Starlight Gleaming Ch. 20

I shook my head. "I'm not going to put you or anyone else aside. If you want her to be a part of this family, it is Izel that will need to adjust to us, not the other way around."

"This will put a lot of pressure on me. She's from a rich noble family. She's cultured, Ranji. Sophisticated like I will never be. Trained to rule not just a house, but a large tracts of land with tens of thousands of people under her control."

"Janetta, you've done a good job as mistress of my household. Both of us are warriors on active duty, and are pretty much unfit for genteel society. You heard Calia. Her brother has a new husband picked out, and he's hot to drag her back to the wedding altar. She's the one because she sees me as her way out of that. She needs us. Not the other way around."

"Fair point. All right. After we both get some food, will you rub my lower back?"

"Sure, I remember my promise. For you and for Zinja. She's on her time, too."

"You are a shitload of complications, but by the gods, I'm glad your mine."

I pulled her close. "You are the most beautiful woman in the world. Give us a kiss, Janetta, my wonderful warrior woman."

She tilted her head and we kissed. Mouths open, our tongues touched in a familiar and knowing manner. After a little exploration, she broke the kiss, burying her face into my neck. I kissed along her cheek, nuzzling and tasting her. It felt good to hold this strong, vibrant woman in my arms, and to feel her own arms holding me close.

Her stomach rumbled and mine answered.

Janetta grinned and pushed me away. "I'll be downstairs, stuffing my face."

"What are the sleeping arrangements tonight?"

"Calia can sleep on the other side of you. Put Izel on the outside, next to Calia. Cholan can keep Ixma and your girls company tonight, or if she prefers, she can sleep in her own bed. If I see her, I'll tell her."

Janetta left.

I went to the bathroom and set up the water running, adjusting for warmth. Satisfied, I went back and carried Calia. Sitting her on the edge of the tub against the wall, I soaped up a washcloth and quickly washed her front down. Turning off the water, I quickly dried her off. Carrying her back to the bed, I laid her down and moved Izel. Pulling back the blankets, I set Calia down, then put Izel next to her, and covered them both.

Grabbing some shorts and a tee-shirt, I went downstairs. While I ate, Cawbos interviewed me for the field report. Vaniksl sat nearby, sipping cahault, sometimes giving him prompts to follow up on.

Janetta had eaten two servings, and was lounging in her seat, nursing another shot of metl juice.

Blankets had been found, and it was decided that the two new servants, Ando and Chihua, would sleep in the front room for the night.

Laylandi informed me that the body out front was being cleaned up, and that the leader of Izel's guards insisted on a visual check of their mistress before departing. Laylandi and Yelts escorted them upstairs. Once he saw she was sleeping, he departed.

Once the meal was finished, I presented Sowitwee with the guitar and carrying case. His tired eyes lit up, and he grinned. "She'll love this, sir."

I went with him to present the gift to Nariya. Zinja, Ixma, and Sisi tagged along, for they wanted a chance to see the baby, too.

For a few minutes, we looked and admired the little guy who did nothing but sleep and look very cute.

I nodded to both the proud parents and grandfather. "Welcome, little Daydo Bancorri to House Kandikan. May you grow healthy, strong, and wise and make your parents proud."

When brought in the guitar case and opened it for her, Nariya teared up. With one hand on her son, she reached out with the other to run her fingers over the smooth varnish. "Oh, it's lovely. I can't wait to put the strings on and play it."

Sowitwee closed it back up and set it down against the wall. "Just rest now, my love."

Terra came in, and we scooted out while she and Sowitwee helped Nariya change into a fresh nightgown and receive a quick sponge bath.

I went to the living room for story time with the girls. Ixma sat beside me with Sisi and Mina, while Salvia sat on the floor.

As Terra arrived and sat next to her sister, Janetta and Zinja said they were going to have a hot bath and wait for me upstairs.

After the story, Terra worked on cleaning up the kitchen while Salvia kept her company. Ixma got to sit in my lap and we kissed, and I reassured her that the woman Izel was not going to make any changes to my family. We snuggled a bit, with two sleepy girls getting their share of attention. Then I helped Ixma get them ready for bed.

As the girls finished up, I checked on Cholan. She was in her room, with the light out, telling me she had a headache, and it had been getting worse all evening.

I sat on the edge of her bed, and clasped her hand, then checked her forehead for a fever. None. "If it's still bothering you tomorrow morning, I want you to go to the clinic."

"I will," she promised.

A kiss to her forehead, and I wished her a good night's sleep.

Once the girls and Ixma were tucked in, I entered the bedroom. Both women were just coming in from the bathroom. Gathering some towels, I laid them down, and with the rubbing oils, began massaging Janetta's lower back. She moaned as I worked, and once the oil was absorbed, I switched to Zinja. She, too, moaned out her appreciation.

With Calia and Izel on the one side, I got in from the east side, followed by Janetta and then Zinja.

My alarms set, I spooned up to Janetta, and she curled around Zinja. Once the lights were out, the sparkle of starlight gleaming through the skylights shown down.

It had been a very long day. Tomorrow, Emilo and the kids were going to have a full day. Over the next three days, the kids would get healed. As for Izel? Calia would definitely need to be there. And, it would be nice to see the new baby.

I had no idea what else tomorrow would bring, but ultimately it didn't matter. My family was here and they were safe. My time at Sparantzlo had taught me to count those days as precious memories, and subsequent events kept reinforcing that notion. I had no doubt that Izel was intelligent, and hoped that she would not disrupt our lives too much. Janetta seemed to think it important that I take her to bed and make her an ally. Calia, too, had seemed accepting of Izel even as she easily ripped away the noblewoman's secrets like she was reading a book.

All those demands can wait for tomorrow.

Precious memory saved.

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