Page 61 of Phoenix's Fire

"And Lessa?" Jeera asked.

Naomi tossed a smile at the tan-scaled woman. "She's like one of my kids, so of course I expect her to be there. And to benice." The look she gave Lessa was pointed.

"I'll bring dessert," Lessa promised. "And maybe some things for Meri to wear, since that dress is much too big for her."

"It's all we could find to fit the baby," Brielle explained.

Lessa scoffed. "Well, Zasen paid enough for her clothes too, so I'll whip up a few things, bring some samples and my measuring tapes, and we can see what she'd like to wear now."

Jeera quickly translated that, which made Meri suck in an excited breath. "Maybe I can have things in the bright colors?"

"Which color?" Lessa asked.

The best Meri could do was shrug after Jeera relayed that. "I don't know. We just didn't have colors like these, and they're all so pretty."

Which made Lessa nod, proving she could at least keep up with what Meri was saying in English. "Okay. Let her know I'll bring a lot for her to choose from. When are we doing this, Naomi?"

Days and times were thrown around. Schedules were consulted. When I was asked, all I could do was shrug, because I didn't have things to work around. But while the debate was being had, Meri closed her eyes for a little too long. Thanks to the medication she'd been given, her body was relaxed enough that she dozed right off.

"Take her home," Naomi ordered. "Ayla, you can go with them if you want, but Meri needs to head straight home."

"I know my way back," I promised.

"So do I," Lessa said. "I'll walk with Ayla."

"Good, then get out of my clinic," Naomi ordered. "I'd also prefer not to see any of you back here unless it's a normal, routine check-up." But she smiled. "That or the baby's coming. And girls, that baby could come any time now. So gotake care of her."

Nineteen

Ayla

Jeera got Meri up and guided her home. I asked if they needed help, but Meri said she just wanted to rest - and think. I got the impression it was mostly the thinking she craved, and a chance to do it without me, which stung.

So I turned my feet for home. Of course, Lessa fell in beside me. Together, in silence, we walked until we reached the corner of the market. When I paused to get my bearings, she pointed the direction home.

"It's this way," she said.

I nodded and stepped off again, but she stayed at my side. "Why are you following me?" I demanded.

Lessa chuckled under her breath. "Because I intend to let Zasen know we're planning a cookout for your friend. Mostly so he won't mess it up."

I nodded and kept going. "He won't mess it up. Zasen, Kanik, and Rymar are good with those things."

"They really aren't," she assured me. "From the sounds of it, you're even worse." With a little laugh, she shook her head. "Ayla, how well do you speak this language?"

"Vestrian?" I asked.

"That's the one we're using, so yes."

"I know how to change the words from English, but sometimes I have to think for a moment. A lot of the phrases are confusing, but I'm learning them. You all have these terms that don't really make sense, like sleeping for sex."

"Sleeping with," she clarified. "The 'with' part is important."

"I see."

Huffing, she dragged a hand across her brow. "And that pregnant girl doesn't know any Vestrian?"

"She's only been here two days!" I snapped. "Almost exactly two wholedays now, and that's not long enough to even understand what is going on, let alone learn the words and letters you all use!"

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