In the girls’s room, Fand heard the screech of the property gate as it opened. She hated the noise of the thing. It was a constant reminder that she lived in a fortress. On the bed between Pyre’s sisters, Eftje and Perdy, Zel squealed with delight. The girls were tickling her with their braids. An odd sensation rippled across the surface of Fand’s mind. Someone was trying to penetrate her thoughts. Who? Would this someone try to read her child’s thoughts as well?Fand focused on her child. The baby suddenly had a preoccupied look on her face. Was someone trying to get a read on her? This was not good. This was something she needed to be able to protect Zel from. Was this one of the reasons why Petran had asked her if she wanted to develop her powers? Perhaps. Most likely. It was something she was going to have reconsider and soon. The preoccupation in Zel’s eyes intensified and she became very still. Frightened, Fand picked up the baby and held her close. She pressed her forehead to Zel’s. In her mind she shouted, “Be gone!” The presence withdrew itself. This thing was after her child. She must talk to Petran.

Suddenly aware she had been removed from her playmates, Zel’s pale blue eyes opened wide. She threw her head back and let out an angry howl. Fand patted her back and murmured, “There, there. You’re okay.” Zel was not pacified. Here little arms flailed. She wanted Eftje and Perdy to play with her. Her temper began to roar louder. Fand took her to the window and parted the curtain. She pointed at the sky. “Look Zel, look at the clouds.”

Zel’s tear streaked face turned and looked up. The child loved the sky and clouds in particular. She let out a hiccup and became very quiet. A few moments of peace passed. These moments were rare in Zel’s life.

A breeze blew through the open window. Fand heard the crunch of gravel. She looked down the drive. A man was approaching. He stopped, looked up. Keeper no! A wave of strange nausea surged in Fand’s stomach. She took a step away from the window. It could not be. Pyre had not written that he was visiting, surely he would have written that he was coming.

From the bed Perdy asked, “What’s wrong?”

Fand did not answer or move. Both girls bounded from the bed and pulled the curtain wide open. Eftje saw the man and squealed, “It’s is Pyre!” In tandem the girls turned and went flying out of the room. Fand heard the thump, thump of their feet racing down the wooden stairs.

From the kitchen Zolla exclaimed, “Are you sure?!”

The front door banged open. Rooted where she was, with Zel in her arms, Fand could not breathe or move. What was wrong with her? Below, she saw Pyre engulfed in his mother’s arms. Zolla sobbed, “I can’t believe you are home!” She pulled away from Pyre and studied him. “You are wasted away.” She turned to Perdy and said, “Go fetch your father and Wendon!”

Quick to obey Perdy headed off toward the fields. Soon Rehn, Wendon, and Uncle Wert would be there. Zolla clutched Pyre’s hand and pulled him toward the porch. “Come, come inside, Son! Oh if I knew you were coming I would have prepared a feast! Why didn’t you tell me? Come, come, oh, at least I made a pear pies. The pears weren’t fresh. I hope you don’t mind. Do you?” Without giving Pyre a chance to answer a single question Zolla continued to talk nonstop as she guided Pyre into the house. Eftje was running around in circles clapping her hands. She looked so very happy.

Fand asked herself, “Shouldn’t I be happy?” Fear was rising inside of her. Fear of what she wasn’t sure, she just felt so unsettled.

Zel took a swipe at the curtains. With success she managed to snag one panel with her chubby fingers. She gave it a jerk and gurgled with delight. Like everything else she managed to get in her hands, Zel stuffed the curtain into her mouth. Wearily, Fand pried the curtain corner out of Zel’s mouth. In the distance she saw, Perdy and Wendon racing toward the house. Behind them going at a much slower pace were Uncle Wert and Rehn.

The clip clop of goat hooves sounded on the wooden floor. Sassafras came to Fand. She placed her cool nose against Fand’s finger tips. The gesture steadied Fand. She sucked in a big breath of air.

From the kitchen, Zolla voice rang up the stair well, “Fand, where are you? Come down, and show Pyre our beautiful Zel.”

Though Fand bade her body to move, it remained very still. Her throat seemed to be closing up. This was ridiculous. IT was just Pyre!

In Zolla’s obey me now or risk the consequences voice called out, “Fand, do come down!”

As a child and since she had arrived back, Fand had not been able to disobey Zolla when she used that tone. For the first time, it did not affect her.

The kitchen door banged open. Fand heard Perdy’s voice and then Rehn’s. Everyone seemed to be speaking at once. Such a tumult of words and questions flowed. Impatient to be where the action was, Zel released the curtain and began to lean toward the open door.

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Red faced and excited Perdy raced into the room. “Mama told me to come get you. Don’t you want to see Pyre?”

Without waiting for an answer to her question, Perdy raced back down stairs.

“Don’t I want to see Pyre?” This feeling was so strange. She was terrified. Never had she been terrified of Pyre. What was wrong with her? With great effort, she forced herself to leave the room.

Rufus met her in the hall. He asked, “Are you alright Miss?”

Though she nodded yes it was not true. Slowly she went down the stairs followed by Rufus. With each step her heart pounded harder. In fact she began to feel quite dizzy. At least Rufus was with her, he could catch her if she fainted. When she arrived in the kitchen, all chatter abruptly stopped. The world itself seemed to stop for a single instant. Pyre looked at her and she looked at him. He said, “It is good to see you Fand.” His heart was in his eyes and his heart had not changed.

Fand managed to nod, but she couldn’t speak. Her eyes darted to the floor.

Eftje and Perdy giggled.

Zolla said, “Petran take Zel. You men go get cleaned up. Pyre take your things to the girl’s room.” She turned to the Fand and the girls and said, “Ladies, lets get started, we have a welcome home celebration to prepare.”

The men went outside to wash up. Pyre picked up his two bags. How long was he staying? The girls went to the pantry. Zolla said something to Fand that she did not hear. Petran removed Zel from Fand arms. He was smiling. To Pyre he said, “Zel and I will be on the porch, come join us once you get settled.”

Of course.” Pyre passed by Fand. The nearness of him confused her. She could not raise her eyes to him. Her face felt hot and it must be red. His steps went up the stairs.

At the top of the stairs, she heard Pyre exclaim, “Why Sassafras, how are you old girl?”

The goat let out a cheerful bleat.

Zolla shook her head. “That goat! I thought I put her outside.” To Fand she said, “Go to the cellar and get the elderberry wine, it is Pyre’s favorite. Rufus try to stay out of the way.” From that moment forward food preparation began. Zolla barked orders and worked her magic. Up to the attic, down to the cellar, Fand, Rufus and the girls traveled. Everything became a blur. When the food was all ready and everyone was seated at the table, Fand found herself once again struggling to breathe. Everyone began to eat and talk, except Fand. Dutifully she fed Zel. Her own food she did not touch. Pyre’s voice as he explained his unexpected visit home ripped through her. She dropped her spoon. It clattered to the floor.

Zolla asked, “Fand dear, are you all right?”

“I just need some air. Uncle Wert could you take Zel?”

Uncle Wert eyed her when she handed him the baby. She dashed out the back door. Sassafras’s and Rufus followed her. The temptation to run was in her. She rushed down the steps and would have launched out into the field but Rufus voice tethered her. “Where do you think you be goin’?”

Her mind was spinning. She stopped and took in a breath of the cool evening air. The stars were beginning to prick through the sky. Soon, all too soon the moon would rise. She closed her eyes. Was it an accident that Pyre should show up on the very day, that Loren had visited her?

The back door opened and closed. Pyre asked, “Rufus, where is Fand. I’d like to have a word with her.”

Rufus gave Fand a warning look. To Pyre he said, “She’s right there. Have all the words you want.”

Sassafras’s nose pushed up under Fand’s left hand. Once again the touch of the goat steadied her. She could hear Pyre footsteps approaching. He stopped just behind her. She could feel the warmth of him, even though he was not touching her. In a low voice he asked, “Fand, will you marry me?”

Fand spun around so fast she almost fell into his arms. “What?”

Quietly he said, “I’ve tried so hard not to love you, but I can’t stop.” He paused and said, “I believe and have always believed we were meant to be.”

Fand’s heart broke inside of her. She felt tears welling in her eyes. Was this what she was afraid of? Could she be so foolish as to reject him again? She was no longer a foolish girl, nor was he a foolish boy. She said, “Keeper knows I’m nothing but trouble.”

He smiled at her and said, “That you are.” His smile touched all that was cold and dark within her. “Pyre, your reputation will be ruined. Leaving the Council for a woman is considered an act of adultery.”

“Yes, it is. But, truth be told, the moment I agreed to join the Council I was first unfaithful to you and to myself.”

Fand stared up at him. In the dim light she could see the burn scars on his face. She could also she the love in his eyes. It hurt. “Look around you. Look what the presence and of Zel and I have done to the farm, to your family, do you really want this for yourself?”

He took a step closer. In a low voice he said, “Yes. I want to every moment I still posses with you.” He was so close. So close. He still loved her. Still. After everything he had been through his love for her had remained. She didn’t understand such love and maybe she never would. His hand touched her hair. She closed her eyes. There was no way she could refuse him or herself. His lips came down on hers. How hungry she was for him. His arms wrapped around her. He held her so close, so close. He pulled his lips away from hers and whispered, “I am taking your response as a yes to my question.”

Unable to speak she nodded.

Sudden applause broke out. The entire family, including Zel was on the porch clapping. Fand blushed. Pyre tightened his grip on her. She turned her attention back to him. His eyes were filled with light, so much light. She had never seen him so very happy. For a moment her heart caught, the path ahead of them would not be easy. She whispered, “Are you sure about me, there are things you don’t know. When I tell you, you may not want me.”

He cut her off. “Nothing can make me not want you.”

From the porch Zolla called out, “We still got pie to eat! Pear pie! Everybody inside!”

The whole group went inside, except for Rufus. Pyre called out to him. “Could we have a little privacy?”

Rufus shook his head. “Orders is orders! You can smooch all you want, but I can’t leave her, so might as well get used to me. I’m bound and pledged to keep her alive.”

Against Fand's ear, Pyre whispered, "Is he always like this?"

"Yes he is."

"Rufus!" Pyre called out. "You are a diligent man."

“I am indeed and don't you forget it." He smiled a smile so big all his teeth showed.

Fand laughed. It was the first time she had laughed in a long time. A fresh breeze swirled around her. It smelled of life, good, sweet, new life. She raised her face to Pyre's.