December arrived, and with it winter, though the weather outside was no different. Snow still continued to fall as though it were winter all year long. I had now been working at the manor for a month and a half, and found myself quite at home. Every afternoon at six o’clock I knocked upon Noah’s study. My time there was quite interesting. Most of the evening I flitted around, dusted shelves and polished the windows. Sometimes Noah requested that I pop into the kitchen and grab him some food. He told me to get enough for two. We didn’t talk much because Noah was always doing some serious work, scribbling notes upon parchment and flicking through heavy books. Sometimes he requested that I help him look for books on particular subjects. The study was filled from floor to ceiling with thick volumes and some topics were hard to find. I still didn’t know what he was working on, and I didn’t bother asking, assuming it was none of my business.
Noah always greeted me with a friendly smile whenever I entered the study, and I was almost always helpful in one way or another. Not to mention the rise in my pay was quite significant. I now had a nice little amount saved up. When I was confident I had enough money to spare, I decided a trip into the city during my free time was in order.
I was in the study with Noah once again, and found myself with nothing to do. Taking my chances I approached the desk where he was working. He did not look up to me as I approached but kept reading.
“Sir,” I started, unsure, “I was wondering if I could spend the rest of my time here writing a letter … to home.” I rocked on the balls of my feet nervously. Not taking his eyes from the book Noah slid some parchment across the desk towards me and nudged his ink bottle.
I grinned, “Thank you, sir.” I said as I collected the parchment, a quill, and the ink and placed myself at another working desk also littered with books.
I sat there for almost five minutes wondering what I was supposed to write to my family. A family I had left in the dead of the night. I wondered if they had gone looking for me. Surely they would have come to Frost Arch? But even if they had, I knew that they would not know where to find me. Frost Arch was large and frigid. They’d have a hard time locating me. Not to mention I didn’t leave the manor very often. Perhaps they hadn’t bothered to look for me, and stayed at home with Helena. After all they wouldn’t leave her at home alone, and she couldn’t travel with them in case she was seen. Half an hour later I had managed to write a short letter with many crossing outs and mistakes.
Im sorry.
I thought it would be better this way.
I miss you all alot.
I just want you to know that im safe.
dont bother trying to find me.
I’ve found a good job that pays decent and Im happy.
Ive even made a few friends and Ive stopped having night
mares for the time being.
I think Im starting to control my power a bit more now that Im
on my own.
I know you are all probably very mad at me
but I will come home soon one day
I wasn’t quite sure how to end it. Of course they would know who it was from.
I jumped violently in my seat as I felt a warm breath cascade down my neck.
“I’d send them my love, if I were you.” Noah’s husky voice sounded right next to my ear, alarmingly close.
I held very still. I had been so absorbed in my writing I hadn’t even noticed him cross the room and stand behind my chair.
He had read my letter over my shoulder and was now leaning down to whisper to me. His mouth was inches from my ear, and goose bumps erupted all over my body. I should have been mad that he had read my letter, but at that moment my mind was blank. I couldn’t even remember my own name anymore. I felt weak as usual when he was near, and dizzy. He smelled wonderful. His cologne drowned out all my other senses and I wasn’t even aware that my eyes had fluttered closed as he had spoken.
Noah was oblivious to my sudden incoherency but he placed his hand over mine as I held onto the quill slackly. Guiding my hand he helped me write the end to my letter, his warm breath tickling the skin on my neck. After a few seconds I opened my eyes to see what had been written upon the parchment
Lots of Love,
Avalon
I swallowed hard, electricity pulsating through my body. I was surprised Noah couldn’t feel the heat radiating from me. Surely he could hear my heart pounding at a ridiculous speed. It sounded like a humming bird.
Noah straightened himself up and I broke from my trance unwillingly. It had been quite an interesting few moments.
I kept my eyes down on the parchment, but my mouth was open slightly. Noah stepped away from me and scoured the book shelves once again. I licked my lips and folded my letter quietly, not wanting to draw attention to myself. Did he realize the stunned stupor he had left me in? It wasn’t fair.
“You may leave when you wish.” Noah said in a low voice.
I nodded and got up shakily tucking the letter into my pocket. I began walking towards the door but I chanced a peek at Noah. He was standing very still next to the bookshelf, deep in thought, his hands in his pockets and his brow furrowed.
“Sir?” my voice was small and shaky as I turned to face him.
He blinked and looked at me, “Yes?”
I took a deep, steadying breath, “Goodnight.” I had changed my mind at the last second. My face like a beetroot, I hurried from the room and almost ran all the way to the first floor.