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Chapter 27 - Haven
Luella
I got a heroine’s welcome. The drought had lifted from most of Mogochislenia. Only Leiderman and a part of Queenspell still felt some of its effects. According to my mother’s telepathic friend Diana, people thought that I braved being married to a barbarian to save the land.
“Metheus is not a barbarian,” I protested.
Diana calmed me down by rubbing my back.
“Of course, my darling. We know he is not. The majority loves him, though, and mourns with him on the death of his father.”
“Oh.”
“So, how was it? Were you terribly frightened?” Diana asked. “Your mother wants to talk to you in her study.”
Upon arrival, they were not surprised that I went straight to bed. I could only do a perfunctory visit to my father’s and mother’s throne room. Then, I fled. I was exhausted physically and emotionally. Eyes blurry with tears and exhaustion, I saw Francilia lead Rowali and her nurse Fuza to their chambers.
Then, it was time to talk.
“How are you, my dear?” my mother asked, her face looking ragged and worn. I had not seen her like that, even after my father had fallen ill.
“How are you, mother?” I returned the question.
“We are well. A little bit of our powers had been coming back,” she said with a small smile. Her eyes never left my face, though.
“Oh, that is good to know.”
“And you? How was Arrowspear? I am happy you found witches there and that you have been friends with King Doro before he died. I can see you are friends with the princess, too.”
“Mother, we consummated the marriage.”
She was startled at that. Shocked. Her mouth opened, forming an almost perfect O. Her eyes widened, and she rose from her chair with one palm pressed on her desk for support. Then, the initial shock made way to joy. The wide eyes lit up, and her chest made a ragged sigh.
“Are you -?” she gestured vaguely at my belly.
“No, I am afraid not, Mother. I had just had my menses.”
“How did he not - Are you now cured? Did you get a cure from the witches of Arrowspear?
“Unfortunately, no. My dear husband turned out to be a fire stealer.”
“A fire stealer? I thought there were no more fire stealers on all the continents. How did he become one? His mother was a medium, and his father was mortal!”
My mother started pacing the room as if trying to solve a problem in arithmetic – something I would be no help in, anyway.
“Why? What does it take to become a fire stealer?”
My thoughts went to the Ninurta, but I now believed my husband was not like that. He was not evil. Not at all.
“Fire stealers are born from gods, Luella. There must have been something that King Doro had left out. Had never told us. Now, he is dead.”
“You don’t believe Metheus knows anything about it?”
“I doubt. The young man seems content with his work in the fields. He had been draining the heat all along,” she murmured.
“Yes, he was draining the fields.”
“He does not drain you?”
