Refuge(121)

I laid down the phone and stared at it for a long moment. It was the third time I’d called him today and he hadn’t picked up once. Yesterday, I’d spoken to him for a few minutes after lunch and he’d said he was sleeping a lot because of the drugs prescribed by his doctor. He hadn’t sounded like himself at all. Worry gnawed at me. Was it normal to sleep this much with pneumonia? Was he eating enough? I decided to call him in another two hours, and if he didn’t pick up, I would be on the next plane east whether he wanted me to or not.

I walked over to the window to stare out at the thick blanket of snow sparkling in the last rays of the evening sun. I had never seen snow at Thanksgiving, and I couldn’t help but admire the breathtaking picture created by the snow-laden forest with the mountains rising in the distance. It looked like something out of a fairytale.

Turning from the window, I glanced at my alarm clock and saw it was after five. Everyone else was most likely downstairs for the big dinner. I exchanged my T-shirt for a nice top and brushed out my hair. I wasn’t feeling the holiday spirit, but Tristan was looking forward to our first Thanksgiving together and he would be hurt if I didn’t go. I would not do that to him just because I was down in the dumps about Nate.

It would be my first Thanksgiving with Nikolas too. Warmth filled me when I thought about waking up in his arms. He had been so tender and open last night, and he said we would take our time and figure this out together. What did that mean? Would he kiss me again? My stomach fluttered wildly and I touched my lips, remembering our first kiss, his mouth exploring mine and his heady scent. I definitely hoped he would do that again.

A knock at my door tore me from my daydream, and I blushed at how much one kiss could affect me. “One minute,” I called, trying to compose myself. When I’d seen Jordan at lunch, I’d made the mistake of telling her I was not in the mood for Thanksgiving dinner. She’d told me if I didn’t show up, she was coming to get me. Apparently, she decided not to wait.

“What are you doing here?” I stammered, staring at the last person I had expected to find at my door.

“I don’t think that is the proper way to greet the person escorting you to dinner, little one.”

I stepped outside. “Dinner? In the library?”

Desmund smiled with an ease I had never seen in him. “Tristan would not forgive me if I kept you all to myself today. Not to mention a certain warrior who would take umbrage with me as well.” He reached around me and shut my door. “Tristan told me how disappointed you were that your uncle could not be here. I know I am a poor replacement for him, but I hope you’ll allow me to keep you company in his stead.”

A lump formed in my throat. Desmund had left his sanctuary and was willing to go among all those people for me? Was this really the same man I’d met just three short weeks ago? He appeared strong and self-assured, and he looked a lot healthier than he had in weeks. But was he ready to face all those people so soon?

“You are so sweet, but you don’t have to do that. I know how much you dislike crowds.”

His mouth turned up in an arrogant smirk. “Correction, my dear, I dislike everyone. Present company excluded, of course.” He presented his arm to me. “Shall we?”

I took his arm. “Okay, but you have to promise to try to be nice to my friends.”

He made a harumph sound. “Let’s not push it.”

Laughter and the rumble of voices reached us as we neared the first floor. Desmund paused for a moment at the bottom of the stairs and I worried again that this was too much for him to take on all at once.

“You know, I wouldn’t mind having dinner upstairs. I’m not that good with crowds.”

He patted my arm. “I’ve dined with kings and czars. A few warriors are nothing. Just follow my lead.”

When we entered the dining hall no one seemed to notice us, and I gave a little sigh of relief. It did not last long. Olivia saw us first, and I watched her eyes widen as she forgot what she was saying to Mark. He turned around to see what had distracted her, and his mouth fell open. One by one, people stopped talking and heads turned our way until silence fell over most of the room.

Desmund led me across the floor, and people parted like the Red Sea to let us pass. To avoid their questioning stares, I looked at the tables that were set with nice linens and china for the holiday with candles flickering in pretty centerpieces. At home, Nate and I did the turkey and trimmings, but we didn’t make a big deal of decorating or pulling out the good china. This was a lot more festive than any holiday dinner I’d been to.