8. A New Place
Natalya woke early next morning feeling surprisingly refreshed. She sat out on the veranda with a cup of tea working the remaining knots out of her hair and watching the activity on the main village street. She put the kettle back on the stove and made a fresh cup for Freddie when she heard him begin moving about upstairs. She heard him trotting down the stairs and decided he looked even better this morning, rested and relaxed, especially when he smiled his surprised thanks for the tea she placed in his hands.
‘It’s a beautiful day,’ she commented returning outside to her seat. ‘Summer feels on its way today.’
‘Yes. Did you sleep well?’ he asked coming to sit beside her in the early morning sunshine.
‘Very well. It’s so peaceful and calm here.’ She watched him stretch out his legs, crossing them at the ankle. Accustomed as she was to towering over most men, she stared, fascinated by his long bare feet. Hers actually looked delicate and dainty in comparison.
‘Something amiss?’ Freddie asked.
‘You’ve got even bigger feet than me!’
He burst out laughing at the absurd random comment. ‘I am a man and taller,’ he couldn’t help pointing out.
‘I said that out loud? Sorry,’ she said flushing at his laughter. He shifted his chair so it was directly alongside hers then stretched out his legs again, meeting her gaze with a challenging raised brow. She copied his posture, her legs beside his. His legs were certainly longer too but she mostly noticed the warmth emanating from his leg resting against hers.
‘Are you warm enough?’ Freddie asked.
‘Just about,’ she shrugged. This dress was going to be perfect for warm days, but the early morning chill was seeping into her bare arms and feet especially. She curled her legs sideways tucking her feet under the dress on the chair seat, which helped.
Freddie abruptly sat forward and unbuttoned his shirt. He pulled it off and proffered it to her. ‘Here, it’s clean,’ he added when she hesitated.
Natalya took the shirt and put it on quickly. It was odd to feel residual warmth in it from his body. ‘Thank you. I hope you’ve another,’ she added eyeing his bare skin. ‘You’re getting cold.’
He shrugged, more interested in watching her reaction to sight of his upper half. He decided she was attracted to him and it wasn’t just because he’d rescued her. Her gaze kept returning to him, surveying him covertly. He happily went inside to get another shirt, his question answered.
They had breakfast out on the veranda waving at people passing. They watched Cassy come out and walk briskly down the lane towards them.
‘Well you two look a picture,’ Cassy remarked with a broad grin.
‘Thank you so much for the dress,’ Natalya said quickly.
‘Let’s see it,’ Cassy said coming up the steps to join them. ‘I wasn’t sure it would fit.’
Natalya rose and pulled off Freddie’s shirt so Cassy could see. She twirled making the full skirt whirl around her for a moment. She couldn’t do anymore; her leg was complaining. But acting girly was fun occasionally. She stood, balancing her weight on the table top and pushed her wayward hair back.
‘That looks good on you, don’t you agree Freddie?’ Cassy asked aware he was transfixed. He was clearly smitten.
Natalya noticed Cassy was teasing Freddie; he dropped his head, his cheeks a little red.
‘Is it you I have to thank for the comb too?’ Natalya asked fishing it out of her pocket.
‘I didn’t know if you had one and by the looks of Freddie’s mop he probably doesn’t.’
‘Thanks!’ Freddie complained. ‘Cassy, while you’re here could you have a quick look at Natalya’s leg? She was injured last night.’
‘Didn’t Jim heal you?’ Cassy asked with a frown. She immediately waved Natalya back into the chair and knelt down beside the bandage wrapped leg.
‘No, but then we didn’t really stop to chat afterwards,’ Natalya admitted whilst Cassy unwound the bandage. ‘Hang on; you said he could have healed me?’
‘Yes, he’s got quite a bit of experience with magical healing. I’ve only done it once on Drako.’ Cassy met Freddie’s gaze and thought her question, ‘why didn’t he heal her?’
‘She wouldn’t want him so close. She doesn’t fully trust him and they did have a battle of wills last night. Jim was in lion form and annoyed yet she stood her ground and made him back down,’ Freddie told her.
Cassy absorbed that, along with a rerun of the scene. It suited Freddie perfectly for Natalya to remain out of Jim’s clutches; he was definitely protective of her. He was also proud of and in awe of her.
‘Let’s see what I can do to ease this for you,’ Cassy remarked leaving Freddie’s mind and putting her hands either side of the injury. She avoided being distracted by Natalya’s thoughts, although only surface thoughts were visible, which in itself was puzzling. Natalya clearly had a shielded mind, unusual for an animus. Cassy frowned at her own inattention and concentrated on the painful and jagged deep gash. The lessons Amelie had imparted to her came to the fore and she let her consciousness leave her body and enter Natalya’s leg by way of her hands. She searched the wound expelling small particles of infectious dirt first. Once it was clean she bathed the area in magic encouraging Natalya’s own magic to grab hold and use the extra strength to heal more quickly than it would otherwise have done on its own. Just a few minutes later the leg felt right; the gash sealed smoothly.
Cassy sat back limp and breathing heavily. That kind of focussed concentration was hard work, especially when it necessitated shouldering someone’s pain. She simply wasn’t used to handling that kind pain or working through it.
‘Thank you Cassy,’ Freddie said sincerely and pulled her to her feet. ‘Take my strength; you’ve got your lessons yet to go to.’
‘I’ll be ok,’ Cassy objected.
‘Once you’ve replenished yourself,’ Freddie told her and took her hands. ‘Drako will give me an earful for not looking out for you,’ Freddie added prompting her smile. Suddenly he felt her taking his strength. He’d never get used to the weirdness of doing this.
‘Thank you Freddie,’ Cassy said monitoring him closely so she didn’t overly sap his strength. But the temptation to fully recharge herself to the detriment of the host was always a danger a wizard had to guard against. It was so easy for a wizard to misuse their power. Draining the strength from others could be fatal to the donor.
‘What just happened? Why’s Freddie gone white?’ Natalya asked in alarm.
‘I used my strength healing you,’ Cassy explained. ‘Freddie gave me some of his. He just needs to rest and he’ll be fine.’
‘You put your strength into me didn’t you? Can you put some of mine into Freddie to help him?’ Natalya asked.
‘Probably,’ Cassy said eyeing Natalya in surprise.
‘I’ll be fine in a little while,’ Freddie tried to reassure her. But he was secretly very pleased she was concerned for his health.
‘Freddie, I’ve almost lost count of the times you’ve expended yourself for me. Cassy please do it. I don’t like seeing him so pale and wan.’
Cassy nodded, understanding the need to even such a debt where possible. She took Freddie’s hand and Natalya’s and began transferring until both were evenly tired before releasing them.
‘Thank you Cassy. That was very weird but he looks better and that’s all that matters.’
‘That’s all that matters?’ Freddie asked in surprise.
‘Yes, but don’t let it go to your head. Now I’m feeling better I need you to be able to keep up with me,’ Natalya told him and then noticed one of the men from their pack come out of one of the adjacent houses. ‘If you couldn’t then I’m sure one of the pack would be happy to volunteer.’
Freddie followed her gaze to Dustin and he growled. ‘That will not be necessary. I am fully able.’ He heard Cassy giggle and saw her exchange a bright smile with Natalya. ‘You two are going to be the death of me,�
� he grumbled realising he was being teased again.
Natalya followed Cassy down the steps. ‘Thank you again Cassy. If there’s ever anything I can do for you please ask.’
Cassy inclined her head in acknowledgement. She waved to Drako feeling him outside; he was on their veranda watching her. She took her leave hurrying up to the school before she was late for her first class.
Natalya returned to her chair finished her tea and again wrestled with the remaining knots in her hair. ‘Do you have any scissors?’
‘Not if you’re thinking of cutting your hair,’ Freddie said.
She growled at him and slapped the comb down on the table in disgust. Freddie took the comb, ‘may I try?’
‘It’s not worth the hassle. I only keep it because mother told me once that an animus woman never cuts her hair.’
‘She was right,’ he said and moved his chair behind her. He patiently worked loose the birds-nest at the back then went over the rest of her hair smoothing the very long strands. He glanced up, suddenly aware they were not alone. Drako was leaning against his railings and the rest of the pack had gathered too.
‘Hi Drako, didn’t see you there,’ Freddie admitted and put down the comb. He felt Natalya jump; she’d been all but asleep under his caressing ministrations.
‘Noticed that,’ Drako said with a wry grin. It was most unlike Freddie for anyone to be able to sneak up on him. But Drako knew only too well the havoc a woman could play on a man’s mind if he fell in love.
‘Won’t you come up?’ Natalya invited Drako, rising hastily to her feet. ‘We can bring another chair.’ Abruptly she stopped talking, looking back at Freddie. ‘Sorry, this is your home,’ she whispered to him.
‘No, don’t rush about, I’ve ample space at mine for everyone,’ Drako said amiably. He’d noticed that none of Freddie’s pack had set foot on the veranda since Natalya’s arrival. Once only had they come in and that was bearing a school bed and chaperoned. He’d noticed Freddie look a little tense at the thought of so many men coming into his territory. Freddie’s wolf was very much in charge emotionally, Drako suspected. Natalya swung her head again between Drako and Freddie and her hair floated round in a cloud of white.
‘Freddie can’t you find me some scissors? A knife would do,’ she huffed, trying to part her hair so she could see.
‘No. Just stand still. I’ll sort it,’ he told her. He swiftly plaited the top so it would be contained out of her eyes and was less likely to knot. But he rather liked seeing some of it loose. ‘Is that better?’
‘Scissors would have been better,’ she muttered and, her back to these other men, she met his eyes. He seemed rather uncertain of how serious she was. As she’d done in wolf form she sought to reassure him. She gave him a swift kiss on his lips, whirled and trotted down the steps.
Freddie ignored Drako’s broad grin, his attention on Natalya. She turned to look up at him and he hastily joined her. She was looking only at him and waiting for him. Reassured, he walked by her side, Drako beside him and the pack following.
Drako ushered them into his home but rather than go into the office he led them into his lounge. These men were the ones he knew best and had spent most of his time with, many since childhood. There was no point standing on ceremony with them; they knew each other too well, warts and all.
Natalya sat in one of the armchairs so Drako sat in the one opposite. The pack settled onto the sofa made for three, leaving Freddie without a chair. ‘You could bring over one of the dining chairs,’ Drako suggested to him.
‘I’m ok here,’ Freddie said sitting on the floor, his back against Natalya’s chair beside her feet. He knew it was his wolf urging him to position himself between other males and his female. But going with his instinct meant he could relax rather than trying to fight it.
‘Here Freddie,’ Natalya murmured passing him a cushion off her chair.
Freddie accepted the cushion, grateful he was off the stone flag floor. She hadn’t insisted he act in any other way or chided him for feeling protective. Instead she was letting him do as he pleased whilst thinking of his well being and comfort. These reactions gladdened his heart and also spoke volumes to the pack.
Drako asked about what exactly had happened the previous night leading up to the owl’s death. Freddie related the story. The pack had witnessed Natalya’s leap off the roof onto the flying owl’s back, but Drako hadn’t. Nor had any of them witnessed the owl chasing Freddie so vindictively. Freddie then went on to briefly explain why a wizard was after Natalya. None of those listening had any doubts that the traitorous owl deserved his fate. It was only right that she, as the victim, should have been the one to administer the justice. They were now anxious about what the wizard might do next. How much did he know? Had he seen any of their faces through the owl before he died? None of them knew whether the owl had just been lucky finding his quarry at the school or whether he’d known to come here. Had he come under the wizard’s orders? Did the wizard know where the owl had been when he died, for instance? This uncertainty in the face of a wizard of unknown strength or character was unsettling.
Natalya suddenly flinched and growled. ‘Get out of my head,’ she said angrily. ‘How dare you try and snoop. No, I won’t calm down. If you want to speak to me I’ll come up and see you. But get out of my head this instant. If you poke your furry little nose in again I’ll bloody it for you,’ she added snarling. She fell back limp, the presence gone.
‘What just happened?’ Freddie asked then he too jerked.
Natalya grabbed Freddie’s head between her hands and looked into his eyes. ‘Get out of Freddie’s head too,’ she snapped.
Freddie blinked, breathing again, and Natalya released him.
‘Well, what did just happen?’ Drako demanded.
‘Jim,’ Freddie said simply. ‘You shocked him,’ Freddie added, considering the impression he’d gleaned from the powerful presence.
‘Good. Another bloody interfering wizard is the last thing I need.’ She glanced round; they were all watching her intently and the silence seemed to drag. ‘Why won’t they leave me alone?’ she wailed curling on the seat and hiding her face from them. She felt hands turning and lifting her but they were Freddie’s. She let him take her into his arms, felt him sit in her chair so he could cradle her against him. She wrapped her arms about his neck and hid her face in the hollow of his throat. He was warm, strong and protective; just what she needed. She listened to the men talking; Drako had a particularly soothing voice. It wasn’t surprising he was a leader. Abruptly she raised her head towards the front door.
‘What’s the matter?’ Freddie asked feeling her tension return and that she was burrowing into his shirt.
‘The damn lion is coming,’ she told him and searched his face. She knew no-one else had a problem with the lion man; it was doubtless just her being overly sensitive to him.
Drako got up and went to the window. Sure enough Jim was walking quickly up the lane. He wondered how she’d known, but went to open the door.
‘You knew I was coming?’ Jim asked noting the door open as he approached.
‘I didn’t; but she did. What’s going on? You’ve scared her,’ Drako said unhappily.
Jim didn’t answer but moved straight inside. He stared at the woman in Freddie’s arms. Her vivid sky blue eyes stared back at him directly but her mind was closed and he could see she held onto Freddie tightly.
‘I’m sorry I shouted at you,’ Natalya capitulated. ‘I just don’t like anyone in my head.’
‘I got that message,’ Jim replied with the hint of a smile.
‘You needn’t have run down here, I said I’d come see you later,’ she said.
‘I know.’
‘So why are you here?’
‘To find out how an animus woman can knock me on my backside from half a mile away,’ Jim said.
‘You mean me? I didn’t do any such thing, it’s not possible,’ Natalya responded nervously.
‘But y
ou did. You knocked me out of Freddie’s mind too. Again, I’ve never heard of that being possible.’ He silently assessed her, glanced absently for a chair and realised there was no more comfortable seating. He gestured at the log pile and an armchair built itself, matching the existing pair. Jim sat down; the quick use of magic had helped take the edge off his mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation. ‘You are a puzzle. But one thing is clear, you have more power and ability than we first thought. What is it you are trying to hide from me? Why is your mind so barricaded even I cannot see in?’
‘Have you never thought to respect other people’s privacy?’ she demanded in a calm but coldly controlled voice. ‘No-one wants someone else poking about in their mind without consent.’
‘Granted, but you are forcing my hand. You are making me suspicious hiding so much. You blithely come here to hide, knowing exactly who the wizard on your tail is, but refusing to tell us about him. You expect me to fend off a wizard without any background knowledge that might help me?’
‘I don’t expect anything from you,’ she contradicted. ‘Like the owl, I will deal with him by myself. That had been my intention. I certainly don’t expect anyone to fight my battles for me and I have not asked anyone to do so. I know when I’m not welcome,’ she added springing to her feet and escaping out the door before anyone could guess her intention and try to stop her.
9. Battle of Wills
Natalya ran behind Drako’s house and into the woodland where she was quickly out of their sight. She ran as fast as she could, varying her course to throw them off, but heading for the wall. She checked the direction of the wind and changed into her kitty. Her dress she wrapped in Freddie’s darker shirt and hid them beneath a bush before springing up the trunk of a tree. Only moments later Freddie and the pack came into view; their noses to the ground. Following were a big black bear and lion arguing.
Natalya: Wizards of White Haven Page 8