Page 67 of Red Fire

The colonel clears his throat. “The plane to the Mainland left this morning, which means that the next flight is only in a week’s time,” he adds. “Are you sure you want to stay with the male for a whole week? You’d be much more comfortable staying here at the castle.”

“Still telling me how I will feel. It doesn’t seem like you’ve learned anything from this exchange. I will stay with Creed. He will need me to look after him. I mean, look at him.” I point at Creed, who, for all intents and purposes, is standing tall. Even beaten and bruised, he is formidable.

“Suit yourself. Both the human and the male are free to go.” He puts down the whip and walks out.

Creed takes my hand. “Let’s go.”

Better words have never been spoken.

24

Octavia

We get out of the SUV.

One of the guards told us that he would give us a ride. I watch as the car pulls away, headed back to the castle.

Creed is on the walkway of a beautiful house. He is staring at it in a way that tells me that this is his home. That he hasn’t seen it in a long time.

“Wow!” I whisper. “You built this?” My voice is full of wonder.

“Yep,” Creed says; his eyes are a little hazy. He has the start of a smile on his face. He looks…happy to be home, which makes me glad. Maybe this whole ordeal wasn’t for nothing after all. I don’t think Creed ever planned on coming back here. He was going to drop me off and run back to the jungle to repent for something he already paid for. Maybe it was because he knew his own people would treat him so badly.

I shake off the anger that wells up in me all over again, just thinking about it and ask, “With your own two hands?” I already know the answer but looking at the house makes me falter.

He chuckles. “My brother helped out here and there, but I did most of the work. It took me a long time.”

I notice that he’s frowning. He looks confused.

“What is it?”

“The garden is… Someone’s been tending to the garden, that’s all. I guess I wasn’t expecting it.”

The lawn is cut. There are trimmed hedges and flower beds overflowing with blooming roses and lavender. The garden suits the cottage-style home with its high-pitched roof and stucco walls. It’s beautiful. Modern but with more classical touches. It’s immaculate. Not like it’s been standing for three years.

“Let’s go inside.” He touches my lower back, eyes still on the house.

We walk down a paved pathway to a big, oval oak door. There is a round window in it. Like the rest of what I have seen, it is beautiful.

Creed feels along the top of a beam at the entrance, taking down a key, which he uses to open the door. I’m expecting dust and grime, but the house is clean and neat. I glance around the entryway as I walk inside, taking in the polished wooden floors and the cozy sitting area with a plush couch and armchair. It smells like lemon with hints of lavender.

“I don’t get it,” Creed says, sounding shocked.

I look his way, and sure enough, his forehead is furrowed.

“It’s clean and neat. It shouldn’t look like this,” he says. “Not after three years. I was worried about everything being an overgrown, dusty mess.”

“Maybe your family has been looking after the place,” I tell him. “They must be.” I shrug.

“You’re right.” He nods. “It makes me feel like shit. All this effort for…”

“For someone they love. If someone cares about you, it isn’t effort, Creed. They’ve been praying for your safe return. This isproof of that. You are loved and wanted. You made a mistake. They know that; they know you.”

He pulls in a deep breath and then smiles at me. “You’re right.” Then he nods a few times, looking around, his eyes bright. I note that most of the swelling on his face is already gone. Wow! These shifters and their healing ability. It’s amazing.

We walk deeper into the house, past the dining room, to the open-plan kitchen. It’s ultra-modern, with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. There’s a large island in the center with high stools lined up against it.

Creed goes over to the refrigerator and opens it. “Whoever has been taking care of the place wasn’t expecting me.” He leans over and flicks a switch behind the refrigerator. Then he opens a cupboard. “There’s no food. I can’t even offer you so much as a coffee.”