Hidden Carmina

by Adri Sinclair

  “No, it is alone in my sister’s bedroom.” Jarrod growls. John sits down next to Jarrod and watches him hack for a few more minutes.

  “Carmina is sleeping.”

  “She can’t be, we’d have heard her.” Jarrod glares towards John.

  “No jokes, dude. Like a log. Snoring and everything.” He exaggerates.

  “John, you’re my friend, I don’t expect you to lie to me just to make me feel better.”

  John stands up, and takes a firm hold of Jarrod’s arm, placing a palm flat on his chest.

  After a few seconds, Jarrod looks at John astonished.

  “How did you do that?! Wait! She’s sleeping!”

  John lifts an eyebrow. “Don’t forget who I am when I’m not playing doctor to wood splinters, buddy.” His grin is wide.

  “Oh, right, Ancient. Easy to forget you’re as old as the damn log itself!” Jarrod gruffs in return. “John… she’s sleeping without those horrible dreams. Does my mother know?”

  “Yes, do you think the two witches of the east would keep a secret like that?” he dramatizes the exchange between them by pretending to be an old lady, playing both parts in turn leaving Jarrod spluttering.

  “You’re so full of … I’m glad. Although it had to steal my place to get her comfortable,” he smirks at the thought, remembering how hard it was to keep Carmina close to him at times when she slept. He rubs his chest spontaneously.

  “It isn’t easy with her here, is it?” John asks openly.

  “No. We have to keep so many secrets. I dread the day she finds out – which is why your plans bother me, John. What if she can’t handle it all?”

  “Carmina, not handle it? Jarrod, your sister keeps a few of her own secrets. I suspect she can handle a lot more than you think. But for the record: I threatened Liam to side with you if he screws up in this trial period.” John ends in matter-of-factly.

  “You did not!”

  “Scouts honor, I did.”

  Jarrod laughs at John and bashes against his shoulder, “You’re alright dude,” using the one word John was told not to over-use by Esmeriska.

  John tackles him with, “I know right? Fricking awesome.”

  ***

  Temptations

  “Hello Sleepyhead, time to wake up.”

  Liam’s voice breaks through a lingering fog. I am reluctant to open my eyes at first, but jolt at the realization it was Liam’s voice speaking to me. His arms tighten around me, allowing enough time to untangle my confusion.

  “Liam?” I hear from the door.

  “She’s awake, Lilly.”

  Lilly stops in her tracks half way.

  “A picture to behold!” she squeals excitedly, dancing into the room leaving a trail of the food’s aroma behind her.

  Liam’s arms loosen their hold, but I am unwilling to move away from him right now. Lilly clambers onto the end of the bed, setting down the food between us.

  “Lunch is served. Momma says you both have to eat and she won’t have left-overs.” Lilly mimics Momma’s tone so well, I had to laugh.

  “Wouldn’t want to get on Margarith’s bad side,” Liam’s infectious tone startles me. He sounds so… cheerful? I lift my head to look at his face, his finger moves under my chin holding my gaze longer than I anticipated. “Do we?” he asks with a smirk.

  His lips are so close and his breath sweet, like fruit. Smiling, I shake my head. They can think I was answering him if they want to, but what I was doing was shooing the thoughts along before I do something very dumb. I pull away as best I can and try to ignore the betrayal by my thundering heart.

  “I think you are Momma’s most favorite person right now Liam, but I would not test the theory too soon! Jarrod has been singing your praises all day as well, which made John throw up in protest.”

  Open mouthed, I stare at Lilly. I cannot imagine Jarrod likely to be a Liam fan for any reason at all. Without stopping or waiting for a response, Lilly proceeds telling us about the day’s events, her banter less annoying than usual and quite a godsend. She fills me in on all the things happening, the highlight of the day being the high-five between the two older women and speculation about the reasoning behind it. I fade out and focus on the food.

  It was not long before Lilly was on the wedding topic, telling us about all the progress, who’s doing what and how wonderful it is all going to be once it’s put together. Liam speaks in engaging tones, asking questions and offering ideas and solutions. His good mood is infectious but still puzzling.

  “And you slept like a baby!” Lilly pats me on my leg right after I shove a large helping of crunchy salad in my mouth. Waiting for a response, I choke it down as fast as I can, hearing the chomping in my own ears. I am convinced this is Lilly’s sadistic habit to get back at me for something I may have said or done a very long time ago. She does this all the time.

  “She did, and I managed to get through all of my work too.” Liam answers for me. I can’t say I like when he speaks for me.

  “Really, Lilly? Right after a bite?” I scold as soon as my mouth is empty.

  “That wasn’t a bite, if the plate wasn’t so big, Carmina, it would have joined the salad in your gob,” she teases me back.

  I stab a piece of almost cooked meat and hold it up to Liam.

  “Must be for you, I can’t stand the stuff.”

  He leans around to see if I’m serious, his breath fruity and sweet-smelling close to mine. “Says the girl who eats raw organs!”

  Lilly is thoroughly enjoying the exchange, her eyes darting between us; you would swear she was watching some romantic movie and waiting for the kissing scene.

  “Well, I’m glad you managed to rest. And without... you know. Waking the dead and stuff.”

  “I ... Actually had a rather pleasant dream…”

  “Wait, you dreamt? Oh, what did you dream?!” I should have thought this through better. I feel Liam lean back against the pillow corner behind me.

  “Yes, what did you dream about?” he echoes Lilly’s question and I am glad I can’t see his face.

  “Uhm… colors. Like… like abstract paintings. It was peaceful and comforting.”

  The half-truth seems to lull Lilly’s curiosity and her happiness for me is wired through her body language. “Oh Carmina! This is incredible. I am so happy for you.”

  “Hmmm, don’t worry about the big pillow back here, I’ll get my meat when it’s cold.” Liam breaks into the conversation. I take the fork he’s holding out to me and pass it back with another chunk of meat on it, followed shortly by the whole plate.

  “Well, I’ll be back after lunch with the family. The children won’t settle by themselves!” Lilly jumps up, places a kiss on my cheek and leans right past me to give Liam one too.

  “Wow! What did you do? Cast a spell over my family while I--” I joke when Lilly is out of earshot.

  “They love you a lot.” He says seriously, leaning past to place the empty plate in front of us. His hair brushes against my skin and it is hard to fight the urge to rub against it with my cheek. Pine and sand cuddles up to me and I clear my throat before answering.

  “Yes I know they do... Liam?”

  “Hmmm…” His head is still close to my ear. I know what I want to ask, but I am not certain how to go about it. I don’t want him upset again, or moody or … telling me I’m inappropriate again. How do I tell him that I thought I heard him make a promise while I was sleeping? Can I hold him to a promise he made to me in my dreams?

  “Will you stay with me, like this, here...? Today…?” I push through, holding my breath while expecting him to rush away again. I hear him inhale against my hair. His big hand cups the side of my face, turning my head to look at him. I thought to put up a struggle but the compelling nature of his movement prevents any form of resistance. Liam puts his forehead to mine, his eyes closed. When he eventually answers, there is no denying that this man has a hold on me and there is nothing I can do about it.

  “I am not leaving
you Carmina. Ever.” The delight in the words is reproduced through the energy that flows between us.

  I have no idea what made me do it, but I lean in and press my lips against each corner of his mouth. The soft growl breaking from his chest giving me a fright and I pull back.

  “I... I’m sorry…”

  Before I could say another word, Liam gathers me into his chest, pushing my head against his shoulder.

  “Never apologize for being honest.” He says against my hair. I feel his cold palm on my back and take comfort from it. Maybe he believes it is the fever that made me do it but I can’t lie to him. I am a terrible liar; even the children in the clan tease me about that. I love this feeling he creates inside me.

  “I don’t want to make you mad at me again.”

  “You can’t. And you did steal from me, my Rockflower.” I freeze at the name he calls me. Is it possible? “You talk in your sleep. I like it, I’m keeping it.” He explains reasonably.

  “I did not steal from you!” I protest.

  Liam roars and I am certain I have heard this exact sound before.

  “I’ll let you know what you stole someday.”

  I am no good at guessing games but I know I did not take anything from this man… other than his offer to sit with me while I sleep; that was not thievery of any sort.

  “Dude, we’re coming in!” I hear Jarrod call at us. My eyes stretch as they try to shove through the door at the same time, getting stuck. Liam wipes his hand over his face, looking extremely tired all of a sudden. “You taught Jarrod to say dude? Mother is going to wring your neck,” Liam’s voice sounds a bit like Uncle Will’s.

  “I taught myself to say it. He just didn’t stop me.” Jarrod defends his friend.

  “Mom says five minutes and to get the plates…and to force-feed you if it’s not empty.”

  “Yip, and Mother said you can’t hog Carmina’s attention all day, Liam, and have to uh-” John starts and get stuck.

  “--Take a run. A long one.” Jarrod finishes for him.

  “The food is finished and Liam is going to stay right here, where he promised me he will be.” I scrunch up my nose at the two. “Unless you both prefer I start screaming?”

  Both boys bounce on the bed together, near smothering me in hugs. I fear my bed may cave in under all the weight, considering that Jarrod holds his own next to the Moretti brothers. Of course, this places me in the middle of a three-way game of shove. Not too long into the game, I hear Lady E’s holler.

  “Johnathan! Get yourself up here now! Bring the dude of yours along.” Liam enjoys the amnesty of his appointed task but there is no denying that the other two are in trouble. If you’ve ever had your mother use your full name, you know it to be true. I put my hand to my mouth and giggle pointing at the window, showing a way out.

  “Do not even think about using the window.” Momma’s firm, icy, annunciated words drift up from outside.

  I was snorting with laughter and John cries out, “Witches, I tell you…Wicked witches…”

  Jarrod gathers up all the dishes and mutters about scoring brownie points for doing what he was sent to do, even if it is late. The dishes become his self-protection against the two women waiting outside the room.

  When John and Jarrod leave, Liam pulls me up from the bed.

  “Circulation. Let me make the bed, they messed it up good.”

  “I can do it,” I offer, leaning past him to reach for the fitted sheet.

  “I don’t think I can stand it.” His growly voice appears, leaving me nervous of him again.

  “Go... go… Powder your nose or something, please,” He suggests urgently.

  “I can do with a bathroom break.” When I turn to walk out, I find myself right up against his chest. He is so close and my legs threaten to give way under the exciting drumroll through my core. The ever present burn on my wrist is soothed when his hand clasps around it. He licks his lips again and I feel him trembling against me.

  “Bring- bring more water please.”

  He lifts my wrist to his chest and briefly closes his eyes before he swirls me towards the door. “Please.” He asks again and I nod, speechless.

  ***

  With Carmina out of the room, Liam opens and closes his fists a few times. His lips are pulled back in a grimace, showing his teeth all pearly white. His head threatens to explode in an uncontrolled turmoil when the picture of Carmina leaning against him burns into his view. He did not expect the sudden onset of his nature and, in a panic, he push his thoughts in a desperate call.

  “Dad.”

  “Hell-bound son! Calm yourself.” His father answers almost instantly, feeling the rise of the bloodlust through their connection. Will was busy helping with the build of the new home for Jarrod and Lilly when the distress call hit him like a sledgehammer. Will recognizes the threat to Carmina as it emanates through Liam’s mood.

  “I need to get out of here. It is too much right now, I don’t want to hurt her.”

  Will feels his son’s control slipping. His mind works fast to help Liam escape. “You need to shift. Go for a run. Go home… Fetch a book.” He provides a solution, letting his own calm and confidence flow into the words as they drift towards his son.

  “What happened?” Will asks discreetly. He just had time for a breath and the memory streams to him in waves. He feels the strong emotions, and marvels at his son’s control. “You did well my boy… but you’re right. You need to go.”

  Esmeriska pushes against their link like a knock.

  “Sorry Mom…” Liam offers and she hushes him up.

  “I felt it without sharing. Don’t apologize for being honest.” She turns his words back on him. “Will, my love, I think it is your turn.” Esmeriska says and fades out with a ringing laughter.

  “Wicked woman. I am starting to think John has a point about this witch stuff,” Will drones mildly. Before Liam could protest about anything, his father is standing next to him in the room by the window.

  “What are you waiting for son? Off you go. Now.” Like a sign, arm pointed at the window, father commands his son with an intentional warning. Liam leaps through the window and Will makes himself at home on the freshly made bed.

  “What to do, what to do?” Will speaks to himself, drumming his hands on his knees. When Carmina opens the door to her room, her comical look tickles him into a snigger.

  ***

  I stop when I see Uncle Will instead of Liam. I search the room to see if Liam is hiding somewhere but even I had to giggle at the stupendous idea. The man is as big as house, where would he hide?

  “Liam had to go get a book. He finished the one he brought with him, dear girl. He left a note.” Uncle Will says and then dryly opens his hands like a magician revealing the end result of a trick. “Ta-Dah! Consider it read.”

  I am now snorting with laughter. “Always good to see you Uncle W...Sir.” I offer.

  “Uncle Will is good enough for me, sweetheart. What have you two been up to then?”

  “I slept, mostly.” I answer honestly.

  The silver haired man looks me up and down and tuts. “You still look terrible.”

  “I know. Sorry.” I apologize automatically and he waves his hand at me as if it is unimportant.

  “I’m just happy to be getting a break. Honestly, my wife and your mother should never be put in charge together!” he complains. I put the water down next to my bed and climb onto the desk to look out the window.

  “It is so beautiful out there today, but I think Lilly will have to speed up; snow will be early this year.”

  “And how would you know this?” Uncle Will seems genuinely intrigued.

  I look up at the clouds and point. “They’re already playing with the paintbrushes. Look, light pink.”

  “By Jove! You’re right, my girl, I am impressed!”

  I hear a wolf howl and lean out the window more.

  “Did you hear that? I saw the biggest wolf the other day - at the table no less!” I
blurt out.

  Uncle Will lifts an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

  “Uh-huh. It was real big too. Not like the ones I see sometimes when we pass through the glade. This one was massive…And beautiful. And it liked Momma.” I ramble like a schoolgirl on an outing.

  “And what do you make of it? Having…pets at the table?” he all but chokes trying to keep himself from laughing.

  “Momma said it was rude to call them pets. There were three animals that day, all big in size but breathtakingly beautiful. I felt bad about what I said afterwards; it’s hardly fair to have called them pets. They certainly weren’t your house variety, I’m sure of it. But I wasn’t feeling myself. I wonder what it is like … you know, being a wolf with so many humans around.” I feel ashamed but brush past it when the memory replays.

  “Well, maybe one day they will tell you, my dear.” He speculates. I jump off the desk and nod hard.

  “There’s a story about ‘skin-walkers’ called a naaldlooshii. They can read human thoughts, change into various animals, wolves and birds and cats at will. The jury is out, according to myth, on whether or not they are friendly or bad. I wonder if it hurts. I mean, your whole physiology has to change, doesn’t it?” I realize I’m rambling and shut up.

  Uncle Will stares at me, his mouth open in surprise.

  “What? Did I get something wrong?” I ask him, concerned.

  “No, no; a good summary, though they are called the yee naaldlooshi. I’m surprised you know about those stories.”

  “I read a lot. Being clumsy has its draw-backs but the bonus is the one where I get to read.” I tell him in a self-mocking tone.

  “Well… You know the books Liam is reading? We have a library full of them. You should come visit us after the wedding. I think you may like it.”

  I feel guilty about the earlier conversation with Liam. “I would but I’m afraid I insulted Liam about his book earlier today. I was in a mood; sometimes Liam gets on my nerves. I called it Posh Fairytales.” I confess to Uncle Will.