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“By Arflyn’s grace, I should hide.” Martha took a bite of her bread.
“You do not get on with each other?” Sloane asked as he picked up his own bread.
“No. She is a self-entitled Akrhyn. Years ago, she claimed that Arflyn visited her in a dream and showed her a tomb. The tomb was said to be Arflyn’s, and from that day on, she claimed she was a Priestess.” Martha snorted. “Told the world. Castors tested her for her truth, but they could not determine that she did not dream what she did, nor could they say she had a dream like any other Akrhyn or human has on a nightly basis. With nothing to disprove her, Joaquin let her spout her nonsense.”
“You do not think she is a Priestess?” Tegan’s food was finished, and she was looking at the silver pot on the stove.
“No, you cannot eat any more. I need to keep some for Salem and Marcus.” Martha was firm despite Tegan’s crestfallen expression. “You may cut us all more bread though.” She gave a low chuckle when Tegan jumped up to comply. “Talia is very much like Cornelius in that she believes she is better than her peers. However, where she differs from Cornelius, she simply thinks she is better than everyone, irrespective of their species. Cornelius has hate for his Lycan and Vampyre brother, whereas Talia has contempt for all.”
“She sounds andishorrible. I know why father did not talk of her.”
“In fairness, her arrogance is so astonishing I truly do not believe she knows how offensive she is.” Martha reached for her new bread.
“I think that could be the best way I have ever heard her described,” Sloane said honestly. “I do not believe she means to be...malicious? I just think it comes so easily to her she simply knows no better.”
“And she said you were not worthy.” Tegan took a drink of water. “And does her return mean Zahra returned?” Tegan looked sad. “I do not know if I can bear them both.”
“Maybe we need to train and patrol more?” Sloane offered.
“Yes, we can always be away when they are here.” Tegan grinned at the idea.
“You will not hide, Tegan. You were not raised to be a coward,” Martha chided her. “And despite her lack of training, crying and complaining, I think Zahra may have some redeeming qualities.”
“What are they?” Sloane asked eagerly. It caused all three of them to laugh, and Martha returned to her pots.
“We will have a fuller complement coming to the Headquarters, I believe.” She looked over the kitchen. “I need more help.”
“I do not think you can request Zahra,” Tegan said warily.
“Why? She does not want to train, then she is a house Akrhyn. She may need to know how to run her own House one day.”
“I think Zahra may be more the kind of Akrhyn who gets waited on, rather than waiting on.” Tegan exchanged a look with Sloane, who agreed with a thumbs up gesture.
“Well, she can snap out of it,” Martha said firmly. “I think it is time the child learned how to run a household.”
“You are not going to be dissuaded, are you?” Sloane asked as he leaned back in his seat.
“No.” Martha smiled as she looked at him. “Why?”
“Can I be there when you suggest it to her?” He stood excitedly. “With Talia there too?”
“You are full of Velvore’s mischief, aren’t you?” Martha looked at him in amusement. “You can be wherever you wish to be; she is your betrothed.”
“Yes!” Sloane hugged the older woman with glee. “When are you telling them? Can you make sure I am not in classes? Or training? Or sleeping?”
“Calm down!” Martha laughed again at his eagerness. “You carry on like this, and I fear you may tell them before I get the chance to.”
“I will keep him under control, Martha,” Tegan said as she stood. “He needs to learn the bow.”
“You cannot fire an arrow?” Martha frowned at him.
“It is not my choice of weapon, but little miss ‘I can do everything’ is ready to teach me.” Sloane rolled his eyes playfully.
“If you see Salem and that Lycan, Marcus, tell them their food is ready,” Martha called out after they had thanked her for the food.
“She does not like Marcus?” Sloane asked as they left and headed up to their rooms for their winter attire.
“Father and he used to be on good terms, but now they are not.” Tegan shrugged indifferently. “Martha likes to hold a grudge, even though she was not born when the disagreement happened. Father calls it loyalty.” Tegan shared a look with Sloane.
