Page 58 of The Goddesses' Gifts

“Weak?” I barked, hands on my hips. “Don't you realize you’re one of the most powerful beings in the world? You’re creating life. It’s perilous and magical.” I snorted. “Males think they are so powerful because they can kill things, but this,” I gestured to her belly, “this is real power. It’s literally my job to help you do the things that make you feel weak right now.”

She blinked at me. “So, I’m not just a burden?” Her eyes filled with tears.

Pregnancy did not agree with her temperament. She was used to independence, so the loss of it, even temporarily, was hard on her. I felt it every time she failed to do something that was once simple. Not because I allowed her in, though. It was the strength of that feeling that made it through to me despite any efforts to keep her out.

“No,” I assured her, with a hint of a smile and a shrug. “You’re doing important work.”

“So are the other women, but they contribute to the community,” she said, her chin trembling. “I feel like I’m just being kept.”

“What…?” I trailed off when I realized what was really bothering her. She’d been raised in a religious organization that made her feel obligated to serve, and she wasn’t able to in the way she knew how. She wasn’t being very fair to herself. Especially since she spent most of her day watching over the children of the chateau staff.

I nodded to myself and snorted when I realized she just didn’t see it.

“Haven’t you noticed the way children have been flocking to you? How you’ve been herding great groups of them around every afternoon?”

She shrugged. “They’re just there to play with Oshruli.”

I frowned at her and sighed.

“Ozanna, the mothers have been sending their small children to you. For you to keep safe while they do their work. Has nobody told you how much that helps? All these months you thought it was just Ruli making friends? They’re too young to help with the winter work but too old to be kept in a sling.”

“Really?” A big tear escaped one eye.

“Really,” I said, suppressing a smirk, “you’re worried over nothing. Lhoris is rubbing off on you and not in a good way.”

She laughed then winced grumbling at herself. “It seems belly laughs are no longer an option.” She gave me a sad little grin while rubbing her lower back. Again.

I frowned a little because I hadn’t sensed that pain though the bond, which was concerning. Pain was one of the few things I wanted to be aware of.

“Well, can I get you anything?” I asked and stared at a tear that was still hanging onto her chin. Now I feared that I was missing other things causing her discomfort. “Water?”

“Oh no,” she said in mock horror. “I’ll be up all night on the chamber pot.”

I chuckled. “Can’t have that, you need sleep.” So, I rearranged the pillows on the bed. “This should help your back a little.” I was slow to remember the things that I was supposed to look out for. The pain this stubborn battle ax might try to hide. “How are your feet doing?” I asked as I helped her get resituated against the pillows.

“They’ve been better,” she admitted with a shrug.

I frowned at her and poked at the bond some more and it lit up with pain.

She blinked at me, sensing the change. “Why are you angry with me?” she cried, the tears falling for real this time.

I sighed in frustration. “I’m not mad at you, woman,” I grumbled. “But … why didn’t you tell anybody you are that miserable? I can help you. So could Lhoris with his herbs.” I pulled my boots off and sat cross legged at the foot of the bed, cursing in elvish.

“He’s been giving me herbs. What are you doing?” she asked, apparently confused, though somehow still weeping.

“Your feet hurt, don’t they?” I snapped, grabbing one of them without being rough. “I’m going to help the pain.” Oz blinked at me, probably confused by the way my grumping was contrary to my words.

I rubbed my hands together, calling up a little fire to flare between them for a few seconds. Her eyes widened, but I dismissed the flame and wrapped my almost unbearably hot hands around her foot. She moaned in relief, relaxing into her pillows. I snorted and started massaging.

Her eyes hooded while I worked some of the aches away.

“Thank you so much,” she eventually sighed.

Those words hit hard, though I didn’t show it on my face. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t just the bond fucking with my head. Adukli never thanked me when I did those things for her. She tormented me while I was unable to resist the drive to take care of her. But Oz was just grateful. It felt like I was repaying her for the space she’d given me. It wasn’t the bond trying to make me feel things I didn’t want. I reheated my hands and moved on to her calf, probing for knots.

“I think I like doing this for you,” I said, feeling like I had to say something, but didn’t know what. “Adukli … it never felt right to take care of her. To do these things. Everything has been different this time around.” That all felt true.

“She never deserved you, Lobikno.” Oz sighed. “I’m glad if this can help you somehow. You’re worthy, you know.” Her brow furrowed and a moment of anger flashed in her eyes. “Point her out to me someday when I’m not pregnant. I’ll give you her head.”

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