Fear and Loving

Chapter 11: Visitation

After the meeting with the council & my talk with Argos Abalon &.... the wolf was still nameless; Titania brought me to my home helped me pack & brought me to where I would be staying. It was a beautiful little cottage on a farm deep in the forest. My job was to care for the magical creatures in and around the house and property. It was a dream come true. I had always loved animals, and they loved me back. That apparently extended to magical creatures as well. I cared for them to the best of my ability and when I didn't know something the wood elves & gnomes told me what they knew in exchange for sugary snacks & baked goods. Today I was laying in the grass while the kuzons wrestled my legs & climbed & jumped all over me. They were tiny so none of it hurt but in a few months they'd be fearsome creatures. For now they were nothing more than fluffy kittens with leaves for tails. They were growing tired curling up in various spots to nap in the early morning sun. One was purring very loudly on my chest. I rubbed behind its tiny ear with my finger tip. This was bliss.

When the sun had risen all the way I felt the distinct tingle on my forehead that signaled my queens approach. She floated gracefully through the trees a few moments later. I smiled honestly very happy to see her. Of course  she was my savior but she was also the sweetest person I'd ever met. She was like a mother and a sister at once.

She smiled sadly at me when she was within reach.
"What's wrong?" I asked genuinely concerned but unsure I'd be able to help at all. She grabbed my hand & gave it a comforting squeeze as she had before.

"Today is the day," her light breathy voice spoke into my mind. "It has been a week. You must visit your mate." I stopped breathing.
"You will spend the day, and tonight with him and return tomorrow." I forced myself to take a deep breath. I had known this was coming. I had gotten too comfortable though, forgetting my troubles in this tiny slice of paradise I'd been given. I took a few more deep breaths reminding myself that I would be safe. I just had to endure his presence for a day. When I was physically calm I nodded at Titania. She smiled proudly taking my hand. With her free hand  she made a circle in the air and spoke in what I assumed was the language of the fae. A portal appeared, as clear as a mirror on the otherside was the front door of a large house. We stepped through onto the front steps. Argos immediately opened the the door. Looking slightly disheveled & wet.
I spaced out momentarily as Argos spoke to Titania. She spoke directly into his mind as she did mine so it was one sided from my point of view. I tried to call back the numbness I'd worn before in his presence. The queen kissed my forehead once more and was gone. And with that I was numb. I thanked whatever deity had given me this ability.

"Ever," I looked up in his direction, not making eye contact.
"Please come in. I apologize for the state of the house we've gone a little crazy being away from you." I don't know what I expected to see but the house was nice, slightly disorganized and mildly untidy. It looked like he'd been trying to work from home. There were small stacks of papers and empty coffee cups in various places.
It looked almost like how he used to leave his office for me to clean. But it was never clean enough. I remembered all too well the feel of the back of his hand when he discovered I hadn't tidied up to his liking. I frowned.
And then Argos vanished from beside me. I froze, tensed for impact. A few moments later he stood infront of me. Eyes glowing gold. He stepped forward grabbing my hand lightly. I closed my eyes as he reached for me with his other hand. I didn't really think he would hit me, but old habits die hard. He gently pushed my hair back from my face and stroked my cheek affectionately.

"Is that better mate?" The deep rumbling voice of the wolf asked. I opened my eyes confused. Is what better?
"The state of our home upset you. So I cleaned it." And he was telling the truth. The house was now spotless. He must have sped around it tidying up. I felt bad a little. I wasn't upset that the house wasn't perfectly cleaned. I had just had an unpleasant memory that's all. I said nothing, just stared blankly at him careful not to make direct eye contact. I watched as his eyes dimmed to their human hazel color. He stroked my cheek again with his thumb and then pulled away. "I apologize now, and in advance for touching you so much Ever. We can't help it, our body burns for your touch." He smiled sadly. I just nodded. It was ok. Titania had warned me about this the day we met. The mate bond make supernaturals crazy for their mates. They craved physical touch more than anything. They also went above and beyond to please their mates. Even if the mate in question didn't want pleasing. It was fine. Well... it wasn't fine but it was much better than being beaten unconscious. I took a deep breath letting him know it was ok for him to touch me today. I would endure it and then get back to my tiny paradise.