Who Is My Husband
Scene 14

Lance remained in the carriage after they returned. “I need to go back and finish with the supplies. Reggie will get you taken care of so you can get cleaned up. I’ll be back in a couple hours.”

Kailee smiled and nodded her head at him. She watched the carriage roll away and then looked up to Reggie.

“You look more like a black little kitten than a soft fluffy bunny.” Reggie grinned and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Let’s get you inside. How are you feeling?”

“My chest still hurts a bit and my throat feels dry and scratchy.” Kailee rubbed her throat a bit with her hand.

“We will get you something to drink and then you can get cleaned up.”

“Reg…” Kailee looked up at him as he walked down the stone hallway. “I mentioned this to Lance already but when I was in there. The smoke bothered me more than the fire. I even had hot embers land on my skin. And I could feel the heat but my skin wasn’t burned.”

Reggie stopped walking and turned to face her. He was studying her face. He grabbed her arm and looked it over. He was looking for any signs that she had been burned. “It’s hard to tell with this blanket of dirt you are wearing.”

Kailee giggled. “Well, my skin isn’t hurting so I’m pretty sure it is fine.” She watched as he took a step closer to her. He even inched his face closer to hers. She didn’t back away but met his gaze curiously.

Reggie smirked as he stared at her. “Aren’t you going to back away? Or do you want me to k**s you?”

Kailee scoffed in his face. “Why should I back away? You are the one invading my space.” Her eyes then narrowed on him. “I am not yours to touch.”

“Are you sure about that?” Reggie said with a low seductive tone.

Kailee felt his hot, moist breath hit upon her skin. His eyes were still set upon hers as he watched her curiously. Was this a test? Was he testing her resolve? Any man could claim they were her husband without the mask. Likewise any one could put the mask on and claim they were her husband. She didn’t know him enough to tell the difference yet. Still, she was fairly certain it wasn’t Reggie. He might be similar in a lot of ways but she could tell the difference. At night when he held her it wasn’t the same as when Trey held her. This man was not her husband.

No matter if it was a test or not she couldn’t let his disregard for her personal boundaries go. Wrapping his arm around her was one thing. But his lips coming closer to hers was something else entirely different. She would be damned if she was going to allow his lips to touch hers. She did not know her husband, but he was the only man she had ever been with, had ever kissed. And she was going to keep it that way.

“Back away. Or you’ll regret it.” Kailee’s glare turned deadly as she stared back fiercely at Reggie. Her eyes pierced against his as she balled her hand into a fist. She wasn’t a game. And she was not going to be part of their tests. Was this designed by Trey to test her loyalty? It enraged her. What had she done? What has she done to be treated the way she has her whole life. Worthless, a nobody, invisible…and now untrustworthy? She could feel her anger building up inside of her as a venom boiled in her stomach.

Suddenly Reggie was thrust against the wall. “What the hell are you thinking?” A low growl escaped from the man in the mask.

“Trey, you are back earlier than expected.” Reggie g*****d out and then gave him a weak smile.

Trey held Reggie up against the wall with one hand and then turned to look at Kailee. Even through his mask she could see his anger. And it was being directed at her now. “What were you doing not stepping away from him?” His voice dripped with ice.

The burning knives started to slowly cut at her insides, but she kept a stoic face. She was too angry. “It’s my fault? Why should I be the one to retreat? How dare you look at me like I am the one to blame.”

“What happened? Tell me why are you covered in ashes?” Trey hissed out. He released his hold on Reggie and then turned to face Kailee completely.

“Because I was playing in the dirt.” She folded her arms over her chest and turned her head away from him. She was managing to hold her composure together except for the tiny sweat beads that were beginning to form on her forehead.

Whatever was happening to her body was beginning to scare her. It was like her waking up was also connected to waking up the voice from her nightmare. She was also getting flashes of a dark creature in her mind. It was like a cloud of black smoke but with white razor-sharp teeth. The eyes were completely white as it turned its head. It was like it was smiling as it looked at her soul. Was she waking this creature up?

A b***d curdling howl ripped into the sky in the distance. Well, it would have sounded like a howl to everyone else, but it was yelling for Kailee. Too much was now happening at once. It was like an attack on all ends trying to wake her up.

“Damn that bastard is back already.” Reggie growled and peered out the window.

“What the hell is a werewolf doing here?” Trey looked from the window over to Reggie.

Sparks flew into the castle through the open window. He flew in between the two men and landed in front of Kailee. He squawked loudly and flapped his wings.

Kailee you must calm down. Sparks feathers ignited in an illuminating flame that wrapped itself around her. She knelt down to the ground.

“Sparks…” Kailee whispered as the bird hopped into her arms. The flames burst around Kailee but did not burn her skin. “What else is searching for me?” Her brown eyes watered as she stared at the bird.

Control yourself. You must learn to control your emotions. Sparks squawked at her loudly.

This was because of her emotions? Did this all start because she was angry with Reggie and then Trey?

“I can’t have emotions?” Kailee weakly smiled out.

You can have emotions. But don’t channel them into your power. I know this is a lot to ask but you have to control yourself Kailee.

A small whimper escaped from Kailee as an inferno raged inside of her.

“Out of the way bird.” Trey’s harsh voice came through as his hand brushed the phoenix away from her. He grabbed onto Kailee and pulled her into his chest and then placed a metal cuff on her wrist.

Kailee felt everything inside of her begin to simmer down the moment the cuff was placed on her. However, it was more of being held against Trey’s chest that had her calming down. She felt like the tension was suddenly vanishing. His scent… he had a scent? She never noticed it until this moment but when she had her nose pressed into his chest she could pick up the faintest scent. It was the smell of fresh cut cedar, and it had an almost sweet smell to it. Like cedar and honey.

Sparks squawked at Trey indignantly. You didn’t have to be so rough. The bird squawked. It looked at Kailee. You are okay now. I’ll go and see to Aaa… umm the wolf.

Kailee turned abruptly towards Sparks. He was about to say a name. She felt herself getting frustrated. “Wait!” She yelled but he took to the sky. She sighed loudly.

“What does that wolf want with me?”

“That wolf is here for you?” Trey asked with low tones. His threatening eyes looked up to Reggie who nodded his head at the question.

“I’m gone for one day and the wolves are coming to take what is mine?” Trey looked over Kailee. He reached his hand down and looked at her arm when Sparks had been.

“He didn’t burn you?” Trey furrowed his brows down behind his mask as he examined her closely.

“No… did he burn you?” Kailee asked, looking at his hand.

“Not me… but it would have burned… others.”

Kailee sighed. More secrets. This reminded her that she was actually upset with Trey. She scooted away from him then and rose to her feet. She could see the hurt in his eyes as he rose to stand as well. “What is this?” She asked, looking at the cuff.

“It will work to suppress your magic. I found out that what you are going through is something similar to an awakening. This cuff will give you manageable doses. Enough that you can understand and feel it when it acts up. This way you can develop better control over it. Instead of the outburst you just had.” Trey looked over at Reggie. There was still an unfinished conversation between them.

“Well it’s your guy’s fault.” Kailee pouted then drawing the attention back to her.

“Wait? Our fault?” Reggie said with a smug smile.

“Yes. It’s your fault for making me angry and invading my space. And then it’s your fault for blaming the situation on me. I’m not part of whatever game it is you both are playing. And-”

Another howl echoed into the sky. The wolf was angry. A few more howls were heard, and Kailee walked up to the window. The wolf was staring at her from far in the distance.

There is not any more time. You have to wake up whether you are ready to or not. I’ll be seeing you soon.

Kailee watched as the wolf ran out of sight and towards the forest. She was terrified of waking up. She wasn’t sure what was waking up and what it all meant. What was going to happen to her once she woke up?

“What did he say?” Reggie asked quietly.

“Say? She can understand him?” Trey’s eyes changed as he looked at Kailee with suspicion.

“It isn’t just the wolves. She can understand that phoenix too. I know what you were thinking… I don’t think that is the case.” Reggie said quietly.

Kailee took her hand and rubbed her forehead. “Sparks knows what is going on but he won’t tell me anything. I’m so tired of secrets.” Kailee turned her head from the window and then looked over at Reggie and Trey. “He said I have to wake up whether I am ready to or not. And that he would be seeing me soon.” Kailee heard a low animalistic growl escape from Trey’s throat. It sounded different then a human sound. She glanced at him hidden behind his mask. His eyes were fixated on Reggie.

“Anything… or anyone who touches what is mine will not be shown mercy.” There was an almost menacing sound in his voice.

And Kailee didn’t know why but the sound didn’t scare her. In fact, she felt an odd excitement from hearing it.

“Why don’t you go and get cleaned up? Reggie and I need to have a little chat. And then you and I need to talk.” Trey said in a quiet voice.

“Well while you are at it you two can decide which one of you will be joining me in bed tonight. Too much flip flopping is going to cause confusion.”

Reggie chuckled. “You are digging my grave for me.”

Kailee turned to leave, she only took a few steps when Trey called out to her.

“Kailee wait.”

She turned to look at him.

“How are your wounds?”

Kailee looked at him for a moment and a small frown formed on her lips. “I… I don’t have them anymore.” She felt like she was some sort of mutant that was unheard of in this area.

“Well, that’s good to hear… on more levels than one.” Trey said with a low promise in his tone.

Kailee laughed through her nose. “I’m still mad at you.” She then turned on her heels and quickly walked away.

“Look who is in the doghouse.” Reggie chuckled.

Trey’s eyes turned dark as he looked at Reggie. “Let’s go somewhere we can talk.”