Part Two: Nellz
“Sorry, it’s a bit bumpy,” Greyson grunted tightening his hold around him.
“We’re…We’re on a horse?” He sighed through his nose and leaned back against the broad chest behind him, taking in the beast below him and the dense forest, filled with black and white trees and dead leaves that surrounded him. One of the horse’s hooves stepped on a rather large branch, snapping it in half. The sound reminded him of logs in a fireplace.
His eyes widened and his back stiffened. “Fire. Dee!”
He tried to pull away from Greyson’s hold, but it was like trying to snap an iron rod. His heart beat hard against his chest and blood thrummed in his ears. “Greyson, let go! We have to go back!” he shouted and his voice echoed through the woods.
“Calm down,” Greyson commanded forcing the horse to a stop. He placed a hand over his mouth, slamming his head against him. He pressed his lips close to his ear, “There is a reason we are on horseback and not using a car.”
He continued to squirm, doing his best to ignore Greyson’s muscular legs pressed so closely against his.
“I mean it Maddy,” Greyson urged tightening his hold. “This is Wolf Country and if you thought Bill treated me unkindly, then you don’t want to know what a whole pack will do to us if we are caught.”
He stilled, breathing heavily through the gap in Greyson’s fingertips.
“Good boy,” Greyson nipped at his ear.
Maddy scrunched up his nose and bit at Greyson’s finger, forcing him to set his mouth free. He spoke low, but the urgency in his voice didn’t change, “Greyson. Take me back now.”
“If you’re worried about Dee,” He replied with a tired sigh, clicking his heels against the horse. “I took her out of the house, once I knew you were safe.”
He looked over at Greyson, uncertainty bubbled in his belly and boiled over, his voice cracking as he said, “Really? But she could have inhaled smoke or gotten burned I need to-”
“Trust me.” He cut him off. “Her father was already at the house when I got her out. He healed her immediately.”
Maddy turned back around but didn’t let go of his breath. It wasn’t enough. He needed to know for himself. He needed to fall on his knees and beg for her forgiveness. She was hurt- almost killed- because of him.
“I told him a hunter was after you.” Greyson continued. “And he agreed that I should take you to Nellz.” He hesitated and then said. “I tried to ask him to remove your spell, but he was furious. For good reason, obviously, so I healed you myself and took you to the border.”
Of course, Dr. Tarkirk wanted nothing to do with him. He kicked him out of the house the day he turned eighteen. He squeezed the pommel of the saddle, the chinking of the horse reigns and the crunching of dead leaves quickly filling the silence. All he ever was to that witch was a problem to be dealt with and now he didn’t care if he lived or died.
He wanted to scream. It was a good thing Greyson was here.
“We’re on a horse,” Maddy repeated, his voice unusually calm. He focused his attention on the horse he was riding. Pretending to care if it was tan with white patches, or white with tan patches. “A tamed one, by the looks of it.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“Yes…” Greyson said slowly, confusion evident in his tone. “She’s mine. Her name is Penelope.”
Maddy surveyed the clothes he was wearing. A Douggie’s Diner hoodie and sweatpants. Normally the idea of Greyson changing him while he was unconscious would have sent a rush of heat to his face, instead, it simmered in his veins. On his feet were peanut butter and jelly socks, but no shoes. Probably something Greyson didn’t think he’d have to worry about, he thought, and then said, “And these are my clothes…”
Greyson clicked his tongue. “Mad-
“You were always planning on taking me.” He cut him off. “Don’t try and make an excuse.”
“And don’t let out your frustration on me,” He doubled down. “You’re kidding yourself if you think I’m going to let you berate me after saving your ass for the second time, in two days I might add.”
His gaze lifted to the unpaved path, mucked up from recent rainfall and autumn leaves littered about like empty candy wrappers glinting in the sunlight. His lips pressed into a firm line. How long had they been riding for? Would there be a chance to hop off and run back to Dee? He didn’t know where this border everyone was talking about was, but he’d figure it out.
Greyson let out a breath and a muscle feathered in Maddy’s jaw as he tried not to flinch when cool knuckles brushed against his. “We both know that given another chance the hunter would have tried to take you down and I may not have been close by. It’s better you stick with me.”
Maddy's brows raised and his breath hitched. The world seemed to still for a moment, as if afraid of what he might say or do.
“Better for who?” He was shaking now. “For me? Why? Because you think you’re the only one who can solve my problems?”
“Lower your voice.” Greyson admonished.
“No. Let go.” He tried to break free from Greyson’s hold, accidentally bucking his head back, knocking it against Greyson’s chin. He groaned, releasing his hold and clutching his jaw.
Immediately, Maddy slid sideways off the horse. He hit the ground hard and let out a painful cry, unsure what hurt more, his head or his shoulder. Penelope stopped a few feet away and let out a small whinny.
Greyson rubbed his face. “Why are you so violent with me?”
“Maybe it’s because I don’t like you,” Maddy stood up, a scrunched-up expression quickly formed on his face. Mud, cold and wet, seeped into his clothes, soaked his socks, and ran down his neck in thick sludges. Looking up at
Greyson only made him angrier, of course, there wasn’t a speck of dirt that touched his black turtleneck and jeans. He looked like a goofy bank robber. A goofy beautiful bank robber with the sun lighting up the gold streaks in his locks.
“Funny. I would have thought you were fighting with me because you liked me,” He countered.
His resolve came back. He shook off what he could, pulled off his soaked socks, and followed Penelope’s old tracks.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to try and go back,” Greyson scoffed following slowly behind him.
“Oh wow,” Maddy feigned surprise. “You’re a genius. Is this the critical thinking you used to get your degree?” He blinked and furrowed his brows. “How did you get a degree to work in a university if you’ve never been to the before?”
He looked over at Greyson trying to keep a straight face as mud seeped between the spaces between his toes.
“I had Dr. Tarkirk help me and it’s not that hard to fake paperwork these days,” Greyson answered with a shrug.
“But that day in your office, you told me you were wearing Dior cologne! How the hell do you know what about Cologne?”
Greyson huffed. “Do you really think our worlds wouldn’t share things? It’s not that hard getting goods over the border. My father has three companies solely in trades.” He brushed a hand through his hair. “But yes your right I’ve been to the before. I lied to you in the diner because you seemed uncomfortable with the fact I am a vampire.”
“So you think lying to me is better than being honest?” Maddy waved his arms animatedly. "Look how well that worked out for you."
“It work out for me. And you were so cute, too, teaching me what French Fries are.” Greyson’s fang popped out as his lips curled.
Maddy turned back to the path. He wouldn’t give the insufferable bastard the satisfaction of seeing him blush.
