A grin broke across Jack’s face, and I was relieved that he didn’t seem mad at me. “Can I mend it?” He chortled under his breath.
A very strange sensation occurred then. It felt as though water was trickling across my ribs. A moment later and I realised that the pain had vanished.
“Hm.” Jack raised an eyebrow, “Most people complain that the healing burns.”
I sat up straight now, “Just felt weird, like water solidifying into a crust.”
“Like hot wax?”
“Minus the hot part.”
“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.