Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
He then turned and stared at the fire for more time.
Finally, he took his sticks, hefted himself up and made his way to his chair.
He set the sticks across his lap as he wheeled himself out of the room.
He had only one thought and it was the only thought on his mind since Bronagh’s words were spoken before she left the room.
This thought was that he had it now.
Absolutely.
He had it.
You’ve made me very happy.
A new meaning to life.
139
The Drawing
Queen Ha-Lah
Riding through Sky Bay to Lowgate
AIREN
“I should not be here.”
I was riding at Serena’s side on the way to Lowgate, along with a grand procession of guards. A procession that included all of our husbands.
And in Serena’s case, her lover, Chu.
As well as, considering he felt it imperative to make up for time lost and thus was frequently found close to his little sister, Jorie.
We were intent to perform the ritual that would draw down more power.
Elena had suggested that we should more than likely do this ritual amongst ourselves, only the Sisters of the Beast (and Serena, who we had all adopted, so really, we felt she was one too) in attendance, but the men would not hear of it.
Elena then shared that it would not hurt that they were there.
“It’s just too bad it won’t be just a sister thing,” she had finished on a mumble.
I agreed.
However, my husband was on edge, and if being close to me assuaged that in any way, I would give him that.
“Elena thinks it important you are at your fullest power,” I told her something Elena already had. “You leave to go to Dunlyn after the wedding. There is much danger for you there. I believe it will help her in her worry with you far away performing perilous deeds, that you are steeped in magic.”
Serena appeared confused by this for a moment, and I did not understand her reaction.
I then harkened back to all the things I had heard of Serena of the Nadirii before I had come to know her and wondered if she might not understand how a loved one worrying would come about.
I allowed what I said to settle before I went on, “And I am glad you’re here. It gives me the chance to tell you that your training has been very helpful these last days.”
She turned her head from watching the lane we were on that traced the city to the side at the base of the incline to the cliffs that surrounded the Bay.
She looked at me, now appearing surprised.
I smiled at her. “We are no Nadirii warriors, but please trust in the fact it helps my state of mind having the skills you’ve taught me as we face what we might be facing. Thus, I must give you my gratitude for your time and sharing of expertise.”
“I enjoy doing that, the training, so there is no need to express your gratitude,” she replied.
“What you give is what you know. What I received is what I need,” I returned. “Thus, I disagree. Gratitude should be expressed.”
“Well,” she shifted in her saddle, “you’re welcome.”
I looked away, smiling at the lane and enjoying the air, which was becoming saltier the closer we got to the sea.
“He wishes to make children with me.”
Serena’s words, sounding forcefully divulged, came to my ears, and I looked her way again.
“Pardon?” I asked.
She turned her eyes to me.
“Chu,” she pushed out. “He says he wishes to make daughters with me.”
I smiled tentatively at her. “Are you not…at that point in your mind with him?”
She cast her gaze forward. “I would give him a dozen children, if this was his wish.”
I felt my brows go up.
“I am no longer me,” she whispered.
“I am no longer the me of yesterday either,” I shared, and her head whipped around to face me again. “This is best, if we are to learn and grow, that every day we wake up a new person, learning from the day past, going into the future smarter and stronger.”
“This is wise,” she stated, like she did, as well as didn’t quite believe her words.
“Well, I hope so,” I replied with humor.
“I wish sons. Or at least one son,” she said.
“It’s my understanding you can magick the sex in your womb, so have a son,” I returned.
“He does not wish sons.”
This surprised me. “Truly?”
“He has…family issues,” she muttered, turning her face away.
I studied her profile.
Then I noted carefully, “You wish very much to have a boy child.”
“It is not very Nadirii of me, but he is handsome. He has…has…well, he has a manner about him that is unique. I simply enjoy watching him walk or contemplating his face when he is thinking. I would give that to a son. Or I would watch Chu teach a son to be thus.”
“And you worry because of his…issues he will refuse this.”