Page 12 of Phoenix's Fire

"No, this is going to be too much," I said. "Meri doesn't understand what's going on yet."

"Ayla." Kanik moved closer so he could lower his voice. "We do not have the space for her. She needs her own bed, and room, and things."

My eyes jumped from him to Zasen, over to Jeera and Naomi, then back to Kanik. Had they come to take her away? Did the people in town have a problem with her? If so, did that mean she wouldn't be allowed to live here?

"No, I'll share," I insisted.

"I'll share," Jeera assured me. "Ayla, I saw your friend is very pregnant. Thatmeans she's going to need more help than my brother can give. Look, Brielle and I have a spare room. We're both trained in what to do if her labor comes. We both speak English. We have space, and we can help her."

"But you're Dragons!" I hissed, struggling to keep my voice down. "Jeera, she doesn't understand! All she knows is that our friend encouraged her to do this. Callah saw one of my yellow arrows, I think. She must've thought that meant I'd save them, and so she got Meri out. I can't let anything happen to her, don't you see?"

"I know," Jeera said gently. "I'm willing to help her the way Zasen helped you. Ayla, I've listened to you. I know what she's been through. I also know about pregnancy, how to cook things she will eat, and I believe in the same God she does. Brielle and I will be gentle and kind, but there are already four of you in this house."

I knew she was right. I did. They'd warned me there wasn't enough room here. Plus, it wasn't fair of me to ask Zasen, Kanik, and Rymar to take care of my friend, but that was the thing. Merienne wasmyfriend. I was the one who'd wanted to find a new life for us. I'd been the one telling stories of us living on the surface and growing plants.

She was here because of me, which meant I had to make this work. It was my responsibility, my problem, and my extra work. I owed her for all the times she'd laid out a clean dress for me, or covered for me sneaking in to read those books. I was the one who had the debt to Meri, not Jeera - or anyone else.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do," I admitted, looking over to the guys for a hint.

"You're supposed to let your friends help you," Zasen assured me. "And we areallyour friends, Ayla. It's okay to ask for help. It's also okay for Jeera and Brielle to help Meri. This is what friends do."

"It's how we did things even before you got here," Kanik assured me.

Rymar just lifted his hands and shrugged. "I still don't speak English well. I mean, I'm better, and I can follow along, but - "

"It's not good," I agreed. "No, you're right. I know you are. I just feel like I'm doing something wrong. She's here because of me."

"No," Zasen said. "She's here because of the Moles, Ayla. She's here because they lied. Now we get to show Meri the truth, and we all deserve the chance to help with that. And to make sure nothing happens to either her or the baby."

"Oh." Because that was another good point.

"How far along is she?" Naomi asked.

I shook my head. "I don't know."

"Ayla," Rymar said, pushing his way through the bodies crowding the living room. "She can stay here tonight so you can catch up. We'll make her a good meal, give you a chance to talk to her and have Naomi look her over. But - "

"No," I interrupted. "You're right, and I know you're right, but this is a lot. What if she's scared?"

"She will be," Zasen agreed. "That's why I thought she should be with women."

"Tailed women!" I shot back. "That's not going to be any easier for her."

Zasen simply tilted his head, those orange eyes of his holding mine. "Who better to convince her we really are people? You were able to do it without us sharing a language. You survived being surrounded by strange men and our ignorance. Jeera and Brielle are prepared, and I think this is the best way to prove to her that we're not her enemy. Instead of telling her, we're showing her."

"Okay," I relented, because he did have a point. "Just be gentle with her?"

"Always," Kanik assured me. "We just want to help."

I nodded, letting them know I'd heard that, then turned for the bathroom. I hadn't stopped to look at the dress Jeera had given me, but I believed it would fit. Mine had when I'd been the one with nothing. So, after tapping on the door, I gently opened it and slipped in to find Meri wrapped in a towel and drying off.

"I got a dress," I assured her. "It's probably different from what you're used to, but everyone up here wears a lot less due to the heat."

"So that's normal?" Meri asked, glancing down at my outfit.

I nodded. "It's summer. I hear it gets cold in the winter, but right now the days are very hot. It's also okay to wear much less." I gestured to my pants and tight-fitting shirt. "This is not considered revealing here."

Meri just jiggled her head, looking nervous and lost. That was to be expected, but I had to get out the rest. So, while she worked to put on her clothing, I politely turned my back and did my best to explain what came next.

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