Roth hesitated. “Better for her to be warm and covered,” he said, “but yes. I will carry her up.” He settled on one of the rickety chairs. “Let’s wait and see how this goes. Nothing might happen.”
Amari nodded and tried to focus on the babe in her arms. Dalan sucked loudly, clearly determined to feed well. She rocked him, feeling the stool move with her, rocking faintly on the stone floor.
She could faintly hear Rosalind and Yfin, above, as they talked. Amari rolled her shoulders slightly. All would be well: Orval would return and she would be able to breathe again.
Maybe she could bake a risen loaf over the fire. She’d need a starter, and it would take time for the yeast to grow, but it would be a nice change from the flat breads. Besides, she felt a desire to knead, and the thought of dough calmed her.
The hearth required other chores, of course, and they would need to— Amari started, remembering. Dalan lost the nipple and whined.
Roth looked at her, raising an eyebrow.
“We left the laundry out,” Amari said as she got Dalan re-settled..
Roth chuckled. “Well, nothing says ‘harmless’ like drying laundry. I will get it when Orval returns.” He knelt by the fireplace. “Need more wood,” he said. “He’ll be chilled when he comes back.”
Amari nodded. Maybe she should use the last of the kavage tonight, to warm them all.
Roth didn’t go back to his seat, instead beginning to pace. “He won’t be gone long. He said he’d wander around a bit and then return.”
Dalan released the nipple with a whine, so Amari shifted him to her other breast. Her hands were trembling, and she held him tight as he latched on. No matter what, babes needed feeding and changing and—
“As Hearth Mother, your duty is protecting the hearth. Our babes must have their mother.”
Hearth Mother. Amari’s heart skipped a beat.
She’d never once called him Hearth Father—never…she hadn’t thought he wanted that commitment, hadn’t dared think that—
And now he was out there, wandering around, making himself a target for whoever might come across him, be they friend or foe—
Her heart was in her throat, her fear tearing at her, her regret a rock in her stomach.
He’d gone out there alone. She’d never said anything, never told him— Her breath caught and tears welled. She was an idiot and he’d gone out, maybe to his death, and she’d never said, never told him—
Dalan lost the nipple and complained and she focused back on the babe in her arms. Dalan’s tiny hands grasped at her breast, as if sensing her distress, her need to get up and bring her man back safe.
Amari knew what she wanted now, knew with all her heart what she burned to have. His heart, his smile, his joy in his stupid, odd obsession with ancient texts. Harmony above, below and within, she loved that stupid, stubborn, pig-headed scholar.
She looked at her shrine, her bit of parchment bearing the symbol of the Harmony. She closed her eyes in prayer.Lord and Lady, let him return to me safe and sound and I will build such a Hearth with him at my side and offer you such honor…
Dalan released her nipple and gave a tremendous burp. She smiled down at him and he sleepily echoed her, his tiny lips curving.
Rosalind came down the stairs, Yfin close behind. “Lara’s asleep. If he’s done, I’ll take him.” She reached out for Dalan.
“I want to put water on for kavage later,” Amari said, handing over the babe.
“We need to shift Xydell,” Roth said to Yfin. “Upstairs would be safer.”
A knock at the door froze them all.
“Roth? It’s me,” came Orval’s voice through the door.
Yfin and Roth moved to flank the door. Rosalind took Dalan and ran up the steps. Amari began to follow, then paused in the doorway and held her breath.
“Orval?” Roth asked. “Are you alone?”
“No,” Orval sounded slightly flustered. Amari took a few steps forward so she could hear him better.
“Give me the sign,” Roth demanded, drawing his sword.
