May our hearth warm and feed all who sit beside it,
May our home shield us from the storms without.
May our love shelter us from storms within.”
Sorrow welled up and caught her unaware.
Today was her walk to the well with her first-born, and her mother, grandmothers, aunties, and sisters were not at her side. Had she been home, they would have gathered around, talking and laughing, teasing and praying in the same breath. They would have admired her bracelets and helped her with her hair and dress.
Amari touched her empty wrists and sighed.
The men of the Hearth would have been there as well, holding red banners in readiness, bags of sweets in their hands. Some would have been seeing to the feast that followed. The air would have been joyful, even if the weather was bad. It would be the ceremony she had dreamt of since she’d first bled.
And yet…
She paused and looked about her. The kitchen was warm and bright, with a pot of stew in the oven and kavage ready to be brewed fresh when they returned.
Orval was in the bedroom, talking to the babes as he did one last nappy change. No baby talk, for him. She was fairly sure he was reviewing the names of all the kings from theEpic.
He was so different from every man she’d ever met. There was no pretense, no blustering. Quiet, calm, even when taken aback by the arrival of a woman and two babes out of a storm. And smart? He took her breath away. For someone who never left his rooms, he knew so very much.
Regularly, someone would make their way up the stairs with a question or problem. Small things, really, a letter or contract needing to be written or a dispute between neighbors. They came because they had no trust of the local watch or judges.
Orval would welcome them, offer kavage, and listen intently. There’d be talk, then, discussions, and suddenly the matter was resolved, chairs being pushed back and nodding heads all around.
Had it been only a few months? Amari shook her head in wonderment. Three months since she feared for their lives, fleeing in the dark and cold. Three months since they’d sheltered here, from the weather and from those that would threaten them. She pressed a hand to her breast, where the marcusi token was hidden in her breast band. Those hours had been dark and fearful.
The flame in the lantern flickered, drawing her eyes.
She would be honest with herself. What she had dreamed of was never to be. Even if she’d managed to return home, she’d not receive a warm welcome, what with her shame of being deceived by Lord Eijer.
That life? That was over, as a dream dissipated in the morning sun.
Amari blew out the lantern.
This life? This unexpected shelter? Not what she’d planned, but so much better than she’d dared to hope. Although…
She busied her hands, clattering dishes as she put clean ones away. Never once in these months had Orval imposed himself on her by either look or gesture. He’d not indicated any interest in her. They slept in the same bed, true enough, but babes had a way of quelling any idea of much more than sleep.
Maybe…maybe he had no interest in women? Surely, she’d have seen evidence of his interest in others.
It was much more likely that he had no interest in her, given her past foolishness. Xyians put great value on virginity, which made little sense to her, but it was their way.
Orval limped in, carrying Lara, who was well bundled against the cold. “One done,” he said, handing her off to Amari.
Amari cradled her close as Lara blinked up at her from her wrappings. “Don’t let Dalan piss on your new tunic,” she said to Orval’s back, and smiled at his laughter.
Amari nuzzled Lara, breathing in her sweet scent. Safe and warm and walking to the well. She’d snatch this joy and hold it in her heart.
A knock at the door and Winter bustled in. Amari had asked her to stand as her elder and Winter had been honored to agree.
“Whew,” Winter said. “Sunny, but cold if you’re not in the sun, we’ll need to have the babes well wrapped. Are they sleeping through the night yet?”
Amari allowed herself to be distracted by the talk of the babes as Orval came in with Dalan. The adults bundled up for the Walk and headed down the stairs.
The guards were there of course, and Captain Ussin. They all headed toward the market, Ussin in front, clearing a path, with Winter close behind. Amari and Orval followed, side by side, each carrying a babe, with the two guards bring up the rear.
Stalls filled with wares lined the street and there was noise and bustle all around them. The scents of spices and baking filled the air, along with the squawking of geese and chickens, their legs tied to keep them from running amuck.
