Wolfsbane

Wolfsbane, Chapter 20, By Ruth Nalio

Trystan…

“Mason wants to have drinks tonight and again in two days, with lunch the day after that. I don’t know what you did, but the man seems determined to force you and Autumn to spend as much time together as possible.” Father said as he read over the letter from Mason.

“I took Autumn to a gypsy party, and told him I didn’t want to call off the engagement.”

Father stopped and looked at me with shock. “You don’t want to call it off?”

I laughed, “I thought you’d be more concerned with the gypsy party.”

He waved a hand, “You have been going to those parties for a while now, I should have known that’s where you were taking her. But you told him that you didn’t want to call it off?”

“Yes. I still don’t think it’s the best idea in the world, I am a monster, but I think he will call it off without me pushing.”

“You’re not a monster,” Father said in a steady tone. “You are falling in love with Autumn, and don’t want to admit it.”

“I haven’t even kissed her, how can I be falling in love with her?”

“You don’t fall in love with lips, my boy.” He smiled. “I think you should try it, though, if you think that’s what it will take to find out if you really do love her or not.”

I rolled my eyes and ate a piece of bacon. “I’d love to have drinks with them every night that works for you,” I said with sarcasm.

“I’ll be sure to let Mason know,” Father said with some sarcasm of his own.

It had been two days since Autumn and I had gone to the gypsy party, and I was looking forward to seeing her again, in truth. She hadn’t picked a single fight with me and I was hoping to get the chance to ruffle her feathers a bit. We did get along in truth but it wasn’t good that we did so. She had been so lovely dancing with the gypsies, though. I smiled to myself at the memory of her laughter. I had never truly heard her laugh before then.

“You might try wooing her, but that’s just a thought.” Father broke into my thoughts. “I’m sure she would be quite an enjoyable person to be around if you gave her a chance. Then again, you could piss her off if you tried wooing her. She doesn’t seem like the type to take well to that.” He shrugged and walked out of the dining hall.

That was an idea. She may just get uncontrollably pissed if I tried softening her up. Then Mason would have to call it off. If I couldn’t make Autumn like me when being more than agreeable to the whole thing, what was he to do? I had to admit, the thought of wooing Autumn made me want to laugh. I knew from the way she insisted on her independence that she wouldn’t see wooing as anything but degrading.

After breakfast I spent the day in my room, looking for a cure without success. Maybe the answer wasn’t in the wolfbane at all, but in something else, like silver, but how was I to test with silver? I wonder if Father would be willing to help me with any tests. How would I ingest silver mixed with wolf bane?

“Trystan, it's time to stop looking over your notes, you must have them memorized by now, and Autumn and Mason are here.” Father stood in the doorway of my room.

I sighed, “I’ll be down in a moment.” I closed my notebook, washed my face, and pushed my hair out of my eyes. I made my way down the steps just as Father led Mason and Autumn into the dining hall. I walked up next to Autumn without a sound and whispered in her ear, “It’s lovely to see you again so soon.”

She jumped and glared at me, “You could make a little more noise next time.”

“Then I wouldn’t have the pleasure of watching you flush with anger. You’re exceedingly lovely when you’re mad.”

“I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but stop it.” She hissed.

“Autumn!” Mason scolded her. “He was giving you a compliment, the least you could do is give one back.”

She sighed, “Very well, Trystan, you look very nice this evening.” She didn’t even look at me when she said it.

I smiled and pulled out her seat for her. She narrowed her eyes and sat down. I pushed her in, leaned close to her ear, and said, “You even look lovely when you’re pouting.” I sat in the seat next to her and made my face purposefully thoughtful. “You know there is only one bad part to sitting next to you, I can’t look at you. You are very beautiful, and I enjoy watching your reactions to what I say.”

She turned to look at me with shock-filled eyes, “What has gotten into you?”

“Nothing, I’m simply stating what’s on my mind.”

“I do hope you stop.” She said narrowing her eyes.

“Autumn, be nice,” Mason said.

“Don’t bother, Mason, she wouldn’t be herself if she wasn’t angry with me. That’s what I like about you, Autumn, you’re so easily angered, and so difficult to please. I think I’ll enjoy a good challenge.”

“Keep trying.” She said in a cold voice.

A delicious roast chicken was served with potatoes and cornbread. Autumn reached for her cornbread and I slid the cream to her, “Cornbread is quite tasty with cream, would you like some?”

She narrowed her eyes and asked, “Why are you being so nice to me?”

“I told you, I see it as a challenge to please you when you dislike me so.”

“Are you sure you’re not trying to make me more angry?”

“If I were trying to make you angry, then I would say things that have made you angry in the past.” I looked her face over. Even with the bruises she was beautiful. I smiled to myself.

“Stop that!” She demanded.

“Stop what?”

“Looking at me like that, I don’t like it.”

“Would you rather me look at your hands? You have lovely hands, with long slender fingers. They are so elegant.”

“Don’t look at my hands either!” She stuffed her hands in her lap.

“Fine. I’ll just eat my food and tell you what’s lovely about you without looking at you.”

“Trystan.” She said in a warning voice.

“The way your hair curls, with its deep, rich color, and how soft it looks, like silk, only softer. Don’t get me started on the deep green of your eyes, how they spark with your emotions.”

“Stop!” She slammed her hand on the table. “Enough! I don’t want to hear about my eyes or my hair at the table! I’m trying to eat!”

“What about the shape of your face, the pure melody of your voice, or the softness of your features?”

“None of it.” She said as she looked at me with more anger than before.

Father chuckled on the other side of the table and Mason stared, wide-eyed. “Forgive me, I’ll sit in silence, as long as you’re happy.”

“I would be happier if you’d never said anything to me at all.”

I put my elbows on the table and laced my hands together then rested my chin on them and just smiled at her. She visibly bit back the words she wished to throw at me and closed her eyes. I watched as she took a deep breath and then opened her eyes. She lifted her fork to begin eating but stopped mid-way to her mouth.

“Would you stop looking at me?” She said in an exasperated tone.

“Sorry, I forgot.” I turned to my plate and tried not to laugh as I began eating.

“Jude, Father, please,” Autumn said as she looked pitifully at them.

“You think I put him up to this?” Mason said as he gestured toward me. Father began laughing.

“Jude!” She said in a distressed tone, “You did this?”

“I didn’t think he’d listen to me.” Father shook his head.

“You know he’s just doing it to torture me!” She protested.

“Autumn, let it go and eat,” Mason said as he shook his head.

“Autumn, I have an idea. You could beat him at his own game.” Father offered.

“What! No! And the two of you said we schemed!”

Mason held up his hands in innocence, “I had nothing to do with this.” I did my best not to laugh.

“Stop that! It’s not funny!” Autumn snapped at me.

“Sorry, dear.”

“Don’t call me that!”

“Sorry, sweetheart.”

“Don’t call me that either! Just be quiet!” The table was silent for a few minutes, then, “Would someone talk, please!” Autumn begged.

“What do you want to talk about?” I asked in the sweetest tone I could.

“Not you, you be quiet. Father, Jude, you must have something to talk about.”

“Did Trystan tell you where he took Autumn?” Mason asked my father.

“Yes, he told me that he took her to a gypsy party. I had no idea until this morning, though. He has been hiding in his room since he got home.”

“Yes, and apparently Autumn had a wonderful time and so did Trystan.”

“That means they lost the bet!”

“Trystan lost the bet, Autumn never really agreed to it. I would appreciate it if she at least tried to be agreeable.” Mason looked at her from the corner of his eye. The rest of dinner was filled with Father and Mason talking of such things.

Father pushed back from the table and sighed, “Well, I think it's time for drinks.”

“Yes, I agree,” Mason said as he pushed back from the table as well.

“Do we have to stay for drinks?” Autumn asked.

“Yes, but you can stay here if you wish,” Mason said as he and Father walked out of the dining hall.

Autumn quickly got up and started toward the door. I followed quickly, not wasting the chance to make my move. I grabbed her arm, put her back on the wall, and put my hands on either side of her head. I leaned in close to her. “Does nothing scare you, Autumn?” I said in a low voice. I inhaled deeply and caught no scent of fear.

“Nothing.” Her heartbeat barely picked up as I leaned closer to her.

“What are you feeling now?” I asked in the same low voice. She was quiet. “You’re not afraid, are you nervous?”

“What do I have to be nervous about?” She asked, never breaking eye contact.

I reached for her face and she stopped my hand with hers. “If you're not nervous and not afraid then why do you stop me from touching you?”

“Have you ever thought that I don’t want to be touched?” The attempt at anger wasn’t enough to deter me.

“What do you want, Autumn?” I leaned closer and inhaled her scent. Her breathing quickened and her heart sped up. I could feel no tension in her body. I leaned closer, “Autumn, tell me what you want,” I breathed the last word in her ear.

I heard her take a deep breath, “I want you to step back from me.” Her voice was laced with what sounded like regret.

I let out a small laugh as I pulled back, “You don’t sound too convincing.”

“Get the hell out of my way.” This time there was anger in her voice.

I pushed away from the wall and smiled at her. “You replace any emotion with anger, why is that? Do you not know how to handle anything else?”

“Stop it, Trystan.” Her eyes turned hard and her voice was cold.

I took her chin in my hand and held her face still when she would have pulled away. “I’d like to kiss you. If you want to slap me after, that’s fine, but first I’d like to kiss you.” She glared at me as I leaned in and brushed my lips across hers, not a full kiss, just a tease, silently asking for permission for a full kiss. Her eyes closed and I kissed her fully this time. Her lips were full, soft, and warm beneath mine. Her breathing became heavier and I moved my hand from her chin to her shoulder. She reached up and held my face in both of her hands as I deepened the kiss.

I broke the connection between us and smiled down at her. She looked at me with angry, misted eyes, and slapped me before I knew what was coming. “You slapped me!” I said in shock.

She smiled, “You said I could. Remember? Now, if you’ll excuse me, our parents are waiting.” She went to walk past me but I stopped her. “Do you want me to slap you again?” She said in a steady voice.

This time her heart quickened and she broke eye contact long enough to glance at my mouth. I smiled and pulled her closer to me, to where she was nearly touching me, “You have very soft lips.” I whispered in her ear before turning away from her and walking down the hall ahead of her. I heard her growl in frustration and smiled even more. She had liked it.

I walked into the sitting room and Father looked up at me. “Where is Autumn?”

Before I could answer Autumn pushed past me and went straight for the scotch. She mumbled that I was an ass and downed her drink then fixed another and walked over to a single chair and sat down stiffly in the seat. I winked at my father and walked over to fix myself a drink. Then I sat on the arm of Autumn’s chair. “Move,” She ordered me.

“I’m comfortable where I am,” I said in a happy voice and took a drink of my brandy. She grumbled and got up and walked to the couch and sat down. I arched an eyebrow and looked at my father and then Mason. Father shrugged and I smiled. “You look very lonely on that couch. I think I’ll keep you company.”

“Trystan.” She said through her teeth. I ignored her warning and walked over and stood next to her. “Would you just leave me alone and find someone else to drive crazy?”

“It wouldn’t be right to drive your father crazy, and I have to live with my father. Besides, I’m not trying to drive you crazy.”

“The hell you aren’t!” She said and tossed back her drink. “Father, can we go home now?”

“You don’t want to leave yet, do you? You’ve only had two drinks.” I said smoothly. “In fact, I think you need another one, let me get that for you.” I walked over and fixed her a brandy.

“I’m fine, I don’t need anything!” She began to get up but I was already walking over to her and holding out her drink. She looked hopelessly at our parents and then at the drink before taking it and sitting back down. She didn’t take a single sip of her brandy, she just glared at me.

I laughed and walked over to the chair closest to the couch, “Okay, okay, I’ll leave you alone.”

“Does that mean that you give up trying to make me happy?”

I smiled, “Well if it won’t make you happy to leave you alone then I guess I’ll have to try something else.”

“NO! I’m happy, you just sit over there and leave me the hell alone.”

“You don’t sound happy to me, you sound stressed.”

She took a deep breath, “I’ll be happy once you leave me alone.”

I sighed, “I guess I messed it up this time. I’ll have to try again next time we see each other.”

“Oh Gods!” She downed her brandy, leaned forward, and rubbed between her eyes.

“Autumn, are you ok?” Mason asked.

“I want to go home.”

“Trystan, I think you’ve taken this a bit too far this evening, you’re not wooing anymore you’re tormenting,” Father lectured.

“I couldn’t help myself,” I said sheepishly. I looked at Autumn, “I’m sorry Autumn, I didn’t mean for this to go any further than wooing. I’ll stop tormenting you now.” She held up her glass but never took her head out of her hand. I took it from her, “Would you like me to get you something else?”

“Water. No more brandy or scotch.”

“Are you getting drunk?” I leaned down and attempted to look her in the face.

“No, and I’m keeping from getting that way. Now, get me some water before I slap you again.”

“Before you what?” Mason asked; he honestly didn’t hear her.

“Before she leaves.” I covered for her.

She sat up, “You know what, never mind. I don’t want anything.”

“Jude, I’m afraid it's time for Autumn and I to go.” Mason stood.

Father and I walked them to the door and Father began the goodbyes. I took Autumn’s hand in mine and kissed it quickly before she could pull away. “Good night, Autumn. I truly didn’t mean to upset you as much as I did.” I stepped back and nodded toward Mason, “Good night to you as well.”

I didn’t wait for either of them to respond or leave, I just turned around and headed back into the house. I wasn’t sure if I had made a mistake kissing Autumn tonight or not. She was quite upset. I hadn’t meant to upset her that way, I had meant to annoy her after the kiss, not distress her the way I had. I needed to go to my room and think.

Autumn…

It had been two days ago now that Trystan had kissed me in the hall and still I was dreaming about it. My dreams made me less than happy. They left me confused and frustrated. I still felt bad that I had upset Trystan with my behavior, but I wasn’t sure how to act after he had kissed me.

The only other person to ever kiss me had been that night in the woods. Trystan had been nothing like that, he had hesitated long enough that I could have gotten away easily. He had just brushed his lips across my first, I think he was testing me, how I would react. Then, when he really had kissed me, it had still been gentle. He had treated me like I was breakable, not like the way Howard had.

Father and I walked up the steps to Trystan’s castle now. I wasn’t sure what to do today. I knew I had to somehow let Trystan know that he hadn’t done anything wrong. I didn’t want a repeat of two days ago though. My lips began to tingle with the thought and I scolded myself for it.

Would it be all that bad if he did kiss me again? I didn’t have to let him know that I liked it, I just had to make him think that I was putting up with it. Maybe I could tell him that the reason I acted the way I did was because I’d never really been kissed before. Would that make him kiss me again? Stop! I couldn’t be thinking like that!

The door opened and Trystan and Jude were smiling at us. “Well, come in, come in,” Jude said as he stepped back. Father walked in ahead of me and began talking to Jude. I followed him and smiled at Trystan, who smiled in return. I had to explain my behavior the other night. I couldn’t do it in front of our parents though.

As we got closer to the dining room doors I touched Trystan’s arm and mouthed “Wait a minute.” Once our parents were through the doors I looked at Trystan and took a deep breath. “I have to explain why I acted the way I did.”

“I really didn’t mean to upset you that much.”

“Would you let me explain?” When he said nothing I took another deep breath and continued. “It's just that, well, I’ve never really been kissed and I didn’t know how to take it.”

He smiled, “You liked it.”

“I did not.” I insisted.

“Then why do you keep looking at my lips?”

“I do not,” I said, panic beginning to kick in.

He smiled even wider. “You're still doing it.”

“Only because you said something!” I defended.

“You want me to kiss you again.”

“I never said that!” My cheeks warmed.

“You never denied it.”

“You’re twisting things!” My anger flared at his words.

“Just admit that you want me to kiss you.” His smile was infuriating and made me feel even more heated.

“I will not.”

“But you don’t deny it.”

“Stop that,” I ordered.

“Just admit it.”

“No.”

“Ok, fine, if you insist.”

“Wh…” Before I could even finish the word his hands were on either side of my face and he was kissing me. His hands left my face, slid around my back, and pulled me close to him. His lips were soft and demanding, causing mine to move under his. He broke the kiss and I looked up at him. He laughed softly and stepped away from me. I hit him in the chest with the palm of my hand.

“I told you that you wanted me to kiss you again.” With that, he turned and walked into the dining hall. The man was the most infuriating person I’d ever met! I marched into the dining hall after him. Tonight was going to be another night like the first he kissed me. I sat next to him without a word.

“Trystan, I think you’ve already put Autumn in a bad mood,” Jude said as he looked at me.

“Autumn, are you upset with me?” Trystan leaned forward and looked at me with fake concern.

“So we are having drinks after this, right?” I asked Jude without even looking at Trystan. Jude laughed and Father closed his eyes and tightened his jaw. “You can’t just pretend I don’t exist, Autumn, I will get you to talk to me,” Trystan said in my ear.

“Am I to assume that your laughter is a yes to drinks?” I ignored Trystan.