A MAZE OF GREED

Edwin walked faster in the direction of the old building after confronting Fannie and Eloise. His mind was not in the right state and, all the pent up anger threatened to come out.

Edwin was feeling a mixture of emotions. He was angry of course. He was worried about Ruth's health. He was in pain to see her struggling for no reason. He was disappointed in himself that he failed to understand his own cousin.

Then again, he never cared to pay attention to others before. He thought he was doing his job of portraying an image of an irresponsible, arrogant and rude man very well. He was content the way his life was before.

But it all changed the day this hazel-eyed nymph came crash landing in his life. Yet he did not regret a single thing that happened because of her.

He was overwhelmed and confused, yes! But he did not want to change anything about her. He had realised that she was the best thing that could ever happen to him. The only thing that concerned him was- was he worthy of her? How was she going to accept him along with his flaws and, even if she did, then how was she going to fight against the world by his side?

He climbed the stairs and opened the door of the room to see Ruth was still asleep. Ida was requesting on behalf of Mrs Payne to let her meet Ruth. But Edwin was still angry with them. He wanted them to realise how it felt to not be able to be there for our loved ones when they need us the most.

Sitting beside her bed, he checked her hand. It was time to change her bandages. The nurse could have done such things, but Edwin refused to take any help. He wanted to do it all by himself.

Besides, there was one more hidden intention of him. Just like he was punishing others by not letting them meet Ruth, this was his punishment. His punishment was to see her bruises, again and again, feel her pain every time she flinched or cried.

That would keep reminding him all his life to never overlook her safety. That would remind him how much she meant to him, how much he and his wolf needed her. He should not have left her alone when she was already going through something. If only he was with her, then she would not have gone through this.

Edwin opened her bandage that was matted with her blood. Its scent caused pain in his gums. He was not hungry like Vampires for her blood. His wolf was hungry to claim her and mark her.

He cleaned her wound with wet cotton. The animals' claws reached deep in her skin. It looked nasty. It surely would take weeks to recover, yet there would still remain a reminder for her of this horrifying incident in the form of the marks of the injury.

Only Edwin knew how many times he died little by little seeing her like that. Those were not injuries only on her hand but also on his soul. He wrapped it again with a clean bandage after applying the medicines the nurse had given.

Their family physician would be back in Vincardine the next morning. He would first come to see Ruth as soon as he came to 'the great manor'.

Edwin heard a knock on the door. He opened it to see Ida with plates of food in her hand.

"She was asleep all day. She has not eaten anything after breakfast. The nurse told that she needs energy and eat or the medicines will not work effectively." She said.

She dared to raise her eyes to catch at least a glimpse of Ruth, but Edwin's huge frame obstructed her any chance. She sighed mentally in defeat. Maybe she needed to wait till his anger calmed down.

He did not say anything and shut the door on her face. Putting the plates on the table, he shook Ruth by her shoulder.

"Ruth... wake up. You need to eat." He tried waking up.

Since he had returned to Vincardine, Ruth was adamant about him, calling her by her first name. And he was getting addicted to that.

After five minutes of calling when she did not wake up, Edwin decided to try again later. Now that he knew that Ruth was out of danger, all the tiredness washed upon him. He had not slept at all in two days and had to run at his fastest speed for miles during the night.

The emotional and mental fatigue was worse than the physical tiredness. He walked to the open window and stared out at the woods that looked like an army of giant creatures guarding the Vincardine in the night.

The moon was partially hidden behind the clouds, the stars shone in the sky.

Edwin missed his parents and grandfather. They were the only people he held dear to his heart. The people who shaped who he was. Especially his grandfather.

After his parents' death, he was his only caretaker of him. He helped Edwin to move on that pain by keeping it closed in an isolated corner of his heart.

He wished if his grandfather was there with him. He would have consoled him and told him what he should do. Edwin was sure if those three important people in his life were there, then they would have loved Ruth as much as him.

Edwin realised that his eyes stung. He had learned to not shed tears a long ago. A warrior never cries- his grandfather used to say. And he believed it. He lived by those words until now.

He was broken from his thoughts by a shuffling sound that came from behind.

"Ruth.." Edwin was instantly by her side, seeing her awake.

"W-water", She whispered.

Edwin poured her a glass of water. He put his hand at the back of her head and raised it a little. Drawing the glass close to her lips, he watched how the water travelled down her throat.

After she was done, he put the glass aside. Tucking her unruly hair behind her ear, he asked.

"How are you feeling now?"

He was getting used to such delicate touches, sweet words and caring gazes. He was getting used to her not pushing him away. He did not know if it would remain the same but, he did not want to think about it now. He only wanted to live these moments with her.

"My head... it is heavy. And hand..." She moved her hand but flinched when it pained.

Edwin held her by her shoulder. "Do not move much. The physician will come in the morning. Until then you need good rest. You have not eaten anything during the day. Let's get you something to eat." He said.

Taking the plate from the table, Edwin hesitated for a moment. Deciding against his wish, he placed the plate on his lap and in front of Ruth for her to eat. She took the spoon filled with rice. But all the grains fell in the plate as her hand shook.

She had no energy to eat by herself. Edwin waited patiently, even though he wanted to help her. But he also did not know if he should move at such a fast pace.

Ruth gave up and put the spoon on the plate.

"I think... I...I need some help here." She tried to stretch her lips in a smile but, even that looked like a tiresome task for her.

Edwin's heart fluttered in joy. He wished for just that. He did not need to ask twice as he took the spoon and began feeding her.

He could see that she was yet not completely awake. Her eyes were still droopy and, her mind was still not regained all her consciousness. She was still dizzy.

Edwin smiled inwardly at every accidental touch her lips made with his fingers when he feed her fruits and salad. He could get used to taking care of her like this. If only she allowed him.

Halfway through the meal, Ruth frowned as if she just remembered something.

"Have you eaten?" She asked him.

Edwin shook his head.

"Where is your plate?" She asked looking at one plate that had rice and vegetables, while the other one had fruits and salad.

"I am not hungry. I will eat later." He said and raised his hand to feed her next morsel of food.

But she pressed her lips in a thin line. Edwin stilled when she wrapped her fingers around his hand. Her touch was cold against his warm skin.

She turned his hand so that now the spoon hovered near his mouth.

"Eat," She said.

Edwin did not argue and did as she said. The small smile that his action brought to her face tugged at his heart.

They finished the remaining food together. Edwin gave her medicines. He tucked her in bed but, she did not let him move. She was scared to be alone and requested him to stay with her.

He slept with her by his side for the second night.. He could not leave the smile even in his sleep.