Howl

Emmaline

Hey guys! I've been gone for a long while and I'm sorry, I'm currently in the middle of exam season and it's awful. But here's an extra long chapter filled with epiphanies. A much deeper insight into Wiliam's character :)

Chapter song: Jessie Ware- Say You Love Me

Chapter 37

It was incredibly sunny. The type of brightness outside that is so blinding it's nearly painful to stare at something for too long. I was in the maze, the one at Wiliam's house, or more accurately, spread eagle on the grass ground, with mud in my mouth.

My face was smooshed uncomfortably against the dirt and my arms flayed awkwardly. I slowly pushed myself up and blearily looked around, blinking rapidly to try and dispel the sting in my eyes. It looked different; less dreary and morose, there were flowers of blue, pink and gold in the bushes, and the fountain was streaming with crystal clear water, it gushed lavishly and sparkled like diamonds in the afternoon haze as a fine spray misted over my face from the back splash.

"I haven't done any such thing." A soft and elegant voice drifted into my ears. "Now I'd appreciate it if you'd please step away from me?" I crawled towards the high base of the fountain, keeping low. For some reason I felt like I shouldn't be seen, not yet, and peered my head around a little to get a good look at whoever was there.

There were two women. One of them was wearing a navy blue dress that had long sleeves and a high collar, it suited the harsh demeanour of the woman, her hair was slicked back into a tight bun that just emphasised the ferocity of her face. Her hazel eyes were striking and sharp as they glared at the other woman. I bit back a gasp as her face got clearer to me the longer I looked.

Despite the obvious lack of makeup and change of costume, it was distinctly Morgan. I bit my lip and looked at the other woman, she sat on the bench before Morgan, a wide and delicate looking parasol behind her to protect her from the heated stare of the sun. I couldn't see much of her due to the parasol, but I could see the intricately designed dress she wore of an off white colour and lace texture.

She wore matching gloves and held the handle of the parasol carefully, a tinkling laugh drifting through the air softly.

Then Morgan scowled, turned away and abruptly left in a flurry of furious blue, disappearing within the confines of the maze. As soon as she was out of sight the woman slowly dropped the parasol, her shoulders hunching and her back losing the graceful posture. She kicked off her dainty heeled shoes and sat back with a sigh on the marble bench.

I slowly crept closer. Who was this woman?

"You can come out now," I heard her laugh, "you've been there an awful long time."

I froze, and was about to reveal myself when a handsome figure stepped from the shadows of the bushes. His dark hair was slicked back and he wore a fine tailored suit with a cravat and breeches. My mouth popped open, Wiliam?

"Forgive me, love, I enjoy watching you bask in the sun." He chuckled, lifting her small gloved hand to his smirking mouth and pressing a firm kiss there. She laughed, and finally dropped the parasol completely, a glistening mane of curly red hair glittering in the sun, coiled in an intricate braid on her head entering my vision.

She stood and he pulled her into a gentle, loving hug. Was this really Wiliam? I didn't think he was capable of such tenderness. My eyes watched with a fascinated intensity. His hands held her as if he was afraid she would break and his smile was tender.