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Aside from the frostiness between Fadon and Lucius, I enjoyed being with the Ongahri. Ever since I had been rescued, and especially after that day in Tarma, the Ongahri looked at me with tremendous respect, bringing me choice meats, assisting me with anything they felt I needed, always with a smile. It made Lucius growl a bit, and Demos more vigilant, but in all, I think my mates were pleased that I had so many people keeping an eye on me.
It was with a weary yet excited heart that I cast my eyes on the familiar landscape of home. Providence. Tears pooled in my eyes, instantly freezing in the cold air that blew on my face. Lucius’ arms were around me, and around the both of us was a thick blanket of wool. Inside the warm cocoon, I squeezed his free hand and took in the vast land where I had been born.
We rode up to the gate and waited for the guards to appear. A door opened from the guardhouse, and I saw a bundled-up Claudius come shuffling out with a yawn, rubbing his gloved hands and blowing on them for warmth. He did a double take as he took us in, eyeing the Ongahri mounted on gray cervos, whose antlers were just now coming in. I laughed at his gawking.
“Pull ahead, if you can, Lucius,” I said to my mate, pulling down the scarf that warmed my face. When we were nose to nose with the gate, I sat up taller. “Claudius Solan. How are you?”
“Miss—Lady Sierra? Is that really you?” The rosy cheeks widened as he smiled. All he could see of me was my face, since everything else was covered up. He slapped his thigh and hollered out to someone in the guardhouse, then opened the gate.
“Aren’t you a sight to behold, Lady Linden—uh.. Lady Trajan, in’t it now?”
“Lady Dega, actually.”
He was too well mannered to inquire further, and just waved his hand. “Well come on in!” He stared at Lucius behind me, then Fadon, then the other Ongahri. “We received a messenger saying you were expected, but… It truly is good to see you. I’ll send Augustus up to your father’s and let him know you’re here, milady.”
“Thank you, Claudius. And good to see you, too.”
He blushed and dropped his eyes, then stood out of the way as our entourage went forward into the town proper.
Not much had changed in the time I’d been gone. Last time I was here, the leaves were red and ocher, the scent of winter-to-come had been in the air, and Providence had a lazy smile about it as it recovered from a long harvest and celebration.
Now there was barely a soul in sight, and the only sounds around came from the slushing hooves of our mounts as we made our way to the stables, where Lucius and I would ride past and go directly to my father’s.
In less than a few minutes I’d finally see my parents, and the thought of it had me grabbing the reins from Lucius. With a chuckle, he kissed my cheek and held on tight while we rode the rest of the way to where my heart longed to be.
Home.
As soon as my feet hit the gravel, I was running through the double doors and tossing off my winter gear, unwinding wool scarves, unbundling myself of cloak and gloves. The house was so blessedly warm and smelled like cinnamon and nutmeg. I ran past a surprised Hannah, turned the corner, and opened the sitting room door. Then froze, a wide smile on my face. Mother was sitting on the divan, her hands holding her knitting, needle poised in mid-hook.
“Sierra?” She stood slowly.
“Mother.” I ran straight into her arms and both of us were crying and laughing at the same time. She rocked me and held me tight, petting my hair, touching my face.
“Gods, is it really you?” she asked, pulling away to look upon me with bright, wet blue eyes that swept every inch of my face. When they landed on my hair, they widened. “Sierra! What on Titus did you do to your hair, child? And… your eyes… their color… what—”
“I can explain later. Oh, Mother. I’ve missed you so much. Where’s Father?”
“He’s in the study, I imagine. I can’t wait—” she cut off, looking behind me. Her hand held tightly in mine lest I disappear, she looked back at me. “Is this your husband?”
“Mother, this is Lucius Dega of House Dega. Yes, my husband.” It was then that her gaze went to my osnat, a very different osnat than the one I’d worn when she’d last seen me.
Her mouth formed the words of Lucius’ name. “I see.”
I doubted that but smiled.
“A pleasure to meet you… Lord Dega.” She bowed her head.
Lucius stepped up beside me, his silver eyes dancing. “Likewise, Lady Linden. I can see now where my wife gets her beauty.” He bowed deeply at her, and I watched as my mother blushed. Lucius was quite a handsome man, but it was that voice that could arrest a woman’s senses. His charm was just the lovely garnish on top.
“Sierra?” Father didn’t even give me time to breathe before he was pulling me into his arms. His familiar scent of piped tobacco, old books, and ink hit me like a ton of bricks, and my tears instantly came back as I buried my face into the crook of his neck.
“Oh, Father. I’ve miss—missed you so much.”
“Child. What are you doing here? I knew to expect the Ongahri but…” He was staring at my white hair, my strange eyes, trying to figure it out. “What…”
A throat cleared from the doorway, and I pulled away reluctantly and faced the door. Fadon, Demos, Ander, and Pateus had come in, Fadon looking at me expectantly. It was time for introductions. I took a deep breath.
“Father, Mother, you remember Captain Trajan? And Servant Demos, of course. This is Prince Lysander Trajan and Pateus, Chieftain Dega’s secretary. And this is Lucius, my husband, Chieftain to House Dega of Ordelpho.”
