“Wife?” With Ussin’s question reality kicked back in.
To Orval’s relief, Amari spoke, her voice soft, but steady. “We were blessed with twins a month ago. A boy and a girl.” She gave a nod to the bundle beside her on the bed.
“Dalan, our first born,” Orval babbled. “And Lara.”
Fear flashed through Amari’s eyes, but Ussin just gave an abrupt nod. “Blessings on you, lady, and yours. Forgive the intrusion.”
Ussin backed out of the room, closing the door behind him. It felt like he filled the hall and towered over Orval. “I did not know you were married,” he rumbled.
“You have been long from the city,” Orval said, the strength of fear starting to drain from him. “Life goes on, Ussin, even in war.”
“And now, I’ve woken them and disturbed your rest.” Ussin grimaced as he strode back to the kitchen.
“They were due a feeding. Not much rest for us, these first few months, or so I’m told.” Orval felt himself starting to babble and clamped his mouth firmly shut. Less said, the better.
“Explains the odd smell in the kitchen,” Ussin grimaced. “Baby cack. You will be up to your neck in nappies for some time.”
“Aye, aye,” Orval said. “I haven’t gotten much sleep this night.” He paused as they returned to the kitchen. “What with the storm and the bells ringing.”
“My bookish friend here has been blessed with twins,” Ussin boomed to the warriors as he slapped Orval on the back. “Sly dog, making hay while we were at war. Didn’t know you had it in ya.”
“Er,” Orval decided to take it as a compliment.
“I’ll have the men guard at the bottom of the stairs, with orders to disturb you as little as possible,” Ussin said. “Although I’ve no doubt you’ll be summoned to Court.”
“Well,” Orval hedged, trying to think of an excuse. “It will be some time before—”
“Of course,” Ussin boomed. “But the House of Wyvern is triumphant, and you will want to congratulate their Majesties.”
Orval managed to keep his thought to himself as they left, striding out into the rain and down the stairs. He threw the bolt, glad of the silence, then sniffed the air. He didn’t smell anything out of the ordinary, the babies hadn’t pooped…
Unless it was the pease porridge.
Orval frowned, and then took a breath, dreading what must come next. What had he done? Married? Where had that come from?
He’d committed that poor woman to a lie, at least until the marcusi could get her and the babes to safety. He poured some tea, admittedly fairly strong by now, but maybe a peace offering. He limped down the hall to the bedroom, careful to open the door quietly.
There was peace in the sight. Dalan was still suckling, his tiny hand up by Amari’s cheek. She nuzzled his fingers, cooing at him softly. It was only when she lifted her head that Orval saw her worry and fear. “Are they gone?” she whispered, glancing at the door. “What happened?”
“I fear I married you, milady.” Orval limped forward, set the tea by the bed and settled slowly in the chair, stretching his leg out in front of him. “I’m truly sorry, but it was the only thing I could think of—”
“You told them she was Lara,” Amari’s voice stayed soft, but the accusation was there. “He will know that—”
“Oh, that. No, no,” Orval shook his head. “Lady, you are not from Edenrich, are you?”
“No,” she averted her eyes, “I am not.”
“Trust me in this, every family with any link to the Xyian bloodline has a ‘Lara’. It’s a common enough name.” Orval rubbed his face, feeling his tiredness catch up with him. “It was my sister’s name.”
Amari drew a breath and let it out slowly. “I did not know.”
“I fear that I have besmirched you, claiming you and the babes, but I could think of nothing else,” Orval continued, rubbing his aching thigh. “Taking me on as a husband in name is a poor bargain, but it buys us time. Still, I fear I have besmirched your honor. ”
“No, Orval” Amari’s mouth quirked ruefully. “That is not a concern. You offer protection, shelter. We will disrupt your household as it is—”
Orval chuckled. “Such as it is, lady.” He yawned, slumping in the chair. “We’ll make do, until the marcusi return for you.” He yawned again, feeling the pull of sleep.
Amari smiled at him, warm and bright in the light of the lantern. It seemed he was forgiven. He liked the way she said his name, with her accent. Dalan was making little snorting noises against her breast, her skin was brown and warm, glowing in the light. Such a picture, even better than his brief dreams of a loving woman in his life, content and happy—
