CHAPTER 11 #2
The healers had done an impeccable job restoring her skin from the jagged slashes that once left her arm in a tangled mess of red and torn flesh.
But a faint imprint remained, of lines that she faintly traced over with her other hand.
She forced her gaze away, rushing to grab her garments and hide the sight from herself.
As soon as Lenore clothed herself in a dusty-blue dress with long puffed sleeves and a brown corset embroidered with gold florals, she stepped out, heading down the stairs and back into the kitchen, where she was met with a disgruntled Edmund.
Her hands were still fastening her small studded earrings when she saw him.
His sharp glare softened upon seeing her. Though his lips remained pursed, his furrowed brow lifted ever so slightly. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than Lenore expected.
“I didn’t realize you’d squeeze out every possible minute that you could,” he said dryly.
“I couldn’t let the offer of extra shower time go to waste, right?” Lenore replied with a light-hearted smile. Showering really did put her in a better mood, far better than the mood she had initially woken up in. “I wish I could’ve just stayed in the water forever.”
Edmund exhaled quietly, but didn’t lecture her further. “Hurry and eat. You’re burning away daylight to the point you’ll be stuck outside in the dark learning the basics.” He gestured at the table, the prior food now replaced with a hearty baguette sandwich.
Lenore’s mouth immediately watered when she drew closer to the food.
The browned crisp of the golden baguette was enough to make her happy to chew on the bread alone.
Packed inside the halved baguette were slices of cheese, an assortment of cold cuts, a spreading of pate on the bread, and freshly pickled vegetables squeezed in. Her stomach growled.
She sat down in front of the glorious sandwich and picked it up in her hands. The smell was heavenly.
“Thank you, Edmund,” she murmured almost breathlessly.
“You don’t have to stare at it so... longingly,” Edmund said. The corners of his lips curled up into a small smile as he watched her. “Just eat it already.”
Lenore didn’t hesitate to take a bite. Though the heat of the bread had long since dissipated, the crispness of the crust still crunched satisfyingly.
What followed next were all the delightful flavors that flooded her mouth.
There was a sweet and spicy tang that made her eagerly bite into her sandwich repeatedly.
The pickled carrots and onions complemented the hearty meats with a burst of freshness.
She hummed out her bliss, letting out a long, “Mmmm!” between bites.
“I take it you like it then,” Edmund noted. Lenore’s eyes flitted over to him. She nearly choked on the chunk of food in her mouth as she swallowed down quickly.
“Don’t watch me eat,” Lenore mumbled as she cleared her throat. “I’m practically gobbling this up. I know it looks atrocious.” She hurriedly brushed the crumbs away from the corners of her mouth.
“It doesn’t look atrocious,” Edmund replied. “It’s good to see that you still have an appetite.” He paused before he added in a quieter voice, “And that you like it.”
“How could I not? I may be hungry, but I’ll say this is one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten,” Lenore proclaimed. “Is there a sandwich shop here or something?”
Edmund chuckled. “No.”
“Oh.” Lenore blinked. She pondered on it a second more before she asked, “Um, did you make this?”
Edmund tugged at his sleeves, suddenly finding it more important to adjust them. “Well, there weren’t other ways to get food quickly,” he mumbled.
“So you did make this,” Lenore said, impressed. “This is delicious! You should’ve packed your sandwiches along with the jerky yesterday. It would’ve made things better.”
“You’re over-complimenting it,” Edmund said with a scowl. The edges of his ears turned faintly pink, the warmth creeping down into his cheeks. “It’s just basic food groups put together.”
“I know what high-quality tastes like. What’re these flavors you put into it?” Lenore nibbled away again, trying to figure out the ingredients that went into the spreads that tingled delightfully on her taste buds.
“It’s a family recipe,” Edmund replied. “Which means it’s a secret.”
Lenore hummed in acknowledgment. “Is that so? Well, what I do know is feeding me something like this might help me endure whatever you have planned.”
Edmund rolled his eyes and turned away. “You’re welcome,” he muttered.
There were only a few beats of comfortable silence before Lenore spoke up in surprise. “You cleaned the floor?” The film of dust that once covered the wood was swept away, revealing the natural warm browns of the floor. The home already felt cozier.
“I didn’t think that kind of filth would be pleasant while eating in the same place,” Edmund replied. He was still turned away, facing the window that was built on the wall behind the kitchen sink.
Lenore could only stare in disbelief at his back. “... You’re really taking care of things,” she finally said.
“I’m not—I’m doing what needs to be done. That’s all,” Edmund explained hastily. His hand ran through his tousled locks of hair. He shot her a glance from the corner of his eye. A frown settled over his features.
“Right,” Lenore said. If anything, she was in shock at his kind gestures.
She was beginning to half-suspect it was to throw her off before his brutal onslaught of training.
Regardless of his intentions, she added in a grateful tone, “I’m just seeing it for what it is. So once again, thank you, Edmund.”
An incoherent grumble was Edmund’s response. The corners of Lenore’s lips tugged slightly upwards. In a playful tone, she said, “I’ll stay quiet and finish up eating now.”
Silence was his answer. Between bites, she peered at Edmund, lingering on the dark, fitted coat that framed his strong build.
Dark layers dressed him from top to bottom, an ensemble that gave him an air of rugged resilience.
Yet there was a touch of refinement to his silhouette, something Lenore hadn’t expected to find in the wilderness.
The dark blue of his hair reminded her of a starless night, of the first brush of blue that ended the sunset.
When he shifted his posture, Lenore jerked her head away, cheeks coloring as she realized, with horror, she was admiring him.
The hurried crunch of bread filled the air next.
Eventually, Lenore briskly wiped her hands together. For a few moments more, she slowed her movement, savoring the brief peace as the last crumbs fell onto the plate below. She stood up, back straight.
“I’m ready,” she murmured.
“Good.” Edmund turned to face her. He glanced down at the empty plate, save for a few stray crumbs. Lenore wasn’t quite sure, but she thought she caught a glimpse of satisfaction in his otherwise impassive expression.
“Now,” Edmund said. “Let’s get you started on being a proper werewolf.”
“Oh no,” Lenore mumbled under her breath. Reluctantly, she asked, “What’s your first step?”
His next words formed a heavy pit in her stomach.
“For you to turn into a wolf.”