Chapter Thirty-Two

Two days later, Daroth felt strong enough to venture out. Sewell took him to Eva’s home where Lamorna introduced him to the older woman. Wary as she usually was of strangers, she quickly warmed to Daroth’s cordial behaviour and kind words. Sewell, who had remained just outside the threshold, then suggested that Lamorna take Daroth to the garden where they could talk undisturbed.

She hesitated, not knowing if she wanted to be alone with him.

“We don’t have to, if you are busy,” said Daroth.

“Oh, I am not busy,” she replied quickly, not wanting to hurt his feelings. Scooping her brother up from the bed, she led the way to the garden.

They sat quietly together, Lamorna humming softly as she cradled the child. When Daroth leaned over to touch the baby’s cheek, she asked, “Would you like to hold him?”

He shook his head. “No, no. Maybe when I feel stronger. I’m surprised he hasn’t been named yet. He is almost two months old, is he not?”

“We’re waiting for Danica. She will help me name him.”

“Who is this Danica? I’ve heard her name mentioned a few times now.”

Lamorna told him about Danica. After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to take a chance and tell him of the White Lady. He listened intently, without interruption, as she spoke of Vanora, of her journey with the wolves and all the times the White Lady had helped her. She glanced at him. “I believe the White Lady helped you also, when you escaped Liddon.”

He did not respond but remained staring at the ground in front of him, a small frown crumpling his brow. “This White Lady you speak of, she seems familiar. I feel as if I’ve heard of her before, a long time ago. It’s like when you try to remember a dream.”

Lamorna stared. “Someone in your village has spoken of her?”

He started to shake his head before gasping and sitting upright. “My mother.”

“But–”

“My real mother.”

“Your real mother?” said Lamorna.

“I remember now. When I was little, my mother would always tell stories, stories about a beautiful lady of the moon who watched over us, protected us...” His words trailed away, his gaze fixed on something in the distance. Something it seemed only he could see for when Lamorna looked, there was nothing but trees.

“Daroth?”

He turned slowly to her, his expression slack.

“What’s the matter? Are you feeling unwell?”

“There was…” He blinked rapidly. “When my mother wasn’t with me, there was another…” His eyes widened. “My sister.”

Lamorna frowned. “But your sister is still so little–”

“My other sister.”

Now it was Lamorna who stared.

“She was much older than me. I remember now. The stories my mother told me, told us, sometimes my sister would tell me. Then my mother died. I was about seven, I think, or maybe six, I’m not sure. And then my sister left. My father and my new, his new wife never spoke of the White Lady. I suppose that is how I came to forget.”

Lamorna placed her hand on his. “I didn’t know about your... real mother. I’m sorry you lost her.”

He covered her hand with his. “I cannot remember the last time I spoke of her like this.”

Feeling aware of her hand trapped between both of his, Lamorna cast about for something to say. “Why did your sister leave?”

Shaking his head slightly, he shrugged. “I don’t know if she left of her own free will or if she was sent away; I don’t remember. She is not spoken of. Father only ever says he has two children, me and little Miri.” Uncovering her hand, he seemed to study it closely. “How could I forget her? Maybe...” He tried to smile; failed. “Maybe I am imagining her, maybe she isn’t real.”

He sounded so bereft, she wanted to put her arm around him to comfort him. “Do you remember her name?”

Closing his eyes, he paused before replying, “Elisha.”

“Such a pretty name. And if you remember her name, then surely she must be real.”

Turning to her, he nodded before straightening up and exclaiming. “Something my father said, I just remembered. After I saw you at that village, Father said that he’d once had to deal with a woman like Mother Genna.”

Lamorna’s frown disappeared as she raised her brows. “Could there have been a wise woman in your village?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe there used to be someone like her in the village. I know there isn’t now.” Sighing, he managed a smile as he glanced at her. “This is good, to speak of my mother again, to remember my sister, to feel the memories returning.”

She returned his smile, glad he could speak of the family he’d lost. Her smile faded, she kissed the top of her brother’s head. So much loss, she thought as sadness washed over her.

Daroth’s grip on her hand tightened momentarily, drawing her gaze to it; she liked the feel of his touch. Without warning, she remembered that she’d decided he must have chosen Janina over her. Yet it was for Lamorna that he’d endangered himself.

The baby started to grumble, and she almost heaved a sigh of relief. Pulling her hand free, she hurriedly got to her feet. “He needs his feed. I’d better take him–”

“Wait.” Daroth stayed her with his hand on her arm. “Wait, please.” Slowly, he got to his feet. “There is something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

Her breathing quickened.

“I-I need to... do you still wish us to be betrothed?”

Unprepared for such a direct question, all she could do was stammer.

“That you chose not to come to... you have endured so much. If you wish to reject it, I will not object,” he finished softly.

Lamorna stepped away, searching for the words that would explain without causing hurt. “Aherin was going to take me to you for my safety, but the priests would have taken my brother. I’d promised Mam I’d look after him. I-I thought of going to you with my brother. I was afraid your father would have given us to the soldiers if they’d come looking. And I thought, I believed you’d be happier without me.”

Daroth did not respond straightaway, and she could not bring herself to look at him. “Why did you think that?” he finally asked.

“The last time I saw you, when you were at my village, you were with, you and Janina were always...” Bracing herself, she looked into his hazel eyes. “I thought you wanted to be with her instead.

Colouring slightly, he dropped his gaze. “I won’t lie. I did enjoy her company.”

She tightened her hold on her brother as she pressed her lips together.

“Then I heard what had happened, that you had run away with your brother. I believed I would never see you again. I was surprised, Lamorna, because it filled me with such sadness.” Meeting her bewildered stare, he took a tentative step forward. “Then I saw you at Mother Genna’s. Like an answered prayer, there you were.” He reached out but didn’t touch her.

Lamorna opened her mouth but could say nothing. Not once had she dared hope that Daroth would want to be with her.

“I won’t force you. If you do not wish to be married, I will not force you.” When she remained silent, he shuffled from one foot to the other. “Father Merrick has said that there is a place for me here if I wish to stay. Master Sewell has said I can share his home. I-I would like to. It is strange, but I feel more at home here than I did in my own village. But if you would rather I leave–”

“No, no. I don’t wish you to leave.”

Now it was Daroth’s turn to stare.

She quickly turned her attention to her brother. “I had convinced myself that you had put aside our betrothal and chosen Janina instead. Now, to hear you say otherwise...”

He moved closer. “Lamorna. I am proud to be your betrothed.”

She looked up at him, tears shining in her dark eyes.

“You are the most courageous person I know. All that you have gone through; I hope I never shame you.”

Putting her hand on his arm, she said, “And you are the most courageous person I know. You faced such danger for me.”

They stood facing each other until the baby’s grumbling started to turn to cries.

Smiling, Daroth stepped back, running his hand through his dark hair. “You should go. He sounds hungry.”

Unable to think of anything to say, unable to stop herself grinning widely, Lamorna nodded and turned to walk away.