The garden beyond his window stood out in striking detail. Though the flowers were now fading with the onset of fall, Rell could imagine exactly what the lovely garden had looked like when in full bloom.
“It’s beautiful.” She touched a bright red poppy. “I feel as if I can almost smell them.”
He pulled another sheet from under the pile, looked at it, and after a few seconds handed it to her.
“Oh, Siban.” She set the garden painting aside and gingerly took the picture from him. “It’s me.” Indeed it was—had been—her. The image was of her Bane form, the familiar features so defined it was as if Rell the demon still lived upon this page. She followed the curve of the tiny horns with the tip of her finger. Her eyes were almond-shaped, but they were human, not reptilian like the rest of the Bane. “You’ve made me beautiful.”
“You were beautiful to me.” He stood behind her and stared down at the picture. “I must have drawn your image a hundred times over the last year. When I would wake from a bad dream I’d get up and sketch your image as I remembered you.” His hand caressed her upper arm. “Thinking of you always drove the nightmares away.”
She set the picture back on the table and turned to him, winding her arms around his neck. “Thank you for sharing your world with me.”
He bent and kissed her, the contact gently brushing her lips. “Thank you for giving me back my world.” They kissed again and then he released her. “You realize these are our chambers now. You can change them however you’d like.”
“I wouldn’t change a thing, Siban. It’s perfect exactly how it is.” She paused and looked around. “Except for maybe another wardrobe and a chair of my own so we may sit by each other.”
“You’re too easy to please.” He took her hand and led her to the windows. “These can be cold during the winter, so I will have drapes fashioned.” Tugging her behind him, he walked down the path to the left, seemingly excited about the prospect of redecorating the atrium. “Perhaps an area for your interests.” He stopped and looked at her. “What do you like to do? Do you sew?”
She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Do I look like I sew?”
His gaze tracked down and back up her body. “Thankfully, no.”
“How about—” She released his hand and stepped onto a circular area about twelve feet in diameter. “A sparring field.”
“You wish to do battle in our chambers?”
“I like to think of it as training.” She spun and imitated slashing with her sword.
On her downward swing, Siban caught her arm. “How about instead of a sparring field we turn it into a nursery?”
Rell blinked several times, her arm growing slack. “You want to have children?”
“I want to have children with you.” He drew her to him. “Don’t you?”
Did she? With the way her life had been she’d never even given it a thought. What kind of mother would she be? “I don’t know.” She laid her hands against his chest and stared into his eyes. “If I did, I would want them with you.”
“Then that’s all we need to know now.” A sweet smile spread across his face. “We’ve still much to do before I could feel comfortable bringing a child into the world.”
A sigh escaped her. “Speaking of which, we should probably get cleaned up and go see what the plans are.”
“Yes.” His mouth captured hers and his tongue swept inside, sending a thrill through her that made her want to lock the door and ignore the world for a few hours. But the kiss was brief. “Let’s go see what’s stewing within Alba Haven.”
She sighed again and let Siban guide her out of their magical chambers.
Loud voices emanated from what was obviously the kitchen. Pots and pans clattered, Nattie’s commands rising above the noise. “He has missed you something terrible. Squawking for hours on end.”
Rell entered the kitchen to see Ravyn and Rhys sitting at a long wooden table. Perched on Ravyn’s shoulder was the most beautiful bird she’d ever seen. Brilliant red-and-orange feathers flowed like fiery lace down its tail and bright golden eyes peered intelligently around.
“I’ve missed him too,” Ravyn cooed, feeding the bird bits of bread from her hand.
Mesmerized, Rell slid into the seat across from her. “What’s his name?”
“Beacon.” Ravyn stroked a finger along the bird’s head. “I found him in the market place before I left for Faela.”
The content smile on Rhys’s face as he watched Ravyn and the bird warmed Rell. He truly loved her. That much was obvious.
“What kind is he?” The urge to stroke the bird itched at Rell’s fingers. “I’ve never seen his like.”
“He’s a Firebrand.” Ravyn looked at her. “Would you like to hold him?”
“Could I?” She was standing before she finished the question. Rell skirted the table and straddled the bench to face the bird on Ravyn’s left side. “He’s so beautiful.”
A low gurgle purred from the bird’s throat.
“I think he likes you,” Rhys said.
“Hold out your arm.” Ravyn turned on the bench and touched her forearm with Rell’s. “If he’s in a good mood, he’ll climb onto you.”
With rocking steps, Beacon scooted down Ravyn’s arm and onto Rell. “He’s heavier than he looks.” Rell stroked his head and her eyes widened. “And so warm.”
“That’s the Firebrand in him.”
“Have the children seen him yet?” Rell asked.
“Oh yes.” Nattie chuckled. “Delphina had to carry him out of the kitchen when I was showing them to their chambers.” She sighed. “It’s nice having young ones at Alba Haven again.”
As Rell caressed the bird’s soft head it settled on her shoulder and nestled against her hair. Perhaps because she’d once had wings herself, she connected with Beacon on a level deeper than animal and human.
The rest of the group entered the kitchen. Instantly the women crowded around Rell and Ravyn, oohing over the beautiful bird.
“Really, the fuss you make over that bird.” The harsh tone of Nattie’s words was tempered by the adoring look she gave Beacon. “He’s such a bother when you’re not here.”
“I’m sorry, Nattie.” Ravyn winked at Rell. “We’ll take him with us on our next journey.”
“To the Frost Lands?” She thunked a jug of wine onto the table. “I should say you won’t. That bird would freeze to death before you even reached the boundary.” Next she shoved a tray of goblets next to the wine and gave a long-suffering sigh. “I guess I could take care of him while you’re gone.”
“Thank you, Nattie, that’s so kind of you.” Ravyn’s expression was serious, but humor laced her words.
“Well, I’m a kind person,” Nattie said.
“That’s a matter of opinion.”
Rell turned to see a little man with exceptionally large feet shuffle into the room. His hair was sparse but his eyes sparkled with intelligence and mischief.
Rhys rose. “Jaspar, it’s great to see you.”
“It is great to be seen, my lord.” The old man descended to a low bow and slowly rose again. “I hear you’ve had quite the trip.”
“Quite.” Rhys took his seat again. “And what has been happening at Alba Haven while I’ve been gone.”
“Naught but Nattie’s blustering, my lord.”
Nattie harrumphed, but said nothing further, keeping her attention on the task of peeling potatoes.
Jaspar shuffled to the table and lifted a goblet of wine from the tray. “I believe Geoffrey has fetched what you requested.”
A few seconds later loud voices wafted in from the outer hall, giving Rell the impression that Jaspar either knew of the monk’s arrival or he was a Tell.
“Where are they?” The monk’s voice grew louder. “Where are the angels?”