Chapter 2: Are You Sick?
Odessa's POV
The shards from the broken mirror stared at me and I stared right back like I was in a dream. But I had every cause to believe this was real. I picked a shard of glass and pricked myself just to confirm once more that this wasn't some joke.
It stung as blood flowed from the wound. I was looking for something to wrap it up when the door burst open, banging against the wall.
"Miss!"
Penny rushed in, skirts swishing as her quick steps carried her across the room. Her eyes darted to the floor, then to my hands.
"For heaven's sake!" She dropped the tray she carried onto the side table with a clatter. "What are you doing standing in broken glass?"
Before I could think of an excuse, her hands were on me, firm, steady, guiding me away from the danger. "Sit. Sit at once before you cut yourself once more."
She pressed me onto the embroidered coverlet, her own expression tight with alarm. With a decisive tug, she pulled the bell-cord. Somewhere below, the clang of the servants' bell echoed faintly.
"Penny..." I tried, but she silenced me with a glare.
"You're pale as death." She pressed the back of her hand to my forehead, then my cheek. Dissatisfied, she gripped my wrist, her lips moving as she counted my pulse. Her brows pinched closer together.
"You're warm. And your pulse is racing."
I caught her hand in mine, clinging to her. "Penny, I'm fine."
Her eyes narrowed at me. "You are not fine. You're trembling like a drenched cat..."
I was not trembling.
"...and there's a wild look in your eyes. It's a fever, or worse."
A strangled laugh escaped me. My poor, stubborn Penny. I had missed her fussing, her sharp tongue, her loyalty. She had been a shield I never deserved and I had watched her die because of me.
The tears stung before I could stop them.
Penny's expression shifted at once, concern overtaking scolding. "Miss…did Alpha Silas do something? Tell me the truth. Did he..." Her jaw clenched. "If he's harmed you in anyway then let me know, I'll make sure he's thrown out even if he's an alpha and a Duke."
Her fire startled me. The same fire that had doomed her in my past life. Silas had despised her intuition, her courage. And yet she'd never faltered.
"No," I whispered hoarsely, gripping her tighter. "No. He didn't touch me or do anything to me."
He never will, I vowed silently.
But Penny didn't look convinced. "Then what is it? You're… you are acting strange. Like something's taken hold of you."
I swallowed hard. She was too perceptive, even now. My chest ached with the weight of what I could never tell her. That I had lived years without her warmth, years where her laugh had been stolen forever.
"I only…" My throat tightened, but I forced the words out. "I only missed you."
She blinked, startled. "Missed me? I've been here all day. I only stepped out to fetch snacks for Alpha Silas. That's hardly enough time for you to miss me."
Her tone was light, but suspicion lingered in her eyes.
"You don't understand," I said softly. "I missed you terribly."
Her lips parted, her sternness slipping into bewilderment.
I pulled her into my arms before she could resist. She stiffened immediately. "Miss?"
I buried my face in her shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent of lavender and soap. My voice broke into a whisper. "You're here. You're alive."
Her body went rigid. "Of course I'm alive." She leaned back slightly, peering at me. "Miss, truly...are you certain you're not burning with fever? You've never been one for… for embraces like this."
I ignored her protest, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Indulge me, just this once."
Her sigh was long-suffering, but her arms closed around me. "Very well. But tomorrow, if you collapse or I notice anything strange, I'll call for the physician." She told me sternly.
A knock at the door cut through the moment. The maids Penny had summoned filed in with brooms and cloths. Penny untangled herself briskly, straightening her apron.
"Clean the glass, and be careful," she instructed. "Not a single shard left on the floor."
Penny shot me a quick glance, still watchful, before directing the others with efficient authority. The clatter of glass and rustle of skirts filled the room.
I let my eyes drift closed, but my mind wouldn't rest. Memories pressed against me, the flames consuming this house in my last life, the emptiness where Penny had once been, the endless grief. Yet here everything was whole, untouched.
Perhaps… perhaps my family too.
My breath hitched. My father. August.
I hadn't seen them yet. I hadn't even asked. Fear tangled with hope in my chest. If Penny was alive, if the house stood unburned, could it be possible? Could they be here too?
"Penny," I whispered suddenly.
She turned, still scolding a maid to sweep carefully near the bed. "Yes, miss?"
"My father…" My voice faltered. "Where is he? And August?"
For a moment, confusion flickered across her face. Then she laughed lightly. "You really are unlike yourself today. Have you forgotten? Your father is in his study, he has a meeting with the neighboring lords about the farmland raids."
"And your brother," Penny continued, shaking her head as if she couldn't believe my absentmindedness, " Master August went for a ride earlier. He said he'd be back before supper, but you know how the young master loses track of time."
I pressed my hands to my mouth to hold back the sob clawing at my throat. Alive. Both of them. Still here. Still safe.
Penny frowned at me, her suspicion deepening. "Miss… why are you asking as though you don't know? You look as though you've seen a ghost."
I closed my eyes tight, willing my voice not to break. "I'm just… relieved. That's all."
Her eyes lingered on me, doubtful but too kind to press further. She smoothed her apron and returned to managing the cleanup, muttering under her breath about strange moods and stubborn ladies.
While she fussed around, my mind traveled. I remembered my father being in a meeting with the neighboring lords. Our territory was small and we suffered attacks from huge packs hence why we needed the alliance with the Blackmoon pack.
I remember how much the attacks were taking a toll on us especially this period, there was very little food to go by. We were almost starved to death more so after we started planning my wedding.
But I don't plan on getting married to Silas this time so I need to think of something to relive the burdens of my family but first, I need to see my father.