Chapter XVIII
Hadrian
I emerged from Errol’s study hungry and tired, but relieved. It felt almost euphoric to leave my worries and fears at the Almighty’s feet. It had been too long since I had done this and I resolved that I wouldn’t wait so long again.
Following the sound of conversation, I found Adreet and her daughters in the warm kitchen cooking dinner. The bustle came to a clattering halt as the door closed behind me and the girls realized I was standing there. Adreet lifted a flushed face as she steadied a large kettle full of potatoes on the edge of the deep sink. The steam rose in billows, frizzing her hair.
“Oh, there you are.” She smiled. “Errol said to tell you that he and Selwyn are speaking with Renato.”
“Actually, I was hoping that you could tell me where Zezilia is. I have to speak to her first.”
“Candra usually knows.” Adreet nodded over her shoulder toward her youngest daughter and then returned her attention to the potatoes.
Candra had her hands full of bread dough and flour up to her elbows. “She said something about visiting someone named Blandone, but that was hours ago.”
She probably wasn’t still there. Blan still tired easily and struggled to focus on any one thing at a time. “Where does she usually go to think?”
Candra shrugged. “The tree house?”
“She likes to spend time in the old willow grove along river,” Eloine offered. “I sometimes find her sitting out there when she wants to be alone.”
I smiled my thanks and slipped out the back door.
“Dinner will be ready in an hour,” Adreet called after me.
The red-gold sunlight of afternoon greeted me on the doorstep. After the steamy heat of the kitchen, the warm summer breeze whispering past felt almost cool. Closing my eyes for the moment, I breathed deeply of the light smells of the country. The willow grove would be beautiful and refreshing on a day like today. I decided to check there first.
Though less traveled than the days when I had roamed the land as a child, the trail leading east was still clear. Soon, I reached the slight decline that marked the edge of the grove.
I pushed aside the thick curtain of rippling willow leaves falling from the branches above and lowered myself onto the soft ground of the lowland. Dozens of willows crowded the inlet, interlacing roots into an uneven lattice of wood, earth, and moss. Every spring the river waters, fed by the melting snow, flooded the grove and then receded, leaving behind fertile silt and moisture for the trees. By mid-summer, the grove was dry and cool, capturing the breezes coming off the river in the cascading drapery of the trees’ leafy skirts.
I sensed Zezilia before I could see her. A flickering of mint touched my mouth as her consciousness brushed mine.
“You wish to speak to me?” she asked.
“I did come here today to test you.”
“Wait there. I will come to you.”
I spotted a dry place among the roots of a mighty willow. Climbing over, I settled in to wait.
A few moments later, she appeared from the depths of the grove. Dark hair twisted into a simple braid over her shoulder and wearing clothing meant to be dirtied, she obviously hadn’t intended to be found. Her slightly too-bright, gray eyes found me without hesitation, despite my slightly secluded seat. As she drew nearer, the pink around her eyes further confirmed my suspicions that she had been weeping. The realization that I had probably inadvertently caused those tears tugged at my conscience. But before I could decide whether or not to address the subject of her brother, she spoke.
“Thank you for coming to test me personally.”
“You are welcome.” The response that my mother had driven into all of her sons’ heads slipped out of my mouth without a thought. “It is my duty.” That didn’t sound right.
“I still appreciate it. Renato has been telling me a little of the problems that you have had to deal with in the last few weeks. I can see how difficult taking time for anything is with all that demanding your attention.” Despite the awkward formality of her words, the signs of genuine grief lingered in her voice and the increased moisture in her eyes.
“You aren’t the only reason I am here,” I admitted.
She looked up at me in surprise. Dark gray eyes studied my face and then suddenly she smiled. “You wanted to see Errol?”
“I need his advice.”
“And you got a chastising instead.”
“I needed it.”
She smiled understandingly. “Errol is good at getting to the root of the issue.”
I couldn’t help smiling at the memories from my own training. “Yes, he is. He excels at keeping one humble.”
“So, did you decide what to do with me yet?” she asked suddenly. She studied me with a steady gaze. My stomach clenched.
“What did Renato tell you about your father’s plans?”
“I wasn’t referring to that. Am I coming with you for more training?”
“So, he did tell you about the conditions of your father’s consent for you to train.”
A slight blush blossomed across her cheeks, but she didn’t drop her gaze. “If you are referring to the fact that I am betrothed to you if you cannot find another to marry me, yes, he informed me.”
“And you are comfortable working with me with that knowledge?”
“Not at the moment, but ease might come with time.” She dropped her gaze to her hands. “Besides, it seems to be the way the Almighty is leading.”
“If it makes you more at ease, Zezilia, I do not feel any more led than you toward marriage. Your father didn’t put a time constraint of the agreement and you will receive no pressure from me toward marriage to anyone. The choice of time and mate are in your hands. If your father objects, he no longer has the authority to force you to do anything.”
The tension in her shoulders eased slightly, but she didn’t raise her face. “Thank you.”
“As for the other issue, I am not sure. I
