Xo Novel
Chapter Twenty- Seven: A Special place
He took my hands in his as we walked along leaving the carriage and Henry behind.
“So, where are we going?”
“I would want it to be a surprise. It is just a little bit further.”
We walked on the soil, trampling on the fallen leaves as they rustled. My hair bounced as I walked; it was like ripples from water.
“I forgot my hat in the carriage, I should go get it.”
“Here, you can have mine.” He took the hat off my head, handing it over to me
“Thank you, but should I be wearing the Alpha King’s hat?”
“With you I am just Ryan. No Lord, no title. It is just me and you here.”
He chuckled and his chin rose, giving him an even glowing look.
“How often do you do this? Come out here in the open, to gasp in the air.”
“More often than you think. My stroll is a very important time for me to be away from everyone.”
“What about your mate? Do you not plan on taking any?”
“I do sometimes, but other times, I always have the mind-set of why do I need one when I can have it all?”
“Such crazy mind-set, no offence.”
“None taken but you are right though. Along the line it gets boring and very much depressing.”
“We are here.” I stared at the well made of bricks, with glowing pink petal flowers surrounding it.
“A well is your favourite place in the whole of this place?”
“Not just a well, I call it my thinking well.”
“You are so hilarious. But it’s a really cosy spot though. I love the stillness and peace that brings.”
“So, how long would you stay here for whenever you come out to this spot?”
“As long as I want to. Sometimes I stay up through the night. Trust me when I say it’s really a place to think.”
“How often do you bring people here?”
“People? No one knows about this spot. At least no one that I know of. I could have called it my secret spot but it’s not very secret now is it?”
“If you don’t bring anyone here then why did you bring me here?”
I watched him, he hid his smile as well as the rest of the words that would have given me answers that I searched for.
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My thoughts only ran far and wild as I laid on the bed a few hours after we had returned. Luckily, Lady Ana had not come for me, at least I didn’t know yet. No one saw me walk in so I threw myself on the bed awaiting sleep.
I opened my eyelids to the crack of dawn, rising like the bloom of the primrose in a garden, with the touch of the cool breath of the morning dew on me. The balmy air like that of the early days of every month brushed against my skin raising my hairs. The howl of the wind graced my ears. I strolled to the window with the dew still all over, its dimness robbed me of the newly birthed view. I settled on the rocking chair still watching the day, the yellow sun peeking from the white clouds, it bore a resemblance to the Gainsborough landscape portrait. Such magnificence and resplendence. I took up the needle to med my turn out dresses then a soft tap came from the door.
After a few pointless guesses on who would be so kind as not to bang so hard, I finally opened to find Beth looking back at me.
“Beth? What are you doing here?”
“Good morning to you too.”
“I have not seen you in like forever.”
“Me too but you look better than the last time I saw you. Tea? I sneaked a few things out from the winery.”
“Yes, thank you.” I retrieved the cup sipping a bit from it before dropping it off on the table.
“Like it’s been forever.. I never thought I would see you again.”
“Why would you even think of someone like me?”
“What do you mean? Why won’t I?”
“You know I came here during the evening yesterday and then I saw you.”
The liquid refused to pass down my throat and I poured it back as I heard those words from her.
“What did you see?”
“Don’t worry, I am not a snitch. And besides he is the Alpha King if he really likes you he would protect you.”
“Like me?”
“Yes, Clara.”
“No, it hasn’t gotten to that.”
“Oh please don’t act like a child.”
“Look, I am with another man’s child. Ryan… I mean the Alpha king can’t possibly like me.”
“Well, that’s not the question here.”
“Then what’s the question?”
“The question is do you like him?” I glanced at her and she smiled back nudging her head.
“You lost me Beth.”
“You went out together to town with him and everyone is talking about it.”
“He is just a very good company. I don’t know If I will consider him as a friend yet. Do you know that he thinks well?”
“Huh?”
“Oh, that was supposed to be a secret. I do not like him the way that you think.”
“And what way do you think that I think?”
“The way that you think that I would want to be with him. He is just a friend and I only enjoy his company. I am pregnant and nothing of that sort will happen between us.”
“I am glad that you know that. I would not advise you to have anything further with him.”
“But why?”
“Well you have seen these people. You have stayed here longer than I have. You would not want to step on toes now would you?”
“Not at all.”
“Very well then, you have to thread wisely. Now get ready, we have been assigned for a job.” She patted my shoulder moving out of the room as I watched her back.
…
It was midday, I laid on the bed with my cheek pressed to the pillow. I had a rumbling stomach from eating too much hot bread. The pain had subsided and I did not feel the etching desire to throw up or the cramping of my stomach walls. I wanted to go back to the dress or go out to watch the sunset. Beth had become a constant guest as we had become closer. Not too long, she walked in again, this time without knocking with a bowl in one hand and a letter on the other hand.
“I got something hot for you, it would help with your belly and this letter came for you.”
“Where did you see that?”
“Just by the doorstep.”
“Thank you.” She dropped it on the wooden constructed table together with the bowl. I moved sluggishly out of bed to the chair just in front of the table. In the spoon in my hands, I took out a scoop of the liquid emptying it inside my mouth. My tongue felt numb but I could still taste a bit of the peppermint. I took up the letter tearing it open, it read;