Page 43 of The Hidden Guardian
“Really?”
“It was scary, I almost burnt the orphanage down a few times.”
“Oh.” Sadness drips into my words, orphanage. Cressida has a past, much like me. I wonder how many others?
“One day I just decided to follow the direction of my fire. I mean, I had nothing to lose. Eventually, it led me to the eastern entrance of the cave. I had only wandered close to the lagoon when Conri, my mate, found me. Gods, if those trees could talk.”
“I’m sure someone here can talk to trees.” Onai snickers with her pot by the fire.
“On second thought, I’d like to keep that to myself. Those were the days before the hierarchy of the cave, just me and him and our passion.”
I can relate to that even though we’ve never mated. I glance between Onai straining tea and Cressida getting comfortable. Never have I felt judged or weird among them. They have accepted me, helped me, welcomed me. These girls get me—like I’ve never felt in my entire life living among the humans. Although the entire pack isn’t as accepting, maybe staying here is worth it for somerealfriends.
Onai hands me a small cup, and the liquid inside smells of cloves and cinnamon. “Mmm …” I moan.
“That good, huh?” Onai smiles behind her cup.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good cup of tea.”
“That’s something we are going to have to change.” Cressida lifts her cup up against mine. “Cheers to that.”
An unsure Onai joins her cup to our two.
“I’d like that.” I smile, pulling my cup back to my awaiting lips.
A rainy day with a sweater and a cup of tea, all that’s missing is a window and a good book.
* * *
“So there I was with my ankles by his head …” Cressida pauses, leaning forward as she flips her ginger hair over her shoulder. “When his Mother walks in.”
“Oh Gods!” Onai screeches.
I gasp, “No.”
Cressida nods. “Mmhmm.” She sips her tea mischievously.
“I would die.” Onai pauses and then asks, “So, what did you do?”
“We still finished, duh.” Cressida grins. “By the time I had come, she had already left … must not have been that important.” She shrugs but her eyes hide a smile.
Onai’s laughter radiates around the room until it joins mine. Her laugh is contagious. I’ve never felt a connection with someone like this before, where I would look forward to seeing them and felt comfortable sharing things with them. But for the past few weeks, it’s safe to say Onai has become my friend. Cressida seems nice (and very open) as well. When Onai told me she had a surprise for me today, I didn’t think it would be a person. But I’m glad it was. Cressida’s openness reminds me of Vicky, and it pains my heart every time I think of how I just left her. She never would have done that to me. But I had no choice.
“It seems like everyone around here is constantly banging.”
“Banging?” Onai asks.
“Having sex,” I clarify.
It’s Cressida who responds, “When you can give and get pleasure deep into your soul, what else would you be doing? I mean, you know, right?”
Words escape me. How do I explain this? Can I trust her?
“Actually, she hasn’t taken that step yet,” Onai tells her.
“I see.” Cressida nods quietly, “Renall has never been one to not obtain what he wanted.”
“If what he wants is my virginity, against my will, he will get a knife to the ribs instead.”
