Children of Rima
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My wife was like that girl. Always having the heart to help others. Not
realizing that it would get her sick. Lucan came to a full stop. “Listen, Little Heathen.” Elene was doing anything but that. She was head down, watching every step she made. A few moments later, her leg wobbled from having stepped on an uneven branch. Lucan frowned at her behavior. For a grown-ass woman, her careless movements made him irrationally angry. Since his words didn’t move her, he went to reach for her hand, but their knuckles bumped. The brush of her skin brought her to raise her skirt again. “Is it a frog?” Her shoulders rose and squeezed inward. “Can we leave now?” “Did you even hear me speak to you earlier?” A frog leaped between them, and she promptly backed away and raised one foot. “Skiar.” He took those icy hands, and the response was instant. Her focus narrowed, and it surprised him that her hands still remained his, fingers uncurled, nearly dangling in his hold. “What I was trying to say is, you can do all you can in the world to make up for what happened in Mudburrow, but if that involves putting your life at risk, then what’s the point?” Elene looked at the hand that held hers. She didn’t yank it away, even after a frog leaped between them. “I guess I didn’t think of it like that. When I saw Dan and Ryker’s children, everything happened so fast I just wanted to help.” “Really? Even though you’re accident-prone?” “Hey, why are you saying it like that?” “Because I want you to stop worrying me,” he said coolly. She squeezed his hand, startling him but liking the shape. Her free hand patted the sides of her turban, but her stare fell to his necklace. “I’ll try, but you know I don’t take advice from killers.” “Thank you.” Lucan squeezed her hand back but didn’t let go. “We should continue.” The corner of Elene’s lips went upward. “Then you should lead the way.” Those words fluttered a warm feeling. He went on, hands holding one another. Once they made it through the dense parts of the forest, their palms were sweaty. Facing her, he discovered she had been staring at him the entire time. He picked up a new scenery and caught from his peripheral that she chose a different one as well. “We’re almost out of here,” he said to ease the pressure in the air. Why hadn’t he let go of her hand? Why hadn’t she? The ferns were rustling in the distance, then came the stomping of boots and the sound of sheaths lightly tapping the belt. Wein and Rüfus appeared, and they promptly released each other’s hands. The brother leaned in, face scrunched until he made out their faces. “Oh, thank Rima, we were worried when you two didn’t return.” Elene joined her brother. “We’re fine. Nothing happened.” “Why did you insist on going with them?” Wein was the leader now, and she followed him faithfully. As Elene explained, Rüfus stayed at his side. Outside of the forest, their campfire still burned where Pete, Fior, and Ivory waited for them. For the night, nobody ate. The oatmeal Elene was given was lighter but their only fuel for the rest of the way. “Who’s ready for another game of Winner’s Luck?” Rüfus took out his dice and gave the slap of stone a smack. “Count me out.” Lucan placed the map Ryker gave them on the ground so the fire’s light could show him the details. Even if they made it to the end of the Gypsians Forest, they had many more miles to cover. Ryker sketched a route he marked as the quickest and safest. Rather than go through the front entrances, they could go through the woods and enter through the west gates. “It’s too risky, but it’s our only option.” For the night, Wein, Pete, and Rüfus started a new game of dice. Elene didn’t stay to watch them bicker for long. She seemed to enjoy her company with Ivory and Fior, petting them, telling them how brave they had been since they left Melodia. The cloak she let him borrow was back over her shoulders. “Do you think we’ll ever get to Melodia?” Pete was rubbing his backside. Having only the ground to sleep on, and a broken arm, there was hardly any rest at night. “We’ve been gone for months.” “Think we should’ve headed through Lotter’s Mountain. Better than being caught in a battle and having giant horses to dodge.” “Our fortune will change once we get to Vinol,” said Lucan. “And don’t you all worry, I have more than enough coins to restore what we lost and see a good doctor.” “That’s good,” said Elene, who was still an earshot away. “Fior and Ivory need new horseshoes.” Wein agreed, sharing that their hooves needed a good trim. Lucan rolled the map and tucked it in his trousers. He imagined his feet swollen with blisters by the time they reached Vinol. Worse of all, every limb in his body felt like they were torn and put back together the wrong way. He drummed his hands on his chest until his thumb traced the necklace. Maybe Rüfus was right. If they had just gone through Lotter’s Mountain, they would have avoided everything. But then, what was going to happen when they returned, anyway? Everything Matias put on his son’s back was gone. The figure from the campfire left the horses and passed by them. Lucan moved to his side, just to see what trouble she would get into next. She didn’t go far, just a safe distance from the campsite where she could stare at the moons. “Again!” Pete cried. “The dice fell out of the circle.” “What are you yappin’ about? It’s within the line!” Rüfus retorted. “Nobody touches the dice until I get a good look at it,” Wein said. Lucan chuckled and left their bickering game. With little food to eat, this was probably how they distracted their empty guts. The limp of his steps shifted her posture. Elene seemed to know her time alone was invaded. “Came to look at the moons with me?” “If that’s okay,” he answered. Elene spun, hand pressed to her chest. “I thought you were Wein.” “Want me to leave?” She looked back at the moons instead. “I don’t mind.” The high moons glowed over the open field, and the breeze moved the fog around. Seeing his breath visible signaled that his companions may be feeling cold. Elene didn’t seem to be shivering, but perhaps she was used to the cold from the mountains. “Thanks for stitching my socks,” he said to break the silence. “You’re welcome.” He looked back at the moons. Elene seemed to be mesmerized by it. He supposed anyone would after all that rain and cloudy days. The frogs were still in the forest, calling for their mates for the night. “What are you thinking?” he asked. “It’s private.” Caydon’s teasing came back about not knowing what he and Elene talked about. They had to have mentioned him. Why else would she look at him with that surprised look. “What are you thinking about?” Elene’s voice brought him back. Lucan looked down at her. Her curly lashes had a heavy gaze when she looked up. “It’s private too.” “Fair enough.” Elene sidestepped, her arm nearly brushing against his. Was she cold? Was she asking to be covered like he did outside the Dice’n Hog? No, she had her cloak back. He sidestepped as well, allowing their arms to press against one another. Elene then leaned her head against his shoulder. He froze, sensing some tension behind him. Pete, Wein, and Rüfus stopped squabbling the moment her head leaned against him. They certainly made him believe they were invested in their game but were watching them like a store owner watches a frequent shoplifter. “Don’t mind them,” she whispered. “I don’t care what they think. But if you don’t like that I’m doing this, let me know.” “Little Heathen, you’re the last person I find intimidating.” He wrapped his arm around her and moved her closer. She inhaled but didn’t pull back. “What I do mind is being left in the dark.” Looking up at him, her dark eyes started to absorb the glittery stars. “What do you mean?” “What you told Dan. I noticed some of the Melodians treat you like an outcast. I tried asking what the big deal was, but Wein says it’s a story only you can share.” Elene’s stare fell, and she started messing with her hair tassel. “It’s a story not worth venturing.” Lucan inched toward her. “Still. I want to know.” She nocked her head back and scrunched her face. “Then you can continue wanting because it’s not going to happen. I refuse to let another person give me that look. You least of all. Not if I can prevent it.” Lucan chuckled. “That bad, huh? Well, knowing that you wanted to send me back to the river, nothing you do can surprise me at this point.” Her shoulders rose, and her head spun to him, tassel slapping her cheek. She shook herself out of his hold and confronted him, index finger raised to his face. Her mouth was open, but the words were missing. “You’re impossible to tease,” he mused, watching her pissed-off look recede. “Very well. Let’s make a deal.” “Now things are getting interesting.” She breathed deeply, looking unhappy about it. “Answer my question as a deposit, and I’ll consider telling you my story when I’m ready.” Lucan blew the strands of hair that fell over his face. “Consider? That’s not exactly a fair trade.” Those stubborn eyes flashed at him. “Take it or leave it.” “Fine.” He leaned his head back and rolled his eyes. “Ask me anything.” Her focus dropped to his collarbone. “Whose necklace is that?” The mention of it brought back her stature, her long dress as she stood at the high steps of Aelith. He took the necklace off and held it in the palm of his hand. “You only take it out before you go to sleep,” Elene noted, tilting her head sideways. “I imagined it must be special?” “It is.” Lucan took her hand and placed it on her palm. She jumped at the jewelry’s weight and gave it a closer look. “It belonged to my mother.” Elene then held the gold leaf ornament against the moons. “Are those genuine diamonds?” “Yeah, taken from Aelith’s mountains.” “May I ask what happened to her?” His reasoning reminded him to lie, to spin another damn lie. “She… died before Aelith fell.” Elene returned the necklace back and watched it dangle over his chest. “And your father?” “That’s quite a lot of questions.” Her eyebrows rose, and she crossed her arms, hopefully realizing she was surpassing their deal. Lucan swallowed the pinch in his throat. “He’s gone, but this necklace was a gift from him to her.” “Well, it’s beautiful,” she said promptly, as if she sensed the discomfort in his voice. “That’s why I couldn’t leave it sinking in the mud.” “You found it?” She blinked, perplexed by his sudden reaction. “Yes, back at the Beaven River. I mended the broken chain and gave it to Terra so she could give it to you.” Her eyes narrowed. “Why do you ask?” Lucan shook his head. Women. Terra likely wanted the credit or perhaps thought he would be insulted that Elene had it. Just knowing that she found it, that she was willing to give it back… “Why do you hide it under your shirt?” She inhaled. “I mean, you don’t have to answer.” “So robbers wouldn’t see it.” She earned that one. “Anyway, the necklace is too girly for my taste, and my mother wanted me to pass it down to my future wife.” Elene sidestepped from him, the frame of her face facing the other way. “Hey.” He took her shoulders so she would look at him, but she denied him. “I’m not the marrying kind, alright?” “From the way you flirted with my sister, I highly doubt that.” “The last woman I loved fed me to a group of bandits.” Her eyes bulged for a moment, but she remained steadfast, stepping back and resuming a safe space between them. He guided her shoulders to turn around so they could both look back at the moons, as he didn’t like how quickly she repelled him. “Bandits, huh?” He grinned. “I mean, looking back at it now, Marca was only trying to survive. I guess after being with me for two years, she realized I wasn’t going to provide the stable life she wanted, so she took the next best option and rejoined her old group of bandits.” “You call that stable?” “It is if it means no longer having an empty stomach and a roof over your head. Marca was always a patient straight thinker, but her friends were hot-headed criminals. Add Zorn’s mouth to that, and the standoff soured into a fight for our lives.” “Did you…” Elene bit her lip. “Harm her?” “She was a lousy fighter and certainly not a jumping bean like you.” Elene furrowed her eyebrows. It made him smile that much more. “Marca tried to stop them, but it was too late, and I did what any person would to preserve my life. Her betrayal hurt me, but I was still fresh on her and wanted to fix us. She refused me, called me a killer, and said that was all I would ever be good for.” “Lucan…” “It’s alright. You were right in calling me that. I’ve seen and done things without questioning my morals. For the last three years, it became about proving to myself that I could provide the life Marca wanted, but she no longer wanted me, and I hadn’t run into her since.” “You sound like you still have feelings for her.” “We had no closure, but it doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t want to venture through that level of affection again.” “That’s very bold of you to say, don’t you think?” Lucan chuckled at her optimistic approach. “I guess there is some benefit in having someone you care about, but love’s most powerful symptom is obsession, and that leads to stupidity.” Elene rested her head back on his arm. Something was running through her mind because he could see her smiling, eyes twinkling in the night. When he asked what was funny, she shook her head, saying she was thinking about what Caydon had said to her. He recalled that night, Elene and Caydon talking all night, and that brief moment they looked at him. “And what did he say?” “Can’t share it. It’s between us.” His breathing quickened. “Do you like him?” She smiled and brushed the baby hairs from the back of her neck. “Yes, I do like him.” Lucan moved from her, taking from her the shoulder she rested on. Elene blinked at his sudden reaction. Why did he ask her that— why did he let go as fast as those words left him? “Hey.” Wein took both of their shoulders. “You two better get some sleep, especially you, Lucan.” “Yeah.” He abruptly turned around. “Forgot I need to gather my strength.” “Do you need anything?” Elene asked. “Just look forward to the feast The Dustbowl has to offer.” She smiled and nodded. Look at the growth of their hooves. They’re in dire need of trimming.” “Which I told Lucan I could do if he just got me the tools.” It was going to take more than reassurance for Elene to leave Fior and Ivory in the farrier's care. Since their encounter with those Vinolean soldiers, any trust in the locals was that much more broken. “You want my services or not, little woman?” Elene’s unruly glare showed her dogged determination. She was no pushover and, least of all, with her horses. “I never wanted your services.” The farrier slapped his hands on his leather apron. They were cut in the middle so the hooves could go between his legs when he needed to nail the iron shoes. His daughter, who was the hostler of the inn, patted his shoulder. “You don’t have to trust my pa, but he cares and loves horses as much as you do. As the manager of these stables, I’ll promise you that nothing will happen to your Fior or Ivory.” Elene raised an eyebrow. “Who told you their name?” She smiled and fluttered her lashes to Wein. “That handsome man over there.” Wein didn’t look from the tools on the wall, as if he didn’t hear the compliment, back to pretending he never showed interest in the opposite sex. “Elene, there’s no use fussing when I paid them already.” When they arrived in Vinol, the first place Lucan went to was the bank. He withdrew a bag of five gemstones, fifty gold coins, forty silver, and fifty copper. “If you want those tools to do them yourself, I’ll get them, but we are just as tired as them and need to recover.” “Alright,” Elene said, drawing her focus to the farrier. “I’m sorry.” Her apology shifted the farrier’s lips to a smile. He went back to work, leading Fior and Ivory to their own stalls. Vinol’s bustling street tightened up the Melodians like a pack of chickens surrounded by wolves. Aggressive carriages were the real danger, as were the pedestrians who walked in masses, unapologetic for any shoulder bumping. The city planners built all the major Vinolean roads around King Pann’s palace on the hill. From afar, the arching towers and lofty buildings formed a defensive wall. Those with heavy coin purses or some notable reputation had access to those streets, keeping out the good number of poor and sick beggars living in little tents in alleyways. Elene drank the sight of the place, spinning to every corner, eyeing the lacey corsets the women fashioned. Since they looked at the moons together, they hadn’t shared a deep conversation. Wein kept her near him, and Pete was always watching him. “Look at that inn.” Elene pointed at a six-story building. Lucan caught up to her, nearly brushing his arm with hers. “You don’t like the one I picked?” “It’s not that, just that it looks like a giant pearl with windows.” “Then that’s where we will be spending the night.” Elene took his arm, eyes widening. “Really?” Wein gave him an apprehensive look. Before he could say something, Lucan gave him his bag of gold coins so they could reserve their rooms. “You guys wash up, buy some clothes and get Pete checked with that arm. We can all meet at The Dustbowl for dinner, say seven o’clock.” He gave them Ryker’s map and circled the location. “How will we know the time?” Pete was rubbing his belly. “Broken arm or not, I was hoping we would eat now.” “There’s a wall sundial in every major bank. You won’t miss the time here since banks run this place. If you make it to The Dustbowl before me, ask for a private room, and ignore the fee—I’m paying, after all.” “Oh, I won’t,” Rüfus chuckled. “I’m starving! “Where are you going?” Wein, who had grown rather quiet with him, finally spoke. “To handle business,” he said, turning from them. “You four just get ready for the trip back to Melodia.” The spices of every hustling restaurant followed him. Being back in Vinol, he could only think of Zorn and Oscern, this complicated place of laws, and the indulgence of life was their home. When he was done with his errands, he was going to need to withdraw more coins from the bank. Matias still needed to get paid, and if he came empty-handed, his irritable wife would conjure up a storm. The little shop with a creaking wooden signpost made him look at it. As he was passing the wide window. The shopkeeper there was dusting the shelves. Their stares froze for a moment. The owner smiled and gestured to him inside. Lucan entered the shop to make sure, and as he suspected, he caught the eyes of a familiar trader, Fredrick. “I thought I recognized those silver eyes. You’re that young man I picked up years ago.” “So, this is where you’ve been all this time.” Lucan glanced at his store filled with borrowed items, silverware, crates of unpolished candelabrum, old paintings hung on the wall and a chandelier with a missing crystal. “You run a pawnshop, then?” “On and off,” he said, leaning against his counter. “My family runs it, and I still travel the roads in search of more valuable items.” “I’m surprised you’re talking to me,” he said, crossed-armed. “Last I recall, you said to pretend we never met right before you kicked my friends and me off your wagon.” “Ah, I was just angry.” Fredrick waved his hands as if to dismiss the memory from his face. “But I’m no longer a Riman.” He raised the necklace he carried for him to look at. “I now follow the deity of horns, Alrcar. He is the spirit of good health and prosperity.” “I see that.” “Alrcar fits my lifestyle more than some celestial being coming down to stop the world’s ending.” “You still remember that?” “Well, it was a good story, that much I’ll tell you.” Lucan could only nod. Deep down, the news disappointed him that his newborn faith was gone. Even though he teased him, he had hoped he was still a Riman. “Want to look at some of my items—give you a lil’ discount.” “You wouldn’t happen to have any ceramic mugs shaped like a buck, would you?” “Nothing of that sort.” “Then never mind, but I’ll visit next time I come around.” “Very well,” Fredrick said. “May Alrcar keep you safe.” Lucan left every shop he visited with sore feet. His empty gut complained by yet another food vendor. Any Vinolean soldier or guard he tried avoiding, fearing they would recognize his face. The hilt of his new sword glistened from the light. He kept it on hand just in case someone wanted to do to him what they did to Wein and Gourd. Before going to The Dustbowl, he met the farrier they hired. He finished working on the hooves, and the pampered horses were eating fodder while the hostler brushed them. “I have a favor to ask,” he said, hoping not to interrupt. “Ah, did your wife ask you to check on us?” Rather than correct her wrongs, he continued. “I need help finding a sturdy trading wagon that will fit them nicely. I won’t spare any expense and pay you for the trouble.” The hostler set her brush down and left the stall. “Well, alright, though, it’s quite late to be looking for a wagon.” “I can wait for tomorrow. I made some arrangements that might make the task easier for the both of us.” At the Dustbowl Tavern, the smell of steamed dumplings and broth hurried him to the front. He went to the far back where the private rooms were, and as he had hoped, they reserved a room. Though privacy was scarce here, a thin veil separated them from the main room. The rectangular table was spacious for a party of ten. Rüfus and Pete sat together while Wein and Elene sat across from them. He sat with the men, seeing Wein had given him that stare again. Tankards of foaming beer were already served. Silver plates of glistening roasted duck and caramelized pork were served as the main entrée. On the side were meat pies, desserts, dragon fruit, rye bread, and almond-seeded bread. “Surr’ee, they brou’ the food,” Rüfus barely said, mouth full with the meat pie. “That was expected,” Lucan said. Elene nervously looked at the sex workers who flung themselves at the men and women. “This must be the food Skiar eats!” Pete’s cheeks were red. “You shouldn’t have had so much beer before eating,” Wein chastised. He shut his eyes when he saw a man lay a woman on the table. Luckily the owner threatened them to leave or rent a place upstairs. “What would Mother do if she saw us here?” Elene chuckled. “This place is worse than Arrow Den.” “Just eat your fill so we can leave,” Wein answered as the maids came and set down the special order. A bowl of steamed buns towered over a leg of a pig, two whole chickens, a fruit platter, buttered buns, and all the beer they could drink. The roasted duck caught Elene’s stare, her lips smiling but not exposing her teeth, not like how he imagined. “I’m in heaven,” said Rüfus. “If only Gourd was here to join us.” Pete raised his tankard. “Our friend is with us, watching over us.” “To Gourd!” Rüfus sang. Everyone raised their tankard and drank. “Now that we made it this far, what’s our next plan?” Pete asked. “Since we have money, we can afford the toll fee down Vine Road.” “Speaking of money.” Elene’s dark eyes focused on him. “I bought something while we were here, just a few items. I hope that was alright.” “That’s fine with me.” Before Lucan could go for the last remaining buttered bun, an arm wrapped him and almost put him in a chokehold. “Oh, my sweet Lucan, I thought you dead!” “Tabetha,” he wheezed, tapping her arm. “Let go.” Crumbles of pie crust fell over Rüfus’s bottom lip. Tabetha moved back and smiled. She held the chair like she would sit down, but she knew better than to go that far. “And who might these handsome men and woman be?” “This is Elene, her brother Wein, Pete, and Rüfus.” “I heard so much about you,” Rüfus said. Tabetha ate the attention and quickly left him to sit next to him. “You have?” Her fingers trailed over his broad shoulders. “You don’t look like you’re from here.” “I’m not—need someone to give me the grand tour.” Tabetha giggled but focused back on him. “Did you find Zorn and Oscern?” Lucan nodded and drank from his tankard. “Good, they were worried sick after you didn’t return from battle. And Zorn, I’ve never seen him so scared.” Hearing that felt like getting punched in the stomach. “Well, I must be going,” she said. “I heard you were back, so I came to check on you.” “You’re not staying?” Rüfus said, half defeated. “Sorry, sweetie pie.” She dabbed his nose with her index finger. “Delilah is getting married.” Lucan shot a glance at her. “Yeah, you can tell that poor Oscern someone beat him to her.” “And who’s marrying her?” “Some wealthy mine owner who lives in a village south of Vinol. He’s taking her and all her little critters. Anyway, the girls and I are going to see her off, and I better not be late.” “So just like that, huh? She left him.” Frowning, Tabetha left Rüfus and marched back to him. “Oscern and Delila were never a couple, so don’t you dare blame her, and if you see him, tell him nicely, okay? I know it’ll hit him hard, considering what Amaro said.” Lucan shook his head. “I—I don’t know. Don’t think it’s worth telling him if it will tear him apart.” “That’s the Lucan I know.” She took his face and gave him a kiss on the lips. Her body gave the aroma of flowers, and her lips tasted like honey. “But you and I both know the truth sets you free.” She winked at Rüfus. “Toodles!” Rüfus sulked his head on the table. “She was perfect.” “Perfect eye for the coin,” Lucan said, smudging his lips. Wein had a look of revulsion, and Pete had been chuckling. Elene didn’t look his way. Rather, she was nudging her brother. “Are you going to tell him?” Wein set his tankard aside and leaned on the table. “Lucan, we appreciate what you’re doing for us. We do, but we need to discuss our way back to Melodia if the road will be dangerous with the snow building up the peak of the mountains.” “I’m fully aware you want to return home,” he said, taking a buttered bun. “Now it’s your turn to be patient and wait. That’s what I had to do when I wanted to leave Melodia. It’s only fair that you practice it.” “Yes,” said Rüfus. “I support Lucan fully, now, if you’ll excuse me.” He got up, popped his collar, and went to find his nightly company. Pete shrugged. “I’m gonna go piss.” The clatter of laughing women made Wein tap his finger against the table. “You couldn’t find us a more decent place to eat?” “I’ve been to every tavern, and this one serves the best food.” His face nearly went pale. “I didn’t think Vinol was this… open.” “Ah, you get used to it.” “No doubt with company,” Elene whispered. Lucan looked at her, and she looked away. “She’s right,” said Wein. “Rüfus is discreet about his weakness back home. But if you plan to stay in Melodia, you’ll need to be as careful as well.” “You guys,” he said, groaning. “I never claimed to be an angel. Hell, I never wanted you two to look at me in this light, but this isn’t who I am anymore. You should have realized that when I didn’t find any company to any settlement we’ve been through.” Wein groaned and washed his throat with more beer. “I think I’ll turn in for the night.” He patted Elene’s head. “Don’t stay out too long, and be sure to ask Pete to walk you back to the inn.” “Alright,” Elene said to his back, taking his tankard for herself. Lucan thought about what he had said. He understood Wein was in a hurry, but he couldn’t fix things overnight. Maybe it was a good thing that he didn’t mention how they were heading back to Melodia. “Don’t mind him.” Elene was taking bites of the roasted duck. “Wein is worried at how our father is going to react when we tell him we lost everything.” “That’s why I emptied out half of my savings.” “Oh, Lucan,” she said. “Father will not accept it. You’re better off working for him.” “Sure, if he doesn’t accept my coin.” Her stare left her plate and rose to meet his. “Does that mean you’re going to stay in Melodia for a while longer?” “That was my plan unless my history with women is too much for you.” “We all have a past… so… please stay.” The word ‘please,’ sounded like a new language coming from her. Her lashes flickered until she began to touch her face. “What are you looking at? Is there sauce on me?” “No,” he answered, focusing back on his drink. “You’re lying,” she said, taking the silver spoon. “Where is it?” “Don’t believe me?” “You? Never.” Lucan left his chair and sat beside her. Her cheeks grew redder when he leaned towards her. “There’s sauce on your new blouse.” She looked down, and he flicked her nose. “Thought you don’t believe me.” Elene knocked her head back and laughed. He scooted his chair closer to her, and she calmed down, snatching a piece of meat. “Here’s what concerns me about your brother.” He raised his empty tankard in the air for a refill. “He’s uncomfortable with all this fornication, but he doesn’t blink an eye when that Maiden Derli weds strangers who may not want to be together.” “Wein doesn’t like it.” She smiled at the server, who refilled his and her tankard. “That’s why he avoids it.” “Why didn’t you?” Elene shrugged and said it was too late to do anything about it. “I was about your age when I made a Vow of Marriage.” “But those are made between Rimans and Rima but you…” “Like I said, it was long ago, and once my partner is chosen, they’ll be parading every step of my matrimony to every Melodian.” “If that happened long ago, then you were once a Riman.” She inhaled, fingers curling to a fist. “Stop. I know you want to know my past, but I’m not ready.” Lucan gave up and rested his chin on his fist. All he could do now was watch. Elene never returned to her old seat. She finished her tankard and got another refill. It seemed even without talking, she could enjoy her own company, more so now that Rüfus was gone and Pete had yet to return. Her cloak covered most of her dress, but when she moved back and forth, her one-piece dress was a berry blue, with a high collar and white sash that wrapped her waist. “Careful with your intake,” he said after she asked for a refill. “Last time you were drunk, you charged at me.” His warning didn’t register. A couple in the main room had absorbed her attention. Their noses nearly touched as they talked. She smiled when they smiled, and she frowned when the woman pulled away. A new face strode into their reserved room, uninvited, but the heels of her polished boots clanking toward them like she owned the place. She wore a ruffled dress with a jacket and neatly updo hair. Lucan blinked for a bit, perplexed that it took him a second late to recognize Delilah, looking like a woman of class, fancy hat and everything. “What are you doing here?” he asked. Delilah looked around, overlooking Elene. “Oscern isn’t here?” She snapped her fingers and bit her thumb. “I thought Tabetha was lying so I wouldn’t come.” Lucan crossed his arms. “Don’t you have a husband to please?” “Excuse me?” “If Oscern had been here, what makes you think he would see your face?” “Lucan,” Elene chastised. Delilah gave him a wayward look. “You don’t need to understand my life, but you will respect my choices, and if anyone is telling him, it should be me. It won’t be long before these cold mountains become too much for my—” “Don’t bother with your excuses because he’s not here.” What was done was done. “Now go live your happily ever after and never bother Oscern again.” Delilah marched off. The regulars who saw her tried to get her attention, but she bumped them out of her way. Elene was looking at him, giving him a grieving look. “Before you say anything, my words were justified.” “It’s just…” “She’s connected to Oscern more than she knows, and look how easily she moved on.” Soulmates. That’s what that Amaros said she and his friend were. A Child of Rima who could identify soulmates should have relieved Oscern’s worries, but when they tried to tell him, he didn’t want to know. Zorn justified he was anxious about the knowledge they had, wanting to give Delilah the autonomy to live her life. “I don’t want to pry, but couldn’t you see the remorse in her eyes? Maybe she had no choice. Some people do things because they have to.” “Doubt it.” “If you made a Vow of Marriage, and Maiden Derli chose your Download 3.95 Mb. Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: 
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