Witchery

Chapter 6

“Sssh baby just go back to sleep. Don’t worry, I’ll still be here when you wake up, I just have to do some work. Get some more sleep.” He whispers, and I fall back to sleep.

When I wake up, the first thing I notice is that Adriel is still here. He is sitting on the couch with a computer in his lap, a cup of coffee in one of his hands, deeply consumed in work. 

I slowly sit up and he turns his head to me, when he hears me moving, putting his computer down. 

“Good morning, Sunshine” He chuckles at my morning face. I can feel my heavy eyes and puffy cheeks and blush a bit. But for the first time in weeks, I’ve actually managed to have a good night’s sleep. At least if you don’t consider the very real nightmare I had. New goosebumps run down my arms, just thinking about it. 

“Charlot is getting breakfast, and Ariana should be here in a few hours. She has gone shopping for you, you can finally leave the hospital gown behind.” Adriel is smiling brightly at me. He gets up from the couch and approaches me. 

“How are you feeling, Esme?” Taking good care of articulating my real name, which makes me smile a bit, he stops in front of my bed. It feels amazing to finally know my true name and my wolf agrees with me. It feels like knowing my real name and seeing my mother, I have come a tad closer to my wolf. I have a feeling my wolf looks very much like my mother’s and this thought makes me smile tremendously.

“I’m feeling good, actually” I brightly say. “I have slept well for the first time in a very long time.” 

“Oh, I see. It helps you having me in your bed then I assume?” Adriel says in a jokingly innocent voice. I try to hit him, but he easily grabs my wrist, stopping me. 

“I guess you need a bit of training.” He teases me, merging his fingers with mine. I blush, I can’t help myself. Both from the embarrassment of being so weak, and from him teasing me this way. 

I have learnt from Ari, who loves to talk about s*x in general, that fated mates haven’t mated properly before beautifully merging their bodies, having s*x with each other, under which you have to ‘mark your territory’ – Ari’s own words – by biting each other in the necks. I still don’t know how I feel about this. I surely feel the urge to have s*x with my mate when he is in the room, but my body is still nowhere near a place where I would feel comfortable being naked in front of another, mate or not. My mind isn’t there either. We haven’t even kissed yet; he has only placed kisses on my cheeks or front head so far. 

Deciding something has to happen on this area, I tease him back, just a bit. 

“I guess you don’t mind lying in my bed either, your dirty mind!” I stick out my tongue, feeling as childish as ever, and while giggling I twist my hand out of his grip, sitting up a bit to crawl closer to him. 

Something in the air changes, like even the walls are holding their breaths. It is like the room is empty again and I can hear my blood thundering through my veins as I look him into the eyes. My heart is racing, and I am out of breath. I put my arms on his shoulders to keep me steady, now sitting on my knees in the bed. He wraps one of his big, strong arms around me, the other gently caressing my cheeks, stroking my lips, before he bends down. Slowly, taking his time to close the distance between our lips, to let me breath, to give me time to pull back. But I don’t. I lean into his embrace, closing my eyes, trusting him, and his lips finally find mine. 

The feeling is ecstatic. Sparks are flying on my inner eyelids. My tummy is full of butterflies. I feel the heat rise from the center of my body all the way up to my cheeks, endlessly blushing. Unsteadily, I cling on to his shoulders, his hands gently supporting me. His lips are soft and gentle, moving against mine. Yet, I feel both our desires overcome us, and the kisses get rougher, making it hard to breath. But right now, I don’t need air. 

In one, smooth movement, without hesitation, he lifts me up, never taking his lips from mine, having my legs wrapped around his waist. He supports my weight easily; I don’t even have to tighten my grip around him. My hands move to his hair and sparkles are flying all around us. I can only hear a roaring in my ears. At least until someone clears a throat a bit too near us. Startled I pull away from Adriel’s face, looking around to find the source of the sound.

None of us had heard the door opening and Charlot coming in with breakfast. 

Now I’m blushing from the sheer embarrassment of being caught in the act. But Adriel just laughs it off and lets me slide down to the floor. This is the first time I notice how much taller than me he is. A head taller, I have to crane my neck back just to look into his face. My legs feel all wobbly after all the excitement and I stumble a bit, he immediately supporting me and helping me back onto the bed. 

“Mr. White, I thought I told you to be careful with her, she isn’t fully healed yet.” Charlot scolds, not feeling the slightest of sorry for interrupting our deed. 

My wolf whimpers though, not enjoying being interrupted like this. When we were so close.

“I am sorry Miss Benzon, I truly am.” Adriel is holding one hand on his heart the other one flat out in the air, as if though he is swearing by his heart, sounding as amused as ever. Certainly not feeling sorry for ‘not being careful with me’ either. I, on the other hand, feel like dying, whishing I can sink through the bed into the ground and disappear forever. Charlot snorts and slams the tray down on the bedside table, not taking any of his jokes. She has brought breakfast for the three of us, yoghurt for everyone, coffee for them. 

I love the smell of coffee, but Doctor Meyer says I have to wait until my stomach is back to normal before trying just a sip of the black magic. I know, however, that I need to try it, as soon as I am off all my pills. The morphine pills are now only twice a day, one after breakfast, to help me through the day, one before going to sleep. The antibiotics however will continue for another week, the doctors wanting to make sure I don’t get an infection in my wounds. The cuts have started to heal faster and faster each day. My wolf has probably something to do with the healing. Ari has told me it is one of the benefits of being a werewolf. Fast healing making you more proficient in a fight. I silently appreciate this, thinking my scars maybe won’t be as bad looking as they could have been without this ability. 

Adriel has returned to his computer, taking a phone call, talking so softly I cannot hear what he is saying. I guess my wolf’s hearing isn’t fully there yet. 

I eat my breakfast, taking my pills. Doctor Meyer comes in soon after, checking my vitals, announcing I can stop taking the morphine pill I am usually taking in the morning from next day on. Adriel looks up when she enters asking her if it is possible to have one’s memories come back as dreams. 

“I am not sure, I am not a sleep physician, but I can schedule one for you, if you’d like?” She asks, a frown upon her face. 

“No, don’t worry about it, I don’t really think it is a normal memory loss anyways, it has something to do with magic, and I don’t think a human doctor can help us with that. I just had to ask, maybe you knew something about it.” Answers Adriel.

“Yes, you are probably right. You should take her to Lena then.” Says Doctor Meyer, before bidding us goodbye, leaving the room. 

I am a bit bewildered over the conversation, and about to ask who Lena is, when Charlot starts insisting I take a shower. I accuse her of implying that I smell badly, which has Adriel laughing from the couch. Eventually, though, I get up and walk to the bathroom, defeated. 

Spending too much time under the hot water, not really wanting to get out, someone suddenly knocks on my door, pulling me out of my thoughts. It is Charlot informing me that the physiotherapist is here. He has been assigned to help me walking properly again. Having totally forgotten about my own schedule, I hurry out of the shower, putting on a clean, white hospital gown. The visit doesn’t take much time. The physiotherapist is very happy with my shape and says he will only visit twice a week from now on, adding: 

“I will file for your soon release, you are healing excellently.” Before heading back out the door.

When he leaves, the door is held open by Ariana, and after her, a young woman I recognize as Elise. Both are caring large shopping bags and chatting loudly with each other, heading towards my bed.  

“Ari!” I exclaim excitedly. Adriel looks up by this and Ari stops dead on the spot when she notices her big brother, her smile leaving her lips. 

“Ariana, what the f**k are you doing? I told you, you can’t bring Elise here! Sorry girls, but this is a matter of security.” 

Both Elise and Ariana’s faces go red, as they shoot each other a look. Ariana looks back at her brother, and they stare at each other for a bit. I guess they are mind-linking, another ability of werewolves. As a wolf you can communicate with your family and pack members, only by thought. Pretty smart when you are in your wolf shape. But also, pretty smart when you need to have a private conversation, or scold someone, I guess. 

“I know, I am sorry. I just thought that, well, that you wouldn’t be here, and honestly Luna could use some company, you can’t deny that. And I have been dying to introduce Elise to her too, you know that.” Ari pouts her mouth and widens her eyes in a very cute way, her big brother giving a defeated sigh. 

“I guess, now that you are already here, Elise. Did you at least bring the speaker as I asked you to Ari?”

“Of course I did, I wouldn’t let my big bro down like that, silly.” Ari answers in a teasing voice and the atmosphere in the room lifts again. 

“Elise, this is Luna, Luna, this is Elise.” Ari introduces us formally and we shake hands. 

“Actually,” I say in an excited voice, I have been dying to tell Ari, “I just remembered my real name! Or at least my front name.” 

“Really?? Moon Goddess, that is so exciting! Amazing news, honey! Well don’t leave us hanging girl, what is it?” 

“It is Esme.” I answer in a beaming voice. 

“Esme!” Exclaims Elise, just as excited as Ari, “That is such a pretty name! And fitting too! Did you know it actually has the meaning “emerald”, from French?” 

I smile and nod happily. 

The girls have been shopping, coming directly from the mall to visit me. They start taking out the clothes they bought wanting to show me every piece they got, both for themselves and me. 

Charlot gives an exhausted sigh and leaves the room without any further comment. Adriel gets up too and says something about how he can’t concentrate on working with three screaming girls in the background. Before leaving however, he promises to come back in the afternoon to show me all his favorite songs. Ari has placed a big speaker besides the couch. 

Excited to see the clothes they bought me, I get out of bed as soon as the door closes behind Charlot and Adriel. Ari and Elise help me try on the different pieces. You can tell the two girls have a very different fashion taste, and that they couldn’t agree on what kind of clothes to get me. Half of the clothes are beautiful bohemian dresses, old-looking band tees – from Elise’s favorite thrift shops – and denim trousers, skirts and shorts. Even a leather jacket and a denim jacket. I feel very Parisian wearing these items. The other half is what I know to be latest in fashion, after having read multiple online fashion magazines with Ari and scrolled endlessly on her i********: feed. 

I am thankful for all the clothes but trying on the different pieces and talking about fits and colours make me badly wish I’ll be able to go with them next time they go shopping. We spend the entire noon doing catwalks for each other, trying new makeup looks, doing hair masks, even following a YouTube tutorial on how to do a French Twist. The only one who has a hair length which is fit for the tutorial, is Elise though. She truly is a sweetheart, very down-to-earth and totally in her feelings. She constantly hymns a song, until Ari puts some music on the speaker, annoyed with Elise’s endless singing. Both of them, however, soon start singing along to the tunes, dancing around. I try to follow them as best as I can, but I don’t know the songs. Having never even listen to a radio before as far as I know, I just hymn along. My dancing skills are even worse, my body definitely not ready to go all dancing queen yet. We eventually make it to the bathroom to do hair and makeup, where Ari asks me: 

“So how are things with you and my brother?” I am sitting in a chair in the bathroom, Ari putting mascara on my eyelashes. 

I blush a bit. 

“I don’t think he has ever stayed in your room for this long.” She presses on. 

“Well… we kissed.” I admit, feeling a bit awkward talking about stuff like this when it is concerning her own brother. 

But both girls scream in delight and giggle. 

“Told you so, girl.” Says Elise and places a kiss on Ari’s cheek. Ari pushes her teasingly off and goes back to focusing on my makeup, moving on to the lips.

“Gee babe, it’s my brother after all, I am not allowed to have thoughts concerning his love life.” She says defensively, laughing.

“Girl, tell us, how was it? And how far did you go?” Elise asks.

I can’t help myself; I start giggling too, loving that I can finally be the one with the gossip. And reminiscing our morning kiss is definitely not a thing I mind doing either. 

“It was amazing! He is a pretty good kisser, if I do say so myself.” 

“Oh, Moon Goddess, I don’t need details on my brother’s kissing abilities, please!” Ari laughs, but can’t help herself, also asking how far we went. 

“Well… It wasn’t really in the night, if that’s what you think. It was this morning. And we were interrupted by Charlot by the way, it was rather embarrassing.” 

The girls laugh a bit about the thought of Charlot interrupting us.

“So, what had him staying this long then?” Ari suddenly frowns. “Usually he runs away as soon as other people comes to watch you.”

“Well… you know when I said I remembered my name, right?” 

“Yes, I thought it might have something to do with you and my bro having sweet, loving sex.” She says, a teasing eyebrow raised. 

I blush at her formulation, not wanting to think too much on that subject just yet. Deciding to trust Elise and Ari the same way I did with Adriel, I answer “No, I… I had a bad dream.” 

I quickly explain them the dream, not leaving out any details this time. Afterall those two girls are the only friends I have. They stare at me in shock, Ari having totally forgotten about my makeup.

“That is… awful!” Elise actually has tears in her eyes. She takes a moment to control her feelings, before giving me a sudden hug. Even though the retelling of my newest found memory is a grave matter to me, I feel a throb of happiness in my heart when she does this. Both girls hug me, and I feel so grateful I don’t know what to do about myself. I silently hug them back, my eyes filled with tears, too. None of us know exactly what to say. But what can you say to a story like this?

“I promise you; I will find and killed that bastard! I don’t care how long I have to search for him.” Ari swears, then, calming down, she says “Now let’s cheer up. Just look at my masterpiece here.” Pointing to my face before finishing my lips, she takes a step back, clearly satisfied with the result. I get up from the chair I have been sitting in, walking towards the mirror in the bathroom. 

When I see myself I gasp. I look… good! I am still a bit thin, however my appetite is almost back to normal now, and I know I have gained a few kilos already. They only feed me fat stuff anyways. 

Ari has made beautiful Smokey eyes on me. My lips are a deep red. She has even painted up my eyebrows, so you can’t tell half of my left eyebrow is missing. I am wearing one of Elise’s vintage dresses, a black one that reaches the middle of my thighs. My hair is pulled to one side, showing of a pearl earring they bought me to go with the dress.  Honestly, they even managed to have my shabby hair looking pretty good, although both girls have insisted the first thing I do, once I get out, is making a hairdresser appointment. 

“Moon Goddess” I mumble. 

“What? You thought you couldn’t look pretty or something?” Teases Ari. “I mean those hospital gowns never did anything good for anyone, so I get where you come from, but with the right clothes and a good makeup artist, me, even your worst dark circles will sparkle.” 

I can’t keep my tears back. 

“No girl, you will ruin the masterpiece from all this crying!” Exclaims Elise, wiping her own tears away from her eyes. 

I laugh and give both of them another hug, not able to express my thankfulness in any other way.