Page 93 of Pretense

There was a note to Melantha’s voice that had Essie turning more fully to face her sister-in-law. “Is everything all right?”

Melantha tightened the lid on the jar, then set it aside. She leaned back against the tree next to Essie, staring up at the thick green leaves overhead. After several long seconds of silence, Melantha sighed. “I did not realize how intensely I would miss the sun. And trees. And green. How I missed green. Kostaria has forests of pine and spruce, but even those forests are not green the way Tarenhiel is green. I managed to get through this winter thanks to Rharreth’s promise that we would visit Tarenhiel in the spring.”

Essie wasn’t sure what to say. She had missed Escarland during those first few months of her marriage, but not quite like that. Then again, she had only been away from her home and family for three months. Melantha had left Tarenhiel nearly nine months ago now.

Most surprising was the fact that Melantha was confiding this to her. The two of them had never been close, even before Melantha had betrayed Farrendel. And, while Farrendel had worked hard to repair his relationship with Melantha and the two of them had kept up a steady stream of letters back and forth, Essie was still figuring out just what kind of sister-in-law Melantha would be.

Though, Melantha had washed her puke bucket for her the other day. It was hard to stay distrustful of someone willing to do that.

Melantha tore her gaze away from the leaves, facing Essie again. “Do not mistake me. I love Rharreth and Kostaria. I would not trade the life I have for one in Tarenhiel.”

“Clearly.” Essie forced a smile, waving from Melantha’s short, spiky black hair to her leather clothing. “You look like a proper troll.”

Melantha’s mouth twisted into the start of a smile, even if it was still shadowed. “Yes. I am happy. It is just…”

“Even happiness can come with hard parts.” Essie glanced back to the lake. Ryfon and Brina were both splashing Farrendel, all three of them laughing. Essie wouldn’t trade Farrendel for anything, but choosing him meant choosing to love him through his dark days and nightmare-filled nights. It wasn’t easy or glamorous or romantic. It was just…life. But it was still good. Still worth it each and every day.

“Yes.” Melantha settled back against the tree. “Rharreth assures me that summer in Kostaria is very green and beautiful. Until then, I am going to soak up as much green as I can here in Tarenhiel until we return.”

Perhaps it was a sign of how far Melantha had come that she was willing to talk about something that pained her rather than letting it smolder. This open, wiser Melantha was one Essie wouldn’t mind getting to know better. “Are you still planning to visit Escarland to meet with my brother before returning to Kostaria?”

“Most likely. We have come this far south. We might as well go the rest of the way.” Melantha shrugged, then quirked another of those tentative smiles. “Though I would not mind delaying, giving us another excuse to travel through Tarenhiel.”

“My brother is eager to start work on the bridge between Tarenhiel and Escarland, as well as discuss more opportunities for trade. I’m sure he will give you plenty of excuses for travel if you wish.” Essie paused, studying Melantha for a moment before she added, “I’m glad Kostaria has accepted you and Rharreth enough that you can travel more.”

“So am I.” Melantha’s smile widened. “Though, we left Vriska in charge, so we cannot abandon Kostaria for too long. There is only so much Rharreth’s shield band can do to keep the kingdom together until we get back.”

With Rharreth’s brother and cousin dead, he no longer had any family. He didn’t have siblings who could watch over the kingdom the way Weylind or Averett did. Until Rharreth had an heir, Kostaria would be a little tense wondering what would happen to the line of succession if something happened to Rharreth.

That probably didn’t help the pressure that Melantha was under as an elf ruling as queen of the trolls.

Before Essie could think of a reply, Farrendel walked up the pebbled beach and flopped onto his back on the forest floor next to her, his silver-blond hair a shade darker while wet, his loose shirt and trousers dripping.

“You look cold.” Essie handed him the towel.

“I am cold.” Farrendel swiped the towel over his face. “Is there any word from Estyra?”

“Not yet.”

Farrendel grimaced and dropped the towel to the forest floor next to him.

It was uncomfortable, enjoying the peace and safety of Lethorel while also tensely awaiting word about those they had left behind.

“Weylind and Rheva will be all right.” Essie rested a hand on Farrendel’s shoulder, his shirt cold and wet. She glanced over her shoulder at Melantha. “And Rharreth. I’m sure they will keep each other safe.”

Melantha’s mouth twisted into a wry smile yet again. “If Rharreth and Weylind can stop glaring and posturing long enough to work together.”

Essie could imagine Weylind’s scowl and Rharreth’s sharp glare. Good thing Rheva had stayed behind to play peacemaker between them, otherwise they might kill each other before the assassins got there. “Perhaps it will be good bonding time.”

“After this past year, I think Weylind may have reached his limit of bonding time.” Farrendel squeezed water from each of his sleeves.

“It is good for him.” Melantha gathered her jars of juice and stood. “Is there anything you need, Elspetha?”

“No, I’m fine.” Essie checked that her soda cracker tin was within reach, in case she needed something to nibble on.

Melantha nodded. “I will see if Brina and Ryfon need anything.”

The two of them had climbed out of the water farther along the bank, sitting in a patch of sun as they dried off.

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