2

“Wha – what do I do now?” this question rolls off my tongue in a whisper , yet she hears it. She pulls away and then kneels down in front of me , her soft yet cold hands grasp my own.

“ Run…Run Rosemary…don’t look back and don’t stop running…” a cold shiver passes through my body , as her instructions bring me back to the severity of the situation.

“But –“ I am cut off by the wolf , as it growls lowly. He slowly gets up , his teeth shows as he snarls at something or someone that is behind my mother and I.

“Let her go…” I hear my husbands voice, to which I turn to look at him. He gets up from the bed after untangling himself from Andrew and Britney. He tries his best to walk over to me but he seems to be a bit drowsy. Behing him , I watch as Andrew begins to stir and awaken due to Xavier’s movement.

“I do not know who you are woman , or what you have done to us – but I assure you that if you stand in the way of us leaving , or tell your mutt to attack I will kill you and that damn thing!” He exclaims loudly , his voice echoing this well decorated cave.

“Xavier!” exclaim , standing abruptly as I watch him grab the nearest weapon , which is a iron rod that had been plunged into the burning coal that my mother had made. It’s end , red and sizzling , sure to burn anything that touches it. The wolf’s growl gets louder and louder , as he senses my husband is a now threat. I speed walk to Xavier , but before I could open my mouth to explain that this woman is my mother he grabs my wrist and pushes me behind him.

“Xavier , stop it!” I struggle to get out of his hold , my cries falling onto deaf ears as our safety is what he is concerned about.

“ Tell your mutt to stand down!” He yells at my very calm mother , whose fingers are interlocked with eachother in front of her.

“Neko…sit…” my mothers voice calm and collected as she orders the wolf who listens to ger instantly. There was something about my mother’s eyes that shined with acceptance.

“Stop this!” I hear Andrew’s voice bark from behind me. He walks to Xavier and snatches the iron rod from him.

“Why –“ My husband snaps his head to Andrew as the only weapon he had to protect us were taken away.

“She means no harm…” Andrew explains to my husband but he looks at him with confusion in his eyes.

“She is my mother…” I felt my tiny voice learn my mouth , catching the attention of everyone in  the room.

“Your mother?” her questions me ,to which I nod.

“Queen…” Andrew looks at his dead mother’s best friend and rushes to her and engulfs her in a tight embrace. I heard her chuckle while she wraps her arms around him and brushes his back in a motherly manner. Xavier tight grip on my wrist slowly fades as he lets go and looks at the scene in front of him.

“You have grown to be such a handsome man…” my mother exclaims when Andrew pulls away from her , she holds his hands while she takes in his appearance. Her eyes glistening with tears that have not been shed.

“Oh if only your mother could see you now…” she whispers to herself yet we all hear her.

“…she would be so proud..” she places her small hand on his cheek , her thumb wiping away the lone tear that rolls down the soldier’s cheek.

“How is this possible? How are you alive – you were pronounced dead – “ he started to bombard my mother with questions , but she shushes him.

“Let us speak of this during supper…” was enough to make our tummies loudly growl , to which she giggled when she heard.

“Wow…” was all that escaped Andrew’s mouth after my mother had told him what had happened to her and why she had to leave.

“So all this time…you have been living on your own?” Andrew questions my mother , a hint of disbelief could be heard in his voice. I can kind of understand why he finds it hard to believe , from  being a queen to living in the wild is something unfathomable.

“Yes , well it was not really hard – I adapt quickly and my powers really assist…” she states after taking a bite of her food. I look down at my bowl and disappointed at the emptiness of it. I had been so hungry that I ate the soup so quickly.

“Rosey , want a refill?” My mother asks me , I think her mother instincts were kicking in. My cheeks blushed a light pink before nodding yes.

“May I ask something?” Xavier speaks after a long while.

“Yes..” my mother answers after refilling my bowl – my nose is filled with the heavenly smell of the chicken soup.

“ You said you were creating ways to help us escape from Alexander – what ways are you talking about?” His question , a vital valid one.

“ I see you want get down right to it…” my mother chuckles.

“ With all do respect mam , but my wife’s safety is what concerns me now…” my heart skips a beat as he calls me his wife , as his care for me shows.