CHAPTER 33
Five months later.
“I cannot believe we are all together again,” Elysia said with a joyful smile.
Bliss found it hard to believe as well, looking from Elysia to Annis sitting outside with her on a blanket under a large shade tree. It was like a dream, but it wasn’t a dream. It was real.
“I am so glad you convinced Odran to bring you here, to Bliss, to have the bairn,” Annis said.
“It took some doing, but I had to see for myself where she lived and that her husband treated her well, even though you assured me Rannick did,” Elysia said with a nod to Annis.
“True, but I assume it made a good excuse to get you here,” Annis said with a laugh and her sisters joined in the laughter.
Bliss had once feared she would never see her sisters again when she had left them to fulfill the bargain she had made to see them kept safe. She never imagined how well things would turn out for the three of them.
Bliss expressed her joy with a wide smile and appreciation. “The three of us have been lucky to find such good husbands.”
Annis smiled. “And who would have thought it would be with the cursed lords?”
The three chatted on and after a while silence settled amongst them.
Bliss broke the quiet, keeping her voice low. “I did not tell you what Mum told me on her deathbed because I did not think it would matter. To me we are sisters and always will be.”
“Of course we are,” Annis agreed.
“Sisters forever,” Elysia said and hesitated a moment before continuing, “but one of us faces the possibility of—”
Bliss reached out and grabbed each of their hands, stopping Elysia from finishing. “We all face it together and as agreed we keep it a secret so our husbands will be protected as well. For if it is known, it may cause more trouble than the curse itself.”
The three nodded their heads in agreement.
“Has there been any word from the witch?” Elysia asked. “I am curious as to what else she may be able to tell us.”
Annis shook her head. “Nay, and I am disappointed. I thought for sure she would show herself and claim the curse broken.”
“Perhaps the curse is not broken yet,” Elysia said.
“But all has been going well, not just here but at your homes as well from what you both have told me,” Bliss said, having enjoyed listening to how happy her sisters were in their new homes.
“I thought Gunna would return so we could find out more about Lady Aila from her,” Annis said, “but Troy tells me he has heard no word from her.”
“And we have only Jaffee’s final word that it was family behind the scheme,” Bliss said.
“But how far does Rannick’s family extend with you now being his wife?” Annis asked, imagining the number of people that could be suspect.
“Are you in pain, Elysia?” Bliss asked, seeing her sister rub her rounded stomach several times while they talked.
“A bit uncomfortable that’s all. I will be glad when the bairn arrives and it is done,” Elysia said.
Annis chuckled. “I bet not as much as your husband. He follows you around with a worried brow that will stay permanent with how long he wears it.
Elysia and Bliss laughed.
“Rannick does the same,” Annis said, pointing to Bliss, “though I can understand why with what happened to his first wife and I am so relieved that that shre—”
“Annis!” Bliss scolded before she could finish.
“I am only saying what we think. Good riddance to Lana,” Annis said.
“And when are you going to get with child?” Elysia asked Annis with a teasing smile.
“I explained to Brogan that we have to time it right,” Annis explained as if she was making plans to build something. “There are things in our village that must be completed as well as our cottage. And I cannot deliver the bairn in the winter since it would be too difficult for either of you to reach me, especially with having bairns of your own. So as soon as I have it all planned out, then and only then will I get with child.” Annis scrunched her face annoyed, looking toward the keep. “Good Lord, what is she doing here?”
Elysia and Bliss turned to see Lady Faline and Lord Balloch approach the keep on horses, a line of their warriors spreading out behind them when they came to a stop.
Rannick was standing near talking with Brogan and Odran. Odran headed over to his wife while Brogan joined Rannick when he went to greet Brogan’s parents. However, not before Rannick sent a servant inside to alert his parents of the unexpected arrival.
“I do not understand, Brogan, why you did not let me and your father know you were here,” his mother admonished once off her horse. “I suffered great embarrassment hearing it from a traveling merchant.”