Chapter 20
Daja woke the next morning around the 10th bell feeling almost normal, with an empty stomach and a full bladder. Rising, she changed and took care of one of the two problems before heading to the kitchen to find food for the other. The smith mage was drained, and she could feel her magic was still wobbly from the beating the backlash had inflicted. But her legs were steady and her head clear as her steps carried her across the house.
Tris was there, nearly sparking with energy as she put one tray of cookies in the oven, and pulled out another of pastries. A whole chicken sat on the counter, already prepared for baking when it was time.
"You're awake," she said when she spotted the tall Trader in the doorway. "How are you feeling?"
"Less dead," Daja replied as she moved to sit at the table, still weak enough not to want to stand too long. "Some more headache tea would help. And some food."
"Briar left it out, just in case," Tris said as she pulled a steaming kettle from the stove and poured hot water into a heavy clay mug with a spoonful of herbs. "And I made these just for you."
They were small hand pies, still warm and filled with a spicy chopped sausage and apples mixture she enjoyed. "You're in a good mood today," Daja observed as her sister also put the honey on the table. The headache tea was very bitter, and not in a pleasant way. "Not fighting with Briar anymore?"
"No," Tris said, turning away to chop vegetables on the counter. "We're not."
Her sister smiled, replying around a mouthful of food. "Good. You two can take weeks to work it out, sometimes."
Tris's lips curled up in a slight smile, and she thought to herself that she didn't think that would be the case anymore. "Briar will want to see you," she said, hands working away steadily. "To check and make sure you don't need a healer."
"Let me eat first," the smith mage replied around a mouthful of pie. "Then he can poke at me as much as he likes. I'm fine."
-090-
Briar knew within moments when Tris took his favorite spice cookies out from the oven. The scent crept into his workshop, making him smile as he finished up what he was doing and rose to his feet. A cookie break was as good a reason as any to visit Tris, and she hadn't mentioned Daja being up yet. A sneak attack, he decided, was definitely in order.
-090-
Daja had applied herself with a will to the sausage-stuffed pies as a companionable silence fell between them. The tea had finally started erasing the last twinges of yesterday's backlash-induced pain, and she was about to ask for a cup of her usual brew when Briar swept in on silent feet.
Her mouth full and chair tucked out of sight, she watched as Briar plucked the knife from Tris' hands, set it to one side, and planted his mouth on hers enthusiastically. She expected Tris to push him away, and perhaps slap him for going too far.
Five minutes later, Daja decided she had better intervene before Tris died from a lack of air instead.
"Ahem."
Briar paused, and drew away to meet Tris' eyes.
"Daja's awake," she said a little breathlessly, pleasantly flushed pink.
"Good," Briar said as he slowly let go and turned to face his tallest sister. "Feeling better? No upset stomach or sharp pains anywhere?"
"Yes," she said, putting her chin in her hand as she watched the pair of them in amusement. Tris went back to chopping vegetables, still blushing, and Briar sat at the table as though nothing had happened at all. "No and no. You?"
"Me?" her brother said casually, "I'm fine, I was coming to see if I could steal a cookie…?" His tone took on a wheedling tone as he glanced towards the redhead in the room.
"They're for tonight, so no," Tris replied, not turning around.
"Oh, I don't know," Daja drawled as she grinned slowly. "I think he deserves at least one after a kiss like that…" Tris's blush flamed up the back of her neck, and Briar grinned smugly as he winked at his dark-skinned sister.
"It was a good one, wasn't it?" he said, obviously pleased.
Daja covered her laugh, saying in mock seriousness, "Hmm…and when did you start kissing her like that?"
"The day before yesterday," he replied, a hint of apology in his voice as he added, "We were going to tell you when you got home, but you weren't in great shape."
Tris turned suddenly, face strained as she blurted out, "Are you mad?"
Daja was surprised, and it showed as she said, "Mad? No, of course not. Why would I be?"
"Because we're…together," her sister replied, hands fisted into her apron.
"I'm not stupid or blind," Daja replied stoutly, "and the two of you have been circling each other like dogs in heat for a solid moon." Both of her siblings had the grace to blush at that. "I'm not certain your timing is the greatest, but as long as whatever this entails doesn't keep me up at night, I'm fine with it."
"It won't," Tris said with a certainty that surprised her sister as well as her husband. "I made sure after...Namorn."
It was Daja's turn to blush, and Briar glanced back at his wife with a wide grin.
When were you planning on telling me? He asked teasingly.
When it mattered, she replied, flushing brightly again.
"You aren't going to do that a lot, are you?" Daja asked in mock annoyance. "Use the bond while excluding me? That will get old fast."
"Only when it's something you probably wouldn't want to hear," Briar replied mildly. "Unless you'd prefer me to say it right out...?" The look of horror on Tris' face was worth the price he would probably pay later for making the offer.
"No, no," Daja said quickly, deciding that was not a path she wished to traverse. "Use the bond. Just don't forget about me, I live here too and it's technically my house."
"We won't," the ex thief promised, biting into the freshly baked cookie that had appeared at his elbow. He handed the other to Daja.
"Have you told Sandry yet?" the smith mage asked as she went back to her meal.
"No," her brother said with a shrug. "There really hasn't been time."
"Does anyone know?"
"Rosethorn, and probably Lark too," Briar said with a frown. Daja caught Tris scowling and fingering her forehead behind him and decided that would need to be investigated later. "I don't know if she told anyone else…"
"Evvy and Glaki, probably," his wife interjected as she continued to work. "Rosethorn said she would pass on the word."
"And that's it?" the smith mage confirmed carefully.
"Yes."
"So no one's told Niko?" Briar and Tris fell silent, eyes meeting in obvious guilt. They had forgotten about the tall man altogether. "You should probably do that today," Daja advised as she popped the last pie in her mouth in satisfaction. They had been delicious.
"I need to pick some things up anyways," Tris said, for some reason blushing again. "I could stop by his place and see if he's in."
"No," Briar said as he rose, dusting off his hands, "I think I should tell him. I have a feeling he will want to talk to me anyways."
"Well, if you're going to get back before Sandry gets here you should probably go soon. I can put the chicken in for you," their sister offered as she poured herself another cup of tea. "Just write down the times so I don't burn it to a crisp."
"That's settled it, then," Briar said as he moved to the door. "I'll clean up and get my bag then go." He never went anywhere without his mini-mage kit, and Daja wondered absently if that was one effect from the war that would never fade.
Tris eyed Daja once they were alone, asking quietly, "You're sure you're ok with this?"
"Yes, I said so earlier didn't I?" her sister replied bluntly.
"I'm not used to things going right for me, you know that," the weather witch said as she removed her apron and began to scribble notes on large piece of slate attached to the wall. It was cheaper to keep a few pieces of chalk around then papers and charcoal sticks in the kitchen.
Daja rose, and hugged her sister as she brought her the directions. "You deserve every moment of happiness you can find," the taller woman said, sincerity ringing through every word. "We will always be saati, and if he hurts you tell me and I will crack his skull for you. Of course, that will go the other way too. I can't play favorites, after all." Which she meant.
Tris laughed softly as she hugged her sister back, feeling relieved to have passed another hurdle safely. "Thank you."
Briar swept back through the kitchen, gathering Tris and both kissing their sister before heading out the door with his wife. Daja touched each cheek with fingertips, smiling as she watched them go. This wouldn't be so bad after all. And for once, she was probably right.
-090-
Niko had been a very busy man. He hadn't meant to get drawn back into the politics of Emelan, but it seemed a natural extension of his duties as a great mage and for as long as he stayed in residence his presence was requested. He had managed to attend the ball Sandry had hosted long enough to be polite some weeks before, but had spent most of it sequestered in corners talking with serious men on various matters of law and magic. Sandry had located him before he had left, and asked if he had seen Tris and Briar that night. He hadn't, and confessed he hadn't seen them in weeks. Was everything going well?
Her smile had been a tad forced, but that could have been the young man rudely dogging her heels. A new suitor, he had discovered later, and a most unwelcome one at that. She had assured him that all was fine, and bid him a good night.
Since then Niko had really meant to call. It seemed he must have started out to see them at least two or three times, but something always distracted him. A last minute invitation, a vague premonition, an unexpected visitor.
Today, he was at his desk answering letters. There were many that required his attention, and in particular an invitation to a discussion on banning certain types of magic in war. Logically, Niko agreed with the premise. He also knew that short of mages taking over each government it simply wasn't going to happen. And knowing what he knew of mages, those were the last people who needed to be given ruling power. Still, the discussion would be interesting, and perhaps someone had thought of something he hadn't.
Would it be improper, he wondered, for Tris to accompany him? As a fellow mage, of course. She would still be legally married to Briar, they had to finish out the year before that could be undone. But it would give both of them space if they needed it. The discussion may not accomplish it's goal, but it would give her an excuse to be gone for three to six months. And it would be to the north, in Olart, away from the influence of her family.
Niko was debating if a note would be sufficient to propose the idea, or if he should do it in person when there was a knock at his door.
"Enter," he called, and was surprised when Briar came in.
"Hello," the young man said with a nervous grin as he quickly shut the door behind him. He was dressed in clothes more suited to a day's work than a day's visit, but Niko only had eyes for the fact that Tris wasn't with him.
"What are you doing here?" Niko asked, rising in alarm as he did.
"Everything's fine," Briar quickly assured him as he walked closer to the desk. "May I...?" Niko waved at a chair, and Briar sat, twiddling his fingers as blooms opened and closed in quick succession on his skin. "I came because I need to talk to you about something," the plant mage admitted, voice steady though he still projected an aura of uncertainty.
"Go ahead, then," the great mage said, settling back in his seat as he gave the young man his full and formidable attention.
"I love Tris." Briar had meant to say more, but his throat suddenly grew tight and he found the words wouldn't come. Niko watched, silent, as the young man strove to master himself, blinking rapidly as he slowly pressed a hand to his chest where his heart felt like it was going to burst from his chest. "Uh...excuse me," he went on unsteadily, "I..."
"You are overwhelmed," Niko replied in a quiet voice, gaze unwavering. "You've never declared it out loud to anyone else before, have you?"
"Not like that, no," his companion admitted with a weak chuckle. Niko cleared his throat and looked away, allowing the young man a moment to hastily wipe his eyes.
Eventually, Niko prompted, "And does she...?"
"We've talked, and she does," he said, a smile blooming on his face as the plant mage felt the warmth in his chest grow. "We're going to stay married, after her parents leave. She's...she's so amazing, Niko. I still can't quite believe..."
Niko considered his words, staring at the young man he had saved from a short life of hard labor with unblinking eyes. The too-skinny child had turned into a tall, lean man who looked at him now with hopeful defiance. He didn't need to cast his truth spell to confirm Briar's words, the truth reverberated inside his chest as it did when he knew the speaker well. He also didn't need to ask whether Briar would continue the relationship whether or not Niko approved. The man had chosen, and intended to keep his choice. Slowly he leaned forward, and said, "I believe you, but if you ever break your word to her, Briar..."
"They'll never find the body?" the young man guessed, chuckling nervously.
"They'll never know you existed in the first place." Briar believed him. Niko was a great mage, and had been allowed to study many things that were considered taboo for the purpose of knowledge. If anyone could pluck a single soul from the world and make it vanish so completely, it would be this man. "Why didn't Tris come with you?" the great mage went on, leaning back more comfortably in his seat with a slight smile.
"Because she would probably get upset if she knew you threatened me," Briar replied with a half-grin, his nervousness fading with Niko's quiet acceptance. "And I actually expected you to truth spell me too, which I knew she wouldn't like."
"She's like my daughter, I'm supposed to threaten her suitors," Niko groused as he sat back in his seat. "And I don't need to use a truth spell on you, Briar. I learned to read you years ago. You will take care of her." It wasn't a question.
"Yessir," the young man said, nodding respectfully.
Niko considered the young man, and said lightly, "Well, this should make things easier with her parents."
"That was my thought, sir," Briar admitted with a shrug, "though Tris has nixed all my plans so far."
The great mage paused, his smile turning wry. "Given the kind of plans I can imagine you making, I am not surprised."
"They were good plans," the young man defended himself with mock affront.
"I am certain they were good at many things," the mage replied with a straight face. "Good at getting you in trouble, good at getting mixed up, good at missing your goal..."
"You're probably right," Briar shrugged as he stood, grinning, "but I still would've enjoyed an excuse to kiss her."
"I suppose I should wish you luck," Niko said as he stood as well, holding his hand out to the young man. "She's not always an easy person to live with."
"Neither am I," Briar said bluntly. "I think we'll manage. Thank you, sir, for..." A great many ways to finish that sentence crossed Briar's mind. For not leaving me to die. For not leaving Tris to go crazy in the temple. For finding us a home, and bringing us together. For caring about what happened to four troublesome kids. For helping us become who we are today. He decided to go with, "-everything. We'll stop by soon for lunch, to catch up."
"I'd like that," the older man said as he stroked his moustache. His smile seemed to say he had heard all those unspoken sentences, and Briar left the small mansion with a spring in his step. He had Niko's...well, acceptance and maybe that counted as his blessing. He didn't see the older man invoking any god's name over the union, it just wasn't his way. He hurried home to give Tris the good news.
-090-
Sandry had been glad to get away from the Citadel early. The reported pirate activity this year had been thankfully mild, and it seemed their preparations would once again be enough to keep the worst of the sea-faring plague at bay. They had sunk two ships at sea the week before, and captured another. Those pirates taken prisoner would hang soon, and their slaves given care and food until they were ready to go free. Unfortunately, many would remain too ill or injured to be able to find work, and that had always bothered Sandry that many would be released only to beg on the streets or live in hovels in the Mires outside the city walls. Most wouldn't be able to read or write, and what reference could they give to try and find a good job? Her uncle wasn't a cruel man, but his mind didn't always consider these things in dealing with everything else.
This wasn't the only reason she had been ready to escape, though. They were preparing for another round of ambassadorial visits, and most of the keep had been turned upside down. Cleaning, it seemed, was required for everything according to the Seneschal. She understood the need for the work, it would not do to look anything less than their best with guests coming to visit. But it made it difficult to get anything done, when every room she went to was filled with maids and footmen busily cleaning everything in sight, and she had had enough.
The guards were quite happy to separate from the irritated mage at the front door, stabling their horses with the mule and settling in the open shed beside it for a break. The grounds were heavily warded, and if something got past them it was unlikely a few men with metal swords would be able to stop it.
Sandry strode in the front door, taking a moment to brush the road dust from her clothes before heading to the dining room. Daja was there, and her greeted her saati with a smile as she set plates and silverware on the table.
"You're looking better than I expected," she said as she gave Daja a quick hug that was warmly reciprocated. "Where are your servants?"
"Marget had her baby early. They'll be back in a few days," her sister replied, picking up the tableware once more.
"Tris and Briar?" the stitch witch asked as she glanced around.
"In the kitchen." Daja meant to say more, but Sandry was already through the door and heading down the hall. The stitch witch stopped abruptly in the hallway, listening to the two talk as she realized what she was hearing. Briar was flirting, and if Tris' responses were any indication she was flirting back!
He's gone too far this time, Sandry decided as she crossed her arms over her chest and took a step back, considering her options. She didn't want to embarrass Tris, it was possible her sister didn't even realize what she was doing. Briar, however, needed to be pinned back by the ears and given a very stern talking to. He was going to do real damage if he wasn't careful, and with Tris you never knew how that might end.
Stepping back up to the door, the stitch-witch was stopped by a firm hand on her arm. Turning back, she saw Daja standing behind her with a finger on her lips. Puzzled, she allowed herself to be draw back to the dining room and away from the other two.
"What?" she asked as the smith-mage glanced back to be sure they weren't noticed and grinned.
"Those two," the tall Trader woman said fondly as she picked up where her task had left off. "I'm not sure they'd notice the house burning down around them when they're like that."
"Then we should stop them," Sandry growled, glowering in the direction of the kitchen. "I swear when I get my hands on Briar...!"
"Why?" her sister said, genuinely confused as she looked up from her task. "They're adults, Sandry, they can do what they like with whom they like, including each other."
"Yes, but this is Briar we're talking about," the noblewoman hissed, visibly upset. "He's tossed aside more lovers than most people have in their entire lives. He's not serious about this in the least! He's going to hurt Tris!"
Daja paused, studying her sister seriously for a moment before asking quietly, "Why would he do that?"
"Because, to him it's a game!" her companion cried, barely controlling her voice. "And she doesn't know the rules! He's going to wrap her around his little finger, just like he does the others, and when he decides he's had enough she's not going to know how to let go. If that's the way he wants to conduct himself, fine. He's an adult, he can do what he likes just like you said. But he isn't going to do it to my sister-!"
"And if she wants him to?" Daja asked mildly. "They haven't really told me what happened yet, but from what I can see this is entirely mutual. They've been circling each other for weeks, and I'm surprised it took as long as it did for them to make a decision."
"And you didn't tell me? We could have stopped this before the ball, if I'd-"
"Stop," the smith said, putting her hands back on Sandry's shoulders. "And think. Tris is an adult. Would you have any objections if Tris had started seeing someone else?"
"Well, no," Sandry admitted grudgingly. "Not if I had no real reason to."
"What would be a reason to object?" the Trader woman went on reasonably.
"If they treated her poorly," her sister snapped as though losing patience. "Or if she didn't know something about them, that they were likely to be unfaithful or were just using her."
Daja nodded, despite the tone those were good reasons. "And if you told her your objections, and she refused to listen?"
"Then..." The noblewoman paused, shrugging irritably. "I don't know. I guess it would depend."
As it wasn't really part of her point, her companion let it go and moved on. "Right. Well, in this case, is Briar known for unfaithfulness?"
"Well, not exactly no," Sandry agreed grudgingly. "He would have multiple 'friends' at a time sometimes, but they always knew about each other."
The smith ticked off another point on her fingers. "Is Briar treating her poorly? Or using her in some way? Has he ever done that to any woman, honestly?"
"No," her sister agreed through gritted teeth, "he hasn't. He's always been upfront about his intentions."
"So, I think it's probably safe to say he's done the same thing here," Daja said as though the logic was plain. "And if he's stated his intentions and she's flirting with him still, then she's agreed to whatever it is they're doing. If she's agreed to it, Sandry, there's nothing short of telling her parents the truth and making them take her to Ninver that could stop them. And even then, he has enough coin to uproot himself and follow her. Is that what you want to do?"
"No," her sister huffed, folding her arms over her chest. "But what if he does hurt her, even if she did agree to whatever this is. What do we do?"
"We thump him and comfort her," the smith said with a wide smile that faded a bit as she added, "Assuming, of course, that it wasn't something they couldn't control. Like when we left Namorn. Did you blame Rizu for deciding to stay even though it broke my heart?"
Sandry had the grace to look uncomfortable as she muttered, "Well, I mean, I had hoped she would come for your sake. And I was sad because you were hurting. But I didn't blame her for anything. I understood why she chose to stay." The stitch witch paused, looking down before saying quietly, "I see what you're trying to do, Daja, but I still don't agree."
"Then at least wait until after dinner to say something," the smith mage countered coaxingly. "Give them a chance to, I don't know, convince you. Either way, if at the end you still feel like you need to intercede, then do so. Just remember they may not listen to you. Personally, I think they're fine. If I had thought he was going to use her or abuse the situation, or that Tris couldn't handle him, I wouldn't have agreed to them marrying in the first place."
Being told she was not in control was not something Sandry was used to, but it was something she had to accept. The noblewoman agreed, quietly, and Daja breathed a sigh of relief as she went back to her work.
Briar poked his head in right then, his hands full of pitchers of chilled juice and tea. "Daj', where do you- Sandry! When did you get here?" The question began as a demand and ended far too casually. He stance reminded his sister as nothing so much as a boy knowing he was likely to be scolded very shortly.
"Not long ago," she said with a slight smile, enjoying watching him squirm. It had never been easy catching Briar on the wrong foot, and had only grown harder with age. "I was...talking to Daja."
He glanced at the tallest of his sisters, then back to Sandry with a suspicious frown. "She told you, didn't she?"
"I'll go see if Tris needs a hand," Daja offered by way of answer, slipping around him to the kitchen. The ex-thief eyed his sister warily, setting the pitchers down and wiping his hands on his shirt. It didn't leave a mark, she had made them, but the action still made her wince.
"Do you have something you want to say?" she asked when the silence began to stretch.
"I was waiting to see if I'd be able to say it over you yelling," her brother said frankly, still keeping his distance. The noblewoman may be small, but she could hit surprisingly well. He and Daja had taught her how, after all.
Sandry took a deep breath to stop her knee jerk retort, the criticism may not be pleasant but was probably well-earned. "I promise not to yell until you're done saying it," she said carefully, folding her hands in front of herself.
Briar accepted the promise immediately, saying, "Ok, then. I love Tris. I don't mean, she's a nice armful and we're going to spend a few weeks tumbling and that's it. I mean, I love her, and I don't want anyone else other than her ever again. And for some reason I still have a hard time believing, she loves me too. We're staying married, and that's it."
Sandry did not immediately respond. Whatever she thought her brother had been going to say, that had not been it. He stared back at her intently, wary but determined to remain steadfast regardless of what she said. Carefully she took a step forward, putting her finger under his nose in warning.
"If this is a game," she said softly, "you will regret it."
"Yes, I would," he agreed softly, "because it would hurt the woman I love the most."
It was the resolution to not budge an inch that finally convinced her. Sighing, she backed away with a rueful smile. "Does Tris know about...?" His sister meant about their agreement from before. If Tris had chosen Briar, the weather witch would not look kindly on anything intended to keep them apart.
"No," he said. "It hasn't come up. I don't think it ever needs to."
It was a concession she had not expected, and she nodded thankfully. Daja called for them to come help get the food, and both obeyed quickly. Whatever Tris had made for dinner, it smelled amazing and everyone was eager to eat.
The chicken was perfectly cooked, with crispy skin and juices pooling beneath it. The potatoes, carrots and beans were each rising with steam, and the gravy looked delicious. It didn't take long for them to seat themselves and begin passing around the food. Briar had murmured to Tris in passing before they sat that Sandry knew, and was fine with it. The weather witch had been startled, but relieved, and decided if no one else was going to bring it up she wasn't either.
"Tris," Daja said as they settled in to eat, "Do you have an order yet from Dame Dominique?"
Briar paused, his fork halfway to his mouth as he stared at his wife who answered mildly, "No, it will probably be next week before the testing is finished. Sandry, did Yazmin tell you about it?"
"She did," the stitch witch said with a glance of confusion at her brother. He still sat as one frozen, eyes wide in disbelief. "And according to her the testing is going well. It should not be much longer before you hear from them. Briar, is everything alright?"
The ex-thief set his fork down, and was staring at Tris with a blank look on his face. His wife met his eyes, frowning slightly. "Briar?"
"What, exactly," he asked softly, "are you making for Dame Dominique and how do I not know about this?"
"Charms to keep people from being shocked by clingy fabrics," she replied promptly, adding wryly, "and I don't know how you could have missed it. You were at the table when Daja and I were discussing the possible commission. It was Yazmin's idea, and she introduced me to Dame Dominique last week."
"I see." Briar had no explanation as to how he had missed that particular conversation, and his brain was too full of possible ways in which his wife might be getting paid to care. Some coin, of course, but oh Mila he hoped she had negotiated for part of her payment to be in goods.
"I was actually going suggest a meeting for you as well," Tris went on, taking a sip of her chilled juice. "She is trying to expand some of her shop to include other items related to her...trade. If you made some specialized perfumes for her, she would probably pay a hefty commission." The weather witch actually had a few other thoughts on some scented items Briar could provide, but she would not be mentioning them at the table if she ever gave voice to those thoughts at all.
"I'll think about it," he said, drawn out of his daydream by the business potential. Dreams were nice, but coin is what made dreams reality. "Maybe in the late fall when business slows down." His stock would be at it's best then, harvested at it's peak and properly seasoned in sealed bottles. He would have to see.
"Good luck to you all, but I don't think I'll be joining this collaborative business venture," Sandry said, rolling her eyes. Not that Yazmin hadn't tried to convince her to do so already. "But onto other news, Yazmin did say her friend gave her one of the charms to try and she found it very useful. I am doing my best not to imagine what she means by that, but I did want to pass along the compliment. I know when you made my rods you weren't certain you could make the charm work on something smaller."
"I did some more research," Tris admitted, cutting her chicken neatly off the bone. "And Daja tried a new blend of metals in the cast. It worked."
"Good!" Sandry said, clearly impressed. "And speaking of Daja, I want to know what happened the other day. You said you would explain at dinner."
The smith mage sighed, but told the tale. It was a fairly short task. She had laid the iron pieces out on a special canvas outside the house, and prepared them for the final placing. Her work had gone smoothly, right up until the curious mage-pet the patron kept around tried to touch one of the pieces. The magic she had laid over it was not yet properly set, and she had jerked it wholesale away from his questing fingers and back into her. The piece would need to be remade, for having the magic ripped from it so carelessly had turned it to rust. The owner had been furious with her, until she had explained herself between bouts of retching. Then he had turned on his pet.
"He said he had a license, but wouldn't show it to me," Daja said with a sigh. "I should have insisted. If he's trained, he either forgot everything he ever learned or had connections that got him through despite his lack of qualifications. At the very least, he'd have lost a hand touching a piece of my work unprotected. At worst, he might have lost his life."
"Then you did more than the bleater deserved, saving him like that," Briar said between bites of chicken and gravy. He shifted over in the process of snagging another biscuit, and after the fact sat with his leg pressed against Tris'. Sandry probably wouldn't have noticed, except the resident weather mage now sported a soft line of pink across her cheeks. "Should've let him," her husband went on as he casually settled an arm about his wife's waist, "Would've been doing mages as a whole a favor getting rid of a naliz like that."
"I didn't want an investigation," Daja said, rising to refill her cup of chilled tea. "Not into my work, anyways. You know you aren't allowed to continue to work for coin if the safety of your work comes under question until a conclusion has been reached. His death could have caused me months of grief. I still intend to report him, if he is licensed he shouldn't be and if he isn't he's lying and can be charged with impersonating a trained mage. The Council takes both matters seriously, and I'm going to make sure it's seen to. Someone less strong than I attempting such a thing...they could be seriously injured and not just inconvenienced for a few days."
"I wouldn't call sicking up for half a day and barely able to walk merely an 'inconvenience'," Tris said with a snort.
"Well, that's the whole of it one way or another," Daja said as she helped herself to more chicken. "The nobleman did tell me he wants it fixed and for me to return to install it. I doubled the price. He's still willing to pay. I'll start work tomorrow. Tris, this chicken is amazing. Did you do something different?"
"Not that I know of," her sister said with a shrug.
"It is unusually tender tonight," Sandry said with a quick smile. "It's a good thing one of us can cook well, or we'd be spending a small fortune on eating houses to have a meal this fine as often as we do."
"That's silly, you all can cook passably well when you have to, and our cook is rather good as well," she said as she waved a hand dismissively. "I have news," the weather witch added as she pulled a folded envelope out of her pocket. "My parents are throwing a ball for my father's birthday, and we are all invited."
"Why are they celebrating here?" Daja asked, looking confused. "Wouldn't it be better to wait until they had returned home?"
"It's an excuse to impress their new business contacts," Tris explained dryly. "They will throw a party that is impressive without being lavish or wasteful. It will showcase their wealth and their prudence. Our invitation is probably to impress the guests as much as the party, but I hope you will still come."
"Will there be dancing?" Briar asked, perking up.
"Yes," Tris replied with a small smile.
His smile grew, but he kept his eyes on his plate as he said, "Then I'll be there."
"I am coming as well," Sandry said, glancing at Daja with a half-smile. "Yazmin already informed me of it as her troupe is invited as is going to perform. Daja, I believe your friend will be among them."
"I suppose I can make an appearance," the smith mage said with a grin. "Tris, I might need your help preparing again."
"I can help you practice," the weather witch replied simply.
Practice what? Briar asked, clearly blocking out their sisters.
Dancing, Tris admitted, giving him a puzzled glance.
Briar looked at Daja, who was smiling far too sweetly. Don't, he told her warningly for her mind alone. I mean it.
Don't what? His sister replied, far too innocently with a smug smile.
You know what, he growled, glaring as her smile grew.
"Briar, why are you glaring at Daja?" Sandry asked, having heard none of it and looking thoroughly confused.
"He thinks I'm going to steal all of Tris' time in the evening away from him," the smith mage said with a taunting smile. "Which I might, depending on how much time I need." Briar's glare stopped only when he caught his wife's level look. Guiltily he softened his expression to a frown instead, still kept pointed at Daja, until he noticed Tris' level look had evolved to a flat stare.
"What?" he asked, sounding defensive as he crossed his arms. "She provoked me!"
"Do you really think-" Tris cut off abruptly as she realized what she was about to say outloud. Flushing slightly, she switched to their bond. Do you really think I would let her? Do you think you are the only one who wants to have time alone together after a day spent apart? Do you think I would be so blind as to fall for such a silly ploy?
No, he admitted reluctantly, to all of it. I just...
You just let her wind you up like a child's plaything, she finished tartly. And now you're acting jealous of her, our sister. I don't even like women like that, Briar. Even if she did need me for an entire evening, what do you think would happen?
I don't know, he grumbled, feeling foolish now. I'm sorry. I told you I might be an idiot again.
I know, she said, sighing physically as she rubbed at her nose. That's when she noticed her audience.
Sandry and Daja watched, one carefully and the other with unconcealed glee as the weather witch began to flush once more. Clearing her throat, the redhead said curtly, "I can help you some, Daja, but you know I have other things to do too."
"I'll be sure to be respectful of your time," the taller woman said with a broad grin at Briar. "Wouldn't want someone to get scared up on the third floor all by themselves, would we?"
"Daja, you shouldn't tease Briar," Sandry put in, her tone entirely serious as she added, "It's not his fault Tris already has him completely broken to saddle." She hadn't needed to hear the argument to know who had come out on top. Briar had all but wilted under Tris' firm look, and his face had been almost apologetic at the end. Maybe she had misjudged Tris' ability to play this particular game, even if she didn't know all the rules.
"And now I'm leaving," Briar said after a glance at his wife who was trying not to laugh. "They'll be nicer to you. Tell me when you're ready to go up, and I'll meet you at the stairs."
Do you want me to come too? she asked him with a glance over her shoulder.
No, stay and talk. I'll steal some cookies from the kitchen and listen from my workroom. It will be safer for me there.
Tris caught her sisters watching her again and flushed. "There's cookies in the kitchen," she said as she started to rise and gather everyone's used plates.
"I'll get them," Daja said as she rose as well. "You stay and talk to Sandry. We haven't seen much of her for awhile." She smoothly took the gathered plates from Tris and gently pushed her back into her seat across from the noblewoman.
Sandry met her gaze uncertainly, and they both paused for a moment before the stitch witch blurted, "So you and Briar...?"
"Yes," Tris said, linking her hands together so they couldn't fidget nervously with her fork. "He and I are...together."
"And...you're sure...?" The words sounded odd even to the noblewoman's ears, but it was hard not to be accusing.
"I am. I've never been more sure of anything." Her sister paused deliberately, watching her carefully before she added, "Are you upset by that?"
"No," Sandry said hesitantly. "I'm just...I don't want to see you hurt. And especially not by Briar."
"He will hurt me," Tris said with a wry smile. "And I'll hurt him. But that's the nature of relationships, I think. I'm not perfect, and neither is he. So we're going to make mistakes that hurt, sometimes. But I'm still choosing this, Sandry. I love him."
It was the stitch witch who stood first, tears in her eyes at the sincerity of her sister's words. There was guilt there, for her assumptions and interference, but also relief and joy. Reaching for Tris, they hugged fiercely as the tiny blonde whispered, "I'm so very happy for you. And I wish you both the absolute best."
"Thank you."
Arms strong from hours at the forge wrapped around them both, lifting them into the air for a moment as Daja squeezed tight. "Daja!" Sandry protested when they were back on the ground, rubbing at her side. "You about squeezed the life from me!" Still, the noblewoman's smile was broad as she met the redhead's grey gaze.
"Yes, that's what a proper hug does," the smith mage replied with an unabashed grin. "Now let's sit and eat these excellent cookies and dig for details that will make Tris blush. We've already been mean enough to Briar, it's her turn."
"Yes, you were mean to Briar," Tris agreed with a sigh. "You shouldn't have gone that far."
"I'm sure you'll kiss his boo-boos and make him feel better." Daja's tone was teasing, but she let it drop when she met the weather mage's level gaze. "Alright, I will apologize later. I might have gone too far."
"Thank you."
"Actually, I would like to know how this happened," Sandry put in, taking her seat as she took a cookie from the plate. "I mean, where it came from. You weren't in love with him from the beginning, were you?" She couldn't help the slightly accusatory tone that crept in at the end, if Tris had been keeping secrets again then she couldn't be blamed entirely for the misunderstanding.
"No, not in that way," Tris said quickly, sitting once more. "I loved him, but it was the way I loved you. As a close friend and family member. I hadn't...considered him in that light before." To herself she added, at least not since we were children. Briar had shot up one summer, gaining five inches of height in a very short amount of time. Tris had realized then that she liked how tall he was compared to her. It made her feel safe, standing next to him. Not that she had ever told him that.
That was when the weather witch remembered Briar was in the back of her mind.
Well, Briar said with obvious pleasure in his mental voice, that explains more than it doesn't.
"She's blushing again," the stitch witch said with a soft 'tsk'. "Do you think it's from her, or did Briar say something to her?"
"Could be both," Daja replied with a knowing grin.
"Anyways," Tris said, striving to remain on topic and control her blush. She only managed one of the two. "Things started to change after the ball. It took awhile for us to admit our feelings for one another, to ourselves and to each other. When we did, it was actually because my mother had made a mess of things trying to be helpful." Quickly she described her mother's visit, and the request to see the wedding dress. About the beautiful tangled mess that had been made of the cords, and how she hadn't been able to remove the garment herself without harming it.
"I would have come from the palace to help, if you had asked," Sandry said gently as Tris paused to wet her throat.
"I honestly didn't even think to ask," her sister replied ruefully. "Although I wish I had, now. Actually removing the knots took hours, and it was not exactly a pleasant experience."
"Not your romantic ideal?" Daja teased lightly. "Being undressed by the man you love?"
"When it takes three bells, and you have to listen to him curse in frustration the entire time, no," Tris replied bluntly, and her sisters laughed. Through the bond she could feel her husband grumble about how that wasn't his fault, and she was able to grin without blushing further.
"I want to know something," Sandry said, a thought coming to her. "How did Rosethorn and Lark find out first?"
Her sister considered refusing to answer the question, but then told the story quickly. If she didn't explain, they would go ask the dedicate herself. Rosethorn wasn't known for embellishing details, but she would likely laugh herself into an early grave with the retelling. She did gloss over what her and Briar had been doing before Rosethorn's arrival, but given her blush and inability to look them in the eye, they both likely had a pretty good idea. The dedicate crying she was laughing so hard was given a decent description, though, and the pair couldn't hide their amusement as the redhead grumbled about turnabout not being fair play.
"At any rate," Tris went on dryly, "she gave us her and Lark's formal blessing. And...some advice." It was not a hard decision to keep that advice to herself as she went on, "She also added if they hadn't approved, the whole thing would have gone rather differently."
"And Niko knows now too?" Daja asked, though she already knew the answer. Briar had arrived back first, and his description of the conversation had been both amusing and terrifying. They had both agreed it would be best not to tell Tris those particular details.
"Yes, Briar spoke to him today. He said it went well." Tris frowned, thinking aloud. "I think that just leaves the servants when they get back..."
"They think you're already together," Daja said with a shrug. "So no need to tell them anything."
Tris went scarlet in the face, and Sandry covered her laugh with a hand. Briar's flash of surprise through the bond was not enough to stop her from gasping, "They...what?!"
"The housekeeper asked me awhile back if I was sure the marriage was an act," the smith mage explained lightly. "I made clear that whatever it was it was with your consent and not our business unless it became a problem."
"Define 'problem'," the weather witch said sharply.
"Lightning setting my roof on fire. Tanglevine taking over my house. Servants getting caught in the crossfire," her sister said with a straight face. They all knew she was joking, but Tris' face reddened further just the same.
"That won't happen," she said, attempting to regain control of herself.
"Then there won't be any problems," Daja rejoined smartly. "And thus it was never their business."
The teapot was empty, and Tris offered to refill it as Sandry fought the urge to laugh. She tried to accept their teasing with good grace. Rizu had never been the butt of their jokes, something about that relationship had been too fragile to poke fun at, but other potential suitors had been fair game for teasing. Sandry hadn't been allowed to forget her infatuation with Shan for nearly a year after they left Namorn, and Briar had been ragged relentlessly when one of his picks had decided to pursue Daja instead. The only reason Tris had escaped had been a lack of suitors to tease about, and the lack had always been left untouched.
Stepping into the kitchen, she got a good breeze from the window she left open to help clear out the heat. The first thing she noticed was the smell of rain in the air, and the second was how close it was. The clouds she had noted the day before, but they had been far to the south and she hadn't expected them to make it to Emelan, let alone in less than a week. The winds off the Pebble Sea must have been more relentless than she had expected. It would rain in less than a bell.
Heading back into the dining room, Tris asked Sandry when she was planning on leaving. The stitch witch admitted to having planned on a long evening. Her sister explained about the rain, and all of them knew enough not to question her.
"I can probably slow it," Tris said as she put the fresh teapot on the table. "But it will be a soaking downpour when it hits and it will last at least a few bells. If you want to miss it you can either plan to be here much later than before, or leave now. I can probably slow it enough to be sure you make it to the Citadel in time, but I can't push it through fast enough to get you home before too late without unbalancing everything else around us."
"Then I will head back," Sandry said, rising quickly. Her clothes were of her own make, of course, but they were not rainy day apparel. And mud was so very difficult to remove thoroughly from light linen. "It was not my intention to stay that late, and Uncle still wishes to speak with me this evening. Thank you for the warning, and the help."
Tris demurred, it really wouldn't be more than a moment's work to do so for her sister, and kissed her goodbye. Briar came from the workroom at her mental call, and they passed as she headed for the stairs.
"Be up in a minute," he told her with a wink. She didn't reply, but her cheeks when pleasantly pink.
Briar grinned to himself and kissed Sandry and Daja both on the cheeks as one prepared to leave and the other prepared to sleep.
"You're sure you won't keep me up tonight?" Daja asked, only half teasing as they walked Sandry to where her guards were mounting up. "I really do need to sleep..."
"You won't hear a thing," Briar promised gallantly. "Not unless you're trying to eavesdrop. I make no promises then."
"Who would want to?" Daja rejoined. "Spying on you two would be beyond gross and weird."
"Then if you don't sleep like an angel, it won't be because of us," her brother said with certainty.
The smith's snort of disbelief was not serious, and Sandry laughed. They saw her out the door to her guards, and waved until they were trotting down the street. Daja locked the doors as Briar moved the dishes to the kitchen and put away what little food was uneaten from the meal. The smith mage was still tired from her ordeal, though, and ascended the stairs with Briar a short time later for her bed. Briar continued past her floor, taking the steps two at a time as he hurried to be with his wife.
Tris stood still as a statue, aside from the fingers that pulled rhythmically through the undone braid pulled free of her snood. The other hand rested lightly on the balcony railing, holding her spectacles as her eyes gazed sightlessly into the distance.
Are you here? The words were asked carefully, Briar coming up beside her but keeping his hands to himself. He could see no lightning, but that was never a guarantee of anything with her.
Almost done, she replied faintly, as though from very far away. Which she probably was, if the stillness of her body was any indication. Sandry will have enough time with her guards to get back.
He nodded, asking, Did it take much effort? The question was twofold, first to ascertain if he needed to get anything for her as a result of her work and second to determine if she would be going straight to bed afterwards. The young man couldn't help the hope that she wouldn't be too tired to spend some time with him before sleep. However that time might be spent.
Almost none, she said, amusement coloring her mind as though she sensed his thoughts. I just encouraged the rain to conserve its strength a bit. It will slow its advance by perhaps half a bell, no more.
Sandry will still appreciate it, he said, smiling to himself.
Tris blinked as she returned to her body, wincing as the pins and needles that always came from standing still so long set in. "Mmm...that part never gets any easier," she grumbled as she quickly replaced her glasses on her blade-thin nose.
"Planning on staying out and enjoying the rain?" he asked as he took one of her arms and helped her to a rocking chair. His wife accepted the help gratefully, tottering on unsteady legs as she walked.
"No," she said, shaking her head. "It's not a proper storm. There will be hardly any thunder, and no real lightning to speak of. And it's not worth changing for something that will be just a gentle rain in comparison."
Briar didn't bother to try and hide his grin. "That's too bad, I like that dress," he said, dropping into the chair next to her. He could smell the rain now, and faintly see the clouds in the distance. There was no thunder, or lightning, but the air felt heavy with the coming storm. The breeze was picking up, and the air was almost cool.
"You mean you like how much leg it shows," she groused, flushing again.
The young man turned to catch his companion's eyes, and said seriously, "Leg isn't the only thing that dress shows, and I like all of it." The blush grew worse.
"Do you mind if the doors stay open again?" Tris asked as she tore her eyes away, wishing her face didn't feel like it was about to catch on fire. The prickles and pins had finally left her legs, and she felt steadier than before. Carefully she stood, using the excuse of stretching carefully to turn away from him. What she didn't realize was how that stretching outlined her curved form for Briar to watch with pleasure.
"Not at all." Her husband replied, standing as well as he admired the woman he loved. Teasing, teasing woman. The fact that it was unintentional made it all the more appealing. "I was wondering..."
"Yes?" Tris replied as she turned to face him, her cheeks still pink with her flush.
"Do you know what you're wearing to your father's party yet?" he asked, as he took her hand to draw her close. He didn't need to touch her, but he did want to. The day had seemed very long knowing where she was the entire time and not being able to be next to her every single minute.
"I haven't decided," she said as she let him, willing to admit to herself that she had missed the feel of his arms around her. "But...if we're going to be dancing, I will probably wear my grey boots."
"Really?" he asked, unable to hide the note of hope in his voice as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I wouldn't object to that. Or if you wore anything else that matched them..." The way the sentence trailed off made her look up to catch a guilty look on his face. The corset that he was only supposed to have 'peaked' at, she thought as satisfaction and pleasure welled up inside.
"I have a feeling you will be encouraging me to wear them a lot," she said, letting his guilt pass unremarked as she considered the dancing boots. "The leather is fairly thin. If I wear them more often I will have to be careful they do not wear out. I know Daja got them on trade for some work, but if we must purchase replacements that could get expensive..."
"Which reminds me of something else I want to discuss with you," Briar admitted with some reluctance. That made his wife perk up with quiet alarm, but he led her inside to the table and chairs and sat, pulling her into his lap as he did.
"There is a perfectly good chair next to this one," she pointed out even as she settled herself more comfortably across his legs.
"Yes," he agreed with a wide smile as he inhaled her scent. "But it doesn't put you nearly close enough after a day not spent next to you. Besides, I like it when you're on top. It's a...favorite." His grin was smug, up until she kissed him.
"Are you sure this isn't too distracting?" she asked some time later, breathing a little heavily.
"You could be on the other end of the Duke's ballroom and still be distracting," he informed her seriously as he reached up to claim her lips once more.
Eventually Tris came back to herself enough to ask, "You wanted to talk about something?" Her voice was higher than she liked, but the satisfaction from him having to clear his throat twice before he could say a word made up for it.
"I did. Yes." Gruffly Briar cleared his throat again, trying to pull his head out of the clouds and into the present topic. He would need his wits about him for the conversation at hand. Perhaps having her in his lap hadn't been such a good idea after all. Of course, now that she was here he had no thought of having her move away. It would be rude. "It's about money."
"Hmm." That was all Tris needed to express her displeasure, combined with thinned lips and a slight frown it was clear he was on dangerous grounds. The look she gave him was suspicious, and he quickly held up a hand when it seemed like she might start to speak.
"No, hear me out," he said, trying to sound reasonable and logical. That usually worked best with Tris when trying to persuade her of something she wouldn't like. "I want us to combine everything. Like the Traders say, One life, one ledger. We don't worry about who puts in what or who takes out what so long as there's enough for both of us."
"And what if I never sell another charm?" she asked, her voice calm but tight.
"Then we'll live off what I bring home," he said promptly. "And if I never sell another tree, we'll live off what you make. I don't see either scenario being very likely, but if we're married and we're staying married I still think we should. It will simplify the money, for one thing, and if your parents have any doubts that should make it clear we have no intention of separating, ever." It wasn't nearly as interesting a solution as being caught doing something naughty in the gardens, but it would be effective.
Tris had to admit that for that reason alone it made sense. If her parents had asked, the reason their finances remained separate was to have been the complexity of their separate businesses. Which was ridiculous, but she had hoped that with magic involved her father wouldn't see straight through the lie. It had never come up, though, and now it would be silly to keep things separate. Except..."I feel like this is going to benefit me more than you, and I don't like that," she told him stoutly, shifting so there was some space between them.
"For now, maybe," her husband agreed carefully, "but I don't think that will be the case forever. You're just now scratching the surface of what you can do with your power, and I think given how brilliantly clever and stubborn you are you will never stop pushing to learn more. You are going to do incredible things, things wealthy bags will pay through the nose for. And putting our money together now just means I will get to enjoy it just as much as you when you do." Briar added his most winning smile at the end, hoping it would be enough.
"How are you always able to make it sound like you're getting the better deal even I know that's not true," Tris replied, not quite convinced.
Briar stifled the urge to roll his eyes. "That entirely depends on your perspective."
"And if I agree to this," the redhead in his lap went on slowly, "how much money will you be bringing to the table?"
The plant mage suddenly looked uncomfortable, and with his words he had good reason. "I actually don't know."
Tris nearly started up out of her seat in shock. "How can you not know? We taught you to keep a ledger."
"I have a few hundred astrals in the money house I use," he explained. "The one we all use. Most of what was there two moons ago I paid to your father for your bride price. But like any thief worth his salt, that is is not where most of my wealth is."
"In your trees?" she asked, thinking of the several fine specimens lining his workshop. He had been in a buying streak that winter and spring, acquiring several more than he sold. That would change, it always did, and then he would begin the cycle again. It would make sense if he couldn't put an exact value on them. You never really knew what an item was worth until someone else's coin was in your hands.
The young man winced, then said, "Partially. But most of it is in something Evvy and I worked out while we were traveling. She would tell me which stones to buy, diamonds and the like, and then she...worked on them. Sometimes she was wrong, or made mistakes. But most of the time whatever we brought back we at least doubled what we had paid for it originally. It was a good way to transport our wealth, though, and we were careful only to sell a few at a time as we went. When we got back, we split what we hadn't sold fairly. Rosethorn, with her vows against material gain, refused to accept any. I have most of mine in my workroom, hidden. I sell one or two, when I need to, but my trees have been enough that I rarely do."
Tris supposed she shouldn't have been surprised, but the thought of that much wealth squirreled away somewhere in the house made her merchant senses itch. Money that was hidden away and not working was money not put to good use. "How many do you have?" she asked, the question popping out thoughtlessly.
"Around twenty the size of my thumb," he said, sticking up the said appendage for reference. "Maybe four or five dozen half that size. And I don't even know how many of the small ones there are off the top of my head."
Tris stared at him in amazement. "And they're all diamonds?!" she hissed, unsure if it was in anger or why she should be angry. But still, that many diamonds, and just sitting in a drawer somewhere...!
"Lakik's teeth, no!" he cried, and something in her chest relaxed.
"Oh, good, I was-"
"About half are diamonds," he cut in, unaware of his wife freezing in his lap as he went on. "The rest are a mix of sapphires, emeralds, and rubies with a few large garnets and several small purple ones I can never remember the name of." Tris forced herself to breath, air was necessary for life to continue, but she couldn't stop staring at him in disbelief. "I have them all labeled," her husband admitted casually as though he had just revealed nothing of great import. "I made sure to, because I can't tell half of them apart."
"Really?" she asked, for some reason even more surprised by that.
"The glitter all looks similar to me," he said with a careless shrug. "I couldn't write or read as a child, and the gang was more concerned with me knowing how to pick a pocket than tell shiny stones apart. I was going to ask for your help anyways. Glaki said I let myself get cheated the last two times I sold one off, but she refuses to come and help. She says I'm an adult and can see to my own troubles."
"Does she still sell and buy precious stones?" Tris asked, curious for some reason despite everything else she had just learned.
Briar nodded, his grin a touch proud. "Yes, she's got a sizable amount set aside for when she gets her medallion, actually. It pays for her student fees at the temple."
The weather witch shook her head suddenly, the memory of all that wealth overwhelming her once more. "Briar, I can't accept your-"
"Ours," he corrected her quickly, taking her hands in his and holding them firmly. "It's not mine, it's ours." The young man's smile turned warm as he added, "I like the sound of that, 'ours'. Our money, our business, our life." Gently drawing her close, he waggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Our bed."
"Don't try to distract me from this," she told him, less firmly than she liked but still enough to make him pause.
"I'm not," he protested, before catching her firm gaze. "Ok, maybe a little," he admitted, rolling his eyes, "but I mean this, Tris. I want us to share everything, and that includes the money. I don't care if we have a lot or a little as long as we have each other."
"And if I refuse?" she asked quietly, her gaze somber.
"I don't know," he admitted softly, "but it would hurt. It would sort of be like saying you don't trust me."
"That's ridiculous," she retorted quickly, and his brows rose in reply.
"Is it?" he asked, voice quiet. "What reason is there not to combine everything?"
"What if this doesn't last?" The question was thoughtlessly tossed out, and she immediately regretted it as his eyes showed pain.
"Do you plan on leaving me so quickly?" Briar said, completely serious for once.
"No," she admitted, flushing. "I can't imagine wanting anyone else but you." The words weren't hard to say, and were true, but embarrassment still made her skin turn hot.
Her husband's face remained sober as he said, "Then do you think it's because I'm going to leave?"
Tris did not immediately respond, and couldn't have said why. She did trust Briar, and if he said he wasn't going to leave then he wasn't. But still... "No, I don't think you will," she finally said, voice low. "I suppose I just have a hard time believing something this wonderful will last very long. Not because I want to leave but because life is not fair or kind."
"We're married. We should share everything, the best as well as the worst," her love said as he met her gaze firmly.
And she found that there was only one response. "Then...yes," she said as she leaned her forehead against his, eyes closed. "We will change it as soon as you want. One ledger, one life."
"Do you mean that?" he asked, reaching up to stroke her cheek.
"Yes," she said, certain once again that it was the right decision.
Briar kissed her, a feather touch on her lips as he said, "I love you."
"And I you."
The kiss did not remain light.
Tris was the one to suggest moving to the bed sometime later, a squeal escaping when Briar simply scooped her up as he stood. He was stronger than he looked and toppled with her into their stuffed mattress laughing at her struggling protest that he was going to drop her on the floor. He smothered those with his mouth, and she decided that was a much better occupation of her time.
-090-
Author's Notes:
And so things continue apace.
Thank you so much for your many wonderful reviews! I always enjoy hearing from everyone. And please remember to do so again. The end is in sight. :)
~CB~