Page 40 of Wind and Water (Reign of the Witch Queen #2)
She waves a hand. “We humans have to stick together. Besides, I already love your mother to pieces. I’m sure we’re going to be good friends.”
Unable to push words out past the lump in my throat, I force a weak smile and nod.
Once Harper leaves, I lie on the large bed with its pale-peach duvet and lace trimmings, press my face into a downy pillow, and cry so hard my back hurts. It pours out of me, and I can’t make it stop.
Liam’s mind touches mine, but I push him away.
For some reason, now that I’m safe, I can’t hold it together.
The door opens and closes. Momma’s soft fingers run through my hair. “It’s alright, baby girl. You just get it all out.”
“I didn’t want you to see me like this.” My voice lacks the strength and toughness I expect from a Texas woman.
She rubs my back. “Liam said he could feel that you’re upset. He wanted to come to you, but I told him that sometimes a girl needs her momma.”
I nod, and fresh tears come. It’s a miracle that there’s any more water in me to make tears.
“Stay here. I’m gonna run you a bath then let that nice Lila in to heat the water with her magic.” Momma does as she says, and I don’t even look up to acknowledge Lila, whoever she is.
Once she’s gone, I let Momma help me into the tub. She sits on a chair behind me and washes my hair like she did when I was a little girl.
Once I’m calm and my muscles soothed, she tucks me into bed. “Sleep now, baby girl. You’re safe.”
The last word sounds muddled as I fall deeply into nothing.
At one point, I think I’m awake, and a female elf with long brown hair and bright hazel eyes stares down at me. Her arms are crossed over an ample chest. She’s beautiful but frowning. Maybe it’s another premonition. Exhaustion pulls me back into a restless sleep.
There are loud noises in the distance. When I open my eyes again, the woman isn’t there. I must have dreamed of her.
A knock at the door pulls me fully awake. “Come in.”
Liam stands in the doorway. “Feeling better?”
With a few deep breaths, I assess my body’s aches and pains and find them minor. “I am. How are you? Did you rest?”
Wearing clean cream-colored leggings and a belted brown tunic that ties with laces at a V-neck, he looks clean and painfully handsome as he closes the door.
As he crosses to me, his steps are long and graceful.
He climbs on the bed as if it’s something he does every day, and pulls me close, wrapping both arms around me.
“I would have slept here if your mother hadn’t convinced me that you needed space.
Which, she had to explain, meant time away from everyone. ”
“I was just emotional because of…everything. I don’t need space from you, Liam. Momma doesn’t understand yet.” I lay my head back on his chest.
“Then you don’t mind that I’ve had them put your things in my room?”
My pulse speeds. “I don’t mind, but what will your mother and father think?”
“They think it’s impulsive and lacks propriety.” He laughs. “I cannot bear the idea of you sleeping elsewhere.”
“Close is good.” It’s strange to be in a relationship where I have no doubts about the man’s feelings. I feel what he feels. My only worries are from people outside of the two of us, and that we are literally from different worlds.
He kisses the top of my head and points to a pile of clothes folded neatly on a chair near the window and a blue dress hanging on the wardrobe that glimmers in the late-day sun. “Someone brought you something to wear to dinner and an option if you’d prefer to be comfortable.”
“Will you be changing for dinner?”
His chin rubs along the side of my head. “I will wear my uniform. It’s customary to dress for dinner. Lila will probably be here soon to help you.”
“There was a woman in here. I wonder if that was Lila?” I push my memory to bring back the hazy image.
“What woman?” His voice sharpens.
“An elf with long brown hair and hazel eyes. I thought she stared down at me while I slept, but I might have dreamed her.”
He stiffens, then pulls away and rises from the bed. “You didn’t dream her.” Without an explanation, he leans down and kisses my cheek. “I’ll come to escort you to dinner.”
I jump out of bed. His demeanor makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. “Liam, who was it?”
Softening his expression, he returns and pulls me into his arms. “I suspect it was Dierdre, but I will deal with her. You have nothing to worry about.”
“I wasn’t worried until you said that.” In truth, I thought I had dreamed the elf woman and that she was a product of the stress of being in a new place and all that had come before.
Taking my face in his hands, he presses a kiss to my lips.
There’s a light knock on the door, and an elf with light brown hair and brown eyes steps in. She sees Liam and gives him a schoolmarmish look that should have quelled him.
He laughs and turns back to me. “I will speak to Dierdre. Everyone here is happy you have come, and you already know how I feel.” The warmth of his love washes over me.
My cheeks heat as he kisses me again and rushes from the room, giving Lila a peck on the cheek on his way out.
She slaps his shoulder. “You need to dress for dinner,” she calls after him, but he’s long gone. “I am Lila. Would you like me to do your hair, Miss Martin?”
“Please call me Wren. Is it inappropriate here to leave it down for dinner?” I touch my wild curls. I wish I had one of my combs. I suppose the witch queen will throw my treasures into the fires of hell. I can’t even remember when she took my bracelet.
“Not at all.” Lila takes the blue gown from the wardrobe. “They told me you were fair, and I thought this color would suit, but I can see I’ll need to shorten the length.”
“The dress is lovely. I’m sorry to cause you more work. I can find my duffel and wear my own clothes.” I have no idea where Liam’s room is, but I’m sure that’s where my duffel bag was put after whatever occurred below with his parents.
“It’s nothing. You forget we have magic for such tasks when they must be done in a hurry.” She winks.
“I suppose I didn’t think of that.” I laugh and try on the beautiful gown of periwinkle, watching in awe as Lila uses the gentlest magic to adjust the material to fit me, as if it were made just for me.
If only this world fit as easily. “Do you think I can have access to the bag that the centaurs brought for me? It has some jewelry in it that I’d like to wear. ”
“Of course. I’ll have someone bring it right away.” After going to the door and speaking to someone in the hall, she asks me to sit in front of a small mirrored vanity table, and fusses with my hair and smiles. “Curls are rare in elves. Your hair is beautiful.”
An elf in blue livery knocks and then trips into the room. “Your bag, my lady.” He thrusts my duffel toward me.
Lila frowns. “By the old gods, Paddy. You are too clumsy by half.”
“I apologize.” Paddy bows, places my bag on the floor, and backs out of the room.
I giggle. “I’m glad not all elves are self-assured and graceful.
I thought I would feel quite frumpy here.
” Lifting my bag, I dig in the side pocket until I feel the small jewelry bag, and pull it out.
I roll it out on the little vanity table, revealing the few pieces I brought for the trip to England.
“Oh, how beautiful.” Lila stares over my shoulder.
“Thank you.” I pick up a silver necklace with a swallow in flight and a pair of silver earrings that I noticed Liam admired when we were in a pub one night. “I thought these might look nice with the dress.”
Lila picks up the necklace and examines it with a softness of expression and a slight smile. “And you made this? Your mother told me that you were a remarkable artist, but I never expected… This is exquisite.” She pushes my hair aside and clips the chain around my neck.
“You are too kind.” I slip the earrings through my piercings and pinch my cheeks. “Do you think they’ll like me, Lila?”
Her expression is kind as she meets my gaze in the mirror. “I think they will adore you. I think this world is grateful to you. I knew Liam is in love with you from the moment I saw the two of you together. If that were all that were true, would it be enough to ease your worry, Wren?”
I dab the corner of my eye before I burst into tears again. I’ve got to get these emotions under control. “It would be more than enough.”
She pats my shoulder. “Have a lovely evening. I’m going to go and see if Harper needs anything. Liam will return to escort you in a few minutes.”
“Thank you, Lila.” I stare at my reflection for a long time, wondering how in the world I went from hell to wearing a beautiful gown such a short time.