Page 11 of Hidden Kingdoms

For the most part I let the front of the house grow wild, chucking an array of seeds every season into the untameable jungle that I had long since given up trying to wrangle. Pulling in a deep breath, the sweet scent of freesias was a soothing balm for my overworked lungs. Round stones paved the way to the short porch that framed the front door, and I followed them, brushing my hands absentmindedly through the tall flowers that lined the way.

Eager to make this place my own when I first moved in, I had gone into creative overdrive, attempting to create an entirely coordinated front garden. Deciding purple was my colour, I brought flowers in every shade I could find. Planting them in neat tidy rows and tending to them night and day. Even painting the front door and all the surrounding woodwork in what was a very sickly shade of lilac that I occasionally looked at with regret.

The dedication hadn’t lasted long and soon enough the garden was the overgrown cacophony of colours I had grown to love. The purple flowers long gone, except for the patches of lavender that had steadfastly kept their place.

Already passing through the outer ward that ran around the property, the ripple of awareness ran across my skin as we pushed through. The second ward was tight to the building, fitted like a glove and encasing every door, every window. It was the one that we had put the most care into, carefully layering it whenever Nanna felt it necessary. I wasn’t entirely sure what it was that warranted such a high level of security but it kept Nanna happy and out of my hair, so I let it go. It also did seem to help to keep away any unwanted visitors which suited me just fine.

I once pointed out that cameras would work just as well, but after the glare she gave me, I never brought it up again.

Reaching the door, its paint now a little faded and peeling, I gripped the gold handle and let myself in. Feeling the slight pull of magik as the lock unlatched, the ward's protective barrier was stronger as I carved my way through it and into my home.

Chucking my cardigan over a nearby chair, I kicked off my shoes listening to Titan’s claws click across the wooden floor as he padded to the sofa—settling himself onto the cushions and leaning his huge head on his paws to stare at me. With an aching reluctance pulsing through my legs, I followed, perching on the edge to scratch at that spot behind his ear I knew he loved.

Knowing my muscles would be screaming at me in the morning if I didn’t soak them, I made my way towards the bathroom. Crossing my arms over my waist to take off my sweaty top, I winced at the burn in my arms. It wasn’t even at the summit but hauling myself up to Rock Ruin was a workout in itself, and I definitely needed the relief only a hot bath could provide—maybe add some candles, too. Dragging my top upover my head in one quick movement I felt a resistance at the back of my neck. I pulled harder before hearing a pop as it gave, realising too late what the resistance had been.

An uncomfortable pulse tugged at my heart and my breath caught in my throat as my lungs seized at the sudden wild panic that flooded me. Slamming my arms down I felt the chain whip away from my neck and the clash of metal onto the wooden floor echoed through my mind confirming I had snapped it. Forcing a gasp of air into my lungs, I dropped to my knees collecting the broken chain in one hand, my eyes frantically searching for the pendant. My heart accelerated to an uncomfortable rate, sweat beading on my forehead as I spotted it underneath the unit in the hall.

It hadn’t rolled far as I scrabbled across the floor, a forceful sense of calm flooding my body once it was back safely in my hand. Each breath still came out in a shallow pant as I sat back on my knees, inspecting the pendant for any signs of damage while trying to control my breathing. It was perfect as always. The realisation loosened the knot in my chest. The chain would need to be welded but that was nothing I couldn’t manage. I squeezed my hand around it, its bevelled edges digging into my skin and energy hummed in my palm.

Nanna had given me the pendant ten years ago on my eighteenth birthday, and I had been wearing it ever since; I’d never taken it off. Just like I had promised. It was a sturdy chain, two thinner bands of gold twisted together to make up each link, it had already been old when she had gifted it to me and since it had come from Nanna, I knew there was more to it than gold and jewels. I ran it through my fingers as I leaned my head back against the wall waiting for my heartrate to fully settle.

Why the fuck was it so fast?

It was just a broken necklace, one I was more than capable of fixing. Pulling in measured, even breaths, I pushed up fromthe floor, one hand on the wall to steady myself as my head spun before I made it into the bathroom. All thoughts of the long soak I had planned were gone, for once I was longing for the comfort of my bed.

I was still a mess from running around in the woods, so I ran the hot water, making sure to add in some salts to help soothe my muscles that were still burning.

It’s good to be tomorrow’s friend.

Looking in the mirror over the sink, I cringed at my reflection, realising the climb must have taken more out of me than it normally did.

Add to that a panic attack over a fucking necklace, and I was a mess.

My normally golden skin was pale and splotchy, red lines snaking over the whites of my eyes in a way I’d never seen on myself. My hair was a mess, though that wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. Despite the white tangles that were falling loose from their bun, I decided hair day could wait.

I wasn’t trying to be tomorrow’s best friend.

Preparing to strip out of the rest of my clothes, my hand was still closed tightly over the broken necklace, and I was almost reluctant to put it down. Confused at the slight insanity of not wanting to relinquish my hold on broken jewellery, I opened one of the clear crystal jars I kept in the bathroom and forced myself to drop it in. The soft clink of metal on glass jarringly loud as I moved away, quickly removing the rest of my clothes before kicking them to the corner and turning to step into the bath.

The cold tap was still off, and I hissed out at the sting of hot water scalding my legs, slowly lowering myself under the water as my body adjusted to the temperature. Tense muscles began to relax as I found myself looking over at that little crystal jar, a crawling feeling of unease coming over me as the unfamiliar tug at my heart drew my attention away.

Pull yourself together and stop acting crazy.

The rational side of me was telling me it was exhaustion causing my body and brain to have a meltdown over something so small as a broken necklace.

The irrational side of me was having a meltdown over a broken necklace.

Washing quickly, I laid back in the water submerging myself fully, staying under for as long as I could and letting the stinging heat of the water radiate through me, hoping it would provide a distraction.

It didn’t work. As I broke the surface the tension in my stomach swirled, the temperature of the bath making me drowsy, and as I sucked in a breath it began to feel like a struggle. My eyelids grew heavy, closing in long blinks and I knew it was time to get out, but my body wasn’t cooperating. A cold, wet nose nudged at the hand gripped on the edge of the bath and my mind jolted awake.

I jumped out faster than I should have, splashing water over the floor, the abrupt change in temperature making my head spin as I grabbed a soft towel from the radiator and wrapped it around me. Holding onto the sink with both hands, I shut my eyes and drew in long, deep breaths attempting to clear my head. Gradually it worked, though the fog on my mind still lingered along with my erratic heart.

I probably have a migraine coming on.

I needed to sleep this off. I must have pushed myself harder than I realised. With another nudge against my leg, I let my arms drop from the sink, hand coming to rest against Titan’s head as I left the bathroom using the presence of his large body to steady me.

With only thoughts of retreating into bed, I let him guide me to my room, a distant part of me wondering how he knew where I wanted to go, but that was pushed aside as another wave ofdizziness swept over me. Without turning on the light, I went to the dresser by the window and pulled out a pair of pyjama shorts and a soft lace bralette. Dropping the wet towel in a heap at my feet where I stood, I tugged them both on and stumbled into bed. A heavy throb pounded in my head as it hit the feather pillows, the soft blankets felt like sandpaper on my skin as I burrowed myself under searching for comfort, not caring that my hair was soaking the pillows. The mattress dipped as Titan climbed onto it, settling himself down with his head next to mine.

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