For the Love of my Fang

Annabelle

CHAPTER TWELVE - ANNABELLE

Erick’s POV

    Knowing that my mate needed her space and that my presence in the room wasn’t really welcomed, I decided to go out for a walk in the gardens.  Something I hadn’t done for a long time. 

    Taking in the different scents, I smiled at the memories of my mother.  I could still picture her waking up early in the morning just to attend to her gardens.  Treating each flower, each plant as if they were a child of her own.  Talking to them and bathing them with great care.

    Sitting on a small bench, I could literally feel my body beginning to relax.   When a shuffling of leaves caught my attention, I was out of the bench in the blink of an eye.  Searching for whatever had made that noise.

    Surprise taking over me as I found the two mortals that worked for me, kissing by a fountain.

    Clearing my throat, I managed to get their attention.       

    “Sorry.” the woman said, making sure her clothing was properly placed.

    “How long has this been going on?” I asked surprised.  Not much got by me, specially when you could easily read the people who worked for you.

    For a moment, I could see the panic in their eyes, before they turned to face each other.   

    “Since winter.” the man stated, grabbing on to the woman’s hand.

    An agonizing silence spreading between us.

    “Is this going to be a problem when you turn?” I asked the man concerned, letting them know I wasn’t going to band their relationship.

    “No.” the man answered as honest as he could.  “Me and Janine have talked it thru.  If when I turn, I could read her, our relationship will end.”

    Knowing first hand that things weren’t as simple as they seemed, I knew they could only learn from their own mistakes.      “This is our little secret then.”  I said, searching for another bench.  One that was far away from them.

Melanie’s POV

    Sadden by the fact that I would never leave this place, I made my way into the library.  Hoping that reading a book will bring peace to my soul.

    Picking out a book from the top shelf, I wasn’t aware of how heavy it was until I felt it slip between my hands, spreading some of the sheets around.  Ashamed at my own clumsiness, I quickly kneeled to retrieve them.  Surprised to see that it wasn’t a book but an album.

    Sitting more comfortable on the ground I pulled the sheets closer  to me.  I smiled to myself as I saw that most of the portraits were from a small Erick. 

    Shutting the book close, I was surprised to see a portrait had fallen under a chair, face down.  Wanting to pick it up before anyone became aware of my mistake, I froze to find an adult Erick hugging a beautiful woman. 

    “Annabelle.  Her name was Annabelle.” Armand said taking the portrait from me. 

    “Who is she?”  I asked concerned.  A little twinge of jealousy in me.  How could he talk about the importance of a mate to me, when he obviously already had a special someone in his life?

    “She was Erick’s wife.”

    “Erick was married?” I asked unable to hide my surprise.

    “Yes.  Back when he was mortal.” he said placing the book and portraits back on their place.

    “What happened?”

    “I don’t think I should be telling you this.” Armand stated honestly, exiting the library.

    Knowing that he was my only source of answers, I followed Armand into the room.  “Please.”

    As Armand sat on the desk, I could see the struggle he had with himself.  It was clear he didn’t know how much to say.  Or what to say.

    “How long were they married?”

    “For almost a year.  When Erick turned he was able to read and control her.  Not well for any marriage.  They fought like cats and dogs.  Until Annabelle died.”

    “She died?  How did she die?”

     “No one knows.”