Dalan’s blood father, Lord Eijer, had been a paragon of all the manly virtues, except that he lacked any morals or integrity whatsoever. But he’d had all the qualities of a Hearth Father, all right.
As Orval himself did not.
Story of his life, really.
Dalan let out a soft snore and went boneless in his arms.
Orval limped back to the bedroom and slowly lowered Dalan into his basket. The boy was fast asleep.
The scholar stood still for a moment, watching Lara and Dalan. The pain over what he lacked, his inadequacies, faded a bit. It was an old familiar pain, that voice in the back of his head. But babies didn’t worry over such things. They needed food and shelter and care. When Amari had first walked into his kitchen, Orval had been shaken, taken aback, but determined to aid them. And now, he couldn’t imagine life without them.
It had all turned out better than he could have hoped.
Still, he reminded himself that this was temporary. Once the fuss died down, the marcus would appear to whisk Amari, Dalan, and Lara off to someplace safer. These rooms would once again smell only of old books and dust. It was foolish to hope for anything else.
Amari would be back soon and hot kavage would be welcome on such a cold day.
Orval took a deep breath and headed for the kitchen
They were backbefore the kavage finished brewing. Orval looked up and smiled as Amari bustled through the door, her brown skin flushed, her eyes bright. She was followed by Winter and Ussin, his arms filled with bundles.
“It’s cold, but sunny,” Amari started to unwrap her scarves. “The well’s not far—” she took a breath and laughed. “Winter bargains like a hawk after a mouse, wait until you see what we found! Even a matching tunic for you that you must try on. Are they sleeping? Is everything—?”
“They’re sleeping,” Orval assured her. “Go see for yourself.”
Amari rushed through the door, taking off her cloak as she went.
Ussin piled the packages and bundles on the table.
“My thanks, Ussin.” Winter added her bundles to the mix.
“Any time, Madam Winter.” Ussin said cheerfully.
“Wait for me downstairs and I’ll warm you…with a hot drink.” Winter said, a note of playfulness in her voice.
“Much appreciated,” Ussin said. “Lord Orval.” He nodded and left, closing the door behind him.
Orval raised an eyebrow, but Winter just shrugged at him, then checked to make sure Amari was out of earshot. “Did you find what you were looking for?” she whispered.
“Yes,” Orval whispered back. “Braided leather and red jasper beads.”
“Good choice, not too expensive. I know a leather worker who does a lovely corded braid. The beads shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Good,” Orval quickly reviewed the other things needed. “You’ll take care of it? In time for the Walk?”
“I will,” Winter turned to the door. Orval rose to follow. “You worry about them.” She nodded back toward the bedroom.
“To the best of my ability,” Orval said. As the door closed behind her, he leaned his head against the rough wood. “And ever after.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Ice,” Vren smiled under his hood as the pellets came down. “Perfect.”
Dust’s ears flicked in agreement.
“She’s going to have to go to ground,” Vren said. “We should take advantage.”
Dust rumbled a half-growl.
