Page 84 of Witchbane

‘Like what?’ We were wasting time and needed to get going. ‘Jem, I’ve no idea what I’m supposed to have done. We do not have the time to stand still while we discuss this. Please, keep walking.’ When he didn’t immediately do so, I added, ‘Or your father will be furious with us both for not doing as he instructed.’

The reminder worked and Jem immediately walked on. I wasn’t sure whether he would answer my question and hoped he was mulling over his answer before sharing it with me.

‘It’s that Theo Le Cerf,’ he said eventually.

I waited for him to continue. When he didn’t, I gritted my teeth and controlled my temper while I tried to think what Theo could have to do with Jem’s ill humour. Then it occurred to me.

‘Are you jealous of him?’ I asked.

He stopped and whirled around, his face red with fury as he grabbed me by my upper arms and pushed his face almost into mine. ‘Don’t you dare accuse me of being jealous of that man.’

Stunned by his uncharacteristic behaviour, I knew I needed to give Jem a shock he wouldn’t forget. I closed my eyes and once again used my powers to hurt a man.

He yelped and immediately let go of me. ‘What was that?’ he asked, his eyes wide as he stared at his hands, turning them back and forth.’

‘Don’t worry, you won’t have any visible marks.’

‘But what was that?’ He stared at me, mouth agape. ‘It was like a red-hot blade piercing the tips of my fingers.’

I was not in the mood to explain, too angry with him for behaving in such an aggressive manner. ‘And don’t you ever dare put your hands on me like that again.’

He blinked several times, surprised by his own behaviour. All trace of his temper vanished and his face crumpled. ‘Rue, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Please, I didn’t hurt you, did I?’

His fingers had gripped me tightly enough to leave pressure marks, but right now I was more concerned that he should learn a valuable lesson.

‘I don’t care what you think I have or haven’t done, or what you think of the Witchfinder’s assistant. Whatever irks you, it does not give you the right to lay your hands on me. Is that understood?’

His gaze lowered and he clasped his hands together in front of him. ‘I do. Please forgive me. I do not know what came over me.’

‘I have a feeling your pride was hurt,’ I said, trying to sound gentle. ‘I did not mean to hurt you, Jem, but that does not excuse what you did.’

His shoulders drooped and for a moment I thought he would cry. ‘Rue, I promise I will never let that happen again.’

We were wasting valuable time. I began walking. ‘Good. Now, let’s get a move on.’

But I still needed answers from him. ‘Do you want to tell me what it was about Theo Le Cerf that upset you so much?’

I heard him sigh. ‘Only that he is everything I am not.’

‘I don’t understand.’ I didn’t.

He gave a bitter laugh. ‘He rides around on his black stallion looking important and full of himself.’

‘That doesn’t make him someone you should envy, Jem.’

I sensed him looking at me but kept moving.

‘Tell me, what do I have, Rue?’

‘You have a father who loves you, and the love and respect of everyone who knows you.’

He was silent for a moment. ‘I have nothing of my own, though. No impressive title, no magnificent steed, no importance at all.’ He groaned. ‘No smart clothes,’ he added as an afterthought.

My toe connected with a stone, and I almost lost my footing. ‘Ouch,’ I grumbled, righting myself. I wanted him to feel better about himself. ‘Material things aren’t as important as perception, Jem.’

‘What does that mean?’

I felt the perspiration run down my back from the exertion of crossing the fields. ‘Everyone loves your father and hates his. You have friends, he has none. People are always pleased to see you and enjoy your company, while they are wary of him. I’d much rather all that than have Theo Le Cerf’s life.’