The Book of Willow- Princess of the West

7.

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Erinti. Dinner was great." Chance couldn't remember the last time he had such a delicious home-cooked meal. It might have taken a while but he was actually enjoying himself. He forgot what it was like to share a meal with family.

"You're very welcome, anytime, Chance." Amber smiled, pushing the red hair from her shoulder. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had such a rousing good time and boisterous conversation.  Eating with Brom and Maia became such a somber event that none of them looked forward to it. Instead, each person saw to his or her own needs while surreptitiously avoid the others. Amber could hardly contain her enffable joy at seeing a table surrounded by smiling faces, particularly, Maia's.

She began collecting the soiled plates when Chance's hand stilled her.

"It's alright, Ma'am, we'll take care of it. You've worked hard enough," He smiled but with more than his mouth. A light from deep inside seeped through the pale green of his eyes. She heard it in his voice and in the way his body finally relaxed. 

"Thank you, Chance." While Miles was engaging, funny, and generally larger than life. Chance was quiet, observant, and kind. Amber decided she liked them both very much indeed. 

Something strange happened next when Chance collected Maia's plate. The first clue something was amiss, was Maia's obvious discomfort with his proximity. Amber watched with fascination as the energy around Maia shifted. It was only when the boy walked away that Maia relaxed. It was then she noticed the red thread of fate around his wrist with the other end tied to Maia's. She quickly covered a soft gasp, when she saw a similar thread tying Miles to Maia. 

"Mom, are you ok?" Maia asked in her usual flat toneless voice. 

"Yes, Mai, I'm fine." Amber's eyes darted nervously between Miles and Maia. Then between the three of them when Chance returned to the room. Brom noticing her distress placed a soothing hand atop hers. 

"I think your mother and I will turn in for the night," He stood still holding Amber's hand. "Maia why don't you and Miles give Chance a hand." He pointed his nose toward Chance who collected the remaining serving dishes, carefully balancing them in his brawny arms and shuffling back to the kitchen. 

"Fine." Maia grumbled.

"Come on Maia. This will be fun!" Miles shot of his chair, grabbing her wrist in a vain attempt to dislodge her from her seat. 

"I'm trying my absolute best to see things from your perspective, but... I just can't get my head that far up my ass." Maia stood slowly. The corner of her lips pulled into a playful grin.

"Maia! Jesus! Miles, I'm so sorry man," Brom made a mental note to scold Maia. The girl had no mental filter sometimes. 

"No worries, Mr. Cromwell. I'm already familiar with Maia's particular brand of charm." He chuckled rubbing a hand to the back of his head before turning for the kitchen and pulling Maia firmly behind him. 

As soon as they were upstairs and out of earshot, Brom sealed the room and turned to question his wife, "Ilmarë what did you see?"He did not often use her Aniur name but he took the risk when they were alone.

"It is difficult to explain, Eönwë," She said, appearing thoughtful in her deliberations as she paced the room, arms folded, "But, I have seen the red ties of fate connecting Maia to each of those boys."

Eönwë stumbled back and let his body drop to sit on their end of their bed, "Both of them?" He asked confounded at the revelation. 

"Yes."

"Are you quite sure?" He asked peering up at her.

Ilmarë stopped her pacing to glare, "A thing like that is hard to miss." 

"It will mean two soul mates and two husbands," An impish grin crossed Eönwë's face, "There are worse problems than polygamy."

"Sometimes I think your ass must get pretty envious of the shit that comes from your mouth." She pouted with her arms still folded and growing annoyance on her face. "Obviously, things of this nature can be messy but because of what we are they can also be dangerous. Those boys are only human." 

"As far as we know. Gods like the Valar do not always share their plans with their lessers," Eönwë offered an apathetic glance. 

"I just hope they know what the fuck they're doing. I will not have them playing with my daughter's heart." A wrinkle formed between Ilmarë's eyebrows and her eyes narrowed in the distance. She was still watching them, Maia and the boys, from a far. Worrying over the plans fate had in store.