Nine

We were all sitting in front of the fireplace watching the embers crackle. The big man reached for me and pulled me into his lap. I let him warm me.

“Well, I guess since we are going to be family I should know your names. I’m Daire Krvna ” One of his hands started to rub my arm gently. Cedar looked at me. He was watching everything very closely.

“This is Cedar and I’m Lucrezia.” I said, turning my face to look at Daire’s big brown eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you Cedar.” Daire put out a big hand. Cedar looked at it wearily. “It’s okay you don’t have to trust me yet. Trust is earned. I get that. You're a good man looking out for your sister.” Daire spoke gently to Cedar. I smiled and Cedars' shoulders relaxed a bit. I wondered if telepathy could suddenly work on him. Cedar yawned, his eyes were starting to droop. Daire lounged back. “So tired boy do you want to sleep out here with your sister and Me or do you want the big bed all to yourself?” Cedar’s tired face lit up. 

“Go put the boy in bed.” Daire whispered into my ear. I smiled. He was being so kind to us it lifted my heart. That was when I finally felt it. It felt like something clicked into place. My breath caught and I stood up slightly panicked. I shook myself mentally. 

 I picked Cedar up and hauled him into Daire’s bed. I rocked him and sang to him. He was sleeping before the first verse was finished. I gently set him in the bed and went back to Daire who was eating some of the jerky he made. He opened his arms and I sat in his lap. Calm washed over me and I welcomed it. I took a deep breath….

“I know love. I felt it too. I will explain everything later. Trust me.” Daire’s warm breath tingled my ear.  We laid on the floor in front of the fireplace. He was warm and for the first time in so long I felt safe. He played with my hair. And I ran my hands over his huge soft body. Neither one of us tried anything more, just quiet contentment.

I woke up under a huge fur. The house was quiet. Too quiet. I jumped up, cold fear gripping my heart. I slammed into the door to the room. Cedar wasn’t in the bed. My blood pumped wildly as I ran to the front door. “Cedar, Cedar!” My muscles constricted as I dove at the front door. I wretched it open. It slammed against the back wall. I didn’t care, I was so stupid. How could I have been so naive? Breathing heavy My feet hit the front porch. I looked around wildly for a clue to where they could have gone. That was when I was finally seeing on the hill above the hut Daire was teaching Cedar how to use a bow. His huge body was bent clearly explaining how Cedar was standing.  I was so relieved my stomach turned and my mouth watered and I lost my dinner on the ground. I looked up again and found Daire’s big brown eyes.

 His brows pulled together and he bent down, spoke to Cedar then headed my way. I sat on the porch trying to catch my breath and right my stomach. His big hand cupped my chin and made me look at him. He seemed worried. He touched my cheek and wiped my tears away. I hadn’t even realized I was crying. He bent down and kissed both of my eyes.

“Did I scare you? Should I have woken you? You just looked so peaceful. I’m sorry I should have asked you.” He sat beside me pulling me into a half hug. 

“I was scared. I didn’t know where my brother was.” I looked up at him. guilt now coloring my expression. He licked his lips and calmed flooded into me again. 

“Don’t feel guilty. Next time I’ll wake you. I’m sorry Lucrezia, I'll do better next time.” He got up and pulled me into a hug. He kissed me gently. Not searching for anything, just a kiss for comfort. He grasped my hand in his huge one and pulled me up the hill. The tree they were using for target practice was pristine. I guess, Cedar hadn’t hit the target once. I giggled. Daire turned me to look at the hut. He pointed to the side of the house the table sat at. “I was thinking his room could go there. It will be far enough away that we will have privacy and so will he.” I smiled. He was really going to build Cedar a room. 

This is what I had always wanted. They practiced for a little while longer and then he showed me the rest of his property. He had chickens and a small garden although right now it was too cold for anything to grow. His land wasn’t huge but he lived well enough. Better than I had ever lived a day in my life. He took me to a different hut on the property. It was a room with running water and a private place to take care of your business. 

“One day I’ll have enough to build a house but for now I hope this will work.” He splashed water onto my face. I laughed and called Cedar over. He walked with a confidence I had never seen before. He looked older. Daire splashed Cedar with water. We laughed together until each one of us was soaked. 

"Alright boy how about we go try to hit that target? What do you think Lucrezia do you think you can hit that target girl?" I smiled an shook my head. I would try. Why not?