More shouts erupted when they rode into the courtyard of the inn. Rell’s eyes widened as a mob of redheaded children ran toward them. Geoffrey sat on the porch, having successfully delivered the message of their arrival.
“Bless the Saints,” Jade said. “There are so many of them.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Rell pulled her mare to a stop and slowly dismounted.
Siban moved to stand beside her, his presence giving her strength during what was turning out to be a nerve-racking event. Then Willa was there, exiting the front door of the inn and running toward them. Rell and Jade walked forward, their pace picking up as they closed the distance toward their mother.
She wrapped them in a ferocious hug and laid kisses against first Rell’s temple and then Jade’s. “I can scarce believe you’re here.” Releasing them, she took a step back and beamed at them. “I’ve been near sick with worry about all of you, but when Geoffrey arrived early this morning and told us the wonderful news, I thought I’d burst with happiness.”
“We are just as happy to be here.”
The butterflies in Rell’s stomach eased a bit. Ravyn was right; her new family was more welcoming than she could have imagined.
A short, round man, with a ring of red hair waddled toward them. “Welcome, welcome.”
Surely this was not Orvis, the man who had fathered ten children and made her mother fall in love with him? Rell slid a questioning glance to first Jade, then Willa.
Through tight lips her mother whispered, “Orvis.”
“That’s Orvis?” Jade asked, echoing Rell’s thoughts.
“That, my daughters, is Orvis.” Laughter tinkled from Willa. “He is the complete opposite of your father, but bless his heart, the man is everything I need.”
After embracing Rhys and exchanging greetings, Orvis sidled to where they stood. “Let me see.” He pointed at Jade. “You favor your mother, so you must be Jade, and that makes you Esmeralda.”
“Correct—sir.” Rell wasn’t sure what she was supposed to call him. He wasn’t their father, and yet Orvis felt too familiar. She floundered for appropriate conversation. “Your inn is lovely.”
“Please, call me Orvis. After all, we’re family.” He rested his hands on top of his ample belly and smiled. “Come, you must meet the rest of our clan.”
Willa looped her arms through her elder daughters’, guiding them toward the horde that had gathered around the party and were lobbing one question after another at the group.
“Line up,” Orvis barked. Instantly the children fell into a vague semblance of a line, each one wearing a large grin. “Starting from the oldest to youngest—this is Willie.”
A ginger-haired young man gave a quick bow.
“Elizabeth is my oldest daughter.” Orvis stopped and gave them a sheepish grin. “Besides you two, of course.”
“Of course,” Jade said with a quick nod.
Though Orvis was their stepfather, Rell didn’t know how she felt about him calling her his daughter. Somehow it felt disrespectful to her real father. She let the comment go and refocused on his introductions.
“Mary, Matilda, Maxwell, Genevieve, Jamie, Gareth, Audra, and finally, little Sarah.”
In succession, each child either bowed or curtsied. At the end of Orvis’s introduction, they all stood staring, as if waiting for her to say something.
“It is so wonderful to finally meet you,” Jade said, thankfully taking the lead. “Mother, you didn’t tell me how handsome they all were.”
The line of children giggled and preened at Jade’s pretty words.
Rell struggled for something clever to say, but nothing brilliant came to her. “I agree, you are all fine-looking young men and women. How lucky we are to have you as brothers and sisters.”
The words felt awkward to say. It had only been a few weeks since she’d gained her humanity back. Sweet words still didn’t come naturally to her. Hopefully, in time, some of the old Esmeralda would return. Being around this group she would be forced to talk and be kind, whether she wanted to or not.
“Come inside for refreshments.” Orvis held his arms wide. “The entire inn is at your disposal.”
Willa guided them forward. “Once he heard about the wedding, Orvis kicked everybody out.”
“He didn’t have to do that for us.”
“Yes he did.” Her mother gave her arm a squeeze. “Tomorrow’s wedding ceremony will be a family affair. No uninvited guests welcome.”
“Tomorrow?” Rell pulled Willa and Jade to a stop. “So soon?”
“It is my understanding that you’ll be traveling north as soon as possible.” Willa started forward again, tugging Rell with her. “By the Saints, you will have your wedding.”
“Yes, I guess you’re right.” She didn’t want to hold up the party, but the idea of getting married tomorrow sent her stomach into a riot of nausea inducing tumbles. “Is that enough time?”
“We’ve been planning the event since I got back. The girls are giddy with excitement and Geoffrey delivered your dress safe and sound. All we needed were the bride and groom, and here you are.”
“Yes, here we are.” Rell glanced at Siban, who looked as uncomfortable as she was.
“It will be wonderful. I promise,” Willa said.
Four of the children gathered the reins of their horses and led them away. Obviously it was a task they’d done quite often. Sampson went willingly, leading more than being led by the oldest boy.
Inside, the group was swept into the great room and seated at the tables near the hearth. Food and drinks began arriving almost instantly. Siban took a place near Rell at the table, his usual spot at her side had been usurped by the youngest of the girls. She gave him an apologetic smile, but he seemed highly amused by the situation.
Sarah and Audra sat on either side of Rell, pelting her with questions about her wedding. Though Rell’s answers were short and to the point, the girls seemed not to notice. And if she didn’t explain something in enough detail, the children would simply rephrase their question and ask it again.
They beamed at her as if she was the most amazing thing they’d seen in their lifetime. After several minutes of their interrogation, Rell began to relax. The two girls were sweet and open. Their immediate acceptance of her melted any remaining doubts she had about her new family.
Laughter echoed through the room as the other children entertained the rest of the Bringers with their questions and stories. While the children were there, talk revolved around issues that didn’t involve their journey north or the battle brewing between the Bringers and Vile. When only Willie and Mary remained and the other children had toddled off to bed, their discussion turned to more serious matters.
Gregory told of their journey into the Shadow World, leaving out the part of Icarus being nearby, and when he finished with his tale, nobody spoke for a long time. Even though she had experienced it for herself, hearing their trials again made Rell tired.
“Well that, Sir Gregory, is quite a story.” Orvis leaned back in his chair. “I, for one, will say an extra prayer of thanks for your safe return.”
“Hear, hear,” Willa said. “I only wish this brewing trouble would go away.”
“We will do our best to make that happen,” Rhys said.
“Hopefully not at the expense of any of your lives.” Willa looked at her daughters. “I’ve only just gotten my family back.”
Orvis placed his hand on top of hers. “We’ll not lose them so easily.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “They are Bringers and your and Bowen’s daughters. They’re made of strong stuff.”
“I know what you say is true, but I’m their mother. I can’t help but worry.”