two huge Kall males rushed out of the house.
Shessema’s body. She’d been in the airship all along.
Zamek uttered an ancient Kall prayer as the servants disappeared into the cargo area. Moments later, they exited the ship holding a coffin draped with a colorful blanket that was embroidered with the Sumlin District logo. Layla swallowed hard and wished she knew the right thing to say.
“She gave me her blessing,” Zamek said.
“What do you mean?” Layla asked.
“The last time I prayed over her body, I felt her acceptance of you. I know that might sound strange, but I also heard her voice in my head and saw a vision of her in the afterlife.” A distant yet peaceful look overcame him.
“Th-that’s… in-incredible,” Layla replied, her voice cracking.
Zamek nodded and then turned his attention to the servants carrying the coffin. “Please bring her to the formal sitting room. We’ll bury her here on the mountainside tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, General,” the Kall servants said in unison, then carried the coffin into the house.
She heard the airship taking off and breathed a sigh of relief that they no longer had to worry about the pilot, who Zamek clearly didn’t trust.
But then she spotted several Kall males and females exiting the house and her heart sank. More servants. Lots of them. How would Zamek treat her in front of them? Her eyes misted at the thought of his cruelty, pretend though it may be, continuing within his household.
He said I would be safe here. Did he lie?
But to her great relief, Zamek guided her to a nearby bench, where he helped her take a seat and immediately removed the heavy manacles. He growled at the sight of her reddened wrists and gently rubbed her sore flesh.
“After I introduce you to my servants, as well as my cousin and his wife, I will take you to my chambers and use a dermal regenerator on you.”
“Thank you, General.”
“It’s Zamek,” he said, raising his voice, as if he intended the entire household to hear him. “You will call me Zamek. Even in front of the servants. They will keep my secrets. You are completely safe here.”
Her heart lifted with hope. “Zamek,” she breathed.
He grasped her hand and helped her to her feet, his eyes brimming with affection. Stroking her hair, he gathered her close to his chest for a tight embrace. When he finally pulled back, he placed a lingering kiss to her forehead, heedless of the watching servants.
“Come, let’s go inside. Your new home is waiting.”
Before they entered the house, quick introductions were made. Layla strove to remember all the servants’ names. To her surprise, they all offered her a warm greeting. A few even shook her hand and said ‘hello’ in English, though it appeared that one word was the extent of their knowledge of her native tongue.
A tall Kall male dressed in fine clothing emerged from the house, a beautiful blue-haired Flourishian female at his side, and Layla surmised this must be Zamek’s cousin and his wife.
“Xazzok and Fallonn, this is Layla,” Zamek said, wrapping a possessive arm around her. “Layla, this is Xazzok and Fallonn.”
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Layla said, forcing a polite smile, even though smiling felt a bit wrong after watching Shessema’s coffin being carried into the house. When her smile wasn’t returned, she allowed it to fade, but didn’t take their serious expressions personally.
Xazzok gave Layla a solemn nod, as did Fallonn. No doubt they were conflicted by the circumstances of Zamek’s homecoming. She wondered how close they’d been to Shessema.
“I look forward to getting to know you, Layla,” Fallonn said in a stilted version of the Sumlin Dialect, her face brightening for a brief instant.
“I feel the same way about you,” Layla said, meaning it.
Xazzok cleared his throat and peered at Zamek. “I am sorry, cousin, for what happened to Shessema. She was beloved by us all.”
Layla’s stomach clenched and she felt a stab of guilt. Michael. Her late husband had taken Shessema’s life. But did Xazzok, Fallonn, and the servants know that? She had no idea what sort of messages Zamek might’ve sent ahead to his household. But surely they must have an idea who she was. Would they think badly of her?
“No one here blames you or thinks badly of you,” Fallonn said. “Knowing what you’ve come to mean to Zamek—he sent a message ahead explaining your presence, and it’s quite clear by his actions that he cares for you—we all welcome you with open arms. Please relax