Page 50 of Wolf's Bane
The door was open,and the house buzzed with activity. Servants hurried through the hall, purpose in their steps, doors slammed, and voices shouted.
Godwin stamped his feet to knock away any mud clinging to his boots. The polished floors gleamed in the morning light, and the scent of lemon and wood oil hung in the air. A few pieces of simple furnishings sat at the side, speaking of quality and quiet dignity. The place made Alek feel grubby, not just because he was—and he was—but grubby in a soul-deep way that could not be scrubbed away, no matter how he tried.
“We need to speak with Chambers,” Godwin said, grabbing a passing footman who carried a stack of folded linen.
“I’m sorry, sir. There’s no time,” the servant said, pulling away.
“Marechal! Don’t stand there. Come in,” a voice boomed from the top of the stairs.
“Chambers, explain why the devil you ran off in the middle of the night,” Godwin replied.
A middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair descended, looking younger and far more fit than Alek recalled. He had dark circles under his eyes and looked haggard, like he hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep. Beyond the exhaustion and rumpled clothes—which Alek shared—the man had an air of vitality about him. This was no retired military man come to play at being a gentleman farmer.
“It was Jase, my nephew—devil knows what got into him. He dashed out the door and practically straight into the maw of the beast.” Chambers ran a hand through his hair and gave a weary sigh. “My apologies. I’m not a fit host at the moment. Jase is injured. A bad break in his leg. I’ve been with him all night.”
“I’ll send for Solenne,” Godwin said.
Chambers shook his head. A servant approached, carrying a tray with three steaming mugs. “Please,” Chambers said, accepting his own mug. “Solenne has remarkable talents, but the doctor is here. I’ve sent to Founding for Jase’s doctor, seeing as I won’t risk moving him, and I need to fetch my sister. I’m afraid I must leave immediately. There’s no time to waste.” Another sigh. “My sister will have my hide. She sent Jase here for the fresh air. His lungs are weak, you know.”
Another servant appeared at Chambers’ elbow—how many did the man have?—with a coat and hat. “Your horse is ready, sir.”
“No rest for the wicked,” Chambers said, hat in hand.
Godwin plucked the hat from Chambers’ hands. “Don’t be ridiculous, man. You’re ready to fall over. I’ll fetch the doctor and your sister.”
Alek could scarcely believe his ears. Godwin’s injury didn’t make him incapable of riding a horse, but it left Luis and Solenne alone so soon after the beast had breached their home.
“I can’t possibly ask that of you. Founding is too far to go on an errand and to leave your family unprotected,” Chambers said, echoing Alek’s own thoughts.
“This is an emergency, not an errand.” Godwin leaned against the short staff as he considered the options. “Send Alek. He has the youth and energy to make the journey and back again.”
Chambers turned to Alek, as if noticing him for the first time. Sun spilled through the opened front door and flashed on his eyes. “It’s too great a task, and Christiana does not know him.”
Alek looked from Chambers to Godwin. He did not want to leave Solenne—his mate— unprotected. Godwin would not take it well if Alek voiced how the beast refused to leave, whether at the implication that Godwin could not protect his family or at Alek’s claim.
Last night his actions made his true feelings clear, and his condition. She was in his blood. He had never thought he could have a mate and yet his grandfather had suffered the same curse, had a family and an illustrious career.
He needed to think. Time on the road would be helpful.
“I insist,” Alek said, ignoring the nudge Godwin gave him. “A letter of introduction from you would suffice and answer questions your sister may have.”
Chambers held his gaze for a long moment, as if measuring Alek. “Very well. You may have use of my horse. I’ll cover your travel expenses, of course. Send for a change of fresh clothes while I write to Christiana and the doctor. Blast that foolish boy.”
The words sounded empty, like Chambers had not planned for his nephew to be injured on the full moon, but he wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to send Alek away.
A quick scrub with a bowl of scalding water, a meal—finally—and Alek was on his way to Founding.
Solenne
Boxon Hill
Marechal House - The Greenhouse
The greenhouse had seen betterdays. In truth, all of the Marechal estate had seen better days, years, and decades. A patchwork of glass paneling, some old and some new, comprised the structure. Well, that was generous; wood boards replaced broken glass, and the greenhouse had slightly more patches than actual glass.
Still, it was warm enough and allowed enough sunlight to grow food stuff all year long. Solenne commandeered a few raised beds for herbs, because while she preferred to forage, demand for essential ingredients outstripped local resources.
Normally, work soothed her. The manual tasks allowed her mind to pick through problems, but today her thoughts spiraled.
