"Oh no." Elissa could actually feel her dismay as a tangible thing, weighting the air around her and making it difficult to breathe. "Not Delilah." She leaned heavily against the outer wall of the keep. "Were you able to stop them?"
Zevran muttered a curse in Antivan. "We were not able to save the husband, but everyone else lives. They killed him at his stand – very messy. Sloppy job." He swore again. "They sent nearly twenty men to take out a helpless woman and child."
At this, Elissa's dismay turned back to alarm. "What? Twenty?" Elissa searched Zevran's face. "Do you think they knew that you were protecting her?"
"I do not think so. But, a few of them were wearing guard uniforms. They are all dead now. I decided that we could not trust the city guard to keep Delilah and the baby safe, so they are on their way here with the Wardens." Zevran looked at Elissa calculatingly. "My friends will find out if anyone else is making a bonus salary and deal with them."
Elissa nodded at Zevran. "I'm glad you were there, Zev."
"We got lucky. If the other Wardens had not shown up when they did, it would have been a challenge for us." Zevran frowned and his face grew even darker. "They will be here in just a few minutes, my dear Elissa. Later, we need to discuss that." He nearly spat at the scroll he had given to Elissa. She nodded and tucked it away to read when things quieted down.
Just then, Oghren ran up to Elissa. "They're almost here." He noted Zevran's angry expression and looked surprised. He muttered, "Can't be good," before continuing. "They got a woman and baby with them."
Elissa nodded. "That's Delilah and her son. Please, Oghren, can you find some servants to clear my things out of the master bedroom? They'll need the space." Oghren ran off toward the keep and Elissa hurried back to the keep's front gates to meet the approaching group.
The cart was led by a pair of horses and Elissa could see Delilah huddled on the driver's seat, a bundle in her arms. Nathaniel was walking right next to Delilah's side of the cart, one hand holding on to the edge of the wagon. Erlina was sitting next to Delilah on the cart. Eric led the horses and Anders walked beside him. Elissa could just make out Ragnar behind the cart – apparently he was guarding the rear. The back of the cart looked like it was packed with a few necessary items.
The entire group walking toward the keep was silent, even Anders. There were still bloodstains on everyone's armor and clothing; apparently they hadn't stopped long enough to clean up. Everyone looked tired and careworn, except for Delilah, who sat completely silent with a detached expression on her face, and Nathaniel, who veered between concern when he looked up at Delilah and her bundle and a murderous expression when he looked anywhere else. Elissa ran forward and met them before they reached the gate.
She went straight to Nathaniel, who was carefully taking the wrapped bundle from Delilah. He handed it to her and she peeked in. The baby was sleeping peacefully, blissfully unaware of how his little world had just been upturned, one tiny fist poking out of the blanket and resting right by his face. Elissa couldn't help but touch a fingertip to that tiny fist. "So soft," she murmured to herself. The baby sighed in his sleep and then was still again.
Elissa looked up to see Erlina standing in front of her. Wordlessly, Erlina held out her arms and Elissa reluctantly handed over the baby. "We're going to set them up in the master suite," Elissa told her quietly. "We can meet as a group after we get them settled." Erlina nodded and started walking toward the keep, baby in hand.
Nathaniel was standing by his sister while the other men started unloading the cart. He had his arm around Delilah, holding her close to him, the war between concern and fury still battling on his face. As Elissa approached, Delilah looked up at Elissa and detached herself gently from her brother, coming to stand directly in front of Elissa. She still looked dazed and lost, but after a moment recognition shone in her eyes. Elissa didn't say anything at first; instead she took a step forward and hugged Delilah.
Delilah lost it.
The moment Elissa's arms wrapped around Delilah's shoulders, she felt a sob force its way out from Delilah's stomach and push all the way up until her voice gave it form. Once the first sound found its way through her system, more followed its lead until Delilah fell to her knees. Elissa knelt in front of her, rubbing her back and whispering, "I'm sorry, so sorry," and let her cry out her torment. Elissa looked up at Nathaniel; he stood there, staring at the two of them, an unreadable expression on his face. When he noticed Elissa watching him, he crouched by the two women and cupped Elissa's cheek briefly. He nodded at her in thanks before rising and helping the other men collect Delilah's things and take them into the keep.
It took Delilah several minutes to let the worst of her initial grief pass. When her crying slowed, she nodded her head at Elissa and leaned back onto her heels. Elissa fished in her pocket for a handkerchief and gave it to Delilah so that she could dry her eyes. When Delilah finally looked up, Elissa was somewhat relieved to see that the numbness had passed, even though it had been replaced by a deep sadness.
"Thank you." Delilah's voice was raspy from crying. "I needed that." She stood with some help from Elissa and started to walk slowly toward the keep. Elissa walked with her. Just before they reached the gates to the inner courtyard, Delilah stopped. "We … we brought Albert with us." Her voice was still a bit raspy, but had improved slightly. "I'd like to … to say goodbye properly, if we can?"
"Of course we can. Just let us know when and we'll make arrangements."
Delilah nodded. "Maybe … in the morning? I don't think … I don't think I can do it today." Elissa rubbed her back to reassure her and nodded, and they started walking again.
It didn't take very long for them to make their way to the living quarters, but when they arrived at the master suite, they found that the servants had packed all of Elissa's things and removed them from the room, changed the bedding on the bed, and cleaned the room. They were putting Delilah's things away already and had even set up the crib. They worked so efficiently and quietly that the little tiny baby snores coming from the crib could be heard easily. Nathaniel was standing over the crib, watching the baby sleep, and Erlina was helping the servants by quietly directing them where to put Delilah's things.
Delilah walked straight to Nathaniel and waited for him to turn to face her before hugging him. He rubbed her back and they talked to each other so quietly that Elissa couldn't hear them, then Delilah let go of her brother and did the same with Erlina. When she was finished, she sat on the edge of her bed and watched Erlina dismiss the servants. Delilah turned back to Elissa and said, "I want to unpack the rest of my things and think for a while. Thank you for making me feel at home."
Elissa smiled sadly at Delilah. "You will always be welcome here, Delilah. This is your home as much as it is ours. Do you want us to send your dinner up to you?"
Delilah thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No. I … I think it will be better for both of us to be around other people. We'll come down for dinner." She looked at the crib and through the sadness an expression of adoration emerged. "Little Samuel hasn't met everyone yet." She looked back at Elissa. "I know you want to meet with the other Wardens to … to talk about today. Please, go ahead. I'll be all right." She waved all three Wardens out of the room. Elissa stepped into the hall first, followed by Erlina, then Nathaniel.
As soon as Nathaniel closed the door, Elissa thought she heard a stifled sob come from the room. The fleeting expression of anguish on Nathaniel's face confirmed what she heard, but he motioned Elissa away from the door. "She needs this," he whispered. Elissa could do little else besides nod and turn away in response.
"Erlina, will you please let the other Wardens and Zev know that I'd like to meet with them in the study in an hour?" Elissa asked.
"Of course, Elissa. We will see you then." Erlina turned and walked down the hallway, leaving Elissa alone with Nathaniel. As soon as she disappeared around a corner, Nathaniel grabbed Elissa's hand and pulled her down the hallway.
Where are we going? Elissa didn't have time to voice her thought before Nathaniel led her to his room and dragged her inside, shutting the door and pinning her up against it. He sagged against her, one arm around her waist, the other at the nape of her neck, and then went still. Elissa held him, smoothing her hands over his back, while he took several deep breaths. After a few minutes, he seemed considerably calmer.
"Bad day." His voice came out almost too low for Elissa to hear. She nodded and gave him a gentle squeeze, then he stood a bit straighter and released her before dropping unceremoniously onto a chair.
"I understand," Elissa replied, moving to sit on the other chair. "If I was you, I'd be ..." Her voice trailed off as she glanced around the room and realized that her belongings covered Nathaniel's bed and table. "I'm sorry, Nathaniel. The servants dropped all my things in here. I'll get them to move them out so you can-"
"No." It wasn't like Nathaniel to interrupt. Surprised, Elissa looked at Nathaniel's face. His expression was unyielding and his tone demanding. "I told them to put your things in here. You will be staying in here with me."
Elissa was sure her eyebrows must have disappeared into her hair at Nathaniel's command. And I don't get a say in this? "Shouldn't we have discussed this? I don't mind the idea, but this is the sort of decision we should be making together."
He continued to stare at her, almost challengingly, while she watched him to try to figure out why he was suddenly acting so domineering. She tried to keep her face neutral and waited for his response, not sure where to direct the conversation next. The minutes passed by, each side refusing to yield to the other, until finally Elissa decided that it was ridiculous to sit there and just stare. She got up from her chair and knelt in front of Nathaniel, noting that his eyes never left hers, although they did soften slightly as she leaned on his knees.
"I know today has been awful. But we've both had bad days before, and I'd like to think that neither of us has tried to tell the other what to do," she said softly. "This isn't like you, Nathaniel. I just want to know what brought this about." She covered his hand with hers. "Please, talk to me."
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, his eyes searched hers, as if he needed to find some information hidden within. After another moment or two, he relaxed, apparently satisfied somewhat with what he saw, and turned his hand over to clasp hers. He took a deep breath. "Look, I just need ..." He paused again and closed his eyes, opening them to focus on hers. He looked and acted less demanding now and more like his usual self. "The entire time we were fighting off Delilah's attackers, and afterward, all I could think about was whether the attack was supposed to be a distraction. What if they had thought to draw you out there, to try to kill you? Or worse, what if they were trying to get us away from you in order to attack you here?" His head dropped back. "I know you can handle yourself, and that, in reality, it probably doesn't make much difference, but knowing you'll be in my bed for certain every night is … reassuring." He squeezed her hand. "Please stay in here with me."
At Nathaniel's change in tone, Elissa herself relaxed. She smiled up at Nathaniel. "Well, it would be more practical to keep our things in the same room," she mused, "since we're in the same bed every night anyway." She sighed, pretending to be put out. "I suppose it will have to do." Nathaniel looked down at her, one eyebrow raised, and seeing her smile back at him, he shook his head and smiled slightly. She reached up and placed her hand on his cheek. As he leaned into her hand, she added, "I just have one request." Her tone was suddenly serious.
Nathaniel's eyebrow raised again. "What is it?"
Elissa sighed. "I hope you don't mind, but ..." she jerked her head to the back corner of Nathaniel's room. "I … don't think I'm ready to wake up to see your father's portrait. I know it's just a painting, but ..." she shrugged.
Nathaniel relaxed again. "Consider it done. To be honest, sometimes seeing it hang there makes me angry." He leaned forward and cupped Elissa's face in his hands before giving her a quick kiss. He leaned his forehead against hers and murmured, "let's move you in before our meeting, shall we?"