Chapter 7

The flames that danced behind the gate of the fireplace held me hostage. I liked the way the burnt logs smelled, and the solemn crackling sound the fire made reminded me so much of how I felt inside.

Strong, yet weak.

Bright, yet dreary.

Something that could easily lay waste to the cabin we”d called home for the night, along with all of the others that surrounded us, but somehow managed to keep the mayhem contained just inside of the grate.

I stoked at the fire again with the metal poker, then let it rest on the floor beside me. I wiggled my toes as I wrapped my arms around my legs, and watched the flames continue their dance.

I wasn’t sure how long Elijah had been gone, because I did as he asked and took a nap after he left.

Refreshed is how I should have felt, but desolate was more accurate.

The same cold feeling in my heart when he was taken from me and whenever we spend time away from each other.

I inhaled a shuddering breath as my eyes drifted toward the door again.

There was still no sign of my beautifully tortured devil.

The one who suffered from words of madness that were constantly spoken gently into his ears.

It seemed obvious that he had finally abandoned me, and I couldn’t fault him for it.

Selfishly, what hurt me the most about him abandoning me was that he took my hug with him.

Something I had been begging him for—for the past few years, the one thing he’s always promised he would properly give me when it was time.

When would the torment end?I wondered. First Mama and Papa, now him.

“Dinner’s ready!”

I jumped at the sound of Elijah’s voice, then scrambled to my feet, getting them tangled and almost falling to the carpet.

Rushing toward where his declaration originated from, I found him standing inside of the small kitchen, fixing a plate of food for each of us.

Elijah laughed as I threw myself against him, wrapped my arms around him, and buried my face into his back.

“What’s the matter, Mais?” he questioned as he leaned his body back into mine.

“I thought you”d left me.”

He sighed as he set the heavy iron pan back onto the stovetop, then gently pried my fingers apart. Elijah turned his body toward mine, then cupped my face in his hands.

“I’m running out of legs, Aunt Mais,” he teased softly as he nuzzled his forehead against mine. “And even if I had another to spare, I’d never leave you. You know that.”

I nodded as I put my hands on his chest and made some space between us. He searched my eyes for some recognition of truth; something to assure him that I believed him, and when he found none, he shook his head and sighed.

“When did you get back?” I asked as I crossed my arms loosely over my chest.

“About an hour ago. You were still sleeping so I decided to start dinner,” he answered as he turned to retrieve a plate. “Have you ever had rabbit? I found a few of them hiding in a decent sized nest made of grass and twigs. I’m pretty sure they’re high in protein.”

I thanked him as I took the plate from his hand, set it on the counter, and began to open the small drawers in search of utensils.

Once I located what would be sufficient enough for our meals, Elijah tapped me gently on the shoulder. He grinned at me as he nodded toward a small pot sitting on the stove next to the pan.

“What’s in there?” I asked quietly.

“Stew,” he replied simply as he lifted the lid and I leaned over to peek inside. Vegetables, I thought as I shuddered. It was so strange that he treated me like I was his child, always wanting me to get enough protein into my frail system , and vegetables in my “diet” .

With a sigh, I picked up my plate again and held it out as he scooped a generous helping next to the pan-fried rabbit legs.

“Thank you,” I said quietly as I handed him a fork, then went back to the drawer to locate some spoons for the rest of our meal.

“You’re welcome, Mais,” he responded warmly.

I stole a glance at Elijah before I walked out of the kitchen. The living room was warm and welcoming, and as I settled down in front of the fire again, I felt my heart start to beat rapidly.

He gave me that damn look again.

I know he’s an adult, even if just barely, and he probably wants to do manly things with my body, but … I can’t.

Mama and Papa made sure of that a long time ago.