Page 60 of The Goddesses' Gifts

She gave him a recap of the brief exchange. It never occurred to me that it was such a big deal. But I supposed I hadn’t talked about that monster since Lhoris first came back to the mountains to help me heal from her “affections.” Then again, I couldn’t recall the last time I’d even said her name out loud.

“That’s amazing. It sounds like he’s healing,” Lhoris said, awe in his voice.

“Life here is good for him. The pace is slower and not murderous.” She sighed happily.

“For the time,” Lhoris said, followed by the sounds of kissing. I grimaced and walked away at that point. It was bad enough to hear bits and pieces of their nocturnal activities from my room, I did not want to hear it close up.

I let myself into my room, summoning some silence so they wouldn’t realize I’d been hovering to listen, but also to keep Oshruli from waking up. The boy still slept lightly, as if he needed to be ready to spring into action to flee from threats. I knew how it felt.

He was sound asleep in his cot near the fireplace, the embers’ gentle glow lighting his peaceful face. I kept using the silence as I got ready for bed, though I intended to stay up and read for a little while. Instead, I found myself just looking down at my son, contemplating what Oz and Lhoris had said when they thought I wasn’t listening.

Maybe I had done some healing over these months. A lot had changed. I had a home with a culture that wasn’t geared towards creating monsters. I had my son. I had Lhoris and his mate. I had another child on the way … with my brother’s mate which was not a pleasant thought, but the baby was doing well. I was excited to actually enjoy fatherhood. Even training the guard and soldiers had been rewarding in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Likewise, was teaching Lhoris the little things his foster father would have if he’d been here.

It took a while for me to realize what it was—what had changed. It was the cumulative effect of all those things.

For the first time in my long life … I was happy.

LHORIS

My parents and sister arrived almost precisely two weeks after their letter. Guille sent a runner to the apothecary to bring me to the stables. I ran the whole way across the courtyard to greet my family.

The carriage was typical of the woodlands; tall, graceful lines and arches carved into the wood panels that reminded one of sapling trees and branches in ivory. It sat by the stables, untouched by the grooms. They appeared somewhat intimidated by the unfamiliarity of a carriage that required no driver and the too-knowing eyes of the horses that were bred in the woodlands. They were beasts of great intelligence and were companions more than tools. One needed to ask them to perform tasks and not just demand obedience. I had forgotten that detail. The stable master would need instruction on how to handle these animals.

The carriage door opened, and my father emerged. He looked almost as he always had. Father wasn’t quite as tall as me, with long wavy hair of platinum. He wore green, gold and white robes, and his face was slightly aged now. It took me by surprise. If Tamnaeth were human, he’d have appeared to be in his forties, but as an elf … it meant he was approaching his final decades. The crinkles around his honey-colored eyes deepened when he saw me and a warm, gentle smile spread across his face. He stepped down, embraced me and murmured, “You had us fearing the worst, son,” he admonished kindly. “I worried that I’d never hold you again.”

“I’m sorry, ahba,” I murmured the childish endearment where only my father could hear. “I’ll do my best to never worry you like that again.”

Mother emerged next; her red hair pulled up in an elaborate braided coronet atop her head. Her green eyes, made more prominent by the emerald wrap around dress she wore, met mine. She had aged as well, more so than my father.

“Mother,” I smiled up at her when father released me and offered my hand to steady her as she stepped down to the ground. She didn’t need the help, even in the sunset of her years, she was graceful as ever. She placed both hands on my cheeks and pulled me down towards her so she could kiss my forehead.

I stood and waited for her to scold me, as she had often in the past. Instead, her eyes welled with tears, and she threw her arms around me, nearly crushing my ribs.

Alyndra followed after our mother. She, in a green tunic and pants, was a perfect blend of our parents. Her pale red hair and honey eyes shone in the afternoon light. “I ought to pinch your ears for worrying them,” she said with a wry grin, as if she hadn’t been worried as well.

Why had I been so scared to send for them?

The grooms finally dared to approach to disconnect the carriage. The horses shook out of their harnesses and ran back out of the rear gate, taking their leave while they could. My family appeared unconcerned, so I didn't bother worrying about it.

“What would you like to do first?” I asked them. “Do you need to eat? Bathe? See the rooms you’ll be staying in?” I offered mother an arm.

She took it and gave me an amused smile. “Darling, we didn’t come all this way for hospitality. I want to meet your mate.”

OZANNA

Iwatched from the gardens as Lhoris greeted his family. He looked so relieved to see them. Silly elf, so worried over nothing.

There weren't as many children in the courtyard these days since spring planting was well underway and Emma had been good to her word about hiring people to help with the children. I, with assistance, would often herd them all down to the community gardens to help with the work there. It was good for Oshruli to learn along with his friends and contribute to the community.

The younger children were guided by the older ones, who were guided by the matrons and miserably pregnant mothers. The caregivers helped in whatever way they could. I didn’t have much to contribute to the process, so I watched over them all, like I’d done for almost two decade's worth of travelers. Though with a bow and arrows instead of blades.

I picked up my bow and quiver and called the children together after their play. There were always other guardsmen about to look out for the people. My absence, like my presence, was inconsequential to anybody’s safety these days. Pretending otherwise just made me feel better. I called Oshruli over to take my hand and let the caregivers usher the small group down to the gate that led to the garden. The children scampered down to their families, and I turned to take Oshruli to meet my … what, in-laws?

“Where are we going, mama?” Oshruli looked up at me through his tiny shadow glasses, unsure about the change in our routine. He’d started calling me mama after realizing that’s what other children called their mothers. The tutor helped him along with his language and it wasn’t often that he struggled for the right words. He was so, so smart.

“Uncle Lhoris’ mother, father, and sister have arrived from the woodlands. We need to go meet them.” I explained as I waddled across the courtyard.

“They don’t look like ahba or Uncle Lhoris.” Oshruli clutched at my skirt with his free hand and mashed his wide brimmed hat and chubby cheek against my legs. I had given up on pants a while back since nothing ever seemed to accommodate my growing belly as well as a high waisted dress.

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