Legacy (The Biodome Chronicles) (41 page)

If Ember and Leaf felt deeply about each other, how could she be mad that they married as soon as they could, rather than wait until his return? Leaf would have married Ember eventually. She wanted to fault him for using Coal’s sister as a political pawn but reasoned it was not his way. Oaklee heard the door open and Ember walked back into the bedroom, holding two cups of tea.

“I brought lavender tea. I felt this was rather thematic.” Ember gently handed a clay chalice to Oaklee, smiling over the rim of hers while taking a sip. Ember placed her cup on the end table, then walked over to the basket, pulling out hair combs and a simple, dainty wreath made from willow oak leaves.

“Goodness, Ember. Is all this necessary?”

“No, but it is wonderfully fun. I say let the newcomer think the women of New Eden are beautiful and enchanting. Let him see you as something out of a storybook.”

“What makes you believe it is a man?”

“Let us just say I have a strong hunch. My hunches are never wrong.”

Ember gave Oaklee a mysterious look before walking to her back and combing her hair once again.

“I never knew you had hunches,” Oaklee said with a giggle. “Tell me more about this male newcomer. Is he handsome? Will he make us ladies swoon with his Outsider ways?” She took a deep breath and forced her mind to tuck memories of Fillion away, and to move forward.

“How could he not be handsome? Who would be cruel enough to send an ugly man to us contained women?”

Both laughed, and Oaklee enjoyed the joyous sounds that filled the room, finding Ember’s wit delightful. Who, indeed.

With a smile, Ember said, “Well, I feel he shall do more than just provide humor with his lack of useful skills. Something tells me he shall revolutionize New Eden.”

“Really? In a good or bad way?”

“Both.”

Ember said it so solemnly that further questions died on Oaklee’s lips, as did the laughter. Both remained quiet as Ember placed strands into knots and braids, using combs and ribbons. She left long blond tendrils down her back, reaching her waist. Finally, she placed the narrow wreath made from willow oak leaves upon her head and then stood back, taking in the vision.

“Beautiful,” she said with pride. She walked back to her basket and pulled out a hand-held looking glass. “The herbalist allowed me to borrow this today.”

Ember gently placed the looking glass in her hands. Oaklee stared back at her reflection in wonder.

“Leaf said I look like mother.” She felt overwhelmed with the transformation and Ember placed a hand on her heart in reply.

“Be sure to finish your tea. No breakfast for you today. It would be very unladylike to lose your food from nerves,” she said in a dramatic tone, making Oaklee giggle. “Just passing along the matronly wisdom I received this morning.”

Both turned at a knock and Leaf poked his head in from behind the door, first glancing at Oaklee in surprise then caressing Ember with a look so meaningful, Oaklee had to turn away, allowing them a private moment.

“I was just readying Oaklee for The Door, My Lord,” Ember said while dipping into a curtsy.

“Yes, I see,” he said with warmth. “You look beautiful, Oaklee. Like a bride.” He gazed back at Ember with another look, and Oaklee instantly felt she was an intruder.

“I shall leave so you may have a moment.” Oaklee walked past Leaf, and closed the door behind her.

After a few heartbeats, Ember walked over into Leaf’s embrace. He nuzzled against her neck and inhaled the spices still lingering upon her skin, his mind memorizing the feel of her nearness. Although they had married, they had not properly spent time as a bride and groom. Their hand-fasting was a hurried event before Jeff in his chancery, and then Connor and Brianna walked them to the stairs of Leaf’s apartment.

Her parents kissed them both upon the forehead per tradition as Connor placed his daughter’s hand into his as an act of trust. Leaf felt deeply honored by the gesture, moved that the Fire Element would gift him his beloved daughter, bowing respectfully to Connor in reply. In one week Leaf had both lost and gained a father, and the pain and comfort were extremes his mind did not know how to process.

Leaf gently led Ember up the stairs by the hand Connor had joined with his and bashfully walked her into his bedchamber while his house still slumbered, hoping they were granted a few moments of privacy. They sat upon his cot and continued to hold hands, whispering into one another’s ears shyly, enjoying the intimacy of each other’s nearness as the notion that they were husband and wife settled within their hearts.

He
softly asked the Daughter of Fire a question and she turned her head to answer him, accidently brushing her lips with his as she did so. They stilled and he searched her eyes silently, asking for her permission as he wished to be considerate of her comfort and sensibilities. Ember gave him a nod and a delirious rush overwhelmed him as the warmth of their mouths came together and then pulled away slowly, their lips eagerly coming together once more. Their kiss continued in a dance and Leaf felt his pulse beat in rhythm with his bride’s as he breathed in the cinnamon and spices of her presence. His hand reverently rested along her cheek while his finger began to trace her face, wishing to explore as he cherished the feel of her skin beneath his touch.

A small knock sounded on his door and Leaf jumped to his feet, embarrassment taking over as he tried to regain his composure, smiling timidly at his wife. Laurel stood on the other side with a sleepy face, saddened by a nightmare and wishing father could wrap his arms around her to comfort her fears.

She gave Ember a strange expression and then looked up at him with large eyes. He quickly explained that they had wed that very morn and, therefore, Ember would now share his room, clearing his throat in discomfort upon voicing such intimacy aloud. His littlest sister did not understand such things and instead ran into Ember’s outstretched arms, allowing her new eldest sister to caress her back and softly whisper words of comfort.

Laurel left soon after to ready herself for the day, and with shaky fingers Leaf began to unlace the back of Ember’s wedding gown upon her request. His breath hitched and heart whooshed loudly in his chest when noticing the finely embroidered leaves that perfectly matched the design on his furniture. She glanced over her shoulder with a look of devotion as his thumb caressed the stitches, humbling him as his eyes softly appreciated the woman who now bore his name and had always desired to become his family.

Everything else seemed trivial in this moment and he felt content to anchor his feet and gaze at his wife. But his thoughts returned to Laurel, who was awake and would wish for their company shortly. And so he bowed, kissing Ember’s exposed shoulder with sudden boldness, and then immediately left to allow her privacy to change into other garments, brought over by Brianna earlier in the morning.

Needing to give his muscles an occupation to unwind the tension, he briskly walked to the Great Hall and boiled mineral water for Willow’s bath. The night prior, he had requested toiletries from the herbalist for Willow to enjoy so that he and Ember could honor and prepare his sister for The Exchange following their secret
hand-fasting.

The earlier memories faded away as Leaf glanced around Willow’s room, finally finding his voice to speak as Ember shifted in his arms.

He whispered into her ear, “You are so beautiful, Ember Watson,” and listened as her breaths quicken. At this moment, he believed such elicited responses would never grow old.

“And you, My Lord, are wanted by the North Cave shortly.” She looked up and gave him a hint of a smile and he quietly laughed in response.

“Indeed. You are so kind to remind me.” He said in a humored tone as he lifted her hand and kissed it. “Does she know?”

Ember leaned against him and murmured into his tunic, “Yes, she knows that we have married. Oaklee is a clever young woman and figured it out before I could share. She was hurt at first, but accepting at the end, I believe.”

“Does she know of the other situation?”

“No, she does not, nor would I have shared.” Ember pulled away and looked up into his eyes. “She is going to be crushed and rather upset.”

“I know,” he sighed.

“I prepared her as best as I could, and gave her sisterly affection.”

“I am sure you did, My Lady.” He sobered and then softly whispered, “It is your nature to love,” lowering his head to kiss her.

She pushed him away and walked over to the door as she giggled shyly, giving him a coy look as she closed it behind her. He smiled to himself and then looked around Willow’s room once more, wondering how his sister would fare today.

Leaf had a plan, one that would upset The Elements. He wanted to disturb the hornet’s nest to see if he could decipher who the possible murderer or faction leader might be while they swarmed and buzzed to regain control.

Oaklee stood in the middle of the living room, afraid to move. She did not wish to dirty the gown, nor ruin her hair. Her fingers slid down the side of the gown and found an unexpected pocket on the right side. The discovery pleased her, and she decided to bring her golden tribute, waiting patiently for Ember and Leaf to emerge from her room so that she could go back in and retrieve the token. Ember emerged, and Oaklee smiled self-consciously at her.

“We have only a few moments and then it shall be time to walk down toward The Door,” Ember said softly.

“I did not realize I had slept so late. Where is Laurel?”

“She is with Corona and Blaze. Mother will bring them with her.”

Oaklee nodded, always finding it interesting how Ember referred to Brianna as mother, while Coal used her first name. “I shall be back. I wish for a moment alone with Leaf.”

“Yes, I am sure you do. I shall be right here, waiting for you.”

Anxiety pulsed through
Oaklee as she walked back toward her room. She caught Leaf walking out, and pushed him gently back inside with a pointed look. Leaf held the door for her as she walked in, keeping his head low.

“Congratulations, Leaf. I am glad that Ember gave you some hope to take with you.” Oaklee gave him a sly smile and he laughed in response, bashfully looking at the floor. She sobered and wrung her hands as she struggled with what to say, deciding to simply begin. “I have many thoughts I wish to share with you this moment, most especially about your wedding, but I lost the will. I am terrified, Leaf.”

“I know. This experience shall be over swiftly, and I shall return to you, Ember, Laurel, and the community as the Earth Element and—well, you know.” Leaf gave her a comforting smile.

“How will I be protected while you are away? I fear Skylar is wounded too deeply to rely upon.”

“Do not worry about that detail. I have it all in hand.” Leaf crossed his heart.

Oaklee warmed with his gesture, crossing her heart in return.

“And you have another woman in the home, do you not?”

She nodded, thankful for Ember’s company. Was this one of Leaf’s reasons for marrying so quickly?

Leaf extended his arm and then asked, “Are we ready?”

Oaklee reached under her pillow, grabbing her leaf and slipped it into her pocket before taking Leaf’s proffered arm.

“No, I am afraid I shall never be ready, but lead the way.”

Leaf opened the front door, bowing to her and Ember, ever the gentleman, and a crowd began to cheer. Oaklee walked through the doorway, her feet heavy and weary from the many secrets they marched to throughout the week. She looked over the rail and saw that a large crowd had indeed gathered. The village began to cheer once more and she looked up at Leaf in surprise.