“He’s out. He and Philemon might be home soon...or not. You never can tell with Thaddeus.”
The boy returned, and Philemon’s mother took a cup of wine from the tray, immediately raising it to her lips.
Danae looked up at the olives. Their green skins were so shiny they looked like they might burst. Her hands worried the edge of her tunic. No one was saying anything.
“How do you make olive oil?” she blurted into the silence.
“Danae,” her mother hissed as she passed a cup of water to Alea.
“What? I’m just making conversation.”
She was spared further reprimand by the front door opening. Thaddeus and Philemon entered the garden. Philemon’s face shone when he saw Alea, his eyes never leaving his intended. Danae’s heart twinged. He really did seem to care for her sister. Gods, she hoped their mother could persuade Thaddeus to bring the marriage forward.
Danae’s mother rose to her feet. “Sorry to impose on you unannounced, but—”
“Where is Odell?” Thaddeus interrupted.
“He’s fishing. It’s a very busy time for him. He wishes he could be here.”
Thaddeus sat heavily next to his wife while Philemon pulled up a stool next to Alea.
“Go on then. What is it?”
Danae’s mother smoothed the skirt of her dress. “After everything that’s happened, we feel that these two young people shouldn’t be made to wait any longer. Demeter herself returned Alea to us, and we want to honor that by bringing the wedding forward to the month of ploughing.”
Philemon looked excitedly at his father. There was a tense pause before Thaddeus laughed. It was not pleasant.
“You do remember who’s paying for this damned wedding?”
Eleni’s lips tightened. “Odell is contributing what he can.”
“A pittance,” Thaddeus spat. His wife flinched. “We agreed, the month of the goddess. All the arrangements have been made. Do you have any idea how much it will cost to bring the preparations forward?”
“We’re happy to scale back the celebrations if it means—”
“Scale back? My only son is not getting married in some peasant ceremony. That might be what you’re used to, but by the gods my family is not.” Thaddeus’s gaze slid to Alea. “Why the sudden rush?”
Alea looked like she was melting under his scrutiny. Danae’s pulse quickened. She could see the perspiration beading on her sister’s brow.
“Like I said,” her mother dived in, “we believe we would be honoring Demeter by marrying the pair as soon as possible. The goddess, in her mercy, returned Alea to us so that she and Philemon could be together and—”
Silently, as though kissed with sleep by a mischievous god, Alea crumpled.
Philemon lunged, catching her as she slumped forward and Danae fell to her knees beside her sister, the luscious grass staining her skirt. Alea was pale as stone.
“Boy!” Thaddeus shouted. “Send for the healer.”
“No.” Eleni jumped to her feet. “She just fainted, she’ll be fine in a moment.”
“Give her some wine,” said Philemon’s mother.
Thaddeus ignored them as the boy entered the garden. “Fetch Iatromea, now.”
“Really, Thaddeus, please don’t go to any bother, you know what women are like, she’s just overcome with excitement about the marriage.”
There was panic in Eleni’s voice. As the village healer, Iatromea had delivered countless children, including Danae and her sister. They couldn’t let her near Alea in her condition, especially not in the home of her intended.
Thaddeus turned to her mother with a glint in his eye. “She’s my future daughter-in-law. I’m not leaving anything to chance.”
