She needs to eat
1480 Words
*River*
I stare at the writhing flames of the small fire as Joaquín cooks the hare he's managed to snare. We know we would be wise to keep riding, but the horses need to rest, and my brothers will do better with something in their stomachs. As for the she-wolf…
Tomás had suggested we change into our wolf form and leave the horses. But we would not be able to bring the girl and none of us like wearing the saddlebags to be honest.
I sigh, a useless release of breath that does nothing to assuage my concerns. I've made many mistakes in my life, but this one is by far the stupidest. It would serve the contrary she-wolf right if I abandoned her to her own devices.
Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, my mother raised me better than to do that to any female, even one who possesses a sharp tongue. I've been called the worst of names, but having her refer to me as a vicious murderer cuts deeply.
She sits on the ground nearby, her legs folded beneath her. Earlier, she pulled a deck of cards from her skirt pocket. After shuffling with a grace that amazes me, she sets about laying down cards, one after another, creating seven stacks. Now she flips the cards over one at a time and rearranges them on the stacks. She looks incredibly peaceful... yet her absolute absence of fear bothers me. A female who lacks apprehension is a dangerous thing.
I curse harshly. We've gotten such a good head start. She will slow us down. I have a feeling she will deliberately slow us down.
Joaquín removes his catch from the flames. I unfold my body and saunter to the fire. "Four ways."
Joaquín glances up at me. "You have to eat."
My brother knows me too well. "Four ways," I insist. I will not have my brothers take less because of my idiocy.
With a shake of his head, Joaquín begins to divvy up the hare. "Could this situation get any worse?" He shoots a look at the she-wolf. "She is blind."
I shrug. "She does not appear to be helpless."
"Her father is a friend of a legendary Texas Ranger."
I give a brisk nod. "That could be a problem." I hold up a hand when Joaquín opens his mouth. "But I will handle it."
"You should just leave her," Joaquín insists. "That is what she wants and what would be best for us."
"But it is as you say, Joaquín, she is blind." And so lovely that I find it difficult to breathe whenever I am near her. I take the tin plate Joaquín holds out. "Gracias."
I walk over to her and crouch before her.
"You need to rub some grease onto your knees," she says bluntly as she lifts the five of hearts and sets it on the six of clubs.
"What?" I ask.
She huffs lightly. "Whenever you squat, your knees sound like a cork popping out of an old bottle of wine."
I glance briefly at my bent legs. "I never noticed." I study the cards she lays out. Red. Black. Red. Black. Red. Black. The ones showing are in order. Queens on top of kings. Jacks on top of queens. "How do you manage to do that when you cannot see?" I ask, mystified.
"My father marked the deck and taught me how to read it."
I raise a brow. "So your influential father is knowledgeable in the ways of cheating."
"He's a gambler. Right now, I imagine he's wagering on whether or not you'll beg for mercy before he kills you." She says.
Anger rolls through me. "I do not beg, señorita. Not for any man or anything."
She angles her chin and, with irritating calm, moves a card. "We'll see."
Her hands aren't even shaking. How can she not be terrified? She's the captive of the notorious River Crow, and she acts as though she's merely attending a Sunday afternoon picnic. Although I want only to instill terror in Slade’s heart, I think this woman should show me a measure of respect and have a slight tremor in her voice. But no, she exhibits no signs of fear... but then, what does a person who lives in darkness fear? The light?
I touch her hand, but she snatches it back with a grimace. I ignore the insult, knowing that opening myself up to hurt is not an option. "I have some food for you," I tell her.
"I'm not hungry," she says, placing the four of spades on the five of hearts.
Frustration wells up inside me. "You need to eat, señorita."
"I need to go home." She huffs.
"I will take you home. Just not today." I promise.
She closes her eyes as if trying to shut out the world, but what good does it do when she can't see? When she opens her eyes again, I'm struck by their brilliant green color. It's a shame that she can't see the beauty that surrounds us. I ask her quietly, "What were you doing walking the streets at midnight?"
"None of your business," she retorts.
I place the plate on her lap. "Eat. If you don't, I will. I think you'd rather see me go hungry than enjoy a full belly."
I watch as she sets the cards aside and cautiously reaches for a strip of meat on the plate. She brings it to her lips, and I can't help but imagine what her smile would look like. Sadly she'll never know the herself.
"Stop staring at me," she orders.
"How do you know I'm staring?" I ask.
She huffs. "Because I didn't hear you leave, and there's nothing else to look at."
"You're wrong, señorita. There are many things to gaze at: the sky, the trees, and the mockingbird in the nest with her babies." I say.
"Three babies," she corrects me, a small smile playing at her lips.
Something unfamiliar tightens in my chest. "How do you know there are three?"
"Am I right?" she asks hopefully. Even if she was wrong, I know in that moment that I would have lied.
"Sí," I say.
She smiles, "Each one sounds a little different."
"They sound the same to me." I admit.
"Because your world is bigger than mine," she says without self-pity. She slips another strip of meat into her mouth.
"What is your name?" I ask.
She hesitates, battling with herself over how much she can reveal while remaining safe. "Norah Moonshadow."
"Norah," I murmur, testing out the name. Something flickers in my mind. "It means light, you are a creature of light, like an Angel."
Her good humor vanishes. "Don't call me that."
"But you look like an angel." I say.
"I'm not an angel." Her voice has an edge.
"You're right. You may look like one, but you don't sound like one. You have a temper." I agree.
She scoffs. "I was abducted. I think I have a right to be angry."
"You have the right to be angry, but not stupid. You must realize that you have no choice but to come with us." I say.
"I can stay right here and take my chances." She shoots back.
I dig my elbows into my thighs and clasp my hands tightly. "With us, you won't be taking a chance. My brothers and I won't hurt you."
"You murdered a man," she points out. "In a cowardly manner, from all accounts."
"A man, but I've never harmed a female. You'll be safe with us. I can't guarantee your safety if we leave you." I say.
She shakes her head. "I don't need, nor do I want, your guarantees."
"But I need them. I am a man of honor." I point out.
"You're a murderer and a thief." She scoffs.
I breathe out slowly. "I won't argue that some aspects of my life are questionable, but not when it comes to my treatment of females."
"I don't understand why you can't circle back around and return me to the edge of town today." She says.
"I don't know how the posse will fan out. Once I know my brothers are safe, I'll take you back. I promise." I say truthfully.
"Why are you telling me all this?" she asks. "You could just force me, as you did before."
"If I have to, I will. But I'd rather not have to," I say solemnly.
"If I agree to cooperate, will you promise not to stuff that filthy cloth into my mouth?" she asks.
I nod. "I promise. And I won't tie your hands either."
She nods briskly. "All right. You'll have my full and utmost cooperation."
A slow smile spreads across my face. Damn, this she-wolf really knows how to bluff convincingly. I'm actually looking forward to the journey.
- Writer
