Introduction

Rosemary’s Pov

“I will eat later…” I say softly , offering him a smile. He exchanges a look with Xavier , but I do not stay for the lectures that I know is coming. Instead I walk to the entrance and sit on the floor in a crossed legged position – my eyes fixated on the fiery red flames that almost touches the sky. I sit out there for a while , enjoying the peace of being alone. At this moment , all I ever want is to be alone. I would often feel my stomach kick me with hunger , as my nose smelt the food that was cooking but I easily turned my attention back to the burning kingdom.

Eventually after a while , I hear footsteps nearing me – I do not take notice of the person who takes a seat next to me and the masculine scent that enters my nose accompanied by the delicious smell of food , I come to a conclusion that it is Xavier with a plate of food.

“Here…” he brings a spoon full of the bowls content to my mouth , and at first I refuse it but eventually I had given in to it’s scent and opened my mouth. He began to feed me , and I actually enjoyed it – it was comforting , like he is there for me but did not need to repeatedly state that he is there for me.

“ You know…I have been hiding something from you…” I break the silence. He lets me talk without interrupting me.

“…After we escaped , I – “ I tried collecting my thoughts and turn them into words.

“…I wanted stop getting help from you…I did not want to be the soft girl who can not help herself – you all have been helping me so much , helping me just because I can’t help myself…I don’t want to be that way…” I let out my feelings to him.

“You are my wife…I will always help you , even if you are the strongest woman in this world – and you are…” he places the empty bowl aside and wraps his arm around me.

“…the strongest woman I have ever met…”

After supper and our little talk , we all gathered around the fire place warming our toes and fingers from the bitter cold. We would have thought that we would be warm in this cave , but it seemed to get colder inside than outside. I lay my head on Xavier chest , while he slowly ran his fingers through my hair – this moment felt so peaceful and so right , yet the events that had to occur to get to this perfect moment left a guilty feeling in my chest.

“Where do we go from here?” I break the silence. Every one stays silent , only the crackle of the fire is audioable.

“I think we should keep travelling North ; Alexander conquers most of the South so I am pretty sure we can find some refuge up North” Andrew says , making us all agree that is a good idea.

“Britney , did you not say you have some relatives up North?” I ask her recalling the conversation we had a few times before. She nods and smiles.

“Yes I do…In fact , I was planning on staying there –“ Andrew chips in.

“Do you think they will have place for all of us?” Britney’s face drops , a small ball of guilt starts to form in my chest once more as she withholds something from us.

“With all do respect…I was planning on separating from you guys…” every one remains silent , letting her continue explaining.

“This fight is not with me – I helped as much as I could and I am glad that we all escaped but…” She lowers her gaze , avoiding eye contact with me.

“ Honestly , I do not want to bring trouble to my relatives…” I bit my lower lip trying to suppress the feelings I get for being called trouble.

“ You do know you will be bring trouble to your relatives if you alone stay with them?” Andrew asks her with a raised eyebrow.

“Alexander is not looking for me…” she says silencing the man. She eyes met my own and instantly regret fell upon her own.

“Rosemary , I did not mean it like that – I am just sayin –“ this time it was me who silenced her.

“No need to apologise. We can spilt ways as soon as we near their village – and I want to thank you for helping me , it really means a lot to me” I say before walking up , my hand still interlocked with Xavier’s.

“ Please excuse me , I need to get some sleep” I say trying to let go of Xavier’s hand but he holds on , instead he wakes up with me and nods his head to Andrew before following behind me to the make shift bed.

Unknown’s Pov

“Papa!!!” a distant voice echoes towards us , my heart jumping with unexplained emotions.

“So that is how she sounds…” Neko turns to me , a look of confusion plastered on his face as he sees my tears profoundly falling down my face. He gets closer to my face and nudges me with his nose , and then licks a tear away.

“It is almost time Neko…We should get ready…” I tell him through my tears.

Midnight

Neko and I softly stepped towards the entrance of the cave entrance – my second hide away spot that is now occupied by four special individuals. I hear the silent snores of them – poor things must be so tired from all that running.

“Neko…fetch…” I whisper to my trusted friend , and he instantly agrees. He enters the cave , a place that I can not see in as their once burning fire is now dim and soon to go off. I hope he is able to retrieve her with out making a drama – and just as I thought it , I hear a loud growl.

“What the –“ a males voice echoes with in the space.

“Oh dear…” I sigh.

Rosemary’s Pov

I am laying on the bed , my head laying on Xavier’s chest – I feel his chest raise and fall in a gentle manner beneath me. I struggle to sleep , every time I close my eyes I see the faces of all those you have died for my sake. My tears begin to fall and soak on Xavier’s chest but I am glad he is still asleep – his soft snores are some what calming to me. Suddenly….I felt my heart sink in a pool of fear as I hear soft footsteps entering the mouth of the cave. I knew it was not a person , as I can hear constant sniffing and a low rumble emit from it’s throat.

“Xavier?” I shake Xavier gently , trying my best not to startle him from his sleep. How ever , he is in such a deep sleep , that my small shakes does literally nothing.

“Xavier….I think there is something in the cave…” I whisper to him , while shaking him more vigorously  this time. In the darkness , I see his eyes snap open revealing his white and black pools.

“What?” he asks me aloud , in his sleepy voice.

“Theres some thing –“ I am cut off my this loud growling , it sounds blood curdling and can place fear in anyone’s heart.

“ What the –“ Xavier leaps to his feet , leaving me in bed. The creature growls much louder now , waking up Andrew and Britney who are much closer to the creature than we are.

“I thought you were on lock out…” Xavier grinds his teeth at Andrew , while making small movement to his sword belt that held our only way of defence.

“I must of fallen asleep…” Andrew mumbles softly , as he tries not to draw the wolf’s attention to him. I felt like the wolf and I kept on locking eyes , as if he was sent her to retrieve me – my mind races , assuming that King Alexander had sent him to get me ; it could be that he belongs to the king.

“Don’t move…” Xavier warns us all , when he sees Andrew slowly reaching for his sword as well. However , the furry beast sees that to and growls loudly at him , which makes him stop his pursue immediately. From the corner of my eyes , I see Xaviers hand firmly grasp the handle of his sword and he  softly pulls the weapon out of it’s cover. He then slowly proceeds to walk closer to it – my mind racing , wondering on what he is going to do ; what if the creature realises what he is doing and attacks before he does.

The beast steps forward , growling at Xavier as he blocks the creatures view from me. The beast leaps , the force he of his body knocks the sword out of my husbands hands , making both me and Britney scream in horror as the beast now stands over him. He raises his paw , extending his long claws and then slashes my husbands face. His pained grunt makes the cave echo , and makes my heart shut down as I fear his death.

“Neko!!” A person’s voice catches the attention of every body , even the monster on Xavier.

“I ask you to do one simple thing and this is what you do…” the woman dressed in a cloak , her face covered from our view as the cloak cap hides her from us , mumbles. We all stare at her , confused by what is going on.

“Excuse me?” Andrew calls out to her , but she ignores him as she starts making signs with her hands. At first , her hand forms a circle and then a triangle – her mouth vomit words that none of us understand.

“Who are you and what do you think you are doing?!” Andrew asks again ,  before raising to his feet. However , the woman continues to ignore him and chant.

“This is your last warning to speak –“ Britney and I , watch in absolute horror as a small wave of some sort emits from her hands which begins to float towards us. Andrew is the first to come into contact with it , and this making him fall to the fall with a heavy thud. I rise from my bed , watching as Britney also fall unconscious by it’s touch – my sudden movement earns me a growl from the wolf. I start backing away , trying my hardest to not end up like either of the unconscious people around me. My back hits against the cave wall , I am trapped. The wave reaches me , immediately I am engulfed in the most peaceful and warmest feeling ever – like cuddling up with your parents on a cold night. My eyes start to close , my limps begin to shut down resulting in me falling to the ground. The last thing I was able to see was the beast walking over to me , and the last thing I heard was from the stranger :

“She’s so beautiful Neko…”

The next morning

 I find myself giggling as I become conscious once again – some thing licks my nose and my cheeks , which feels nice yet also ticklish. My giggling stops as soon as last nights memories comes crashing back – I fear for my life now , wondering if the creature that smothers me in animal kisses is a dog…or something much more dangerous. The animals licking comes to a stop when we both hear a whistle , it makes it gallop to the person. I slowly open my eyes , taking in the environment – we still in the cave , Andrew , Britney , my husband and I are all laying on the bed. I watch as the woman from earlier sit by the fire pit , her back turned towards me. Her long golden hair falls down her back , making me want to reach out and touch it.

“I know you are awake…” she says without turning back.

“Who are you?” I ask , wondering who this mysterious woman was and why she hasn’t killed us or sent us to the king. I hear her sigh , before walking up from her seated position. She slowly turns around , and at that moment I feel all the air is kicked out of my stomach  and comes out as a loud gasp.

“Mother?!!!”