Page 59 of The Goddesses' Gifts

“There’s that elf-half that you claim hardly exists,” I cackled. Exchanging the heads of our enemies had become a joke, but something told me she meant it when it came to Adukli.

“Oh,” she groaned as I worked out another knot, “she’s in here. Turns out she just doesn’t have much to say until someone I love gets hurt.”

I paused for a moment, caught a little off guard. “So, you’re saying you love me?” I never got the impression that she was developing feelings for me. I didn’t want her to. I didn’t want her. I couldn’t want her.

“Yes, of course.” She rolled her eyes as though she thought I was being stupid on purpose. “You’re family.”

“Yeah, I get that,” I nodded in understanding. The bond was still cracked open so I felt the warmth of her affection. I didn’t think it was the sort of affection I’d have to worry about. Though it was awfully nice to know she … honestly cared when she didn’t have to. It made me wonder what it would be like to share this bond with someone that loved me the way she loved Lhoris. The few times I’d accidentally glimpsed it through our bond, it was like a blinding beam of sunlight, focused and directed toward the object of that love.

I heard Lhoris’ footsteps in the hallway outside. At this point in the pregnancy, Lhoris had made his peace with the attention I had to give Oz, though I hadn’t explained this form of pain relief to my younger brother yet. Lhoris probably wasn’t going to get angry about finding me with my hands on her legs.

Probably.

“Good, you’re back,” I said when he came in. “Why have you let her go on in so much pain?” That would let him know why I was there and the accusation might leave him on his heels.

Lhoris gaped at me. “I, uh, gave her medicine …” he paused. “Wait, why didn’t you know before now?”

I scowled at him, but at least he wasn’t going for my throat. “Come here and I’ll explain it all to you.”

“Oh, ok” Lhoris deflated a little, probably weary from his evening, before turning to put his cloak on a hook. “I’ll change for bed first.”

“Don’t forget to act surprised if your father tries to teach you about this in a couple weeks,” Oz said to Lhoris.

“Oh, Tamnaeth and Imryll are coming after all?” I asked.

“And Alyndra, thank the elements,” Lhoris confirmed while he put his satchel in the wardrobe and switched to his sleep pants. He left his dirty shirt and pants on the floor. Oz gave him a pointed look. He gave her a crooked grin then picked them up and put them in the laundry bag.

He joined me at the foot of the bed.

“Right, you know why she hurts?” I asked.

Lhoris shook his head. “The extra weight?”

“Hey,” Oz grumbled and gave him a playful pout. “That’s rude.”

“I’m sorry, my love.” Lhoris gave her a sheepish grin.

I rolled my eyes. “The reason her feet, back and hips hurt … as I understand it, the joints get loose during pregnancy, so the pelvis can make space for the baby to pass through. It’s good for delivery, but painful in other ways. The knots and cramps in her legs are from not eating enough vegetables and pushing herself too hard.” I said the latter while giving Oz a sharp look.

She rolled her eyes again.

Lhoris smirked. “So, what is it you need to show me?”

“Something that Tamnaeth probably never thought of, considering he doesn’t have innate fire.” I summoned my flame and trapped it between my fingers until it reached the right temperature. Then I grabbed Lhoris’ hand so he could feel it. “No hotter,” I said. Lhoris nodded.

I took my hot hands to Oz’s other foot and allowed Lhoris to practice the temperature. He yelped once and waved his hands in the air. “That would be too hot,” I said dryly. Oz chuckled. But I didn’t tease him any further. It takes time to figure out how to do it without burning yourself. By the time I got through with her second calf, Lhoris had it worked out.

Oz watched us with a silly little smile on her face. She was obviously happy, and it was probably the best she’d felt in a while. It felt good to know that I had done that for someone and for a moment understood my brother’s desire to heal.

“You should work your way up her backside and focus on her lower back pain,” I said as I got out of bed. My knees were a little stiff from sitting bent for so long. “And probably her upper back. It’s tricky since she’ll have to lay on her side, but it’s not hard once you get the hang of it.” I grabbed my boots and tucked them under my arm.

Lhoris, never one to miss an opportunity to touch his woman, did as he was instructed before I was even out the door. I paused outside and listened for a moment.

“I had no idea it was bothering you that much. It’s so normal I just assumed it was something to be endured. I’m sorry, love,” he apologized. “I’d have gone to Lobikno for advice sooner had I known there was something else to be done for it.”

“He talked a little bit about Adukli,” she said abruptly. It was silent in the room for a moment. Not even a rustle of fabric. Like they’d both frozen in place.

“He’s never talked about her,” Lhoris said, eventually. “What did he say?”

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