April 26, 2013

“Your mother is the what?” Vinca stopped in the middle of the street, almost dropping Nesim when he squirmed. She shifted his son up in her hold, making sure she had a good grip on him. “Again? I just changed you at the terminal.” she glared at Nesim, frowning.

Pastor Jeremiah glanced over his shoulder, then came back to stand over her protectively. “She's not that frightening, and she'll love you, because I do.” He tried to take her hand, but she jerked her hand free, stepping back, a look of horror on her face.

She shook her head. “I – I don't know about this. I mean, the archbishop?”

He nodded, and this time, she let him approach close enough to touch her, to cradle her jaw in his hand, to risk putting down his travel box, to put his hand on Nesim's back. “Her youngest, for my sins. The baby of the family.”

She looked up at him, having to tilt her head almost straight up. “But her surname is Grendel. You're a Jeremiah.”

“Papa is a Jeremiah, it's a more common name, I prefer it.” He drew a finger along her jawline, enjoying the way it felt. “I didn't wish to be known as one of the Archbishop's children when I chose the seminary instead of a vocation.” It'd still become known, but not immediately, and there was a sufficient lag that he'd been able to tell the difference between sycophants and friends. “Does it concern you, my kin?”

Her shrug turned her face into his palm. “Terrifies me, more like. Bad enough I'm getting a mother-in-law, but one who runs the whole world – ?”

He stepped closer to her, resting his head briefly atop her head, taking and giving comfort. “She guides our faith alone, and nothing more.” He inhaled the scent of her hair, then grimaced. “Nesim?”

She nodded, “Little Stinky Boy.”

He released her, picking up the box again. “Then we should hurry, and get to the palace quickly.”

She muttered something at his back, but it was softly spoken, and not in Dincani, though he was fairly certain it was something rude. He wondered if he should try and pry its meaning from her tonight, when they were alone.

If his family let them be alone. He'd not brought a woman with him when he traveled to Ilk Payiz for his mother's birthday, he wasn't quite certain how they'd react.

He dropped back so they were walking side by side, and brushed the back of his hand against her hand. “Love you.”

She looked at sideways, the way she had of looking up with her lashes veiling her eyes. It always made his heart beat a bit faster. “Love you too.”