Page 127 of Sanctuary of the Shadow
“Nothing yet.” A few days ago, Harrow had received a vision telling her the time was coming for Malaikah to return to Kambu. Unfortunately, it hadn’t been forthcoming with details, and she was still waiting for more information to come. “I’ve been scrying constantly, but I’m only getting this vague image of a crossroads. I have this sense that you’re approaching something big, and you’ll be forced to make a difficult choice, but I don’t know more than that. It’s frustrating, to say the least.”
“The Water knows best,” Mal replied easily, though Harrow knew her well enough to tell she was nervous. “It’ll show you more when it’s time, I guess.”
Harrow nodded, wishing things were different. The thought of her best friend leaving the circus forever was heartbreaking. But she knew how deep Malaikah’s need to return home ran. If she gave up on it, who would she be?
“Don’t worry about it. It’ll happen when it’s meant to, right?” Mal stood. “For now, you have a hungry baby to feed, and I need to find Salizar. I want to get his opinion on the new routine I’m working out.”
“He’ll obviously love it. You’re the ‘Amazing Malaikah,’ after all.”
Mal grinned. “Obviously. I’ll see you at dinner, yeah?”
“Definitely.” Harrow embraced Mal before she whirled away like a mini cyclone. Harrow smiled to herself. Malaikah was truly a force to be reckoned with.
Mellora gave another squabble from inside, reminding Harrow she still hadn’t eaten. Not to mention, her leaky breasts were seconds away from soaking through her nightgown. Again. She climbed the stairs and went into the caravan.
Inside, Raith was cradling Mellora against his bare chest with one strong arm. His free hand was held above her tiny face, and she sucked on his finger while he whispered soft endearments.
Harrow’s heart nearly burst. Was there anything more perfect in the world?
Their gazes met.
“She wants her mother.” He smiled with such easy contentment now. The change was night and day from the tortured man he’d been only a year ago. A loving mate and child would do that, she supposed.
She took Mellora, tugging her gown down to free one breast. Immediately, her daughter started to nurse, making happy slurping sounds. Harrow looked back at Raith. “Thank you for looking after her so I could rest.”
He bent down to kiss her. “Helping you with Melly is a gift.”
She sighed. Did he have any idea how amazing he was?
“You look beautiful this morning.” He stroked a hand over her tangled mop of frizz.
She snorted. “I look like I haven’t slept in three months, which is actually pretty accurate.”
“You look like the mother of my child. There is nothing more beautiful.”
She sighed again.Definitely amazing.
“You didn’t manage to sleep outside?”
She shook her head. “I was worrying about Malaikah. I still don’t understand that crossroads I keep seeing. It feels like something big is coming into her life—a new person, maybe. Except I have this feeling that person has been there all along, right under her nose. Which doesn’t even make sense. And if the choice is about whether to choose the circus or her homeland, why would another person factor into it at all?”
“You’re worrying too much.”
“I can’t help it.”
“She’s your sister, not your second child,” Raith teased. Yep, he teased her now. And not just in bed.
“Yes, but—”
“No more buts.” And interrupted her too. She scowled. “You said it yourself. This is who she is.”
“I know, I know.” She shot him a mock glare. “You look so smug when you’re right.”
With a completely straight face, he replied, “Then I must look smug all the time.”
“You’re terrible.” But she chuckled despite herself.
“Yes, and you’re mine.” He kissed the end of her nose and the top of his nursing daughter’s head and then snatched a shirt from the pile on the bed. Oh, and he was messy now, too, not that Harrow cared. She was probably messier than he was.
