Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve

“Clermont …” Annabelle looked intently at him. His expression gave nothing away and she wished that she could read him. He always seemed just within her grasp without actually being attainable at all. Her heart beat increased as she watched him, not sure why he was so distant. Was it because he couldn't remember his past? The whip marks on his back told her that it was and that she shouldn't pry but she wanted to know him.

“The food is getting cold.”

He sat down at the table and started eating like the conversation hadn’t happened at all. Annabelle watched him as she sat down carefully and started to eat. She didn’t really taste the food, her appetite was gone in an instant. She bit her lower lip as she concentrated on moving the spoon from the bowl to her mouth, it was no easy task because she felt an inexplicable sense of sadness overtaking her.

She ate because wasting food was the biggest sin of all. Clermont was quiet but she could see that he had no appetite as well. After a while he pushed his bowl away and linked his fingers together as he watched her. His eyes roamed over for a few seconds and she felt exposed, her soul naked as if he could see every little thing about her.

“Do you still want to go to Ingham Bay?” His question was unexpected and so sincere that it almost hurt to answer him.

Annabelle looked up at him and nodded her head. “It would be for the best, wouldn’t it? It’s not like I can stay here.”

“You are a beautiful woman Anna. You deserve a husband that will treat you the way you deserve and want to be treated.”

Annabelle's eyes searched out his. Where was that coming from? His words only confused her more because even though he treated her well his words often stung when he spoke them out loud, like he had no regard for her feelings.

“Why can’t I stay here with you?”

Clermont didn’t flinch this time or even blink, he just regarded her coolly. “If you stay here then you have two options open to you. One as a wife and one as a whore. I already told you I have no need of a woman.”

“Why are those the only two options?”

“Because an unwed woman that lives with a man is deemed a whore and it’s worse if she does it for no payment but simply because her morals are loose.”

Annabelle smiled suddenly as something occurred to her. “I could be your sister or a cousin.”

“Why do you want to stay here Anna?” Clermont looked inquisitively at her. He really wanted her to answer that question. She could see the need burning in his eyes and it was a question she didn’t really have an answer to. She had no idea why she wanted to stay with him so badly. She couldn't explain the surging feelings inside of her, only that she felt them.

“I could help you Clermont. I could help you go to Dragon Mountain. I know where it’s located. If you found your beast you could be powerful. You could become rich.”

Clermont shook his head slowly. “Why are all women obsessed with riches? You want a man to care for you, a man that can protect you but you also want a man with riches and a big estate. Why is just a man not good enough?”

“Why do you care, Clermont? You have no need of a woman.”

“But you have need of a man, don’t you, Anna?”

Annabelle sighed as Clermont watched her intently. “I think most women want a man that can make her feel secure. A man that can provide for her. Being poor isn’t an easy life, Clermont. I’ve seen how the slaves wither away and suffer from hunger. I would want a man not because he had riches or a large estate but a man that could make me feel like a woman, a man that could prove that he was worthy of my love. I want a man that is strong in his beliefs, firm in what he wants but someone that would also love me. I think most women just want to feel secure and not have to worry what they’d feed their children the next day.”

Clermont stood up from the table and was behind her so quickly that Annabelle barely had time to react. He fisted her long hair and drew his sword. Annabelle gasped loudly as he pulled her head backwards so that the nape of her neck lay across the backrest of the chair.

She was so afraid that she couldn’t speak. Was he going to slit her throat, right here in the kitchen? She had no idea why he was doing this and she clenched her eyes closed as he raised his sword. Her heart was beating a crescendo against her ribs when she suddenly felt Clermont’s mouth close to her ear.

“Are you afraid of me, Anna?”

She shook her head slightly. “No, Clermont, for some strange reason I trust you.”

His hand relaxed around her hair and his fingers caressed the back of her neck. Annabelle felt goosebumps and a delicious shiver went through her. “Good. I’m not a man that would hurt you. If you’re going to stay …”

“I can stay?”

“For now, woman.”

Annabelle smiled as she twisted in the chair to fully take him in. “You’re an enigma, Clermont. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Anna.”

“Dragon Mountain is real, Clermont. I know you don’t believe me, but it exists. I believe the dragons have retreated because man was cruel but I just know that you have one out there, one that would bow to your commands and bond with you.”

Clermont looked at her for a long time. She couldn’t read the emotions in his eyes or the strange expression on his face. She had no idea what was going through his mind and she really wished that she did.

“Tomorrow I’ll find you the root of the Crow Tree. It will change the colour of your hair.” Clermont walked towards the doorway and stopped. He turned slowly to face her with what looked like another attempt at a smile. “Clean the kitchen, woman.”

For the first time in her life, Annabelle cleaned with a smile on her face. She finally had a home, well sort of. Clermont had saved her twice now, he fed her and clothed her and because of that she’d help him get to Dragon Mountain.

She just knew that dragons still lurked there and if Clermont could tame one, he’d be unstoppable. He could destroy entire armies in a matter of minutes if he had a dragon. Clermont would be able to right so many wrongs.

He hadn’t said anything about her story about the dragons. She feared that maybe he didn’t believe her, but if he thought she was mad, then he wouldn’t have let her stay. She finished up in the kitchen and found Clermont sprawled out on the bed, already snoring.

Watching Clermont had a need deep inside her come to life. She had no idea what it was that drew her to him. Some days he seemed sullen and other days he spoke more than two words to her. For some reason she had started to see this cabin as home, she was seeing Clermont as home.

It was a dangerous thing to think but Clermont hadn’t pushed her away. She was developing feelings for a man that hardly spoke to her, called her a whore and had touched her in the bathing pool with such self-assuredness that she’d wanted him to do more.

Annabelle slowly took her breeches off and slid into the bed next to Clermont. His fingertips grazed her arm and she shuddered. There was only one explanation, only one truth that made sense, but could it really be?

The stories of old told that people had fated mates, that there was someone perfect for everyone. Your fated mate would awaken the deepest part of your soul, you’d feel wanton and wanted, beautiful and alive.

Your fated mate would have eyes for you only, love only you and that your happiness was in the hands of your mate. You’d be stronger, faster, healthier and happier. To be with your fated mate was a destiny so divine that nobody could deny it.

Unfortunately, fated mates were as rare as dragons were. She hadn’t actually known anyone that had met their fated mate. She feared it was a myth, a story told by romantics and she sighed as she wondered what was going on with her.

Why did Clermont keep her around if they weren’t fated mates? Would he laugh at her as he had about her story about the dragons? She had no idea what to think anymore but she knew for certain that Clermont’s touch ignited her.