Morana led me into the back of the house, moving slowly. "If you're worried about the sleeping arrangements, I have two beds. I'm sure your wife would feel better knowing that." I paused. "How did you know that I'm married?" Morana chuckled again. "Why, someone like you has to be married! I just met you and I was thinking of proposing. I also saw your ring when you rode up on that horse of yours." I figured that was an acceptable answer and followed her into the bedroom. "I thought you had two beds?" I ask. "Of course I do," Morana responds, strolling up to the bed. "they're just pushed together! I'll stay on my side if you stay on yours."
"Is it okay if we seperate the beds? My wife would definitely not be okay with this." She just shook her head. "Sorry, Old Friend, but the beds are nailed to the floor. Not much we can do there." I gulped and thought of my nonexistent other options. "Okay. Any funny business, though, and I'm gone. Got it?" Morana nodded her head vigorously. "Got it."
Two, three, four months passed. The gods still hadn't visited. To make matters worse, Morana and I had gotten very... friendly. In a mommy and daddy sort of way. One day, she burst through the front door in a whirlwind of excitement. "Auden, I believe I'm with child!"
The next thing I remember is waking up on our bed with a cold cloth on my face. "Thank goodness you're awake! I was afraid I might have to raise this baby all on my own!" Morana laughed. "So that really wasn't a dream.." I whispered. Morana's smile fell. "You're not happy?" My head shot up. "Oh no, of course I am! I just don't know how I'm going to explain this to my wife. Oh gods, what am I going to tell Tayla?" Morana's face hardened with anger. "What do you mean? You just tell them that you're staying with me and raising our child. It's that simple." Now it was my turn to get angry. "No, Morana, it's not that simple. I love my daughter, and I still love my wife, I think. Either way, I can't just abandon Tayla, and Amira certainly won't let her live with us!"
"What did you just say?" What? "I said that I can't abandon Tayla, and that Amira won't let her live with us?" Her eyes gained a triumphant gleam at that. "Oh, this is too perfect. You know what? I really should tell my sister the big news, I'm sure she'd be thrilled!" Her mood had changed too quickly. I knew that this was going to end badly for everyone. "You have a sister?" Morana just grinned. "We're estranged, but I think this might be a good time for a rekindling. Wouldn't you agree, sweetheart?" Before I could process her words, Morana was out of the room.
A month later, and there was little doubt that Morana was with child. Once more, she whirled around the house, this time with anticipation. "Are we having company, my love?" Morana stops for a millisecond to look me in the eye. "We are, my love. My sister Amira and her daughter, Tayla."
