CHAPTER 7 #2
A fractured flash of Edmund’s worried expression appeared in Lenore’s mind. She remembered the sensation of her body pressing against a tree trunk like a cornered animal—feral and lost to blind panic.
“... And then I clawed you like a monster,” Lenore murmured. “I’m so sorry, Edmund.” Her face fell.
“You don’t need to apologize. I thought if I shifted into a human, it would make you more at ease,” Edmund replied. His voice was a little softer. “It’s fine. You ended up calming down, and that’s that.”
“I can’t remember that part,” Lenore said. As much as she tried to pull up a memory, there was nothing that appeared in her brain. “How did I calm down? It might be helpful for, um, future reference.”
Edmund didn’t reply this time. Lenore looked up at him quizzically. In response, his head jerked up, choosing to stare out into the distance.
“You—you just did,” Edmund replied stiffly. “I gave you space and… stayed close enough until you eventually relaxed.” His grip on the reins tightened.
“Oh—I, I see,” Lenore said. “Um, thank you then. For killing that dreadful thing, likely saving my life, and dealing with my... issues.” She blushed, embarrassed at how much trouble she’s been so far. They haven’t even reached her new home yet.
Edmund only grunted back a short, “You’re welcome.”
“Um... is Brynn okay?” Lenore asked as she tried to look around, forcing a topic change to ignore the strange feelings that fluttered in her heart from their proximity.
“She’s fine—if you call constantly circling in worry ‘fine,’” Edmund said. “I can call her over. She’ll be relieved you’re okay.”
“Yes, that would be good,” Lenore agreed. She went quiet for a moment and fidgeted with her hands. “Um… I suppose I should sit up now.”
Lenore felt his shoulders stiffen. They both kept their gazes away from each other. “Do what you like,” Edmund finally said.
“O-okay,” Lenore stuttered as she pulled herself away.
She ignored the aches once she was properly sitting up.
The kirin was moving at a leisurely pace, far more relaxed than it was when she was awake.
Each step the kirin took made a gentle splash as its hooves moved over interconnected, shallow streams of water.
Mounds of grass surrounded them, each littered with wildflowers and overgrown weeds.
Trees of varying sizes grew all around them—most of an impressive stature that made the area feel like a sheltered haven.
A short but loud whistle from Edmund caused the water ahead of them to be filled with noisy splashes that grew closer and closer. Lenore raised a hand, waving when she saw Brynn appear.
“Lenore!” Brynn cried out. Just as she leapt closer, she shifted back into her human form.
Her hand grabbed Lenore’s, giving it a squeeze while she walked along the side of them.
“Oh, thank the Moon’s Sovereign, you're alright!” she exclaimed.
“Do you need any water? Food? I can even hunt a rabbit for you if you need it.”
Edmund scoffed. “A rabbit? A measly thing like that would barely nourish her. She needs at least four.”
“Oh? It’s good that you care that much, Vesren,” Brynn replied with a knowing smirk. A warning growl rumbled from Edmund. Brynn shrugged her shoulders back, then beamed at Lenore, who was glancing at both of them in confusion.
“Never mind that,” Brynn said. “How’re you feeling?”
“Terrible,” Lenore said. “But I’m glad that you’re alright. And that I didn’t leave any awful wounds on you.” She pursed her lips. “If there’s a way to apologize for all this, please let me know.”
“What’s there to apologize for? I’m just sorry that this journey for you has been dreadful so far,” Brynn replied. She patted the top of Lenore’s hand with her free one before letting go. “Fortunately, we’re nearly home now.”
“Is it already midnight?” She looked up, staring out into the night sky.
The bluish glow of some mushroom patches nearby caught her eye as they continued on their trek through the woods.
Groups of fireflies floated among the mounds of grass, like clusters of stars that had fallen from the sky.
“We were supposed to be there by then, right?”
“We’re a little past that now,” Brynn said. “It just means the pack will buzz more with anticipation!” She playfully winked. “Just try your best to get comfortable for the rest of it. We should be arriving in about forty minutes.”
“... I know I just caused absolute havoc and shouldn’t be asking this after apologizing…
but is there a chance I can get a warm shower, a decent meal, a bed, and no kirin riding for an indefinite amount of time?
” Lenore asked in a small voice, sheepish to sound her request out loud, but desperate enough to ask.
To her surprise, Edmund chuckled. A warm, humored one that had not an inkling of mockery. “I suppose those would do you well,” he said.
“Very much so!” Brynn said. When she glanced at Edmund, the smirk returned to her lips. Whatever lightheartedness was on his face immediately dissipated as he glared fiercely at Brynn.
“Go and do your job now,” Edmund barked the command at her. “Else I’ll have you on duty for dung shoveling for the next entire month.”
“Sorry, sorry!” Brynn sang it out in a sing-song voice as she dashed away, making splashes of water fly up as she turned into a wolf. She ran up a grassy mound and at the top, gave out a friendly yip before she sprinted down the other side.
A long, annoyed sigh left Edmund once the pair were alone again. One hand left the reins to dig his fingers through his dark-navy hair.
“You must be tired too,” Lenore said softly.
Edmund pursed his lips. “Hardly. A trip like this is nothing…” He went quiet before asking, “Do you need a drink of water? We still have some more jerky, but if you require fresher protein... it can be arranged.”
Lenore quickly shook her head. “No, it’s fine—” she paused when she realized how parched her throat was. “Actually, some water would be great, thank you.” She smiled at him.
It was harder to see his face in the darkness, but she could’ve sworn his expression softened. Edmund turned and opened a hanging satchel from the kirin’s back. After a moment of sifting through it, he pulled out a small leather flask and offered it to her.
“Thank you, Edmund,” Lenore said.
She was grateful as she wrapped her fingers around the leather, and especially grateful when she unscrewed the cap and took her first sip of water.
The refreshing drink soothed her throat.
She couldn’t stop chugging it down, relishing the cool yet sweet spring water taste until the last drop was gone. A sigh of satisfaction escaped her.
“You seem to enjoy food and water very much,” Edmund commented in mild amusement.
“Oh, no—I mean, yes, but, you know, it’s been a long, long, day for me, and um, all the other past days for me, s-so…
” She couldn’t stop herself from making jumbled sentences, self conscious of the fact that he noticed how she ate and drank.
“I-I mean wouldn’t anyone be just as ravenous if they’re in my position? ”
“You’re not wrong,” Edmund said. “You just look so…” he trailed off. “Never mind. You should rest now.” He plucked the empty flask from Lenore and shoved it back into the satchel.
“I’ll try.” Lenore did her best to adjust herself to being more comfortable on the saddle. Nothing came close to how she was positioned before—the lingering warmth of Edmund’s strong build refused to leave her mind no matter how much she tried to chase her thoughts away.
After another fit of continuous fidgeting, Lenore sighed. “I don’t think I can,” she said. “I’m tempted to just lie under the kirin’s hooves just to get these awful knots out of my shoulders and back and ideally get knocked out for the rest of the trip.”
A short puff of air was exhaled through Edmund’s nose, humored by Lenore’s words. “You would die under the weight,” he replied bluntly. “It’d be better for you to pine for that comfy bed you asked for.”
“I’ll never take a bed for granted again,” Lenore said. A small yawn slipped past her. “Have you ever fallen asleep on horseback?” She tried her best to hold back a laugh at how silly it looked in her mind.
“... Admittedly, I’ve nodded off a couple of times,” Edmund quietly said. “But nothing that ever had me falling off.”
“I can believe that,” she said. “What about falling asleep on, I don’t know, rocks?”
“I’m not that senseless. I would prefer no rocks at all. A rocky terrain for a night’s sleep is something I’d rather not repeat.” Edmund grimaced to himself. “Even I have standards for comfort.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re not inhumane then,” Lenore laughed lightheartedly. She could feel Edmund roll his eyes.
“I in fact, do have a remnant of humanity,” Edmund replied sarcastically. “It enables me to talk to soft-boiled eggs like you.”
Lenore peered down at her bloodied clothes. “It’s funny you say that when I look like a murderer right now.”
“Ha. Wait until you take part in a hunt.” Edmund lazily flicked the reins to pick up the kirin’s pace. “Besides, I did say you acted more like a frightened cat than a beast. Kitten would be a better describer.”
“Even clawing you like that?” Lenore glanced at his torn outfit.
Edmund nodded. “Even clawing me like this, you’re still at the rank of a kitten.” A distant bark was heard from Brynn. “We’re getting closer to home. I suggest you take the time to try and rest quietly. It might be a lot for you to take in.”
Lenore swallowed nervously. She must’ve gone through a hundred imagined scenarios of what Lunavie would be like in her head now. She squeezed her hands together. Talking to Edmund would have felt far more reassuring than dwelling in silence, but she kept it to herself.
Resignedly, she murmured, “Alright.”
For the rest of their travels, silence lingered between them.