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  “You’re free to go, of course,” she said. “But—I wish you wouldn’t. You’re the only other Proctor I know. You cared enough to be at Shareis’s wedding, so you must be friends.”

  “I have already said goodbye to her.”

  “It’s a long walk back home for someone with a broken ankle.”

  Lilly raised an eyebrow. “How do you know where I live?”

  “I don’t. Well, not exactly. But I know the kind of life you lead, and it’s far from here.”

  “You claim to know much about me, yet you know little of yourself.”

  “You don’t know how much I know about myself.” She repeated her reply to make sure it made sense. “Words may not be my strong suit. I just use a lot of them and hope I’m getting the point across.”

  “Proctors are excellent judges of character, and I can tell you have yet to make peace with the fact you lead a soldier’s life. Your verbosity is a cover.”

  “Verbosity?” she asked.

  “Talkative nature.”

  She knew Lilly was right. She hadn’t been the same since her adventure with Nivvy. “I’ve grown a lot in the past year.”

  “War will do that to a woman.”

  “Look, I’m a hunter. As you said, you’re a soldier. Soldiers don’t live here. The woods are full of family farms. We hunt and grow on our own land, and we help our neighbors.”

  Lilly scoffed. “Humans have no monopoly on benevolence. In fact, in my experience, it’s quite the opposite.”

  “I think that means you think humans are mean. And you’re right. They are. But they’re loving and kind, too. You’re hungry and hurt. Let me take you to my home and—”

  “Not a chance. You are friends with the High Priestess and Shareis and I wish no further interaction with them.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “They did nothing wrong. But I have no desire to interfere with their lives. I… I just want to be left alone.”

  “How about Aiden, then?” she asked. “He’s the handsome man who escorted me down the aisle in Nivvy’s wedding. He’s smart.”

  “Is he your lover?” Lilly asked.

  “Lover? Oh, uh no. We haven’t… I mean I haven’t ever done that. I care for him a great deal. We’ve kissed, and he touched my—”

  “I do not need details.”

  “Right. Sorry. Anyway, he’s staying in the tavern in Brenloh. He can help fix your ankle.”

  “I don’t think it’s necessary.”

  “Well, I do,” she said. “And since you helped Shareis, I will help you.”

  Lilly started walking toward town. She walked beside her and tried to avoid eye contact.

  “You’re not going to waste that deer, are you?” Lilly asked.

  “No. I’ll send my father right back for it. I need to escort you.”

  “You’re going to follow me all the way there, aren’t you?”

  She grinned. “We might have gotten off to a bad start, but I can see you’re beginning to understand me.” She gestured toward town. “After you, Lilly.”

  Chapter 8

  “I’m not a healer,” Aiden said. “I’m an engineer.”

  “She didn’t want Nivvy’s help, and my first aid skills are lacking,” Frasie said.

  Lilly stared into the fireplace in Aiden’s room, struggling to keep weight off her leg. “I told you I did not need any assistance.”

  She knelt to examine Lilly’s foot. “May I?”

  Lilly raised her skirt. “Of course.”

  Large purple bruises covered her ankle.

  “Can you move your foot?” Aiden asked.

  Lilly took deep breath, elevated her foot, and raised her toes. Her calf trembled. Lilly’s voice broke. “Not at all.”

  Aiden looked at her. “Proctors are terrible liars.”

  He gently touched Lilly’s ankle and she cried out in pain.

  “It’s probably broken,” he said.

  “Do you know how to set it?” she asked.

  “Not really,” Aiden replied. “But… I know the anatomy involved, so wrapping it tightly and keeping it immobile for as long as possible should help. You really need to be in bed.”

  “I’m going to get Nivvy and Shareis,” she said.

  “No!” Lilly yelled.

  “Why?”

  Lilly sighed. “If I tell you, will you leave me alone?”

  “Depends,” Frasie replied. “Is it going to be another lie?”

  Lilly sought the nearest chair and took a seat, then struggled to position her leg. Frasie eased a footstool underneath it to give her some relief.

  “No more lies,” Lilly said. “Your associate, Shareis, is a half-Proctor.”

  “We know,” she said.

  “I doubt you have ever met a full-blooded Proctor, until now.”

  “I fail to see the difference,” Aiden said.

  “Shareis is much better at handling relationships than I. In fact, full Proctors are such loners that you may never meet another. Of course, it doesn’t help that humans slaughtered so many of us during the Proctor Wars.”

  “A terrible tragedy,” Aiden said.

  Lilly picked up a small nutcracker from the table beside her and tapped it across the arm of the chair. “Call genocide what you will.”

  “You won’t get any argument from me,” Aiden said.

  “I see,” Lilly replied. “An uncommon response from a human.”

  “We aren’t all the same, you know,” Frasie said.

  “No, I wouldn’t know. I scarcely deal with them. Anyway, my point is that we are terrible friends, family—and parents. We make awful lovers.”

  “Shareis has been quite loyal to Nivvy.”

  “That is her human side. An admirable, if not dangerous trait. We feel awkward in social situations. We’re not equipped to deal with them. I came to Shareis’s wedding out of obligation, but I am not suitable to be a further part of her life.”

  Aiden moved to the edge of his chair. “Further part of her life?”

  Frasie gasped. “You’re Shareis’s mother, aren’t you? Well, you know, other mother.” She turned to Aiden. “She’s Shareis’s other mother.” She looked back to Lilly. “Is that what you call yourself? Other mother?”

  “Parent would suit me,” Lilly replied. “And yes, Shareis is my child.”

  Her eyes grew wide and she struggled to maintain a squeal of delight. “You’re Shareis’s other mother! Uh—parent, I mean. That’s fantastic! Isn’t that great, Aiden?”

  “So, you’re that Lilly,” Aiden said. “I vaguely recall Shareis mentioning your name, but I completely forgot Proctors have two mothers as parents. I assumed Lilly was an aunt or sister. I feel foolish for not figuring this out sooner.”

  “Now you know the truth. Please, keep this to yourselves.”

  “But…”

  “I cannot force your silence, but I’d greatly appreciate it,” Lilly said.

  She thought a moment. “Would you appreciate it enough to stay until your ankle is healed?”

  Lilly buried her forehead in her hand. “Humans are devious.”

  Aiden grinned at her. “No. Just the curly redheaded ones.”

  “It could take several weeks for it to heal, and I have nowhere to stay,” Lilly said.

  “Months,” Aiden corrected. “And, you can stay here, in my room. I’ll take the floor, and—”

  “I do not want to put you out of your room. You are paying for a bed, and it is only right you sleep in it.”

  “I’m not paying anything for the room,” Aiden said. “I’m staying here rent free in exchange for fixing up the building.”

  “Aiden is being modest,” she said. “He’s staying here rent free because he’s a hero.”

  “Regardless, you are paying in one form or another,” Lilly said. “It’s your bed, Aiden. If I must stay here to keep your silence, I’ll sleep on the floor.”

  “You can’t do that,” she said. “You won’t sleep a wink.”

 
“All I need is a warm blanket and this fire,” Lilly said. “I’ve been sleeping on the ground for months, so this will be an improvement.”

  Aiden clasped his hands. “Then it’s settled. We’ll be leaving in a few weeks, so if that’s not enough time, I’ll speak to the owner and arrange you a longer stay.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Lilly said.

  Frasie grinned. “In the meantime, I’ll convince you to let me tell Nivvy and Shareis about you.”

  Aiden gathered some linen. “There’s no point in arguing with her.”

  “I can see that.”

  He poured a tall glass of whisky and offered it to Lilly. “Drink up. This will hurt.”

  “I don’t need that,” Lilly said.

  “No, you will. Proctor or not, this is going to hurt like hell.”

  Lilly closed her eyes. “I will meditate.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Lilly nodded.

  He looked at her, then drank a shot himself.

  “I’ll try to align the bones. You wrap it as tightly as possible, alright?”

  She was nervous about the procedure but trusted him. “I guess.”

  “Let me know when you’re ready,” Aiden said.

  “Give me one minute. Then don’t tell me, just do it.”

  They waited while Lilly slipped into a quiet meditation. Her muscles relaxed and her breathing slowed dramatically. Aiden took the heel of her foot and pulled, then manipulated the joint to reduce the fracture. Lilly opened her mouth and tears streamed down her cheeks, but she remained silent.

  Frasie wrapped the bandage as tightly as possible while still leaving room for circulation, then tied the linen so that it wouldn’t come loose. “Sorry,” she said.

  Lilly opened her eyes but couldn’t speak for a moment. “Thank you both.” She reached for the glass. “I’ll take the whisky now.”

  Chapter 9

  The midday sun streamed into Niv’s window. As soon as she opened her eyes, she knew they’d overslept. Back in Selandis, sleeping till noon would have been horrible, but here, in her parents’ home in the Jeweled Woods, she adored sleeping in with Shareis.

  Her eyes scanned the room as she laid in bed, focusing on relics of her childhood. Her journal sat on her nightstand, her fishing rod hung over the door, and a large handmade bookcase by Ren overflowed with books. She thought of the pleasant memories associated with all these objects, then looked down at Shareis, nestled against her chest, and contemplated with awe how much her life had changed in a few short years.

  Soon, Shareis stirred and cuddled even closer to her.

  “Did you sleep well, love?”

  Shareis nodded. “Mmm hmm. You?”

  “Wonderfully. It’s noon.”

  Shareis looked at the window and seemed concerned for a moment, then laid back against her. “I could stay here a few more hours.”

  “Me too. Cherin and Ren are used to me sleeping late.”

  “Your bed is comfortable,” Shareis said.

  “Ren made it. He made all my furniture.” She stretched her arms. “It seemed so big when I was younger. But now, it barely fits us.”

  “You’re used to our big bed in Selandis.”

  “It feels so wonderful waking up with you, Shareis.”

  “I was thinking the same thing.” Shareis yawned. “We can spend all day in bed.”

  “I think they might come to check on us if we did,” she replied.

  “I hope not. We’re both naked.”

  She chuckled. “We’re going to have to put on clothes at some point.”

  Shareis ran her fingers between her breasts. “But not quite yet.”

  She took a deep breath. “Are you sure?”

  Shareis looked up at her and gave her nipple a slow lick. “No.”

  “You’re going to be the death of me, you know?”

  Shareis put her fingers to her lips. She gently sucked on them, tasting a sweet reminder of the pleasure they enjoyed in the woods. Shareis ran her fingers to her legs. It took no time to convince her to part them. She arched her back at her lover’s long, sensual strokes.

  “You know…” She caught her breath. “Frasie has been known to climb through my window and pounce on my bed to wake me up.”

  “I’m not worried,” Shareis said.

  With each skillful movement, her protest waned. Shareis gently pushed inside her, and she completely lost her train of thought. The two shared another round of bliss, restraining themselves only to avoid anyone overhearing the intensity of their pleasure.

  After they finished, they returned to their cuddled position, this time with her against Shareis’s chest. Sweat beaded from their skin and dampened the sheets, but she didn’t care.

  “Now I’m hungry.”

  Shareis laughed. “I didn’t think this would last all day.”

  “We have grand plans when we’re aroused.”

  She stood and put on her robe. “I need a bath.”

  “Me too,” Shareis said.

  “Ren has a big tub we put in the barn and fill with warm water. But I think it best we take separate baths. We don’t want to freak out my parents.”

  Shareis playfully rolled her eyes. “Humans.”

  They left her bedroom and noticed some covered food on the kitchen table. She lifted the cloth and smiled as she recalled the many times Cherin would leave biscuits for her. They both ate a quick meal, then she went outside and found Cherin in the garden.

  “Good afternoon, Niv,” Cherin said.

  “I’m up to my old tricks again—sleeping till lunch.”

  Cherin grinned. “At least now you have an excuse.”

  She blushed.

  “I know that look.”

  “She’s wonderful.”

  “I agree.” Cherin took a deep breath. “I wish my sister, Mae, understood that. But she’s so obsessed with duty and honor that it blinds her to the most important things in life.”

  “You didn’t bat an eye when I told you I was marrying Shareis. It was as though you expected me to be with a woman.”

  “I did,” Cherin said.

  “You knew?”

  “I wasn’t sure, but you never showed any interest in boys. I thought for a while you and Frasie would end up together.”

  “Oh no. Frasie likes men. You should see her swoon over Aiden.”

  Cherin chuckled. “I have. She’s got it bad.”

  “I spent so much time in my own head growing up that I never thought about boys, girls—or even much of friends, other than Frasie. And that’s largely because Frasie sought me out, not the other way around. It’s like she knew I needed companionship.”

  “There’s a lot of wisdom underneath those curls,” Cherin said.

  She put her hand on Cherin’s shoulder. “My mother may not have been at my wedding, but my parents—my family—where there by my side. I will always remember that.”

  Cherin pulled her in for a hug. “I am so proud of you. And Shareis.”

  “I am so grateful you accept her.”

  “If she has your heart, then she has ours as well.”

  “I appreciate it more than you know.” She started to walk away then stopped. “Oh, I have a favor to ask. We need to take a bath.”

  “Say no more,” Cherin said. “Jarris is at a friend’s house, and I can keep your father from the barn for an hour or so. You won’t be disturbed.”

  “Thank you, Mom.”

  “I’m glad you still call me mom.”

  She kissed her on the cheek. “That will never change. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Niv.”

  Niv drew a bath, then heated enough water to make it warm. At first, Shareis insisted she wait until she was through, but with some playful convincing, Shareis joined her. It was a tight fit, but she didn’t mind.

  She swished the water around her. “This feels wonderful.”

  Shareis ran her hand along Niv’s lower leg. “You feel wonderful.”

 
“Let’s stay here another month.”

  “We’re going to look like prunes.”

  She laughed. “No, silly. In the Jeweled Woods.”

  “Emira has proven herself a capable leader in your absence. I don’t think it will be an issue.”

  “Work will be intense once we get back. I suppose I’m trying to hide from that a bit. But after all we’ve been through…”

  “You don’t have to justify it,” Shareis said. “I have enjoyed the time with your family. And Mauria.”

  “I’ll send word to Emira,” she said.

  Shareis rinsed her hair. “A whole extra month of life in the woods with you sounds fantastic.”

  “We could put it to good use,” she said.

  “Oh?”

  “I did some research. By what I believe to be a fated coincidence, we have a full moon this week.”

  “Alright…”

  “And this full moon will be precisely eleven days after my last cycle.”

  Shareis looked confused. “Why… Oh…”

  She leaned forward and took Shareis’s hands. “My love, I want to conceive a child in this magical place.”

  Chapter 10

  Aiden’s pupils dilated, and a pleased grin stretched across his face. “Frasie, you look lovely.”

  And that was precisely why she brought her purple dress to the Jeweled Woods. Aiden claimed he didn’t mind what she wore, but his reaction betrayed how much he loved her in purple.

  “I didn’t know we were going to dress formally. It’s just a cozy little meal in the downstairs tavern.”

  She scoffed. “Dress up?” She gently swirled her skirt. “This old thing?”

  Aiden laughed. “Come on in. If you’re going to be even more drop-dead gorgeous than you already are, at least I can put on a vest.”

  Lilly laid on the couch with her foot propped on a pillow. “Good evening.”

  “How’s your ankle?” she asked.

  “It hurts a little.”

  “Lilly is a master of understatement,” Aiden said.

  Aiden went to the mirror and combed his hair. It didn’t need it. She smiled at his attention to detail.

  “Will you be alright by yourself?” Frasie asked Lilly.

  “I don’t need a babysitter.”