Wolfsbane

Wolfsbane, Chapter 1, By Ruth Nalio

Trystan…

“Trystan!” Father’s voice called outside of my room. I wonder what—s**t! Autumn.

“I’m coming!” Damn this betrothal! Glancing around the room, I snatched up my notes and wrote down the failed experiments before heading down to the dining hall, fixing my hair on the way down the steps. Why did I even bother? Maybe if I just left my hair a mess and looked uncivilized then Autumn's father would just call the wedding off.

Reaching the dining hall I noticed that Autumn and her father were already seated. I allowed a smile to quirk my lips as I noticed the fumingly lovely Autumn sitting across from my seat. Suddenly the interesting blend of honey and pine that only grew stronger when she was angry hit me. I cursed my heightened sense of smell as I strode toward the table.

Autumn…

I’m not sure which angered me more about Trystan’s entrance, the wide grin he had at the sight of my justified irritation, or the slight hint of brief agitation that crossed his face as he got closer. Then there is the rest of my irritation, directed at every man in the room. His father for asking mine for this engagement, my father for accepting without so much as asking me for my opinion first, and Trystan for being arrogant, overbearing, pompous, and rude.

The tall, shaggy black-haired Trystan Holt was infuriating in all that he did. He treated me as if I were some sort of insolent child. The worst part was the way he smiled gentlemanly as he chided me. And now he strides over and bows!

“Good evening, Lady Autumn, Mason.” I watched as he turned his attention to my father, “Your daughter is as lovely in her anger as ever.” My jaw only tightened in anger as my father merely chuckled!

“Sir Trystan, it is a good thing you enjoy her anger, for she seems to have no other mood as of late.”

“Why, it is entirely my fault, and I do apologize, My Lady. Had I been keeping track of the hour, I would have been waiting to seat you.”

That’s right, apologize, I fumed. Letting my bitterness seep into my voice, “Your tardiness is not a habit, I hope, but from the last few occasions we have met I would say it is.” I paid little attention as my father scowled at me.

“Forgive me, My Lady, for I have been distracted as of late.” Trystan excused his behavior.

“Truly. May I make a request? Seeing as we are to be, wed, let us cast aside the formalities.” It wasn’t a request, even to my ears it sounded the demand it was. I couldn’t stand any more of his polite chiding. Not to mention I should be making demands.

“Autumn, it would be my pleasure to speak to you less formally.” Trystan elaborated with exaggerated glee.

“Just what are you so smug about?” The demand slipped out before I could stop myself.

“Autumn, mind your manners!” Father hissed. Trystan only chuckled.

“I’m not apologizing for a question.” I hated everything about my situation and wasn’t going to hide it.

“Then let me answer it,” Trystan began, but his father cut him off.

“We should be having a delicious roast with carrots and potatoes. I have no idea what is taking so long.” Rude’s tone was even as he spoke.

I sat back in my chair and crossed my arms. Eventually, our parents would have to see what an impossible match we were. Not to mention how difficult it would be for me to slip away and fulfill my duty. What was Father thinking? The only thing even remotely pleasing about Trystan was that he appeared to be just as miserable as I in this arrangement.

Trystan…

As Mason and my father began a conversation, neither Autumn nor I were interested in, the food was served with its mouthwatering smell and savory gravy; it was nearly impossible to eat like a civilized man instead of the monster I was. I cared little for anything but the overly juicy and perfectly roasted meat, but of course father eyed me disapprovingly until I ate some of the carrots and potatoes. They, also, were tender and juicy, having soaked in the broth of the meat. The simple aroma was pure ecstasy.

Looking across the table I watched as Autumn delicately nibbled at a piece of bread smothered in butter. A footman pulled me from my obsession of watching her eat when he asked if I would like a refill on my wine. I hadn’t even noticed myself drinking the tart substance. Silently nodding, I turned back to my food.

How on earth could anyone take so long to eat? I was nearly done, and yet Autumn was still nibbling her bread! She was still fuming and yet there she sat with a full plate of food. When I get angry I hardly take time to chew before swallowing. Then again, I mused, I don’t have to chew half the time. My primitive side swallows everything in a few bites and with little effort in chewing.

Autumn…

The way Trystan continued to stare at me as I ate only increased my anger. I had completely lost my appetite due to it, curse the man! All I wanted to do was have this evening over with. I dearly hoped to lose him at the masquerade ball in a few days. Spending the entire evening with him mocking me instead of doing what I wanted on my own was not my idea of a good time.

He would never let me go off by myself either: he has too much fun torturing me. Admittedly, I did have fun fighting with him, there were just other things that were more entertaining and exciting. I was sure he would be surprised to find out just what those other things were, but I planned on doing everything in my power to keep it from him, just as I have kept it from everyone but my father, who still doesn’t know just how much a part of my life it is.

“Lady Autumn, is something wrong with the roast? I can have my cook make you something else if you wish.” Jude Holt’s request broke into my thoughts.

“No, thank you, I’m afraid I don’t seem to have much of an appetite at the moment.”

“It’s a shame, Autumn; the roast is perfect tonight, just tender and juicy enough.” Trystan chimed in as he took a bite of his bread and smiled at me.

“Why, thank you for letting me know what I was missing.” I hoped that sounded half as curt as I’d meant it to. It was no fun unless he was fighting back.

“I have a question. Was that formality agreement just between the two of us or does my father get to call you Autumn as well? And while I’m thinking of it, does that agreement mean you want me to start calling your father Papa, because I may need to ask his permission first.”

I felt the smile quirk on my lips as I replied, “Why, Trystan, darling, I wish for us all to call each other what we wish, if you want to call my father papa or, even, daddy, that is between the two of you. And your father may call me by my name instead of giving a title in front of it.”

“Somehow I don’t see myself calling your father daddy, it’s more of a childish girl thing, but if you wish to call my father daddy I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.” His response was smooth as he took another bite of bread.

“I hardly think it’s a girl thing, I bet you call your father daddy all the time.”

“Not as often as you call yours daddy, ‘daddy, I don’t like eating, nibbling is so tiresome’.”

Narrowing my eyes I said, “Not as tiresome as swallowing without chewing your food, but then again, if my mouth were that big I may be able to cram more into it before it gets cooled all the way down.”

“Autumn!”

“Trystan!” Both our parents snapped at us to stop our bickering, but I wasn’t shutting up that easily, and neither was Trystan.

“Didn’t I tell you? It's my special talent to swallow my plate down quickly so that I can get to doing the things a man needs to do, whereas as a woman you can spend all day nibbling a piece of bread because you have nothing to do.” His tone was condescending.

Snorting, I shot back, “Like locking yourself in your room all day is doing something. And just what makes you think that because I am a woman I do nothing? You have no idea what all I do. And for your information, you’re the reason I have no appetite. If you hadn’t made me so angry, I would be eating and not just nibbling a piece of bread!”

Suddenly he burst out laughing, what the hell did he have to laugh about? “Autumn, you are hands down the easiest person to pick a fight with I have ever come across in my life! Not to mention how adorable you look when you throw a tantrum.”

“I’m glad you like to fight because I have a feeling our relationship will be nothing but,” I said with venom.

“Autumn, that’s enough! Mind yourself! I did not raise you to talk to a man like that.” Father cut in, finally drawing my attention.

“Trystan, you should be ashamed of yourself! Autumn is a lady and should be treated as such.” Jude’s tone was lower but just as severe.

“Now, Jude, in all fairness, Autumn was encouraging him.” Outrageously, Father defended the brute!

“Yes Mason, but Trystan should not have started or continued it.”

I couldn’t believe my ears! Here they were, talking like old friends, and as if we were not even in the same room! The entire thing was a nightmare! Just when Trystan and I started hashing it out our parents stopped us and suddenly became old friends! I sat back with a huff and crossed my arms.