Quietly, on light feet, I head in the direction of the inviting aroma. My stomach rumbles loudly, and I clench at the area with my hand. When was the last time I ate? If the sharp hunger pangs in my gut are any indication, I’d say it’s been a while. It’s probably what woke me up in the first place. The closer I get to the smell, the worse my stomach hurts, but I’m too curious to search for food at the moment.
I come across the kitchen first, the smell leading the way whether I want it to or not. A machine on the counter percolates dark liquid into a glass container. There’s a bowl of fruit laid out on one of the counters, making my hands fist from the overwhelming desire to take them all and hide them in my clothes. Food this perfect is rarely openly available. I don’t know why I know this, but I do. Not letting myself pause, I continue my exploration.
I’m met with a large room filled with windows beyond the kitchen. Outside the house is a beautiful area full of trees and untamed wildlife for as far as the eye can see. There’s a long stretch of multi-colored roses and a small iron table with chairs surrounding it. Still nothing familiar, no matter how much I wish it were. It’s quiet, and something about the lack of sound brings me comfort rather than the opposite. My gaze remains locked on the soothing scenery as my mind races to come up with answers I don’t have.
I remember being home, but where exactly is home? It’s certainly not here—this place doesn’t look anything like I’m used to. The trees are different, and the flowers and foliage aren’t the same. There were others—three women. I can see their faces and feel their warmth in my heart, but details aren’t very clear. They’re family but not in the same sense as my mother and father.
Fitting these basic pieces together reminds me I haven’t seen my parents in a long time. I was a little girl, that much I know for sure. I live in the trees with these other women, but our home isn’t like this. The floor is dirt, and we had little to no belongings. We’ve learned to use nature for everything.
So, it’s true, then—I’m far from home.
After I stand there for who knows how long, I spin around and am met with the man from my dreams.
HUNTER
She’s startled. It’s the first thing I notice when my eyes meet hers. My mind races with something to say to put her at ease with my presence, but what do you say to someone who’s back from the brink of death? I go with the opposite of my usual questioning demeanor. “Well, hello there, snoozing beauty,” I greet in the friendliest tone I can manage. I have an abundance of questions, but I feel I won’t be the only one.
She blushes, dipping her head in an attempt to hide her rosy cheeks in her cornflower-colored locks. She must’ve been warm while sleeping. The pink on them suits her, such a complimentary flush.
“Why snoozing beauty?” she asks with a laugh, and I crack a grin, unable to hold back my fondness for her. She’s kept the light blue dress on, the one I found her in, regardless of me offering her some of my clean, untorn clothes. They’d swallow her up, no doubt, but I’d bet she could make anything look proper.
“Because you slept so long once I found you.”
She’s finally awake, and what a sight to behold.
The early morning sun’s rays pouring in from the wall of windows along the back of the house manages to accent every inch of her. Hard to believe, but she’s more stunning after a full night’s rest than she was when I’d watched her in my rearview mirror the entire time I’d driven us home. It’s a small miracle I didn’t wreck from my lack of attention on the road.
She struggles for a beat before finally sharing, “I remember being in the woods. There was someone there with me. Three others, I believe. One minute they were worried over keeping me safe, and the next… well, I don’t remember anything afterward. My mind is fuzzy. It’s frustrating.”
My brow wrinkles at her words, attempting to make sense of them, yet I can’t. Was she running from something? I found her alone, no others were around her. Were they really attempting to keep her safe? And why her?
“I woke up with your mouth on mine…” she trails off as the flush spreads over her throat.
She’s so sweet and innocent, it has every protective instinct in me rearing to the surface. “You weren’t breathing, and your heartbeat was nearly non-existent. I was, well, I was worried you’d die if I didn’t help you.”
“You were breathing air into me,” she states, almost making it sound like a question. Her naiveté is endearing, and she speaks almost formally. Could she have belonged to the upper class and left for dead? Perhaps it was a ransom gone wrong? I’m going to drive myself mad with all the possibilities.
“Yeah, I was giving you CPR. Thankfully, it worked, and you began breathing again. It sounds odd being that we’ve only just met, but something about losing you sends a strong pang to my chest,” I roughly admit and rub the spot above my heart. Pang is an understatement. When I thought she was dying, it felt like my heart was being ripped from my chest. Never have I experienced something so crippling in nature, especially since I don’t know a thing about the woman.
I continue, “One of the guys recognized some of your symptoms. You were in the middle of a serious allergic reaction. Thankfully, he had an EpiPen and let me have it. I was shocked with how quickly it took effect.” And grateful because I had no clue what was wrong with her. She’s a beautiful enigma, one I want to figure out but probably shouldn’t.
“Thank you for whatever you did to help me.” She offers me a kind smile. The fairness of her milky flesh and regality of her features is like no other. The only name that suits her is Sleepy Beauty or princess, but I don’t want to offend her by calling her pet names so soon. “What shall I call you?” she asks.
“It was my pleasure, and I’m Philip or Hunter, it’s a nickname of sorts. You can call me either.”
Putting my lips to hers was no difficult feat. I’d gladly do it again to see those enrapturing irises gaze at me full of gratitude. It’d be even hotter if I had her naked, pressed against a wall while I held her in place and tasted her mouth.
“My name is Aura. Will you tell me about finding me?”
I tip my head, drinking from my rich black coffee. “Nice to meet you.” I lift my near empty glass and gesture. “Would you like some coffee?”
She shakes her head. “Only to learn the truth.”
“All right then, come sit, and I’ll tell you what I know.”
Chapter Four
HUNTER
So I don’t know much, but I let her in on what I can. Her gaze fills with confusion when I mention Viking’s girl and how she was found. “You never saw anyone swimming or on the beach?”
She shakes her head. “No, I wasn’t allowed to leave the wooded area. It wouldn’t have been safe.”
“Never?”
She shakes her head again, teeth sinking into her bottom lip. She’s still a complete mess but gorgeous all the same. “I’m sorry, I can’t remember much right now. The memories are there, but it’s vague. I see images, but they don’t make any sense. I’m hopeless, no help for you or your friends. Maybe you should just take me back. I don’t want to displace you.”