Chapter 81

“I took much pleasure in it.” In that statement, I did not lie, nor did I answer her implied question. No one would ever be as good as Cut Hand.

By the middle of the morning, I knew something was terribly wrong. She was sharp to Otter once but apologized immediately. Well able to read storm warnings, the youth nodded his acceptance and disappeared. It was past the middle of the day before she turned to face me, tears in her eyes. “I deceived you.”

“How so?” I asked. At least whatever was bothering her would now come out in the open.

“I am with child!” she blurted. “I knew it when I took you to bed last night.”