29th Ymiden
Twilight
They had settled into a peaceful, quiet rhythm over the past few trials. The horses and hawk were cared for, they practised sword fighting, archery, and knife-throwing. Malcolm rested and read whilst she stitched along-side him, or following the light around the house or outside of it in the sunshine. The skin on her face and arms and lower legs had darkened and freckles dusted her nose and cheeks in a band. They cared for each other, made blissful love together and were prone to ridiculous bouts of mischief. In one way, Elyna could barely remember a time when this hadn’t been the case and couldn’t imagine a future where anything changed. But the world was always moving on, whether she wanted it to, or not. Twilight
Upon her return from the city, she’d been tired and the waves of dizziness had drained her of energy and appetite. How long would the sickness last? Her body was making a million minute adjustments for the coming seasons and it was unhappy to relinquish control and all her arcs of training and over-discipline. Of course, each woman was different, and Elyna hoped, almost desperately that the forthcoming weeks would be easier. They would have to be, there had to be a point when she could regain lost weight, surely? She’d heard a myth once that pregnant women could glow with the pique of their health. Whatever she was, the only part of her skin that was glowing, was the mark on her forehead.
Dusk was settling on her shoulders and she moved the brush over Ember. The Hawk was perched on the fence post watching them with a tilted head. The horse’s fur already shone, but she seemed to enjoy the attention, her head was bowed and she dozed as Elyna continued the smooth motions. The woman herself was relaxed, hand moving over the warm surface before the brush followed and sent up dust. She edged down from the crest of the horses back mane. She loved the smell of horses, the sweetness of the hay mingled with warmth and outside air.
Smoke rose from the chimney, food wouldn’t be far off. She’d gulped down a mug of ginger tea before coming outside, in the hope it would mean she could eat. She pressed kisses to the horses jaw before setting the brushes away and returning the Hawk to its little house. Locking him in for the night.
Tomorrow, they were going to be married. Malcolm would become her husband. Excitement twisted nerves in her chest and she risked a glance at him as she moved through the house to wash hands and face and return to the main room. The Skyrider lent against the door frame and simply watched him for a long moments before she approached and ran deft fingers down his arm.