4. CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FOUR
T hey walked in silence until they emerged from the orphanage into the cool night air. The moon hung ominously in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the rugged terrain below. The northern tundra stretched out in all directions, a stark and desolate expanse of jagged rocks and sparse vegetation. Rowan shivered as they walked away from the only home she’d ever known.
The vampire handed her his thick wool cloak, lined with fur, and she gratefully took it. “Why did you save me?” she whispered, her breath puffing in front of her.
“It seems we saved each other,” he replied. His voice was smooth and rich. “You’re stronger than I would have expected.”
Rowan’s cheeks warmed at his words. “The rations are thin, but I’m tougher than I look.” She always felt like she had to overcompensate for her illness. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to see her as weak or fragile.
“I’m sure you are, but I meant your strength of character. It’s a rare person who puts themselves in harm’s way to save a complete stranger.” He stared down at her with what looked like respect.
Rowan’s face flushed even hotter, and she glanced away, uncomfortable with his praise. “Since you mentioned it . . . what’s your name?”
He halted his stride and executed a deep, courtly bow. “Sir Casimir Blackwood, at your service. While I’m honored I could come to your aid, I should warn you that there was a price for my intervention. ”
Rowan came to a sudden stop. “What do you mean?” A sinking feeling settled in her stomach as she realized that she may have just traded one perilous situation for another.
He spoke solemnly, his voice a low rumble resonating from his chest. “Our fates are now intertwined by blood and by death. Humans aren’t meant to know about the existence of vampires. But the circumstances forced me to reveal my nature to you. As a result, I am responsible for your safety and protection.”
She looked up at him doubtfully. “And what about you?” she asked cautiously. “You can hardly expect me to feel safe in the company of a vampire.”
“Aye. I know that vampires have a dark reputation in legends and folktales, but you can trust what I say. I don’t give out my word lightly.”
Rowan’s eyes searched his, scrutinizing him as if she could decipher the truth from his gaze alone. She took a deep breath and nodded, pretending to lower her defenses. But really, she was just biding her time.
“All right then, Sir Casimir. Despite you being a vampire, your actions have been honorable. I’ll trust you.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “For now, at least.”
He chuckled in response. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Rowan drew the cloak tighter around her. The crackling cold air nipped at her cheeks, stinging like nettles.
“But,” she began, looking up at him skeptically, “if you’re a vampire, and if vampires have been around for as long as they’ve been written about in legends, then why isn’t this common knowledge? Surely it can’t be such a well-kept secret.”
Casimir looked down at her thoughtfully. His eyes reflected the ghostly glow of the moonlight, giving them an otherworldly depth. For a moment, she thought he wasn’t going to respond.
“There are several reasons.” He fixed his gaze on the path ahead as they walked. “The first being that we don’t wish to be known. We’re solitary creatures who guard our secrets closely.”
“You said there were several reasons?”
“Aye, I did,” he replied with a sly smirk.
Casimir didn’t seem keen on saying anything further, and Rowan didn’t think it wise to push.
For the next few hours, they trudged through the permafrost toward the taiga forest. They maintained a grueling pace and took only a few short breaks for Rowan to rest when her pain and exhaustion became too great to hide from him. Settlements were few and far between this far north, and she worried that she wouldn't be able last much longer.
It was a silent and somber trek. Rowan was consumed by guilt, the thought of leaving her friends behind weighing heavily on her. She tried to convince herself that she’d made the right choice to protect them. If she’d stayed, their lives would be at risk.
Finally, Casimir broke the silence. “I saw some of what you had to endure there. Why did you stay? You were old enough to leave at any time.”
Rowan’s hands fidgeted, picking at the black wool cloak. “I stayed to protect them. They mean everything to me.”
A muscle feathered in his jaw. “That won’t be necessary anymore. The arch patriarch is no longer a threat, and the door to your past life has been firmly shut. For better or worse, you’re with me now, and I said I’d protect you.”
Rowan hesitated, not sure if his protection came with freedom or with chains. They continued walking in silent contemplation.
They traveled deeper into the forest, away from everything and everyone she’d ever known. Rowan became disoriented by the many narrow paths they traversed. After some time, they came upon a cabin nestled in the woods. It was an unassuming structure, hidden away from anyone who didn’t know to look for it by dense clusters of towering spruce and pine trees. The cabin was skillfully built from logs smoothed by years of weather. Its rough-hewn exterior merged with the surroundings in such a way that it seemed a part of the forest rather than an intrusion upon it.
Casimir gestured toward the entrance. “Here we are. You’re welcome to make yourself comfortable. There’s fresh water and clothing inside. I imagine you’ll want to clean up.”
Rowan looked down at her torn and bloodied dress. Amid the chaos of their hurried getaway, she’d pushed the thought of her state aside, but now it consumed her mind. Thinking about what stained her threadbare clothing made her skin crawl.
Casimir led her inside to a small room, where a large copper soaking tub sat in the corner. “The cabin has a water line installed. It will just take a few minutes for me to toss some wood under the boiler to heat it for your bath.”
“You have a boiler here?” Her eyes darted around the room to take in anything else out of the ordinary. “I’ve never had a hot bath before,” she admitted sheepishly. “Only lukewarm at best. ”
Casimir was quiet for a moment before flashing her an understanding smile. “Well, there’s a first time for everything. You’ll need to use the hand pump attached to the tub. It’s like pumping from a well, only the water passes through a heated reservoir first.”
She nodded. It was a small thing, really, a hot bath. Yet she was looking forward to it more than anything else in recent memory.
Casimir left to fetch firewood, and she hastily barred the door behind him and placed a chair in front of it for good measure. Then she undressed and used the pitcher of water at the washbasin to wipe off as much of the blood and dirt as possible.
It wasn’t long before Casimir knocked on the door, causing her to startle and drop her washcloth. “Rowan, the water’s heated. You can use the pump now.”
She moved toward the strange contraption and felt the warmth emanating from it. Clumsily, she worked the hand pump, mesmerized by the rush of steaming water. The initial shock of stepping into the tub was a delicious mix of pleasure and discomfort. She eased herself into it, letting out a deep sigh as her stiff, aching muscles relaxed under its scalding touch, a moment of tranquility amid all the fear and turmoil.
Rowan soaked until the water turned cold and her fingers and toes turned to prunes. She submerged herself repeatedly, as if washing away more than just the physical stains. After she could scrub no more, she emerged and changed into a clean shift. The clothes were simple yet finely tailored, but it was the feeling of being clean and free from her usual constricting bindings that gave her immense comfort.
She cautiously made her way into the tiny kitchen, her stomach grumbling. Casimir had prepared a modest meal of fresh fruits, cheese, and bread for her. He sat at a sturdy wooden table in front of a roaring fire. Rowan hesitantly sat across from him, uncertain of her place, or if she was even safe in this new world. He scrutinized her, warmth seeping into his gaze.
The meal was uncomplicated but delicious. She ate ravenously until he placed a gentle touch on her hand, startling her.
“Careful,” he said. “You’ll make yourself sick if you eat too much too quickly. From now on, you don’t have to worry about going hungry.”
The ever-present tension in Rowan’s shoulders eased slightly. She had spent so many nights at the orphanage sacrificing her own needs to ensure everyone else had enough. The gnawing feeling of hunger had been a constant companion, one that she couldn’t remember living without.
He rose from the table. “You must be exhausted from the long journey. Come. ”
Casimir led her to a solitary bedroom, leaving her with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Did he want something in return for helping her? Would he take advantage of her vulnerability? As they stopped at the doorway, Rowan had to crane her neck back to look him in the eye. He towered over her, and she curled in on herself involuntarily.
Seeing her expression, he backed up a step, giving her some breathing room. “I won’t hurt you. This room is yours, for now. Sleep as long as you need, and we’ll talk about what comes next tomorrow.”
She glanced up at him before her eyes darted away again. “Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it. Good night.”
With a quick nod, she entered the room, her feet whispering over the worn wooden floorboards. The room was modest yet homey, with a brass bedframe nestled against the far wall. A cozy-looking red and white patchwork quilt and several plump pillows beckoned invitingly.
She turned around to say something, but Casimir was gone, closing the door behind him with a soft click. The unfamiliarity of being alone was jarring, and she wasn’t sure how to feel about it. She’d never slept alone in her entire life.
Rowan had scarcely enough energy left to lock the door before she shuffled over to the bed and collapsed onto it. With a weary sigh, she sank into the soft mattress and pulled the quilt over herself, reveling in its warmth and comfort.
Her eyelids grew heavy, and sleep tugged at her. As she drifted off, thoughts of the orphanage filled her mind. She hoped that one day she would see her friends again, safe and happy.