Book 3: The What Else That Could Go Wrong

Ainslee

It is a tense two days, but finally the jewels come from the castle along with a messenger and two messages, one for Annamarie and one for Rafe.

Annamarie clutches hers and runs off to read it.

Rafe takes his as though wondering if it might explode and goes back to our tent.

Since the women are busy packing up the jewels, I decide to find out what the letters are about. I go to Annamarie first because, like Rafe, I am concerned about what might be in the letter he received and want some good news first.

But when I find Annamarie, she has her letter bunched up in her hand and is sobbing.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, quickly sitting down beside her in the grass.

“Zeke misses me,” she says.

“Annamarie, that’s a good thing.” I smile.

“He’s begging me not to go with you.” She sniffles, coughs, then hands me the letter. “Read it.”

Bewildered, I take the letter and begin to read.

My beloved Annamarie,