Forty-four

Aspen and I are talking softly while the babies sleep, when June and Zahra walk into the room, both are wet and dripping. Aspen immediately wraps a blanket around Zahra while June finds something for herself. I raise my brows at her, by she shakes her head.

Zahra now walks over and gives me a wide-eyed look. "Come here," I say and she crawls into my lap, shivering. I wrap my arms around her and stroke her back. "What happened?"

"He was there," June supplied. "She was able to tell me so I could scare him off, but she didn't want to stay."

"You're still here," I say softly. "You're safe."

She nods, but stays quiet. I don't try to force her to talk, but converse with Aspen and June for the next few minutes. Soon, the babies begin to cry, which brings Zahra to attention. She gets up and goes to check on them, cooing softly.

June sits beside me and sighs. "Cat wasn't happy, but I figured she would want to see you."

I nod, watching my sister pick up the baby boy and rock him. "She isn't like before at least."

"No," June whispered. "She isn't. She's stronger."

After a while, the babies were asleep again and Zahra asked me to go for a walk with her. I obliged, wanting to make sure she truly was okay. We stepped outside and I led her into the forest, letting her wrap an arm around me and lean her head on my shoulder.

"What is one thing you like about this village?" I ask her.

She's quiet for a long minute, then pick her head up. "I enjoy the closeness and the friendliness of everyone. It's nice."

"Even though Cat pulls you into weird situations?"

She gives a small laugh. "Even then. She means well."

"That she does." I stop and pull her close, kissing her head. "Talk to me, Zahra. How are you?"

She shrugs. "I'm okay. Seeing him put a damper on my happy day, but I'm fine."

I snort.

Zahra giggles. "Seriously, Roan! I'm okay. I will let you know if I begin to regress."

I squeeze her gently. "Fine, but don't forget."

"I won't." She sighs, relaxing a bit in my embrace. I enjoy her ease around me. I enjoy her laugh and voice. I never thought to hope for this moment when my sister would trust me, but it has come and I'm elated.

We walk a bit more, then return to the village. She goes in search of Aspen while I find my house and drop onto my bed, sighing. I loved having her with me and knowing who I am. I love that she trusted me.

I was just about to fall asleep when someone burst into my home and jumped on top of me. I grunted in surprise as arms wrapped around my neck. "Can we go for a ride?" Damon's boyish voice asked with a desperate plea. "I'm bored!"

I chuckled. "Where have you been all day?"

"Sorrel thought it would be fun to make me skin a deer with a small knife," he says with a groan. "It took forever! My fingers hurt!"

I chuckle again, embracing the kid. He has grown close to me since we came to an understanding about Zahra. After they had ran home after the bear attack, he was also beginning to trust my sister as well. I was grateful that he was was becoming mature and open minded with everyone.

"Go saddle a horse," I say, messing up his hair. "I will be there in a minute."

He jumps up and takes off, whooping with delight. Chuckling to myself, I sit up and stretch. So much for time to myself…but Damon was a kid, and kids needed love. I may not be his blood father, but I was his father in every other sense of the word. I teach him, am raising him, feeding him, sheltering, loving, nurturing. He may not see it the same way, but to me, Damon was my son. He would not be alone ever again.

As I step outside, I see Damon leading the horse out of the stables, his face bright and confident. He's talking to someone I can't see, but I don't worry. I have come to know that if Damon wasn't with someone he trusted or liked, I would hear about it one way or another. The thought made me smile as I walk over.