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  “You do not have to care for her. Just protect her. She has a home and can provide for herself. Just allow her to be protected under your title until I get back.”

  Cornelius laughed. “I am no guard dog, Tristan. And I will not allow my son to marry someone and then have her live in the village. You are truly mad.”

  “But father—”

  “No! You will not marry before you leave and that is final!” Cornelius’s face turned red as he yelled and Tristan closed his mouth. “Now go see Tennius for your armor. He will equip you as necessary for your enrollment.”

  Tristan turned to leave, but had no intention of going to Tennius.

  He would not leave Scarlet. Not ever.

  If his father would not let him marry her under the safety of a noble title, then Tristan would marry her without a title.

  Tonight, he would go to the hut and run away with her. They would take Ana and find a home elsewhere. They would not be wealthy, but they would be safe.

  And always together.

  Tristan left the dining hall and hurried to his quarters.

  He quickly packed all he could think of needing—weapons, ammunition, blankets, money, food—and threw everything he could fit into his pack. He quietly exited his room and made his way out of the back of the castle.

  If he could make it to the stables without being seen, he could get to his horse and be on his way to Scarlet—and their life together—before sunset.

  His hopes were high as he entered the stable and took silent steps to where his steed waited.

  “Sneaking out, my lord?” Tennius’s voice met Tristan’s ears like the cutting of bone.

  Tristan turned to see his father’s guard eyeing him carefully.

  “It is no business of yours.” Tristan continued moving toward his horse.

  “But it is the business of your father.” Tennius gestured to someone behind Tristan. “Which makes it my business.”

  Tristan hated Tennius.

  Turning around, Tristan saw three more guards at his back. He was greatly outnumbered and had all his weapons packed and out of reach.

  “Your father asked me to watch for you today. In case you decided to flee from the king’s service.” Tennius gave a wicked smile. “Looks like I caught you fleeing.”

  Tristan dropped his pack to the ground and prepared to fight his way out of the castle grounds.

  And fight he would.

  ***************

  Ana returned home at sunset to find a very happy Scarlet whistling in the garden. “Mama!” Scarlet ran to her as she entered the yard. “Wow.” Scarlet paused, looking Ana over. “You look…beautiful.”

  Ana could feel the effects of the water still streaming through her, making her healthy and strong. And bringing her closer to death.

  Ana waved a hand. “Hush, now.”

  Scarlet eyed her mother for another moment before returning to her cheery mood. “Guess what?” Scarlet looked like a little girl with a treat when she leaned in to Ana and said, “Tristan and I are to be married.” Her smile was radiant and her cheeks flushed with love and hope.

  Ana was confused. “When did this happen?”

  “Today!” Scarlet squealed. “He has gone home to tell his father.”

  Ana thought for a moment, perplexed by the irony of the situation. The earl had agreed to Ana’s marriage proposal just hours ago and Tristan had proposed to Scarlet at that same time?

  Interesting.

  Either way, Scarlet would be well cared-for.

  Ana smiled. “I am so happy for you dear.” She wrapped Scarlet into her arms and shuffled her inside the hut. “We will have to dress you well for tomorrow.”

  “What is tomorrow?” Scarlet asked.

  “Tomorrow, we will go to the earl’s castle for the marriage announcement.” Ana smiled again, feeling a pit in her stomach beginning to form.

  Why did she not feel settled?

  Probably because the fountain water was already affecting her mind.

  “It is tradition,” Ana lied. “That the bride be presented the day after an engagement to a lord.”

  Scarlet’s smile faltered briefly, but she seemed to accept Ana’s words. “Very well. What shall I wear?”

  Ana looked out the door of the hut, hoping the feeling of dread in her stomach was just dark magic at work and not the beginning of something gone awry.

  She smiled at her daughter. “Something beautiful.”

  ***************

  Later that night, Gabriel was fuming. “Absolutely not!”

  His father had called him into the dining hall to tell him of the marriage arrangement he’d agreed to without Gabriel’s consent. “I refuse to marry a girl I’ve never met simply because it suits you.”

  “You cannot refuse.” Cornelius shook his head. “Your bride will be Scarlet Jacobs. I’ve made a deal with her mother and since you are my only eligible heir, I have the right to choose your bride.”

  “Have you forgotten Tristan? You have twoheirs!” Gabriel was livid.

  “Tristan is no longer eligible now that he is in the king’s service.”

  Gabriel’s mouth fell open. “Tristan is going to arms for the king?”

  “He is. Tomorrow morning, in fact.”

  “No.” Gabriel shook his head. “I do not believe it.”

  Tristan hated the king. He would never do such a thing.

  “It doesn’t matter what you believe,” Cornelius said. “What matters is that you start acting appropriately. Your bride will be here tomorrow at noon and you will accept her.”

  I will not.

  Gabriel’s heart was racing. He started stomping around, angry at his father’s audacity, but also fearful that he might be trapped. If Tristan was leaving, then his father did have the right to choose Gabriel’s bride.

  But what would happen to Raven?

  No. Gabriel huffed out a disgruntled breath.

  He and Raven would be together. He’d run away with her if necessary.

  No one was going to marry him off to a stranger.

  “I will not do it.” Gabriel stated. “You can tell the Jacobs family to find a different groom.”

  “You will do it.” Cornelius stood and walked up to Gabriel looking him in the eye. “Or you will receive no inheritance at all.”

  Ha! Like Gabriel cared about wealth. “I do not want your money. I want freedom.”

  Cornelius placed a hand on Gabriel’s shoulder with a heavy sigh. “Freedom is expensive, my son.”

  Gabriel jutted his chin and left the room.

  He had to find Tristan.

  ***************

  Tristan had tried to fight off the guards in the stable, but he had been severely outnumbered and eventually overpowered. Defeated, he had been dragged to his father’s hall and restrained by two guards as his father looked upon him.

  “You see, this is why I cannot allow you to reign over the estate.” Cornelius held a goblet in his hand. “You make impulsive decisions—like running away—that are bad for your future and bad for the kingdom. I was right in my choice to make Gabriel earl.”

  Tristan exhaled angrily. “You cannot keep me here, trapped in your walls.” Even as he said it, Tristan felt the tug of the large men at his sides.

  Cornelius sighed. “I can, and I will, if that is what it takes.”

  “You are vile.”

  “Why? Because I am offering you a high position in the king’s army? Because I am mapping out your future so you will be successful?” Cornelius squinted. “Or because I will not let you run off to say goodbye to your peasant girl?”

  “Because you are choosing six parcels of land over me,” Tristan snapped.

  Cornelius took a sip of his drink and waved at the guards to take Tristan away. “You will thank me someday, my boy.”

  “No!” Tristan struggled against the men at his arms, but more came from the hall and he was helpless to free himself.

  He was trapped and Scarlet knew nothing.


  33

  The morning after her awkward kiss with Gabriel, Scarlet finished her breakfast and started gathering her things for school. She’d been up since the break of day, unable to sleep well the night before.

  Her drive home with Gabriel had been tense. They’d barely made eye contact when he’d dropped her off and Scarlet didn’t know how to fix things between them. She needed a handbook for curse-bound love triangles. Stat.

  Laura padded down the stairs. “Have you seen my shoes?”

  “Which ones?” Scarlet poured herself a cup of coffee.

  “The red heels.”

  Scarlet rolled her eyes. “Which ones?”

  Laura had dozens of shoes and at least four pairs of red high-heels.

  “The ones with the purple soles.”

  “They’re by the couch,” Scarlet called, hearing Laura make her way into the living room and shuffle around the furniture. Soon, the sound of clicking heels echoed off the kitchen floor.

  “Big meeting today?” Scarlet stepped back from the coffee pot to make room for Laura, who was dressed to kill.

  Laura made a face. “Normal meeting. I’m starting to hate meetings.”

  “What a coincidence. I’m starting to hate school.” Scarlet smiled.

  “Trust me,” Laura poured herself a cup of coffee. “School is way easier than what I do.”

  “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.”

  Laura took a sip of coffee and looked at Scarlet. “Has school been rough this semester?”

  Scarlet shook her head. “It’s just boring, that’s all.”

  Laura nodded. “Do you and Gabriel have any classes together?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, that’s nice.” Laura leaned against the counter. “And does Gabriel’s secret twin brother go to Avalon High too?”

  Scarlet rolled her eyes. She had told Laura how Gabriel had kept his twin a secret from her last year. “Uh, no. I can’t really see Gabriel’s brother going to school. Or doing homework. Or participating in pep rallies at all. He doesn’t seem like the school spirit type.”

  “Huh.” Laura took another sip and stared ahead thoughtfully. “It’s weird that Gabriel would enroll but not Tristan.”

  Scarlet’s whole body went rigid.

  Scarlet had told Laura about Gabriel’s twin brother. But she’d never told Laura the twin brother’s name.

  The hairs on the back of Scarlet’s neck stood up as she cleared her throat. “Yeah, well, the Archer brothers aren’t very similar.”

  Laura winked. “Twins never are.”

  Scarlet managed a smile, but couldn’t keep her stomach from tossing. She hurriedly gathered all her things for school and headed out the front door.

  “Have a great day!” Laura called.

  “You too,” Scarlet said half-heartedly as she closed the door behind her.

  Once Scarlet was inside her car and pulling down her street, she let her hands begin to shake.

  Holy crap. How does Laura know Tristan’s name?

  Gray clouds filled the morning sky as Scarlet drove to school. Once she parked, Scarlet hurried to her locker, trying to find a logical explanation for Laura’s knowledge of Tristan.

  Maybe they were Facebook friends? Bowling partners? Ex-lovers?

  Ick.

  Scarlet shoved her last thought aside and concentrated on her locker combination.

  “Hey,” Gabriel said, coming up beside her.

  Scarlet stopped fiddling with the lock in her hand and turned to face Gabriel. She breathed a silent sigh of relief when she found him pleasant-looking. And not I-want-to-kill-Tristan looking.

  “Hey,” Scarlet looked at Gabriel’s handsome face.

  “So, listen—”

  “I wanted to—”

  “Go ahead.” Scarlet tucked her lips in.

  Gabriel took a deep breath. “Sorry about last night. I kinda freaked out. But I don’t want things to be weird. I just want things to be….”

  “Easy?” Scarlet gave a small smile. “Simple?”

  Gabriel nodded. “Yeah.”

  Scarlet lifted up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Me too.”

  Gabriel smiled. “Let’s just forget about it.”

  Scarlet pressed a smile to her face. That was wishful thinking.

  There was no way she would be able to forget about the deep sorrow Tristan had felt last night. Or the way she’d responded to the thought of breaking his heart.

  Heather ran up to them, out of breath and holding a to-go cup from The Millhouse.

  Scarlet and Gabriel stepped away from one another as Scarlet eyed Heather’s cup. “Can’t you just make your own coffee at home?”

  “Why would I do that when I can get Clare’s special brew for free?” Heather took a sip. “But traffic this morning was insane. I had to drive like a maniac to get to school on time.”

  Scarlet raised a brow. “Yeah, that’s what this town needs. You driving crazier than usual.”

  Heather ignored Scarlet and took another sip. “So, are we still on for Mr. Brooks’ house today?

  “Shh,” Gabriel scolded. “I thought we agreed not to talk about…stuff...so loudly at school.” He looked around.

  Heather whispered, “Because we’re on a super secret team?”

  Gabriel gave her an annoyed look. “We are not a team.”

  Scarlet played with her lock until she finally remembered the combination. She opened it and started switching out her books before turning to Gabriel. “Laura knows about Tristan.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Scarlet finished in her locker and slammed it closed. “She knows Tristan’s name. And I know, for a fact, I’ve never told her his name.”

  Heather’s eyebrows shot up.

  Gabriel furrowed his brow. “That’s weird.”

  Scarlet’s heart rate picked up a notch. “How would she know about Tristan?” She looked at Heather. “Did you tell her?”

  Heather made a face. “Of course not. Laura and I only talk about one thing: Shoes. Is Tristan shoes? No.”

  Scarlet bit her lip. “Then how does Laura know his name?”

  Gabriel shook his head. “I looked into Laura again and everything checks out. Maybe you said Tristan’s name before and you just don’t remember.”

  “Maybe,” Scarlet said.

  Not.

  Kristy Stevens walked past them, dressed in her cheerleading uniform, and smiled at Gabriel.

  Heather curled a lip at the blond girl. “Doesn’t she have something better to do? Like curl her hair or chant Go-Fight-Win or something?”

  Scarlet looked at Heather. “You’re so sensitive.”

  Heather pointed her coffee cup at Scarlet. “I’m not sensitive, I’m just sick of Kristy making oogly eyes at Gabriel any and every chance she gets.”

  “Oogly eyes?” Gabriel leaned against the lockers.

  Heather narrowed her eyes. “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about, Gabriel. You and your immortal hotness hang around this school like sexy fly paper and Kristy Stevens is just one, giant, cheerleading fly.”

  The bell rang and students in the hall began to scatter.

  Heather finished her coffee. “See you guys after school.” She headed to her first class.

  Gabriel turned to Scarlet with puzzled eyes. “Did Heather just call me sexy fly paper?”

  “She did.”

  “Huh.”

  Scarlet leaned her head against her locker and groaned.

  “Hey.” Gabriel pulled her into a hug. “Don’t worry about Laura. I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for why she knows Tristan’s name.”

  Scarlet nodded, still worried.

  He gave Scarlet a kiss on the cheek. “See you after first period?”

  Scarlet nodded as Gabriel left for his first class and she headed to chemistry.

  Or, as Scarlet liked to call it, the most annoying class of the day.

  34

 
; After school, Team Awesome—a name Heather and Nate decided on after a lively discussion that included both name-calling and pinching—headed to Mr. Brooks’ house. The dark, gray sky above held a promise of rain and the wind carried the scent of a storm on its back.

  Heather drove everyone in her tiny car, talking a million miles a minute about possible places the fountain could be. She was very excited about being part of Team Awesome.

  After a few near-death experiences during the ride there—thank you, Heather—Gabriel, Nate, Scarlet and Heather finally arrived at the end of Peach Drive, Mr. Brooks’ street.

  Peach Drive was a neglected cul-de-sac lined with empty lots and a single, old house. Scarlet had never been to Peach Drive, partly because she’d had no reason to venture to the east side of Avalon before. But also because people in town claimed the house on Peach Drive was haunted.

  Heather had failed to mention that Mr. Brooks lived in said haunted house.

  After parking, everyone slowly exited Heather’s small car. The boys stretched their backs and necks as they unfolded their large bodies from the vehicle.

  “Remind me never to go on a road trip with you,” Nate said to Heather.

  Heather made a face at him as she grabbed the plate of cookies she’d made and shut the car door behind her. Making their way across the street, they all stopped on the sidewalk in front of Mr. Brooks’ yard.

  None of them spoke as they looked up at the old house.

  “So….” Scarlet shifted her eyes to her friend. “You forgot to mention that Mr. Brooks’ house looks like something from a horror movie.”

  The house stood three stories tall, with cracked and peeling paint coating the withered black boards of the frame. In the winter wind, the old house creaked and groaned. Shutters, hung at jagged angles from windows, slapped against the house and cobwebs littered the window corners and siding.

  An empty rocking chair swayed on the shadowed front porch. Sure, the wind was probably responsible for the chair’s idle rocking. But it was still creepy.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Heather scoffed. “I thought you guys wanted help finding the fountain. I didn’t realize Mr. Brooks’ living arrangements were going to be an issue.”