Thirteen

I stood in the sunrise feeding the chickens. I have named every single one. Chiky, Elma, Vainy, Leerah, and HENderson. I smiled happily with my pun. There was no sign of the fight that happened last night. Daire got up before me. I haven’t seen him all morning. We were low on meat. I collected the eggs trying to dodge HENderson. He got me good on shin. I ran out, closing the gate behind me. Mean rooster. I sat the eggs on the porch. The morning smelled like the forest around the property. I smiled at the thought of a lifetime here. It was something I had never dreamed of. The carriage came into view strolling lazily up the road. Daire sat in the front. His stern demeanor would have made others believe him to be unkind. The truth was anything but. He was a big man but a kind one.  His huge hands maneuvered the ropes with confidence. For a moment those hands were on my throat massaging the vein. Trailing my body until they landed on my hips grinding me against himself. I blinked. Realizing he was in front of me speaking. 

“Did you hear me?” I shook my head and stood wiping my hands on the front of my dress. 

“I’m sorry. What?” he cocked an eyebrow but didn’t push. 

“I said…I said I was thinking about what you said to me last night and you are right. You said that you felt helpless and I never want you to feel that way so I’m going to teach you how to fight.”  That was not where my head had been but it excited me anyway. 

“When?” The smile that spread onto his face made my heart skip a beat. 

“I can teach you a little bit here and there but I really want to get that room finished. So, after the construction your training starts.” I threw my arms around him. I was going to learn how to defend this family. It made me feel strong in a way I had never felt before. The carriage was full of wood and supplies. 

“I’m going to get to it, dove.” He waltzed off with a grace I hadn’t realized he had. I walked behind him. No more scared little girl from Rezzidel. I picked up three pieces of wood and started a pile near the almost finished foundation. Daire and I worked until the sun was high in the sky. I had never sweat so much in my life, but I was learning how to swing a hammer. 

We sat in the tall grass. Letting the cool breeze wash over our sweaty bodies. I peaked at him from the corner of my eye. 

“I think I’m falling in love with you.” I said very quietly. He slowly turned his head until his gaze met mine. 

“I feel it too. When you showed up on my doorstep I don’t think I could have foreseen this. I wanted a companion but I never thought I would find my Soul-Tie.”  His knuckles brushed my cheek. I shivered.

“Would you be my wife? I’ve never really done anything the right way before, but with you I want to do right by you. How about we go into Grimsfell and get married tonight and when we get finished building this room we can seal our bond.” Tears sprang to my eyes. 

“YES!” I jumped into his lap and planted a kiss on his lips. He pulled back. His smile didn’t reach his eyes though. 

“Before you give me an answer there are some things about me you should know.” I looked him up and down. No matter what he said he was my Daire. I couldn’t believe he was bad. 

“I’m wanted in Strary. Remember I told you my father was Fae. Well, his brother is the lord commandant, basically the second most powerful man in the country. My father was my Mother’s Donor. My mother was the heir and last of the Krvna coven. She left her station to be with my father. Something vampires normally don’t do. She loved him though. Not long after that I was born. I guess before my father’s brother started to meddle everything was good. One day my father came home angry. I was a teen. I accused my mother of cheating. She denied it. This wasn’t an uncommon occurrence. What was uncommon was the paperwork he held. Apparently he wasn’t my sire, father the lord commandant was. Her face changed. I knew something was wrong. She approached him as if he were a wounded dog. She told him a story I can’t repeat. She had hidden the fact that his brother was a monster because she knew how much he loved his brother. He lashed out back handing her. I could see his anger fill. He pulled his dagger and before I made it over to them he had ended her life. He came after me. That was when I realized he was under some sort of spell. His eyes weren’t right. We wrestled for the dagger and before I knew it it was sticking out of his belly. In a moment of clarity he told me to run. I did just that. I have to move ever so often because the lord commandant is still looking for me.” I sat listening to his story. It was heart breaking.

I reached for him. I took his hand in my own. 

“I still want to be your wife. Even if we have to move. Even if we don’t get married. I’m yours and you're mine.” He scooped me into a tight hug.

“Mine.” He breathed.

“The lord commandant is truly evil. If you ever run into him. Make sure you get far away from him quickly. Everything he touches turns sour.” His lips were warm against my ear. I nodded in agreement. 

“DOG PILE!” Cedar jumped on top of us. We all started to laugh. The tension that had been building between us broke momentarily.