Terrible Accident

[Lovely]

December 9, 2009
4 p.m.
Onmadia


He shivered with the anticipation, his breath steaming out lightly around his covered hands as he blew through the cloth gloves to warm them. He watched the road intently, seeing the long narrow stretch that ran straight, only to bend a few feet from where he stood into the darkness of the thick trees. Nothing appeared yet, but he suddenly pushed away from the tree, motioning to two figures, one on either side of the road, to converge behind him. He took a few steps to stand in the road's center, staring down the length of moonlit white. Shortly, the rattling carriage could be heard clearly, the wheels turning through wet ground and snow. Behind him the sound of growling dogs trembled and he smiled, standing with his hands folded in front of him in the carriage's path.

Tulliah had not slept well and had spent days walking around her house sulking after she'd been given the 'happy' news that she was to be wed to a wealthy nobleman. The marriage would benefit her father's estate and her family, but the man she was to marry was much older and not at all attractive or exciting.. he wasn't even interesting and on top of that he was her own uncle. Tulliah was quite disgusted and disturbed at the prospect but father had insisted and of course she obeyed his wishes. It was a long and lonely ride to her uncle's estate and she did not look forward to it being over. She was currently considering throwing herself out of the carriage, her heart heavy and sad, when she heard muffled voices and the slowing of the horses. Her three guards had not hardly spoken to her since they'd come to fetch her and she was familiar with the voices outside and how they sounded through the heavy curtains that seemed to hold her prisoner within.

The man at the lead, slowed his horse as they came closer to the one standing in the road. He called out a sharp "Step aside." and was prepared to pass by once the road was clear.

"So kind of you to stop," grinned the man in the road, his hands still folded before himself. He made no motion to either side and the road was too narrow to pass him without risking having a wheel getting lodged in the mud and grass. "There's been a terrible accident," he began to explain.

The guard considered running him down, but pulled to a stop, looking quite displeased and as if he did not care if there had been an accident. It simply wasn't his concern, he had a delivery to make and a handsome purse to collect for bringing the girl safely to the estate. "An accident?" He'd fake interest to get the man to move..

Tully heard another voice and she shifted on the bench within the carriage, reaching to move the curtian just a tiny bit so she could sneak a peek out at what was happening, not that she was able to see much from inside.

"Terrible accident, sir. Bloody awful," he said, not giving much to the description yet and not moving still. "The entire traveling party, sir. Killed. I was wondering if we could get your help."

"I am sorry." He wasn't at all and his face showed no remorse as he glanced out at the road ahead of them. He saw no tracks, at least not ones following the same path he'd taken, perhaps they'd come from the other direction. "We can send help back from the village, if you need it. We are on a most important errand and can not delay." His eyes scanned ahead again and he gripped the reins more tightly.

The curtain rustled as Tully listened to the voices and gasped in shock at how the guard was so uncaring to another traveller in need. The door of the carriage creaked open and she leaned out, her mouth turned down in a slight pout but her eyes bright with her anger. "Of course we will assist you. Are you injured?" One hand held the door as she began to climb out of the carriage, much to the first guard's dismay.

He shoved at the second guard who started to scramble back to help the young woman, while the first glared at the man in the road. "M'lady.. I advise against this." He nearly spat the words over his shoulder and were the man not there to witness it, he'd have taken her in hand and taught her a lesson about 'over-riding' his decisions.

[Lovely]

"All but her," he said under his breath. The growling behind him stopped in acknowledgement and the man in the road smiled again, taking a single step toward the carriage. He stopped but the flurry of movement erupted from behind him, large dogs -wolves!- launched at the party from either side of the road with blade-brandishing men, three behind each wolf, following in pursuit not of killing the animals, but to attack the driver and the guards. "I'd advise against it too, m'lord... not that you'd give a rat's hind leg... just have to settle for giving your own, I'm afraid."

Her guards were few and would be no match for the wolves and men, as they were greatly out numbered. Tully was shoved with a rough hand to her stomach, nearly doubling her over as the guard who'd come to help her down now attempted to get her back into the carriage as he turned to defend against the attack. Instead of going into the carriage, she was knocked from the step to the ground, her dress ripped as her shoulder hit and was cut by a sharp edge of... something. It might have been a blade or teeth or a piece of the carriage, she didn't have time to consider what caused the sting as she struggled with her cloak and crawled under the carriage in hopes of being out of reach of the attackers, at least temporarily.

In a breath, the man in the road finally moved, not to help her guards but to pull her from under the carriage and away from the melee. His own eyes were darkly shining like those on the sharp and snarling faces of the wolves that ripped apart the man who'd spoken harshly to her, and the driver who'd only gotten as far as standing to come down off the coach before he was knock down and bitten harshly across his throat, leaving him gasping for a merciful blow. The blow came swiftly as a blade finished him off and the attacker started to climb up to pull off casks and chests of belongings, throwing them with ease on his own to the waiting hands of two others below. The remaining three were carrying off the remains of the men who guarded the girl. "All in a day's work. Scream if you want to," he smiled, seeming to find this gruesome exchange a bit of play and merriment.

Tully lifted her head to stare at the man who pulled her from under the carriage and taunted her at the same time. The eyes that stared at him were wide and clearly frightened but she didn't scream, clamping her mouth shut and refusing to give him the satisfaction of hearing her voice the terror of seeing the blood soaked snow and hearing the carnage that had taken place. She turned her head slightly to the side, her heart racing and her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths as she waited for him to kill her as they had her guards.

"Well how about a 'thank you' at least, m'lady? Saved you from the boys. Mostly. Hope you're hungry since you'll be joining us for supper," he said, mildly dismayed that she didn't scream and didn't seem to fight him as if wanting to be killed. His expression flashed that confusion and he leaned in closer to her neck. The air fogged around their faces as he took the deep breath beside her shoulder. "You hide it well. That's good. I don't like screaming so much anyway. It hurts my ears. Come now. Get up and come with me for a little walk, now."

He didn't kill her or even attempt to, though he did seem to tease her some with his comments as if he was a bit amused by all this. For a moment she could not find her voice but her gaze turned back to him and she got herself upright though she was trembling from the cold, fear, and the pain in her shoulder. "Th-thank you." She managed and took in a deep breath of her own, wrapping her arms and cloak tightly around her, the blood from the cut on her shoulder was seeping into the cloth and leaving a dark stain in both her dress and the cloak.

[Lovely]

"Mmm... that's nice," he nodded, pleased with the turn of her words and the stutter that seemed to be less full of fear and tainted more now with pain, if the blood on her shoulder told him correctly about the depth of the scratch and how soon it would need tending. "I did tell him it was a terrible accident," he defended to her as he helped steady her on her feet. "Only you believed me. Hmm. I suppose someone will be looking for them before too long, though. They'll at least be looking for you. Where were they taking you?"

His first comment of 'that's nice' left her wondering what he meant by it and what he was thinking or planning for her. Her head nodded slightly to what he'd told her less than caring guard, she understood that this was the accident he'd meant when speaking to the guard, of course at the time it was said she hadn't known that. "You did.." Her voice was found though soft and her confusion evident in her gaze which darted from the man back toward the carriage and the road ahead before returning to him. "With the snow it may take longer for them to wonder why we have not arrived.." She couldn't hold the man's gaze, even though he was a stranger, as she cringed slightly in answering where they'd been taking her. For a moment her mouth started to form the words to say her uncle and then her betrothed, but she couldn't bring herself to say either and her gaze lowered to the crimson stained snow. "To Lord Ashmoore's estate." She named the man as if she hardly knew him, though at one time she'd thought very kindly toward him... as her uncle.

He frowned as she fought with the words that were clearly bitter in her mouth. "You don't like him much, do you? Haven't found much about him that I like, either. He hunts too much," he said, pondering something relatively kind to say about his own distaste for the man of whom he was also clearly not fond. "It will be at least a day before they even begin to look. Many become lost in these woods."

"I used to like him." She answered quietly and for that moment she was filled with such sadness, it even shimmered in her eyes with tears she blinked away with a strength and stubbornness that had kept her from screaming during the attack or when she'd been pulled from beneath the carriage. When the stranger spoke of people getting lost in the woods, it was as if a tiny light flickered inside of her and her attention was drawn back to him, she almost smiled. Her gaze skittered away and to the trees alongside the road, wondering if she too could be lost. "Are they ever found?"

He chuckled. "Not if I say they won't," he confided proudly, but quietly. "Honestly, I don't think I want them to find you. Differently lost than the others, mind you," he sighed, looking out to road for signs of his men and the wolves. "They might be a while. I'm not waiting for them. They know the way home. Not to worry. Anything of yours you wanted from those chests and crates will be there."

"I don't think I want to be found.. if that makes any difference." Tully followed his gaze though she wasn't sure what he was looking for, her eyes left the scenery and roamed over his profile, wondering about a man who could be so vicious as to kill or have all of her guards killed, yet acted kindly toward her. Was it because she'd shown kindness toward him in insisting they help him, or was there some other reason? "What of the horses?" She asked with concern in her tone, worried that they'd be left hooked to the carriage in this cold and with the dark grey clouds threatening more snow.

"They'll be stabled and watered when the boys are done. We're not barbarians, leaving animals out here to fend alone," he said, scoffing at the suggestion that he'd leave them to come to harm. He smiled, not truly offended. He was concerned however how long the others might take as they enjoyed their treats back in the woods. "Unless you prefer to ride instead of walk, we can take them now."

Her eyes cast down and the set of her mouth in a slight frown, showed that she had been properly chastised for her words, though her head shook slightly as she tried to offer an apology. "I beg your pardon. I didn't mean to imply that you were.. I have never been in such a situation before and with the others gone and us about to depart as well.. I apologise." She chanced to glance up at him as she spoke, catching sight of the smile and finding herself searching his face for sign that he was cross with her, it didn't seem that he was. "You aren't worried that I would try to ride off, if on horseback?"

[Lovely]

"Not if I talk to your horse first and tell him where he's supposed to take you," he shrugged slightly, starting toward the two large animals that seemed nervous of him but did not try to bolt away. "Believe me, he'll listen. I'm sure he'll be grateful to be out of his harnesses, regardless. Never did like coaches."

She stayed where she was for a moment, staring after him as he moved toward the horses. "Talk to him.. Oh.. I see.." She didn't really understand it but after seeing the wolves only attack her guards and not his men, him, or her, she figured there had to be some reason behind it. Perhaps he was some kind of cleric who had control over and could speak with animals? Others in her position might not have been so calm and may have tried to run if given the chance, such as now while his back was turned, but Tully followed after him rather than running from him. She stumbled a step or two in the snow and the soft muddy ground beneath it, grasping at her skirts to pull them up away from her slippers. She winced at the pain in her shoulder with her movements and the damp cloth rubbing against the
cut, yet she made no fuss or even comment about it as she approached him.

She would hear him chuckle over his shoulder. She didn't run from him now, so why would he fear her riding away? "Haven't you ever spoken to your horse?" He reached up to unfasten the harnesses, allowing the stallions to move away from the coach that rocked and tipped with their sudden freedom. It rolled backward into its ruts, catching the lip of a deep grove too suddenly, snapping the wheel sideways against its axle and sending the entire coach over onto its side. The door she'd been shoved in and out of snapped free underneath. He shrugged, motioning to the perfectly staged accident. "There. You see? An accident, a bloody trail, and nowhere... was the lovely lady to be found," he said, turning back toward her as one of the stallions trotted in a circle and came up beside her, ready to carry her. "He's ready if you are. He likes the sound of your voice, by the way."

"Well.. yes, but I never expected he'd actually listen to me." She commented quietly, smiling a little as she found his chuckle to be a pleasant sound but the smile faded as the carriage tipped and parts of it broke. She thought of how she'd considered throwing herself from it and how much it might have hurt to be caught under it as it toppled. Standing here, closer to this stranger she didn't feel as indifferent to the situation or as welcoming to her own demise... how strange. Her gaze drifted to him for a moment and she smiled shyly at what he told her about the horse who came up beside her now. "He does? How sweet.." She reached her hand to the stallion's neck, stroking her palm down toward his shoulder. "How do you know that he does?"

"He told me. He'd have told you, but didn't think you'd listen to him, hm?" The man seemed in good spirits despite the strange events and the cold he seemed not to notice now. The horse responded to the brush on his neck and the man's gaze seemed to sharpen a little, almost like a glimmer of jealousy. "See? He'll take you anywhere you like, but he's been told to follow me for now... if he knows what's good for him, and believe me he does. He doesn't like the smell of that cut. Horses... they always fret so much, don't they?"

"Of course I'd listen.. I just don't understand him the way you can.." She glanced at the man, he seemed in a pleasant mood and it made her relax a bit more in his company, pulling her out of her despair a little more as well. "The cut.. ah well I don't particularly like how it feels.. but don't you worry sweetheart." She turned the say the last directly to the horse, letting her cheek rest lightly against him as she stroked his neck again. "Speaking of.. my shoulder.. would you mind helping me up?" She brought her head up and turned to look at the man with a small smile, something shone in his gaze and made her wonder what he was thinking of her attention to the animal.

[Lovely]

"You heard the lady," he said to the stallion, coming to her aide to help her balance as the horse knelt down for her. His gloved hand was outstretched for her to grasp hold of as well to help her climb up. "Speaking of your shoulder, it will be mended. All the more reason not to ride away and risk it getting worse. I don't bite the people I like, so don't worry."

Her smile curved up more noticably and it even touched her eyes as she stared at the man for a moment before reaching to take his hand. Did this mean he liked her? And why did the thought that he did, make her feel a joy she'd thought was gone from her existance? "Thank you." Her jaw set a bit as she climbed onto the horse's back, being detached had it's upside, one being that she hadn't really noticed the pain as much as she did now that she was drawn slowly from the place she'd retreated to within herself. "I don't know how I can repay you.." She had nothing with her but the belongings his men had taken from the carriage and how could she repay him with something they already had?

"For ridding you of them? I don't ask you to repay me for that," he said, although he realized she'd meant her being spared by him, not for the rapid dispatch of her guardians. The other horse readied itself for him once she was steadied on hers and he muttered something to its ear as he patted along its neck. The horse shivered and shook its mane as of the very words tickled him. A snort of steam flowed out from both animals, showing the air growing quickly colder as the evening wore on. "They promise not to go too fast and jolt your arm."

Her mouth opened to tell him that she'd not meant what had happened to the guards, despite her feelings about going to her uncle's, being wed to him, or the fact that the guards were unkind, she had not wished them to be slaughtered. Tully closed her mouth again and simply smiled politely with a slight nod to acknowledge what he'd said. She watched him and the horses, how it all seemed so natural, so normal for him and how he didn't appear the least bit bothered by anything that had happened. It was too much for her to think about but her mind wasn't going to stop trying to make sense of things and what else was there for her to do but think? "Unless they plan to tip toe, my arm will be jostled.. please don't go slower on my account."

"They'll go slow as far as I'm concerned, but not on your account. Close to the road, anyway, I don't want anyone hearing a steady gallop... just in case. If you don't want them to find you, it's best to leave a different sort of trail, not one that's going to make them think you were taken hostage," he explained.

Tully nodded, her teeth catching her lower lip as she regarded the man who was helping her disappear as she considered his words. "I will trust your judgement on this as I have never tried to be lost before... Am I being taken hostage?" She had been willing to go with him but that didn't mean his intent wasn't to keep her captive if she didn't want to stay wherever he took her.

"Only if you want to be bound and hidden in a dark corner waiting for someone to rescue you. Otherwise... well, I'd say you're being rescued already," he considered, tugging the reins gently on his horse to turn him toward the deep woods where the others had disappeared.

Her horse followed him on it's own with little more than a nudge from her. "I can do without being bound or kept in a dark corner... Rescued by a handsome stranger is much better than my original destination." She smiled at him though her cheeks warmed against the chilly air with a light blush for so boldly telling him she found him good looking.

[Lovely]

"You'll have to settle for me instead," he said over his shoulder. His voice held the same smile as he spoke. "If I see any handsome strangers, I might have to rescue you again."

"I was talking about you." She whispered to herself, letting her horse set the pace and follow him as she had no idea where they were going or what sort of trail he wanted to leave. "I'd appreciate that, thank you." She spoke louder for him to hear her, unaware that he could likely hear her whisper just as well. "How could I possibly repay you if you keep rescuing me? I may have to promise you my firstborn.. though it might be difficult to accomplish as I've been lost to a terrible accident."

"About me? Huh," he mused to himself, fully aware of what she'd said though he whispered to himself and turned to speak over his shoulder again, gesturing to the other horse to come up alongside him instead. "Would he be attending your wedding? Perhaps we can get news to him that his mother isn't as lost as all that? Or are we speaking of a firstborn not yet arrived?" He was considering holding her to that promise which he found strange to be considering at all.

Her eyes widened slightly and blush made her cheeks hotly tainted with red, she looked to Mitch as her horse kept pace beside his and stammered for a moment before being able to clearly answer the question. "I am not married.. I've never.. I don't.. one.. not yet born.. of course." Her gaze shifted to stare straight ahead for a moment as she attempted to regain her composure and hide how flustered she was by his asking and by the thoughts it provoked.

"Of course," he chuckled, confirming in that moment she was indeed human with normal human ways as far as he could discern. He dug in a little to speed his horse a little and hurry them back. Her scent, changed with the innocent embarrassment was entirely too sweet to bear for long. "I spoke without thinking. Of course one who has not yet seen the light of the moons."

"It's alright.. I'm not very offended.. a little.. embarrassed to discuss such things but I am aware there are those who make such choices. You don't know me well enough to have assumed what choices I have made." She was flustered still but calm and handled his apology with grace and warmth, holding no anger toward him for voicing it or implying she'd done such things. "I suppose I invited it with my own comments." She bit at her lower lip, in both a shy expression and then harder as their pace picked up and her shoulder was jarred more. The pain helped to distract her slightly from her thoughts about Mitch and her attraction to the handsome bandit, though it would still enrich her scent.

He could sense the pain and the curiosity both as they sped up though not enough to gallop. "I'm sorry," he said loudly over the trotting hooves. "In the sense of time, a little more pain for a little more rest seemed the thing to do, m'lady. Only a short distance more." Surely as he'd said it, it wasn't more than another two minutes at this pace that he slowed and beckoned her mount to slow as well. Nestled in the trees was a darker area, the mouth of a cave well hidden and waiting for them. A couple of the chests the others had brought were waiting just inside the opening as if welcoming her to a new home.

She nodded to his apology though she wasn't sure if he'd know or see it as they rode, she feared trying to speak would reveal the pain in her voice and she did not wish to make him feel bad as he was only trying to help and she understood that. She breathed a sigh of relief with a slight whimper when they slowed unaware he might hear it even with the sound of the horses hooves to mask it. Her gaze drifted to the cave they approached and this time the gasp was louder as she saw some of her chests already there. How could the men have gotten here before them? They'd been on foot while she and Mitch rode.. there was no hiding her surprise as she glanced to her escort again.

[Lovely]

"All will be explained, m'lady," he said, gliding down from the mount and patting the steed on the neck gently. He didn't tether the animal though he seemed content to stay near the entrance. Mitch came around to help her down. "If it's easier to fall, I'll catch you," he said, holding his arms out. He was curious why the chests were still outside and wondered what was distracting the others from their work.

"Thank you." Tully replied to his promise that things would be explained and she even offered a small smile that remained as she saw him dismount, he was quite interesting to watch.. beautiful even. She was unable to respond for a moment as he stood holding his arms out for her, the way he'd spoken those words made her think something far different from help to dismount and the answer that echoed in her mind surprised her. Yes, it would be so easy to fall. Her tongue ran over her lips and she felt her cheeks warm again though this time the blush was light. "If I fall I might get hurt.. even if you catch me." She shifted to come down off the horse, letting him help her as much as he wanted to, it gave her more of a chance to admire him up close.

"I won't let you get hurt. Trust me?" He asked her as if challenging her to let herself get tangled in his arms. He noted the scents and smiled a little wider as she slid off the horse that cooperated again by staying quite still. He would seem to her to be even more at ease than before at the scene of their attack. The moonlight swirled in his eyes as he held her. "I believe I have caught you, but what to do with you now, hm?" He winked as he grinned. He knew exactly and watched for the blush to deepen in her cheeks. "First we tend to your arm."

She already trusted him quite a bit and they both knew it, at his dare she let herself gently fall and found his arms around her. Captivated by his eyes that she couldn't pull her gaze away from, even as she blushed due to his words, her thoughts going to some improper places and wishing he'd kiss her! What was it about this man that entranced her so easily, that drew her closer with every dare and tease? She could safely say she'd never met anyone like him or felt like this toward any man she'd met, even the ones who had courted her before the marriage was arranged. "My arm.. yes, thank you." She smiled softly, not wanting him to let go of her, her hands gently resting against his chest - he was warm and quite inviting.

He resisted for now, though it may have been the hardest task he'd done in some time and she would note the hesitation. Something about the cave and the scents around them distracted him further. Enticement, curiosity... not his or the woman's in his arms... drew his attention to the cave. He set her down to her feet ever so gently as if setting down a small cat before a bowl of cream. Even as he stood before her, he seemed as drawn as she was, though listening to the sounds of the woods around them. He turned toward the cave. "Let's take a look at your arm. There's something else I may need to take care of soon in there," he said.

Her eyes searched over his features as she sensed something in him though she wasn't sure what exactly it was. Did he want to kiss her or was that wishful thinking on her part? She felt the ground under her feet and could feel his strength in how easily he shifted her weight, she also noted how gentle he was with her. It was strange to notice these things and then consider how they'd come to meet and the vicious attack on her guards, they were so opposite of one another. Tully almost shook her head at her own thoughts but managed not to and turned toward the caves as Mitch did, wondering what he meant by his last comment and if she should worry. "Alright." She replied quietly, giving a slight smile and doing her best not to be skittish.

[Lovely]

"You're scared now," he said, making note of it out loud. He stopped and reached out his hand. "This is where I live. I'm not in the habit of having anything bad happen around my bedside. It makes me cranky and I can't sleep," he chuckled, hoping to put her at ease. He wondered if she might balk at him pointing out what he could sense off of her.

Tully stared at him for a moment before she gave a small nod and reached to clasp his hand gently in hers. "Wouldn't you be scared if you were me? So much has happened in such a short time.. I'm here with you and I don't even know your name.. yes, I'm a little scared." She said the last more softly, trying to let him know he wasn't scaring her at the moment but the situation was frightening. His men had killed her guards and she wasn't entirely sure why she had not been.

"I'm glad I'm not you. I look terrible in skirts... too hairy," he said, almost laughing now. His sister would surely hear him and had better be behaving if she wasn't already. "Don't be scared. I'm the only mean thing around here and we're getting along alright, aren't we? There now... not so bad, huh? Do.. do you remember if any of your chests had some good wine in them? I think we should have some and have ourselves a wake.. in honor of your passing," he said, stopping at the entrance and the threshold symbolizing such passage from the life she'd once known.

Tully laughed softly at his comment about the skirts, for a moment picturing him in one of her dresses. She pulled her lower lip in to contain the laugh a bit as her eyes sparkled with amusement. That joy was short lived as he brought up passing and the seriousness of the situation, the smile faded and she nodded a bit. "I believe there was wine.. I don't really know what was packed or sent with me. I was far too distressed to care what they sent and had no part of the preparations." Perhaps her expression was enough to convey that she'd been punished for that without her having to say it. Her gaze shifted as movement caught her eye and she saw a young woman hurrying toward them.

Cady had been eager to find out more of what had happened with Mitch and the mysterious woman he'd spared but Wink had brought her something to eat, distracting her for long enough to consume her meal. With her face wiped clean and in her womanly form, she now rushed toward where Mitch stood near the cave entrance. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks slightly flushed, Mitch would smell the blood on her breath but Tully wouldn't. "Ohhh!" She nearly bounced in place once she came up beside Mitch, her hand tugging at his sleeve a bit as she had done when she was a little girl wanting him to wait up so she could follow him or to share some treat he'd found. "It's.. she's another girl! You spared her? You really did.. Are we keeping her?" The questions came in a rush of enthusiasm and it was clear she hoped there was going to be another girl among them.

"She has very keen eyesight," Mitch explained apologetically as the girl came up and stood nearly eye-to-eye with him though far more animated than he was. "Cadence... Cady... put your manners on and welcome our guest inside," he said, nudging back against her tug on his arm. He chuckled, but gave his sister a cross look. "Perhaps there might be some kind of snacks we can put out for -her-, hm? You didn't go digging through her things, by chance, did you?"

Cady pouted a bit, looking at Mitch and making the expression more pronounced for him being a big meanie to her, she still played with his sleeve a little. "I didn't dig.. one of the locks broke on one and I may have peeked a tiny bit but I didn't go opening anything up. We were waiting for you." She hoped he wouldn't be mad at her innocent curiosity to have peeked when a lock broke. She turned to Tully with a warm smile and reached her hands out toward the other girl. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. I'm just excited to have the company of another girl.. It's like having a ton of brothers.. when one is more than enough sometimes." She shifted her gaze pointedly at Mitch, almost sticking her tongue out at him and he'd probably see the michievious glimmer in her eyes.

At first Tully felt a twinge of jealousy for how the girl acted toward Mitch, fearing she was his wife. Tully was relieved to find that Cady was merely his sister and was able to return the girl's warm smile with one of her own. "It's a pleasure to meet you Cady. I'm Tulliah..." She found the girl had the same sort of warmth as Mitch did, she already liked her and they'd only just met. "Perhaps now you'll tell me your name?" She smiled and looked to Mitch, one eyebrow arching up as he'd scolded Cady for her manners but had yet to introduce himself.

[Lovely]

"Perhaps," he teased back, a slight wash of embarrassment peeking out momentarily. "It seems it slipped my mind. Mitchell.. just Mitch'll do, and this is my sister, Cadence," he said, emphasizing the formal name as if poking her back. That there behind her is Wink. Just Wink'll do for him. Wink come on out here and get her things before they're snowed on. Feel another storm coming."

Wink heard his name and checked around him to be sure things were picked up as they should be and the bones hidden away. It wouldn't do to welcome her in to see a pile of scraps. He came up behind Cady with a nod but nothing much to say as he pulled up one of the crates at the door and turned for them to follow him in.

Behind Tullia was another sound as another crate was set down. "Don't forget this one when you're done," said the porter carrying it, his own clothing stained all over from the fight. Tullia would recognize him as the one pulling the driver from the top of the carriage.

"Cady." She corrected Mitch with a slight tilt of her chin and a hmph. "Which she already knows 'cause you already told her." Her breath caught as he mentioned Wink and she turned to see the one she adored coming up to get the crate. She swore sometimes she'd just burst if they weren't allowed to be together - soon! She knew her feelings couldn't be a secret to Mitch, he had to know by now that she was completely in love with his second in command. Her gaze followed Wink for just a moment before she pulled it away and focused on Tully again.

"Mitch." She smiled warmly, glad to have a name to go along with the face she was starting to like very much. She chuckled at the way Cady and Mitch teased at each other, it made him even more attractive to see that he had this warmth toward his sister. She leaned toward Cady and whispered as if Mitch was not meant to hear. "It's alright. I won't call you Candence if you don't call me Tulliah.. just Tully'll do for me." She shifted away with a teasing bit of a smile for a moment before the other man came up with another crate. Tully was most comfortable with Mitch and his sister so far and couldn't help the way she shied away from the man in the stained shirt. She recognised him from the attack and her eyes went to the blood stained shirt which reminded her of the brief but intense scene.

Mitch straightened up a little with a faded smile as the man behind Tully made his appearance in poor fashion. "Go ahead and take it inside yourself," he said to the other man, his tone belaying there was no reason he couldn't go another few feet with it. "Then you can find her some bedding. Something clean," he snipped, remarking mostly about the man's shoddy appearance.

Wink came back to get the other crate and watched the other men carefully. "It's okay, I got it," he said, hoping to keep the peace. It was only boxes and the activity was keeping his mind off of other things for the moment.

"Apparently I got it," the man quipped, his tongue in his jaw, staying still a moment with his arms folded and picking at his teeth with his thumbnail before reaching back to grab the crate he'd set down. "Sorry about your little party, sweetheart. No hard feelings, huh?" He brushed past Tully close enough to move her skirts but not knock her over.

The way the men were acting and interacting made Tully shift closer to Cady and further from the one who'd been part of the attack, all of the wolves would be able to tell how uncomfortable she was by her scent alone, nevermind the expression on her face. A slight worried pout stayed fixed as the man brushed against her and she cringed further away from him. She wasn't like the others where she could sense things through scents but there was something about him that made her very wary and she didn't want to be near him. He didn't seem to care much for her either and she wondered if he'd rather that she had been among the victims of the attack. She didn't say anything in reply to his remark, having no idea what to say to such a comment. To her it seemed he was just being rude anyway.

Cady let Tully shift closer and simply watched the three men, curious about their behavior but she also had no comment on the matter. Mitch would deal with things how he wanted to and she knew better than to stick her nose in when it wasn't clearly needed.

[Lovely]

Wink watched and moved aside before he was shoved. His glance then moved from Cady to Tully and back as he awaited Mitch's new orders. "What happened out there?" He asked carefully, nodding back to the empty, quiet woods beyond the cave. Even the sounds of its other creatures seemed stilled in the moment's tension.

"Nothing you didn't see," Mitch said, holding the bit of remaining smile in place only by will. He was clearly not amused. He looked over his other helper and then his sister. "Broken locks..sure. Come inside everybody and make yourselves at home," he sighed, reaching out to offer Tully a little more support since she seemed to be weakening with doubts and fears. "We'll find that wine. It'll help your arm."

It was strange to Cady to feel the urge to put her arm protectively around Tully, she'd never had a sister and Mitch had always been the one to be protective of her. Her hand lifted but fell away as she felt uncertain for a moment, her gaze shifting to Mitch and then to Wink as if asking them to explain it to her. She hovered but let Mitch take Tully ahead and followed behind, ready to help if Mitch needed her.

Tully took the invitation to move closer to Mitch without hesitation, grateful for the support and that he offered it to her, she still felt wary of the other man. "And my nerves.. it's been an eventful day." She murmured softly, intending for only Mitch to hear her as she shifted beside him. Her shoulder hurt quite a bit and now that they'd stopped moving she could feel how wet her dress was from the blood.

Mitch held her gingerly and led her inside where the light was a low flicker of lanterns and a center fire that was burning low.

The crate was set down roughly on an unfurled mat on the earthen floor, the grassy rustle of the weave squeaking under his weight as the other man sat down on top of it and proceeded to pick his teeth a little more, flicking the unsavory debris into the coals. He was watching Mitch with this little hen chick like she might be his next snack, even wiping his mouth with the back of his smudged hand. He made no other move to get up for her bedding as told and seemed unwilling to move for the chest he sat on to be checked for the wine that was mentioned.

Wink reached out his hand for Cady, beckoning her back inside to help now that the permission was given to open all the crates. "Maybe she's got more dresses," he whispered with his name-sake wink and a crooked smile. "Or maybe something we could both use. Let's see what we can find in 'em."

Mitch stopped beside a straw-stuffed roll and motioned for Tully to sit down where it had been indented and packed down from use. It was primative at best, but welcoming just the same as a sign of comforts made from what was available to be scavenged. The horses likely didn't miss the single bale and the cloth was stitched and restitched over from various scraps. Had she the ability to discern one scent from another, she would know it was a sort of throne... Mitch's own chair... that was offered. "Until we get you a place to rest your head." He leaned close to whisper, although she would not know the others might still hear him. "I'd offer you mine, but you might melt away under that pretty blush."

Cady smiled softly at Wink and lifted her hand to take his, even if it was only for a moment to walk inside, it was like a taste of heaven. She chuckled at his teasing, snapping her teeth playfully at him as if she'd bite him for the dress comment. "I think you'd look fetching in one of her dresses. I'm not girly enough for all that fancy stuff. Wouldn't look right on me." She teased him back, though her voice softened at the end into a sigh and a wish for the very things she said were not for her. Maybe if she were more lady like.. like Tully seemed to be, Wink would like her the way she wanted him to and ask for Mitch's permission to be with her.

[Lovely]

She relaxed a little with Mitch's arm around her as they walked into the cavern, she was surprised at how large it seemd once they were inside. The third man, the one not introduced, seemed to be trying to make her as uncomfortable as he could.. maybe it was just her imagination or being over sensitive. Tully eyed him a little but then averted her gaze, she'd rather not watch his display or possibly encourage his behavior by seeming interested in what he was doing. When Mitch stopped and offered her the seat, she took it with a soft smile, her hand gently clasping his until she'd lowered down onto it. Her blush was deep this time as he teased her about a place to rest, but the curiosity and attraction would fill her scent as he hovered close, her thoughts drifting to his earlier comments in regard to her first born and choices. For a moment she imagined giving in to such a choice with him.. being with him upon his bedding, she licked at her lips and looked up into his eyes but didn't dare speak for fear she'd beg him to make such an offer.

Wink had no idea what was said, listening to Cady more closely than the boss. He was getting more curious by the moment though about Mitch's behavior. "Never seen him like that, have you?" He muttered close to Cady's shoulder, hoping not to be heard, but Mitch had to know they were baffled.

Mitch's hearing perked to the whispers from Wink and the slobbery and heavy breaths of the man at the fire. His attention was turned only slightly and he returned a wider smile to her for the lovely scents and ideas she gave him. "Though it might just have to come to that any moment now since it seems your bed's not yet been made."

"She can sleep in my bed, just like in the stories. It'd be 'just right', huh sweetheart?" As he spoke, his words become more gravely and bass like a growling dog protecting a bone. "He gets tired of bossin' us around-like, we'll make sure you're taken really good care of."

Cady closed her eyes for just a second as Wink spoke near her shoulder and then gently shook her head. "No.. never.. but you find the right person.. feel that spark and.. well.. you'll do just about anything." She whispered back, hardly louder than a breath and her thumb brushed gently over the back of his hand.

Mitch's words had Tully catching her breath a moment and she opened her mouth to reply and tell him any bed he offered was more than generous, her scent spiked with things to make his mouth water and keep the heat in her cheeks. Before she could get the words out the third man spoke up and her eyes widened slightly, her head snapping to him with shock and a slight glare. "No thank you.. I'd rather sleep on the floor." Her jaw clenched slightly as her temper flared a bit, her fiesty side showing itself finally as the man provoked her.

The scents and the sounds of her fluttering heart were spinning his mind in a far more pleasant direction only to be ground to a halt as she snipped back boldly at the man. He counted slowly, metered out by the tapping of his hand on the side of the straw where she sat. He only spoke over his should for now. "I'll thank you not to speak to her like that again, Mace," he said in a low tone himself, almost as gravely though with a clear authority ringing with it. The warmth she'd seen had begun to ice over slightly as his temper turned.

Wink stopped with Cady's touch distracting him. His other hand came down to cover hers and hold it captive while he directed her away from the snips and stares between the others. "We better stay over here and .... look for things," he said, wanting to do so much more as the scents began to affect him as well, both the bloody, raw and treacherous combination of his pack-mate and the desires between the other two. He swallowed roughly. "Better find that wine."

"Bet I got what you're looking for, right here," Mace said as he stood up from the chest now, expecting that what Mitch wanted wasn't only to nibble, but tear her apart like he wanted to and savor the sweet meat off of her bones. He made no mystery of the deep breath he took now, enjoying the perfume she brought into their den. "She sure does smell good enough to eat. Course, you get first pick. I don't mind picking up the leftovers."

[Lovely]

Cady shifted with Wink to the other chests they could look through but Mace continued to mouth off, he obviously didn't realize he was crossing the line or maybe he just didn't care. She glared at him, not that Mace would see her from behind Wink as he ushered her gently away from the others. The scents were effecting her as well and the sound of Wink's voice made a faint red shimmer in her eyes and the air between them would be enriched by her desire for him. She moved her hand slightly and sought to lace her fingers with his, she needed to find some way to let him know exactly how she felt... hopefully without it causing a full out fight to start.

All of the calm that Tully had started to feel was washed away with Mace's words and actions, the fear and doubt started to creep back in. Mitch's reaction to him seemed to say one thing to her but what if she was mistaking his intentions? She'd never been in such a situation and what if the way he looked at her was for completely different reasons than what she thought or hoped? Mace was talking as if they meant to tear her apart like the guards and a moment before had offered his bed.. what if Mitch had only lured her here for a different sort of attack or to use her and then kill her or pass her to his men to do that? Mitch looked angry but was he or was it simply his true malice showing now that the other had revealed the truth? and why under the moons was she still very attracted to Mitch even while wondering if he planned to kill her?

The fear and other base emotions were building in the small space, making his vision blur momentarily as he tried to sort them out and keep his temper from blinding him altogether. "That's enough, Mace," he warned, turning slowly now though he remained crouched slightly, ready to take the man down into the coals if he came any closer.

"Enough? Guess that means you don't really want her. She smells like a virgin too, the kind I like, all sweet and soft," Mace said, his tongue running over his lip. He stared her down hungrily and took another step forward toward her to take her off of Mitch's hands.

Wink let go of Cady's hands and was across the space ready to pull Mace away. He hardly had the chance before Mitch launched himself foward, pushing Mace back into the fire and holding him down against the searing coals. Mace howled out in pain, struggling to get away from the burning fire.

"I said, that's enough!" Mitch spat out, sending a clawed half-fist, half-paw hurtling into Mace's jaw, sending the man's own blood and spit hissing into the flames.

Tully's eyes widened again as Mace contiued his remarks and eyed her with an expression that made her shiver, she knew without a doubt his intentions were malicious. The confusion swirled in her mind as it tried to make sense of what he'd said - she smelled like a virgin? Her gasp was startled and she jumped, coming up to her feet as Mitch launched at Mace, her hand covered her mouth as she watched them land in the coals. She winced at the howl and stared as Mitch swung at him, in the low light his hand looked strange and even her human senses picked up the smell of burning flesh as the hot coals seared into Mace. She watched as the blow struck and blood splattered, everything that had happened back on the road, flooded into her mind and it was just too much. She needed air.. at first she turned with the intent to simply step outside for a breath and to get away from the fight but without realizing it she started to run. Tully ran blindly, not even really aware of where she was going or how far, tears stung her eyes and froze on her lashes and cheeks.

Cady was right behind Wink, ready to back him and Mitch up, so quickly that she nearly collided with him when he stopped, she stood at his shoulder watching Mitch lash out at Mace.

[Lovely]

Mitch looked up at the movement, stunned to see Tully's burst of energy and sudden bolt from their den. His hand shifted back to its human form and he pulled Mace's writhing form off of the searing heat, only to throw him down on the dirt beside it. "Let him lick his own wounds. I'll cut tongues of anyone who helps heal him. Cady, tell the others the same. I'll be back," he said in a rush, bounding to his feet to stop at the doorway and find the direction of Tully's scent before running after it.

Wink was nearly on top of Mace himself, ready to pat out any flames that might catch and carry to the rest of their home. Heeding Mitch's warning, he wasn't going to heal Mace any time soon and he was damned sure he wouldn't let Cady touch him. He took a pail of their cleaning water, however, gray and filmy from use, spilling it over the man's blisters. The hiss and steam was agonizing to hear alone, but muffled by the continued wail of the wounded wolf bearing them and transforming underneath the pain to take on his four-legged form.

Tully just ran, not paying attention very much to what direction or where she was going, aware just enough not to trip over her skirts as the tears ran down her cheeks. She was frightened and very overwhelmed by everything that had happened from the time she'd been told of her pending marriage and through the fight between the men in the cave.

Cady glanced at Mace and gave a quick nod to Mitch before he took off for the door. "I didn't have any intention of licking him.." She murmured under her breath and turned to watch as Wink handled the other man, even if she was pissed at Mace for being such a jerk - she still cringed at the sound of the water against the wounds and his wailing. That had to hurt but he got what was coming to him, he'd chosen to push Mitch to loose his temper.

Wink went about ignoring the creature that molded and writhed into a hunched and angered, mishapen beast, letting Mace manage his own pain. He instead set to work on opening the other chests and boxes to start sorting what they could use. If Mitch had gone after her, he suspected he'd bring her back and she might need some of her things ready, including the bedding that had been requested. She would be exhausted when they returned, whenever that would be. "Leave him be and let's see what we have in here," he said, motioning Cady over to help him dig and nose through her finery.

Mitch stopped again, brushing his palm over his face and trying to snort the scent of singed flesh out of his nostrils. Tully's scent was strong, on his clothes and in his mind, spurring him to follow and find her. The breeze shifted and he smiled. "That's more like it. Just don't hurt that arm or anything else, now...," he hushed out to the breeze that carried her scent to him. He charged after her and in a few moments he could hear the cracking of the branches and leaves ahead.

Cady turned from Mace and began to pick through one of the chests, she seemd a little irritated or upset and her mouth was set into a pout as her fingers brushed over the soft material of fine dresses and fancy things that made her feel jealous. Mitch was chasing after this girl and Cady felt like she could hardly get Wink's attention sometimes.. was it because she didn't have all these fine things and act all delicate? "Oh.. this is pretty.." She murmured over one nightgown that made her sigh as she pulled it and a robe free from the rest. "We should bring these in Mitch's 'room'.. She's probably better off in there until the others get used to her.. besides I don't think he'll want her far off."

[Lovely]

Wink chuckled and turned to see what she was holding. The laugh faded slightly and if she looked quickly enough she might see a hint of red pass over his own cheeks for a moment. Her scent, those things, and the rage and steam built up inside from the heat of the short fight... he was wondering if he could trust himself not to go blind with bloodlust. He steadied himself and nodded. "Yeah. They are. Should probably keep them clean. I don't know if he'll give her a chance to use them, not with the way he tore after her. I mean.. if you know what I mean?" He hardly noticed how his tongue tapped his dry lip as he thought about Mitch's room and the girl he was hunting. If Cady didn't know how she taunted him sometimes... he swore she did these things on purpose just to get him going. He was considering a cold bucket for himself right now.

Mace growled and shifted, turning himself around and about like a beached fish, trying to soothe his burns with his tongue. His fur was mottled and matted where the blisters tore, darkening it further with an oily shine. He paid no attention to the other two. Soon the rest of them would be back and he would be the brunt of the troupe's humor. It was clear he was quick to heal, however, and that Mitch had not intended to kill him or he would have. Mace twisted himself nearly into a knot then bounded outside into the snowy patches and mud pools, content to roll in a small, icy drift where he finally lay still from the relief, letting the steam rise. He lay there, hoping the blisters would be healed before the others returned, especially Mitch, knowing that his temper wasn't one that faded fast once triggered.

Mitch followed the scent and the sound of quick moving feet over leaves. He was certain it was her by the rustle of her skirts. She was careful in her footing, he noted, and wondered if she'd run through the woods before, either for enjoyment or if she'd been chased like this some other time. Instinct... The thought amused him even more. "She thinks like me," he grinned, muttering under his breath that was still steady and even despite his speed. He began to move faster still, coming up in sight of her and soon he was on her heels, reaching out to her shoulder. More a reason to stop her, she was entering deeper into Alos' woods and his boys were avid hunters, some using traps, and she would soon find them. "Tullia! Stop!!"

Cady sort of smiled at first looking at Wink and then her jaw clenched slightly and she shook her head. "No. I don't know what you mean.. I don't have anyone who chases after me or wants me in or out of one of these..or... even likes me that much." She shrugged and folded the garment in an angry manner, setting it back in the crate. "We should probably just bring this one to his room.. whenever he lets her.. or they.. it's all her personal stuff, clothes and brushes.. she'll want them eventually."

Tully stopped at the sound of Mitch's voice and the feel of his hand on her shoulder, she gave a soft startled cry and lost her footing a bit in the snow and skidded to a stop. She clenched her jaw tightly to keep from making a louder noise and spun around, her cloak twisting and tangling her with Mitch from where he grabbed at her shoulder. "Why? So you can pick my bones clean or feed me to your friends?" Her voice wasn't very loud as she was winded from running, her chest heaving with her breath and her tears frozen to her cheeks, making them sparkle softly.

"No," he said, gathering her closer as she turned and tangled. This time he didn't hesitate except to catch his breath first then take hers away with the kiss that followed. He embraced her and untangled her cloak at once, taking a step back and pulling her with him. He let go after the moment, letting her catch her own breath now as he kicked at the brush beside her. A clump of matted and snowy leaves landed a few feet behind her, triggering the iron jaws to snap violently closed. "Exactly the opposite. To keep you safe and keep you to myself.. if you want to stay."

[Lovely]

In the den, Wink was curious why Cady was suddenly upset. "What did I say? I agreed with you. Hey!" He said, watching her fuss with the cloth as if it offended her, too. Mace and his stench were out of the room now and he could think a little more clearly, turning to take her hands in his. If Mitch had an issue with him touching just her hands, he'd take him on, and then some. "I think you do know what I mean. I think he wants her fingers in his fur full-time. Can't say I blame him if he thinks he's found someone... that's 'that' way for him, like you said. I think I can understand that," he said, hoping that the way he touched her hand, trying to lace her fingers in his, would help her understand the turmoil he was in, feeling for her, but fearing Mitch.

The kiss made her knees feel weak and she swayed slightly when Mitch let go, her lips still softly parted as she could only stare at him in awe. That is until he kicked up the clump of dirt and the trap behind her snapped shut, making her jump a little and instinctively move closer to him again. Tully looked over her shoulder at the mean looking contraption and shuddered to think of herself tangled in it if Mitch hadn't stopped her. "Thank you." She spoke softly and brought her gaze back around to his face, her hands lifted to rest lightly against his chest. "Whether I want to stay depends on what you mean by keep me to yourself.. and if I'll be safe. I can't imagine that man is very happy at the moment and I believe he made it clear what he'd like to do to me." She was scared and confused, because despite the fear she was very attracted to Mitch and comforted greatly in being close to him.

Cady looked down at her hands and the way Wink laced his fingers with hers, the anger faded as quickly as it had risen and she shifted herself closer to him. Her voice was low, strained with emotion as she searched his eyes. "Do you feel that way.. or do you just think that maybe you could understand it?" She needed to know for sure, to hear him say it and stop hoping and guessing and wondering if she was wrong or crazy to feel how she did. "I feel 'that' way about you." She admitted, hoping with everything she had that he wasn't just trying to make her feel better. Her fingers gently tightened, giving his hand a slight squeeze.

Mitch grinned a little and stepped back further from the trap, trying to get her to turn back and return with him to the den. "Mace was just given his final warning. You're safe with me there, and safe with Wink and Jesse if I'm not.... which isn't going to be very often. Not that I can see in the next few days at least. How's your arm?"

Wink turned his fingers around hers and glanced up to her, turning for a glance over his shoulder for an irate Mace, or Jesse or the others coming back quicker than he could smell them. He looked back in her eyes and settled himself directly in front of her. "Cady... you know all those times... me and Mitch.. when we were.. you know, helping you through your times, going into heat? I would have probably killed any of the others if they came near you, not because of you, but because of me. It's more than just getting it, getting what you're saying. It's that you're right. That feeling - I'always had it. It's just.. Mitch. Maybe he'll come around, you know? To where he might consider saying yes?"

Tully shifted with Mitch for a step or two as he started to answer her but then stopped, her arms folding and her jaw setting in a manner that showed she wasn't pleased. "So I'll be safe as long as I'm guarded by you or one of the other two? I'll have to have someone watching over me at all times to make sure Mace doesn't sink his teeth into my sweet virgin flesh?"

Cady leaned closer to Wink, tempted to kiss him but barely holding herself back. "I've wanted to be with you so badly.. it makes me feel like I'm in heat even when I'm not.. but only for you. All those times you helped.. I wanted you to stop helping and.. take me.." She trembled slightly, her breath softly panted and her scent rich with the desire she couldn't hide. "Have you... asked him?.. has he said no before?"

[Lovely]

Wink didn't answer right away. He looked at how their hands twined and couldn't help how his breath shuddered with the thin control he kept not to leap forward and tangle with her as she admitted the same things he felt. She'd see it in his eyes, the barely-contained desire swirling in deep reds as he glanced up to her. "He hasn't been ready to let you go. I've been waiting for the right time. Maybe now.. he's got something that needs protecting. You don't anymore. You need to be let out."

Mitch rolled his eyes as she turned his words. "Getting yourself in a huff doesn't change what I'm saying, just how you think I'm saying it. I'm telling you, he's not laying a hand on you and if he thinks he can get away with anything just cos I'm not in the room, he's going to lose more than just a night's sleep licking his wounds. If anyone's sinking ... that's all I'm gonna say," he said, stopping himself from causing her further embarrassment when she was already upset. "You still got that sore arm and I'm going to take care of you... like an angry momma bear looking after her cub."

"I still need to be protected, just not by him.. Of course I'll still need my big brother but not as much.. I need a mate now. I need you Wink." Her free hand lifted and she brushed his cheek ever so lightly, looking into his eyes and shaking her head a little. "Do you know how much I want to kiss you? To feel you beside me as I fall asleep..? To have you exhaust me until we fall asleep..?" She sighed softly, it was almost a whimper and Cady leaned closer, tempting and nearly in pain to hold back from him. "I hope you're right.. maybe now that he's found someone he'll understand.. he'll let you take your place beside me.. you're the only one who belongs there.. the only one I want there."

"There is only one problem with your little.." Tully made a circle with her hand indicating how he saw the situation. "Mace is alot bigger and stronger.. than me.. so if he tries.. there might be nothing left of me by the time you get back to rip him apart.. It's not that I don't believe you'd try to protect me or hurt him if he hurt me.. It's how can you know he won't try?" The huff was softened as she tried to explain why she was upset, her hand lifted to brush over his arm as she spoke and looked a bit more sad than angry.

"He won't. He was challenging me and lost. Happening a lot lately, actually, but I promise you, he'll lose his head before he uses it for any thought of coming near you. That's assuming he lives until morning." He didn't want to scare her into running off again. She'd seen some things that would need explaining and he'd promised her he would help her understand. His hand cupped over hers on his arm. "Trust me, right? Then come back with me. And I'm taking your shoes before you run off on me again," he teased.

Her gaze was locked with him as he asked her if she trusted him, she'd been frightened and had doubts along with questions but she did trust him. She'd gone with him even after seeing the attack on her carriage and was undeniably drawn to him in ways she couldn't explain. "So.. he wasn't acting like that just because of me? I would hate to think I caused you so much trouble." She smiled a little and leaned up to kiss Mitch's cheek. "I trust you." She whispered as her smile shone a little brighter for him. ".. if you take my shoes you'll have to carry me. I can't walk bare foot in the snow. My poor little toes will freeze... and they might fall off!" She teased a bit and with a sparkle in her eyes, though her color was growing more pale by the minute, she added a soft. "Momma bear."

"Maybe that oughta be Mister bear," he reconsidered, sawing his chin a moment as he considered other things. "Might be it's awfully cold out here for you anyway. Can you hold on if I carry you now? Gotta get you by the fire if Mace left any of it in the hearth."

Wink was astonished by what he heard. It was really her voice and not a distant dream's murmur. He reached forward to her cheek and leaned for a soft kiss. "I don't care if he kills me for this - it's worth it," he said quietly, nuzzling his cheek against hers.

[Lovely]

Cady's heart went still for a moment as Wink kissed her and then it was racing again, thundering with joy! "It will be our secret for now.. " She meant the kiss, until they had a chance to talk to Mitch and she prayed he'd let them be together. Her cheek brushed back against his and she turned slightly to catch his lips one more time - a brief and sweet kiss.

"Alright.. Mister bear." Tully agreed, not realizing that she was swaying slightly as her arms slid up around his neck and she smiled. "I am cold.. I wont protest being taken back inside near the fire.. though.. you're quite warm.." She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes, feeling as if she could drift off right there.

"That's what I thought," Mitch murmured, concerned now that she'd become overly weakened by her episodes and the cold. He leaned a little to scoop her gently into carrying her, mindful of her injured arm. "Hold on then, and tell me more about that horrible man I saved you from," he asked, trying to keep her focused and awake until he got her back to the cave. Perhaps she wouldn't notice that he'd move so quickly and have her back in hardly any time at all.

Wink chuckled a little, hoping Mitch didn't come in right then.. or Jesse. "You want to kill me, don't you?" He was teasing and reaching for another kiss with the smile. "I'll ask him.. after he's eaten, okay?"

Her shoulder ached now and she noticed it when Mitch scooped her up but once she was against him, curled in his embrace, Tully voiced no complaints. "I might not let go when we get back." She warned him as her arms draped around him the best she could with the painful cut. "The horri... you mean my uncle and betrothed? What do you want to know about him?"

"I don't want to kill you.. " Cady whispered, smiling a little as he reached for another kiss and she happily let him have one or three. ".. okay maybe I do but in a good way.." She shifted just a little so she could whisper in his ear. "Listen for the rustling of my covers tonight.. and know I'm dreaming of you there with me." Thier rooms were close and she often wondered if he'd heard her at night when she felt restless.

"If he says yes, it's going to be me making them rustle with you. Even if he doesn't want to say yes, I may make him. He can't keep his paw down on you forever," Wink said, his eyes closing to memories of the sounds and wishes he could hear once in a while. He didn't always sleep while the others did and often made stories in his mind about what he thought he heard. He grinned to know he wasn't only wishing and making them up.

Mitch nodded and tried to move quickly, realizing that the speed of the wind would also be cold. He curled around her gently, but holding her as close to himself as he could manage and carry her without turning them both headlong into a snowbank. "Yes him. I know what I know already and don't like about him, but maybe you can tell me something new."

"He better say yes.." Cady growled softly, her teeth nipping lightly at Wink's neck as her eyes closed to the images of them together, familiar dreams that she often indulged in while alone. "I may burst if he doesn't.." The need was clear in the slight tremble and in her scent as she fought the urge to take him to the floor right then and there.

"I don't know what there is to tell you.. he disgusts me. I used to like him but what sort of man would force his own niece to marry him rather than simply help his brother's family? He was quite clear in his expectations of the marriage and it wasn't in name only.. he wanted me to fufill all wifely duties.. I used to sit on his knee and listen to stories.." She shuddered as discussing it brought back the revoltion she'd felt when first learning of the arrangements. "It felt like I died inside as the carriage brought me closer to his land.." Tully closed her eyes and snuggled into Mitch's shoulder. "What do you want to know about him.. I don't know what to tell you and I don't want to think about him."

That she told him this much was a reassurance to him that she wasn't fading into sleep from the cold, just calming down from her panic. Mitch slowed his pace to keep from jarring her arm worse, though closer to his senses like this, his judgement was becoming just as raw and uncomfortable. "I wanted to be sure he is as dead to you as you wish to be to him. He is still family and even the runt still earns a little respect now and then. With him, not so much and even death might be too good for him. You like his land? Anything he owns that you want should still be yours, don't you think? I mean, if something horrible happened to him..."

She nipped and Wink growled softly, fighting with the temptations enough for the sound to become a whimper as he sighed. "Don't mention that, okay?" Bursting... she wasn't the only one worried about that. He had to refrain from any consideration of relieving the urges until the others returned and he spoke with Mitch, but at least now he knew she wouldn't turn him away once got past her brother.