Ravenwood(69)
Caleb stepped closer to her, seemingly unconcerned with his nudity and clasped her fingers with his own. “Yes. I am.
“Should I.. ? That is… Is it customary for women… I mean the women you know… not that I want to know about women you know. I mean other than women you know socially. Not that I want to speak about them either right now, but-“
He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers, and she stopped rambling. She took a deep breath, Caleb looking her in the eyes the entire time and then she blurted, “Am I supposed to undress now?”
He raised his eyebrows in amusement, but she didn’t feel as though he was laughing at her, only that he found her question charming. “Do you want to get undressed?”
Elinore glanced over at the bed and then back at Caleb and her eyes darted down his body again and then rushed back up. “I don’t know,” she said honestly.
“How about, you leave your gown on for now and you can change your mind later if you like.”
Although she knew she didn’t expressly need his permission, she felt infinitely grateful at the choice. “All right.”
His bed was tall and she had to climb into it as though she were a child getting onto a too large piece of furniture. Elinore felt clumsy and awkward, but she managed - feeling surprised when Caleb slid into bed behind her and pulled her close. He brought her against his chest and it was so many things at once. As she curled into him, she ran her fingertips over his chest. It was warm and soft, but also muscular and pleasantly hairy. She realized horrifically she was petting him and snatched her fingers back. She glanced up to see him staring down at her with an amused expression on his face, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I don’t mind. It was quite nice.” He smiled showing his teeth and for a moment, she was transfixed at the sight of them - straight and blunt. She ran her tongue over her own teeth and had the same odd sensation she’d had the other day, when she’d stood on the lawn and felt as though her limbs were out of proportion. She felt as though she should feel her teeth long and sharp, instead of short and dull.
Caleb’s arm tightened around her, rocking her closer to him and he made a low content sound, like a hum. Elinore dropped her head against his chest and marveled at the clear, steady sound of his heart. Its rhythm lulled her into a languid state and she felt herself drift to sleep.
Chapter Fourteen
When Elinore opened her eyes, she was in the forest of her dreams. It was night, as always. The moon up above matched that in the waking world - waxing, not yet at a full crescent. It cast down enough light for Elinore to see by. The familiar raven was already on her shoulder, shifting its weight back and forth, its talons digging into her skin. It didn’t disturb or distress her. She was quite happy with its familiar and solid weight. She cast her eyes around, searching for the white wolf. In previous dreams, the she-wolf had always been waiting for her. Elinore walked quietly through the woods, pushing branches and foliage away as she moved. She came upon a set of wrought iron gates set between two large tree trunks and she stared up at them, tipping her neck up to the sky. They loomed impossibly tall and large. She crept forward and recognized the Ravenwood crest upon them. She reached out and trailed her fingers over the Latin motto that ribboned across the bottom. The raven leaned its beak closer to her ear and suddenly, she could understand the raven’s whisperings. It was no longer senseless chatter, but clear words.
To Call The Wolf Is To Call The Pack
Elinore ran her fingers over the cold steel words, mouthing them in English as her fingers read the script in Latin. The motto of Ravenwood. She whispered the words out loud, “To Call the Wolf Is To Call The Pack.”
Unlike the horrid creak and groan of their earthly twins, the gates opened soundlessly. Elinore moved through them, feeling them close behind her - a way back forever barred. In front of her, through trees and greenery, Elinore saw a flash of white fur. Her heart beat with happiness and the raven’s talons dug deeper into her skin. Elinore broke through the trees and stopped short. The white wolf was not alone.
Next to her, on the ground, curled against her side, was the black wolf. He lazily opened his eyes when Elinore crashed through the brush, his tail swishing back and forth, like a happy dog. Elinore smiled at him, her heart full. The white wolf sat up and preened, pleased with her companion, as though he were some sort of trophy caught in the wild. The raven flitted from her shoulder and flew to the sky where it joined its flock; an unkindness of ravens.
“You’re back,” Elinore said aloud, speaking to the black wolf. His tail curled around that of the white wolf, his black fur a stark contrast to the shining glow of the white wolf’s pelt.
Elinore’s happiness was short -ived. The discordant howl of the feral wolf cut through the night and she curled inward, protecting herself. The white wolf was alert, peering into the forest, lips curling back from her teeth with a snarl. The black wolf’s ears twitched, but he didn’t move - not as concerned as the white wolf.
“It’s him. The feral wolf,” Elinore said, as if the black wolf only needed reminding. His tail swished back and forth, his ears moving as though he heard her, but was unsure what her words meant.
The white wolf padded closer to the forest, growling low in her chest into the darkness.