Jefford stood in the grand hall of the Perlin mansion—a butterfly in the winter frost. It had been years since he'd last set foot here, not since Kimani married his friend Alriland.
Jefford was a tall, well-built man with grey eyes, long lashes, a warm smile, olive skin, and curly red hair pulled back into a messy bun and a thick accent.
He had been so heartbroken for months that he'd stopped eating, locked himself in his room for days. Today, he had finally emerged from isolation to see Kamani. Her sister, Alsheda, had sent a letter months ago encouraging him to visit—and he'd happily agreed.
Kamani walked into the grand hall wearing an elegant red dress with a dipped neckline, the skirt making a soft swish against the marble as she moved. Her hair was pinned behind her plump neck, and her eyes brightened when she saw him.
"Jefford," she said, her voice soft as a whisper of morning wind.
She was still as beautiful as he remembered—a lily among thorns. Those sapphire eyes that seemed to draw him in. That caramel skin he ached to taste. Those plump lips he longed to kiss.
She threw her arms around him, pressing him against her ample bosom, and he caught a whiff of her scent: lavender and lilies.
"It's been so long," she said. "How have you been?"
He searched her eyes, looking for any trace of the unhappiness Alriland had caused her
"Aye, it's been a long time, yes." he said, his lips stretching into a smile. "I've been grand. How are the wee ones?"
"They're good," she said, mirroring his smile.
He knew how much Kamani loved her children. He wished she would let him love them with the same fire, gods, he was one big fool. If he had only told her how he felt—maybe, just maybe—he would have been the father of those children.
But he hadn't. And she'd married Alriland. A man who'd never once looked at her the way Jefford did. A man who made her weep, who raised his voice, who made her feel small.
Jefford hated him for that. That was what made it so unbearable.
And yet, standing here, breathing in her lavender scent, he couldn't stop imagining what might have been.
"Where are the wee ones?" he asked "I would like to see em"
Kimani's lips fell "Alriland sent them west" she said.
His jaw clenched, and his mouth twisted into a scowl so deep it carved lines into his cheeks.
If Alriland had done this as a father who genuinely cared for his children, Jefford could have forgiven it. But he knew Alriland had done this on purpose. He never failed to hurt Kimani, but to separate her from her children—that was low, even for him.
"Where?" he asked.
"Edimun High" she said.
Edimun High lay far west, near the southern borders of Estaon. The journey was perilous for anyone, let alone a woman traveling alone.
"When last did you see em?" he asked
"A year ago," she said "I missed their birthdays, something I don't do"
Jefford looked into her eyes, even though she tried to smile, her eyes couldn't hide her hurt, lucky for her, he was a man with resources and a great deal of friends scattered across Slyrais.
"Would you like to see em?" he asked.
Her eyes widened. "Are you being serious?"
"Aye," he said. "Tell me when you want to go, and I'll make it happen."
Her smile returned, bright and unguarded. He loved that smile—rare as it was.
"Will next week be alright?" she asked.
"If next week is what you wish, then next week it is." He smiled. "It will also give me a chance to meet them properly."
"You'll accompany me?"
"Of course."
Her brows wrinkled as her smile faltered, "oh Jefford" she said.
Alriland's voice cut through the warmth of the moment.
"Jefford. The recluse emerges." He stepped into the room, a thin smile on his lips. "I thought you'd crawled into a hole and died. What brings you out of hiding?"
Kimani went still. Her breath shallowed, her frame tightening like a bowstring about to snap.
Jefford turned to meet Alriland's cold gaze. "I was in the province," he said. "Thought I'd drop by."
Alriland's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Come, friend. We have catching up to do."
As Jefford followed him toward the study, he glanced back at Kimani. A subtle wink. A silent promise.
No woman should live like this. Alriland had made her a prisoner in her own home—separated from her children, afraid of her own husband. But Jefford would not stand by.
She was a lily among thorns. And he would plough through every last one to reach her.
*****
"Good afternoon young master" said Danhifit as he pulled back to curtains to let the sunlight spill into the room.
Isamu sat on a chair opposite his bed, his feet propped on the mattress, the owl perched not far from him, its amber eyes watching with ancient stillness.
"Good morning, sir" said Isamu his voice heavy with sorrow.
Danhifit's eyes narrowed "Whatever seems to be the matter, young master?"
Isamu lets out a sigh, "I am tried-tried of father's whores. He brought in yet another one, and she was even more irritating than the last."
Danhifit came to stand beside the boy. "I am sorry to hear that, young master."
"Honestly," said Isamu "I wish I could get away from it all."
"Then you are in luck" said Danhifit "My acquittance in Josber has expressed his interest in meeting you at the fair for young inventors, young master. It's being held not far from the National Bureau of Science and Technology."
Isamu's eyes lit up as he met Danhifit's gaze, "Really?"
"Defiantly" he said. "You could also use the opportunity to show your latest project."
Isamu sprang to his feet and pulled Danhifit into a bear hug, he had always dreamed of going to the fair and now it would become a reality. His lips stretched into a smile as he looked up into Danhifit's warm brown eyes.
He was a gift from the gods- the man Isamu wished was his father.
Danhifit placed his hand on the lad's head, his ginger curls brushing against his fingers. He had to admit, the lad showed a great deal of promise. He reminded him so much of his late son. It was just a shame that Isamu was caught up in this cross fire between the Perlin and Matical houses- a feud that had just began to brew.
But for now, the fair was within reach. And that was enough.