The weather had cleared enough for Cassandra to begin school once again. It also meant she could sell Elissa’s wares and check for any messages from Bloomfield.
School had nearly become boring for Cassandra. She still loved to learn, but she had learned all there was in the primer and Miss Belle had actually began having her instruct some of the younger children.
It was still four months until Cassandra graduated. It seemed like it was taking forever. At least her writing was coming along quite nicely.
Cassandra had even shared her first ever writing with Elissa. Her vampire had praised her to no end. It had caused her to feel all warm all over.
“Cassandra!” Cassandra halted just outside the schoolhouse. She was bundled in many layers as the average temperature was far below freezing.
Joseph hurried his pace to catch up to Cassandra. “I don’t want to make you wait in the cold, but I had to share something with you. I’m leaving on the thirtieth for Boston. No one knows yet.”
“I’m happy for you. I promise not to tell anyone.” Cassandra smiled brightly at the young man. “I hope to see you before you leave. Not to rush off, but it’s cold. And I have to stop at the general store before I make the trek home.”
“We’ll see each other before I leave. I promise.” Joseph bowed before helping Cassandra to mount Winnie. He waved as she made her way to the general store.
Cassandra was shivering by the time she tied Winnie to the hitching post out front. It took her a couple tries to undo the ties that had the bundles attached to the back of the saddle.
The snow was beginning to fall once again. Cassandra didn’t want to waste anymore time. She made quick work of making her transactions and was back in the saddle.
With her scarf pulled tightly across her face with barely enough space to see out of, Cassandra was beginning to wonder if she was on the right track. There were little to none of the signs she was accustomed to seeing on her travels.
Emerald eyes closed and she allowed Winnie to do the guiding. Her thoughts were of Joseph and not Elissa for once. Only because she truly hoped he would find his own way. Having a father like Joseph’s only made life more painful to live.
Cassandra was surprised when Winnie slowed down. She opened her eyes to discover she was outside the barn door. Grateful to Winnie, she opened the door and led the horse in. “I’ll make certain you are warm enough before I head in, don’t worry.” Winnie shook her head as if in understanding.
The young mortal made certain each of the animals had enough food, water and the barn would remain warm enough until morning. Cassandra made certain the barn door was secured before finding the rope that was attached to the house. She inched her way to the front of the house and the door.
The door opened just before Cassandra could find the leather latch. She was ushered into the heat. But it wasn’t only the heat of the fire. It was the heat of her vampire’s arms.
“I was beginning to worry.” Elissa began to help strip off the layers of clothing. The snow was already beginning to melt and form puddles on the wooden floor.
“The snow was coming down so hard I had to let Winnie lead me here.” Cassandra enjoyed the attention, as always. She was ushered into the bedroom where a clean pair of flannel long johns was waiting for her.
Before Cassandra could react, the door had closed allowing her privacy to change from her dress to her usual trousers and shirt. The only added thing over the winter had been the flannel long johns.
Supper was waiting for her when Cassandra made her way into the main room. She handed Elissa the money she had earned before sitting down to a warm meal.
As Cassandra had taken her last bite, Raven began to whimper. “Have you noticed how Raven has been acting the last two months?”
Elissa had thought Cassandra had realized what was happening with the wolf. “I’m sorry. I should have told you. I think our trip to Bloomfield had an unexpected consequence.”
Cassandra tilted her head in puzzlement. She glanced at Raven. For the first time she noticed just how large her wolf’s belly had swelled to. “You mean…?”
The vampire nodded, her expression one of amusement. Elissa sat next to the wolf who had staked out a spot near the stove. Raven lifted her head. She appeared miserable. “In fact, I think we’re about to have a late Christmas present. Or two. Or three.”
The complacent mood that had overcome Cassandra, outside of seeing her vampire, evaporated instantly. “I wonder how many pups she’ll have.”
“Normally wolves don’t have litters until spring. And normally there’s around six pups.” Elissa cautiously laid her hand on Raven’s swollen stomach. “I’d say four.”
Raven whimpered at that moment. Cassandra was fascinated. She’d never seen any of the animals at the orphanage give birth. It was life. The cycle was amazing.
Before Cassandra could blink it seemed, there were four pups just as Elissa had predicted. The young girl respected the wildness of Raven. She was a new momma and very protective of her new pups.
“That made up for my day.” Cassandra made her way into the kitchen. She washed the dishes. She glanced every so often at Raven and her pups.
Elissa was at her station working on the new orders Cassandra had been given. She too was keeping an eye on Raven. Everything had gone smoothly, but one never knew.
Once Cassandra was at the table working on her writing, Elissa decided to ask what was wrong. “Your day wasn’t a good one?”
“It’s not just today.” Cassandra didn’t look at her vampire. “I didn’t know I’d already finished all the primers. I would have not bothered with school. I’m learning more from the books you’ve gifted me. I do enjoy helping the young children, but I just don’t like going into town.”
“I’m sorry.” Elissa rose from her station and pulled out the chair next to Cassandra. “I’ve been worried about you traveling to town. Why don’t you stay home until we decide when to move and where to move.”
“I think I’d like that.” Cassandra placed her hand on Elissa’s leg. “Plus, I can keep an eye on Raven and her pups. I still can’t believe I didn’t know.”
“I’ve been around animals all my life.” Elissa relaxed as she saw Cassandra was also relaxing. “A horse wasn’t even the first animal I helped give birth. It was one of our herding dogs.”
“So in a way, you already had experienced with canines giving birth.” Cassandra’s smile was addictive. Soon Elissa was smiling as well. “What kind of animals, besides horses of course, make a good horse ranch?”
“If you want to be as self-sufficient as possible, chickens, milk cows, pigs and maybe even sheep.” Elissa watched as so many emotions floated across Cassandra’s face. “I know how to shear sheep and make my own wool. I think I can make clothing, if need be. Plus there will be game I can make clothing out of.”
“So it could be a lot like here.” Cassandra stared into azure eyes. “We’ll only need to go into town when we need to sell our horses or for goods we can’t make ourselves.”
Elissa nodded. “We might need some ranch hands down the road. The only problem with that will be me.” Puzzlement was upon Cassandra’s face. “I don’t age.”
“And maybe someday I won’t.” Elissa’s gaze wavered momentarily. “I know you still don’t want me to be like you, but I’m still convinced it’s what I was meant for. So that you and I can live forever together.”
The vampire wondered how many times she would be faced with this predicament. No matter how many times Cassandra said this was what she wanted, Elissa still had her doubts.
So far, it seemed Elissa could not say no to Cassandra. “I’ll make one last deal with you in regards to being turned.” Emerald eyes widened in anticipation. “Wait until after we’ve made love for the first time.”
Cassandra swallowed. It wasn’t what she had thought Elissa would bargain with. She wasn’t certain how to respond to that. She stared into azure eyes attempting to decide for herself what she wanted.
> “We’ve talked in great length about making love.” Elissa grasped Cassandra’s hand. “It’s the most wonderful thing in the world. But it also changes everything. It’s difficult for me to put into words.”
The young woman still could not find her voice. She was uncertain what it would be like to make love. To give herself freely and take from Elissa.
“Remember the first time we kissed?” Cassandra nodded. “Did everything change between us?” Once again, Cassandra nodded. “The emotions are magnified to a level that’s difficult to describe.”
“I’m beginning to understand.” Cassandra squeezed Elissa’s leg. “I’ll make that agreement with you. That we will revisit me becoming like you once we’ve made love.”
“There’s one more thing.” Elissa knew her charge would already feel this way, but she had to say it anyways. “I don’t want our agreement to rush your decision.”
“I would never…” Cassandra stood hastily. She made her way to where Raven was sound asleep. The pups were snuggled up against their momma.
There was a part of her that wanted to pick up one of the pups and snuggle it to her chest. Elissa’s words stung. How could she have thought she’d merely make love just so she could have the promise of becoming immortal.
Emerald eyes were dark with anger when Cassandra turned back to Elissa. “I would never do anything just because I could gain something for it. Even if it’s the thing I want most in the world. I thought you knew me better than that.”
Cassandra didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, she made her way to her bedroom. She might just have slammed the door except she didn’t want to disturb Raven or her pups.
After throwing herself on the bed, Cassandra couldn’t stop crying. The tears wouldn’t stop flowing. It was the first time Elissa had hurt her. It was the first time they had harsh words for one another.
That wasn’t true. It was Cassandra who had the harsh words for Elissa. Her vampire had been kind, as always. She had attempted to explain things to the mortal, but Cassandra had refused to hear the words.
Maybe after a good night’s sleep Cassandra could think more clearly. For now, she was in too much emotional pain to even begin to forgive Elissa. Or herself.
Elissa sat stunned. She knew her words would hurt Cassandra but she hadn’t known she would be angered. She didn’t know her words would put a rift between them.
The vampire stared at the bedroom door. Her better than average hearing could hear the crying. She glanced at Raven who had awakened when the bedroom door shut. The wolf glared at her before resting her head again.
Raven was right. Elissa hadn’t used as much tact as she should have. She should have worded it differently. It’s why the vampire had been alone for so long. Even in the clan, she kept her distance from the others.
Then came along a young mortal. One who had become her clan. Elissa’s azure eyes blinked several times. Cassandra was her clan. She was her family.
Why was Elissa still hesitating on siring Cassandra? The vampire only had one answer. It was her own dark past and all the hurts and regrets she held in. It wasn’t fair to Cassandra. She would have to find a way to make her mortal see. See that she understood and had been wrong beyond words.
Chapter 28
Cassandra hadn’t kept her promise to herself. Instead, she found herself locked in her room a majority of the time. She only left to eat, drink, use the outhouse or check on Raven and her pups.
Writing hadn’t been forthcoming for Cassandra. Instead, her mind was solely on Elissa. It was on what her vampire had said to her.
Her young mind continued to process the words over and over again. Elissa hadn’t meant it. Cassandra had to believe that. Yet, it had hurt. She might be young, but she wasn’t naïve.
The weather was beginning to clear once again. It was a false spring. Cassandra knew they could be hit with another blizzard at any time.
Restlessness had overtaken Cassandra. She needed to be out of the cabin. Not bothering to put on her dress, she chose the long johns, trousers and shirt.
When Cassandra entered the main part of the cabin, she didn’t see Elissa anywhere. It wasn’t like her vampire not to be inside this early. Normally by now all the outdoor chores were done and she had made the mortal her breakfast.
Deciding she still wanted to head to town, Cassandra left Elissa a note. She smiled at Raven and her pups. They were already so big for only a month old. Before heading to the barn, she retrieved what Elissa had ready to sell.
It didn’t take long to bundle up and then saddle Winnie. Cassandra took off at a gallop. She would slow Winnie down as soon as there was some distance between her and the cabin.
It was odd not having Raven following her. The new momma was needed at home and would be for a little while longer. Would things return to normal once the pups were old enough to fend for themselves?
As the frigid air hit Cassandra’s face, she wished times could go back to the old ways. How far back did she want the clock to turn?
Cassandra missed sharing the kisses with her vampire. Yet, it’s what had led to their first disagreement. While they had since the beginning disagreed about when or if the mortal should become immortal, they had never had angry words.
It was the mortal that had had angry words. Cassandra sighed. She had been so juvenile in her actions. And she didn’t know how to make things right.
There would be no turning the clock back. There would only be looking forward. Cassandra felt a little better at having made the decision. She still had to speak to Elissa. Tonight. After having spent an hour or so in the village.
The general store was the first place Cassandra chose to visit. It didn’t take long to sell Elissa’s goods. Instead of leaving like she normally did, she chose to look around the store. She wasn’t certain what she was looking for.
When Cassandra spotted the black leather work boots, she knew it was exactly what she was looking for. It could be a peace offering.
Elissa didn’t need many worldly goods, but a good pair of work boots were essential. Luckily Cassandra knew the vampire’s size and there was one on the shelf.
As Cassandra had just made it to Winnie, a familiar voice caused her to stop in her tracks. Her heart froze in her chest. Something made her continue to mount her horse.
The reins were grasped and held tight. “Uncle Yohan, let go of the reins. We have nothing to speak about.” The reins were jerked causing Winnie to rear.
Luckily, Elissa had taught Cassandra how to handle a horse should they be spooked. The young woman held on tight. Winnie calmed as soon as Cassandra patted her neck. “Do that again and I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”
“We have a great deal to speak of, child.” Yohan refused to release his grasp on the reins. “You defied me. You continue to defy me. Does your lawyer know that Elissa isn’t your aunt?”
The sneer on her uncle’s face caused Cassandra to blanche considerably. “I didn’t think so. Now, if you don’t want him or the proper authorities to discover the truth, you’ll give me what you should have in the beginning.”
Cassandra wasn’t easily intimidated. And she wasn’t now. The worst that would happen was they would have to earn the money a different way.
The important thing was Cassandra return home so she could make things right with her partner. “You do what you have to do. But you’ll never get the satisfaction of painting me into a corner. So once again I say release the reins.”
“You stupid, stupid girl.” Yohan reached for the gun at his hip. “I suggest you come with me now. You wouldn’t want anything to happen to your friend or your wolf.”
Now Cassandra was angry. She kicked her uncle as hard as she could. It was enough so she could grasp the reins. She kneed Winnie. It wasn’t long before they were at a full gallop.
The sound of the shots caused Cassandra to flinch. The last one nearly caused her to lose her balance. There was a pain like she’d never felt before in her shoulder.
>
The sensation of warmth and sticky was a new sensation. It was running down her back. Cassandra felt colder than she had while on the voyage to the village.
The mortal could feel herself swaying in the saddle. Cassandra held onto the saddle horn. As was her ritual since the first time she had been in distress, she called to Elissa.
Along with the distress call, there was a message of love and sorrow for how she had acted. Cassandra only hoped that her vampire would understand. And that she would be able to forgive her.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Elissa had trouble spending any time in the cabin. Instead, she was in the barn. It reminded her of her time in Greece. She was always surrounded by animals. They had been her best friends.
Until Andrea had entered her life. Elissa took a deep breath as she sat on the stool prepared to do the morning milking. Soon, butter would need to be made. Perhaps that could be something else she did to occupy her time while Cassandra sorted through her emotions.
It was one of the reasons Elissa normally was in the barn instead of the cabin. The closer she was to Cassandra, the more she sensed the emotions that flowed through her charge.
Charge? Elissa didn’t want to turn back time and begin referring to Cassandra as charge once again. She was her partner. And would be until time stood still.
Elissa hadn’t realized just how lonely she had been until she had allowed for Cassandra to enter her life. And now that there was this distance between them, she felt more alone than she had ever in her existence.
The vampire attempted to push the emotions Cassandra was sending her in waves from her mind. She took the pail of milk and left it on the table. She would deal with it once she returned.
Returned from where? Elissa needed more distance. The barn was not far enough. But where did she go? To the village? She’d only been there a handful of times since she’d been gifted with being in the sun.
There were only open fields surrounding them. Perhaps she would just run until she couldn’t run anymore. Elissa didn’t even know her limits. She hadn’t tested them since becoming immortal.
Bonded Souls Page 17
