" Come sit, I'll make some hot cider. "

Zephyr let me out his arms and led us to the bar where most of the family sat. Lost in drinks or conversation with one another.

The night sent most of the patrons home and only a few enjoyed the warmth and the light flute and lute players giving us a gently slow tune.

" I wonder how much they getting paid? "

" They getting paid extremely well love..here " - Zephyr came back with a tray of steaming cups of delicious smelling cider.

We smiled greatly as he went on. " The lute guy with the messy hair Polit and the older gent is Mite. They're very talented but more importantly passionate artists. "

He appreciated them playing resting his head on his palm.

Setil came up to him. " Zeph, I'm going..thanks again. "

" Oh..come than. I'll drop you off at your house . "

He followed a grateful Setil as she said goodnight.

" ..So first night apart.. how you feeling? " - Demelza asked while sipping her drink.

" I'll be okay..and it's the second night. "

" Oh..right. Well, he looks fine too. "

She was right..he looked happy as ever walking back inside, rubbing his shoulders.

Anna and Ciren experimented mixing different juices together and see how they tasted.

We finished our cider while telling the stories we heard during dinner. While Zephyr reprimanded the idiot brothers of his for over doing it and sent them to lay down.

" Sounded great to me when first read. The book itself is just screams different. Loads of pages missing...she has a whole library, more books than can be read in a lifetime."

" How come you never bring any home..our house could use some books."

He rolled his eyes. " I don't have time for it and you can't read. "

" Because we don't have books. "

He let it go looking very tired. " Fine, I'll bring some and maybe then you start learning. Ciren and Carlos will stay here for weeks. Should be enough time. Anna can learn it too. "

" Shouldn't we take the boys Zephyr? " - Demelza looked behind him at the door they disappeared too in the kitchen. " That's plus four and you with Anna.."

He put her in bed already looking after her uncles and waited for him know, probably having quite the fun with the Emil brothers and the idiot duo.

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He smiled and waved her off. " They be fine..the room is quite spacious and they had the good sense to pass out on the floor... Go keep Lylly company. "

She smiled gratefully and left with Eli and the Boreas. The snow stooped so they politely refused to be carried home.

It was down to me,Carlos and his sister.

He took a sleepy Ciren who didn't even bother to open her eyes. Probably going to put her to bed too.

We helped cleaning with the cups and plates while he returned only to be gone again.

We watched as he carried an over enthusiastic gentleman home after he got lost in the sauce.

His was way too nice..

We helped clean up and musician duo were the last to go with their instruments.

While we waited for Zephyr to return it slipped out.

" So what are intentions with my mother? "

I didn't wanted too..well.

And his look of shock was slowly turned into sadness as he absent mindedly swept the floors.

" I like lady Seline..it's true. But, I'm also a married man bound by oath to stand with Yelena. " - he looked up with a sad crooked smile.

" I'm torn between honor and passion. "

I didn't exactly had a plan in mind, so I was lost how to proceed with him.

I was saved by Zephyr walking in on a awkward atmosphere.

" What's up? Why you both sweeping the same God damn area!? "

——

I was left alone with him before, I told what happened.

" Why?..I mean..why? "

He shamed me for asking something, I'd known already and forced him into an awkward situation that wasn't needed.

" I'm sorry ..I didn't think an..

" Yeah..you do this an awful lot lately dear. " - slammed me down before walked back to the bar.

I followed sitting down.

" I knew you were angry about it my stupidity. . "

" I'm not..and the mocking don't help. it's just you might benefit by repeating the questions in your head.." - he poked my head with two fingers. "..before, you just answering them..that's all..or ask questions without giving a second thought. "

" Did you just called me and Air head? "

" My love, I'm very tired.." - he rested his head on the bar wooden top. " ..let's not start this. "

" Fine..but this isn't over.."

He looked up and nodded to our truce.

" I'm taking that." - he pointed at our daughter sleeping about a feet on the bar counter who got bored at some point and came out. " ..and put her to bed then take you home..and then I'll go to sleep with a bunch of drunken man. "

He leaned close to kiss and lifted and brought her for one.

I was left alone in the giant space thinking about what he said.

Maybe, I should think before just impulsively ask or answer things. Making trouble not just for me but, also Carlos.

I bet him having explained it didn't help anyone just gave him a shitty night .

Me going on and agreeing some ancient, silly ass custom that no one even done anymore?

He was right.. I should repeat my thoughts before just blurting stuff out like an unhinged idiot.

I was still far from being a composed women, let alone a perfect wife.

——

The next 3 days passed with nothing but planning and frustration and anger...

I was surrounded by incompetent idiots who couldn't understand human speech any more.

I closed down the tavern as of today and had an army of helpers all the ladies in my family and friends, even Nifa and Cintia.

Two dozen people, two blessed, three babies, my own daughter, and even an 10 year old assistant in Ciren.

I was ...on edge.

" No!! Lizzy, there!..not there! You just doing it on purpose now..

–

" No!! Eli!!? Did you hands got smashed or something!? I MEAN WHAT THE HELL!?..

–

" No!! Demelza we talked about those colours..its a wedding not a barn dance, okay?. "

–

" No!! Mother..damn it!! I believe.."

" By Ehlite..we should all thank granny for her state .."

"" Right??""

" What was THAT!? " - I whipped my head around and immediately went for Eleanor Wold,Demelza Jartok and Lizzie Welk.

""" Nothing.. """

I suppose my 5th day without sex affected my mood.

Still the worst!?

Zephyr smiling pretty and calm everytime we happened to meet...

Manipulator...