The Waning Hour

Chapter 10: A Bleeding Heart

That night offered no reprieve for Elizabeth as she tossed and turned underneath the soft blankets on the couch. She tried hard to understand everything that had been revealed to her, but In the end she was only met with resentment and anger. It was her father who said her mother died from illness. Why would he lie? To protect them? Protect them from what though? The evil's they had already been told of?

Nothing made sense anymore to her, and sleep was all for naught. Frustrated, Elizabeth tossed back the covers and made her way quietly into the kitchen. As she softly pattered her way through the door way, one of Juniper's hell hound's raised his head and let out a soft growl.

"Seems it is a restless night for us both is it not?" She half smiled as she noted the other hound fast asleep in his bed across the kitchen.

"Couldn't quite reach sleep yourself?" Elizabeth continued as she carefully pulled down a basket of dried meat.

The hound licked his chops as he watched her carefully. Gone was his apprehension and in its place was eagerness as he watched her hold out a hand full of the dried meat.

"Come now, don't let me eat alone." Elizabeth smiled as the large beast trotted his way over and gingerly ate from her open hand.

"There, isn't that better? How could anyone sleep on an empty stomach." Elizabeth chuckled softly as the large beast lay down beside her feat, content.

Now that the hound was satisfied Elizabeth plucked her own meat from the basket bringing it up to her delicate lips. She was sure Juniper wouldn't mind since she did state to make herself at home. She tried to ignore her hungry stomach earlier, but now, that hunger grew too intense. Whether it be for the food or for Niklous she did not know.

"Figures." A frustrated sigh echoed from the doorway causing poor Elizabeth to jump from fright.

"Relax child and eat." Juniper smiled warmly as she took in the sight before her. Elizabeth had been here all of two days and had already won over her hounds. She really must be something special. Just like her mother.

Juniper momentarily frowned at the distant thought, before returning her smile and taking up a seat across from the fair haired maiden.

"Thank you." Elizabeth nodded as she took another bite of the dried meat.

"Make no mention of it. A friend of Nikki is a friend of mine." Juniper reassured as she reached for some herself.

"Is it true? Did he really kill my mother?" Elizabeth choked out as her eyes stayed fixed upon the wooden table.

"Straight and to the point I see." Juniper chuckled awkwardly as she stood up from the table and headed to the liquor Cabernet.

"I'm sorry I just..." Elizabeth began to apologize as she awkwardly fiddled with the meat in her hands.

"Never apologize. You deserve some answers and hopefully I can at least give you some." Juniper soothed as she placed two wooden cups and a bottle of rum between them.

"I would greatly appreciate it since no other will have the decency to be honest with me." Elizabeth sighed as she accepted the cup thankfully.

"I warn you though, not all truths are easy to swallow. Some might cause you to choke. But if you wish it, I shall tell you what I know." Juniper warned as she tossed back her cup.

"Contrary to what others believe I am no weakling. I just need to seek answers to soothe my chaotic mind." Elizabeth spoke as she fiddled with the drink in her hand.

"First you should know that Nikki is a good man. He is also a man bound to duty. The night he killed your mother was one of his worst." Juniper started as she listened to the quickening of Elizabeth's heart.