Page 11 of Phoenix's Fire

"Oh."

I nodded. "And the Dragons aren't evil. They're different, and I know it's shocking, but they're mostly human. Science tried to make them better so humanity could survive on the surface, but they messed up and ended up giving them scaled skin and tails."

"And the battle?" Meri asked.

I shook my head. "God and the Devil are not fighting on the surface. The world is hotter than the compound, but it's not burning. It's just wild, Meri. Things are so different, and I know it's going to be confusing, but it'll be okay. I'm going to take care of you, and this place?"

"Lorsa?" she asked, proving she had been paying attention.

"Yeah," I agreed. "It's what I always imagined Heaven would be like. Lorsa is confusing and crazy and beautiful, but most of all, it's perfect. It's safe, Meri."

"But the Wyvern's here," she hissed, dropping her voice so it wouldn't carry - most likely out of habit.

That was when I realized we had an even bigger problem. "Meri, this is his house."

"You said it was yours!"

"It is," I quickly assured her. "I have a room here. He does too. So do Kanik and Rymar. They're men, but they are my friends, and that's allowed here."

"You married three men?" she asked, clearly confused.

"Friends only," I promised. "See, in Lorsa, people can just be friends. Men do not force themselves on women here. They are kind, and gentle too! The Wyvern is my friend. His name is Zasen, and he's teaching me how to use a bow. Kanik is a teacher, and he taught me how to speak Vestrian."

"What's Vestrian?"

"Their language," I explained. Then I groaned. "It's all so different, and Iknow it's going to be shocking and confusing, but I'll help you. It will take a while, but I will make sure nothing happens to you or your baby."

"If I survive," Meri said softly. "Mrs. Worthington told me to pray, but instead I sinned, Ayla. What if God punishes me for that? What if the baby isn't turned, or it's too big, or if I bleed?"

"It'll be fine," I promised. "Meri, they have medicine here. More than even I've heard about. We can have a doctor look at you - "

"That's not proper!" Meri gasped.

"Awomandoctor," I clarified. "They have those. And nurses too. Real doctors, Meri, not just healers. That's why you needed to come here, because Dragons know how to take care of women. You'll see." I took a step back. "Have a bath. The things on the edge of the tub are shampoo for your hair and conditioner for smoothing it. The bar is soap, but better than what we had in the compound. It's all the things you know, okay?"

"Okay," she breathed.

"And I'll go get you a dress. I'm sure you're hungry too, right? And once you're all clean, you can tell me how you got here and why the Reapers were with you."

She nodded. "Okay. I just..." Flopping her hands against her side, she hung her head. "Ayla, I'm so confused."

"I know," I assured her. "But it's going to be okay now. You'll see, Meri. Callah did the right thing, and now everything's going to be okay."

Four

Ayla

Leaving Meri to her bath, I slipped out, but didn't bother explaining the lock. I now knew the men wouldn't force their way in, even if they did come home. I also knew the lock wouldn't keep them out if they had to open that door. It was meant for courtesy, not true security.

Hurrying up the stairs, I rummaged through my clothing storage, looking for anything that might fit on Meri's new shape. Her belly was very large which meant she was rather far along. Worse, I didn't have anything that might work. I was about to use a blanket when the sound of the front door made me change my mind.

"Don't yell," I breathed to myself as I hurried back down the stairs and towards the living room. "Please don't - "

I came around the corner to find Jeera, Naomi, Kanik, Zasen, and even Rymar. Thankfully, they weren't making too much noise, so maybe Meri hadn't heard them? Naomi was a bit of a surprise, though. A very welcome one.

"What - " I tried to ask.

But Jeera shoved a dress at me. "This is for your friend," she explained. "Mom wants to look at her."