Home Making
Rains were heavy that autumn and they had to postpone their visit to the Southern Kingdom. Raelyn stayed too, refusing to return to Easthaven without her sister. But Anastasia could not travel and soon the whole town knew why. The lady was pregnant! No one had announced it yet, but all the signs were there. Lady Anastasia wafted from room to room with rosy cheeks and an unmistakable glow. Lord Keiran had actually been seen smiling, and he was distractible and flighty as a bird, shadowing his wife’s every step. The couple was often seen sitting with their heads together, smiling softly with their shoulders just brushing. Castle folk and farmers dwelling in the KerRhydderik lands alike murmured with pleasure. Soon the KerRhydderiks would have an heir and Riverland stability would be assured.
Selwin spent weeks learning to knit with Marissa. Alyn was absent minded as a trout and Lord Keiran was twice as bad, clucking over Anastasia like a couple of hens until she’d had enough and banished them from her presence, vowing to do something dangerous if they did not leave her be. She took shelter with her sister and her father-in-law, who teased and indulged her in equal parts, much as they had always done.
She was finishing up what chores they would let her do when she felt it. Raelyn noticed her sister’s hand had stilled and glanced up to find Anastasia frozen, one hand on the desk, the other pressed to her stomach.
“Ana?”
At their feet, a wet pool began to spread.
“Alyn, Marissa, Keiran, someone help!” Raelyn screamed.
But there was nothing to be done. When Selwin proudly presented his knit socks to Marissa for inspection she smiled sadly, patted his head, and put them away in the bottom of a chest.
