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That’s what she tells nant Miscarried She don’t ask me no questions

I don’t speak

I don’t cry

I’m white

I’m bones

Stripped bare

I wake It’s dark There’s a fire in the hearth The rooht DeMalo sits by thein his chair He stares at the starfall night A glass of blood dark wine in his hand

I can hear the howl of a wolfdog Tracker, not far off

Star season, he says Superstitious fools They think this tuel of Death He don’t turn his head Hefor hours, he says

I sit up an push off the blanket I’ shift It’s thick an soft He’s come to my bedside He offers his hand I look at it Then I take it I’m shaky as he helps me to a settle seat by the fire

Covered dishes keep warm on the hearth He sets one on a low table Hands ry

It’s scra I take a small bite He props hisself in the corner of the settle One knee up, one foot on the floor He’s poured me some wine He watchesday will be the first great event in the history of New Eden I need you to look in bloom I’ll speak to the woman, to Mercy She’s bound to know a trick or two He holds his glass to the firelight Stares at its blood red richness I scour New Eden for the most skilledIt beggars belief With the babyhouses full to bursting all the tiet

The babyhouse I seen was half full

While you’ve been resting, I’ve been busy, he says A wedding likes this takesto be extraordinary Magnificent It will bind us all together One fainning of New Eden The story will be told for generations to come

He takes my hand in his He looks tired But beautiful By the fire an lantern light, he’s burnished gold Like Toht that day

I’ve waited for you Now I have you, he says Say my name

Seth, I says

He pulls me to him Gathers ave myself to him I look in his blackwater eyes An I whisper his naoes to kiss er to s me back to hi touch of his hands The heat of his body He leaves ive you This time