Antonio sat on the edge of the bed, tired but pleased with himself. He laid his palm against Elizabeth's sweaty forehead and reached into the bucket of cool water by the bed. He pulled out a wet rag and twisted out the water over the bucket and applied the damp rag to Elizabeth's face.

"You may come in, Ann," Antonio called. She peeked around the sheepskin curtain that divided the house into two rooms. Ann stepped into the space reserved by the curtain. There was much for Antonio to do, including the disposition of their spineless mother. He continued to apply the wet rag. "Today we will repair the roof, and I will take care of mother."

Ann said nothing and retreated outside to untie Mother Welshire's horse from the post. She opened the basket on the horse and pulled out various coins and currency.

"I will take those." Antonio stood in the doorway. He stepped over, took the coins, and dropped them one at a time into the pouch on his belt. Ann's eyes widened at the ax hanging next to the pouch, but she led the horse to the barn. Kind as he was to her and Elizabeth, his path toward retribution could not be deterred. Antonio set off to find his mother.

He reached the slope where she mourned the now tiny body.

She fell for that robber's story! Pathetic!

Antonio's plotting had come swiftly once his hands touched the ax. No veil or cowardice shielded him now. He took his time getting to the woman. After all, she had plenty of time to look the other way while Edward did the things he did.

I can take my time. She only has so much. When Elizabeth no longer needs her...

Mother Eira hovered over the bloody face and kissed her husband's lips.

Ugh!

"Mother." Antonio shook his thoughts away. Eira wiped the tears from her eyes, stood, and straightened her long dress. The Welshire Matriarch opened her arms and embraced her son. Antonio tried to resist; then he broke the hug. "Come, Mother."

Antonio sat up in his bed. He heard screaming, right before Ann burst into the house. He tried to make sense of what she was saying.

"The frost came! The frost came early and killed all my crops!" Ann clutched some dead vegetation in her hands. She had labored so long against the unforgiving land, somehow finding joy in making life when hers was so dismal. She thrust the crops in his face.

"They're frozen!"

This early weather could serve Antonio well. He waited until the snow came in. Perhaps it snowed early and often for his plans? Antonio stood outside the back window of the stone home. Snow piled up to his knees, but Mother Welshire sat inside by the fire and sewed. Perhaps she was not oblivious or uncaring, but simply incapable of doing anything about their humble existence. Goodness was easier said then done. Antonio eyed his mother with contempt. He was no longer concerned with inaction. He loaded a stone into his slingshot, pulled back, then released the weapon. The jagged stone hit Eira in the back of the head, and she tumbled to the floor.

Antonio climbed in the window and walked to the main door. He was going to do things his way from now on. Ann and Elizabeth now belonged to him.

Oh no. I've tracked snow in the house. Who is there to tell me? Who rules me now? No one!

He opened the door and shoved the body out into the snow. Ann and Elizabeth stood in silence while Antonio kicked at the body to knock it completely outside. He didn't need to say his plans before them. Had they learned their submissive lesson from Father Welshire, or was it Antonio's ways that chilled their bones? He slammed the door shut, locked the cold metal latch, and gave no explanation to Ann or Elizabeth. Why should he?

Ann heard moaning from beyond the wooden door. Mother Welshire was awake, no doubt. Groggy shuffles came against the house, then pounding like a still beating heart. "Elizabeth, let me in."

Elizabeth raised her head as Ann leaned closer to the front window.

"Do not move." Antonio said. "It is for the best."

"Ann." Eira banged on the door. The urgency in her voice grew. "Please let me in!" Snowflakes stuck to the window, but Mother Welshire pounded on the door again. Ann closed her eyes.

Did she suspect Antonio's trickery now?

"Ann. Elizabeth!" She banged against the wood. Surely her hands bled. "Do not play this madness!"

What game was Antonio playing with them? Ann was too scared of him to move. She was almost as frozen as Eira, with only her breath fogging the window to show her life. Ann felt dizzy. Antonio's sick games!

He is evil.

Eira collapsed against the door and sobbed. "Why won't you let me in?" She smacked the door in vain. "What did I do? I didn't do anything wrong! Why are you doing this to me?"

Ann found her will and jumped up from the window. She reached for the door's creaky latch, but Antonio approached the window.

"No. Unless you want to join her."

Eira rapped on the door again and again. The young girls heard their adopted mother's cries for a few more hours. Loud, then soft. Weeping, yelling. Slowly the wind carried away the faint moaning and whimpers. Now, there was silence. The snow stopped, and Ann insisted they open the door.

"She is dead, Antonio." She found her tongue too late. "Let's not leave her out there."

"I'm leaving her to be sure." Antonio warmed his hands by the fire--his plot had been the first step in his letting go. Ann ducked behind the sheepskin wall.

The sun rose and Elizabeth woke in the pile of sheepskins by the fire. Antonio slept soundly in his own huddle. She caught a dreaming smile on his face; then it was gone. Ann was piled nearby, but she turned in a restless sleep. Elizabeth stretched and rubbed her eyes. She remembered the horrifying events belonging to last night and winced at a twinge in her leg.

She slid from the makeshift bed and took a few sheepskins with her to the door. Her stride was awkward. Her limp would be there forever because of her injuries. She reached for the latch.

Could I? Should I?

She slid the bolt carefully, but it squeaked a little. Her gaze fell to the floor of sheepskins. Antonio stirred, but did not wake. She grasped the handle and slowly opened the door.

Mother Eira stood frozen in the snow, a contorted and morbid statue. Her arms were in the air, fists clenched in their banging position. Frozen blood lined her arms and the collar of her sheepskin. The eyes were open, blue irises glazed over with a white frost. Forever was her mouth to be open, too. Her tongue captured midway between the chapped lips, and saliva dangled like icicles from what yellow teeth she had.

Elizabeth opened her mouth to scream, but a strong hand cupped her mouth shut. Antonio whispered in her ear, "Ann is still sleeping."

He removed his hand, and Elizabeth looked into his cold blue eyes. She had not thought of him much before Father Welshire's fall, but now she did fear him. His own will was his motivation, even when he cared for her. Antonio forced a disquieting smile, but Elizabeth was captivated by the opal-colored eyes.

They are so mysterious. Deceptive. Frightening!

Antonio shut the door on his mother and returned to the fire.

Chapter 2

Antonio sat on a pile of hay. He violently plucked and pulled the straw apart as he spoke.

"If he wants us to leave, he will have to build a wagon to carry us." He groaned to Elizabeth and kept his back to her. "He can build it himself."

Antonio threw the piece of hay aside and picked up another. "I will not help him."

"We must go live with Uncle Henry. I don't think even you can stop that." Elizabeth hobbled from the barn as Antonio glared after her.

The three of them had done fine during the winter chill. Why must he go now? Antonio glared at Uncle Henry's wide back the whole way through the rough country. The sun shined on the town gate, and a partly finished castle lay beyond. The tiny wagon teetered to the new home, and Antonio looked at his stout Uncle Henry. "When did this happen?"

"It's been growin' steady. Sheepin' is good business. I offered your dad a piece awhile back, but he refused."

Portly though he was, Henry's face showed the wear and tear of his business. Still, he was jovial nonetheless.

"It's amazing." Elizabeth's voice held a note of awe. They crossed the stone bridge over the thick moat and rode under the stone archway. Guards kept watch from the towers above. Antonio stared at the turrets on the castle.

"What exactly is your position in all this?" Antonio said.

"It's all mine." Henry smiled. "I'm not really a King, but I am the ruler here. More like a First Citizen, actually."

Ann and Elizabeth looked at Antonio. He wondered if they saw his evil plans churning in his eyes and chuckled.

"When I move on, all this goes to my son, Gaston." Uncle Henry twisted to face the young man. "You remember Gaston, don't you, Antonio?"

"Yes."

The rickety wagon pulled up to the castle door. A young girl opened the door and ran out. Antonio stared intently, smitten by this auburn haired, emerald-eyed beauty.

"My little Romina!" Uncle Henry stepped down and pulled his angelic child into his arms. "Romina, this is Antonio. Antonio, Romina."

Antonio bowed. "It is an honor to know the same blood runs through our veins." He took Romina's hand and tried to kiss it, but she pulled away before his lips met the fair and soft flesh. He knew he had her cornered with his very presence. Somehow, Romina would learn to live with him--and like it. What wasn't to like?

Antonio lingered by the castle wall with Ann and thought about Romina. "Do you think she is promised to someone?"

"Romina?" Ann maneuvered the topsoil around her plants and planted her seeds on the side of the castle. Antonio didn't help, just stood above her and blocked the daylight.

"Of course Romina. She is some sort of Princess or lady or something. Do you think she is promised to someone?"

"I suppose."

"Do you think she likes me?" Antonio looked up.

"Well, Antonio." She met his eyes. "She didn't seem to."

"She didn't?"

"Not really."

Ann stopped her gardening.

"We have a chance for a new life here. There's no need to chase what cannot be had."

Antonio clenched his fist. Ann stood and flinched away, yet she studied his profile. Antonio smirked at his control over her, then walked away with no care for the ward's opinion.

"Then I'll make her like me."

Gaston rode through the main street lined with his worshipers. His bay horse was tall. Antonio's cousin was sandy haired, grey-eyed, and proud. He sat high above the peasants, brushing his legs and waving. Antonio watched this spectacle from high in the castle.

A new casualty.

The door to his room swung open.

"Have you seen my pin?" Ann hurried in and opened one of the table's wooden drawers.

"Did you ask Elizabeth?" Antonio removed his booted foot from the windowsill and turned his concentration from the street charade to Ann. She looked under a pile of clothes, in a trunk, and on the table again.

Antonio straightened his plaid dressing and smoothed his white blouse with his hands. Ann stomped in frustration, but caught his humor.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Of course I am." He approached her, but Ann's hair was hanging in her face. Antonio reached up softly and swept the delicate hair back behind her ear.

"I like your yellow dress. It's like your hair. You look lovely. Now, let's hurry before we miss him." Antonio pressed Ann out the door. He glimpsed his ax among his bed sheets, then left.

They hurried downstairs, but even after seeing Gaston up close, Antonio was still not impressed. Gaston dismounted at the front of the castle as Antonio watched from inside the door.

"Glad you're back in one piece, lad." Uncle Henry shook hands with his son.

"Thank you, Father." Gaston noticed Ann and Elizabeth with his sister. "I'm glad to be back."

Romina took Gaston's hand. "These are our cousins, Ann and Elizabeth."

He took a fair hand from each sister and kissed them both. Antonio shifted as he cringed in the door frame.

"Seems that Romina forgot about our other new arrival." Henry put his arm around Gaston and led him to the door. "Gaston, this is Antonio."

Gaston bowed his head as Antonio removed himself from the door frame. He sulked toward his cousin, his body language reflecting his opinion of the arrival perfectly.

You shouldn't be here.

Gaston put out his hand for a handshake, but Antonio ignored the outstretched hand. He stood still while Antonio's eyes examined him, but Uncle Henry slapped both of them on the back, unaware.

"Come inside, boys. The butcher will have something special ready."

Chapter 3

Romina stepped onto her balcony under the moon's quarter light. She stood on her toes, leaned over the railing, and peered into the dark pool. Her hair was down, and a light breeze blew it away from her young face. She wore only a plain ankle-length white night gown.

She gazed down at her crude image. She gazed at the moon's reflection, then up at the sky. She looked around the newly completed courtyard, skimming past Antonio's window without seeing. She shuddered and rubbed her arms.

Romina returned to her room. She sat at her vanity and picked up her brush. After a few strokes, she set the brush aside. She cupped her hand around the candle flame and blew out the light. The moonlight dimly lit the room as she took one last glance in the mirror. Antonio stood behind her. With a gasp, she bit her white knuckles.

She stood and turned around, but Antonio was upon her. He put his hand over her mouth, and she fought vainly to push him away. Swift and strong, Antonio twisted her arm behind her back and pushed Romina to the floor.