"It won't happen again."
He didn't miss the disbelief and loss that flitted over her features before she thrust her shoulders back and rose to her full nearly five foot eight height. "Make sure it doesn't," she replied crisply before gliding past him and out of the kitchen.
He hated the disappointment and regret that filled him, but it was for the best. She was young and inexperienced and she deserved better than him. No matter how badly he desired her, he simply couldn't do that to her. He wasn't the sticking around type, he never had been and he'd never planned to change that. The click of the lock settling into place on the shutters sounded as the sun began to rise over the horizon.
CHAPTER 15
Hannah was still seething and more than a little confused when William returned with Timber, Marvin, and a dozen large men and women she'd never seen before. They were all clothed in matching brown pants and forest green shirts with the emblem of a wolf on the sleeve. She had expected more fanfare, something to mark them as the king's soldiers, but there was nothing other than the patch, their sober expressions, and reserved demeanors.
They had brought coins with them though and they were looking to spend them, something she was eager to help them do as she served them drink after drink. She didn't know how they could consume so much alcohol and still stand and talk normally but apparently it was something that they were used to as they remained seemingly unaffected by the booze.
She didn't know what the king would think about them drinking so much, but Jack didn't seem to have a problem with it as they all drank and exchanged cheers with an enthusiasm that made it seem as if brewing beer was going to come to an end.
It took all she had not to accidentally spill one of the drinks in Jack's lap like she yearned to do. She was trying to ignore him but she was annoyingly mindful of the fact that he was there at all times. She was entirely aware of his smile and his laugh and her fingers twitched as they fought the urge to knock that smile off his face. She'd never had a temper, now she could feel it simmering beneath the surface like a teapot ready to boil over.
All she wanted was for him to get out of her town so things could go back to normal, so she could go back to normal, but the thought of him leaving made something inside of her shrivel and become as hard as a dry old prune.
A loud cheer went through the crowd, glasses clanged loudly. She paused as the name David was mentioned multiple times. A frown marred her brow as she glanced around the room and then at the wooden calendar on the wall. She hadn't even realized what date it was but as she listened to them all celebrate she began to understand why they were so rambunctious tonight.
It had been one year since the old king had fallen, the new regime had taken over, and David had been killed. She was trying not to feel any sympathy or understanding for Jack, but even still her heart went out to him as he slapped William on the shoulder. The human grinned at him, but though he was smiling she sensed a heavier weight upon his slouched shoulders tonight.
They were strangers, she didn't know them; she shouldn't care if they were grieving and trying to drown their sorrow. Even as she thought this, she knew she was wrong. She'd come to care for Jack and William more than she was willing to admit. Her hand shook as she grabbed a pint glass off the table and placed it on her tray.
"Thank you sugar."
One of the king's soldiers went to slap her on the ass but faster than a lightning strike, Jack grasped his hand and slammed it on the table. "Don't touch her," he said in a tone of voice that made even the hair on the nape of her neck stand up.
The man's eyebrows shot up but he sat back in his seat and gave a brief nod. Though she could still hear the hustle and bustle surrounding her, Hannah glanced around to see if anyone else had noticed the exchange. Ellen was playing her flute, she hadn't missed a note, but her eyes were riveted upon Hannah's. Jack released the man's hand, lifted his glass and saluted her with it. She didn't know exactly how to take that but it definitely set her teeth on edge.
Without looking back, she left the room and hurried into the kitchen. She appreciated what he was trying to do, and the fact that Calvin had been scarce since yesterday, but she was beginning to hate this strange effect he had over her. She was beginning to hate the way that he could make her feel so alive and so lost all at the same time. She wished he'd never come to this town, but even as she thought it she knew it was a lie.
"Are you ok?"
She didn't look up at Ellen as she placed the glasses down to be washed. "I'm fine."
"Hannah, what is going on?"
She was tempted to pretend she didn't know what Ellen was talking about, but truth be told she was tired of playing games, she was tired of being confused, and it would be good to have someone she could talk to. "The prince is a jerk; that is what is going on."
Ellen chuckled as she shook back her waist length white blond hair. "Well he seems perfectly nice to me."
"He's not," Hannah informed her briskly. "He's an arrogant oaf who is far too sure of himself."
"He is handsome though," Ellen said with a knowing gleam in her eyes.
Hannah stared at her before bowing her head. "He is," she reluctantly admitted.
"When did you start noticing men?" Ellen asked teasingly.
"When Calvin started thinking he had a right to chase me and push me around, when that jackass walked into this town and upset everything."
Ellen grabbed hold of her arm, forcing Hannah to look at her instead of glowering at the closed kitchen door. "He's trying to make things better for all of us Hannah, when this is over you may never have to worry about Calvin again."