Page 39 of The Goddesses' Gifts

Zelfek and Dourlak walked us to the edge of the clearing. “I’ve had someone take three fresh horses and supplies to your camp.”

I was too tired to be surprised he knew where to find it. He’d been very well prepared for this coup of his and it just wasn’t important enough to ask.

He nodded to the baby. “More clothes for the child as well. It will be too cold at night for even a dark elf child.”

I swallowed my pride then. “Thank you, Zelfek.”

“You’re welcome, Lobikno.” He stunned me by pulling me into a brief, stiff hug. “Until we meet again, in this life or the next.”

“Yeah, right, it’ll be the next,” I mumbled.

Oz left Lhoris’ side long enough to give Zelfek a peck on the cheek. He gave her a brittle smile before turning to go back to his people.

We trudged in silence through the quiet autumnal forest to the place we’d made camp. It took longer than it should have, with Oz and Lhoris stumbling around behind me. She because it was too dark, and Lhoris because he almost died.

I was still a little too raw to really wrap my head around it all. An odd little laugh bubbled up and burst from my mouth, startling the boy in my arms.

I don’t know what kind of face I was making, but the baby’s eyes were wide and curious while he peered up at me. Not that he was a baby anymore, really. He was far too small for his age, but he would be six in the spring.

“I guess I need to think of a name for you,” I thought out loud, trying to distract myself.

“Osh-anna gived me one,” he said quietly with a shake of his head. “I think she did. Is Oshruli a name?”

I glanced over at the woman. Oz must have heard him say the name. She aimed an apologetic grimace in my direction, but it didn’t upset me. He’d only just been weened when I saw him last, and he’d been too shy to approach. There just hadn’t been enough time to really see his personality so I’d given up on trying to find something that fit. Ozanna, however, would have given him a name out of spite after finding out he didn’t have one. It was probably the only elven name she knew, the simple thing.

“It is a name.” I nodded. “And it’s a good name. Do you like it?”

“Yeah,” he nodded back. “I like it.”

“Then it’s your name,” I agreed solemnly. Then I rambled. “There’s a story that goes along with it. I can’t remember it all, but when I do, I’ll tell you. At bedtime, even.”

“No one told me a story before,” my son, Oshruli said. “Is that something I’d like?”

“I like stories,” I said with a shrug, “I can tell you some while we ride to the castle where we’ll live.”

Oshruli’s mouth dropped open in surprise. His eyes darted back and forth before he leaned in closer to my ear. “You a king?” he whispered.

I had to laugh. And when I stopped, the smile stayed in place. “No, Oshruli, I’m not. But one of my friends lives there, and she wants us to come stay with her.”

Oshruli’s pale brows drew together, “What’s a friend?”

“Oh, my boy,” I said, and my face felt strained, like it was trying to smile and worry at the same time. “I have so many things to teach you.”

CHAPTER 19

ZELFEK

Iintentionally turned my back as my cousins and Ozanna left the clearing. There was a part of me that wanted to run away with them, and I worried that I might just do it if I looked back. If only the road ahead of me could be as simple as theirs. While Dulanzo was no longer a threat, I’d just committed myself to a completely different set of problems, and I was just too weary to do more than go through the motions. It was time to start down the check list of things that I had to do now that the bastard was cooling on the ground at my feet.

Bhekna wasn’t wrong about my prowess suffering for my lack of appetite. I’d never have been able to take on Dulanzo in a duel myself. Perhaps Lhoris could have pulled it off, but Lobikno would have been the better challenger by far. He had the most to gain in seeing my dear older cousin dead, but this still ended the way we’d hoped.

Dourlek walked beside me. “You look like shit,” he said with a downturned lip.

“Yup,” I agreed. “I’ve got more to do though. Will you help me?”

I wasn’t sure Dourlek would, but he nodded in agreement.

“There’s a small bundle of wood and kindling in the gatehouse. Would you get it and meet me just inside the entrance?” He nodded and joined another group of elves that were walking back to the gates while I went to collect Dulanzo’s head.

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