Page 49 of Obeying the Orc
“I’m willing to try.” I squeezed his hand. “I want to try. And you know, tomorrow is Saturday. Why don’t you tell a few people in town you plan to hold a ceremony tomorrow, and we’ll see what happens. I’ve considered what it might be like to live in town, and to be honest, I rather like the idea. I can’t explain why, but I have a good feeling about this.”
“I bet if I only tell one person, the whole town will find out and show up.” He chuckled and then gave my hand an affectionate squeeze in return. “Thank you for understanding, Natalee. I’m a lucky male to have found a wife as sweet and understanding as you.”
I flushed. Even after all we had been through together, his compliments could still make me blush hard. “Of course. Would you like me to arrange for us to stay at The Bluebird Inn tonight? Then, depending on how tomorrow goes, perhaps we will start staying in the rectory?”
“You really won’t mind living in town?”
“I promise I’ll tell you if it becomes a problem.”
He looked to the sky for a moment and gave a deep sigh. When he gazed back at me, there was moisture in his eyes. “Praise be to the gods,” he said. “All right. You go to the inn, and I’ll go visit the mayor first and tell him the news. After how many times he’s badgered me about becoming the town priest, I’ve a feeling he will be most pleased that I’m at least going to give it a try.”
He kissed my hand before releasing me to walk down the street. With a smile, I hurried to the inn, where Mrs. Bluebird was overjoyed to hear that we’d be spending the night, and even happier to learn that Knot was contemplating becoming the town priest.
“I’ve been praying for the right holy male to come guide the residents of this town, though I’ve long believed that man to be Knot Thazurok. I’m glad to hear he’s finally realized it too. You can count on me to be at temple tomorrow morning, sitting in the front row with Mr. Bluebird.”
“Wonderful. Thank you, Mrs. Bluebird. You have been most kind to me, despite… well, you know.”
“Child, it doesn’t matter to me where you came from. You might have been a siren once, but that doesn’t mean you won’t make an outstanding priest’s wife. I believe in you, and I believe in Priest Thazurok.”
We moved to the front porch with glasses of lemonade while awaiting Knot’s return. All the muscles in my body ached from sitting on the wagon during our six-hour trip to town, and I was thankful for the chance to rest, especially in the company of a woman as broadminded as Mrs. Bluebird.
Knot returned just before suppertime, bearing news that several of the townspeople had taken it upon themselves to open the temple to air it out and make sure it was clean for the first Saturday service to ever be held in Faircross. After supper, Mrs. Bluebird knocked on our door and gave me a dress to wear the next day.
“It fit me once upon a time,” the kind woman said with a smile. “I hope it will do. Consider it a belated wedding gift.”
“It’s beautiful, Mrs. Bluebird. Thank you so much.” I kissed her cheek. “Thank you for everything.”
“Think nothing of it, child.” Mrs. Bluebird glanced at Knot, who was seated by the window, scrawling furiously on a piece of paper. “Is he working on his oration?”
I nodded.
“Well, I’ll leave you both alone to prepare for tomorrow.”
CHAPTER30
NATALEE
The sun peekedthrough the curtains on Saturday morning, rousing us from sleep. Birds chirped in a tree outside the window as we readied ourselves for temple. After a quick breakfast, we walked hand in hand down the street. It was just before nine, the time Knot had promised the mayor and a few others the service would begin.
Males, females, and children headed through town wearing their temple best. It appeared as if everyone in Faircross was headed to the temple, even a few sirens and others from the tavern, including Lottie. As we passed the rectory, someone started ringing the temple bell. The clanging reverberated through town. It also seemed to rouse Dhomyss, as the great dragon was spotted soaring overhead a bit earlier in the day than usual.
Knot and I greeted those who were gathered near the entrance of the temple. Though nerves flitted through my stomach, I still felt hopeful that this was the right course of action. Faircross had been in need of a priest since its founding, and the townspeople standing nearby seemed eager and receptive to accept Knot. I hoped that acceptance would extend to me.
The moment the bell ceased clanging, a woman called out from the crowd. My stomach flipped when Mrs. Foxthorne approached me. Was she here to cause trouble? Was she here to speak out against Knot or me?
All the murmuring voices around us quieted. The only sounds came from the birds chirping and the clopping of horses being ridden down the main street. Knot put an arm around me, and I felt him stiffen.
Mrs. Foxthorne pointed at me. “This woman,” she yelled, “has been greatly wronged.”
Gasps went up in the crowd.
“Mrs. Natalee Thazurok is a good, kind woman, and she’s as gods-fearing as they come. I want all of you to know that,” she continued, gazing around the townspeople. Several males and females who’d already been inside the temple moved to linger in the doorway and watch the scene unfold.
Tears burned in my eyes and my throat became clogged with emotion. The nerves that had been flitting around in my stomach started to calm. I couldn’t believe Mrs. Foxthorne had come to make some sort of confession this morning, for all the town to hear.
“I spread a vicious rumor that Natalee tried to seduce my husband, but it was a lie.” More gasps. “The truth is that my husband tried to hurt her, and when I caught him in the act, I didn’t want to believe he would… that he would do such a thing.” Mrs. Foxthorne moved closer to me. “I’m here to set the record straight and tell the truth today, and I’m also here to beg your forgiveness.”
“Mrs. Foxthorne, are you well? Has something happened?” I asked, keeping my voice low so the entire town didn’t hear. Perhaps the rest of this conversation should be held in private.
