The New World

Chapter Thirty-Five

This emptiness that had erupted in side of me these past two weeks had finally been filled. I never really realized how much I had truly missed being in Tecumseh's arms. I had just been numbed by all the pain, but now I was whole again. It felt almost unreal to be able to look up to see his loving eyes staring back down at me. Our skin was still damp of sweat from our recent lovemaking, our breaths slowly going back to normal.

I grabbed his hand that traced my hips and twined our fingers together, holding them to my chest. Tecumseh kissed the top of my head and rested there before saying in a warm tone, "Alice... I missed you so much. Each day that we were apart, my love grew for you more and more. Seems impossible, but it's true."

I squeezed our hands tighter, "It was unbearable, Tecumseh," I heard my voice speak in a whisper, "My  love grew as well. However... I died a little everyday. But, now, you are bringing me back to life." I looked up at him and smiled softly.

I could see tears brimming his waterline. I had never seen Tecumseh cry, but I knew that these were tears of joy. Deep down in my heart ached. It ached from the sudden love, desire, want, and longing I had missed throughout my stay here in Harold's castle.

"You have grown more beautiful, lecakie. But your sorrow does not suit you well..." Tecumseh said lightly.

I kissed his bare chest. I opened my mouth to speak, but a faint noise disrupted my thoughts. Tecumseh heard it too. We both froze and looked to the closed door. Hushed voices came from the stair that lay outside my bedroom. They got louder, though the people still spoke in whispers. I shot Tecumseh a worried look.

Without instructions, Tecumseh leaped out of bed and ran to his things. As he gathered his clothes and bag, he tossed me my gown. Tecumseh went to the rope that was forgotten, tied to my dresser and flung it under the bed. The voices were closer now, heading towards my room. I motioned Tecumseh under my bed. I slipped my gown over my head and hurriedly fixed the sheets while Tecumseh pulled up his pants and slid under berth.

Just as I was about to pull the covers over my body, my door swung open. With a candle in hand, stood my mother with three maids at her heels. Her hair was falling out of her curlers and her face bare of make-up. The candle lit up the scowl on her face.

I quickly pulled the blankets up to my chest, "Mother!" I exclaimed. I turned to my lamp and switched it on. The bright light lit my side of the room, allowing me better view over her.

My heart throbbed in my chest. I shot glances from side to side, "Wha-- what is it?" I choked out.

Her face was ghastly. Her aged skin had been damaged from all the produce she uses to fix it. It was quiet a sight. Her almost translucent skin was creased at the corner of her eyes and forehead and began to form frown lines by her mouth. She did not age well.

Mother handed the taper of flame to one of the maids and turned back to me, "I was to ask you the same, Azaria."

I tried not to think about the man I loved was hiding under my bed. But of course, trying not to think about something, you end up thinking about it. "I'm afraid I don't know what you are talking about, Mother," I manged to keep in a solid voice.

She placed her hands on her hips, "Why aren't you asleep?"

"You woke me."

"Do not lie to me, you were awake when we arrived. Why were you?"

I didn't have the chance to come up with a lie before she spoke again with a exaggerated sigh, "The maids heard noises. Coming from your room."

I bit my lip. My heart quickened. "I, uh-- what kind of-- um, noises?" I replied quickly. Tecumseh remained silent and unnoticed.

Mother puckered her lips and stubbornly looked to the maids. Obviously, Mother had not heard us. The maids were too scared to come in themselves and must have gotten Mother. The maids then realized that Mother meant for them to speak up. One of the maids patted her gown, "Ah, yes. There was-- uh, a lot of disturbance... with the sheets," she said softly.