Chapter 9
1406 Words
Chapter 9
Nathan’s POV
I awoke to the sound of quiet please for help and instantly knew that Freybelle was having nightmares again. It seemed the only time she felt fear or sadness over the events that had happened to her was in her sleep. I sighed, sitting up on the sofa and noticing a faint light coming through the windows. The storm had passed. The whining came again, and I rolled my neck to get the kinks out of my shoulders before heading to the bed and sitting on it.
“Nathan…” She whispered before turning to me and grasping my shirt. I was ready to say something before I realised, she was still asleep. I looked at her with pity. Why did she keep a brave face in front of me. Was it because I was technically a stranger? And didn’t she feel the pull between us? She said herself that the goddess had brought her here, maybe we were mates… I sighed, angry at everything.
Maybe you’re angry enough for the both of you. I heard Blaze quip in my head and growled at him. He wasn’t wrong but she still needed to vent her emotions, or they would get pent up within her and burst out… like a pop bottle when it was shaken up. I got up but her little hands grabbed my shirt tighter.
“No…” She whimpered and I frowned.
Freybelle’s POV
I awoke with a start, having dreamt about that night again, only this time, Nathan had come to my rescue. He had returned the favour to my other by slitting her throat and I had gotten so angry that magic had burst from me and hurt him. I didn’t want that to happen. I realised that there was a weight on the bed with me and once my eyes adjusted, I realised that Nathan was sat on the bed at the side of me, his eyes closed and his breathing slow. I realised I was holding his t-shirt and cringed. Had I grabbed him as he passed the bed to the bathroom. My subconscious reaching out to him for protection from the nightmare. I let go of it sharpish and Nathan’s eyes flickered open.
“Oh good, I can move now.” He said and despite his tone I sensed a slight hint of humour coming from him. I knew I had turned red.
“Sorry.” I mumbled but he shrugged and got up.
“The storm has stopped. Are you up for an excursion today?” He asked and I looked at him quizzically.
“Well, you told me you needed more clothes plus Id like you to show me where your coven was before we head back to my pack. That’s if youre willing?” He said and I realised he was speaking to me a little gentler today. I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Why are you being nice to me?” I asked, crossing my arms. He laughed and it was a glorious sound. Why didn’t he laugh more often, or smile. I sighed.
“I upset you last night.” He said, and I expected an apology but there was none.
“Yeah…” I answered, swinging my legs out of the bed.
“You do annoy me.” He said as I got up and I immediately knew I was shooting daggers at him. “That’s more like it.” Again, I felt humour.
“What?” I asked, confusion settling in.
“You get sad and upset but then immediately bat it away with jokes and laughter. Its annoying.”
“Oh, you mean like you never laugh or smile even when there are good things happening?” I snapped at him. “Theres nothing wrong with wanting to see the good in life.” He frowned now and I felt annoyance yet again. Rolling my eyes I headed to the bathroom and slammed the door again.
A few hours later we were trapsing down the hill away from the cabin and towards a town I hadn’t even realised was near here. If I had I would have cleaned up before I found Nathan. He was currently about 6 feet in front of me, but I knew he was walking slow so I could keep up. We had yet to talk after our morning… argument. Could I call it that when I had actually been the one to snap? He had rubbed me the wrong way by talking about my happiness like it was toxic positivity. I knew I had a tendency to see the good in everything. I had been told as much by everyone that knew me, but what was wrong with that?
“We’ve only got about another mile to walk.” Nathan said, his tone back to its normal gruffness. I didn’t answer but kept walking after him. If I was annoying, then he clearly didn’t want to hear my voice. I was paying attention to where I was walking, then felt myself slam into something hard. Assuming it was a tree I put my hands against it and my temper flared for a second as I closed my eyes. “Ouch!” I heard as I slammed my fist into it, taking my frustration over the morning out on it. I grimaced before opening one eye and realising it was Nathan.
“Sorry.” I said, embarrassment eating up at me.
“It’s ok, I just didn’t expect the punch. Frustrated?” I narrowed my eyes at him, but his face softened and I felt worry coming from him. Why worry? I must have changed my facial expression because he sighed. “Look I think my words came out wrong this morning. I get annoyed because I don’t understand how you can be so happy all the time especially after what you went through lately.” It was my turn to sigh now.
“Because what is the point in dwelling on something I can’t change.” I said, folding my arms as I looked at him questioningly. He frowned.
“The fact that you clearly haven’t actually released any anger or upset over it…”
“That’s not true.” I interrupted. “I cried. Ive been sad and thinking about it constantly and I am angry. I just don’t feel anger towards you so why would I act it…”
“Because you’ll boil inside and release it when you least expect it. I’m not saying be angry all the time. I’m saying at least show your emotions when you talk about it or when I mention things. You don’t have to be happy all the time.” I glared at him as he turned to carry on walking.
“But you make me happy.” I grumbled, and if he heard me, he didn’t show any inclination he had as we finally hit the town.
Nathan’s POV
I smiled internally at her comment. Maybe I was overreacting? I was worried though. If she kept bottling up her anger, could it be realised through her magic? I would ask her later because right now she was staring at a shop that sold pastries and practically drooling. I sighed, yet again annoyed at how childish she could be. I stopped when she shot a glare at me again and I had to remind myself that she felt it, as well as the fact that she had led an extremely sheltered life.
She might be over 100 but she is still a child at heart. Blaze said, cooling my annoyance even more. He was right. So instead of reprimanding her like I felt I needed to, I dragged her into the pastry shop, ignoring her excited little squeals when I told her to pick something out for us both.
“So do you think we’ll be back to the cabin for nightfall?” She asked, eating a chocolate filled pastry which was dripping all over her fingers and was covered in powdered sugar. I rolled my eyes.
“Why? Is the place far?” I asked and she frowned.
“Yes, It took me days to find you…admittedly I was walking barefoot and in pain a lot…” She sighed. “Maybe we could hire a car or something?”
“No need… you’ve got me. Finish your diabetes pastry.”
- Writer
