Priestess

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Another rap sounded at the door. “One moment,” Ara called as she hastily finished dressing and slid on the slipper-like, matching shoes. Smoothing the dress nervously, she took a deep breath and called, “Come.”

The door swung inward. His hand still on the knob, Coen stared.

She grinned, “An improvement from the journey?”

He smiled sadly. “You’re beautiful, Ara.”

She felt the color rising to her cheeks. Why was it that she blushed so easily?

Lodan snorted and flattened his ears.

Coen’s eyes danced with amusement. “Sorry, but she is.”

“Thank you,” she said to Coen. She shot a glare at Lodan. “Be nice.” She wrapped her hand around Coen’s arm. “Coming?”

Lodan shook his head. “No, go. I have no desire for company.”

Coen led her to a dining room. Jarrer frowned when he saw her hand around Coen’s arm. She withdrew it hastily and suddenly wished Lodan had come with her.

Two Miner women served them dinner. After eating on the trail, this food was like rain after a long drought. Baked potatoes and roast beef smothered in gravy with steamed vegetables. It was simple, like her mother’s cooking.

Ara ducked her head as she fought to hide her emotions. Perhaps the trick of it is to find a distraction. What better distraction than Coen. Leaning over, she whispered, “How many Miners are there in this place?”

Coen smiled. “Many. Those women are Bomin’s wives.”

“Wives!” She exclaimed and then glanced sheepishly around the room. Jarrer glowered at her, but to her relief, the women had gone into the kitchen and hopefully hadn’t heard her.

Coen tried to smother a laugh. “The men marry their sisters-in-laws when their husbands die. It’s how they take care of each other.”

Ara paled. “Why would the women do such a thing?”

Coen started to explain when one of them came back into the room. His lips brushed across her ear. “I’ll explain more later.”

She couldn’t understand why she shivered at his touch, or why she seemed to turn into a puddle as his scent flooded her nostrils. Her hand trembled slightly as she lifted the last bite to her mouth. She smiled at the Miner women, “That’s the best food I’ve had in weeks.” The women beamed at the compliment and then began clearing the dishes away.

Lacing his fingers together, Jarrer spoke to Coen, “When will you be leaving?”

Coen’s gaze darted to Ara. “In a couple days.”

Her dinner sat heavier in her stomach. “You’re leaving?”

“I have responsibilities.”

Of course. She’d always known that he would leave her. Alone. With Jarrer. Suddenly felling ill, she held her hand over her belly.

Jarrer didn’t seem to notice. “I will begin training her tomorrow.”

As if I wasn’t even here.

The tension seemed to ease from Coen’s shoulders. “Thank you, Father.”

“The decision has been made. No need for thanks,” Jarrer said.

Ara was quiet certain that she didn’t want to thank him.

Coen cleared his throat, “In that case, would you mind if I take Ara to the Upperfalls this evening? I wish her to see something of where I grew up before I leave.”