Page 6 of Between Wrath and Mercy

As the boy gave the mean thing an apple, I ripped a strip off the bottom of my cloak and helped wrap Junie’s arm into a sling. I should have already replaced this cloak anyway; holes had started to show in the fabric. I had set the bone and attempted to reduce the swelling, but she would still need plenty of rest. This wasn’t the first time I’d wished my divinity was stronger. The image of Lucia lying crumpled on the ground came to me, and I shuddered, pushing it away.

“How far off the road is your home? I’d like to explain to your mother how to care for her arm.” I looked toward the boy, who reddened immediately.

“It’s fine ma’am, just tell me how to do it, I’ll take care of her.” He started kicking at the ground beneath his feet.

“Now listen, I have to tell your Mama. She’s going to know something happened, best to face it head-on. Also, I’d appreciate it if you’d stop calling me ma’am. Miss Emma will suffice.” Nothing made me feel more like my mother than someone calling me ma’am. The boy sighed.

“Just about a quarter-mile west, ma—Miss Emma.” He grinned.

Theboy,whosenameI learned was Thomas, had predicted his mother wouldn’t react well, but she was full of nothing but gratitude. She insisted I stay for dinner, and, after smelling the simmering stew, I was disinclined to say no. I made myself a tiny portion, knowing the moment I stepped over the threshold, they must have been struggling. This knowledge sat alongside the fact she’d be deeply offended if I declined to eat. I rarely visited with people who weren’t in my immediate family. As good as the stew was, the chaos and excitement which radiated off the two children, happy for a guest to join them, were what truly warmed my soul. My house would be empty and quiet when I arrived home, the first time I’d witness it as such. As Elora had gotten older, she’d gotten quieter, but her presence was still vibrant. I wasn’t looking forward to the empty house for the next few days.

“Thank you, the stew was delicious and the conversation a delight. Would I be able to come back in four- or five-days’ time to check in on Junie’s arm? I just want to make sure it’s healing properly.” The little girl was asleep in her mother’s lap, limbs askew and mouth open, and the woman, Lillian, nodded.

“Thank you so much, Emma.”

I waved as I let myself out, hoping to make it home within the hour. I made a mental note to talk to Mairin about a salve for the dry, rough skin that climbed up Lillian’s arms from her hands to her elbows. I tucked it away in my mind with thoughts of Theo’s little brother, a boy a bit taller than Thomas, and how I’d inquire about hand-me-downs his mother might be willing to spare.

For the remainder of the ride, my thoughts were drawn to Elora and how much she’d grown. I missed pulling a tiny, little girl into my lap, kissing away tears as I made her whole again. I’d been feeling sentimental a lot lately as Elora wanted more independence. She was growing into a smart and sufficient young woman, and soon she’d leave, onto a life belonging only to her. I worried she would never be completely safe, but she was already pushing back against me so much. Her divinity was on par with Lucia at that age, and she was stronger than me. I couldn’t keep her sheltered away forever, or she’d grow to hate me. I’d have to let her go. I wondered what I’d do then. Perhaps we’d return to Ravemont—Faxon would like that.

Afteradeafeninglyquietfirst evening by myself, I was relieved when someone rapped on the door the second night. Sweeping the curtain aside, I saw a mass of fiery, red hair and smiled wide.

“Mairin! What a surprise!” I realized then perhaps she was only there to summon me for help, but her answering grin told me her visit was for pleasure, not business. She came in, her arms loaded with a heavy basket.

“I’ve brought sustenance.” She waggled her eyebrows as she pulled out a bottle of wine and passed it to me. “A newer Olistos, but hopefully, it still does the trick.” Olistos was the northernmost city in Vesta, known for its wine. Olistos wine was good, but any true wine authority knew the best wines came from Nythyr, the kingdom to the north of Vesta. Either way, I was grateful for both her and the wine. I smiled. It was nice to have a friend.

“What else is in your goodie bag?” I reached into the hutch, carefully pulling out two wine glasses and placing them on the counter.

“A little bit of this, a little bit of that,” she retorted as she pulled cheese after cheese out of the basket, followed by meats and fruits.

“You didn’t have to do all of this! If I knew you were coming—”

“I don’t do things for my friends because I have to. I figured you might be lonely.”

“You figured right,” I supplied as I pulled the bottle of wine closer to me, taking the bottle opener to it. After I got the cork out, I poured us both a glass and sat down at the table.

“So, how many nervous breakdowns have you had?” Mairin followed suit, sitting in the chair across from me, a smile playing on her lips.

“None, thank you very much.” I returned the smile, even though she was intentionally annoying me.

We spent the rest of the evening at the table chatting. After finishing the Olistos, I went into the pantry and dragged out my last bottle of Nythyrian. Mairin nearly clapped with glee. I looked across at my friend, my first real friend in a long time, and smiled. I was grateful for her—for helping me pass the time. After a while, our conversations grew more serious.

“She’s a conduit too, isn’t she?”

I nodded.

“But not like you?” It was a question I could tell she already knew the answer to. If Elora had been like me, it wouldn’t have been as much of a necessity to keep her cut off from the world.

“No, she’s not like me. She’s like my sister.”

Mairin nodded slowly at this. She didn’t know who my sister was. She knew she was dead, but she didn’t know she was the Beloved. I found myself wanting to tell her, to confide in someone.

“What are you going to do when she fully comes into her divinity?”

“I’m going to do the best I can,” My chuckle came out more nervous than I’d intended. Mairin tilted her head and arched an expectant brow. “When she comes into her full divinity, she shouldn’t need me anymore.” My smile was sad. I didn’t want her to need my protection, but protector was a role I took on gladly.

“A girl always needs her mother.” Mairin reached across and squeezed my hand.

“In a way.”

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