In Which Riona Is the More Obvious Spectacle

September 7, 1180

"Abrich!" It was difficult to surprise a friend with a hug when one had six months' worth of baby sticking out of her, but luckily for Riona, Abrich clearly hadn't been paying much attention. Not that he was obliged to, of course. It was, after all, his wedding day. "Congratulations!"

"Er, thanks." He didn't sound quite sincere, but she'd let it slide. He barely knew his new bride; she'd grow on him in time, Riona was sure of it, but for now she was an unfamiliar stranger. Besides, Abrich was dead gone on somebody else.

Silly boy probably thought it was a secret, but it was obvious to anyone who'd been paying a shred of attention all those years. Back when Riona had still lived at her father's castle, she'd often rush to the courtyard to greet the visiting Rona or Xeta or sometimes both, and nearly as often, they'd be accompanied by their brother. And every time she asked him why he'd tag along, he'd blush and look at the ground and put on a goofy grin and ask--not without a moment's hesitation--if Vera was around.

Given that, of course it would be that the only guests who had yet to filter into the dining hall were Vera and her husband! Riona tried not to glare. Not that love was obliged to go both ways, of course, but she would have hoped her sister at least had the tact not to rub her and Lucien's happiness in Abrich's face. Or had that stupid girl never figured it out?

No matter! Now that Riona was here, she supposed she could distract him, or at least make a reasonable attempt.

"Sorry I didn't catch you before the ceremony, but Izzy and I didn't exactly leave on time. God, Alina's impossible to hand over to the nannies! She always puts up such a fuss when we try to leave her with anyone else. I never had that problem with Alya or Shahira, but that's kids for you. They're all different. And perhaps you'll know that soon enough, hmm?"

She winked. He chuckled, forced yet polite. "Maybe?"

"Lord willing. But don't expect Meraleene to be too happy with you at that point. Pregnancy isn't exactly fun." As if to agree, the baby kicked. Riona sighed and rubbed her belly in an attempt to sooth him... or her, she supposed. But she already had three girls! And was she absolutely horrible if she didn't want Isidro to be right? "The making of, however..." Well, he probably knew that. But Meraleene didn't, so for her sake, Riona hoped she didn't conceive immediately.

Well... unless she wanted to? Some women did actually seem to plan it.

"Right. I don't know if we should be talking about that. Might... be a bit disrespectful to my wife."

It couldn't have been the first excuse that came to his mind--what with Vera sitting right there and all--but she'd give him credit for coming up with it second. "You're right. It's a little--hmm?"

A tap on her shoulder. Abrich's hands were visibly at his sides, and neither Vera nor Lucien appeared to have moved...

Well, he'd spun her around before he could do so herself, but the tongue in her throat was probably a solid clue. Riona's husband was not by nature a spontaneous person, but when he did care to surprise her, he didn't go at things halfway--she would give him that.

"I see somebody missed me."

"Yes, that's why Rona sent me to find you." Isidro smirked, the scar on his lip stretching slightly as it always did. Was she strange if she found that precious? "Besides, they're bringing in the food, and I know you've been craving ham all week."

"Longer, even!" Good thing she was naturally skinny, else she'd be looking like a ham herself, food and fetus both taken into account. "I'm not even going to be able to look at a pig after this baby is out."

"No more bacon with breakfast? I don't know if I can bear the thought."

Ah, who was she kidding? She couldn't either. So she just tapped him on the nose and stepped back just in time to see young Meraleene step through the door.

"Abrich?" Ack! Riona cursed herself. She'd almost forgotten the poor man was in the room. "Your mother wants to give a toast."

"Ah, right." Sheepish, Abrich rubbed the back of his neck, eyes flying about and landing anywhere they could except on his wife. Hopefully it wouldn't be too long before the awkwardness between them dissipated? "Sorry. I just needed some air. Not big on crowds... but I'm all right now, I think."

Meraleene blinked, her pause more than long enough to process hurt. But if she took offense, she had the dignity to restrain herself to a quick "Glad to hear it."

Poor kid. Riona patted Abrich on the arm, then left him to receive Isidro's congratulations as she waddled toward the bride. No doubt that behind her back, Abrich was staring at Vera; it was only common courtesy to present Meraleene with a more obvious spectacle.

"Congratulations, honey." She paid Abrich's wife a quick hug, complete with a friendly pat on the back. "And if the sight of me is frightening, don't you worry. A pretty girl like you would still look cute carrying triplets."

NEXT CHAPTER: