Page 57 of Malachi
“I can handle it. I’m not saying I can’t. I’m just not sure how to go about even beginning to process it all,” I responded.
“Well, I think it’s good to be honest about it, but I might not be the right person for you to talk to.”
“No?” I questioned, turning on my side and mirroring his position.
“No. I think you should call Talia. Or better yet, since the honeymoon is over tomorrow and I’ll be off to work with the Elders. I can set it up for you to go to Zeke’s house and meet with her, or she could come here,” he suggested. I felt a very fleeting relief.
“You’re going to be working with the Elders,” I repeated, almost to myself. “You’ll be an Elder yourself. Oh God, Kai. Does that mean you’ll have to —” I bit off the words that hung on the tip of my tongue, unable to even speak my fear aloud.
“Hey there. It’s okay. I don’t know what I’ll be required to do. But we have to keep the goal in mind here. I will do whatever it takes to see this plan through. Wewilltake them down, and I promise to keep you safe every step of the way.” His impassioned promise bloomed in my chest as a hope that I clung to. I could only nod as tears welled in my eyes.
“It’s been a long and emotional day. Let’s get some rest and tomorrow you can talk with Talia. Maybe some of the other wives will come as well. We’re all here with you. Your family.” He said it in such a natural, almost simple way that I knew he didn’t realize of the depth of his statement. Family. My family. He was accepting me not only as his wife, but as a part of his sacred circle. That was a massive deal, and I was not unaware of what a step that was for him to take.
“You’re right,” I agreed with a heavy sigh. “Goodnight, Malachi.”
“Goodnight, Eden. My little bird.”
We curled up together, his words a soothing balm on my battered heart as sleep claimed me. Tomorrow would start a new life for me. A new life as his.
* * *
“I am so sorry, Eden,” Talia apologized for probably the dozenth time since I had arrived at her home. What had begun as a plan to meet with Talia had quickly become a meeting of the wives. Talia, the poor thing, was having difficulty keeping food down regularly and had excused herself from the room several times.
“All I’m saying is that it’s high time we had one of these. I’ve sat through so manybrother’s meetings, it feels good to keep them in the dark for once,” Delilah lamented. The woman had a certain flair of panache that I had never seen from her before. I had known these women my entire life. They were all older than me by some years, but I thought I had known them. Getting to know them now, as wives and as sisters-in-law, proved that to be untrue. Each of them held a strength I was not accustomed to seeing from women in Zion. I could not put it into words how that made me feel. I felt stronger just being around them.
“Okay, I know the whole point of this gathering was to talk about the plan and how we all feel, blah-di-blah, but can we please talk about somethingotherthan that? Just for a little while?” Talia asked, slowly sipping her water as she got comfortable on the couch, her legs tucked up underneath her.
“Agreed! Okay, I have a question for everyone,” Delilah announced excitedly. “What is the most annoying thing about your husband?”
Groans and sighs erupted across the room.
“Levi is easily the most calculated, determined, driven man I’ve ever met. He has a backup plan for his backup plans. He has lists to organize his lists. He keeps things tidier than I’ve ever been accustomed to, which is fine. But how —howdoes this man suddenly go blind when it comes to the laundry hamper?” Ruth’s words had all of us giggling.
“I think that’s all men, Ruth,” Naomi chuckled.
“No, but here’s the kicker. He can see the hamper just fine until it comes to socks. I swear to God or whoever is or isn’t up there, if I find one more pair of socks randomly set around the house, I’m going to scream!” Her hands clenched tightly in frustration while she laughed at the absurdity.
“Gideon doesn’t put anything in the hamper, ever. Nor does he put the dishes in the sink,” Naomi grumbled. “Well, that’s not entirely true. He’s getting better. For me, it’s that damn boat.” She groaned, rolling her eyes. “I swear he is more in love with that boat than anything else on this earth.”
“Don’t say that, Naomi. I’m sure Gideon loves you more,” Talia tried to reassure her.
“That’s a nice sentiment, Talia, but in all truth, Gideon and I aren’t there yet.” She had everyone’s attention. After hearing nothing but tales of love from all the rest of them, it surprised me to hear that she and Gideon were not in love with one another.
“You’re not in love with your husband?” I asked, somewhat timidly.
“Do I love Gideon? Yes. That part is easy. He’s hard not to love, the big goofball. But am Iin lovewith him? I’m not sure yet. We haven’t been married much longer than you and Malachi. For some, falling in love is fast, like a flash of lightning. For others, like me, it takes more time,” she explained.
“I’m not sure I understand,” I admitted sheepishly.
“Naomi and I both have… trauma,” Talia hesitantly explained, glancing over to Naomi, who had wrapped her arms around her body.
“I’m learning that everyone in Zion sort of does, the women at least,” I muttered, more to myself than to anyone else.
“Talia and I were not born in Zion, Eden,” Naomi spoke with a grave tone. “She and I were both born to other parents outside of this place.”
I knew their story already. Malachi had told me, but this was their story to tell.
“So, you were adopted, then.” She held my full attention as she spoke, but the entire tone of the room had shifted.
