AN ETERNAL LOVE

CHAPTER: 28

You simply must come to the meeting today, Adira. People will think it odd if you don't. The new Church

minister is here!"

Aunt Helen fussed with the skirts of the new dress that Adira had made for her, then stopped herself.

"Vanity," she said. "At my age, one would not think it a sin that would tempt me."

"Wishing to look one's best when greeting a newcomer is not vanity, Aunt Helen," Adira told her sternly.

"It is simply good manners."

"If you knew so much about good manners, child," her dear Aunt said, "you would accompany me to NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.

church."

Aunt Helen made her eyes soft and pleading, like those of a child coaxing for a sweet. And again Adira

marveled at how youthful and vigorous her Aunt had grown under her care.

"Please come with me, Adira."

Adira closed her eyes in defeat. "Oh, all right. But if he is as fond of shouting and pounding his Bible as

the last one was, I shall get up and leave."

"You wouldn't!" Aunt Helen said.

Adira smiled to let her know she was only teasing and went to the bedroom they shared to fix her hair

and put on one of her own new dresses of fine fabric and cut. She could not help but think it was a far

cry from the rags, tattered stockings, and worn slippers in which she had arrived.

Reluctantly she tied her hair into a knot at the back of her head, and covered it with a small white cap

with its dangling ribbons, as was customary. It was considered sinful for a woman to wear her hair

loose, though she failed to see why that silly townsfolk said so. She wore her hair down and flowing all

the time unless she was in town. And she was often tempted to do so publicly as well, to show them

what she thought of their customs. However, she had not forgotten the lessons she had learned. It was

best to keep her strange ways to herself.

And while the people of the Alpena Sanctuary were not of the same kind as the Puritans she had the

misfortune to meet once or twice, they had their own superstitions and fears. She was not a fool.

Though, perhaps she had been behaving as if she were. Also, Aunt Helen's fortune had shifted so

completely from the moment of her arrival had not escaped the notice of some people. She could feel

the eyes on her, hear the gossip in the whispers they shared as she walked among them. Perhaps it

was time she convinced Aunt Helen to sell the cabin and move away with her. She would not wait until

it was too late a second time.

Sanctuary was becoming unsafe for her. She could not quite smell the danger in the air... yet. But she

felt it drawing slowly, unescapably nearer.

They had acquired a modest wagon, and she hurriedly went outside to put Onyx into her harness. Her

poor mare hated towing the thing, and she could not say that she blamed her. However, the sight of her

aunt and she riding double upon her horse's back would likely have caused some of the townsfolk to

faint dead. And Aunt Helen might well end up on the ground, at any rate.

Her Aunt came outside the moment Adira had the wagon ready, a large basket in her hands filled with

food for the meal that would follow services. Adira helped her into the seat, then climbed in beside her

and clicked her tongue at Onyx.

Onyx set off at a jaunty gait, and even though she detested it, she did look fine pulling the wagon, feet

stepping high, her long mane dancing with every step.

It was a fine day in May, not yet summer, but feeling every bit as if it were. A warm breeze came in from

the ocean, carrying the sea scent she so loved along with it and caressing her face and hair. A few

strands fell loose, but she was enjoying the ride far too much to fuss over them. They traveled the worn

track they called the Coastal Road, along the very edge of the peninsula, and it was well and good she

trusted Onyx to stay on course, for it was more than she could do to stop gazing out at the frothy blue

expanse below.

It could be said that Adira disliked and distrusted the people of the Alpena Sanctuary. Alex Davies, the

village elder in particular. But she was utterly enchanted with the place itself. The ground beneath her

and the sky above. Sea to her left, and forest to her right. It was like a magic circle unto itself. She felt

the earth's power here as she never had before, and perhaps it was not all because of the forces

moving in and around this wild, new land. Perhaps it was another bit of her new self making its

presence felt. The ability to feel the places where Mother Nature's power pulsed strongest. She wished

she understood more about her own nature. She knew there was far more to it than what her mother

had been able to tell her. And yet how could she learn? How could she know? It troubled her like an

unsolved puzzle. Why this gift of immortality? Was there some purpose to it at all?

They arrived in town, and Alex Davies himself hurried to their wagon and reached for Adira's hand to

assist her from her seat. She took it, though his touch made gooseflesh rise on her arms. The man's

gaze tended to linger on her body in ways that made her uneasy, and she often glimpsed lust in his

eyes, though on the surface he acted every bit the gentleman. She knew it was a lie.

"Ladies," he said. "So good to see you both." His hands lingered on Adira, grasping briefly when she

pulled. Then he cleared his throat, averted his eyes, and released her, turning to assist her aunt. "A fine

day is it not, Mistress James?"

"Fine, indeed, Mister Davies," her aunt replied. "But it is not the weather I wish to discuss, as you might

well guess."

"Ah, you are curious about our new pastor, no doubt," he said with a smile.

"Tell me about him," she urged. "Is he young or old? Plump or thin?"

"You will soon see for yourself," Alex Davies responded. And turning, offered her his arm. She took it,

and he offered the other to Adira.

Adira was reluctant to accept. But people were watching. And more than ever, she was cautious. She

sensed something... something that made the fine hairs on her nape bristle. But she could not name

what that something might be.