**********
Andre walked beside me and my mother as we made our way home. My father’s visit had made everyone tense and I noticed that Andre continued to look over his shoulder every few seconds as if expecting to find him there. He also kept his hand protectively around mine as if ready to pull me behind him at any moment.
I frowned as I wondered, what was causing his need to protect me.. Family duty? Probably. For some reason, that thought depressed me. I shook my head pushing the feeling down. I suppose that the reason didn‘t matter as long as he was willing to help me. Still, a certain sadness flowed through me and I did not know why.
I was still deep in thought when we reached our motor home. My mother walked inside after giving me a look that told me that I needed to speak to Andre. I was left standing in awkward silence with the man who was now my fiance. I turned to him with a frown on my face, shifting and biting my bottom lip. Finally, I raised my head to look at him.
“Thank you,” I said, glancing at him shyly as I crossed my arms in front of me releasing his hand.
He smiled and shifted from foot to foot, “You’re welcome.”
The silence stretched, feeling endless. I looked down at my feet before finally gaining the courage to look up to study his handsome face.
His eyes were no longer angry but beautiful and anxious. They roamed over my face, as if searching for something. I tilted my head and spoke what had been twisting through my mind since he had first taken my hand at the bonfire, “I don‘t understand why you‘ve changed since I last seen you. You‘re still being forced to marry me. The fact that I didn‘t know about our arranged marriage shouldn‘t make a difference.”
He smiled, raising his eyebrows, “Would you rather me be mean to you?”
“No,” I said, squirming under his gaze, “But wouldn’t you be free of your obligation to marry me if my father took me?”
He laughed bitterly seeming almost insulted, “Do you think I’d want to put you in danger?”
I shrugged, “I don’t know,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest as I looked at him. I pursed my lips and then, sighed, “I barely know you.”
He shook his head, “Well, I wouldn’t,” he smiled and his eyes twinkled mischievously, “Besides I’d be outcast for not protecting you.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, “That’s not funny.”
His smile widened as his eyes gentled, “Sadly, it’s the truth…but even if it wasn’t, I don’t want anything to happen to you, Aurora,” he said and then, shrugged, “So, it won’t.”
“You sound sure,” I said shaking my head and wishing that I could have that much faith. I was still terrified my father would kidnap me while I slept.
“That’s because I am,” he said. He paused, studying me. His muscles tightened and his jaw set as he looked into my eyes, “Listen. I shouldn’t have acted like a jerk when we first met. I’m sorry but I want you to know I’m not a monster. Even if you had known, I should have realized that you‘re in the same predicument that I am and it isn‘t your fault. So, tonight, I hope that we could start over. Maybe you‘ll realize that I‘m not always a jerk and I really am going to protect you.”
My eyes widened as I realized that he had seen my doubt and it had hurt his pride. I scrubbed my hand over my face and then, blew the air from my lungs as I realized how hard he was trying and for some reason I believed in him. He would try everything to protect me.
I smiled softly and nodded my head, “I know that you’ll try to protect me and I know that you aren’t a jerk.”
He looked at me sadly, “I hope that you can remember that. Especially since I have my moments…as you have already seen.”
I laughed, “I think that we all do but I will remember.”
“Good,” he said grinning widely, “Now, go to bed. I promise you’ll be safe.”
I nodded my head as I looked up at him. His determination calmed me, “Somehow, I believe you.”
His smile widened, “Goodnight, Aurora.”
“Goodnight, Andre,” I said as I walked through the door, feeling safer than I should with just a promise.
Chapter Five
My Father’s choice
I heard him calling me in my dreams. I felt the pull of his voice and the cool grass on my feet. Somewhere in my mind, I realized that I was sleepwalking and if I wasn’t stopped I would go to the owner of the voice. I would walk straight to Emilian. I could not resist.
A hand gripped my arm firmly above the elbow and I tensed, afraid that it was too late.
“Aurora,” Andre’s voice blended with the voice of my father. I tilted my head as I frowned. Was it a trick or had I really heard the man who had sworn he would protect me? For some reason, I had believed him as I fell asleep. I believed that he would at least try. Hope sprang up in that part of my mind as I listened.
Slowly, Andre’s voice rose becoming more persistant, drowning my father’s voice out, “Aurora, open your eyes for me.”
Slowly, I pulled my lids open and looked around with wide eyes. My heart jumped when I seen my surroungings. Even though I had expected it, I was shocked when I realized that I stood outside yet again. Andre stood in front of me with his hand on my arm. Concern and fear marked his face.
“W-What happened?” I asked, blinking rapidly, hoping for another reason for me to be standing outside in my nightgown. My heart sank at the look that he gave me. I really was going crazy.
Andre frowned as he took my hand and led me back toward my motor home. I started again when I realized we were near the bonfire pit. Had I really walked that far?
“You‘re a sleepwalker,” he said, softly, “Do you do that a lot?”
I shifted uncomfortably. What would he think when I told him the truth? I flushed as I looked at him with a pained expression, knowing that I would have to tell him especially since we would be married soon. I closed my eyes and sighed. Finally, I opened them, looking at him.
“Twice in the last week,” I said, lowering my head for a moment and then, forcing my eyes back up to meet his. Thankfully, he only seemed concerned, not judgemental so I continued, “But it just started again. Other than that, I was a sleepwalker as a child.”
Andre cocked his head to the side and looked at me sternly, “Well, at least I was able to catch you.”
I looked up at the sky realizing that dawn was fast approaching. It was not a time for people to be walking around. I looked at him suspiciously, seeing the dark circles under his eyes, “How were you able to catch me.”
He closed his eyes and sighed seeming tired. Then, he looked at me and gave me a small smile, “Your father said that he would come for you tonight so…I stayed awake and watched in case he was telling the truth.”
“You can’t do that,” I said with wide eyes, “You ‘ll be exhausted.”
He shrugged, “You’re safe. Besides, my brothers are helping and so is my father.”
“How long do you plan on doing this?” I asked, horrified, “How long are they going to do this?”
“Until we’re married,” he said, matter of factly. My mouth fell open.
“But-”
“No buts, Aurora,” he said, shaking his head, “Reguardless of how much you argue…it will happen. You see, you are part of our family and you will be my wife. So, get used to it.”
“I don’t think that I can,” I said, frowning, “I just wish that I could do something to make it easier for everyone.”
Andre smiled, “There is something that you can do. You could say thank you,” he said and then, yawned before giving that lopsided grin that seemed to do funny things to my heart, “You know I’m losing beauty sleep for you.”
, I grinned at him. At least he seemed to be in a good mood, “Thank you for missing out on your much needed beauty sleep to protect me. You need all of it you can get.”
“Hey!” he said with narrowed eyes, “What’s that supposed to mean.”
My grin widened, “Nothing. I’m just trying to thank
you.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said, looking at me with his brow raised in mock anger, “Now your ugly fiance wants you to go inside and try to stay there until sunrise.”
I gave him one more smile and walked inside closing the door. Once inside, I walked to my bedroom and laid down on my bed. As I fell asleep, a howl of a wolf broke through the air. I frowned wondering why there always seemed to be a wolf near me lately.
**********
The light was so bright I was nearly blinded as my eyes fluttered opened. I covered them with my hands, closing them quickly as I watched the red dots dance around behind my lids. So, many thoughts drifted around my head as the dots faded. The first thought was a good one that made me smile in relief. Sleep had come peaceful and calm even after the wolves howl and I found myself still in my room because of it.
I smiled as I sat up slowly, stretching like a cat and finally opening my eyes, allowing them to adjust to the light. The second thought came…that thought was of food and lots of it. I found that I was extremely hungry. The smell of bacon cooking filtered to me and my stomach rumbled confirming that fact.
The third and final thought before exiting my bed was of Andre. I wondered if he was still outside. Guilt twisted through me. It was because of him I had been able to sleep. He had protected me and because of that, I felt safe. I took a deep breath. Maybe I should take him some breakfast. It was the least I could do.
Slowly, I rose and went to the bathroom that was connected to my bedroom with thoughts of Andre in my head and though I tried to push them away, the image of his crooked grin and beautiful eyes, kept reappearing and demanding my attention. I took a quick shower disturbed by the flipping in my stomach before dressing in a dark blue sundress. I walked into the living area feeling much more awake and much more confused though I was no less hungry.
I quickly made my way to the kitchen but stopped as I entered the living area of my home. I blinked as I took in the scene. Instead of my mother’s familiar presence, Andre sat in the chair, leaned back asleep. His head was turned to the side, showing the profile of his face. His hair was in disarray and rested gently on his cheek. His eyes were closed and his lashes cast long spikey shadows beneath his eyes. His full lips rested in a pout. As I stared at him, I could almost imagine what he had looked like as a boy and I smiled softly at the image, wondering if all men seemed so vulnerable when they slept.
A noise from the kitchen made me jump and I looked up to see my mother cooking. She grinned at me as if she held a great secret. I blushed embarrassed that I had just been caught studying Andre while he slept.
“Are you hungry?” She asked with that smile still fixed on her face.
“Famished,” I said, trying to hide my embarrassment by going to the table and sitting down and staring at my hands.
“Well, breakfast will be ready in about five minutes,” she said, softly.
It was quiet for a few moments and my eyes drifted back to Andre. I frowned as concern twisted through me. I couldn’t help but to wonder when he had finally fell asleep. It couldn’t have been long before I had woke up.
I turned back to my mother with wide eyes, “Is he okay?” I asked, pointing my chin toward Andre.
“He’s just tired,” she said, smiling at my concern. I was sure that she was reading more into it than she should, “The poor boy was up all night.”
“I know,” I said as guilt once again made its presence known. I shook it away, hoping nothing had happened. It bothered me to think that anyone would have been in danger for me. I looked at her swallowing hard, “Did my father come?”
My mother closed her eyes and nodded her head as her smile faded, “Yes. Shortly after Andre found you sleepwalking.”
I swallowed hard as I looked back at Andre, hoping that he had not been hurt. I seen no injuries and I sighed in relief. Still, I wasn’t sure that there had been no trouble.
“There wasn’t a fight?” I asked, searching Andre’s face again, anxiously and then, turned back to my mother.
“No,” she said as her smile returned, “No fight…no one was hurt.”
I glanced at him again, feeling horrible that he’d stayed awake for me and feeling even worse that he had faced my father, “It’s not right that he feels the need to do this.”
My mother looked at me, confused. She put down the spatula that she had been using to turn the bacon and then, turned fully to me blinking rapidly, “Why?” She asked, tilting her head to the side and pursing her lips, “He’s your fiance.”
I looked at him again as a deep sadness flowed through me and settled into my soul, “He’s forced to feel this way. He’s only protective because it’s viewed as honorable. He‘s afraid of being disowned.”
My mother grinned as she shook her head and picked the spatula up off the stove top. She began to flip the bacon again before saying, “I doubt that’s the only reason.”
I frowned as I sat at the little dining table. I glanced at Andre and then, back at my mother. She couldn’t honestly believe that Andre loved me. We barely knew each other. As a matter of fact, our first meeting had been just the morning before and it hadn’t gone very well. I opened my mouth to argue with my mother but I heard Andre move and I stiffened. This was definitely not a conversation that I wanted to have in front of him.
Slowly, I looked over at the chair where he had been sleeping, meeting his glazed eyes.
“You’re okay,” he said relieved.
My frown deepened as I looked at him. True concern marked his face. I looked at my mother and she raised her brows. I shook my head quickly in denial and looked back at him.
“I’m fine,” I whispered after a moment. Dark rings were beneath his eyes and he yawned widely. I felt guilt twist through me again as I said, “But you look tired. You should sleep.”
He smiled and then, shrugged as he stood, “I’ll be okay,” he said, “Besides, I’ll have plenty of time to sleep while you are with our mothers at the dress makers.”
My eyes widened, “Dress makers?’
He gave me a crooked grin and shrugged, “For your wedding dress,” he said as if it wasn‘t such a big deal and we weren‘t being forced to marry. Then, his grin widened, “Oh and my sister will be there. She’s graciously offered to be your maiden of honor.”
I closed my eyes as a tremble shook me. I wished that I could be like Andre and act like it didn‘t matter that we were being forced into marriage.
I took a deep breath and looked at him. Well…At least, I was pretty sure that he didn’t hate me anymore. Maybe it wouldn’t be as horrible as I thought it would be.
**********
I couldn’t think of worst torture than shopping for my wedding dress. Sophia and my mother were constantly bickering over which dress looked the best on me. So far there had only been one dress that they seemed to agree on. The only thing that gave me any amusement was Andre’s sister, Mirella. We had become fast friends though I really don’t think that I would have had much of a choice. She was one of those aggressive people that didn’t take no for an answer. Still, I had to admit that it was nice to have a friend. I hadn’t really had one before because I was usually in and out of people’s lives before they had even realized I was there. So, Mirella’s friendship was a new and pleasing experience.
She chatted non-stop as I continued to try on every dress Sophia or my mother suggested. As it turned out, that was nearly every dress in the store.
My day darkened further as I was standing before them modeling one of the dresses when I stiffened in alarm because Sophia seemed upset there would not be enough time to have a dress made. I looked at her puzzled, wondering when my wedding was to take place. They couldn’t expect me to marry Andre so quickly, could they?
“What do you mean we won‘t have enough time to have a dress made?” I asked frowning. My stomach had begun to flip in alarm. My hands gripped the lace on the dress and I had to stop myself from twisting it.
“You will be married in
three days,” Sophia said and when my eyes widened, she narrowed hers at my mother, “Honestly, Fiona, you need to get into the habit of telling Aurora what is happening. The girl should at least know when she is to be married.”
My mother shrugged and then, smiled at me ashamed, “She’s been so angry,” she said, crossing her arms across her stomach.
I frowned becoming defensive. That wasn’t true. I hadn’t been angry since the night before at the bonfire and that was only as we arrived. When I seen how protective Andre was, I had found my aversion to marrying him had lessened. After all, he did protect me from my father.
I stiffened with the thought. My chest tightened as I realized that I was using him to keep me safe. I looked at my mother and Sophia. I was no better than they were. I nearly groaned with the thought.
My mother handed me another dress and I swallowed over the bitter feeling that had entered me. I fingered the lace, wondering how I could do this to Andre. It wasn’t fair.
My mother looked at me suspiciously, tilting her head so that she could see my downcast face, “Don’t you like the dress?“
I stared at her for a moment, knowing that no matter what I said she would still insist that I marry him. Worse, I knew that nothing had changed. Neither Andre or I had a choice. I sighed closing my eyes, “No, Momma. It’s fine,” I said as my shoulders hunched forward.
I turned from her and walked toward the dressing room with tears beginning to burn my eyes. My heart felt like a rock in my chest. There was no hope for Andre…or me. I had to do this. I sighed, pushing the tears away. They would do me no good. They would only make matters worse.
Reluctantly, I stepped into a stall in the dressing room. It was only slightly bigger than the ones found in the public restrooms of restraunts. I walked across the small area and hung the dress on a hook on the far wall. My hand was still gripping the hanger when the click of the door closing sounded loudly behind me. I was not alone.
I tensed as instict told me that the person in the dressing room with me was not my mother or Sophia…or Mirella. This person was a stranger…dangerous in a way that made the hair on the nape of my neck stand up.
Beckoned (The Brazil Werewolf Series) Page 5
