“She hasn’t offended me.” I offer him a reassuring smile. “Good day, Praxis.”
I exit the cottage and make my way back to the home I share with Gabriel. A part of me knew she wouldn’t allow me to examine her. The other part hoped she might. I needed to know she’s well, and the child is well.
Surely, a baby with the serpent birthmark means nothing. It has to mean nothing. Otherwise, I’m already failing to stop the spread of their darkness.
Frustration grips me as I open the door to my cottage a few moments later. An inviting aroma hits me when I step foot into the front room.
Gabriel turns from his place near the hearth. “I cooked for you.”
“You know how to cook?” Warmth invades my chest and nestles within my heart.
Hecooked forme.
“I’m not an expert, but I know how to make soup.” He shrugs, dishes out portions in terracotta bowls, and carries them to the table.
As I sit, I think of the time I spent with the Bloodstone army and how they had women cooking for them. “When did you learn to cook?”
He sits opposite of me. “When I was a boy. My mother died when I was young, and my father wasn’t around. If I wanted to eat, I had to cook for myself.”
“Oh.” Sympathy wells up inside me as I think of him all alone.
I blow on the soup and take a sip. The richness of the flavors astounds me. Whatever he put into the soup complements the venison to perfection.
“It’s amazing. Thank you.”
He nods and eats his soup.
What changed in Gabriel? Usually, he’s not around for dinner.
“Earlier, I tried to visit Briley and check on the baby,” I say. “She wouldn’t let me examine her.”
“I’m not surprised. Kyanites slaughtered her parents when she was a child.”
I take a deep breath and lean back against my chair. “I see.”
Gabriel settles his hands against the table. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so blunt.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I’m aware of the hatred between our tribes.”
“And yet—” Gabriel plucks up his goblet, “—here we are.” He drinks as if saluting his words.
“Are we fools?” I ask as I think of every moment that has transpired since we first met.
“Definitely.” The lines near his eyes and mouth soften as he smiles.
I think of Kassandra no longer wanting to wed Luc. And I think of the shunning I receive the moment I step from this cottage.
The people here will never accept me.
My chest aches against that reality. That truth. The Bloodstone people hate me.
Most of the Kyanites felt the same. I wasn’t a healer with magic. I lived in a brothel with the undesirables. At least, the elite of Kyanite made them seem undesirable. In truth, the women who worked at Father’s brothel had high-paying clients, and they were well-educated.
Gabriel scoots his chair back and pats his legs. “Sit with me.”
“I am.”
He pats his thighs for a second time. “Here.”
