Howl's Twisted Castle

30: The Stony Grove

Howl had already left by the time I awoke the next morning, but it was strange that he left no note to indicate where he was going or when he planned to return. After the previous night's events, I was concerned that the Witch might somehow be involved. I knew it wouldn't help my situation to worry but never the less I spent the better half of the morning pacing the room, going over the events of last night.

I could have fooled myself into believing that it was just a dream, but as I stared at my reflection while I removed my nightgown, the raw red scar that traced above my breast was a glaring reminder of what she did to me.

The Witch had stolen my heart.

Howl and I had been careless and we let our guard down. We never should have taken that heartstone out of the cave. We made it too easy for the Witch. I didn't know what upset me worse; that the Witch was able to sneak in under our noses or that I let myself believe she'd never come for me. It was foolish of me to think that I could have been happy after that kiss. 

No. It wasn't meant to be, the Witch made sure of that.

The door flew open and I had little time to cover myself before the industrious innkeeper Maggie burst through with a dress in her arms. She was too busy fluffing out the dress on my bed to notice the angry tears I brushed away, or that my voice cracked when I greeted her.

Instead, Maggie cheerfully helped me out of my nightgown and into the dress she insisted I take. She reasoned that my blue dress, or rather the dress Howl gave me, was still too damp to be worn. 

Maggie fussed about how damp clothes caused dreadfully fatal fevers as she fastened the strings in the back of the bodice, smoothing out the ruffles as she carried on about the weather outside, too busy to notice me until I was hugging her tightly around the middle.

I whispered thank you because they were the only words I could safely say without completely breaking down in front of her and by the time I was able to let go, she gave me a bright smile and hurried me out of the room with promises of a warm breakfast.

***

"Howl? Can't say that I've seen him since earlier this mornin'. He was quick to be off so he dinna stay for breakfast, which is sayin' something--," Maggie leaned across the bar, knocking a plate sideways with her chest, "plenty o' men line up for miles to get some of Maggie McGregor's home cooking, ye keen?"

I offered a weak smile, but her remarks did little to ease my nerves. I had to find Howl and figure out my next move and so sitting here, waiting for food that I had no appetite for, set me on edge.

Howl needed to know about what happened last night. I hadn't the first clue what the Witch had planned for me, but I knew we were both in danger.

"Is everything alright, lass?" Maggie asked, stopping midway through pouring a cup of tea. 

I took the cup she offered, passing it between my chilled hands. 

"Did Howl seem off at all this morning?"

"Off? How'd ye mean?" she reached for a jar of honey, scooping out a glob for my cup. I all but threw it across my room in my haste to stop her before the spoon reached my drink.

This earned me a tremendous eyebrow cock from the innkeeper. I tried to smooth things over by keeping the conversation going.

"Well I thought maybe he might seem, you know. . ." I waved my hand aimlessly in the air as if the word might magically appear.

Maggie considered it seriously for a moment before shaking her head. 

"If'n ye worried about his arm, he seemed well enough this mornin'."