Land of the Moon

Chapter 15

Nikolaj’s house was not far from his uncle’s, the alpha’s house yet it was not in town it had its own privacy. His house was not as big but it had a decent amount of room. There was a small kitchen attached to the sitting room and a small hallway with a couple of doors. Then there was a set of stairs leading to the upper floor.

“My room is here on the ground level there is another for whoever wants to take that one. Then there are two rooms upstairs as well. There is also a washroom down here as well if any of you want to use it.” Nikolaj gave a worded tour of his house.

“I would like to go lay down if you do not mind Nikolaj, it feels like it has been some time since I have enjoyed a bed.” Ema stated as she hid a yawn behind her hand.

“There is a room on the right and one on the left. Feel free to take either one for the night.” Nikolaj smiled at Ema before walking off.

“Thank you, Cecily I will be in the one on the left.” With that Ema ascended the stairs.

“I got food in the kitchen. I have not been home for some time, but the scouts saw us traveling so I know they probably already had someone come over and get the house ready. Are any of you hungry?” Nikolaj's voice came from the kitchen. “You are welcome to whatever.”

“Thank you Nikolaj, I will just grab a few things and head up to Emas’ room she needs to eat before sleeping.”

“You certainly do look after her, more than what just a protector would.” Nikolaj stated with a raised brow.

“If I do not then who else would. I have been with her since she was younger.” I bid them goodnight before leaving the kitchen behind me. Ema was still awake when I entered the room. She had found a chair and was looking out the window at the rising crescent moon. “Ema why don’t you try to eat a bit, you should not fall asleep on an empty stomach, no offense you are rather cranky in the morning when that happens.” I set the plate of food I had brought with me on the bedside table.

“Thank you,” Ema gave a small smile as she moved over onto the bed picking through the small bit of fruit, cheese, and bread I had brought her. “How long will we be here for Cecily?”

“That I do not know since we are traveling with everyone now and this is Nikolaj’s home he may want to stay a while. No one knows what the future may hold, but for now, you should get some sleep.” I handed her my waterskin to wash the little food she had eaten down.

“Will you stay with me, well I mean I know you won't leave the room but will you just sit beside me till I fall asleep?” Ema asked as she slipped off her boots and socks before getting under the blankets.

“Of course I will.” I whispered as I sat beside her on the side of the bed.

The night grew on as the moon shone, its sliver of light into the window. Ema had finally fallen into a deep sleep. Her breath was slow and steady, for now, she was not being chased by a nightmare. I was about to shift into my snow leopard form when I heard a creak in the wood, outside the bedroom door. Slipping my knife from my boot I crept slowly to the door. I slowly moved down into a crouch. Slowing my breathing and calming myself to where my heartbeat slowed so that my presence was near impossible to detect. I listened to who it could be outside the door. I sniffed the air to see if I could pick up the scent of who it may be. Just as I caught the scent they moved away and I could hear the small creak of the stairs as someone descended down them.

Why would Zane stop in front of our door? I looked back at Ema sleeping soundly as I rolled this question around in my head. One of the things that really rubbed me the wrong way was that I could not get a read on him. He was unpredictable to me and that was unsettling since I had to be good at reading people or it would not only be my life on the line this time. The night passed on with no other disturbances besides Ema knocking a pillow onto the floor. Ema was still sound asleep when the sun was starting to brighten the sky. The house was quiet still, though there were faint sounds of it coming to life.

Vladimir had taken the room across the hall, knowing this left me a little more at ease. Taking this chance of peace I slipped gently from our room, making my way swiftly down the stairs to the washroom. Wood flooring covered the front half of the room with a small bench and shelving to put one’s clothing and other things. Before dropping off to a smooth stone floor that covered the rest of the room, it held a good sized tub to bathe in, with a small closed off area to relieve one’s self in. Above the tub, there was a metal pipe with what looked like a bowl with holes in it. The other end ran down the wall to a spout sitting a good hands width above the tub with two handles and a small little lever to let the water come from the spout or from above.

I left my clean pair of clothes in one of the shelves while letting the ones I discarded sit on the side bench. I grabbed a towel from the few that were left in a basket upon another bench closer to the wash area. There was a hook to hang the towel next to the tub, as I examined the knobs I could see the right had the magic symbol for cold on it and the left had the magic symbol for heat. Nikolaj’s village was well planned out for being a travelers rest stop. I know many would really enjoy these kinds of pleasures if they were always traveling. Turning both knobs so that the water would not become too intense, I did not have to wait long for a good amount of steam to start rising to let me know the water was warm and ready.

The bath was relaxing and I really enjoyed the overhead faucet letting the water rain down all around me like a small waterfall. Steam had now filled the room giving it a foggy look, although on the far side of the wall there was a small window cracked to let the room have good airflow. I was just pulling on my top when a small knock came from the door. “Cecily are you in there?” Ema’s muffled voice followed shortly after.

“You can come in, I am done.” I called out to Ema.

The door slowly cracked open giving the steam and heat in the room another escape. Ema hurried in when we heard another door opening out in the hall. A small laugh escaped me as I watched her lean back on the door relieved. Like she had just escaped the chance of being caught doing something she was not supposed to. A small pout formed on her face then. “It is not funny.”

“I found it to be a bit though. Oh, come now, no reason to be upset. Why not take a bath and relax it is quite nice.” I pointed towards the bathing area.

Ema walked over to where I was sitting so she could see around the thin wall that hid the tub from view. Her eyes widened from the sight that was now before her. “Oh my… I do miss taking a hot bath.”

“I know being on the run has not been easy. So take this chance and enjoy it while you can, who knows how long it will be till we get to the Moon Kingdom.” I told her.

“Alright I will, I just need to go get a change of clothes.” Ema took a step back to leave.

“Go get in the bath I will go get your clothes as well as grab your old pair and go wash them.” I slipped out of the washroom and was just about to head up the stairs when I felt someone watching me. I could smell Zane’s scent, it was fresh and stronger than it was last night. When I looked at the entrance to the kitchen Zane was leaning against the opening watching me as he finished off his apple.

“Do you need something?” I asked him, my voice flat.

A smirk grew upon Zane’s face before he replied, “No just enjoying how you smell.” He then turned back into the kitchen leaving me there on the stairs alone repeating what he said in my mind.

What did he mean by that? I shook my head leaving what he said there on the stairs. Ema was still soaking in the tub when I returned and left a fresh pair of clothes for her. Nikolaj had told me before there was a small wash tub to wash clothing out in the back of the house with a line as well to hang them to dry, so I headed out there to keep myself busy while Ema enjoyed her time in the bath.

Ema found me outside just as I was hanging up the last of our wash. “Feeling better?” I asked without looking at her.

“Yes, much better. It was something I really needed at the moment.” There was a smile in her voice.

“Well, you always did say that you could think better after a good bath.” I lightly laughed as I turned around to face her.

Ema gave me a smile before looking up to the sky. “What should we do today? If we are going to be here for a time.”

“We can explore the town a bit, but the less people that see us here the better. We do not know if there are any more people after you.” I watched Ema as she thought over what I was saying. Before long she looked at me giving me a small smile.

“Let's visit a couple of shops before we come back here. I would really like to cook with you again before you know.” Ema shrugged her shoulders as she looked down at her hands like she was imagining all that would be placed in them soon enough.

“We can do that Ema. It has been a while, I hope your cooking skills have gotten better.” I smiled as I teased her about it. This brought a shocked expression to her face.

“Are you saying I am a horrible cook?” She shot back, playing into my teasing.

“No, not a horrible one. Your food is still edible, just a little bland.” A loud smack rang out in the small area as Ema had whacked my arm.

“If I remember correctly you always ate all my food.” This brought a smile to her face. “You really know how to change my mood around Cecily.”

Our small trip through town was a bit crowded but pleasant. The residents of the town were all very kind. Ema had decided on making a vegetable stew and wanted to make enough in case the others wanted to join us. We had gotten back to the house not long after the sun was starting its slow descent in the sky. By the time the stew was done, it was just the right time for supper. The group of Hunter’s had just, all arrived when Ema pulled the pot off of the cooking stove in the kitchen.

I could hear them all sniffing the air before they entered the kitchen. Mira and Louisa came to help Ema with the pot and setting the table. I was slicing the bread we had gotten to go with the stew and setting them on a plate.

“Wash up please before sitting down.” Ema glanced at the men in the kitchen entryway.

When we all settled down for dinner it was full of conversations and laughs. I could see Ema was enjoying living in this moment. The last time she had sat down to a meal like this seemed like forever ago now. When it was time to clean up Louisa got Nikolaj to help her with the dishes since he had the most servings. Cairo helped Mira clean up the food and store what was left over. Vladimir had asked Ema if she would like some fresh air, and those two had quietly exited out the back while the rest were busy. Zane was poking fun at Nikolaj when I left the kitchen and its liveliness behind.

I had made my way up onto the roof of the house so I could keep an eye on Ema and Vladimir. Nikolaj said we would be safe here in their pack lands but I was not going to relax till I got her to her grandmother. A small breeze was blowing tonight whistling through the trees I watched as Ema shivered and Vladimir had removed his jacket to give to her. I scanned the trees in the darkness giving the two a small amount of privacy.

I felt a presence with me on the rooftop when I scanned it I saw Zane coming towards me from the side. “What are you doing out here?” I mind linked him so we wouldn’t disturbe the two down in the backyard.

“I could ask you the same thing. Is it not a bit rude to be spying on their little alone time?” Zane replied back with a smirk.

“I am not spying.” I glared at him as he sat down next to me to where we barely touched. “I am keeping a lookout.” I glanced back out at the trees.

“Spying” came his whispered reply against my ear.

This man infuriated me, a growl rose slowly from my throat as I looked at him in the eyes, our nose’s a fingers width apart. Before I could say anything I felt his hands over mine as he pinned me down to the roof burying his face into the crook of my neck. I was surprised by his action. I did not know what to think for a heartbeat I just laid there stunned as it felt like electricity shot through me. I could feel his growl vibrate, through my chest as he took a deep inhale of my scent. “Are you smelling me?... GET OFF!” I finally let loose my own growl as I started to struggle against him.

“You smell delicious Cecily,” Zane whispered in my ear.

“I am not going to be someone’s food again,” I growled at him. This seemed to surprise him momentarily. Taking this chance I bucked my hips up rolling so I was pinning him. We struggled like this momentarily forgetting we were on the roof until we went over the edge.