Gretel

by Kim Faulks

  Wolfrick held out his hand for me to take. “Come, let me show you just how beautiful this place is.”

  My hand felt heavy, dragged down by my stony heart. I grasped his fingers and stood as he pulled. I wanted to stay here, to explore each room. I could sew curtains to hand on the window, maybe a start a little garden, somewhere to grow vegetables and berries. Someplace I could call my own. Could my life be this easy? Just stay here and let my Ghost take care of me?

  A seed of doubt buried itself deep into my thoughts. Wolfrick tugged my hand. I stumbled through the bank of trees and into the forest behind him. Fallen logs were no match for his stride. I raced, trying to keep up when a glint of light pierced the heavy brush. I winced at the glare and stumbled.

  “Easy, now. Here you go.”

  My feet left the ground as Wolfrick caught my fall, sweeping me into his arms with one fluid motion. The hard bounce of his stride felt so familiar, dragging me back to the memory of last night. No. Don’t go back there. Not yet.

  The thundering rush of water grew louder as we pushed through the bank of trees. The glint of the sun bounced off the rippling pool. I blinked as Wolfrick lowered me to the ground. My breath caught. I dragged the air deep into my lungs and stared at the azure blue pool and cascading water. “Oh my God. It’s beautiful.”

  “It’s all yours. Yours and the animals’, I mean. No one comes out here. No one knows this exists. I own the land from the cabin all the way through here. Your father made the transaction years ago, when you were but a child. I told him I wanted a place to bring you... you know, when we eventually marry.”

  My lips parted. Marriage.

  His eyes widened. The words seemed to tumble from his mouth in a rush. “You don’t have to worry about any of that now. I just want you to feel better, to feel safe.” He reached for me, brushing the side of my face. “I want you to feel safe with me. This water’s the purest I’ve ever tasted. I bought you here to bathe you, if you’ll let me.”

  I could do nothing but nod. I’d never seen him tremble before. I’d never seen him anything but rock steady. His hands shook so hard his fingers tangled in my hair as he brushed the strands from my face. One glance into his eyes and I saw fear. My heart seemed to take flight. I gripped his hand, stilling the tremble.

  “You don’t have anything to fear from me,” he whispered, lifting me against his chest. “I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do. I want you to take your time. Let me take care of you. Let me love you.”

  A splash sounded before the cool water touched the tips of my toes. I glanced down. The bottom of his pants darkened and stuck to the curve of his calves. I floated, even before the water took my weight, swept away by the tide of this perfect moment. Icy water stole my breath as he sank to his waist, taking me with him. The lace edging my skirt drifted up from the dark pool to lap the surface. The water ran frigid fingers along my waist and traced my ribs. A shudder raced through me. I inhaled and dropped my head, letting the water take me. My nipples tightened, brushing against my dress as I moved.

  “Let it all go. Every hurt, every tear. Let the water take it for you. Let me take it for you.”

  Those words stayed with me as the water rushed over my breasts. The warmth of his body anchored me as he scooped the surface. I flinched at the touch. My fingers dug into his arm. The cold left my mind numb as well as my body.

  “Relax. Trust me. I won’t let you go.”

  I fought the shudder as his hand brushed my hair, plastering the strands against my head.

  “Let me clean you.”

  The glare of the sun blinded me, before Wolfrick moved. He hovered over me like an angel and I was lost to the sweep of his hand across my brow.

  “That’s it, just let it go.”

  My tears were warm on my cheek. The lapping water and his words drew my pain like poison from my soul. The darkness seemed to well inside me, only to spill from the corners of my eyes.

  “You deserve more. You deserve to be loved. You deserve to be protected.”

  Of all the things that’d been done to me, the child inside still yearned for what’d been lost—her protector.

  The words tumbled free. “You weren’t there. My father wasn’t there... what was I to do?”

  His throat worked, swallowing hard. The sound filled my ears, but his hands never stopped, scooping, washing. Was he washing me free of my pain and his guilt?

  “That’s something I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life. I’ll make it up to you, Gretel. Even if it takes me that long to earn your trust back once more. If you’ll let me.”

  The shadows across his face seemed to age him as he waited for my answer. Water ran down my arm as I lifted my fingers toward him. “Yes. I want that.”

  Wolfrick dropped and heaved, snatching me free of the water. I slammed against his chest. The impact knocked the air from my lungs. His hopeful gaze wrenched a sob from my lips. I wound my arms around his neck as he lifted me higher. I expected the kiss. I yearned for the kiss. Instead, he cradled my body, pressing his forehead into the hollow of my neck.

  “You don’t know what that means to hear you say those words. When I found you last night I thought I’d lost you forever. I didn’t know how to reach you. I didn’t know what to do, so I did the only thing I knew how to do.”

  “What was that?” I speared my fingers through the braid of his hair and whispered.

  “Love you. Cleanse you, feed you, and hope one day you’d come back to me.”

  A roar from the forest wrenched his head up. I scanned the tree line, pausing on a black bundle of fur. The howl came again, full of anger and frustration.

  “What in world?”

  Wolfrick trembled against me. The tiny shudders turned violent as his deep chuckle filled the air. “You cheeky sonofabitch.”

  The bundle thrashed and howled. I glimpsed a splash of white against the dark fur. I squinted to see tiny paws and beady black eyes. “That’s a bear.”

  Wolfrick yanked his head toward me. His smile stretched wide, blue eyes turned radiant by his laughter. “That, my beautiful Gretel, is not just any bear.”

  “Oh?” Wolfrick steadied me long enough for me to find my feet.

  His hand slipped from my waist to clutch my hand. Even small strides stuck my drenched skirt against my legs. I swung my legs, pushing each stride to match his, as Wolfrick headed to the edge of the pool. “Do you remember the day we met?”

  The memory of a young Wolfrick came back to me, so timid and yet so brave as he led the outraged mama bear away from me, my heart swelled with the recollection. He had always protected me. I forced the hoarse words, squeezing his hand. “Yes.”

  “That bear grew up. In fact, she became a mother herself.”

  In the distance a tree bowed. The thudding of heavy paws echoed through the trees. A roar filled the air, so loud I flinched.

  “Easy, she’s just looking for a stray. Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

  I tightened my hold, grinding bones as the dark mountain cut through the bush, heading for the cub. “Don’t go, Ghost. You’ll be killed.”

  His smile curved a little higher as he pulled me close. “It’s okay. We’re old friends now.”

  I couldn’t let go, not without him gently dragging my hand from his. He left my side, climbing the rocks to the grassy bank. My heartbeat made a deafening thump in my temples. Each throb vibrated through my body at the sight of his rippling muscles. Guilt turned my belly to stone as I lingered on the hard curve of his buttocks. How many times had my fingers swept along those thighs?

  The excitement he stirred in me was still there, hidden underneath the horror of what I’d endured. I still loved my Ghost. I still wanted him. My face burned with shame. I tried to tear my gaze away, searching the forest, but I found myself turning back for another look, and another. He lingered on the bank, his hands working something at his front. My mouth turned arid as he slipped the sodden shirt from his shoulders. His muscles ri
ppled with the motion, dropping the fabric to the ground beside him.

  He moved sleek and soundless, cutting through the trees, heading for the wailing cub. The world seemed to stop as I waited for his scream. I was moving before I realized, climbing the bank to follow him. Something held me back from racing headlong after him. The child in me whimpered and cowered. She still waited for someone to to protect her, to save her.

  I couldn’t break the spell. I could only watch, catching glimpses through the branches as Wolfrick reached the cub. The massive mother bear came up behind him. Wolfrick bent, busy with whatever had tangled the cub, oblivious to the imminent danger.

  “She’s behind you,” I called. He lifted his head and turned to me as the mother moved in to block my view.

  The thin tree bowed. I caught the downward swing over the adult bear’s thick body, then Wolfrick climbed, pulling himself higher. At first, I thought he was in trouble, until the snap of the tree broke the fear inside me. I surged forward, pushing my way into the forest.

  Both bears raced toward Wolfrick as he rode the fall, sliding down the slender trunk all the way to the ground. The mother bear stood back, letting her cub race ahead. She should be angry. She should be scared. Yet there was nothing defensive about her posture, no warning growl. She was at ease with Wolfrick, allowing him to ruffle the young cub’s ears as he walked past.

  “This is the last time. Do you understand me?”

  I heard the laughter in his voice. The cub sneezed, devouring something at his feet. Wolfrick bent for a second then straightened, rubbing the white star on the center of the cub’s forehead. He headed toward me, but his eyes were on the cub’s mother. “You need to keep a tighter reign on your youngster. He already ate the five other hives I had hidden.”

  My breath caught as he stopped in line with her. “How am I supposed to feed my woman honey, when he keeps eating it all?”

  The huge mother bear wrenched her head to the left, before sneezing. An answer I missed as Wolfrick chuckled, then strode past. The past was blinding as the bear turned, colliding with the present. The white star on her forehead was just as vibrant as it had been all those years ago. She’d been only a cub herself, now she was a mother.

  Wolfrick emerged from the forest, holding out a chunk of glistening honeycomb.

  “Why doesn’t she attack you?”

  “She sees me as one of the other animals. We’ve had our moments. But she knows I’m not a threat to her or her babies. If anything, the damn pest is a threat to me. That’s the third time this month her cub’s found my beehive.”

  A smile tugged the corners of my mouth as I sank my fingers into the honey. “Your woman, huh?”

  “Yes, my woman.” He held his finger up, glistening amber syrup dripped to the ground. I lunged in, catching the drop with my mouth. Happiness bubbled up and I couldn’t suppress my giggle.

  This felt good. This felt normal. Was there hope for us yet?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Gretel

  I looked ridiculous in Wolfrick’s clothes. The sleeves of his shirt draped over my hands, and the bottom of his trousers trailed in the dirt, but I was relived to be free of my wet, clinging skirts.

  I rolled up my sleeves and draped my dress over the branch of a nearby tree, then I wandered around the cabin. The bedroom was small. I tried to adjust my expectations. This was nothing like the house I left, but this place could be a home. A few curtains to cover the windows. A cellar out back to keep the picked vegetables in jars. I could have a garden, a horse. A place away from everyone. Somewhere I could feel safe.

  I felt his eyes on me as I walked from room to room, lingering in the kitchen and the large fire place. I heard the floorboards creak every time he leaned from one foot to the other, waiting, hoping. Could I live out here in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees and animals? My brother hovered at the back of my mind like a stain. Better to live with the animals here than the beasts back home. I lowered my gaze and shook my head.

  “There’s something wrong.”

  “Oh?” His tone dropped. Sorrow tinged the edges.

  “If you’re going to leave me here while you work away, you’re going to need to teach me how to hunt and chop wood.”

  His sharp bark of laughter rebounded between the wooden walls. His first step was slow, then he was racing toward me. He swept me up and stared into my eyes. “I’ll teach you anything you damn well want. I’ll show you how to hunt, how to gather wood for a fire, but you won’t ever need to worry about that. I’ll never be far away and I’ll always make sure you have whatever you need.”

  “I’ll try, Ghost. I want this to work, so I’ll try.”

  “That’s all I ask. You can make a list of what you need built. It might be slow going, but I’ll do what I can. For now, there’s plenty of food, plenty of wood, and plenty of places to explore. I bet you’re hungry. That swim would’ve tired you out.”

  I nodded, following him outside. While we gathered the wood to rebuild the fire, the sun beat down on the small clearing. The forest surrounded us on all sides, and yet, I’d never felt more at ease. I gathered the kindling, dropping it next to Wolfrick, and wandered away. The clang of a pot cut through the call of a bird. I glanced over my shoulder, watching Wolfrick make tea before I turned back.

  The clearing was more than big enough for a small stable, maybe even some chickens? I’d have to make the pens secure. Could I survive out here? Weapons. I needed lots of them. Maybe he would make a trap. For the humans as well as the animals.

  I heard his steps before I felt Wolfrick wrap his arms around me. “I love seeing you out here. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  I turned to face him. “Chickens. I don’t want every wolf coming in here to steal them.”

  He tried to keep the grin from his face. “No, we can’t have that. Lucky for you there’s not many wolves around these parts. Mostly bears and a few unsavory creatures.”

  “But no humans?”

  He shook his. “No humans.”

  I jerked my gaze along the tightly packed tree line and whispered. “Good.”

  “You’re still terrified, aren’t you?”

  I licked my dry lips and searched for the words but there was nothing I could say. Poor pathetic Gretel. I turned away.

  He reached for my jaw, dragging my gaze back. “Hey, talk to me. I can’t help if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”

  “I’m terrified of being alone and I hate that I feel so damn weak. I need to feel... complete. I can’t move on until I move past what happened to me. I need to survive.”

  He held my gaze for what felt like forever, before he spoke. “Then, I need you do something. Something you won’t like. Something you’ll be afraid of.”

  I tried to swallow, but there was no air. The feral tone in his voice and the electricity that raced along my skin sent shivers along my spine. “What?”

  He braced his arms on either side of my body. A storm brewed in those blue eyes, dark and hungry. His voice deepened to a growl. “I want you to know all you have to do is say ‘stop’ and I will. No questions, no hurt feelings. This is as much for you as it is for me. So with that in mind I need you to....”

  My voice trembled. “Need me to what?”

  “I need you to... run.”

  My mind stalled. Those words mingled with the tempest blue of his eyes. His top lip lifted, revealing perfect white teeth. I felt the marks of those fangs inside my head, scraping along my skin. I exhaled on a shudder. Would he mark me? The threat of those teeth was tempered by the smirk that followed. Ghost leaned away. I eased my hands backwards and followed with my feet.

  “Run, Gretel. I’m coming for you.”

  I spun at those words, shoving myself from the ground to lunge past the fire and toward the open door. Excitement buzzed through my veins. He was the hunter and I was the prey, and yet there was something else. A surge of fire in my veins that told me this prey wasn’t so vulnerable.

  Chapt
er Sixteen

  Gretel

  I burst out the door and made for the trees. Tall pines crowded the camp on either side. I scanned for a path unfamiliar with this part of the forest. A growl behind me sped my heart. I lunged for an opening, grabbing my skirt as I ran. I scanned the forest finding a track.

  “I can hear you. There’s my elephant.”

  His voice was all around me, urging me to run. I gritted my teeth, finding a growl of my own. A surge of power filled me, melding what was broken together. I kept my steps light, using the logs and rocks as stepping stones. The fog in my head seemed to clear, although my legs were just as shaky. A chuckle tore through the air. He was playing with me, urging me to run—to fight—to hunt.

  “Are you broken, my beautiful Gretel?”

  Branches slapped my face as I scurried over the mound. My feet stung as I raced over the sharp rocks to vault over a fallen tree. I pressed my spine against the mammoth trunk. My harsh breaths were all I heard. My thudding pulse was all I felt. But underneath the panic and the fear something else rose up. I scanned the bushes, find a blur of white cut across my vision to the right and muttered. “Not fair.”

  “Are you predator or are you prey?” Ghost’s voice came from my left. Close—too close. I whipped my head around to catch him staring at me with a smirk across his face. He turned away from me, then disappeared. I couldn’t help but watch his bare ass disappear. I chased my tail around the tree, but he was gone. That sense of vulnerability shattered something inside. I reached out, my fingers skimmed the hard bark. Are you predator, or are you prey?

  My knees trembled as the thunder inside my head snatched away the fleeting moment of happiness as the sudden realization hit home. I was prey. I was always prey.

  This thought rocked me. I was weak. I allowed others to control my life. I allowed men to control me. Hansel reared like a demon in my mind, his cruel sneer haunted me. My body bore his touch. My mind bore the scars. I let him hurt me, starve me. I closed my eyes. Father was no better. Instead of making me strong, he made me weak. The only way my life had meaning was at the hands of men. I let them manipulate me, no matter their intentions.