I leaned intoBenjamin and we sat there on the ground, both sobbing as wefinished filling the shallow grave with dirt together. My pale,slender finger trembling with sadness as they crossed with hismassive ones. When we were done, I let my head fall to hisshoulder.
“We did good,sweetness,” Benjamin said, his voice cracking under the tears heheld back. “Pleeman’s home now.” I cried as his hand cupped myshoulder and squeezed. “He’s home.”
I stood tofind a stunned Lottie, seemingly unsure of whether to cry or not.She never knew the man we’d just put in the ground. But the effecton my life was evident in my cries and Lottie was my friend. Shecared for me, and my pain coursed through her. She never spoke, butwrapped me in a warm embrace, one that lasted until I pulledaway.
We walked backto the waiting carriage in silence as the driver nodded incondolence and jumped down to open the door. I glanced back at theold farm once more and said one last goodbye to the man whoselflessly saved my life and the family he loved so dearly. Hopingwe did right by him. I prayed he was finally at rest and they wereall happy somewhere. Together. Benjamin stood by and helped me stepin and when he held a hand out for Lottie she accepted it withgrace.
***
The journey toPleeman’s home up North had been long, so by the time we arrivedback at The Siren’s Call, night had crept upon us. I was tired andhungry, and missed Henry with every fiber of my body. I itched tohave him come back and I realized, on the long, quiet ride home,that he would likely return empty-handed. Benjamin was solid proof that my wisheswere working. It just took the universe a while to work out thedetails. I had asked to find Maria before she killed my mother, andI was willing to bet everything I owned in this world that I wasthe one who was supposed to find her. Not Henry. Not anyone else.I’d made the wish for myself, and it would be my hands thatwould lay upon her and bring her to justice.
“Where theChrist have you been?” exclaimed Wallace as she barged through thefront door to meet us at the carriage. “Dianna, you’ve been missingthe whole time Henry’s been gone! What did you expect me to say tohim if he returned?”
I was toodefeated to deal with this woman. I stopped and looked her squarein the face. “Has he returned?”
“Well, no,”she said in a flutter.
“Then we havenothing to worry about, do we?” I told her stonily. I motioned toBenjamin, towering over my shoulder. “This is a friend of mine.Benjamin Cook. Would you be so kind as to allow him to stay herewith us? I can pay you if it’s any trouble.”
Wallace shookher head in confusion, her face full of questions. But she bit hertongue and played nice. “Of course,” she told me and then sighed,eying Benjamin curiously. “Come, let’s get you all fed.”
After fillingour bellies, I let Wallace show Benjamin to his room and then saidgoodnight to Lottie. I was wiped. We all were. Drained of allemotions. I dragged my heavy feet across The Siren’s Call, downthrough the marble-paved hallwaystoward my room. Wishing I could fall into Henry’s arms and coastinto a deep, comfortable sleep. But none of that mattered once Ihit the bed. My eyes managed to stay open long enough for me to toeoff my damp boots and haul a blanket up over my bone-wearybody.
Before long, Ifell into a black void of sleep. Free of emotions or the stillimagery of my life. I stood in a dark room, the only sound to beheard was the echoes of my breaths against the empty shell aroundme. Strangely, it felt good. Being alone. I had no one to worryabout. No deaths to mourn. No ghosts to chase. With eyes contentlyclosed, I inhaled the cold air that filled the void and breathed asigh of relief. Suddenly, a voice sounded in the distance andreverberated through the space around me.
“Diannaaa….”
I spun around,turning every which way, unable to tell what was up or down. Tryingto pinpoint the source of thefamiliar tone that touched the center of my heart. My mother’svoice.
“Dianna,baby,” the voice called again. “Come here. I’m right herrreee.”
“Where?!” Icalled out in desperation and began walking in the direction of itsorigin.
It spoke,louder this time, “Right here. I’ve always been right here...”
“Where? Ican’t find you!” I cried. “Mom!”
Then, twohands abruptly took me by the shoulders and shook my body, pullingme from my dream world. I gasped for air, as if I’d been holding mybreath the whole time and blinked away the remnants of sleep frommy eyes. My bedroom slowly coming into focus and the hands stilltight on my upper arms.
“Dianna,”Henry spoke. “Where are you going? What’s wrong?”
Disoriented, Iglanced around and realized I must have gotten out of bed and wasbound for the door. I… was sleepwalking? Shakily, I let out a trembling exhale andlooked to him. My pirate king. How I missed him so. He smelled likecold winter air mixed with the dewy sweat that stuck to his skin.His very presence calming me from the nightmare that still vibratedover the surface of my skin.
“You’re back,”I noted and leaned against his chest. He winced. “Oh, sorry! Iforgot. Here, you probably need new dressings. Sit down.” I rubbedat my sleepy eyes.
Before I couldpull away, Henry hooked his fingers in mine and yanked me back,taking my face in his hand and covering my mouth with his. I meltedinto the kiss, warm and engulfing. Like coming home. When hefinally broke free, Henry’s dark eyes searched mine withconcern.
“I missedyou,” he spoke.
I smiled. “Imissed you, too. So much. I never should have let you go off.”
Henry sighed,ready to tell me what I already knew, and sat down on the edge ofthe bed where he removed his shirt. I struck
