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She takes a bite of pork. “You’re welcome to stay with me for as long as you’d like. I would be overjoyed to have you live with me. With all my boys gone to their own homes and my dear husband passed away, it’s been empty in this large house. My faith has kept me strong, but this old woman does get lonely sometimes.”
“We’d love to stay, Grandmother,” Temra says. “And we’re happy to help with the chores however we can. Ziva obviouslyhas many skills. She can repair any farm equipment. Petrik and I are strong.”
Volanna looks close to crying. “My son raised you girls right. We’ll figure something out. For now, let us enjoy one another’s company. I’ll show you the city tomorrow. Sunday belongs to the Sisters, so we will spend it in worship and prayer. After that we can decide how best to proceed. Now, why don’t we get you all cleaned up and in bed?”
The bath was heavenly, more so since it was the first time I was truly alone in a room for so long. I scrubbed over a month’s worth of dirt from my body before changing into a clean nightdress provided by Volanna. She showed us all to our rooms and promptly took our clothes for washing. Temra has taken it upon herself to look after all the weapons, and I don’t protest. She’s clearly more capable of protecting Secret Eater than I am. I watched her stow it under her bed for safekeeping along with the shortsword, spear, and staff.
I felt rude for not saying much to my father’s mother, but I was so overwhelmed by everything, I couldn’t find any words to say.
And now. Alone in a comfy bed, all I can feel is relief.
Relief, and a little fear.
What if Kymora somehow knows where we are? Is she tracking us? What if it’s not safe to close my eyes? There is no mercenary looking out for us now. And I somehow have to make a magical blade for Kellyn. Just how does he expect me to pullthat off when he also cautioned me not to mention to anyone that I have magic?
He thinks you’re a beauty.
Ugh.
That thought has a habit of poking its head through my consciousness when I least expect it. I don’t need to be thinking about him right now.
It’s only been a few hours since I last saw him.
There are much more important things to be thinking about than that mercenary.
Like Kymora and the sword. Like my sister and her happiness.
I worry about Temra. I think she’s already attached to Volanna, but should something happen—should Kymora find us—we’ll have to pick up and leave again. Leave what’s left of our family.
And it will be my fault.
Again.
Volanna takes us to all her favorite stops in the city. A shop that sells fruity drinks. A store entirely devoted to hair ribbons and cosmetics. And finally, a dressmaker’s.
“We’ll need to find something for you both to wear to the service. No time for something tailored,” Volanna muses aloud. “What do you have already made in their sizes?”
One of the workers produces two ghastly dresses with strange frills and lace in uncomfortable places.
Volanna is delighted by the dresses and buys them instantly. I turn to whisper my thoughts on the new clothing to Temra.
“You’re just upset you have to wear something fashionable for once.”
We head to the fjords after the dressmaker’s, find a place to sit, and spend time watching the fish through the clear water—and those strange birds swimming after them.
“They’re called penguins,” Volanna explains. “They’re normally found in very cold climates, but this is a special breed found in the fjords.” We quickly learn that Volanna loves animals, and she tells us the name of every fish as we spot them.
We laugh over the birds playing with one another. They push each other into the water, play games of chase.
At one point, Temra excuses herself to find a privy, leaving me alone with Volanna.
“It’s all right,” she says once my sister is gone. “Your father was the same way, you know. Very shy. A man of few words. More comfortable when he was on his own. I didn’t think he’d ever go off and leave me, let alone marry. I’m happy he found someone to share his life with.” She gives me a warm smile. “All I’m saying is, you can say as little or as much as you’d like. I understand and don’t hold it against you either way.”
“Thank you,” I say, and I offer her my first sincere smile.
I hadn’t known that about my father. I don’t remember him being shy or soft-spoken. What I remember is him throwing me high into the air and catching me. I remember him dancing with me, having me stand on his toes while he’d twirl me around the room. And I remember him telling me stories, though I can’t recall what they were about.
“I am glad to be here and to have met you,” I say. “I hope you don’t think differently.”
