by Liz Dejesus
Bianca chuckled and then bit her lip in a futile attempt to keep herself from laughing.
“Hello? Mother? Father?” Terrance called out.
“In here,” a female voice replied from another room.
“Mother, there’s someone I want you to meet,” he said.
A tall woman practically glided out of the kitchen. She quickly wiped her hands on the white apron she wore, then removed it and tossed it on top of the table.
“You must be Bianca,” she said in a soft, breathy voice.
All of her features were fine and delicate, almost as if she would break should she fall. She had a heart-shaped face and pale skin that reminded Bianca of a porcelain doll. Her light brown hair reached her lower back, where it cascaded into a waterfall of soft waves. Her eyes were the color of dark honey. Everything about her was warm and refined, as if she were a ballerina getting ready to do a pirouette.
Claire turned to Ming and asked, “And you are?”
“How rude of me. Forgive me. Mother, this is Ming Lee. She’s a good friend of Bianca’s,” Terrance said.
“Best friend,” Ming corrected.
“It’s so lovely to finally meet you. Terrance spoke of nothing except you and the extraordinary adventure you had. Of course, it took some time to coax it out of him. But once he began to speak, it was as though a dam had burst. Oh, I’m so glad you could come to dinner. I know it’s a bit short notice, but I was eager to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too. Thank you for inviting us,” Bianca replied with her best manners.
“Of course. William and I are always happy to meet Terrance’s friends,” Claire said.
“Mother?”
“Yes, darling?”
“Where is Father?”
“Where he always is… Outside,” she replied.
Terrance nodded. “I’ll be back shortly.”
“Where are you going?” Bianca asked.
“To find my father. It might take a while, so it’s best that I go by myself,” he explained.
“Oh…okay…”
“Tell your father that dinner is ready. I made his favorite. Lamb stew.”
“I will, Mother.”
Terrance kissed Bianca on the cheek and walked out the front door.
“Don’t worry. Everything will be all right,” Claire said with a warm smile.
“Are you sure?” Bianca asked.
“Yes, yes. It’s just William’s daily exercise.”
“Oh.”
Claire’s brow furrowed, and after a moment, she said, “He’s probably halfway up a mountain by now.”
Ming’s eyes widened. “Terrance has to go all the way up a mountain to find his dad?”
“If he’s lucky, that’s where he’ll be. Sometimes, we go several days without knowing where he is.”
“That’s crazy,” Ming whispered.
Claire giggled. “Don’t fret. It won’t take long to find him. He knows you’re here. It’s good for William to go for a run before meeting someone new, and it makes him much more pleasant to be around.”
“Is he usually unpleasant?” Bianca asked.
“No, no, no. He’s wonderful, but when he doesn’t go outside and hunt, he does tend to get—” she twirled her hand in the air, as though it would somehow produce the word she was searching for “—on edge.”
Claire sat down on the love seat and motioned Bianca and Ming to join her.
“So, Terrance told you everything that happened a few weeks ago?” Bianca asked, doing her best to have a pleasant conversation with Terrance’s mother.
Claire sighed and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “At first, he said nothing. I tried not to pressure him, for fear of pushing him away from us, but William wouldn’t leave him alone. He cares about his son very much, despite his serious demeanor. He has a good heart. They both do.” She smiled as she spoke of her husband and her son. “Eventually, William was the one that finally got Terrance to talk about what happened.”
Bianca heard a long, drawn-out creak, as if a door somewhere was opening.
“Ah, they’ve returned,” Claire said.
Terrance walked into the living room. He was panting softly, his cheeks bright pink and his forehead covered with a light coat of sweat.
“Where was he?” Claire asked.
“Not far from here. He was on his way home when I caught up with him. He’s taking a quick bath, and he’ll join us for dinner. I’m going to freshen up as well. I’ll return shortly.”
“I will be right back,” Claire said, standing. “I’m going to check on William.”
Bianca smiled as Claire walked out of the living room. She couldn’t explain it, but the room became dimmer when she exited. Bianca took in her surroundings now that she didn’t have to give all of her undivided attention to Claire. Warm scents wafted in from the kitchen. The succulent scent of roasting lamb mixed with the freshness of thyme and rich garlic tickled her nose. Her stomach groaned in protest. She pulled her T-shirt over her stomach, as if that would somehow help.
Ming poked at Bianca’s stomach and said, “Ditto. I hope we eat soon. I’m starving.” She stood up and looked at some of the portraits on the wall. “Wow. Look at this painting.” With her hands, she motioned for Bianca to get up and take a look.
Bianca felt uncomfortable snooping around someone’s house, but she was curious to see what Ming was so fascinated by.
“Do you think that’s his dad?” Ming asked as she pointed at a small portrait in a dark brown picture frame.
Bianca studied the painting. The man in the portrait was very stern, yet there was a type of vulnerability in his green eyes that was indescribable. Almost as if he were begging to be loved. His thin lips were a straight line, unsmiling. Yet, they gave her pause. For some reason, this was a man she wanted to meet. Someone she wanted to understand. She saw a lot of Terrance in him.
“I’m one hundred percent certain that this is his father,” Bianca replied.
“Serious dude, huh?”
“I think there’s more to him than he lets on.”
“You think so?” Ming asked.
“Yeah,” Bianca whispered.
When she heard footsteps and the wooden floor creaking, they both turned around. Terrance appeared within moments. He had changed his clothes. He wore a crisp white shirt, long black pants, and black leather boots. The suspenders hung by his sides.
Wearing such simple clothes, and he looks absolutely gorgeous.
“I apologize for the vanishing act,” he said. “I was covered in sweat.”
“No problem. Hope you don’t mind us looking at the portraits here. Is this your father?” Bianca pointed to the portrait.
Terrance nodded.
“You have his eyes,” Bianca whispered.
He grinned. “People often say that.”
She was about to say something else, when her stomach grumbled and groaned for the second time. “Umm. Yeah, sorry about that. My stomach has a mind of its own.”
“I’m sorry. It has been a long day, hasn’t it?”
“Yeah, but I have no regrets.” Bianca sighed. “I like your mother,” she said as she fidgeted with her fingers.
“I knew you would,” Terrance replied as he put his hands over Bianca’s and gently pulled her fingers apart so she would stop fidgeting.
“She has a very sunny disposition.”
Terrance chuckled and said, “And I don’t?”
“Not really,” Bianca said.
Terrance shook his head. “I know what you mean, but I’m forced to disagree with you. I’m not exactly like either one of my parents.”
“Now, now, I wouldn’t say that,” a male voice behind them spoke.
Bianca let out a soft gasp and turned toward the voice. A tall, thin man stood at the doorway. William Connor was a handsome gentleman, but it was something that didn’t hit you until you’d spent a few minutes studying his face. He had sharp features and a long pointed chin. His
lips were wide, but there was no smile to greet them. His eyes were light green like a spring leaf, and they stared at Bianca openly. Curious, as though he were trying to solve a puzzle.
“Terrance, aren’t you going to introduce us?” William asked.
Terrance cleared his throat nervously and said, “Father, this is Miss Bianca Frost and her friend, Miss Ming Lee.”
“Best friend,” Ming politely corrected for the second time that day.
“William Connor,” he stated and nodded to each of the girls. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Bianca didn’t know whether to shake his hand, curtsy, or bow. He was much more intimidating than King Harold and Queen Felicia combined.
“I’m happy to meet you, sir. I’ve heard a lot of great things about you.”
His lips budged a fraction of an inch; Bianca assumed it was a smile.
“Dinner is ready,” Claire said, returning to the room. “I’m guessing you’re starved by now?”
Bianca nodded. She and Ming followed them into the dining room. She was struck by the simplicity of the room. A long wooden table made of solid oak stood in the middle of a cozy room. The way the surface of the table gleamed made Bianca think that it was bronze and not wood at all. A simple bouquet of white roses was the centerpiece. A small crystal chandelier hung above, the candlelight casting a warm yellow-orange glow upon them. The food on the table glistened and beckoned her to sit and eat as much as possible. William sat at the head of the table, and Claire slid into the chair beside him once she was finished serving everyone their food.
The table groaned and creaked from the weight of the meal. It was enough to feed a small army. There were rolls of bread, corn, apples, grapes, and other foods Bianca couldn’t name. There was also blueberry pie, cornbread, and sweet wine.
“This looks delicious,” Ming said.
“Thank you. Please, eat and enjoy,” Claire said.
Bianca ate a spoonful of the lamb stew. She had to stop herself from moaning; she didn’t want to embarrass Terrance with her poor table manners. She had never tasted anything so rich and flavorful. The lamb was marinated with herbs and spices. There were carrots, potatoes, onions, and other ingredients she couldn’t name.
“This is incredible. Who knew stew could be this good?” Bianca said.
“It’s an old recipe. I’ve added a few ingredients throughout the years, and I think I’ve gotten it just right,” Claire replied.
“I agree,” Bianca said.
“There goes my plan on becoming a vegetarian,” Ming mumbled between bites.
“I didn’t know you were considering that,” Bianca said.
“It was a thought…”
“You are an enigma.”
“That I am.” Ming smiled and ate another spoonful of stew.
Bianca returned her attention to the meal in front of her. The conversation was light and polite. No one mentioned anything about their strange clothing, although she often caught Claire stealing glances at her T-shirt and jeans. It was obvious that Terrance must’ve mentioned something about it to them, because they didn’t seem at all surprised. It was William that concerned her. He was, after all, the Big Bad Wolf’s son.
Four
Bianca was sure that if she ate another bite, she would explode. She could imagine the mess that would make.
“B?” Ming whispered.
“Yeah?” Bianca replied.
“I think you’re gonna have to roll me out of here,” Ming said.
“Yeah, me too.”
“Maybe Terrance can take turns rolling us to the castle?” Ming asked.
“I’m sure he won’t mind,” Bianca whispered to Ming. She then turned to Claire and said, “Thank you so much for dinner. It was unbelievable. And you cooked this all by yourself?”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I cooked most of it by myself, but William helped…by being the food taster,” Claire replied.
“It’s a delicious and very important job,” William replied. He used his pinkie nail to dislodge a tiny piece of lamb out of his teeth.
“Mother, Father, I’m afraid it’s getting late. I should take Bianca and Ming back to the castle and show them to their room,” Terrance said.
He wiped his lips with a cloth napkin and placed it beside his plate. He stood and helped Bianca out of her chair.
“Wait,” William spoke, and everything froze. Even the flame in the candles stopped flickering.
Bianca stayed glued to her seat. She looked at Claire, Ming, and then Terrance; they seemed just as perplexed as she was.
“Something wrong?” Terrance asked.
“Nothing. I simply wish to have a moment alone with Bianca,” he replied.
“Can this wait until tomorrow?”
“No, it cannot.” William narrowed his eyes at Terrance. His lips became so thin that all Bianca could see was a straight line.
“This dude really doesn’t ever smile. Are you sure you want us to leave?” Ming whispered.
“Sure. Leave me alone with Mr. Connor,” Bianca said, making sure her words were heavy with sarcasm.
Mr. I-Never-Ever-Smile. Mr. Scary and Intense.
“Seriously?” Ming asked.
“Yeah. I think we’ll be fine.”
Bianca put on her best fake smile and told Terrance that she would be all right. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. She swallowed hard and watched as Claire, Ming, and a worried-looking Terrance walked out of the room.
Once the door was closed behind them, William said, “Don’t be frightened. I just wanted a minute alone to understand why my son is so taken with you.”
She honestly hadn’t thought about why Terrance liked her so much.
Bianca shrugged, smiled, and said, “My charming personality?” She shook her head and sighed. “Honestly? I don’t know what he sees in me. My English is god-awful. I wear pants, which from what I know about the women here in Everafter is a no-no. I live in another dimension, so that puts a whole new spin on a long-distance relationship. I’m pretty sure I talk in my sleep—or laugh. I’m not sure which. And based on how you’re looking at me, I think you kinda hate me.” She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for his reaction to her outburst.
William took a deep breath and asked, “Are you quite finished?”
“I don’t know. Maybe? I’m not sure. I may have another dramatic moment in me, depending on what you say next.”
He smirked.
“I feel like I’m on trial here.”
“I apologize for that. I forget that I can be a tad…overwhelming for some people.”
William gave her a penetrating stare, as if he were trying to figure out what her soul was made of. Bianca squirmed in her seat. She thought of Terrance and how important it was for him to introduce her to his parents. With that in mind, she was able to calm down and sit still.
“You should know that I care very much for your son.”
“No, you don’t,” he said as a matter of fact.
Bianca flinched. She took a deep breath and made herself relax. She didn’t want to ruin the evening by turning the table over, breaking a chair over William’s head, setting things on fire, and storming out of the dining room. She pushed all of those negative thoughts aside. The last thing she wanted was to hurt Terrance’s feelings with her behavior toward his father. She literally bit her tongue and thought before she spoke.
“Excuse me, but how dare you say that? You don’t know how I feel. You don’t know anything about me,” she said.
Bianca knew that any hopes she had of people thinking of her as a lady were over. It was time to let everyone know who she really was. And she wasn’t going to sit still and let someone, no matter who they were, tell her that what she felt for Terrance wasn’t real or genuine.
“I didn’t mean to imply that you feel nothing for my son. I meant to imply that you love him. But now I know for sure that I was correct.”
She gave him a questioning look and said, “I d
on’t understand.”
“I’ve been observing you since you walked into my home. I see the way you look at each other. You love him. Plain and simple. What you choose to do with that love will make or break you. In my case, it did both.”
He looked off into the distance, and Bianca followed his gaze. The moon hung in the midnight blue sky. Full and beautiful. A perfect, glowing silver sphere shining in the heavens. The stars danced and shimmered all around it.
“Do you miss it?” she whispered.
“Miss what?” His eyes never left the moon.
“Being a wolf.”
“I’m a wolf no matter what shape or form I take. Although…I do miss my wolf body. I miss my father and my family. But I love Claire more. I love her enough to sacrifice anything. I’m willing to kill or die for her at a moment’s notice. What about you?”
“What exactly are you asking me, sir?”
“What are you willing to do to be with my son?”
Bianca grinned. “You don’t mince words, do you?”
William interlaced his fingers and rested his hands on top of the table. “I find idle chatter to be a complete waste of time.”
“With all due respect, sir, my relationship with Terrance has nothing to do with you.”
“He is my only son. My only child. His welfare means more to me than your feelings.”
Bianca nodded. “Of course.” That was something they could both agree on.
He chuckled.
“What?”
“I like you, Bianca. There’s a spark, a flame in you that I have not seen in a long, long time.” He gazed at the moon and became pensive for a moment. “Treat my son well. He’s a good boy. He’ll grow up to be a fine man.”
She stood from her seat, figuring their conversation was over. But she still had a question. “How did you know? I mean, you’re probably right, but how do you know I love him?” How is it possible for you to know something that I’m not one hundred percent sure of?
“You look at him the same way my wife looks at me,” he replied.
“That’s crazy,” she whispered.
He took a deep breath. “Forgive me, Bianca. Claire and I spent many, many years trying to have children. Terrance was very difficult to come by. I often wondered if it was my fault. That I was being punished for having forsaken my kin. Once Terrance was born, I thought more children would follow, but alas, none ever came.”
