Defiance

1.4

Chapter 14

E L Y S I A

    I was sure I burned myself out today. I practiced and memorized so many spells my head was hurting. It must have been the lack of food too, I realized. I memorized battle spells. It was difficult to practice battle spells without something or someone to attack. I ended up taking the pillow Aldric gave me and managed to rip it shreds while practicing the spells.

Now I just had to clean up the mess I made. This was still Aldric's bedroom.

My head was burning at the end. I couldn't practice anymore. Instead, I needed sleep.

No. I needed food, except I had no idea where Aldric was.

Aldric forgot about bringing lunch or dinner today. He must have been extremely busy today. 

    I woke up due to the loud cheering outside. For a second, I thought Aldric's pack was being attacked. Then, I realized it was the sound of happy wolves. I had slightly pulled an inch of the curtains in Aldric's bedroom to see that a whole legion of werewolves had arrived outside. These must be the battle-wolves. I couldn't see them in detail but I saw so many werewolves in one place, I couldn't breathe.

Outside the safety of Aldric's bedroom, outside the safety of Aldric, I would be dead. I wasn't sure if I was willing to stay here longer than I needed. I didn't like the idea of my safety being dependent on a werewolf.

If I made any mistake, he might even change his mind and kill me at the spot. At the time, I didn't believe that. No matter how ruthless Aldric liked to portray he was, I learned he wasn't ruthless. More than anything, he was just a man who loved his family.

He would do anything for them, that was certain.

Then, the door began to open. Without a doubt, it must have been Aldric. When he enters, I see a plate of food in his hand. Two bowls of what smells like chicken, some soup and mashed potatoes. The food smelt delicious. He quickly locks the door behind him. All I could do was stare at him. I couldn't read his facial expression but I could see he was exhausted. The exhaustion was reflected in his eyes.

"Here," he said, handing me a bowl.

"Thank you," I instantly said.

He placed the plate of food on the table beside his bed.

"I have been busy. I forgot about lunch," Aldric told me.

"It's alright. Did you eat anything today?" I asked instead.

He doesn't respond and I took his silence as a no. I crisscrossed my legs and sat on the floor. My growling stomach began to relax as I began to take spoonfuls of the soup. It was so delicious. Whoever made the food for the wolves of Aldric's castle was truly a professional.

"Is everything alright? I heard the wolves this morning." I asked, realizing the silence that hung in the room.

"The Alpha has arrived with the battle-wolves. We finally won a battle; they're happy."

"I - I wanted to ask about that." I finally said. Maybe it would be a good time to bring up my worries.

"Ask about what?"

"The wolves. I don't - I don't think it's safe for me to stay beside the pack. I know you are willing to let me go anytime so I want you to decide. When do you want me to leave?"

For a few seconds, I analyzed Aldric. I tried to catch any glimpse of a change of facial expression in Aldric as I say whose words but nothing. He simply nodded.