Freyja's Fire - Chapter 38 - A'mara Books

38

(Muranaday)

Erion Sands

.
The scream woke the entire camp.

“Melodia!” Rachel cried out, called out of a deep slumber.

“Check on her,” Breyind encouraged.

Rachel put on a robe and left the sleeping children to investigate. She hurried towards the sound of another scream. Half expecting a roving swamp wolf attack, she rounded the final tent and looked, only to see Melodia being mounted by Jerem.

“Really, Melodia!” Rachel scolded. “To bring me out here like you were in mortal danger only to see this!”

< He’s so big!> Melodia complained. < You try standing here like this!>

Rachel broke out into hysterics as Kolt arrived.

“I see things are under control,” Kolt observed.

Rachel nodded, noting that Kolt didn’t have any more clothing than his nuwa had. “You should have heard Melodia’s complaint!”

“If it’s anything like what Jerem has been communicating with me, I’ll pass!”

Rachel laughed again. “Melodia, you have been chosen to be the first dam of the nuwa. It’s a great honor!”

Melodia snorted as Jerem relaxed for a moment. Then he went back to grazing like nothing had happened.

Rachel shook her head. Kolt smiled as Gemina joined them. “What’s going on?” she asked.

“We may have a nuwa foal in the future,” Kolt replied.

Gemina’s eyes grew large. “That’s what the fuss is about?”

“Horse breeding is a noisy affair,” Rachel replied, remembering her time on the farm. “I guess nuwa aren’t any quieter.”

< You’re making fun of me,> Melodia snorted.

Rachel went up to the animal and hugged her. “I never make fun of you! But I do hope you have a foal. Motherhood will suit you.”

Melodia snorted again. < I did not choose it!>

“Neither do many of us,” Rachel tried to explained. “It happens. It’s a good thing. Nuwa will be a good thing for our people.”

< Perhaps it will grow on me.>

“That it will, Melodia. I’m certain it will!”

♥

Aurelia awoke and felt the empty space beside her. For a moment, her heart jumped and she felt panic. It was bad enough that she had given herself so quickly to a lowly sailor, but if he’d left her as well? It would be embarrassing – and that was even if she weren’t left with child. From the lessons Stella had given her when her body ripened the first time, she knew the chances were high that she would conceive from last night’s lovemaking.

She touched her abdomen, wondering if it would be true. In growing up with Gemina, they had done many things together, made many firsts together. Maybe this would be another one. She put on a gown and left the tent. She indicated to a servant that it was a good time to start packing for their return to Castel Velantia.

Aimlessly, Aurelia walked down to the quayside which was, once again, bustling with trade. A ship was loading and she wondered for a moment whether Garrick had decided to stow away after all.

She sat on the edge of the pier imagining him working on the ship, up the mast with only a pair of worn shorts to cover his nakedness. A single sob escaped her lips at the thought of him leaving Velantia – or of her leaving Erion without him.

She really had done it, hadn’t she? She had gone and fallen in love. She had given herself in love. She just hoped it wouldn’t tear her apart now.

“Hey,” came a voice as someone plopped down beside her and put his arm around her. “What’s the matter?”

“Garrick?” she asked, hardly believing.

“Who else did you expect?” he replied in kind.

“I couldn’t find you. I thought.. I.. Oh Garrick! I was so scared!”

“What did you think, Aurelia?” he asked kissing each tear.

“That you left me! What was I supposed to think?!” she cried out.

“You’re silly sometimes, my darling. I promised I would stay with you… How can I marry you as I announced to everyone if I disappear? Besides, my brother is staying now. My father and sister are gone. Everything I have left is here – in Velantia – with you, my princess.”

“You’re staying? Always?” Aurelia asked.

“Why would I leave the angel who watched over me when I was sick? Who loved me enough to lay beside me even though it could have made her sick to do so? I would be a fool to throw such love away!” he said, looking at her face, seemingly studying her.

She smiled and nodded, even though her tears had yet to abate.

“Actually, I came down here because I wanted to get you something,” he said, handing her a small pouch.

She took it, feeling his warmth and his love. Opening it, she pulled out a necklace of stones of many colors.

He put the necklace around her neck, the largest stone resting just above her cleavage.

“There is more,” he said, reaching into the bag and pulling out a ring with matching stones set around the band. He slid it on one of her fingers. “My princess needs beautiful things in her life.”

“I have much,” she replied. “But this is better because it comes with your love. Thank you!”

“That it does, princess!” He kissed her again. “Show me where my ship wrecked – before we go home.”

Aurelia nodded and took his hand as she led him along the shore path. She caught one of their horses and they rode tandem the rest of the way, coming out on the ridge above the rocky bay beyond the jetty.

“The ship was there,” she said, pointing. “It was burned after we got everyone alive off the ship.”

Garrick nodded and slipped off the horse.

Aurelia got down and followed.

He stood on the beach next to the waterline. A couple of charred timbers remained, still smelling of smoke and fire. “You worried about me leaving,” Garrick said. “My entire life was on this ship. My father and my sister died at sea from the disease. I didn’t want to live after that. I tried to jump off the mast, but Kolt stopped me. He told me there was a reason why I needed to live. I didn’t understand at the time. But I do now.” He turned and wrapped his arms around Aurelia. “When I closed my eyes the last time on the ship, I wanted to die… and thought I was about to receive my wish. Then, I opened my eyes to meet my angel. Thank you.”

He held her close, his tears dripping on her cheek.

“Then I guess we were meant for each other,” Aurelia whispered.

Garrick nodded. “You are my life now. If I lost you...”

Aurelia’s tears mingled with his. “I love you, Garrick. Now, let’s get back – it’s a long journey to Castel Velantia. I have to introduce you and Kolt to my father.”

“How is he going to react to Kolt, do you think?”

“I plan to talk to my mother first...”