Celestial Bodies: Of Runts and Lycans

Chapter 57 P.1: Coming Home

Celeste's POV

Lycer let me sleep in.

I wanted to be mad at him but how could I be? For the first time in who knows how long, I felt actually rested. Well, as rested as I could be with my limbs protesting every move. My shoulder ached and the rest of my wounds burned. Even air brushing against the burns on my legs brought a hiss from my lips.

I waited until Lycer was actually asleep to allow my curiosity to get the best of me. Leroy seemed like a nice enough guy from the brief encounter we'd had with him. He let us stay here and for that I was incredibly grateful. My mind still felt a bit slow and I could feel a lingering sluggish lag in every step as I looked at the knickknacks on the shelves around the living room. A little rocking horse was the first thing to catch my eye. It was hand carved and I could see where the movements went smoothly versus where they were a sharper moment. It was given a small cloth saddle that had yellowed from time. Seashells lined several spots on the shelves along with paperweights seemingly from different places across the country, maybe even the world. Names like "Arizona" and "Nevada" were dotted on a few that I somewhat recognized from my studies. I traced my hand over another carved figure, this one a dancer. You could tell she was a dancer from her dress and raised hands, her chin also lifted in a move of elegance.

There was no TV in the living room. Only a small box with two wires and speakers. A radio, the word clicked in my head. I imagined reading on the comfy worn out chair, a blanket over my lap and the radio singing softly in the background. Xavier would wander in from the kitchen, something wafting a heavenly smell in his hands. He would kiss my temple as he took my book and replaced it with the food. I would roll my eyes. He would roll his. We'd both smile and share a brief kiss.

I wondered how long it would be before I could link him again.

My legs burned with every step but I kept going as I got to the hallway. It was bare, the walls, but there were several spots where you can see photos once hung, dust settling in uneven squares and rectangles. Made me wonder what past Leroy came from, what he was running away from. I wandered back down the hallway and into the kitchen. Knitted patterns decorated several towels and placemats on the table in the adjoining dining room. The curtains on a window above the sink were a similar shade of yellow with a brown lace lining. On the windowsill sat several stones. I picked one up with curiosity.

"Those were m' wife's." I jump, a hiss leaving my lip at the harsh movement of my shoulder as I spin to find Leroy leaning against the wall. "Moonstones," he explained. I turned back to the stones. I thought they looked familiar. A brief memory of similar stones sitting in my childhood home rang through. Dad had several small dishes of moonstone scattered throughout the house. . . "It's thought to connect the wolf people to their goddess." My shoulders stiffened, a sharp breath going through my nose. "Don't worry. I know." I took a cautious step back, eyes briefly flashing towards the living room where Lycer is sleeping. "Sorry, I don't mean t' frighten you." He steps forward, somewhat hobbling into the small space. My foot hits the cabinets, my better hand grabbing onto the counter. "My Sherry was one of ya." My eyes widen. And despite this revelation, I feel as though the room has gotten smaller. "Lost her to hunters about five years ago."

"I'm so sorry," I whisper.

He shrugs. "What's done is done." He leans over my shoulder and I shrink in response. "Sorry," he apologises, grabbing one of the moonstones. "Y'all lead a more dangerous life than ya might think. Cherish yer mate while you can." His hand finds my uninjured shoulder, laying gently there. "Have ya found them yet?"