“Lord Arik.” She moved behind me, taking the warmth of her smile with her. A tinge of resentment settled in my belly and snaked through my veins, but I doused the fire quickly, if not completely.
“Jeannie.” He swept her up and hugged her tight. Perhaps my plan for a formal greeting—in order to establish my new station—had been a bit too harsh. Watching the two I realized a small hug may have been more comforting…for Jeannie. After all, as boys we had tormented the housekeeper. While we were agile and smart, somehow we always came out the losers. But her hugs were meted out regardless.
“What’s this? Tears?” Arik said as she dabbed at her eyes with the corner of her apron.
“Of joy,” Jeannie said. “Or perhaps the onions on my apron.” He let out a deep chuckle and held her close.
“Put me down, you brute, and let me close the door. You’re letting in the cold—and mind your manners. You both may be noble knights and warriors, but I can still take my wooden spoon to you.”
Arik kissed her forehead and gently set her on her feet. She peered out the door and closed it soundly. “It’ll be dawn soon. Give me your cloaks.” She motioned toward the Great Hall. “They were certain you would arrive last night and insisted on waiting but never mind that, you’re both here now. Go inside and wake them. I’ll bring some hot cider to warm you.”
“Hot cider would be good. We’ve traveled all night.” I peeled off my gloves.
“We both wanted to be home before the new year and stand by Leticia when she casts out her yearly wishes,” Arik said.
We shrugged out of our cloaks. “Who’s the woman who greeted us?” I asked, trying to sound as unconcerned as possible. I kept searching my mind. I was certain I knew the woman.
“That’s Caylyn,” she said as she shook out our cloaks and draped them over her arm. “And before you ask me questions I can’t answer, she’s a guest of your father’s and if you want to find out more about her you’ll have to ask him.” She tapped her finger on my chest. In a warmer voice she added, “She arrived last week.” Ah, that’s my Jeannie. I pushed my hesitation aside, put my arm around her, and gave her an overdue hug. She kissed my cheek and patted my chest. It was good to be home.
She left us by the Great Hall doorway. I searched the room for Caylyn but all I found was a pretty little house girl moving silently along the wall lighting the torches. Now the bumps and huddles drew my attention as they stretched and transformed into people.
Fendrel, my father, and Dimia, my mother, slept in the large chairs by the fire wrapped in furs. Two blond heads poked above the covers on the oversize chair next to them. The two little ones, chubby Logan and scrawny Leticia, were never far away. I wondered what they would think of their older brothers and how we’d changed. It wasn’t until this moment that I realized how much I had missed them. I wondered if they’d missed me at all.
Logan’s head popped up first. He unfolded himself from the chair and tackled Arik around the waist. I stood there amazed. The small, chubby boy had grown tall and sleek with developing muscles. He came up to Arik’s shoulders and had all the indications of being as broad as his older brother. He grabbed my hand and with his other pounded my back in a manly greeting. The connection between us was still there. I gripped his hand and smiled with relief.
A slender arm stretched out from under the fur where Logan had been. Long, shimmering blonde hair cascaded over the dark cover. The blanket fell away and out stepped a beautiful woman. With the last remnants of sleep about her, she stared at me and gave me a radiant smile. Was this the child sorceress who sent out new year’s wishes? Leticia? I couldn’t help but stare at her form. Scrawny? Even though she wore a simple dark blue gown I easily made out her ample breasts and rounded hips.
She rushed to me, took my hand, and kissed my cheek. “Welcome home, Bran.”
“Is there an enchantment here?” I held her hand high, then spun her around.
“Don’t be silly. It’s me.” She laughed. With her other hand she grasped Arik’s. Too soon he pulled her away from me. He held her close and kissed her nose. A flash of unease ran through me before the reality I kept hidden for years hit me hard. They were sister and brother. I was an orphaned foster son and had no claim here.
“It’s good to be home.” Arik handed her back to my care. He went to his father and nudged him gently. Fendrel’s eyes cleared and he recognized Arik. The joy on his face was bright. The fact that the lines on his face were deep and that his vivid red hair had faded to gray were not difficult to notice. He rose, careful not to disturb Dimia. He was still a well-muscled man. I stood in my spot as the father and son reunited in a genuine embrace.
I waited.
Fendrel peered over Arik’s shoulder. His face lit up when he saw me. He pounded his son’s back, broke away, and opened his arms to me.
I stood still, a bit straighter under his scrutiny, perhaps—and a lot more confident than when I had left. It would be good to feel his bear hug, but I held my ground. Denying the ache to put my arms around him was most difficult but I endured.
I had to prove my worthiness to him. I had to make him see who I was and what I’d become. He had to know without a doubt that I was a confident man, not an
