The General Who Took My Lantern and Broke My Heart Chapter 04

The General Who Took My Lantern and Broke My Heart Chapter 04

Cressida’s voice shook with sobs and fear.

Aveline stood frozen as a dozen thoughts flashed through her mind.

Did she owe Cressida anything?

No.

Cressida hated her. Aveline had no reason to throw herself back into that fire for her.

But Cressida kept crying her name, her voice growing sharper, more desperate.

Aveline clenched her teeth.

Then she turned and ran back.

Flames had already swallowed half the chapel doorway. Smoke burned her eyes until tears streamed down her face.

She dropped beside Cressida and shoved both hands under the fallen post, using every bit of strength she had to lift it.

After a brutal moment, the wood shifted just enough.

Cressida yanked her leg free.

“Move!”

Aveline grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the door.

Just then, a burning beam came crashing down.

It slammed into Aveline’s right shoulder.

Pain ripped through her back so hard her vision flashed white.

She choked back a cry, staggered, but did not let go. She forced herself forward and hauled Cressida out of the chapel.

Fresh air hit her face.

Aveline dropped to her knees, gasping, the world blurring around the edges.

Then she heard engines grinding up the ridge and men shouting.

Help had arrived.

Bram was in the lead. He jumped down from the lead vehicle and ran toward them.

The moment Aveline’s strength gave out, Cressida was caught by a pair of strong arms.

“Cressida! Are you hurt? Where?”

Bram looked her over, his voice tight with panic.

Cressida threw herself into his arms and sobbed so hard she could barely breathe.

“It’s all right. I’m here.” Bram held her close, his voice softening. “You’re safe. Thank God, you’re safe.”

Aveline knelt on the ground, drained of every ounce of strength.

The pain in her right shoulder was so sharp she could barely straighten her back.

After a long while, Bram seemed to remember her.

“Aveline?”

He froze for half a second, then hurried over and helped her up, one arm wrapping around her waist.

“I saw the flames and brought everyone up as fast as I could. Thank God you were here. If anything had happened to Cressida, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

Then he saw her shoulder.

His brows pulled together.

“That’s bad. I’ll take you down. The doctor’s waiting outside.”

Aveline nodded.

She was in too much pain to speak.

By the time Bram got her down to the waiting vehicle, she had no strength left. The doctor cleaned and dressed the burn, and the pain drove cold sweat down her back.

She did not know when she passed out.

When she woke again, she was back in her bedroom.

Morning light filled the room.

Sorrel was sitting by the bed. The moment she saw Aveline open her eyes, she hurried over with a glass of water.

“You’re awake, ma’am. The doctor said your shoulder is serious. You have to rest.”

Aveline gave a faint sound and pushed herself up to drink.

After she ate, she heard noise outside. Muffled voices. Raised tempers. It sounded like people arguing.

Aveline frowned.

Still, she got out of bed and left the room.

When she reached the front of the house, she saw Bram and Cressida standing near the hall. One looked fragile and tearful. The other’s face was dark.

“What’s going on here?”

A houseman glanced at Bram before answering, hesitant.

“Ma’am… people have gathered outside the gate.”

Aveline lifted her eyes.

“They’re saying the chapel caught fire because Miss Cressida knocked over a candle during the rite. They’re demanding that the Caulfields hand her over and make her answer for it.”

Bram turned when he saw Aveline. His gaze swept over her injured shoulder.

“How’s the wound?”

“Fine.”

Aveline’s eyes moved past him to the figure hiding behind him.

Cressida’s eyes were red. She kept her head lowered, wiping tears from her cheeks.

Aveline looked away.

“What are you planning to do?”

Bram was silent for a moment.

“I’ll rebuild the chapel. Double the donation fund. Whatever needs to be paid, I’ll pay.”

He paused.

“But the town is angry. Someone has to go out there and give them an explanation.”

Aveline looked at him and waited.

“Cressida is young. She was terrified last night. I don’t think she can face that crowd right now.”

Bram looked at Aveline, his voice gentler.

“Aveline, you’re family. Could you go out and apologize for her? Just to calm them down. I’ll handle everything else.”