It was August 15th, and we were seven days away from another annual sacrifice. The looming dread was horrible, as it was every year, but then something even worse happened.
"You want to fight Emet?" I asked, my voice tight.
Zephyr just smiled apologetically, which infuriated me further. Ilianna was playing happily with Mother and Eli, whom she had warmed up to lately after much persistent effort from both.
"I don't want to," he said, reaching for his finished tea. "Demelza asked me to look after Alex. Apparently, he injured himself training yet still insists he has recovered. His fighting spirit is... admirable."
"The man is suicidal! And Demelza shouldn't have asked my h—" I took a deep breath, ignoring the coy, amused smiles from my sister and mother. "She had no right to ask you for this. You're a father now... you idiot!"
I nearly blurted out the thoughts weighing heavily on my mind. We had grown close, but I was still a coward. Despite everything that had happened, I wanted to make the first move, yet I couldn't articulate the shift from 'friend' to 'something more.' Ironically, my sister had tried to offer pointers, but all her carefully chosen words sounded mortifyingly embarrassing when I tried to say them out loud.
"Yes, and without her and Alex, I wouldn't be," Zephyr countered, his eyes fixed on his now five-year-old daughter. He looked very serious. "Imagine her situation. She has watched her husband walk up that mountain three times. Alexander promised her this was the last. If she forbids him, he might never end his obsession with military glory he can't achieve. He wants to prove himself."
Zephyr reached across the table and took my hands. I was so shocked that all my anger evaporated. His palms were rough from all the training and chores he had undertaken, essentially taking over all the heavy work himself.
"I'm not going there to earn some long-forgotten honour or for souvenirs," he said, squeezing my hand. My heart, already racing, sped up even faster. "I need to go so I can help a friend return to his family."
I squeezed his hand in return, slowly accepting his decision. It made me happy that he wasn't going for some superficial reason, but for a noble one.
"If everything you said is true... then don't die up there with the animals," I pleaded, gesturing toward everyone in the kitchen. "Don't forget all those waiting for you here."
He lifted my left hand and planted a kiss so light, so gentle, yet I felt it with my whole being.
"I won't. I promise you, Lylly."
The way he said my name made me want to hear it again and again. I felt sweet inside, comfortable with him holding my hands—it was absolutely intoxicating.
Then, pain. Someone kicked me sharply under the table. It was little Ilianna, of course. She waited for my eyes to meet her narrowed glare before running to her new father, claiming her rightful place as the 'first lady.'
My future daughter was a handful, and thanks to Zephyr's training, she already knew how to kick.
"Anna, please," he said, playing with her, twisting his neck to meet her eyes. "We talked about this, sweetheart. You can't use your legs in every situation. You could have fallen... a punch would have been a much better choice. Remember that next time, okay?"
"Yes, Father."
My future husband was also a handful.
Later that afternoon, I took Ilianna for a bath, then we went to see Zephyr training the boys, who had been joined by two dozen others. Not all had the intention of fighting Emet; they simply wanted to learn his unique fighting style, which relied mostly on his legs.
The way he pummeled them sometimes was a work of art. Using his arms for balance and defense only, he delivered devastating kicks. The men of the village were quick studies.
Anna dashed right into the fighting crowd as soon as we arrived, completely unafraid. I wasn't surprised, nor were the men; it was an everyday occurrence. They quickly put away their equipment and started playing with her. Over the last week or so, she had become something of a lucky charm to those learning from her father.
It was incredible seeing her run around, laughing with the same men she had previously hidden from. Mother had given her Eleanor's old clothes and made her some new dresses. With her healthier complexion, hair, and skin, she was like a different girl altogether.
"Lylly! Hey!" A friendly voice arrived with food. "Ilianna always has so much energy these days. She looks incredibly happy."
"Hey, Demelza. She sure does." I was a little cold. We had grown much closer lately, and she instantly noticed the edge in my voice.
I knew Zephyr had talked to her, but still. She shouldn't have asked anyone to do this, let alone the man who belonged to me (or soon would). Specifically, since Zephyr knew nothing about Emet or the way these fights worked. I knew little myself, but still more than someone who had lived here less than a month.
"You talked to Zephyr, I see. Let me say this," she said, putting her hand gently on mine. "I'm sorry for asking him. I'm also sorry because I didn't talk to you about it. But I would rather send him than the rest combined."
Damn right she should have asked me first. But she was right—Zephyr, or those idiots hanging on his every word and action? I understood. But still...
"Why does Alex have to go even injured?" I couldn't believe the man insisted, even on his back. "What is the injury, by the way? He didn't ask Granny's help."
"It's his back. It's happened before, nothing serious... He's resting inside, probably cursing that he can't be out here," she said, looking flustered toward the men playing with Ilianna. "On the bright side, your Zephyr taught him a lot. I have more confidence in him than in previous years, that's for sure."
"My Zephyr." I liked the sound of that.
"I can tell by that happy smile that everything is going well with you two?" She caught my unconscious, dreamy look.
I almost forgot she could see my face! I needed to stop the daydreaming.
"It's... not official or anything. Maybe once he comes back... I just wish I could help him."
"Well, I know how I help my husband before a battle..." she gave me a suggestive look.
I felt my face catch fire, a sight that made Demelza laugh even more hysterically.
Thankfully, the other wives soon arrived to bring food for their husbands. Some brought their children, who quickly joined Ilianna and little Arnold. Zephyr followed the rest and came to sit next to me.
"Thanks for bringing her," he said, sweaty from the workout but happy to see her having fun. "I want her to interact more with others her age."
"I want that for her, too. It looks like she's doing fine."
We watched Ilianna play with the others. "Play" might be a stretch; she was pummeling them with improved accuracy, and even the older kids had to think twice before getting close. Zephyr looked at her with pride. It was adorable seeing him like this.
Just then, Demelza came over with some soup and bread, handing it to him.
"Ohh, thank you, Dem. It looks delicious as always."
"Please, it's my pleasure to cook for someone who doesn't just inhale his food like Alex," she waved him off, smiling with appreciation.
As they laughed, a massive oversight on my part hit me: I could have brought some food! Ugh, it was so obvious, yet I had failed miserably.
And also... Dem? What the actual hell?