Wonderland

Chapter 9

Katya's kids had left with Henri to go back home a few minutes ago. Katya yawned loudly as she sat on her couch, well on Daemon's lap as he sat on the couch. She was so tired. So sleepy. She yawned again as she closed her eyes and hummed a small tune to herself. She faintly heard Daemon's whispers of sweet nothings in her ear as her world grew darker and she tumbled into a restless sleep.

Katya was walking through her old home. Her childhood home. Everything was dark and musty. She carefully made her way from the small living room towards the rustic kitchen where something smelled delicous. And as she walked in she saw her mother at the stove flipping pancakes. Katya's heart ached as she reached out towards her mother, to touch her knowing that was impossible.

'Makila!' she tried shouting the old mage word for mother but her voice was just a faint whisper. Her mother kept on flipping pancakes with that beautiful smile on her perfectly round face, dark strands of hair falling down her cheeks.

Katya wanted, needed, to get closer but she couldn't move fast enough and soon her mother faded. Katya was now in an open field of grass. It was dark outside, the stars twinkling. And for some reason Katya's mother was out here. Alone. Her mother suddenly looked up from whatever she was picking and frowned. Katya looked around and realized her mother was surrounded. Everywhere she turned; wolves. Katya shook her head violently.

'Makila!' she tried again to yell for her mother but instead all the wolves turned their attention to her. Katya gulped and readied herself for battle.

'Katya.' someone whispered and she frantically looked for the voice.

One by one the wolves came at her. She tried her best to fight them off, but she was moving to slow.

'Katya.' again the voice. Nowhere to be found.

'Katya.'  she let out a blood curtling scream as the wolves over took her.

"Katya! Katya, baby wake up!" Katy woke up screaming. She frantically pushed herself off of whoever was under her as her powers swirled around her in a purple looking wind.

"Katya it's okay, it was just a nightmare." she looked at Daemon as he spoke but her powers still swirled strongly around her. She was sure her eyes were glowing.

"I could feel everything Daemon." she whispered as a tear slid down her cheek. He looked at her with a pain filled expression as he stood up and slowly moved towards her

"Baby that was all a dream. It didn't happen. It never will. I promise." Katya shook her head. He didn't understand.

"That's how they died. They were ambushed in front of our home. Torn to pieces. And sometimes I feel it." she sobbed. Daemon grabbed her as her powers finally wdnt out.

"Oh sweetheart. I am so sorry that that happened to your parents. But they died protecting you. They died fighting for what they loved most in this world. And I can assure you that they were not thinking about pain at all when they passed. They were thinking of you. Of all the beautiful memories you three had together. And they're still together somewhere in their own heaven." Daemon hugged Katya tightly as he whispered in her ear. Katya's sobbing slowly stopped as Daemon held her. He gently rocked her as he kissed her hair.

"I understand, but how can anyone be so cruel?" Katya looked up at Daemon and she swore she saw his eyes water.

"I don't know sweetheart. I'm sorry." she shook her head and just laughed.

"Look at me. I promised my parents and my uncle I wouldn't do this. They asked me not to. So now I'm gonna put a smile on my face and stuff my face with brownies and ice cream. Wanna join?" Daemon happily nodded and walked to the kitchen with her.

"What made you become a chef?" he asked as he sat on a stool and watched Katya pull things out of her fridge.

"My mother." she smiled. "Every morning, no matter what, she'd have pancakes ready and pies in the oven. And each day she would teach me to make something new. That's what we did together. And I loved seeing the smile on my fathers face as he ate whatever I made and loved it. After I had been through everything, I realized that with cooking I would always have a part of my parents with me."

"They are with you either way Katya." she nodded. Knowing it was true.

"I know. I just like the feeling I get from cooking. It's like they're actually here. I know it's stupid but-"

"It's not stupid." Daemon interrupted. "It's natural. And it's nice that you haven't forgotten them. Now tell me something."

"What?" she asked.

"What made you become a vegetarian?" Daemon said the word vegetarian as if he was weirded out by the idea.

"I've always been vegetarian. I've never had the urge to eat meat or even try it." she answered.

"No meat. Wow. I don't know how you do it." Daemon shivered and then smiled at Katya. Katya chuckled and rolled her eyes.

"Well it's my way of life. Also, some of the food you ate when we had the pack here was vegan. And you seemed to like that. I mean, I do remember watching you scarf half the menu down. Fatty." Daemon gasped dramatically as if what she said offended him.

"Take that back." he said. Katya shook her head and smiled.

"Will not." he stood up and stalked around the counter towards her. Katya held the spoon she was mixing brownies with up as a weapon. Daemon chuckled and took the spoon from her. He put it aside before jumping towards her. Katya squealed and made a run for the living room. Daemon caught up to her and pinned her on the couch as they fell on it. Katya laughed as she squirmed under him.

"Take it back!" Daemon demanded. Katya shook her head, earning herself a fierce round of tickling. She yelled out in laughter as Daemon's fingers wreaked havoc on her ribs.

"I take it back! I take it back!" she finally shouted, making him stop. He looked down at her and gently caressed her cheek.

"You are so beautiful Katya." she smiled at him lovingly as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"As you are handsome, love." he smiled happily as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. He settled down next to her and embraced her tightly. Katya yawned loudly and closed her eyes as she moved closer to Daemon and put her arm over his before drifting off to sleep.