Page 130 of Phoenix's Fire

"Tiesha's father," Cailyon explained. "Rymar, why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell her?!"

"I... But..." he stuttered. "Mom, I didn't know!"

"Oh, I'm going to tell him," Cailyon said. "Why didn't Saveah say anything?"

"Probably because of me," I realized. "My mother didn't get married by choice. She was locked in a hall they call quarantine, kept in a room all alone, and my father came to visit so he could make another child." I licked my lips, aware they were too dry. "He raped her. We weren't supposed to know that word, but I do now, and it's not an easy thing to think about. She's gone and I'm here, and I'm not supposed to be."

"But you're here," Cailyon said, stepping in to wrap me up in a hug. "Oh, child. That does make sense. But when you're ready, you let me know, and I'll make sure you get to meet all of your family, okay?"

"Thank you," I breathed, hugging her back.

"But no crushing, Mom," Rymar said. "Ayla's tough, remember? And you? Mom, you're still a lot, so let my friend breathe. We can't suffocate her before she kicks some Mole ass."

Cailyon eased me back, then tilted her head to look me right in the eyes. "Your mother was a spitfire, Ayla. Tiesha was scared of nothing, and she made all the boys work for it. So you remember that tomorrow - and come home safe, okay?"

I nodded. "I will. I have to." And I looked back at Rymar. "My friends still need me."

He just nodded. "We do."

Forty

Meri

Iwas starting to like Ayla's friends. More now that they could talk to me, if I was honest. But when she and the Wyvern headed to the stage, Brielle moved closer to translate everything they said. I nodded, but the truth was I had more questions when the meeting was over than when it began.

And after the meeting, everything was chaotic. Ayla was at the front, talking to a group of people. The Wyvern came back to explain what was going on, and then Ayla came over to hug me and tell me to be careful - butshewas the one who was leaving, not me!

Jeera and Brielle spent the evening packing bags with things they called "medical supplies," but they didn't look at all like what we'd used in the infirmary. One was a bag Jeera could wear on her back. The other was stuff Brielle was worried she might need at the hospital. Evidently, that was a very big and very advanced infirmary.

The next day, it all picked up right where it had left off, but we paused to enjoy lunch together, and then Jeera told me to get ready. I headed into my room and collected the book Ayla had loaned me, as well as a change of clothes. Those went in the bag I'd been given to carry them. Since I had nothing else, I headed back into the main room to find Jeera's mouth pressed tightly against Brielle's.

The women grasped each other the way Gideon had touched me once. Their fingers were soft but desperate. They kissed deeply, pressing every inch of their bodies together. I looked away, not wanting to be rude, just as they separated.

"Tell Irrik I love him?" Brielle asked.

Jeera nodded. "Promise, and if he does something stupid, I'll patch him up so he's just as pretty afterwards."

Which made Brielle laugh, yet it sounded worried. "And you, Jeer. Please don't let them get you?"

"I won't," she swore. "I'm coming back tonight, and we're going to pause long enough to have a beer, and then I'll help you with the wounded, okay?"

"Promise?" Brielle begged.

Jeera made an X over her chest. "Cross my heart." Then she grabbed Brielle's hand. "And I love you. No matter what happens, know that."

"I do," Brielle breathed. "And I love you too."

Jeera met her eyes, nodded again, then looked over at me and smiled. "You ready, Meri?"

"I think so," I squeaked, unsure if I was supposed to have heard any of that.

"Try to have fun with Lessa?" Brielle told me.

"I have a book," I said. "It's in English, so I will be okay."

Jeera guided me out of the house, leaving Brielle behind. We walked in the same direction as when we went to the library for our language lessons. West, they'd called it, although I wasn't quite sure how everyone seemed to agree on all the directions yet. But when we made it to the end of the street, Jeera cleared her throat and started talking as if we hadn't walked this far in complete silence.

"I hope I didn't offend you," she said. "Kissing Brielle, I mean."