Page 92 of Phoenix's Fire

He paused to lean his shoulder against the wall. "Uh-huh, and I had to make sure no one had swapped you out. I mean..." He gestured into the air. "You yelled down the hall."

"I did not!"

"You spoke loud enough for me to hear you in the other room," he pointed out.

"But I didn't yell," I insisted. "I knew you were there, so I just spoke a little louder."

He leaned in playfully. "You yelled."

"Did not!"

"And I'm proud of you," he finished just as the stairs creaked overhead.

"You yelled," Rymar muttered as he made his way down. "I was sure you were being attacked or something."

"Don't discourage her," Zasen grumbled.

Which made Rymar laugh. "I'm joking, Ayla, and let me in there before you have your bath?"

"Okay," I agreed, stepping out so he could step in. Glancing at Zasen, I asked, "I guess he just woke up?"

"It's nine in the morning, so yes," Zasen agreed. "We're having lunch with mymother, so I told the guys to be sure they woke up early. I didn't really expect you to wake up for another hour."

Inside the bathroom, I heard the faucet for the tub turn on. A moment later, Rymar opened the door and stepped out. "All yours," he said. "Oh, and I saw you found the clothes."

"Zasen told me," I assured him. "Thank you! The colors are beautiful."

He winked. "Phoenix colors. I figured you deserved some by now."

For some reasons, that made me like the outfit even more. I hadn't thought about it, but he was right. Phoenixes were usually shown in fire colors, at least in those books I'd read. The new clothes were more sunset shades than fire, but I still liked them.

But once I closed the door and began undressing, I realized I could hear the men in the kitchen. Rymar asked how many people would be there, Zasen counted off their names. Normal things, but I'd just stepped into the water when the conversation shifted.

"I put everything we made from the bear into the pot," Zasen was saying. "Kanik used some to buy translation books for the ladies. I told him to get some for Lessa and Saveah as well."

"So they learn better English?" Rymar asked.

"And Jeera is worried about Meri being around men."

Rymar scoffed at that. "I think we know how to reassure her. I mean, we did fine with Ayla."

"And Ayla is nothing like Meri," Zasen said. "Ayla's a fighter, Ry. This new girl? I guess she's broken down a few times. She's scared she's going to die, that men will kill her child so it's not in the way, and more."

Poor Meri. Not that I'd been any better, but I'd hoped to explain all of this to her. I hated how I'd missed a day, and I felt guilty for it. I should've visited with her. She'd only been here a few days, and Lorsa wasnothinglike the compound. Every rule Meri knew was wrong. Jeera and Brielle wouldn't know the ways they were wrong, and Meri wouldn't ask because she'd be worried about offending them. But Rymar's next words echoed my feelings perfectly.

"Fucking Moles," he grumbled. "Why would they kill a child?"

"I'm not sure they do," Zasen said. "I get the impression parents don't raise their children, so Meri's probably trying to take what she knows and apply it to the way we do things here. Sadly, she's going to assume the worst."

"So we make sure to care for the kids today, and let her see that men can be good with children," Rymar said. "Saveah needs a break anyway, and between the three of us - "

"Four," Zasen corrected. "Irrik knows how to change a diaper too."

That men were willing to handle babies was still surprising to me. It wasn't only the ones I lived with either. Most of them, apparently, were engaged with their children. Yet hearing these guys plan out a gentle way to show that to Meri? "Kind" was the best word I had, and it didn't feel like enough.

Rymar chuckled. "Irrik did pick two women who work in women's health. He'd better be able to keep up."

"Or they'll leave him behind," Zasen agreed. "But no, he's a good man. It's Lansin I don't know that well."