by V. A. Dold
She chuckled and went to work on his bath. “This is a bath for illness, as the water fills the tub, I’ll add white rose petals, white carnations, gardenias, and rosemary for healing. Then to cheer the soul, I add sliced orange, a half lemon, and neroli oil. Finally, to purify the soul, fresh coconut milk is added. All of these have already been blessed and prepared, once you get in, you need to imagine the heaviness in your heart and soul dissipating. Feel it rise from your body and float away leaving only lightness, happiness and love. Remain in the bath until it begins to cool, then dress and rejoin us.”
“That sounds easy enough.” As soon as she closed the door, he stripped and lowered into the perfumed water. It felt so good, he had to suppress the moan rising from his chest. Closing his eyes he imagined the darkness and depression rising from him and drifting away. He imagined having complete control of his shifting and feeling in harmony with his wolf soul again. He thought about the events leading up to his squad leader’s injury and pictured himself having not only control over his empathy but a sharper honed, improved ability to discern what he detects.
If pain had color or physical form, he was sure he would have seen it floating out of his body. His depression lifted and his guilt lessened. He would swear, if he got on a scale he would weigh fifty pounds less. The water was cooling and goose bumps started to rise. Time for the next step.
He returned to a room filled with candlelight and chanting. So as not to disturb them, he quietly sat in a chair. He noticed a low table had been set in the room with a satin cloth draped over it.
The room quieted and Anna opened her eyes, the power radiating from her was awe-inspiring. “Simon, please join me at the alter.” She hung a small leather pouch around his neck. “This is a putsi, it has been filled with a piece of hematite, herbs, and an amulet. Wear it for three days and three nights. On the fourth day, hold it in your hand and visualize your goal of regaining complete control over your wolf and shifting.”
She turned toward the alter and struck a match. “As I light the yellow candles and sprinkle the eucalyptus leaves, visualize yourself healthy and whole again. Then light the orange candle, then red candles on each side of the orange one. Watch the flames burn the illness away, and sense your strength returning to you. As you do that, repeat three times “I will no longer thirst on weakness and depression. My strength will help to heal me, and I will regain my health. Finally end with ‘so shall it be’ and snuff the candles out.”
He scooted as close as he could on his knees and followed her instructions with only minor prompting. He was saying the spell for the third time when a surge of power rushed into his body. “So shall it be.” And he blew out the candle. Startled he stared at Anna then his mother. “It feels like I was filled up and then someone stuck a stopper in me. And, the pain is gone too.” He laughed, feeling truly joyful for the first time in years.
The ladies smiled and laughed with him. “That means it worked,” Emma said as she patted his arm.
Next Anna brought forth a poppet made of muslin and filled with hyssop, Angelica, agrimony, sage, frankincense, and myrrh. He noticed his dog tags were wrapped around it and the chunk of hair Anna pulled out of his head was now the doll’s hair.
Anna laid it in the middle of the table and poured four quadrants of white cornmeal creating a circle. She placed a white candle at the head, another at the feet.
“As I complete the ritual, Simon, focus all your thoughts on healing yourself and regaining your control.”
She then placed a crucifix on the doll and splashed it with holy water. She lit the candles and while they burned the women chanted a healing prayer. Once the candles burned down she indicated for Simon to follow her and they disposed of the wax in the running river water.
Anna and Simon returned happy and laughing.
“I have heard you’ll be very tired and a nap will help to settle the magic,” Berti said as she gathered items into her bag.
Yawning, he said, “Excuse me. Sorry about that. You’re right, I am really tired.”
“Take a nap, then come visit on the fourth day of the putsi and let me know how you feel,” Anna said as she hugged him and collected her bags to leave.
Those ladies are fast he thought when minutes later, he was alone.
He stretched out on the couch and for the first time since returning, slept as a human.
Four Days Later
He had taken an all day run, wanting the exercise and needing to work off his raging hormones. After dinner and a quick shower he’d fallen to sleep on the couch.
Simon came awake to the most astonishing feeling of his life. He knew instinctively who was caressing him. Her scent was heavy in his nose and he loved it. Rose was stroking him...no woman had ever woken him in such a gentle manner. Her hand on his hair was warm, soothing. She stroked and smoothed it with tenderness, running her fingers through it over and over. And that meant more to him than anything. She must not be mad at me anymore.
He opened his eyes to the most beautiful sight. She was looking down at him with a smile on her full lips and a sparkle in her blue eyes. Her parted lips looked so inviting. So delicious…
Realizing he was awake she lifted his head from her lap and scooted off the couch. Damn, I should have left ten minutes ago. She hadn’t wanted him to catch her petting his hair. He stood and she couldn’t help but run her eyes over him. He was tall with lean defined muscles in his upper body, chest and arms, and wide shoulders. His hair was thick and dirty blond, some might call it shaggy sheik.
“That was nice, I could wake up to your pretty blue eyes every morning.” He tucked in the edges of his shirt that escaped his jeans while he slept.
“I came by to see how you were feeling. Anna said you were sick and she had done something to make you feel better and it would help if I made sure you didn’t have a fever. After I sat on the couch you rolled over and wriggled into my lap, I didn’t want to wake you.” She spoke rapidly and lowered her gaze.
He grinned to himself, if I can make her this flustered I just might have a chance. “Thank you for making sure I was okay, that means a lot to me. She told me to check in with her today, would you like company walking back?”
Her eyes shot back to his. “Um…Okay. Are you going right now?”
“Let me find my shoes and we’ll be on our way.” He held her gaze and watched her grow a pretty pink under his scrutiny. He liked her flustered. He took her hands and searched her eyes. “I've missed you, Rose,” he said in a hushed tone. “You're all I've been thinking about for days. I lie in bed and all I think about is seeing you, talking with you, touching you.”
She pulled her hands free. He sensed irritation and unrest from her as she walked away from him. He gave her a moment to cool off while he put his shoes on.
“I don't get you, Simon,” she said as she faced him. “You get upset if another man touches me and then you ditch me with two horny guys at your family barbeque. You avoid me for days and now you say you missed me and think about me all the time. What is wrong with you? Are you just playing with me? Because if you are…”
“Absolutely not. I’ve had issues that until now I couldn’t control. I was sick, okay? Until the day you walked into Cade’s house, I was nothing, simply existing. I got up, I ate, I worked, and I went to bed. Now… I want more, you make me want more.”
“What kind of issues?” she asked quietly.
He ground his teeth in anger, wishing he could tell her the truth and have her believe it. But he couldn't. Not yet. “Someday I’ll tell you all about it. But right now, I think we should see Cade and Anna.”
He held the screen door open for her to precede him onto the deck, and then slid his palm down her arm to grasp her hand.
She stiffened for a second as she gazed at his face before looking away. Even though she obviously wanted him, she seemed uncomfortable with caresses and touching. I’ll have to delve into my mate’s past, learn her secrets, and rid her of these physical uncertainti
es. At least she hasn’t pulled her hand away, he thought.
The two houses were on the same section of the plantation, just acres from each other. Too soon he released her hand to hold the door for her.
“Anna, we’re here,” Rose announced.Billiard balls cracking greeted them so they headed for the game room.
“Hi, guys,” Anna said cheerfully as Cade growled at the solid that slipped into the side pocket. “Why, thank you, honey.” She kissed his cheek as she passed him.
“I take it, you’re stripes?” Simon asked.
“Yeah, Cade is getting his ass kicked by a girl,” Stefan laughed.
“Oh, shut up.” Cade snapped at him.
They all burst out laughing at his surly behavior over losing to his mate.
Anna polished off the eight ball and put her cue in the rack. “How are you feeling, Simon?”
“I feel amazing! I can’t thank you enough.”
“I’m still unclear about what illness you had,” Rose chimed in.
Anna jumped in to cover for the men. “Sorry, Rose, that’s kind of a private matter.”
“Oh, yeah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.” She looked mortified by her question.
“It’s okay, cher. I’ll explain it one day soon,” Simon said, taking her hand, his wolf wanting to sooth her as much as the man did.
“Thank you, Simon.” Rose stretched on tiptoes and placed a sweet kiss on his cheek. As she pulled back, she saw the way he savored it.
He picked her hand up and brought it to his lips, and placed a hungry kiss on her knuckles.
Rose glanced at the clock above the mantel. “I have some things I need to do in my room, so I’m going to call it a night. I’m glad you’re feeling better, Simon. Goodnight everyone.” She made a hasty exit to the safety of her bedroom.
Simon frowned as he watched her leave. “What the hell did I do now?” he asked Anna.
She shook her head and patted the couch cushion next to her. “You need to understand a few things about her.”
The men gathered around Anna and waited for her to continue.
“She’s had a rough life. Her parents died when she was so young, she doesn’t remember them. During her years in foster care, well, let’s just say she had some horrifying experiences. She doesn’t trust men easily and hasn’t had many relationships. I won’t tell tales out of school, those are her stories to tell when she’s ready. Just be patient with her and she’ll come around as far as the physical aspects. She already desires you and has feelings for you. She hasn’t had a lot of self-esteem until recently, you seem to have changed her in many ways. But you may need to tell her how you feel about her many times before she will believe it’s true. Her heart and soul want you but her mind needs to catch up. She was making great strides until the barbeque; your disappearance sent her into a self-esteem tailspin. Are you prepared to hang in there for the long haul?” she asked Simon.
“I’m not going anywhere. I don’t care how long it takes for her to believe she’s the only one for me.”
“Good answer. Now, Rose was right, it’s getting late. Stop by in the morning for coffee and try again with her.”
Chapter 8
The Picnic
Simon reluctantly trudged across the acreage between the houses. The further he got from Cade’s the more his heart ached and his wolf howled. The weight on his chest was making it difficult to breathe. He felt pathetic when he only made it to the edge of the porch light’s glow and had to turn back. Head hanging, he knocked on the door.
“Simon? Is everything all right?”
“I can’t leave her.” Short and to the point. No need to embarrass himself more than necessary.
“Come on, sweetheart. I have an empty guestroom.” Graciously, Anna led him down the hall. The only other option would be sleeping outside Rose’s door. Although explaining Simon rolled in a blanket on the floor in the hallway the next morning would have been interesting at best.
After failing to sleep all night, Simon stretched his tired and achy muscles. Being under the same roof with Rose only feet away, but in another room, had been torturous. He let out a happy chuckle. I’ll take the torture any day of the week. In truth, being in a separate house from his mate wasn’t an option so he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Cocking his head, he heard her moving in her room. He scrambled to quickly grab his jogging pants from the end of the bed and tie the waist. He reached for his day old T-shirt but as he caught a whiff of it his head snapped back of its own accord and turned away. Dear Goddess, that’s disgusting. He would just get a clean shirt after he had a cup of coffee. He tossed it back on the floor and stepped out of his room just as Rose was closing her door.
“Good morning, cher.”
Startled, she let out a squeak in surprise.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She smiled then frowned as she recognized that deep, hypnotic voice. She looked over her shoulder to see Simon standing behind her. Wearing nothing but sweat pants, he was the best thing she'd ever seen. His blond hair was sleep mussed and a bit shaggy as it grew out from his military cut, and his blue eyes practically glowed. He took her breath away. What the heck is he doing here?
He had a manly voice. Rich and deep. It resonated with a Cajun drawl, and every time he spoke, it sent a strange chill through her. She'd never heard any man with a voice so innately masculine.
“Nice hair,” she teased. “You’re here very early…”
“It was getting late and Anna gave me a guest room for the night,” he said, combing his hair with his fingers.
“Oh.” Her eyes grew large. “That was nice of her.”
“I thought so too.” He shrugged, as they made straight for the aroma of coffee. He followed her into the kitchen. The entire house smelled of coffee and cinnamon rolls.
She poured herself a cup then looked at him. “Would you like some?”
“Yes, please.”
Rose poured another cup and handed it to him. “Did I make it right? You take cream and sugar?”
“Perfect.”
When he took it from her, she felt the warmth of his fingers brush hers.
An incredible rush went through her. She felt his surprise. His heated interest. WHOA! What the heck was that?
Tearing her gaze from his in shear self preservation, she noticed a note in the middle of the table.
Rose and Simon,
Both Cade and I were called to an important meeting. We will be gone most of the day.
Enjoy the rolls.
I heard the weather will be perfect today so I left a picnic lunch for you in the fridge. Choose any wine from the rack.
Have fun you two and see you at dinner.
Love,
Anna
Rose grinned while she grabbed a cinnamon roll from the plate. They smelled like a little slice of spicy heaven. She was munching happily on the roll and sipping her coffee when the delicate scent of fresh linens wafted around her. She glanced around the kitchen for a basket of freshly laundered sheets. Where’s that coming from? I love that smell.
They finished breakfast and sat in an uncomfortable silence sipping coffee.
I need to take this bull by the horns, he thought. “I’d love to have a picnic. Are you game?”
She hesitated. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
Simon frowned. “Why not?”
“I won’t be here for long and…”
“Please, Rose, have lunch with me. I promise I will be a complete gentleman.”
She studied him with a skeptical expression. “Okay, it could be fun. Anna’s right, it does look like it’ll be a nice day.”
Simon gave her what could only be called a shit-eating grin. “I have a few things to do and then I’ll come back for our lunch.”
Offering him a smile, she said, “Perfect, I need to do laundry anyway.”
A few hours later he returned. “Rose? Are you ready?” He called from the
kitchen.
She popped her head out of the laundry. “In a minute, I’m folding the last load.”
“I’ll pack up the food, do you prefer red or white?” he asked.
“White would be wonderful, just give me a minute and I’ll be ready.”
A few minutes later he was holding the door for her as they left the house. He held the picnic basket in one hand and entwined his fingers with hers with the other. He could hear her heart racing and watched her throat work as she swallowed and avoided looking at him. She was such a fascinating contradiction of desire and hesitancy.
There was a gorgeous century old oak laden with Spanish moss close to his home that would be a wonderful location for their lunch date. The moss swayed in the breeze and dripped from the branches until it kissed the ground.
“Is this spot okay with you?” he asked.
He heard her suck in a breath and watched as a smile grew. “It’s so pretty. I like the look of the moss in the trees down here. We don’t have anything like it in Denver.”
Taking the blanket from her, he spread it then helped her sit. Once she was comfortable he placed the basket by the edge and joined her. He tucked his arm behind his head as he lay back and searched the clouds. Simon reached for her hand again, this time slowly, gently, letting her get used to the idea. His fingers slid over hers in a caress. “I see a bear.” Goddess, her skin is incredible.
She gave him a confused frown. “What?”
“In the clouds.” He shielded his eyes and pointed. “See, right there? It’s a bear.”
Smiling excitedly, she lay next to him and searched for a shape. “I’ve never done this before.”
“No way!”
“Really. In the houses I grew up in, there wasn’t much of a yard and the parks weren’t safe, so I never have.”
“Well, then I’m honored to be the first to look for cloud shapes with you. This will be just one of many firsts, I hope.” He looked deeply into her eyes and lifted her knuckles to his lips.