In Which Camaline Starts Another Year

January 1, 1192

Another year gone, another party over. It was now past midnight on the first and most of the guests were gone, the number who were spending the night already in bed. Camaline had stayed up to oversee the mass exodus while Renata got some rest. Her elderly father was not well; she'd head to Dovia on the second.

Another year gone, possibly the old count's last. Another year gone. Another year gone.

And not much to show for it.

"Camaline?" Xeta's voice--a little more assertive than the last few times she'd heard it. "I need to talk to you."

Camaline sighed. She'd told Xeta to take her time figuring out what she wanted, but she didn't like being left dangling. If Xeta wasn't interested, then it was best that they both get on with their lives. "The door's open."

Xeta entered, no hesitation. Was that a good sign? "I wanted to thank you for being so patient with me."

"Don't worry about that. It takes a while to move on."

"That, and... to adjust, I suppose." Xeta shut the door behind her, then set herself down on the empty half of the bench. "Even when I was finally ready to let Jadin go, I had to think about what was best for me and my children. Lorn reminded me that I'm still young enough that remarrying isn't out of the question. But, the more I thought about it... why should I tie myself to a man I might like when I already have a woman in my life that I do like?"

"So, you really..."

"Yes. And obviously, I can't guarantee that things will turn out, but we're good friends who respect each other, so I think that's a good start."

"You're not worried about your family, then?"

"Of course not. What they don't know won't hurt them. Besides, my mother doesn't have a judgmental bone in her body, and this would be pretty tame as far as my in-laws are concerned."

"And your children?"

"If they ever need to know, I'll find a way to explain it. They are Kemorins, after all." She smiled. "I just... well, I think we could have a chance at something really great here, so why not let anything hold us back?"

"So you're sure you want to give it a try."

"Very sure." She laced one arm around Camaline's shoulders and perched herself upon her lap. "Happy New Year, Camaline."

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