Unbound, p.26
Unbound, page 26
Her death loomed over her, waiting for the Morrigan to call upon her.
She pushed the covers to the side and pushed herself up on her elbows. She looked down at her feet and recoiled at the blisters and bruises that covered her feet. I definitely wasn’t dreaming. She still wore the clothes from before. A hole where the dagger had sliced through the fabric bared a smooth patch of skin. She didn’t even have a scar.
A clattering from downstairs drew her attention and shot up. Elliot? Was he still here? Alannah didn’t remember anything after the dagger. She must’ve passed out. Did he learn about his friends? Were they alive? She swung her feet to the floor and winced when they touched the wood floor. The door to her room slowly opened and she paused. The pattering of little feet made her smile.
Mr. Pinkus jumped on her bed and immediately headbutted her arm. “You’re finally awake.”
“How long?” she asked, her voice raspy.
“A day.” He stared at her with his owlish yellow eyes and blinked. “How are you feeling?”
“I don’t feel very different.”
“I’m sure that will change.”
She shrugged. “Maybe. I suppose we’ll find out when I try to leave again.”
Mr. Pinkus rubbed his cheek against her hand. “Wherever you go, Alannah, I will follow.”
He might regret that.
She scratched between his ears. “So, what did I miss?”
“You passed out and luckily Odhran was there to catch you. We were all swiftly dismissed from the court, and in case it was in question, you are not welcome to return.”
Alannah snorted. She had no doubt about that.
“Then Odhran and Elliot argued over who would be carrying you back, at which point Selanna intervened and fulfilled the rest of the bargain you had made—”
“His friends?”
“Alive. Relatively unharmed. They’re sleeping in the guestroom.”
Her heart sank. “That’s great. I’m sure he’s relieved.” She rubbed her palms against her thighs. “How are they doing with everything?”
“They’ve had their memories wiped. It was Senna’s suggestion, and Elliot agreed.”
“It’s for the best, I’m sure.”
“I believe so.” Mr. Pinkus’ tail twitched. “You know…Odhran offered to wipe Elliot’s memories as well.”
Her fingernails cut into her palms. “And?”
“I believe Elliot called Odhran an idiot and then walked away.”
Alannah heaved a sigh of relief. “Where is Elliot?” she asked. She wanted to see him.
“Downstairs.”
She stood up, wincing from the pain, and walked out of her room with Mr. Pinkus right on her heels. The door to his friend’s room was ajar and she heard soft snores from within. She was glad they were alive even though she knew that meant Elliot would be leaving, and she would be lying if she said she wouldn’t miss him.
From the smells and the sounds, Alannah went straight to the kitchen. Elliot stood over the stove, scraping a dark brown pancake from the skillet.
“I think you overcooked it,” she said from the doorway.
He whirled around, the spatula clattering to the floor. One moment, he stood across the room and the next he had his arms wrapped around her so tightly she had trouble breathing. His face pressed into the crook of her neck. Her skin felt damp.
“Thank god, you’re alright,” he murmured, his voice thick.
“Indeed,” Mr. Pinkus said, jumping up onto the kitchen table. “I was afraid I would have to keep eating Elliot’s cooking.”
Elliot chuckled and pulled away. He cupped her face. “Are you okay?”
“Are you?” she asked.
“I asked first.”
“I’m fine,” She lied, reaching up and curling her fingers around his hands. “I thought I had dreamed everything at first.”
“Trust me, none of what happened was a dream.”
“It will seem like it. Especially when you leave,” she whispered.
He can’t stay. I can’t put him through this.
“Alannah—”
“I’m so happy your friends are alive. How are they?” she asked, cutting him off and stepping back out of his reach.
Elliot frowned. “Confused. I had to come up with a story. I’m not sure if they believe me, but they don’t seem interested in questioning what I’ve told them.”
“That’s to be expected. Their mind is probably wanting to block out what happened and it’s easier for them to accept something else as the truth.” She wiped her hands down the front of her shirt. “What did you tell them?”
“That we got lost and disoriented and you found us and brought us back here.”
“Oh?” she chuckled. “Did I manage to carry all three of you back at once? I didn’t realize I had acquired super strength.”
“I didn’t say it was great. It was all I could come up with on the fly.”
“It’s fine, Elliot. I’m teasing you.” Her smile dropped. “I suppose you’ll be leaving soon then.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Alannah.”
“Why?” she whispered.
“I told you, Alannah. I meant it.” He reached for her hand and held it between his own. “I care about you. I want to stay here with you. I want to help you break however many curses you have—”
Her short laugh turned into a sob and she pressed her lips together.
“Even if you just want to be friends, I want to be here,” he continued.
“You have a life, Elliot,” she said, her voice wobbly. Don’t cry. “You don’t have to give that up to help me figure out mine.”
He curled his fingers under her chin and tilted her face up to his. She couldn’t look away even if she wanted to. “What if I want to?” he asked.
“Elliot, I—”
“I like you, Alannah. I want to stay.” He withdrew his hand. “If you’ll have me—”
I don’t want to lose him. Alannah gripped his collar and popped up onto the balls of her feet. Surprise flitted across his face as she pulled him down to meet her. His lips were soft and warm and slightly chapped. Elliot barely had the chance to kiss her back before she pulled away, her face burning.
She nervously cleared her throat. “So…breakfast?”
The laugh strangled in his throat. “I was…um…I was trying. I may have overcooked some of them.”
“More like burned,” Mr. Pinkus added.
“They’re not that bad. Just a little dark. And dry.”
“Nothing a little butter and syrup won’t fix,” Alannah said, staring at his mouth again. Before she could think about stealing another kiss, there came a knocking at the door.
“I’ll…uh, get that,” she said, backing away from Elliot and into the counter. Mr. Pinkus snorted. With her cheeks aflame, Alannah exited the kitchen—without running into anything else—and walked to the front door.
Elliot followed her and lingered in the entrance to the kitchen. Her fingers curled around the knob. She didn’t expect company. And she certainly didn’t expect Odhran and Selanna standing on her porch.
Selanna held one hand up in greeting, a box tucked under her other arm. “Hello.”
“Hi,” Alannah said, staring at them.
“May we come in?” Selanna asked.
“Oh! Yes, please.” Alannah stepped to the side to let them enter and closed the door behind them. “Sorry, I’m a little surprised to see you.”
“We wanted to check on you. And bring you this.” Selanna held the box out to Alannah. “A witch was rather insistent we get it to you.”
Alannah took the box and set it on the back of the couch. She pulled at the purple ribbon that held the box closed and took off the top. The moment she touched the fabric she knew what it was. Alannah pulled out the dress she had worn on Samhain, freshly cleaned and smelling like honey and freshly baked bread. She held it to her chest. She would have to thank Makenna. In person.
Something fell from the dress and landed at her feet. Alannah looked down at the wolf necklace that Eleanor had given her. She hadn’t even realized she forgot it. She bent over and picked it up, holding the warm metal in her palm. The necklace, once Moirne’s, bounced on the wood surface and settled face side up when Alannah tossed it. She didn’t want to wear it.
Not now.
“Would you like to stay for breakfast?” Alannah asked, draping the dress over the back of the couch.
Selanna nodded. “That would be nice.”
Selanna nudged Odhran with her elbow, breaking him out of uncharacteristic silence. “Yes,” he said. “I would like to stay.”
Elliot glared at Odhran.
Odhran’s shoulders tightened. “You have something you want to say?” he snarled at Elliot.
“Not at all,” Elliot replied, keeping his voice even. “I’m thankful you’re here.”
“And why’s that?”
“I thought the burned pancakes would go to waste.”
“You—”
“Would you knock it off,” Selanna cut him off. “The arguing is so unnecessary. We can get along long enough to eat breakfast.”
“He’s the one that tried to kill me,” Elliot grumbled.
Odhran looked away. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled.
Elliot held his hand up to his ear. “What was that?”
Odhran heaved a sigh. “I said, I’m sorry. Leading a hunt was a mistake. One I won’t make again.”
Elliot stared at Odhran with a contemplative look, deciding whether or not Odhran was telling the truth or playing a game. Whatever he saw, satisfied him. “It’s a start, I guess. We’ll see if it means anything.” He turned and walked back into the kitchen and Selanna followed.
Alannah and Odhran remained in the living room. He stayed close to the door as if he might bolt at any moment. Something was different. Her eyes traveled from his feet to his…oh. He’s not wearing the antlers. She also noticed a fresh cut on his cheek. Was it from Valeria? Alannah leaned against the back of the couch. “How is your mother?”
“Furious.”
She gestured to his cheek. “Are you—”
“Do not worry about me, Alannah. I have weathered far worse from her,” his tone clipped.
She didn’t believe him. Not entirely. Valeria probably took her anger out on him. After all, he was the one who brought her to the court. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For this whole mess. For you being in your mother’s path. For hitting you.”
He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does to me.” She sighed. “Granted you shouldn’t have kissed me without my permission, but that doesn’t mean I feel good about hitting you.”
He stared at her. She doubted anyone had apologized for hitting him before, and having done so, he stood in stunned silence. A feat she didn’t think possible. His shoulders relaxed. He cleared his throat. “Would you have kissed me if I had asked permission?”
“Then? No.”
“What about now?”
“I don’t know. I’m thinking I may have been wrong.”
“About?”
She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “About you. Perhaps your sister was right after all. Maybe there is something good in you.”
“Do you truly think so?”
“It’s possible.” She shrugged. “But it all depends on you.”
“May I show you something?” Odhran asked.
Without waiting for her answer, he gestured for him to follow her out the door. He held it open for her. A cool breeze made her arm break out in goosebumps. She shivered. Winter lurked right around the corner. Odhran walked down the stairs and moved to the flower bed, what was left of it, and stopped in front of it. He gazed down at it and she followed his gaze. Right in the middle sat a lone, and rather wilted, Gerber daisy. Somehow alive and hanging on by a thread, similar to how Alannah was feeling after everything, but the daisies roots clung to soil.
“How?” she asked.
“This is why I went to the village,” he admitted. “Riona is well-known for her magic and I believed if anyone could salvage what I had done, it would be her.”
“Salvage? They were all dead.”
“The ones you threw at me that day, one still lived. I kept it—I won’t have a reason for you if you ask—and when my sister told me of the hurt I caused, I endeavored to make it right.”
Alannah narrowed her eyes. “She threatened you, didn’t she?”
Odhran chuckled. “I won’t deny it. But the idea was all mine.”
“So, this is your true apology?”
He frowned. “I…I suppose it is.”
“You don’t seem sure.”
“I’m not one to apologize to anyone but my sisters, and even then, I don’t do it often. Until today.” He shifted, looking unsure what to do with his hands until he settled on clasping them behind his back. “I am not sure of many things around you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean…” he sighed. “Being Valeria’s son, even when I am not liked, I am still given deference. Respect. Sometimes it borders on ass-kissing. Only my sisters take me to task. Until you.”
“Maybe people should do it more often. Then you’d be used to it.”
Odhran turned his head to hide his smirk. “Perhaps you’re right. But they don’t. And I have found that I don’t know how to act around you. Any of the usual tactics and threats don’t work. You don’t back down. I…you unsteady me.”
“And yet you keep seeking me out.”
He looked at her then, his eyes flicking up and down in appraisal. “I am just as confused.”
Alannah sank down to her knees. She reached for his hand. With a gentle tug, she coaxed him into kneeling beside her. If he had any complaints about her touching him, he kept them to himself. But he grimaced when she shoved their hands into the dirt. She snorted. It wasn’t surprising that he wasn’t the type to get his hands dirty.
The magic came as easily as it did in Witches End. Is this what it’s going to be like now? Her fingertips were conduits and she sank the magic into the earth. Odhran’s eyes focused on the side of her face, but she focused on the flower. The stem straightened and the petals perked up.
She could’ve stopped there. One flower saved was more than she hoped for. But Alannah pushed a little further. She breathed out and the roots sank deeper in the dirt. Green buds sprang up around the flower. They took over the bed until the soil was full. One by one, buds opened, revealing petals of all different colors. An orange that reminded her of Mr. Pinkus’ fur. A gold that reminded her of Senna’s eyes. A pale peach that reminded her of Elliot’s lips. And a silver with blue flecks that looked suspiciously like Odhran’s eyes.
Not only her mother’s flowers, but now hers. Brought alive by her magic. She withdrew their hands from the dirt.
“Apology accepted,” she murmured.
Epilogue
Alannah stared at the blank page in the journal until she felt her vision grew blurry. Candlelight flickered in her peripheral. The low light threw shadows across the desk, once her grandmother’s, but now it hers. Alannah sighed and rubbed her eyes. No matter how much she stared at the journal, nothing showed up on the page. She even tried the trick the goddesses used to reveal her family tree. But it didn’t matter how many times she sliced her finger and swiped it over a blank page. Nothing happened. What would make the other pages reveal themselves? Or were they well and truly blank. Her grandmother didn’t leave an instruction manual for the journal. Alannah would have to keep trying until she figured out how to reveal its secrets.
“Still going at it?”
She turned to face Elliot. He leaned against a bookshelf. “I think I’m going to give up for the night,” she answered, sighing.
“I’m positive you’ll figure it out.” He crossed the room to stand behind her chair.
She looked up at him. “How did seeing them off go?” she asked.
Elliot sighed. “I was sad to see them go, but I promised to check in with them. Oh! That reminds me.” He reached into his pocket and fished out his phone, practically vibrating with excitement. “I wanted to show you something.”
Alannah leaned close, watching him swipe his finger over the screen. He tapped an icon and it opened up. While he seemed excited, she had no idea what he was showing her. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s internet!” He grinned. “You remember when you asked me to ask the house nicely and maybe we would get it. I did it! Well, I actually asked the wall beside my bed because I didn’t know how exactly I was supposed to ask and I was super nice about it, and now we have internet! Do you know what this means?”
“Not at all,” she said, but she was thrilled that he was happy about it.
“I can show you pictures and we can listen to music and oh! Television and movies. All of the information right at our fingertips, Alannah. I can show you everything.”
She loved when something excited him. “I can’t wait, Elliot.”
“And speaking of new things,” –he shoved his phone back in his pocket— “I brought home dinner.”
“Oh?”
“There was a pizza place in town and I figured it was time for you to try it.”
“Well, you have spoken so highly of it,” she teased.
“Pizza is an experience. Even bad pizza is good pizza.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I should also tell you that I may have invited Odhran for dinner.”
“Did you?”
He shrugged.
“Why? He did try to kill you.”
“Yeah, he did. But he saved you when it came down to it so I figured maybe he isn’t all bad and…” he trailed off and sighed. “This sounded better in my head.”
Alannah stood up and curled her fingers in his shirt to draw him closer. “What did?”
“I look at him and see the person I could’ve been. Not like a killer, but a person that took his anger and hurt on everyone else because he doesn’t think there is any other way to be.” Elliot shrugged. “Maybe if he sees that there’s another way to be, he can change. Or maybe he won’t and I’m an—”
Alannah kissed his cheek. “You’re very kind, Elliot. If you want to reach out, it’s certainly worth a try.”
