttered. “That has to be worth a lot.”
It was worth my life, though he didn’t know that.
“You can work off the payment instead.” Tillie’s brows furrowed as she evaluated what type of work I might be fit for. “I need chores done around this place, and Simon needs at least another day to recover.”
I noted a rather serious look passing between her and Simon and wondered about that. There was something more she wasn’t saying, but I had a guess. Simon knew the Coracks were still searching for us. He had already asked if we could hide here for another day.
“What can we do for you?” Gabe asked.
Tillie started with him. “Winter is coming soon, and I need more meat in my stores. I noticed you have a rather fine disk bow—”
“And when I return this evening, I will have more than you can eat in a year,” he said, rising to his feet.
Another meaningful expression passed between him and Simon. Now I was getting irritated. Gabe was actually being sent out to keep watch on the area so he could warn us if he saw any sign of the Coracks. Maybe he’d return tonight with a successful hunt, maybe not. It wasn’t the purpose for him leaving. What were they hiding from me?
Now Tillie turned to me. “I don’t suppose you’ve had much experience with housework.”
“If not, then I can learn.”
Tillie nodded in approval. “Simon can teach you. He used to be a servant boy, you know.”
I recalled the dream from the other night with Lord Endrick and the ladybird beetle. Had he been the boy to rescue me?
“Kes, are you all right?”
I blinked and saw Simon staring back at me. I wondered how many times he’d called my name. I merely shook off his silent question and returned to my breakfast. Once I finished, Tillie took my dishes and said she would clean up inside while Simon and I gathered eggs in the yard.
We did, though when Simon teased me for being startled by a hen, I threw an egg his way, barely missing him. After we came back inside, that chore was followed by Tillie’s request for us to sweep the day’s dust from the floor. I must have been doing it wrong, because Simon wrapped his arms around me to demonstrate the proper sweeping motions. I didn’t need the lesson—I would’ve figured it out, but I didn’t mind his arms where they were. At one point, I looked back to ask him a question, which put my face directly in front of his. After a moment in which neither of us moved, he smiled and said, “Share your thoughts and I’ll share mine.”
“I already know your thoughts,” I teased, pushing back from him. Pushing back, because I knew my thoughts as well.