Page 78 of Wolf's Bane
“Luis does as he is told.”
“You hardly know him at all,” she replied. Her brother had grown while he was away at school, and not just in stature. He had a questioning mind and a stubborn streak to rival her own.
Godwin crossed his arms over his chest. He likely intended it to be a stern gesture, but it read as defensive, protecting his belly. “I will not allow this union. You will not be allowed to stay.”
“Alek is not without his own property.”
“A ruin.”
“Then we’ll seek a charter in another town. There is always a need for hunters. If you force me to choose between my family or Alek, I will always choose Alek,” she said, speaking with conviction.
He huffed. “Then we are at an impasse.”
“So it seems.” There was nothing else to say on the matter. She wished she really was a witch and could hex him, just a little. Instead, she fluffed the pillows on the bed with more force than necessary.
A throat cleared. Alek stood in the doorway, carrying a tray and teapot. His hair was wet and his face ruddy, as if he took a hasty bath. From his expression, he heard every word.
“Sir,” he said coolly. “We won’t stay where we’re not welcomed. As soon as Solenne’s ankle can bear it, we’ll leave.”
“That won’t be necessary. You are…useful.” Godwin frowned, as if the words were bitter in his mouth. “I can put you to use on collecting bounties, if nothing else.” He left, slamming the door in his wake.
Rain against the window filled the silence. Alek set the tray down at the bedside table, the dishes clattering.
“Always pragmatic,” Alek said, his voice almost sounding complimentary.
“I don’t know how you can be kind to him. He said the vilest things about you.”
“All true.” He poured a cup of tea and stirred in a spoon of honey. She caught the bitter aroma of willow bark.
She accepted the cup, relishing the heat seeping into her aching fingers. “And your grandfather? Is that true? He was like you?”
“So Godwin claims.” Alek poured himself a cup. “If he was alive when I was a child, I don’t remember him.”
“And your affliction? It’s inherited?”
“I do not know. My father did not have this curse.”
“Affliction,” she said. “No one talks about my fiancé in such a manner.”
With a brow quirked up in amusement, he blew across the cup before taking a sip. He grimaced at the bitter taste.
Curiosity spiked in Solenne. “Does it taste different to you? Foul?”
“It tastes like chewing on a tree,” he answered.
“Ah, nothing unusual there. It’s vile, but useful.” Funny how Godwin had said those same words about Alek. “Add honey,” she said.
“Does it bother you that any children we may have would be like me?” he asked.
She lifted a shoulder, tempted to share Luis’ witch theory. Perhaps the witch and the wolf cancelled each other out. “It could be a recessive trait. Exposure via a bite activates it.” She blew on her own cup of tea before sipping. “I hope they’ll be smart enough to avoid the bitey end of a werewolf.”
Alek sliced an apple, feeding her slice by slice. Mechanically, she ate. The bitterness of the tea masked the sweet crispness of the apple, or perhaps that was the effect of the fever. Rain continued to drum against the windows. Wind rattled against the house. Eventually, she yawned and her eyes grew heavy. Sleep had been so fitful and elusive, yet now she wanted nothing more than to curl up on the bed and listen to the rain.
“Sleep,” he said, pulling her down. She rested her head on his chest, the golden thread between them humming with contentment.
Chapter 19
Aleksandar
