The Secret in the Mist (Random Updates)

Chapter 9

Evangeline opened her eyes and frowned as her brain registered that she wasn't in her bedroom. Sitting up, she looked around in confusion. Grabbing her Duke bear, she slipped out of the bed and walked over to the cracked-open French doors. Pulling them open enough for her to step through, her eyes widened as she took in the rainbow rose garden beneath her. That's right she was at Duke's.

The fresh scent of flowers encased her bringing her anxious mind into a calm as she watched the morning sunlight brighten the garden. Rubbing her eyes, she yawned before turning back to her room. Without really thinking about it, she left the room and headed down to the kitchen. With the sun just starting to rise, maybe it would be empty and she wouldn't be interrupting anyone with their routines. She hoped anyway as she silently walked down the halls.

Pushing the door open she blinked in surprise at the bright room. "Oh you're awake," Cirro said in slight surprise as he pulled a pan of bacon out of the oven. "Good morning, Duchess," his eyes fell to the stuffed bear in her arms and let slip a small smirk, "and Bear."

Evangeline's eyes nearly bulged out of her eye sockets as it registered what Cirro said before looking down at her hands. Indeed in her arms was the bear she had received from Duke. Feeling embarrassed, a pink hue bloomed on her cheeks, the bridge of her nose leading to the tips of her ears. A yelp of surprise had her starting to shift her weight to her left side as she began to move the bear behind her. "I um...um...I...," She stuttered as her mind began to try any logical reason for a twenty-three-year-old woman to still sleep with a stuffed animal.

"Morning Duchess, Bear," Raine said from behind her, making her jump and let out a louder squeal of surprise. "Is there a reason we're not sitting for breakfast yet?"

"Yeah, sit," Wolf said from behind Raine, "need my coffee."

Sit registered through her thoughts making her blink in surprise before unfreezing her feet and moving her body toward her chair without registering what she was actually doing.

"Here," Cirro smirked as he placed the two cups of coffee in front of the men. "Duchess, how did you sleep? Would you like coffee?"

She nodded before Raine cleared his throat, "and?" he pressed as he lifted his cup to his mouth.

Her face frowned in confusion as she tried to figure out what he was asking. "Oh," she whispered as it dawned on her. "S...surprisingly w...well, Sir. I can't remember the last t...t...time I s...slept more th...than three hours."

"Good," Cirro nodded, "I'll make you another tonight."

"I can," She shook her head, "don't want–"

"I said I will," he spoke so sternly she dropped her head to her lap, making her eyes land on her bear once more. Pressing it into her stomach even tighter, she bit her bottom lip to hold back a whimper. He cleared his throat, "It's my role to care for this family, Duchess. I enjoy providing nourishment to each one of us, so it is no problem or disturbance for me to make you a simple tea at night, especially if it will help you get the sleep you need. Do not argue about it again," a glance from Raine had him rolling his eyes before adding, "Please."

"O...ok...kay," she whispered as she barely lifted her eyes to stare at the table. Her grip on the bear didn't lessen and her breathing was a little fast although she seemed to be frozen in place. As if she was trying to make herself smaller, her presence nonexistent.

"Does Bear have a name or should we just keep calling him Bear?" Raine asked as he put some toast on her plate after buttering it. Her eyes shot up to his in shock when she realized that there was no malice or annoyance in it. She couldn't even hear a hint of teasing or mockery in it. Seeing just curiosity in his eyes then the other two's faces had her throat relax just a little.

"Duke," she whispered honestly.

"The duke give him to you?" Wolf asked.

A small smile graced her face as a memory flashed at the front of her mind. It was a memory she would never forget yet as much as it brought her happiness it also brought her such great pain causing the smile to waver into a grimace. The three watched the emotions in her eyes closely and were surprised at all she felt by that simple question.

"If it is difficult to answer you don't have to Duchess," Raine informed with a blank expression as he watched for any further hints of discomfort.

"Nn...no...um," she gulped before she forced herself to continue.

They had a right to know since it did involve Duke and she would be living with them. Her nerves wanted her to throw up but a very small part of her brain kept reminding her that they weren't showing any signs of teasing so far so maybe they were different. She had to at least give them a chance since Duke trusted them.

"Eight," she blurted out before blushing, "I...I was eight wh...when he gave him to me." She moved the bear from her lap to her chest, "Late birthday present since I wasn't allowed to visit on my actual birthday." Her eyes were closed so she couldn't see their faces. It made the words unstick from her throat. "Father was mad Duke had cake with me here in these chairs before he would speak with Father about something." Her fingers traced over the letters on the shirt, "Duke said I was special..." her voice faltered slightly. "I was a very special girl. I was special like him and I was bound to do brillant special things. He couldn't wait to watch me do amazing things. I held special place in his heart no matter what. Father said to quit lying to me," she frowned as tears filled her eyes, "Something...something happened, a fight I think..." she blinked out of her memory, "Didn't," she cleared her throat, "I didn't see him for years after that."