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IN LOVE AND WAR
CHAPTER THREE: HOME-COMING
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I can't believe she's gone, Roald thought. The Conté family's supper table seemed very empty. Not only was Shinko's spot vacant, but three of his sibling's places as well. Kally was in Carthak with her husband. Liam was a squire, far in the north with his knight master. Little Lianne was engaged to a man from the Copper Isles. Roald felt like everyone he cared for was slowly leaving. He barely ate anything, and what did pass his lips was tasteless.
After supper he sat with his parents in their cozy sitting room. A warm fire blazed, and while his mother embroidered a new tapestry, his father napped on a sofa. Roald sat nearby, quietly pretending to read. He dreaded going back to the room he shared with Shinkokami. It had been his room before they married, but now it would just seem big and empty without Shinko. Roald didn't want to be alone.
The weather didn't help the situation any. It had been storming nearly all day, so it was dark and dreary. On days like this he and Shinko liked to curl up in the window seat with a blanket and a book.
This storm is too bad to sail through, he thought. Then it dawned on him. The ship will be delayed!
"I'm going to get my wife back," he said, jumping from his seat and striding out the door. Jonathan and Thayet looked up, alarmed.
"Roald!" Thayet called after him, but whether his body or mind was too far away, her oldest son didn't hear her. He ran all the way to the stables and saddled his mount, Bravefoot. As he worked he heard the stable doors open. A mare bearing two riders trotted in. The first rider climbed down, and then helped the lady down gently.
She stood there for a moment, shrouded in a wet cloak. Her clothes, soaked from the rain, clung to her figure. Shinko moved the cloak away from her face, thanking the man briefly.
But she must not have seen Roald, for she turned and ran out into the rain, heading for the palace.
"Shinko!" Roald called, vaulting to his feet. He caught her midway to the door and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her hungrily, again and again.
"Oh, Roald," she cried, after a moment, dissolving into tears on his shoulder. "I couldn't go. I love you."
"I love you too," he said, realizing how chilled she was. Roald lifted Shinko and carried her inside. He ignored the astonished stares of many, many onlookers, and took his princess up to their rooms.
"We need to get you warmed up," he said. He lit a hot fire, then stripped Shinkokami of her wet clothes. As he toweled her dry, he noticed their baby, showing ever so slightly. After he slipped a long sleeved nightgown over her head, he pulled her waist into his arms, kissing her belly softly.
Someone knocked on the door. Roald stood and admitted his parents. Shinkokami hung her head.
"I'm sorry. I know I should have gone," she mumbled. Jonathan lifted her head with a finger beneath the chin.
"We're sorry," he said. "You are a part of our family. It was wrong to ask you to even consider leaving."
Shinko smiled through her tears and hugged him firmly, kissing her father-in-law's cheek. Then Thayet hugged the princess.
"You're like a daughter to me. I'm so glad you're back," she whispered. The queen straightened. "Roald, get your wife to bed. We wouldn't want to her take ill. "
Roald led Shinkokami to their big bed. He settled her, propped up with several fluffy pillows behind her. A quilt was produced from a chest at the foot of the bed, a warm one that had been handmade by Shinko's mother.
"We should get a healer," Roald said.
"That's not really necessary," Thayet said. "It's just a little rain. A draught and a good night's sleep will chase away the cold." Roald caught Shinko's eyes and she nodded briefly.
"The healer is more necessary than you know," he said, sitting down beside Shinko, arm around her. Thayet looked confused. Roald shared a smile with his wife. "Shinkokami is with child."
The king looked astonished, but his queen bore a growing grin.
"Oh, Roald, Shinko, congratulations," she said, hugging each of them.
"A baby?" Jonathan said. "I don't really feel old enough to be a grandfather."
"Well get used to the idea," Thayet said. "Oh, we need to get a cradle, and some tiny dresses, oh and we'll have to have the little room next to yours made into a nursery. It's been such a long time since we've had a baby around!"
"I'm just glad I'll get to meet my baby," Roald said, running his hand over Shinkokami's cheek. She had drifted off into a deep sleep. Roald leaned his head against hers, and soon joined her in slumber.
Thayet stopped her planning and smiled. She took Jonathan's hand and they left their son and his lady love, vowing to send a healer up to check on the princess' condition, in the morning of course.
