Page 14 of Kian's Devotio
She stayed clear of those berries and had only eaten the ones that she knew were safe.
But it was colder now, and her berries were gone.
It would be a long winter. For being so young, she knew a lot.
When Ailith, Emery’s mom had heard her stomach growl, Karalee hung her head, and squeezed the muscles of her stomach tighter.
Ailith had knelt in front of her and had gently tipped her head back, and her eyes were full of some emotion that Karalee didn’t have a name for.
“Are ye hungry darlin’?” Karalee tried to shake her head, not wanting to get into trouble, but Ailith heard her stomach growl again. And Ailith gave a smile, “Darlin’ are ye hungry? It’s alright if ye tell me. I won’t hurt ye. I want to feed ye.”
Karalee gave a tiny nod and Ailith said, “When was the last time ye ate anything?”
Karalee shook her head, not really remembering what she had eaten. Just a few scraps of something her mother hadn’t finished.
Ailith took her hand, “Emery, go get a few plates. We are going to have a little snack before dinner. Alright sweet?”
Emery grinned and nodded, and Ailith pulled her into the kitchen.
She put a plate of food in front of her and Karalee ate as slowly as she could.
She wanted to savor it and didn’t know when she would be getting more.
Ailith put a glass of something white in front of her and Karalee looked up, not sure what to do. “Tis milk darlin’. Drink up. It won’t hurt ye.”
Karalee drank it down in a few gulps and her stomach felt full for the first time in a while.
Ailith then had Emery go get her a set of clean clothes, including new underwear.
Then Ailith helped her shower, and then after getting dressed in the clean clothes, Ailith very gently brushed her tangled mass of hair. She was very careful and didn’t pull hard on her hair.
When the brush didn’t pull anymore and just glided through her hair, Karalee sighed.
It felt so good and she shut her eyes and let Ailith pull her hair into two braids.
Then Ailith gave her a soft hug, “Yer safe here darlin. Alright? Yer safe. Ye can play and eat and be safe here. No one will be angry at ye over anythin’. Alright?”
Karalee felt the hope in her chest bloom, and she gave a tiny nod. Then Ailith kissed her forehead and Emery skipped into the room.
“Can we play now mommy?” She asked and Ailith kissed Emery’s forehead too. “Ye sure can sweet. Have fun. We'll have dinner soon.”
Emery pulled her hand and then showed her to her room. Kian came in and played dolls with them and when they sat down to eat, Karalee sat right between Kian and Emery.
A man walked in the door and pulled Ailith in for a hug and then kissed her for a few moments. The kids all laughed and then groaned. “Dad! You are silly.” Emery laughed and he smiled at her, and then kissed each kid on the head.
When he got to her, he smiled down at her, “Who is this?”
Ailith spoke up, “This is Karalee. She is here for a playdate. And for dinner.”
He grinned wider and she gave him a tiny shy smile. He dropped to one knee in front of her and held out his hand to her, which she just looked at.
He chuckled and picked up her hand from her lap. “My name is Ken. It’s good to meet you Karalee.”
Then he stood and walked to his place at the table and Karalee turned wide eyes to Emery. “That’s my daddy.”
Karalee didn’t know what to say but liked the man immediately. He was so kind and when Karalee was served a delicious dinner, that was called pot roast, she didn’t even know what to say.
She took the first bite after seeing everyone else do so, and she had to stop herself from shoveling it in her mouth as fast as she could, it was better than anything she had ever eaten.
