The Angelus Brothers Chronicles - The Golden Hind

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Kaia lay on the floor with the pillow under her head and the duvet pulled over her. She kept telling herself she should get up and do something, but she just didn't want to move. She could not remember the last time she had felt so comfortable. The thick carpet below her was warm and comfortable, the duvet was so soft and cozy, like sleeping under a cloud. Someone tapped at the door, making her jump. Sitting up, she called out. 

"Yes?" 

"Just me. Can I come in?" She smiled, recognizing Cassiels' charming voice. 

"Yes, of course." 

He walked in, narrowly avoiding stepping on her. Blowing a lock of green-black hair from his green eyes, he looked from her to the bed. 

"Something wrong with the bed?" 

"It was too soft." 

"I'm not sure we have hard ones." He frowned as he spoke. 

"I'll get used to it. It felt amazing when I first got in." Lifting the duvet, she grinned. "I love this. It's so fluffy and warm." Cassiel laughed. 

"Wait till you discover satin sheets." She looked at him questioningly, but he shot her one of his charming smiles. 

"Marie tells me you might like to go for a walk outside. I have come to offer my company and give you these from Marie." He presented her with a big floppy sun hat and a white cotton dress.  

Kaia held her arms out and twirled in the brilliant sunlight. Feeling its warmth on her again made her feel giddy with excitement. Cassiel laughed as he watched the childlike woman practically dance in the sunshine. There was something about her he found so endearing; maybe it was her amazement at everything he saw as being so normal. Even the sunglasses had at first baffled, then amazed her. Stumbling, she caught Cassiels' arm and held it for support. Patting her hand he smiled at her. 

"Shall we take a turn about the ground?" 

"A turn?" 

"Walk. Shall we walk around the gardens? Well, not all of it. It's acres and your muscles need time to recover. But over to the lake?" She nodded and smiled back at him, having no idea what an acre was, but a lake sounded good to her. Holding her hand on his arm, Cassiel walked leisurely so as not to tire the hind. 

"Who else lives in such a huge building?" Kaia pointed to their grand old Manor house. 

"Me, my eldest brother Gabriel, Azrael, another of my brothers. Winston, who you met yesterday, also Marie and her mate Duncan. Raphael and Rouge live here part-time, well at the moment, but they prefer the Hidden Isle." 

"Rouge told me of the Hidden Isle and their cabin in the woods. It sounds peaceful." 

"Do you like the woods? We have some just past the lake. It's not huge but it's a nice leafy retreat. I grow bluebells there in spring, my mother spent a lot of time there." She squeezed his arm a little. 

"I'd love to spend some time in them if I am here long enough." He glanced down at her. 

"Where do you plan to go when you leave us?" Kaia went very quiet. Where would she go? Her sisters were gone. Her woods likely were too from what Rouge had said. She didn't know anyone but these kind people. Sensing her sudden misery, Cassiel squeezed her hand comfortingly.  

"There is no hurry for you to leave here, Kaia. We have plenty of rooms, and my brother is sworn to Zeus to help any creature in need. Marie would probably tie you to the bed frame if you tried to leave before you've put weight on and have adjusted to this time anyway. So really, no rush. Find your feet and spend some time.in our woods." Feeling tears prick at her eyes the hind sniffed.