“Oh, there are so many good ones here! Even a few of my favorites!” Rivka exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. Ellis turned his attention back to making tea, leaving her to her books. She would likely agonize over which one she would read, though from the titles that she was reading off, he knew she had read them all multiple times already.
Ellis found a basket of fruit and pulled a couple of apples from it. He dug through drawers until he found a small paring knife and began peeling the apple just the way he knew she liked it. Once everything was plated, he carried it all to the table, calling out for her to come sit. Rivka placed the book she had chosen on the table between them as she flopped into her chair. Ellis peered down at the title. “Another fairytale, my love?”
She shrugged. “It is my favorite. Besides, I could use a little happily ever after right now.”
“You just claimed that they were all your favorites”, he deadpanned, “and I am offended that you do not think of me as your knight in shining armor. I happen to be outrageously gorgeous and have men and women swooning for me daily.”
“You know what I mean! Don’t be expecting flattery from me, sir, your head is already big enough!” Rivka giggled.
“You wound me, my lady!” He gasped in mock horror.Their eyes met and they both burst into laughter. Rivka wiped at the tears that had come. It was so good to see her this way again.
“I’ll explore the grounds while you rest this afternoon and try to figure out what we have at our disposal. Your father said that we would get frequent supply boxes during our stay, but I would like to see more of the little garden and check out the sheds.” Ellis said, between bites of his apple.
“Wouldn’t it be better if we explored together? You know, just in case?” Rivka asked.
“Not at all. I do not know what I will find out there and with thetall grass, it isn’t safe for you. We cannot risk you falling or being bitten by anything.” Ellis’ stern expression dared her to argue.
Rivka dropped her palm to her stomach, rubbing it back and forth, smiling. “You’re right. We cannot chance an injury now. We have no healers nearby.” Her gaze met his, “That also means you too. You need to be careful out there. You aren’t invincible.”
Ellis stood and began clearing their dishes, quickly changing the subject. “You should go and bathe before you rest.” He helped her to her feet, leaned down, and whispered loudly to her stomach, “No kicking your mother now. She needs her beauty rest; she is looking mighty frightful.” Rivka slapped him playfully on the back of his head. He grinned, straightened, and placed a kiss on her cheek. “I will wake you before supper.”
Ellis watched as Rivka made her way into the bedroom before heading outside. The porch overlooked the open fields of tall grass surrounding them, swaying in the afternoon breeze. He made his way to the side of the house where he had seen the garden. It wasn’t very big but it was overflowing with plants laden with vegetables, the last that would likely be harvestedbefore the chill set in. He could see carrots, broccoli, kale, potatoes, and more. This little garden had more than most in Varon. It had obviously been well tended, something that he was immensely grateful for.
A noise sounded from the back of the house, out towards an old shed. Ellis crept along quietly. As he neared the edge of the shed, he heard the noise again and paused, exhaling in relief. Four chickens clucked and scratched at the ground. It looked as if someone had dropped food for them recently. He looked around, seeing no sign of anyone. But it was obvious someone had been there.
After checking both of the outlying buildings, Ellis found no one. There were signs that the place was cared for, but whoever was responsible was long gone. It left an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. He didn’t like knowing that they weren’t fully alone. He trusted Evanar though, and knew that he wouldn’t have sent them there if it weren’t safe. He would never endanger the life of his daughter or grandchild in that way.
Ellis made his way back inside, expecting to have to wake Rivka, but instead he found her in the kitchen, the apron tied around her waist, humming a soft lullaby as she chopped vegetables for the stew she already had simmering on the stove. He hadn’t even known that she could cook.
“It smells divine in here.” He said, closing the door behind him. Rivka jumped, gasping as she spun around, the knife held out in front of her. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry, love.”
She let out a relieved puff of air. “It is alright. I was just lost in my own world and didn’t hear you come in. No need to apologize.”
“I didn’t know that you knew how to cook.”
“My mother taught me. She said that even queens should know how to do the most basic of tasks. I was taught how to domost everything that life requires of you. I can even harness a horse to a wagon,” she said, giving her attention back to her vegetables.
“Sophiana always was one smart woman.” Ellis smiled, his fondness for his mother-in-law showing. Rivka’s shoulders dropped a little at his comment.
“I hate that she isn’t going to be here for my pregnancy.” She took in a shaky breath. “I have so many questions and things that I want to share with her. I know she would have just beamed with pride and screamed it from the rooftops. She will be the best grandmother.”
“I know, love, that is why we couldn’t tell her. If she had known, she would have gone after Vivian tooth and nail, regardless of the risk.” Ellis laid his hand on the small of Rivka’s back. “But you’re right, your mother will make a wonderful grandmother. This child will be so loved and she will forgive you for keeping this from her. I know I am not your mother, nor have I any experience with pregnancy, but I am here with you, Riv. Start to finish. I’ll not leave your side.”
Rivka leaned back into his embrace. “I know this is the right thing for this baby. We went over every possible option, but the hatred I feel towards that vile woman, over everything that she has taken from me, has done to me, and even Tristan, makes me want to punish her in the worst way. I want her to suffer, for her to rot away in my dungeon, knowing that she was defeated, that she will never lay a hand on my child. Ever.” A fire burned in her eyes. Ellis had seen it there before, when an injustice was brought to her attention. That steel spine of her moral compass guiding her. It was part of what made her a great queen. She knew when to be compassionate but fought for those who needed it. She was the first one there offering a hand up to anyone in need. It was also the very thing that Vivian had taken for weakness. But she hadunderestimated my Queen. She would die before she let Vivian win.
“Vivian will get what she deserves in due time. You just concentrate on growing that baby, so that she can grow up to rule us all one day.” Ellis grinned, knowing that she hated when he called the babe one gender or another.
“We do not know if the babe will be a boy or a girl.” A mischievous smirk lit her face. “Now go bathe before dinner. You stink.”
“Ha! Again with the insults!” Ellis scoffed. “You are a wicked queen today!”
Rivka laughed but shooed him towards the washroom. He didn’t argue further; the thought of sinking into the warm water had him almost weeping with joy. The tub wasn’t very big; his body squeezed in tight, but it got the job done. He was now free of all the dirt, grime, and sweat from the days spent in the tunnels. He almost felt like a new man. He laid his head back on the side of the tub, letting the warmth of the water soak into his bones. He was exhausted. The days spent traveling had been long and dark. He had been on high alert so much that he had barely slept, allowing Rivka to instead. Tonight though, he would sleep. In a real bed. The thought of that had him getting to his feet, water running down his body as he grabbed for his towel. Food and then bed, in that order.
By the time Ellis made it back into the kitchen, Rivka had finished cooking and was spooning a large helping of stew into a bowl. Ellis grabbed utensils and began setting the table. Once she was done filling the bowls, Ellis set them on the table as well. He had underestimated how hungry he really was. The first bite had him groaning, the flavor of it exploding on his tongue. His eyes rolled in ecstasy.
“This is delicious, Riv.”
“Thank you. I’m glad that you like it.” She said, smiling asshe blew gently on her next bite, trying to cool it off. “Tomorrow I am going to bake some fresh bread. I was surprised that we have everything we need here.”
