Shining Through Shadows

A Shadow

Lydia

The wind was howling through the house as I finished the last of my chores. Daylight had already been engulfed by a thick blanket of gray skies. A snowstorm was coming, that much I could tell.

I pried my eyes away from the windows in the dining room and went to gather my supplies. The dining room was beautiful with the dark wooden floors and panels, and maroon tapestry. Two big chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling, casting a glorious light around the room, their reflection mirrored on the polished table.

The chairs were made of wood with maroon upholstery to match the tapestry and a large vitrine, opposite the windows, was displaying the finest porcelain I had ever seen.

I smiled to myself, satisfied that this room, once again, was spotless and ready to entertain guests. Not that any ever came…

Movement caught my eye and I snapped my head towards the door opening, but found nothing but an empty hallway.

“Is anyone there?” I asked, careful not to speak too loud to get unwanted attention from head-maid Louisa. No one answered my call and I took a few steps closer to the opening, glancing down the dark hallway to see if anyone was there, or to decide if it was my mind playing tricks on me.

A shadow caught my eyes at the end of the hallway, making me stumble backwards a bit as I kept watching it. Someone, or something, was standing there until it wasn’t anymore.

With a blink of an eye, the shadow was gone, leaving only a gush of wind behind as it softly hit my face. A few strands of my hair tickled my face until everything went still again.

Strange. It was all I could think of as I clutched the broom tighter in my hand.

I released a breath, convinced that my mind was making me imagine things that weren’t there, and shook my head. Now it was time for me to get some answers about this morning.

With renewed energy, I turned around to go back upstairs, but my trip was cut short as I slammed into something very hard, almost breaking my damn nose from the impact.

“God damn it!” I yelled, dropping both the broom and the bucket as my hands flew up to cover my aching nose. I let out a hiss as I

felt my nose throbbing in pain, tears already threatening to spill as I tried my best to be quiet in my misery.

“Let me see.” A deep voice made me forget about my pain instantly as I realized I wasn’t alone. I dared not open my eyes, afraid that I had caused a commotion with my profanities. I didn’t want to know what happened to a servant breaking the rules of the house. Not after seeing how the alpha had wrecked the entire foyer.

When I didn’t answer or acknowledge whoever was in there with me, I felt a large hand wrap around my wrist, gently pulling my hand away from my face.

“Is it broken?” I questioned with a barely there whisper, my eyes still closed as I let the stranger assess the damage to my face.

“No.” His answer was short and firm. “But you need ice.” Before I could reply and tell him that I was fine to continue with my day, I felt myself being thrown up in the air only to have my breath knocked out of my lungs as I was flung over a firm shoulder.

It was pure luck that my poor nose didn’t slam right into the broad, muscular back I was now staring into. I felt blood rushing to my head, both from embarrassment but also simply from being held upside down.

“Where— Sit me down, please!” I tried to sound calm and collected when I was in reality freaking out. Whoever was carrying me ignored my pleads entirely as he kept on walking into what must be the kitchen.

“Out.” He ordered, making servants drop pots and pans as they practically fled from the kitchen. Louisa will be furious when she finds out about this. And what would Jena say!?

He bent down to place me on top of the stainless steel counter and I immediately tried to get down from it when he released me.

“Stay still.” His voice told me there was no room for discussion and his hand on my shoulder made me sit back down with a sigh. I didn’t dare to look at him and kept my gaze down, watching his feet move away from me.

“I’m terribly sorry, I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.” I muttered, hoping that my apology would suffice, and he would let me go back to my quarters. “I’m not supposed to be in here.” I quickly added, praying he could tell that I didn’t want any trouble.

While I spoke, I heard him opening a cupboard and a drawer. He was doing something and even though I was curious to know what he was doing, I didn’t dare look.

Then something very cold was placed over my nose and I winced as the cold almost burned the sore area. s**t, it hurts.

“Hold still, m’ sahni.” His voice was soft, almost urging me to look at him and I gave in to curiosity and stole a glance at him.

I shouldn’t have done that.