longer than your three months, Daughter.” There was a hard edge to his voice,
but it couldn’t mask the deeper joy he felt. “You broke your promise. You’re
long overdue.” Then he relented and extended his arms. “Welcome home.”
Chenaya unfastened her weapon belt and dropped it at the foot of the stair. She
ran up to her father, threw her arms about him, and pressed her head against his
shoulder. Lowan Vigeles was a tall man, but the past months had made him appear
haggard. He had lost weight and there was little color left in his cheeks. “You
worried too much!” she admonished with a whisper only he could hear.
“How much is too much?” he said, letting a hint of his anger show once more.
“Things are changing, Chenaya. Law has broken down all over the city. Hell, all
over the Empire. You could have been dead and rotting for all I knew.”
“I’m sorry, Father,” she said honestly. “It couldn’t be helped. You know I’d
have come home if I could’ve.” And that was enough of that, her tone conveyed
without her needing to say more. She regretted having caused him pain, and she
knew he had worried, but she wasn’t a child. She wouldn’t be treated as one,
even by her father. She started to remind him of that, then caught a clearer
look at the woman above.
It took her by complete surprise. Then, abruptly, a broad grin spread over her
face. Chenaya had become immune to shock long ago. Still, she found considerable
amusement in the idea that her father might cuckold his own brother.
“Good evening. Lady Rosanda,” she said grandly. “How’s Uncle Molin these days?”