“My sister, a mother,” Sorin says, a joke lingering in his tone. He cocks his head to the side and grins when I frown at him. “I’m proud of you.”
My brows raise and when I glance at Sam and Jarek, their faces are morphed into surprise just as mine is.
“That’s it?” Sam laughs. “No jokes? Nothing about how I can hardly?—”
“No,” Sorin says. He kisses the babe’s forehead, then Sam’s.
“Is Calix joining us?” Jarek asks, brushing Satori’s hair from her forehead.
“Not tonight,” I say. “He’ll arrive in two days, however. I’m sure he’ll be excited to see you.” I pinch Jarek’s arm. Calix and I have not only maintained our relationship the past few years, but it’s blossomed just as well as the crops. He’s become one of my most trusted allies and even someone I can confidently say I love.
“Before I forget,” Sorin says, “I have a gift for Satori.” He leaves the room for a moment, and when he comes back I bite my tongue to keep from laughing.
“A bow?” Sam says, her eyes going wide. “You got my three month old daughter a bow?”
“And arrows.” Sorin’s smile widens as he sets the ivory bow and quiver on the table between us. “Never too early to learn,” hesays. “And besides, she may be a princess but deep in her blood she’s a thieving Trednik.”
Sam’s face softens. She leans forward, running a finger along the curved lines of the tiny bowstring. “It’s beautiful. And you’re right, she is my daughter. Which means she’ll be shooting better than you in no time.”
“Must we have this argument again.” Sorin sighs, dropping back into the chair next to me. “I could out shoot you?—”
“You two never stop, do you?” I cut Sorin short and Sam laughs, startling Satori in her arms.
“Siblings,” Jarek grumbles, but there’s humor in his tone.
“Speaking of,” Sorin says, “is Cora here?”
“Of course.” Jarek runs a hand through his beard. “Can’t keep that woman from the sea if I tried.”
After Cora came to our aid in Valebridge, Scandavi and Teravie have mended the wound caused by Roman and Galen. Having Cora here in our home feels as natural as the tides.
Satori stirs, soft cries filling the space. “That’s my cue,” Sam says. “I’ll see you for dinner?” We nod as she leaves, her hips swaying, soft coos whispered in the air.
“I should go with them,” Jarek says. He extends his hand, but Sorin stands and brushes it to the side. He grasps him in a hug and then they turn to me and gesture me forward. The three of us hug and laugh, and when we break apart, I pull Jarek’s arm back around my shoulders.
“What is it, susi?”
“Sorin had a gift for Satori, but I have a gift for you.” I smile and wait for him to do as I say. Sorin’s brows pinch together but he remains silent, to my surprise. “Hold out your hand.”
Jarek holds out his hand, and I place the crumbled card face up in his palm.
“All this time, Elora?” Sorin shouts. “You’ve had it all this time?” He’s laughing now and I join him, but Jarek doesn’t. Hiseyes stay fixated on the Queen of Spades, perhaps remembering the last time he gave it to me.
He squeezes my shoulders and plants a kiss to the top of my head. “Thank you, little wolf.”
The walk to our room is mostly silent, save for the scuff and tap of our boots upon the stone floor.
“Do you ever think of having one of those?” Sorin slides his hand in mine.
“A child?” I ask. My hand tightens around his out of instinct and he laughs.
“Yes, a child.”
I replay Satori’s chubby cheeks and sleepy yawns in my head. How easy Sam moved with her and knew exactly what she needed.
A natural.
I slide my hand from Sorin’s and wrap it around my necklace. The gift from Mother Gaia I never take off. We round the last corner to our chambers. “Would you think me less of a woman if I say no?”
