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Placing a couple of the pillows on the bed, I lay the matching lavender blanket down across the foot of the mattress before piling the rest into one corner of the couch. The appearance of three pillows and two throw blankets gives the impression of comfort and warmth.
I hope.
Going back towards the bathroom, I make sure there are clean towels on the warming bar near the shower and clawfoot tub big enough for two. As I re-enter the bedroom, I stare at the space I wish for Liliya to sleep at night. Next to me but away from any entrances to the room. I will always protect her when I can help it.
That area of the floor is empty. I know from experience that the hardwood can be chilly on the bottoms of your feet first thing in the morning. Seeking out Nadia, I find her in the main kitchen with Mila and Sofiy, feeding the babies while Lana colors at the table.
“Dez.” Nadia grins as my sister, Ada, reaches for me, her chubby cheeks filled with whatever mess they’re eating. Eyeing her sticky fingers, I hesitate until Nadia rolls her eyes. “Oh, go on, I know you want to.” I’m the only person she allows to pull one of the triplets away when they’re eating.
“Ada,” I grin when those dirty little fingers reach for my face. The babies are one of the pure joys in my life. They don’t judge me and demand my secrets. They want to play, eat, and be cuddled. I can provide those things for them when my adoptive parents need the break. “She is getting chunky.” I rock her as she leans her head on my shoulder, clearly done with eating for now and in need of sleep.
“Is not!” Nadia slaps her hands on her hips as she chuckles at the picture we must make. “You can’t say those things about your own sister.” Her chiding words are softened with a loving smile.
“I can. You mean, I shouldn’t. Chubby is cute on her. She is young, she’ll grow out of it. Be like her mama.” Nadia wraps her arms around the both of us before kissing us each on the cheek.
“Did you need something?” Mila smiles at me as she rubs the back of her own newborn daughter, Kit. She and Petro’s adopted son, Trace, stand guard next to the two of them.
“A small rug. For beside the bed.” Glancing down at Ada as she sucks on her hand, emotion fills the cavern of my normally empty chest. “Pink or purple,” I murmur.
“Like the pillows and blankets?” Nadia asks, and I nod. “I have a spare peach one in the triplets’ room.”
“I don’t want to take from them.” I’d never ever dream of it.
“Not to worry, I bought it with everything else I gave you. I’ve just been waiting for you to ask for more.” I frown at her clarification. I had assumed it was all extra things she had from the babies.
“Okay.” I can’t very well say no. She thought of items that I didn’t. I’ll have to pay more attention to what Nadia, Mila, and Sofiy get so I can make sure Liliya has those things, too.
“We’ll watch the children; you go help Dez,” Sofiy offers, reaching for Ada, who digs deeper into my chest and whines at the thought of being taken from me.
“I’ll keep her.” Following behind Nadia, I recognize the concern on her face. “Say it.” I know something is on her mind.
Pausing, she turns to face me, her eyes softening when she sees Ada has fallen asleep on me—something my sister does often. And I’ll happily carry her or her brother or sister until they are settled at any time. It is my pleasure to provide the safety they need.
“I know what Vasyl said to you earlier.” I straighten my back, waiting for her criticism as well. “I think he’s wrong.” Shocked, my eyes meet hers as the doorbell rings. “I think when things are ready for the two of you, your secrets, and hers, will be confessed. Love, marriage, relationships, they can’t be forced.”
Sofiy’s mother, Adria, is speaking in the foyer.
“Liliya is too pure to ever love a man like me,” I respond. I already know this. I’m not good enough for a woman of her caliber.
“Oh, Dez.” She reaches forward, squeezing my hand where I hold Ada’s back. “No woman is too good for you. But in order for you to open up to Liliya about your life before you were my son, you need to be able to trust her, too. It’s not all on you, and I need for you to remember that.”
I drop my eyes. I hadn’t thought about that, about what I might need, because when I’m faced with a lovely creature such as Liliya, I no longer matter. Only her. But I know from watching Vasyl and Nadia fight their way to their love for each other that she’s right.
Glancing over my shoulder, I catch warm blonde tresses flowing as someone rounds a corner, and I know it’sher. She’s here. In my home. This is my one and only chance to barter for her so I can attempt to be worthy of living a co-mingled life.
FOUR
LILIYA
Fear lingers in the pit of my gut as we approach the castle-like structure. It’s twice the size of the home I grew up in, with what I assume are wings of living space that could be filled with families. Though, the ominous feel of it is more like a torture house. And we’re here because it’s finally happening. My father has gambled too much money, so I’m certain I’m being sold off like some piece of meat. There’s no other explanation for dragging me from bed in my nightgown and tossing me into the back of the limo awaiting us in the driveway.
“Keep your mouth shut, Liliya,” my father demands. As if I ever speak out of turn. I don’t. I’ve never spoken to anyone without his consent.
Except for Dez.
He was the only person ever to approach me and not care that I was off-limits. He also knew who my father was, so he must have known that no one was allowed to speak to me. Not until I’m given to a husband of Father’s choosing.
My door opens, and a hand reaches in for my arm, yanking me out. The small pebbles in the driveway dig into the bottoms of my bare feet, scratching and clawing to draw blood.
