Page 47 of The Demon of the Wood

To Melina’s surprise, Enid had already eaten the plate she’d made for herself, and she piled more on. She started to put more on Melina’s, but she shook her head and Enid gave a shrewd glance at the food. Were all demons like this? Mother henning and caring for one another? She thought it sounded lovely, and she wanted Kaemon to go home, to be with his colony, to be cared for as he deserved, as he had cared for her.

“I still almost can’t believe he’s alive.” Enid suddenly reached across the table, grasping Melina’s hands in hers. “I know having you has been good for him.”

Melina’s throat felt thick, and she tried not to cry. She had cried so much more lately, and she hated it. Her emotions felt out of her control on some days in the past week, and she chalked it all up to her desire to be nearer Kaemon.

“He’s helped me so much. I can never repay him for everything he’s done for me.”

Enid squeezed her hand, then resumed eating. Melina picked around at her food, wanting to eat, feeling ravenous, but then her stomach tilted, and she didn’t want to eat. The little pains radiated again, and she took in a deep breath. Enid’s hand flew to her forehead, the demon practically on the table to reach her, and Melina let out a weak laugh.

“Are you sick? You don’t feel hot.”

Melina shook her head. “I’m fine, just a little under the weather.”

Enid sat back down but watched her more carefully as she ate.

“What is the House of Shadows like?” Melina asked.

Enid’s face glowed from the question. “Well, to start, it’s all in underground caves, below an old dormant volcano.” Melina’s eyes widened and Enid laughed. “Oh, it’s very aesthetic. I know it sounds glum, andsome people—” With those words she absently tapped the High Fliers paper next to her. “—have said a lot of silly rumors about it. But it’s beautiful. The arts are as important to demons as fighting and—” She gave a quick glance to Melina and seemed to think better of whatever she was about to say. “—Loveis. The walls of the cave are carved with the most brilliant statues, colored using moonlight paints. Musicians are always playing along the streets and in pubs. The dance halls are amazing. Do you like to dance, Melina?”

Melina thought of that dance in the cabin, Kaemon’s hands on her hips, his fingers digging into her skirts, the way his eyes held hers in a trance. “Yes, very much so. You really love your home, then?”

Enid nodded vigorously, taking a few more bites. Melina took in the female’s frame. She was tall, though a little smaller than Kaemon, barely though. Her arms were pure muscle, she could see how her biceps pressed against the sleeve of her shirt. Her hands moved with a deftness that showed how often she used them. She had fewer weapons strapped on her body today than she had yesterday, but still there was a bandolier with several daggers on it and she thought she spied the hilt of another around her hip.

“I do love it. Nothing quite like home, right?”

Melina knew it was true, but only because Kaemon was her home. And he was surely going to return to his real home, with his real family, and be able to find a real mate that would be able to give him children. She swallowed down a gulp of coffee hastily, not caring that it was a bit too hot for the swift drink.

“You would love it, Melina,” Enid said softly, seeing something pass on her features, and Melina internally cursed herself for her facial expressions.

“I’m sure I would,” she said, giving a smile she had meant to be joyful, but could feel that it was only rueful. “Perhaps someday I will be able to visit. I have so much work here now. I have no idea when that would be.”

A placating lie that she would tell herself. She would never go to the House of Shadows. The thought of seeing Kaemon with another female, with children was too painful. Instead, she would focus on the good things she had. So many good things. As she used to do, she counted them in her head. She was a free woman; she had a small business going; she had bought a horse and small extravagances. She had friends. And, for now, she had Kaemon. What more could she want?

Melina worked the late afternoon shift at the inn. It was normally slow, but a group of mercenaries came through, weary from their travels, and starving. She worked tirelessly for hours, her stomach hurting more and more throughout the day.

“You’re pale, girl,” Aife said, grabbing her arm and stopping her before she went into the kitchen

“I’m fine. Just a little nauseous,” she said.

Aife gave her a long, hard look. “I think you should rest.”

“I will. Just let me take this next order out.”

Aife nodded, and Melina went into the kitchen. The goblin chef sang and whistled to himself as he worked, the elf that helped him, tapping her feet to the tune. They piled her tray with plates of food, and she went back out, swaying on her feet and gritting her teeth to stand upright. What a rotten thing that as her health came back to her, she started to feel sick again. She quickly served the men, then went to the back, going to the restroom. But when she did, she saw blood staining her undergarments. She let out a cry, worry filling her. It was so much. So, so much, a dark, angry clot in the middle. Why was she bleeding?

She walked shakily back into the inn, and Aife, seeing the stricken look on her face, grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her to the back room.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

Melina’s lip trembled. “I… I went to relieve myself, but Aife, I’m bleeding. I’m bleeding so much and I’m in so much pain and my stomach hurts so bad.”

Aife’s face softened. “Oh, dear, have you never had your cycle before?”

Melina’s eyes flashed to Aife’s. “This can’t be my cycle. It’s so much blood.”

Melina realized, not for the first time, that she actually knew so little about the cycles of women. She knew there was some bleeding, but surely not this much? And was it supposed to hurt so badly?

“It probably is,” Aife said. “If you trust me, I can help you clean up and give you a look over. Cycles are different for women than orcs, but I have a good idea what it looks like.”

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