Chapter 6: The Silver Key

“Why not?” I asked. He didn’t answer, electing to spit on the ground next to me instead. Disgusted, I hopped back from the guard as he walked away. I tried not to feel too angry as I had nearly cost him his job and possibly his freedom or his life. I made my way home feeling more ill at ease and shaken by the guard’s threat than I had when helping Erich escape or returning home to find myself bleeding. I was surprised to see my mother-in-law’s carriage in front of the house. I nervously hastened my steps, not certain why she’d elected to visit me since she never did. I hurried through the house looking for her until I found Caystance in my room. She was standing beside my bed, at the side table. The side table drawer hung open, and in her hand, she held the letter I’d written to Marius’ uncle. “When you did not show up for breakfast, I thought you were with morning sickness." She explained. "I know how awful it can be. So I came to help.” Her expression alternated between anger and sadness. “I was not feeling we— “How could you think to deceive and betray me like this?” she hissed. I gasped, at a loss for words. When it became clear I had nothing to say, she went on. “Well, it seems Chantal will be daughter-in-law and you, my dear, will go right back to your father.” She pulled the quilting on my bed back dramatically, exposing blood-stained rags I’d left to clean up later, proving my claim of pregnancy false. “I thought I was— I spoke weakly, even to my ears, and she cut me off. “Shut up! You have one hour to pack whatever you can carry and be on your way!” “No!” I said,d finally feeling the courage to stand up to her. “I am Marius’ widow. This is my home and by law, you aw my family are not in charity anymore!” “Well, that is a relief to hear,” a deep and amused voice startled me. I turned to see the man I knew only as the magistrate from the public execution step from behind the wall and in view. “The door was open,” he explained as he stepped closer. My mouth went dry as I thought of any counterarguments I might need in case he’d been told that I’d helped his prisoner escape. “I’m Josaun Bokstein, the quarter magistrate for your village.” My mouth went dry, and my heart continued to thunder in my chest as I realized there was no escape. I started to squeak out something, but then Caystance pushed past me to face the magistrate in the hallway. “Well… Why are you… I said spring,” she stammered, flustered. “I had to deal with the prisoner's execution today, and I wanted to pay my respects. I am Marius’s uncle after all.” I stared at him again, at a loss for words. As I took him in, I could see the resemblance to my husband. The blond coloring and deep-set hazel eyes. But he was at least twice as big as his nephew. His head He was completely shaved bald while his beard grew out from his broad chin, full and thick. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I said. After regaining my motor functions, I hurried to side-step my mother-in-law and introduce myself, extending a hand towards him. “I am Sasha Bokstein, Marius’ widow.” My eyes fell to a slim silver chain around his neck. I swallowed as I took in a slim but sturdy silver key, estimating it would be just the right size for the locks at Erich’s wrists and ankles. “Of course, and you are so lovely.” His voice rumbled unnecessarily low in his throat as he took my offered hand in his. “I am sorry for your loss. Your husband was a true patriot and hero to the entire region.” He lowered his lips to my hand, turning it over to kiss the fingers, lingering longer than necessary as he took a deep breath in before releasing me. As his eyes cast downward, I took note of claw marks raked against the side of his scalp. I quickly averted my eyes as he stood up again. “Lilac, lavender, and vanilla,” he said, taking a deep breath in. “Exactly,” I confirmed with a nervous smile. “I have a pretty good sense of smell,” he said proudly. He turned to my mother-in-law. “Now, once and for all. Shall I be meeting a great-nephew or not?” “I’m afraid— I began to speak, but Caystance interrupted me. “Well… it seems she may have lost the baby,” the mother-in-law put in for me as she neatly folded the letter I wrote behind her back and palmed it in her hand. “I was just thinking she should come and convalesce at my house until a doctor can be called and check for certain.” My mother-in-law tossed me a sympathetic smile, and it was all I could do not to laugh in her face. However, seeing as I was not sure if he’d be just as apt to toss me out as she was if he knew I was not pregnant, I played along. “I did have some bleeding this morning,” I explained. “Very light,” Caystance insisted. “Then why is she standing?” He demanded. "Get her in bed at once.” “I will take her home— “No,” Josaun insisted. “She stays here.” “Her sheets are stained.” Caystance grasped at the excuse, but Josaun wouldn't hear it. “You rest,” he said gently to me. “We will change the bedding for you, and then you are in bed under constant guard until the doctor can be fetched. Most are at the front of the war, so it might be some time.” I noticed that my mother-in-law let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief at the same time I did.