When they pulled up at the house, the groom came out to tend the horse, and Candace wandered out front to greet her daughters. Their mother had taken to her old life like a fish to water. She had even rekindled a friendship from her youth. While Blake would never wish away the years they spent in the merchant borough, she was glad her mother could live out the rest of her life in comfort.
‘Where’s Harlan?’ Blake asked, looking to the windows above.
Her mother touched her cheek. ‘It’s so good to see the weight back on you and all that colour in your face.’ She kissed Blake’s forehead. ‘He’s out back with Eda.’
‘Sparring again?’
Her mother let out a resigned sigh. ‘She never stops.’
Blake walked around the side of the house and spotted them working with training swords near the stables. She watched them out of sight for a while. Eda was hungry to learn every skill Harlan could teach her. He never said no to her, no matter how tired he was.
He never said no to any of them.
Blake watched them for a while, enjoying the sight of her sister healthy and full of energy again. Her fire was back and her confidence growing with each passing day. She had not spoken yet, but that would come—Blake was sure of it.
‘Plant that back foot,’ Harlan said, poking Eda’s leg with his wooden sword.
She whacked his sword away as he passed, and he chuckled. Blake’s heart was so completely full in that moment. Eda needed good men in her life to replace all the ones she had lost too soon.
‘Aren’t you tired yet?’ Blake called out, stepping into view.
Harlan’s eyes shot to her, his shoulders dropping slightly. She was home safe for another day. He watched her approach and pulled her to him the moment she was within reach.
‘Good day?’ he asked, brushing hair back from Blake’s face and kissing her.
It was always a good day when it finished with him. ‘Very good day.’ She looked at her sister. ‘Was he being gentle?’
Eda shook her head.If I wanted gentle, I’d ask someone else to teach me.
‘I got “gentle” and “me”,’ Harlan said.
Eda was teaching him things too.
Blake patted his chest before stepping back. ‘Very good.’
Eda took the sword from Harlan’s hand and wandered off in the direction of the house.
‘How was your day?’ Blake asked. ‘Send those recruits down the cliff yet?’
‘Not yet.’ He kissed her cheek, then the top of her head, before slinging an arm around her. ‘Need to build up their fitness a little more first.’
They began walking slowly. Blake pulled away when she spotted Garlic running towards them. She gathered her skirts and crouched down.
‘Hello, you. Did you lay me an egg?’
‘Yes,’ Harlan said. ‘In the house.’
Blake rose. ‘She must have sneaked in when—’
‘When your mother opened the back door and invited her inside?’
She scrunched up her nose and decided to go with a subject change. ‘Who else is coming for dinner tonight?’
‘My father said he’d try to make it, and your mother invited your uncle.’
Blake took his hand and squeezed it. ‘Look at your pouty face. He’s well behaved when you’re around.’
‘He doesn’t have a choice.’
