Remember

First Impressions Are Everything

Cas was absent once more from the table. I suspected he would call on me later. Dinner with Mother was as bleak as ever. We sat on opposite sides of the table, but I could tell she had something to say. I prayed to God she would just keep it to herself. Unfortunately, my luck was as bad as ever.

She cleared her throat. "Benedict wrote asking after you."

I rolled my eyes. "Did he now? Whatever for?"

Elyssia shot me a warning glare. "He asked for another visit with us."

I groaned internally. "He visited not too long ago. Does he really need to come again? We haven't seen each other in years.

Why is he so suddenly keen on me?"

"Why must you question everything!?" She shoved her plate away. "Why can't you just do as you're told? Honestly! Benedict is a fine young man, with wealth, and power, and you are going to accept him whether you like it or not."

"Madame, a letter has arrived for you," Rynie interrupted, saving me.

She cleared her throat. "Thank you, Rynie." She accepted the letter and the knife off the silver tray in his hands. After she had opened it, she began tsking away. "We have to attend a funeral."

"For whom?" I asked.

Her eyes brightened and she straightened up. "This is perfect! You could take Benedict as a date, and your grief will bring the two of you closer together."

"I can't believe you," I said. Sick of hearing what she had to say, I stood and walked out of the room. I wandered aimlessly throughout the house. Many of the rooms were locked. I tried to find the skeleton key, but I suspected that it resided with Cas. I didn't know how long I wandered, but I suddenly found myself outside, just as the sun began to rise, and the nightly moans ceased. I had never seen a sunset before. My room faced the opposite direction. The sunset had a warmer feel to it than sunrises. In a way, I found it much more beautiful.

"Hello, human," Cheshire said without enthusiasm.

"Hello, Luli," I said without taking my eyes off the sky. Perhaps this was why Cas watched the sky. Was he seeing this, too?

"What are you looking at?" Cheshire asked.

"The sky," I said, still entranced. "Does it always look like this in the evening?"

"No. Sometimes it is golden. But it is still early, it may yet turn. Or perhaps it will be red," He began to walk away. I followed him, stealing glances at the slowly rising sun.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Into the woods."

"May I come?"

He shrugged his cat shrug. "If you wish."

As soon as the canopy of branches enclosed us, I almost wished I hadn't come. We walked deeper and deeper into the property. The steep incline was a bit intense for me. I had to stop once or twice, but I never complained and Cheshire was patient with me. Finally, we reached the edge of the forest as it opened up to a sudden drop. So there really was a cliff here. The burst of color was shocking. The light reflected perfectly across the still water below. Red and gold combined so beautifully. The horizon line was still blue, but it was faint.

All around me were beautiful white flowers. I couldn't tell you what they were, but they came up to my knees in small bunches. I snagged a few and tucked them into the pocket of my dress.