“Bad dream?” He asked smoothing the hair from my face.
I nodded, “I’m sorry,” I breathed out.
“It’s okay,” he whispered, laying back beside me. Slowly, he reached out and pulled me to him. I was surprised to find that the action didn’t terrify me. It only comforted me. He kissed the back of my head and then, whispered, “Go back to sleep, Aurora. I’m here. Nothing will hurt you. I promise.”
Amazingly, I did fall into a calm and dreamless sleep.
Chapter Ten
Forgiveness
“Andre, Aurora, wake up!“ I heard someone yell somewhere in reality. I moaned in my sleep, feeling too warm and too comfortable to move. Then, loud, insistent banging began and I winced moving closer and closer to waking up. Finally, my eyes opened to the bright sunny morning. I groaned still exhausted from the events of the day before.
I heard Andre chuckle as he moved his arms from around me. I blushed. No wonder I had been so warm. Andre had given me his heat.
“Don’t worry, Aurora,” he whispered as he kissed the top of my head, “I’ll get it. You just lay here and pretend that I tired you out too much to move.”
“Andre!” I hissed turning an even deeper shade of red. I blushed further as I seen that he was wearing only pajama pants that hung too low on his hips. I blinked, trying not to see his shirtless chest and abs. He raised his brows and grinned as he seen me blush again and walked toward the door. I shook my head mortified and buried my face in the pillow.
A few moments later I heard the door open, “Mother?” Andre asked confused, “Is something wrong?”
I heard a sob and I pulled the pillow from my face with a frown, “I’m sorry, Andre,” she said, obviously distressed, “I know that you need to be alone with Aurora but you both have to come to my house.”
“Why?” he asked his voice tight with fear, “What’s happened?”
“There’s been an attack,” she sobbed, uncontrollably. I blinked trying to understand what she was saying.
“Who?” I heard Andre breathe, “Was it Dad? Mirella?”
It was a few moments before Sophia‘s sobs quieted, “It was Fiona,” she said in a tear soaked voice. I inhaled sharply and sat up in bed as I listened to Sophia as she continued to speak. I held my breath as I clutched the pillow in my hands, gripping the silk coverings tightly, “I should have stayed with her but she was stubborn and told me that she’d be fine. She said she was going straight home. Now…”
My eyes widened as the full story unraveled in my head. Tears pooled in my eyes as I shook my head back and forth, wondering if I was dreaming. ..My mind could only call for her over and over. Momma…
I threw back the covers and stood on shaky legs. I found my robe and tied the sash as I walked into the living room. Andre stood in the middle of the room, running his hands through his hair. Sophia had sunk to one of the leather chairs and was sobbing into her hands. For the first time, Sophia seemed broken to me. My heart squeezed. She had to love my mother truly like family to react so strongly to her being harmed.
“What happened?” I asked with tears pooling in my eyes. I swallowed over the lump that had formed in my throat, “What happened to my mother?’
Sophia‘s sobs halted and she looked up at me. Her eyes shined with misery, “A wolf…h-he bit her.”
“Is she…” I shook my head, causing tears to fall down my cheeks. I couldn’t say the word when even the thought was torture. I trembled knowing I could not lose my mother.
“No, she’s not dead,” Sophia whispered hoarsely and I nearly sank with relief but tensed again as Sophia continued to speak, “Though I am worried about…infection.”
She looked up at Andre and he frowned, shaking his head and suddenly, he began pacing. My heart lurched. If Andre was upset, the situation was bad.
I shook my head of the thought, “Did you take her to the hospital?” I asked, frowning.
Sophia nodded, “As soon as we found her last night,” she said, “She has about twenty five stitches in her shoulder. Thankfully, there was very little tearing but they did make her get rabis shots. She’s very sore right now and very shaken..”
“She didn’t stay at the hospital?” I asked, wincing because I was sure that I already knew the answer.
Sophia shook her head, “No. We tried to convince her to stay at the hospital but the stubborn woman wouldn’t so she is staying with me but she‘s beginning to get a fever and she won‘t take the medicine. You have to come convince her, Aurora.”
I nodded my head as worry swamped me and the tears flowed down my cheeks. Sophia began to cry even harder and I went to her and held her. She seemed engulfed in sorrow and guilt.
“This isn’t your fault,” I whispered to her as the thought of the wolves entered my mind, “But something must be done about the wolves coming here. They are attacking people. If something isn‘t done, they‘ll kill someone.”
Sophia leaned back surprised and then, blinked as her eyes cleared, “Yes, you’re right,” She whispered, and then, shook her head, “I’ll have the men patrol the grounds tonight.
I heard a groan behind me and I turned to look at Andre confused, “What?”
“Well, it looks like you will have to sleep alone for the next few nights,” he said, with a sad lopsided grin.
“Why?” I asked frowning.
“Because it looks like the males of this motor home park will be going wolf hunting,” he said.
For some reason a chill went up my spine and a new worry gnawed at me…worry for Andre’s safety.
**********
I found my mother lying comfortably in the main bed of Sophia and Gavriel’s home. When I entered , she had been sleeping, soundly, seeming smaller than her delicate frame already was. Though I had to admit that it could have been an illusion due to the large blankets that Sophia had draped over her…or maybe it was the many pillows arranged behind her head and around her body. Either way, I had nearly panicked at the first sight of my mother.
I stood staring at her as I picked up her hand, holding it tightly within mine. A few moments after my arrival, her eyes fluttered opened, widening when she seen me. I leaned over and kissed her cheek gently.
I frowned at the slight heat there, “Momma, are you okay?”
Her blue eyes filled with tears as she nodded her head, “I’m just sore, Sweetheart,” she whispered and then, sighed when she seen the distress in my eyes, “But I’m okay. I promise.”
“I’m glad that you’re here,” I whispered feeling my eyes burn, “I don’t want you alone.”
She smiled weakly, “I told you that they’re good people,” she whispered, “They will help me through this just like they‘ve helped me through everything else.”
“They are good people,” I said, seeing her eyes drift shut again. A few seconds later, she slept soundly.
I frowned as I rose and went in search of Sophia. I found her in the kitchen, “She seems very tired,” I whispered worried.
Sophia nodded sadly, “She’s been through a lot,” she said and then, smiled softly, “And they gave her pills for the pain. She finally took them. They make her drowsy.”
I nodded my head though worry still twisted through me, “Well, I think I will sit with her for a while longer…I mean if that‘s okay,” I whispered, brokenly.
Sophia nodded her head, “I think it’s good for you to be here with her. She needs you.”
I nodded my head, knowing that I needed her too. I went back to the room where my mother slept and sat down in the chair beside the bed. For the next few hours, I waited for my mother to awaken. Unfortunately, it was only during sporadic moments all day and only for a few moments at a time. Right after the sun began to set I realized that my mother’s temperature had risen slightly and I told Sophia. She brushed her lips across my mother’s forehead and frowned.
“Aurora, I’m sorry but I need to sit with her now,” she said, smiling but it did not reach her eyes, “I have to make sure that
the fever stays low. You need to go home and rest. You can come back again tomorrow.”
“Sophia, she’s my mother,” I said, distressed, “Let me help.”
“Aurora, she’s not dying. Quit acting like she is,” she said, exasperated, “I know how to heal. So, let me do what I do best. You go home. I promise everything will be okay.”
I looked at my mother, wary, “Are you sure?”
“It’s a slight fever,” she said, still smiling, “I’m sure. Mirella will walk you home,”
I wanted to argue further but I had been dismissed. I glanced at my mother one more time and walked into the living room where Mirella waited by the door.
She was silent as we made our way across the motor home park but as we crossed in front of the bonfire pit she sighed finally breaking the silence.
“It’s too pretty to go in right now,” she said, looking up and stretching her arms upward, “I mean, look at the stars.”
I looked upward and smiled, sadly at the points of light that marked a million places in the black canvas of the sky. The moon glowed at half-crescent and though it was not the full moon that people sang about, it was still beautiful.
“It is beautiful tonight,” I said, looking back at her.
“Let’s go to the bonfire pit for a while,” she said and I began to shake my head.
“Please…Please…Please,” She pleaded. I shook my head again.
“What about the wolves?” I asked with wide frightened eyes.
She laughed, “The men will keep them from here,” she said, rolling her eyes, “Don‘t be such a coward. Besides, if you don‘t stay with me, I‘ll be out here by myself.”
I dropped my head in defeat and then, sighed, “Okay. Lead the way to the pit.”
Mirella led me to one of the benches near the bonfire, skipping as we went. As I sat down, she grinned, “I brought something else to keep you from worrying about your mother,” she said as her green eyes sparkled. She pulled a bottle of wine out of the bag that she carried. My eyes widened, “Don’t tell momma, okay?” She said, suddenly worried.
“Mirella, we really shouldn’t,” I whispered, feeling my stomach turn. I had never drank before, “You’re mother will kill us.”
“She won’t kill us,” she said, rolling her eyes again, “She’s not going to find out and even if she did, I’m her favorite daughter.”
“You’re her only daughter,” I said, biting my bottom lip.
“And that’s why she won’t kill me,” she shrugged, “Besides, you’re her only daughter in law, so you’re safe too.”
I raised a brow, “You’re logic is so comforting.”
Mirella grinned at me crookedly, “You’ve never drank, have you?”
I blushed. Why did I always feel like a child around this family. I shifted, nervously, “No, I haven’t,” I admitted, glancing back at the sky.
“Well, let me be there for your first drink,” she said, unphased by my admission. I looked back at her, giving her a small smile. She hadn’t made me feel bad for never drinking. Other people would have taken the admission as a reason to make fun of me. I was quickly realizing that Mirella wasn’t like other people.
I watched as she opened the bottle and took a drink. She didn’t wince as I’d seen other people do. Instead, she seemed to enjoy the taste. She handed the bottle to me and grinned when I sniffed it. The smell of fruit drifted to me, sweet within the bottle. Slowly, I placed the bottle to my lips. The taste of strawberries hit my senses and something else that burned on it’s way down my throat.
“What is this?” I asked, trying not to cough at the warm bubbling sensation flowing down my throat.
“Strawberry wine,” Mirella said, taking the bottle from me and taking another drink. She tilted her head as she studied me, “So, you’ve never drank?”
“No,” I said, blushing again.
“It’s okay. It’s just…I had expected that you had drunk something before. Most people your age have,” She said, tilting her head, “I was just surprised.”
“Well, I have never drank,” I said, frowning, “It’s probably because we never stayed anywhere long enough for me to make friends and my mother would have never given me wine or anything like it.”
“You’ve never had friends?” She asked, smiling sadly.
“You’re the first one,” I said shrugging.
She grinned widely, “Well, that makes me feel special,” she tilted her head as she studied me for a few moments, “So, have you ever been kissed?”
I blushed again, “Of course,” I said, feeling embarrassed, “Yesterday during the wedding.”
Mirella’s mouth dropped open, “Is that the only time?”
I bit my lip and nodded, “That was the only time.”
“So, you’ve never had a boyfriend?” she asked, tilting her head.
“No,” I said, shifting uncomfortably.
Mirella’s smile widened, “And you’ve never had sex…I mean before last night?”
“No!” I said, alarmed, not mentioning that I didn‘t have sex the night before either, “Have you?”
“No!” She said, offended, “That would make me dirty. I want to be suitable for my husband. I was just wondering about you because you’ve traveled so much.”
“Oh,” I said, shifting uncomfortably.
“Don’t worry about it,” she said and handed me the bottle to drink some more, “You’re not a dirty girl. That’s a good thing since you married my brother.”
I smiled, “I guess so.”
She smiled as I took a large gulp of the wine, hoping to stop all of the questions. After a few more minutes, I began to feel warm and oddly comfortable with the rest of Mirella‘s questions.
***********
The wine had made me feel dizzy and free of any worry that had been plaguing me, making my mother’s attack seem a whisper in my consciousness. The possibility of my father or Garridan returning for me had lost its importance. Only Mirella and I existed as I danced around the bonfire pit with her. A giggle burst from me bubbling up until it was laughter.
I tripped and fell backwards on the grass, laughing as I did. Mirella stopped and sat down beside me still hiccupping in laughter, “So are you upset about the marriage?”
My mind felt fuzzy and I struggled to think about the question. Andre’s face drifted into my mind…so heartbreakingly handsome that my heart pounded making my face heat. I blinked knowing that he seemed to reside in my mind a lot lately. I frowned wondering what that meant. I thought of Mirella‘s question and then, shrugged finding I didn’t feel aversion to our marriage anymore.
“I haven‘t felt upset since the first day I found out,” I said, trying to think of a reason why. Finally, one came, “Andre is…nice.”
Mirella raised an eyebrow at me as if she didn‘t believe me, “And stubborn and grouchy and bossy.”
“That’s just because he’s your big brother,” I said looking up at the star dotted sky, “He’s protective and gentle and kind.”
“I know that it was an arranged marriage but do you think that he’s handsome?” Mirella asked, picking up the bottle again and taking a drink before passing it to me.
“Very,” I said, eyeing the bottle as I sat up already feeling warm and giddy and definitely too honest. Still, I took two more drinks and handed it back to Mirella.
I laid back again, watching the sky begin to swirl and I closed my eyes. I must have slept because the world became quiet then. I don’t know how long I laid there before I woke to a hand gently caressing my cheek, causing my eyes to open wide. Andre grinned above me.
“So, my wife is drunk?” He said, amused. He cocked an eyebrow at me and gave me one of his crooked grins, “I’m beginning to believe that my little sister is a very bad influence on you.”
I grinned, giddily, trying to contain my laughter as I avoided looking up at the still twirling sky “I’m not drunk,” I lied, struggling to sit up and falling back twice before finally finding myself in
a sitting position. I heard Mirella’s giggle as I put my arms out to keep my balance as I stood and found my footing, “I’m just tired from dancing.”
Andre wrapped his arm around my waist pulling me close to him as he began to help me to stay on my feet, “Dancing,” he said, rolling his eyes skyward before looking back down at me.
I nodded my head, “Dancing and answering Mirella’s many questions,” I said, looking toward Mirella who had already stood up and was brushing the grass from her clothes. For a moment, I wondered how she had gotten up without the same effort that it had taken me.
“What kind of questions?’ Andre asked gaining my attention again. I stiffened as a few of them came flooding back, realizing that I did not want him to know the answers. My heart galloped as he looked past me to Mirella.
“I asked if she’d ever drank,” she said and I felt myself relax until she kept speaking, “And I asked if she’d ever had a boyfriend.”
I shifted uncomfortably and Andre looked down at me, curious. I pressed my lips together as I felt the color in my skin rise to a scarlet red.
“Well, did you?” He asked when I didn’t aswer. I narrowed my eyes at him for making me answer the question and shifted uncomfortably.
“No,” I said, unable to hold my seriousness. For some reason, uncontrollable giggles burst from me again.
Mirella grinned widely at me and spoke again as if encouraged to go on, “And I asked if she’s ever been kissed.”
My laughter halted abruptly and I looked at her with wide panicked eyes. Mirella began to laugh when Andre stiffened. I narrowed my eyes at her and she shrugged as her laughter turned to a grin.
He looked down at me as his eyes burned in intensity. I blinked as my stomach flipped, “Well?”
“If I’ve never had a boyfriend, I’ve not been kissed,” I whispered, wondering at the intensity in his eyes.
“Well, except for when you got married,” Mirella laughed, amused and hiccupping as she continued, “She had her first kiss…in front of everyone…with you.”
Andre blinked in shock and looked down at me again. The intensity in his gaze burned higher, “I was your first kiss?”
Beckoned (The Brazil Werewolf Series) Page 9