2. Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Natasya

" L ast I checked, it isn't illegal for someone to enter a town," I murmur although I doubt that Brom has the presence of mind to listen to me. He's too preoccupied pacing in front of the fire fuming over the fact that someone would dare to step foot in his town and not show him the proper deference he deserves.

Despite my words, I find myself just as agitated as Brom by the newcomer's appearance. I'm just better at hiding it.

No one ever comes to Sunder Hollow with good intentions. I, of all people, should know that.

"Who does he think he is?" Brom growls out, still all fire and rage.

Who indeed?

I suppose I should just be glad that Brom wasn't like this when I arrived. I explained my presence about as well as this Evengi did, but fortunately I had other things working in my favor.

My father always said that my pretty face will get me far in this world.

No one expects the beautiful young woman to be the heretical sorceress. No, that sort of role is filled by old hags or perhaps by a Higher Elf like my sister Corallin since we made everything they did illegal, so now they are eternally branded as criminals.

But little old me?

Oh no, I'm not suspicious in the slightest. Not like our cloaked friend who entered town earlier today with his vague words and his superior attitude. His presence begs the question of what he is up to, and just why he decided to pay our sleepy little town a visit.

For perhaps the first time in our engagement I find myself fully agreeing with Brom. I want to know who this Evengi Ichabod is, and I want to know it now.

But how exactly do I go about getting this information? A simple and direct line of questioning has already proved ineffective. Evengi seems to have secrets that he is unwilling to part with.

So, I'll just have to convince him that he actually wants to part with them. To me, at least. And I have at least one great weapon in my arson, something that Brom lacks. I have guile.

"I know that you want more information, dear," I coo, twirling my fiery red hair around my finger.

Brom presses his mouth into a thin line. "I fear this bodes ill, Natasya. I have a grim feeling about this newcomer."

I cluck my tongue. "You only worry about what you don't understand. That's it, there's one thing for it," I state as I push to my feet, pushing back the seat of the desk I was perched at. "We must throw a party to honor Evengi, welcoming him to Sunder Hollow. With such an honor, surely, he will not refuse you when you ask for more information."

Brom's face softens as he smiles at me, but that smile quickly slips off his face as he turns toward the window. He rests a hand on my hip, drawing me closer. "There's something oddly familiar about him. Like I met him before, I just can't think of where."

This causes me to pause. I turn to Brom, arching my brow. "Where—" I begin, but then I pause and clear my throat, remembering to stick with my sweetened tone around him. "Where do you think you know him from?"

He shakes his head, his eyes getting a far-off look. "I can't quite place it, but I'm sure that I know him." He sighs, running a hand down his face. "I'm worried about what this might mean for Sunder Hollow."

I reach up, resting a hand on the side of his face and offer him a smile. "Whatever it is, we will face it together."

The words echo in my mind like an empty promise. It's true, I may be marrying Brom the Bones, but how can we truly do anything together when he doesn't even know who I am? And if he did, he would likely hate me for it.

I'll be there for him, his perfect little wife, and all the while he will never be what I need. All I want is someone to be my equal in mind and spirit, a man I don't have to lie to.

Brom is just too good a person to ever be that.

I turn away before Brom sees my face fall and start for the door.

"Where are you headed?" he asks.

I flash a quick smile at him over my shoulder. "If there's to be a ball tonight, then I think I'll go prepare."

Brom's face lights up. "I suppose I will just have to do the ball tonight then; any excuse to see you in a gown."

I laugh as I let myself out of the house. However, my smile doesn't stay in place as I cross the threshold. I grip my skirts as I try to imagine a whole life with Brom, pretending to be one thing within the walls of his house and then becoming something else entirely as soon as I step foot outside.

I sigh heavily, pressing the back of my head against the wooden door, but my musings are quickly interrupted by a new voice piercing through the silence of the foggy afternoon air.

"My, my, what's a pretty girl like you doing looking so sad?"

I straighten, opening my eyes to find myself staring into the startling blue gaze of none other than Evengi Ichabod.