Frost Arch (13 page)

“Of course.” He smiled, “You don’t feel heat or cold like normal people.”

I scowled, “I’m perfectly normal.”

Jack then eyed Hawthorne warily, “Will he hurt me?”

I looked at my fox, he seemed perfectly calm now but he was still a miserable grey. I smiled at him to let him know I was fine. Hawthorne wagged his bushy tail.

“He won’t hurt you. Will you?” I added to Hawthorne who cocked his head to the side curiously.

“I noticed he changes colour.” Jack pursed his lips.

“Depending on his mood. He can do it to hide in emergencies too.” I said in a strangely proud voice.

“And he … belongs to you?” Jack said unsure.

I bit my lip nervously, “Well it’s a long story really. I sort of rescued him as I was on my way to Frost Arch. He was going to be sold, for some cruel experiment, I could feel it! So I … I stole him. I was going to set him free … but he stayed with me when the opportunity arose. He doesn’t like being away from me now.” I said softly.

“Ava, you can’t keep him here. Where has he been sleeping?”

I didn’t say anything, but Jack seemed to guess the answer. He heaved a sigh and helped me onto my feet. Hawthorne trotted to my side, looking up at me with curious eyes.

“Can he fly?” Jack asked, eyeing the little wings. They seemed to be the only part of Hawthorne that wasn’t growing.

“No. I don’t think he will be able to, even when he is fully grown. They look a bit redundant.”

“How did you smuggle him into the manor?” Jack asked.

“Well … it’s really odd, but two weeks ago he was only one third of the size he is now.”

Jack’s eyes narrowed, “He grew that fast?”

I nodded, “He fit right in my rucksack. The one I was wearing on the day I met you. He was inside it then. I opened the bag to set him free … but he stayed. I didn’t even realise until I was in my room.”

I looked at Jack trying to read his expression. He seemed confused and torn. I wondered what he was thinking. Good or bad?

“You called him Hawthorne?” Jack asked lightly.

I smiled, “After my favourite tree from home.”

Jack folded his arms and looked at my beautiful fox, “What do we do?” He asked me.

“We?” I recoiled.

“Well we can’t have him stay in your room. If he gets caught in there it’s your head on the chopping block.”

I knew he was right. I bent over and hoisted Hawthorne into my arms. I noticed the difference in weight as soon as I held him. What was causing such rapid growth?

“I don’t want to say goodbye to him. Not yet.”

Jack nodded, “He is very unique.”

I petted Hawthorne lovingly, and he licked at my face again.

“What do we do?” I repeated Jack’s earlier question.

Jack thought for a moment, “We could always ask Camryn-”

“No!” I hissed.

“Wait till I finish! We could always ask Camryn if he could use an empty stall in the stables.”

It seemed like a good idea in theory, but what if Camryn went and ratted me out? Would she do that? I wasn’t even sure if she liked me or not. Jack seemed to understand what I was thinking.

“Camryn won’t tell anyone. We’ve been friends since we were little kids. She’s the only one, besides me, who goes into the stables. You can visit Henry in there whenever you get a spare moment.”

“Hawthorne” I corrected.

“Whatever, the point is he will be safe and warm in there, not to mention he might get fed a little better … he looks a bit skinny. The Pegasi only eat raw meat-”

“-And they looked like such peaceful creatures-”

“Wild ones would eat your flesh.” Jack smirked, “But anyway, Camryn can just chuck him a few pieces of meat a day, I’m sure he would love it.”

I frowned. It was hard trying to smuggle food for Hawthorne. Maybe this was a good idea after all.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked warily.

Jack smiled, “Trust me.”

And I found that I did.

As much as I would love to exclude any more people from my little scandal, it seemed necessary to ask Camryn for help, as she rarely allowed anyone into the stables without permission seeing as the animals she tended to could get feisty.

When we told her about Hawthorne she looked very wary, but after much persuasion from Jack she finally agreed grudgingly. When we brought Hawthorne into the stable to see her for the first time she squealed with delight at the sight of him.

“Oh, but he is lovely!” She said bending down to pet him.

I was very aware of the fact that all of the Pegasi had become very still and were watching my pet with great interest.

Camryn gave another squeal of delight when Hawthorn replicated the exact shade of her hair. My dark red fox was thrilled with his new friends it seemed.

Half an hour later Hawthorne was settled into an empty stall at the back of the stables, completely out of sight from anyone who might peek in through the door. He munched happily on some meat scraps that Camryn had given him.

Jack reminded me of the time and we trundled back to the manor. He departed from me once we were inside, saying he needed to give Charles the golden quill to pass on to Master Forsythe.

During the late afternoon Charles requested that the main household staff, excluding the chefs, were to assemble out the front of the manor with himself and the Forsythe family for the long awaited return of Noah Forsythe. I huffed impatiently. I had better things to be doing than standing outside and waiting for a spoiled, pompous prat.

But of course the time came, and I was standing in a line with a few other staff, including Jack, along the wall of the manor. We stood there for about twenty minutes before we were joined by Charles, the head of staff. Another minute passed and the Forsythe family emerged from the great oak doors to stand before us. I noticed the reason they had come outside now, for on the horizon a large object was moving closer. A rather charming carriage trundled closer, being pulled by two extremely muscled horses.

Two minutes later and the carriage pulled to a halt in front of the manor. Some men I didn’t know from the staff rushed forwards to open the doors and collect the baggage. I watched as a highly polished boot stepped from the carriage. Then another. A very smartly dressed man straightened himself up and looked at his surroundings. He seemed pleased to be home. As he drew towards his family and embraced his mother and sister into a hug, while shaking his father’s hand, I got a good look at his face.

My insides squirmed. He was gorgeous. My mouth felt dry, and my cheeks flushed pink just thinking about how embarrassing these thoughts were. He had shoulder length golden brown hair tied back into a low ponytail down the nape of his neck, broad shoulders and a wide chest. He looked tall and muscular. He smiled at his family, and my breath caught in my chest at the dazzling sight. I shook myself mentally. This was no time for rampant thoughts! A sly smile played my face as I watched Noah reunite with his family.

In that instant Noah Forsythe’s eyes flickered towards mine. I dropped the smile on my face immediately and bowed my head to hide my face behind my hair. I hoped I hadn’t looked deranged. The last thing I wanted was people thinking that I was mentally handicapped.

Jack was standing beside me, his hands behind his back, and his chin held high, showing the proper respect for the family as they passed us to go back inside, all of them chatting.

“Come son.” Sebastian Forsythe said patting his son on his broad shoulder, “You must be parched. We have food and wine waiting for you.”

“Thank you. I think after I am fed and watered I will retire to my room for a hot bath and some much needed sleep.” Noah said wearily.

“Would you care to have the food sent straight to your room, Master Noah?” Charles fumbled over his words as he scurried after the family.

Noah thought for a moment, “Yes. That would be nice.”

Once the Forsythe family was within the manor walls, Charles clicked his fingers at me, and I blanched, utterly bewildered.

“Me?” I mouthed unsure.

“Yes, yes.” He hissed grabbing my sleeve and tugging me out of the line. I looked at Jack for an explanation, but he merely shrugged and gave his usual cocky grin. I scowled and followed Charles anyway.

Charles led me to the kitchens, “I want you to take Master Noah’s food and wine to his room for me. He does not wish to have several people bothering him all at one time. One will suffice, and I choose you because you can also heat the bath to his liking while you are there. Not only that, but the food will not go cold if you take it.”

His strange reasoning actually made sense. Sort of. My heart slowed down. I had thought I was in trouble by the way Charles had dragged me out of line.

“Of course.” I breathed, “Where is his room?”

Charles winced, “I forgot you have not tended there before. It’s on the third floor, left after you ascend the stair case. It’s the last door in the hall. Make sure you knock first. Bow. Ask where he would like you to place the food. Light the fire. Warm the bath. Leave.”

I thought it was an awful lot to remember, but I tried my best, repeating the directions, and the list of things to do in my head again and again.

Once we were in the kitchens I was handed a ridiculously large silver platter filled with exotic fruits, juicy meats, and a rather expensive looking wine along with a fragile glass. I tried my hardest to balance it all and began ascending the many winding staircases to the third floor. By the time I arrived on the right landing I had a sharp pain in my side. The platter seemed to be getting heavier by the second, and I was walking slowly so I wouldn’t drop or spill any. Panting, I made my way down what I presumed was the correct hallway to the last door. It was closed, so I balanced the platter precariously in one hand and knocked loudly.

“Enter.”

I thought I might just start hyperventilating at the thought of being in the same room as Noah Forsythe. Still balancing the platter I turned the heavy brass doorknob and pushed it open. I stepped inside to the handsome, well lit room. I let my eyes take in the new surroundings of the room I had never been in before. Much of the furniture was a light, polished wood; the walls were a creamy white with gold borders. A large bed with an enormous wooden frame dominated most of the room. Its sheets were white with gold trimmings. The other side of the room was host to a large working desk cluttered with books and parchment. Noah’s new golden quill sat in its box on this desk. It must have been left there for him. Only a second had passed during my study of the beautiful room. Noah stood by his desk, rearranging parchment. He looked up as I entered and nodded to me when I bowed. I saw curiosity flicker behind his eyes, though I couldn’t be sure. I refrained from looking at him at all.

“Sorry to bother you. Where would you like to eat, sir?” I spoke in a small, shaky voice. This was the first time I had ever spoken to a member of the Forsythe family. I felt my cheeks burning, and my palms grew unintentionally hot as they held the platter. I hoped I didn’t boil the wine. That would be most embarrassing.

Noah watched me for a brief moment, his brow furrowed before indicating to a low table next to a comfy looking white sofa in front of a pair of great arching windows that gave a lovely view of the outside snow.

“Just by the window.” His voice was deep and rough.

Gulping nervously I crossed the room, past him, past the giant bed towards the low table that barely came up to my knees. I placed the platter down carefully. As I straightened up I noticed that Noah had crossed the room towards the window also. He looked down at the platter and nodded. I bowed again and turned to leave. To the right was a door that led off to his bathroom where I would need to heat the bath.

“Wait.”

My heart stopped. I turned slowly on the spot to face the man who was now staring at me.

“Is there something wrong?” I panicked, “Master.” I added grudgingly.

Noah folded his arms. He seemed to be struggling with something. His eyes were narrowed like he was concentrating.

“I don’t remember you.” He mused.

“No, sir.” I confirmed. Why wouldn’t he let me do my job and be on my way? I felt nervous and queasy in his presence, although I felt that way around any of his family. Why would he remember me anyway, even if I had been here for years? I thought no one took notice of the staff.

Noah pouted, “New?” He wondered.

“Yes sir. Two weeks and two days.” I took a step back, indicating my desire to complete my job and leave.

He bent down and popped a grape into his mouth, chewing slowly, “What’s your name?”

My heart pounded uncomfortably, “Avalon Redding, sir” I breathed.

“Humph.” He said sitting down upon the white sofa and eating another grape. “Pretty.”

My palms felt sweaty and I rubbed them inconspicuously on my dress. He liked my name. I felt light headed.

“Sir?” I said unsure, taking another step backwards.

“Thank you Avalon Redding.” Noah said turning away from me.

“T-thank you sir.” I gulped, turning abruptly and hurrying into his bathroom. I heated the water as quick as I could, my mind racing. With a last bow I hurried from Noah’s room. Once I was back in the hall I felt shaky and wanted very much to see Hawthorne.