Chapter 6 Safe havens, wormholes, and promises
“You’re not dressed. Aren’t you coming?” Phaedra said, shooting Aeon a dirty look. She hated going anywhere alone with her so-called husband.
“No… sorry. I— I don’t feel well… just give my best wishes to my cousin and his bride… what’s his name again?”
Phaedra rolled her eyes. “Come on, pumpkin… it’s not every day that we get to see our relatives… weddings and funerals are the only chances we have at reconnecting. Don’t tell me you’d rather see how much your plants have grown… you see them all the time. Give it a break.”
Aeon gave a half shrug.
Phaedra blew a harsh breath. “Fine… his name is Roald, and he’s your nephew, not a cousin. You would have known that if you’d taken the time to meet the clan.”
“Really, mother… I’m not up for partying. My head hurts,” she said, massaging her temples. “I think I need some air.”
Aeon stepped out into the herb garden. She inhaled a lungful as she gazed at the vibrant patch of greenery nestled at the back of her quaint little house. The late afternoon sunlight bathed the garden, casting a warm glow over the diverse collection of herbs that thrived within its borders. Each herb possessed a unique beauty and purpose.
Lavender, with its slender stalks and delicate purple flowers, exuded a soothing fragrance that wafted through the air. Rosemary fronds stood tall and proud, with needle-like leaves that released an invigorating aroma when crushed between her fingers. Sage, its soft gray-green leaves, emanated a comforting earthiness.
Thyme, peppermint, and chamomile basked in the sunlight, ready to be plucked for tea.
But not all plants that Aeon grew and cultivated in her garden were sweet and spice and everything nice. In a separate plot, a few yards away, she grew milk thistles, aconites, hypericum, and her prized cannabaceae or canna plant, as she called it. They all possessed potent substances that Phaedra used to make medicine to heal illnesses. But dangerous, when used the wrong way.
Hoofbeats crunching on the ground diverted her attention. A carriage stopped by the house’s entrance. She watched as her mother and stepfather stepped out, heading for the town square to attend her cousin’s or nephew’s wedding, or whoever he was. Phaedra got into the cab and mouthed a clipped goodbye, waving at her.
Her eyes widened with anticipation as she waited for the carriage to disappear down the road. She dropped the trowel and bolted. She scampered to the shed, where Diego, her wounded patient, a stranger she had found half dead in the treacherous marshes, lay recovering, and who, for some reason, made her heart thrum.
It had only been three days since she had brought him from the muddy banks, and he seemed to have been healing remarkably fast. Her heart brimmed with a mixture of gratitude and worry. She wished for him to stay longer, to get to know him more, and perhaps forge a lasting friendship. But Diego insisted that his presence would just put her family in danger. Or perhaps that was just an excuse.
Entering the shed, she checked him out. He sat on a bale of hay, playing with Socrates as she walked in. The dim light filtered through the small window, casting a warm glow on his well-chiseled face. His features appeared rugged, yet there was a gentleness in his eyes that captivated her. She saw the strength returning to his body, and a glimmer of hope reflected in her own eyes.
“There you are… I heard your tools clanking in the garden. I guess your parents have left for the wedding?” he said, flashing a bright smile.
“Yeah… my mother had to make that last ditch effort to take me with them, so I took my usual escape route into the garden,” she chuckled. “I can’t have them growing suspicious of me, so I held off coming here right away. Sorry to keep you waiting,” she said, pulling the leather gloves off her hands. “How are you feeling?”
“I feel so much better, actually,” he said. A glimmer of sadness sparked in his eyes as he looked away. “My broken rib had healed nicely, thanks to you. The tea tasted funny, but the braces you made worked wonders.”
“Well… that’s good to hear,” she said, lowering her head. “Umm… did you finish the soup and bread I brought in earlier?”
“Yes, Soc helped a lot with that,” he chuckled, ruffling the dog’s fur on its head. “He deserved it, for keeping me company while you were away on your chores.”
“Good job, Soc!” she said, shooting her furry friend a cheerful glance. “My folks won’t be home for some time, so I’m free. Let me check on your wound… maybe I should change the dressing—”
“Why don’t you sit here and talk for a while?” he said, patting on the space beside him on the bale of hay.
“I sense something serious in your tone… is there something wrong?” she said, scooting next to him. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and clasped her hands together over her lap.
“Nothing’s wrong… well… as you’ve noticed, I’ve recovered pretty good,” he said, drawing his lower lip between his teeth. He rolled his shoulders and raised his arms. “See? I can move with no discomfort.”
“Yes… I can see that…”
“I have to leave at first light tomorrow…”
“Tomorrow? That is so soon…” she chirped.
“There are things I need to accomplish right away. And I just want to let you know how grateful I am for everything you’ve done for me. I will never forget this… I owe you one, Aeon.”
She let out a weak chuckle. “You owe me nothing… I just did what I had to do. But— are you sure you’re well enough to— to—”
“I heal fast. I’m a Lycaon… didn’t I tell you that?”
“No… I guess you forgot to mention that little detail,” she said, shifting in her seat. “Or I never would have taken you into this shed… you deserve better accommodations—”
He gently laid a finger on her lips. “Shh… I’m not a god. I’m also human, just like you… only a bit more like a wolf sometimes. But we’re no different. And this shed is quite cozy and charming. My stay had been a delightful one, thanks to you and Socrates here.”
Socrates barked his approval.
A nervous chuckle escaped her lips. “Alright… if you say so… but if you really liked it here, why leave so soon?”
“Perhaps what I was trying to say is… during my convalescence, I have done much thinking. Maybe a bit too much that a plan came alive in my head. I’m leaving soon, but it doesn’t mean I’ll be gone for good.”
“You’ll come back? How can you be so sure? I don’t think there’s anything in the Everglades worth returning to,” she chuckled. “But if what you’re saying is true, that you find this shed charming… then maybe you should stay a little while longer. I mean— I’m sorry, I keep repeating myself, am I not? You— you’re not under any obligation to stay, but—”
“I wanted to stay… because of you— you have no idea how much I do. But if you’ve also been paying attention to what I’ve just told you, then you’d understand I’ll become a person of interest the moment the palace finds out someone had survived the attack. They would hunt me down in all corners of the realm… and they won’t hesitate to kill everyone with me. To silence us all.”
“But why would they do that? If Prince Herrick was their target, and he’s gone… why would they pursue someone so harmless as you? They can just brush the rumors aside like shooing a fly.”
“It’s not that simple. I knew exactly what happened to that ship… I’m a dangerous witness to their treason. That alone makes me far from being harmless… because I can topple Alexander’s reign long before the crown even touches his head. And that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
“That wouldn’t be easy… you would need time and an army behind you if you want your voice to be heard… or Alexander, if he’s anything like his father, could have your head on a spike before you could even utter a single word—”
Diego flinched and cleared his throat. “Quite true… I would need an army… and I cannot possibly do that in the confines of this shed.”
“Y— you got a point, but you’re scaring me—”
“Don’t be… that’s why I want to go as far away from here… so no harm shall fall on you and your family. Believe me, Aeon… you don’t want to be anywhere near me when I put my plans into motion.”
“I don’t understand… why not just go on hiding forever? Why do you have to risk your life trying to get your voice heard? The Alpha King is dead… the Crown Prince is dead… what do you hope to accomplish by proving their treason? That weight of his brother’s death should fall on Alexander’s shoulders, not yours.”
“I’m not going out for vengeance… but justice. Justice for our people. You said so yourself, the people are living in passive-aggressive response to an unjust regime for years. Someone needs to do something about that… or this land and its people will crumble and decay. And no one from the outside world will know or remember that such a great country had ever existed.”
“Then I know where you can go. There’s a hidden cave high up in the cliffs where the falcons soar… it would be a safe place for you to hide…”
“Really? Do you have a map to show me how to get there?”
“I don’t… but I can show you, if you’re up to it… we can go for a walk in the woods.”
“Sure, I’m up for a walk…”