Crimson River

Chapter 5

I managed to convince Rikkard that he should stay in his room and I'll just sleep on the couch. He begrudgingly agreed to allow me to stay on the couch but only after telling me that if I changed my mind that I could just shove him on the floor. I laughed at this but he told me he was serious. 

I fell asleep on the couch after changing into the slightly over sized nightgown Mrs. Everly let me borrow. I was sleeping fine until I woke up to someone groaning in their sleep and some whimpering. I slowly get up, leaving the blanket I had been provided with on the couch. I walk slowly up the stairs, not wanting to wake those who were still asleep. I follow the sounds of groans and whimpers and find Rikkard tangled up in his sheets, whimpering and groaning. 

I walk over slowly and see him sweating profusely, looking terrified. I gently shake him, trying to wake him. When that doesn't work I climb over him and shove him off his bed onto the floor, hoping I don't wake Mr. and Mrs. Everly who are sleeping below. 

"W-what..?" he says groggily from below. I look over the edge of the bed and see him on his back tangled in the sheets. 

"You were having a nightmare and you wouldn't wake up," I told him and he shudders. I help him up and he lays back down on his bed and I sit on the edge. "If it doesn't bother you, may I ask what it was about?" 

He runs a hand through his hair. "It was about you."

"Me?" I ask him taken aback, "What was I doing?"

"You were a witch like my brother said and a war started between your village and another over me being human."

I pale and he looks at me, noticing my pale shade. 

"What is it?" he asks me, sliding a blanket over my shoulders. 

"It's nothing. I promise," I say, shaking the blanket off. "You need to get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning alright?" I pull his blankets back over him and turn to leave, he grabs my hand not allowing it. 

"What is it? I say the word witch and you tense up. Are you scared of them?"

"I'm not scared of any witch. Most are very nice and-" I stop noticing that I slipped up. He looks at me, his eyes widening. 

"What is truly going on Cassandra. Are you a witch?" 

"I don't have to tell you anything Rikkard. It's safer this way," I tell him as I try to pull my hand out of his grasp. He doesn't budge and instead pulls me onto the bed, pinning me to the sheets with his body.

"Tell me the truth Cassandra. Are you a witch?" he says, his amber eyes staring into mine. 

"Rikkard please, the less you know the safer you are."

"You are aren't you. How could you not tell me this?" he asks, his voice raising slightly.

"Because I don't want to get you killed but if this continues I know you will be!" I say back, looking him dead in the eyes. 

"Cassandra, is there anything else I need to know about you? Why is it that you are so feared in your village? Why don't they just kill you so they don't have to fear a witch?"

"They can't kill me. I'm to important to them and even if they did kill me it wouldn't be because I'm a witch, they all are. My village is home to my coven members. And be careful around them. They shouldn't hurt you because they have seen you with me but never let them catch you alone."

"Why not? I get that they are witches but the way you say it sounds like there's something else," he says, looking down at me, many emotions running over his face.

"We are blood witches Rikkard. We feed off of the energy in human blood. Kinda like vampires. We can do all sorts of things after feeding, me especially," I look away from him, not wanting to see the disgust on his face.

"Have you used your magic on me?" he whispers. "Have you taken my blood?"

"I haven't done anything of the sort. I would never do it without your consent."

"Have you drank anyone's blood before?"

"Not fresh from the person," I say.

"But you have drank blood..," he gets up and rushes to the bathroom where I can hear him gagging. I lay there not sure what to do. I could erase his memory...

He comes back in and sees me still lying on his bed. I immediately sit up off the soft sheets and get up to leave. 

"If you wish I can erase your memory or just leave you alone. You don't have to see me ever again," I say, looking at the floor. He says nothing but instead goes and lays down leaving me awkwardly standing and looking at the floor. 

"I'll just leave you alone then. Sorry for not telling you," I say, curtsying then leaving. I walk down the wooden stairs quietly, finding my way back to the living room. I lay down and cover myself with the old quilt and fall into a fitful sleep.

"Wake up deary. Breakfast is ready. I've laid out some clothes for you in Rikkard's room," I hear Mrs. Everly say as she gently shakes me. I sit up and yawn, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. She smiles down at me and leaves me alone, heading to the kitchen to put the food on the table. 

I get up and head up the stairs into Rikkard's room and see the clothes Mrs. Everly set out for me on his bed. I quickly change and brush my hair out using my fingers and then head downstairs to find everyone already eating. I sit down, not looking at anyone and start eating the porridge set in front of me. Rikkard doesn't even glance my way, leading me to believe he hates me now.

I finish eating and Rikkard does a second later, getting up and telling his parents that he will take me home now. He leaves the room and I get up and follow him, thanking his parents for their hospitality. 

Outside he is waiting next to his lovely mare. I quickly climb on and he gets on after me, spurring the horse in the direction of my home. After a few minutes I can't take it anymore. 

"Do you hate me?" I blurt out. He stops the mare and I turn around to see him staring at me, several emotions crossing his face. "Please answer me. I understand if you do."

"I don't know. I'm frustrated that you kept something so important from me. I really wish you trusted me enough to tell me."

"If you want more of the truth then hear this. If my coven finds out that there is more than friendship then they may leave us be but if another coven catches wind of it war will break loose and more than likely we will end up dead. You understand?" I say, hopping off of the horse. I pet the mare once before I start walking, heading away from him. 

"Cassandra wait, whether I like you or not my honor as a gentleman will not allow you to wander through the woods alone," he says as his mare walks beside me. He reaches down to help me up but I don't take his hand. 

"Listen, I'm going to to allow you to think about what you want to do about this thing,"  I say not looking at him. "You need to figure out what happens now."