Spurned Queen

Chapter 12: Almost

Lexi

First there was the smell. It was warm, heavy, and pleasant. It smelled of wood, and fields, and pollen. It smelled of humans, their quiet peace and comfort.

Then there was the sound. The sound of something tapping and scratching lightly, then the much closer, distinct sound of tiny claws scraping on wood.

I opened my eyes.

There was a patch of sunlight on the wooden floor. A tree stood just outside, tapping its twigs gently on the glass. Over in the corner, a rat snooped around. I smiled at the tiny claws that had woken me up.

I sat up, startling the rat so that it dove out of sight. I stared.

I was on a straw mattress that was on a bedstead built into the wall. I frowned at the scent of humans, failing to detect any werewolf scent.

Slipping to my feet, I tiptoed to the window and looked out. Outside was a view of a vast, unending plain stretching as far as the eye could see. Yellow grass stood still in the quiet afternoon sun all the way, the slight irregularities in its color indicating dips and hollows in the terrain. It was calming and pleasant.

But I wondered why I was in a human's abandoned cottage.

The memories came slowly back to me. I needed the Pearl Sea; I stole it; then I swallowed it and then, I could remember, it had put me through unfathomable agony. I barely remembered flying out the window and then...

There was something else. Something about being worthy? Serving willingly?

Who was I supposed to serve?

Oh yes, I recalled the water. I had fallen into the river behind the Wolfsbane pack house and almost drowned. I hadn't had enough energy to kick for the surface. I recalled waking up coughing, and vomiting water. Aevran had been standing over me, his hair straight with the moisture of the water.

Did he dive in to get me? If so, I was sheerly— unbelievably— lucky. But why was he there? It made no sense for a vampire to be so close to what was easily the headquarters for the Wolves.

Unless he followed me...

Lattis, like the stupid wolf she is, was ecstatic with the idea of our mate stalking us.

I rolled my eyes.

Wherever we were, it was late afternoon— that extra hot hour of the day when everything is still, and you just feel like going to bed with all your clothes off.

I was almost getting sleepy again.

Shaking myself, I proceeded to the door. I cracked it open, looking out at the abandoned little house. There was space for cooking beside the hearth, and some built-in furniture, but for the most part, it was empty.

Sad. The little wooden building begged for some light and laughter, for children to run around in it and have their mothers threaten to dig out their hair follicles with forks. Things were sturdy and strong and the place was bright if you could get all the windows open.

I was honestly startled when I noticed Aevran leaning against the wall right beside the door with his arms crossed. He gave me a faint, drowsy smile, watching me through hooded eyes.

"Hey," I murmured quietly, not wanting to break the spell of the atmosphere.

"Hi," he replied at the same volume, seemingly under the same spell. "How do you feel?"

I was very surprised and happy that he asked this. However, I simply answered calmly, sleepily, "Much better," as I leaned on the wall opposite him, matching his posture.