| |
The next morning I woke earlier than usual. We were in my father’s part of the realm and I was eager to be on our way. I prepared breakfast and called to Rachel and Rob. Rob soon emerged, looking wide awake, but Rachel looked like she had hardly slept. She slowly picked at her breakfast and I soon lost patience with her.
“Eat faster or we will leave without you.”
“What’s the hurry?” she asked.
“We’ll reach my family home before the end of the day.” My face must have lit up with pleasure.
I set a faster pace than normal, unconsciously increasing it the closer we got to my father’s house. Rachel was having trouble keeping up and after a while she requested that I slow down, which I reluctantly did. Drink breaks were few and short and my two charges hardly had time to finish swallowing down their sandwiches at midday before I told them it was time to get moving.
“How long has it been since you were last home?” Rachel asked as we walked.
“I was there a few days before you and Rob arrived down here.” I had not been to visit my father to let him know when we would be arriving, choosing instead to surprise him. The other reason for staying away from my home was my feelings for Rachel. My family can read me well enough to know when something is bothering me and I did not want to be quizzed about it before they had a chance to meet her.
“So why are you so eager to get back there?” Rachel asked in surprise. “Surely you can’t miss your family that much after such a short time away from them.”
“I have my reasons.” I wanted them to meet Rachel and give their opinions, but I wasn’t going to tell her that.
It was approaching mid-afternoon when what looked like a large farmhouse appeared on the horizon. I stopped and stared ahead of me. “Home. The only place I can ever be truly happy.”
It is a two storey building made from light grey stone. The front façade is wide and it goes back a long way. The roof is covered in terracotta tiles and the numerous windows are made from multiple small rectangles of glass instead of being huge single panes. Smoke was pouring out of the chimney, making it feel warm and inviting. A mid-height brick wall surrounds the property. The wooden gate was standing open, revealing a carefully manicured lawn surrounded by lovingly tendered flower beds. My mother spends a lot of time looking after the garden.
We walked through the gate and two wolves ran toward us, closely followed by a couple of cubs. I ran ahead, going down on one knee so they could reach me without having to jump up. They climbed all over me, fighting each other to lick my face. I miss these loveable animals whenever I am away from home.
“I would like to introduce you to Canini and Lupus,” I said when I had managed to calm them down enough to stand up. “And these two little rascals,” I continued, picking up the cubs, “are Cuon and Vulpes.”
I handed one over to Rachel, who passed it straight to Rob. “He’s the dog lover. I’m more of a cat person.”
I grinned at her. “You’ll like Death’s pet then.”
“Kris,” a voice called out from the direction of the house and everyone glanced over to see a middle aged woman walking toward us. My father came into view and Rachel exclaimed in surprise. He is a fat, jolly looking man who looks more like Father Christmas than a military leader.
My mother gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, then addressed the two visitors. “You must be Rob and Rachel,” she said in a welcoming voice. “We have been expecting you.”
“Nice to meet you,” Rachel said. “And you must be Boudica.”
I watched nervously as Rachel and my mother talked. I desperately wanted them to like each other.
“Call me Bo,” she said. “Everyone else does.”
“You are not quite as the history books picture you,” Rob said.
I saw Rachel tense up. She must have been anxious as to how my mother would take the comment. I smiled as I heard her breathe out in relief while my mother laughed a deep rich laugh.
“Let me guess. You pictured me as a more sumptuous woman wearing armour and carrying a shield?” Rob nodded. “Then I hope I don’t disappoint you.”
“Of course not,” Rob said hastily. “I’m a little surprised, that’s all.”
“Kris looks a lot like you,” Rachel said before Rob could open his mouth and put his foot in it again. “Except for the eyes.” Despite the fact that my attention was on my father, who was welcoming me home, I overheard the comment and was pleased with it. She must have been looking at me quite closely for her to have noticed that so quickly.
“Yes,” mom replied. “Unlike my daughters, my son has his father’s eyes. My daughters were lucky enough to get my eyes and War’s hair. A perfect combination.”
Dad finished greeting me and slipped his arm around his wife. “I guess I need no introduction,” he said. “And I know I am definitely not what you were expecting.”
Before Rachel could respond, a young woman called out. “You’re back I see.”
“My sister, Spatha,” I said as she walked across the garden toward us. She looks to be in her early twenties and, as my mother had said, she is blessed with long blonde hair and green eyes and is absolutely stunning. She greeted me warmly before turning her attention to Rachel and Rob.
“Welcome to our humble home,” she said with no trace of sarcasm. “I hope you have had a good journey.” She had not been told anything about their adventures so far in the underworld, so the statement was a serious one.
“It has been long and tiring. I really don’t think they will want to talk about it right now,” I said.
“And how about you dear brother? Have you been having fun?” I didn’t like the look on her face as she spoke; it was as if she knew something I didn’t want her to.
“Yes, actually. Perceval says hi, by the way.”
“Why don’t we catch up over a cool drink in the house,” my mother said. I was surprised to see her take Rachel by the arm and lead her into the house as though she was an old friend or an honoured guest. What was going on?
Glasses of cool, fresh, homemade lemonade were waiting for us in what mom likes to call the ‘sun room’. I would have preferred a cold beer, but she would disapprove. The room is made entirely of glass and is bright and cosy. The furniture is so comfortable Rachel was soon struggling to keep her eyes open. She was startled awake by a new arrival entering the room and throwing herself into my arms.
“I have missed you so much big brother,” my youngest sister said.
“I’ve only been gone a few weeks.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “It feels like longer.”
Knowing she hates it, I ruffled her wavy blonde hair and she glared at me. “I’ve told you not to do that.”
“Rachel, Rob, meet my baby sister Katana.” Katana is small and slim and very pretty. She looks young, eighteen at most, and adores me, as I do her.
“Come with me,” Katana said, taking hold of Rachel’s hand before I could intervene. “I will show you to your room.”
“I’ll come with you,” Spatha said.
I looked at my sisters suspiciously. They were being a little too nice to Rachel and it was making me worry.
“Bo,” dad said as Rachel was led away. “Please show Rob where he will be staying while he is with us. I want a word with my son.” I groaned. The tone of my father’s voice suggested that I was not going to enjoy the conversation.
“What have I done wrong?” I asked as soon as Rachel and Rob were out of hearing.
“What makes you think you have done anything wrong?” he asked in surprise.
“Usually you say you want a word with one of your offspring when they are in trouble.”
“True. But not this time. Ankou paid us a visit after leaving your aunt’s place.”
I tensed. “What did he say? Did he tell you why he left so abruptly?”
“No, but he did mention Rachel and how enamoured you are with her. From what I have seen so far, I think he is right.”
I groaned once more. “Please tell me he did not say anything in front of Katana and Spatha.”
The look on my father’s face gave me his answer. “I need a drink,” I said and was pleased when a cold bottle materialised in my hand.
“I don’t blame you,” he said as he took a quick swig from his own bottle. “Just don’t tell your mother.”
“Don’t tell me what?” mom asked as she walked into the room.
“Nothing,” I said at the same time as dad, both of us hiding the beer bottles behind our backs.
“It’s too early to be drinking,” she said, having seen what we were doing. “But I will let you off this once.” She smiled at me. “Rachel seems quite nice.”
“She is.” My mother gave me a knowing look, but did not make any more comments.
“What do Spatha and Katana have planned?” I asked my parents, hoping they would know if my sisters were up to anything.
“Nothing that I know of,” dad said.
“Other than getting to know Rachel, of course,” mom added.
“That is what I am afraid of. You don’t think they will say anything to her, do you? About my feelings I mean.”
“You mean she doesn’t know?” mom asked in surprise. I shook my head. “But the way you look at her makes it so obvious. How can she not have noticed?”
“She doesn’t know me as well as you do.”
“So what are your plans?” she asked me.
I sighed, relaxed back into my chair and emptied my bottle. “Right now, I have none. Other than keeping her away from Ankou, that is. I supposed he bragged about how she reacted to him as soon as she laid her eyes on him.”
Mom and dad both shook their heads. “Never said a word. All he told us about was you and that we should find out what your intentions are. Well? What are your intentions?”
“I intend to go for a shower and not discuss this any further.” With that I stood up and left the room.
I made my way straight to my room, showered and put on clean clothes. There was no sign of Rachel or my sisters anywhere, which worried me, so I went to the library and tried to find a book which would take my mind off them.
I heard the three young ladies enter the house, but I did not get up. I listened carefully as Spatha took Rachel into her own room for a few minutes before escorting her to the one she had been assigned. Knowing Rachel would probably want to bathe for an hour or so I returned to my book, but I couldn’t concentrate on it. Eventually I gave up and began pacing the room. I was desperate to find out what my sisters had said to her. I thought about going and asking them, but decided that would be a big mistake. Not only could I not trust that they would tell me the truth, but it would also let them know that I didn’t want them talking to her about me and if they knew that then I could almost guarantee that they would do so.
When the frustration became too much for me I went to see Rachel. I stood outside her door and raised my hand, too nervous to knock. I lowered it and began to walk away, but I didn’t get far before I turned around and forced myself to rap my knuckles on the wooden door.
“Enter,” Rachel called out.
“Hi,” I said as I walked in. Rachel was sitting on the bed running a comb through her wet hair, so I sat down on the bed beside her. “I thought I should check that my sister’s didn’t give you a hard time about anything. They can be a little overwhelming sometimes.” I tried my best to sound like I was looking out for her rather than checking up on my sisters.
“They are a bit full on,” she said. “They seemed to want to know everything about me. They certainly asked some very personal questions.” I had been afraid of that, but there was nothing I could do about it now, so I kept my tone light.
“They like to say they are inquisitive. I think they are just plain nosey.”
“They also gave me the third degree about Ankou.”
I tensed. “What do you mean?”
“Apparently he came here at some point after he left Famine’s house so they know I have met him. They wanted to know what I thought of him, what we did while we were with Famine, that sort of thing.”
“Oh. And what did you tell them?”
“The truth,” she said. “When I spoke about Ankou trying to teach me how to use a sword Katana seemed to get very jealous and grumbled that he had never offered to teach her.”
“I bet she did.”
“She wouldn’t shut up about him. If he wasn’t her cousin I’d say she has a huge crush on him.”
“She has.”
“Ewe,” Rachel said, wrinkling her nose in disgust. “Isn’t that sort of incestuous?”
“Probably. Everyone keeps telling her nothing can ever happen between them, but she still has her heart set on marrying him.”
I stretched out on the bed and placed my hands behind my head. “So did you tell them you think he is, what’s the saying? Drop dead gorgeous?” I asked casually, though I was feeling anything but.
“Well I could hardly say otherwise, could I? They would know I was lying.” Not what I wanted to hear, but as least she was being honest with me. “But I did point out that I need more than just good looks to be attracted to someone.” Now why had she said that? Did she know how I felt about her? Was she trying to not make me feel bad? There was no way of knowing without asking her, so I forced the questions from my mind.
“Ankou must have said some good things about you.” I rolled over as I spoke, bending my arm to support my head so I could look at her. “Rob’s room is upstairs in the guest suite where all visitors are usually put up, but this one is in the family part of the house. Ankou is the only one who is ever allowed to stay here.”
“I’m honoured,” she said. There was no trace of sarcasm in her voice and I believe she really meant what she said. Then she smiled at me. “Maybe your family just feel sorry for me having to travel with you and Robert.”
“Ha ha. Very funny.” I pushed myself upward and eased myself off the bed. “Dinner will be ready soon. I’ll come and get you.” I walked to the door, but paused before leaving. “Feel free to wear the red dress, if you want.”
“Spatha has already given me a dress she thought would be suitable,” she said. I tried, but was not able to keep the disappointment I was feeling from showing on my face.
I went straight to the kitchen to see if mom needed any help preparing the dinner, but was informed that everything was under control. Katana was helping her and gave me a wicked grin as I entered the room.
“Rachel’s nice,” she said sweetly once our mother had finished talking. “I can see why you like her so much.”
I froze. “What have you said to her?” I asked in a cold voice.
“Nothing,” she said, smiling at me. “Yet.”
Not in the mood for her games, I didn’t react to her baiting, choosing instead to put some distance between us. I went to my room and looked through my wardrobe for something to change into. For the first time in my life I put a great deal of thought into what I would be wearing and it took me a long time to decide what would be the right combination of smart yet casual.
Once I was dressed I went to Rob’s room and informed him that he would need to dress up for dinner.
“Can you help out?” he asked.
I nodded and made a dark grey suit appear on the bed. Rob looked at it doubtfully. “Can’t I just wear my jeans and a shirt?” he asked, but I shook my head.
He groaned, but agreed to wear the suit so I left him alone to get changed and made my way to Rachel’s room.
“May I come in?” I asked as I knocked on the door.
“Of course,” Rachel called out. I opened the door and walked into the room, stopping the moment I set eyes on my sister.
“What are you up to?” I asked Spatha in an unfriendly tone.
“I’m just helping Rachel get ready,” she said. “After all, when was the last time we had a female guest? One that wasn’t family that is.”
“That would be never. Come on. Dinner’s ready.”
I looked Rachel up and down as she passed me, unable to keep my eyes off her. She was wearing a blue dress that clung to her body in all the right places. It was low cut, revealing a gold chain with a sapphire and diamond pendant that my sister must have lent her. It matched the dress perfectly. Spatha had also expertly done her hair and makeup, making her look stunning. I made a mental note to thank her later.
Rob was already in the dining room when we got there, looking very uncomfortable in the suit. He was chatting with War and Bo and didn’t even look up when we entered.
Despite everyone being dressed up, dinner was far from formal. It was a nice, relaxed, family meal during which my two sisters took great delight in telling amusing stories about the family, mainly me, and seemed to be competing as to who could embarrass me the most. Initially I was angry with them and kept glaring at them, but they just smirked back at me as though daring me to say anything. I kept my mouth shut, knowing I would regret it if I didn’t. They had me over a barrel and there was nothing I could do about it. While Rachel was around they could get away with anything they wanted to as far as I was concerned and they both knew it.
Rachel laughed a lot and I began to relax, getting my revenge by telling stories about them, which they didn’t seem to mind. Everyone was enjoying the evening so much that it was very late when we finally decided to call it a night. The wine had been flowing all evening and I noticed that Rachel was a little wobbly on her feet when she stood up.
“Maybe I should escort you to your room,” I said, but Spatha grabbed her arm before she could reply. Just for a moment I truly hated my sister. She raised her eyebrows at me, challenging me to protest. I knew better than to do so, so I bid her good night and left the room.