Chapter 18
Eighteen
A New Hearth to Come Home To
Schula’s small apartment over a bakery was comfortable in a different way from Thain’s house.
Unlike his home, there were no decorations.
There were, however, many windows and more clothing than I had ever seen in one place.
The furniture was all well-used, either secondhand or worn with age.
A huge bed sat in one corner while the kitchen and a table took up half the space.
She had shelves of books, and a small copper stove in the center of the room provided heat.
Schula pulled me into her apartment and opened a window, where Puko landed and began preening himself.
She stuck a log in the stove and practically dragged me into the bathroom.
The white walls held a mirror and a shelf of soaps and towels.
The bath was wooden, like the one from the outpost. In it were two benches.
Without a word, Schula started the water and undressed, then helped me do the same.
She helped me onto a bench and began scrubbing my back.
I eventually snapped out of my stupor and took the soap, cleaning the rest of my body by myself.
Once we were both clean, she sat with me in the warm water and held me.
“You’re staying as long as you want. I can sleep on the floor, or we can share the bed.
Stars know it’s more than big enough. I’m going to get your things from Thain’s house.
Have you eaten lunch yet?” I shook my head.
“I’ll bring that too. You can stay in the bath, or you can lie down on the bed.
I have books if you want to look through my shelves, and if you get cold there’s a stack of wood for the fire.
Wren, look at me. Will you be all right if I leave you for a little bit? ”
Nodding was all I managed by way of an answer.
She hugged me and got out of the tub. I sniffed and looked at her for the first time without clothes.
Really looked at her. The snow-white skin of her back was covered in scars.
I didn’t ask about them, just like she never asked me anything unless she had to.
“There are plenty of clothes in the wardrobe by my bed,” she said, pulling on a fresh outfit. “Take something. I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”
“I messed up,” I managed.
Schula came over to the edge of the tub and pulled me in tight. My forehead sank to her shoulder as she stroked my back.
“Maybe, maybe not. It sounds like you both said some regrettable things, but that happens. I’ve done it, Eb has done it. We can’t change what was done, but we can get you in better shape and then deal with the rest later. Okay?”
“Okay,” I said. “I’m getting you wet again.”
“Shh. I don’t care, this is important. You are important.” She pulled back from me. “I’ll be back soon.”
She left the room. The front door closed, and a lock clicked a moment later. The water welcomed me as I slid down the bench until the hot bath reached my chin. I stayed for a while, but I’d had enough of hot baths for the moment, and when I was sure of my legs, I got out.
The air was still warm when I left the water. I found a comb for my hair and wrapped myself in a towel. Schula had drawn all the curtains for me, and I could hear Puko’s protests outside the big window by the door.
Her wardrobe was full of either comfortable white clothes or vibrant, colorful finery.
I took a cotton shift and leggings that buttoned down the side of my calf.
Once I was dressed, I opened the curtains again and let Puko in through the window.
He ruffled his feathers indignantly but otherwise seemed fine.
Schula’s bookshelf was full of interesting things.
Not just books but maps and drawings as well.
I found an illustrated guide to plants of the Winter Lands and decided it was something I could read through without upsetting myself.
I put another log in the stove and curled up on the floor with the book.
I felt the slight whisper of a winter chill before I heard footsteps outside.
“It’s me.” Schula swung the door open with a foot, carrying my sack of belongings over her shoulder. Puko gave her a caw of acknowledgement and went back to preening.
“There is someone you might like to meet. She’s bringing up some food.” Schula set my things on the bed and took off her boots.
“Thank you, Schula.” I stretched and stood just as a knock on the door startled me. Puko flapped away as Schula went to answer it.
“Mama Flori, thank you.” Schula opened the door to reveal a wrinkled gray figure. She had features like a mole, and her dress was covered in flour.
“Of course, love. Now, you promised me a cute little fae? I’m so glad you aren’t all alone up here anymore.” The woman handed two leaf-wrapped packages to Schula and waddled through the doorway.
“Wren, this is Mama Flori. She runs the shop downstairs and rents me these rooms.” Schula gave me an encouraging smile, but meeting more fae was the last thing I wanted right now.
“Hello, Mama Flori.” I stood straight while the old sprite circled me, clicking her tongue.
“Thin, too thin. Wren, was it?” She stopped in front of me, and I had to bend to meet her as she gripped me in the most ferocious hug I had been trapped in since Bryn died.
“I can fix you right up, love. Don’t you worry.
If you need anything at all, you come downstairs and talk to Mama Flori and her boys, you hear me? ”
“Yes, ma’am,” I found myself agreeing. Her breath was awful, and her arms were like tree trunks, but she was maybe the warmest person I had ever met.
“Where does this one come from?” she whispered none too quietly to Schula while still hugging me.
“We found her in the mountains south of the Wyldes.” Schula hid a smile behind her hand. “Wren here is half human. Her home was attacked by raiders. She’s here with me now.”
“Oh, you poor thing!” Mama Flori wailed and squeezed into me a little harder before holding me at arm’s reach. “Schula, you need to feed her!”
“We’ve been feeding her, Mama Flori.” Schula came over with the two packets of food. “In fact, you just brought us lunch, remember?”
“Lunch! Yes. Come here, love. Sit down and have some food.” I was half carried to Schula’s table and plopped in a seat. Mama Flori took one of the packets from Schula and unwrapped it in front of me to reveal a small pie, oozing with gravy from the slits in the top.
“Mama Flori is famous for her pies.” Schula brought over a glass of cider for me and took a seat. “What’s in today’s, Flori?”
“Mushroom and chestnut with venison.” The mole sprite fussed over me as I took the first bite, and my eyes widened.
It hit my tongue the same way those pecans had the first day I’d arrived in Thanantholl.
This was familiar in small ways that reminded me of home.
Most of what we had eaten came from the forest, and this pie was the forest wrapped in a buttery crust.
“This is delicious,” I managed to say after I swallowed. The steam now pouring from the inside of the pie tickled my face.
“Oh, love.” Mama Flori patted my back and continued to hover as I ate the whole thing. A bemused Schula sat across from me, slowly eating her own lunch undisturbed.
“Mama Flori, thank you for coming by. I hope you don’t mind adding a tenant for a while, but does she pass your standards?”
“Stars, yes!” she wailed. “Wren, love, you stay as long as you want. If you need me, I’m downstairs. I’ll always have time for my lovies. You promise me you’ll come see Mama Flori?”
“I promise.” I smiled. After a little more fussing, Mama Flori finally left, and Schula closed the door behind her.
“So, what do you think of our landlady?” She grinned.
“She’s something else,” I said. “I don’t know how to put it, I’ve never been . . .”
“Mothered?” she offered, and I nodded. “Neither had I, until coming here. Mama Flori has made my life here a thousand times better than the life I left back home.”
“Mothered.” I tasted the word in my mouth. Of course I hadn’t been mothered, all I’d had was Bryn. Even Mila and her coven, the only women in my life before now, had been like stern aunts. Never had I been mothered, and it was precisely what I needed today.
“I hope she didn’t bother you too much. I bought lunch downstairs, but she insisted on meeting you.” Schula took the leaves and cups into the kitchen.
“No, she was great.” I stood and scooted the chairs back into the table. “I didn’t think I wanted to see anyone for a while, but I’m glad she came up. What do we do now?”
“Now, we put your things away. I have shelf space, just let me clear it off. Then, we do whatever you want to do. That can be books, or a walk, or just talking.” She went to her bookshelf, picking up the plants of the Winter Lands book on her way. “Are you still reading this one?”
“Oh, no. I just wanted something to look at. Something peaceful, like plants.” I went over to the bed and began unpacking my things. “Um, how did it go? With Thain?”
“Thain will be fine. He’s mad at me too, but he won’t tell the king.
” Schula began rearranging her shelves. “Speaking of Baeleon, he’s summoned Thain for something.
This happens sometimes; when Eb and I aren’t with him, it means he’s getting a special Thain-only task.
For the best, I think, because he needs to cool down and reflect on how he handled himself.
He’s going to come back and be ashamed, you’ll see. ”
“I should probably tell you what happened,” I mumbled, fidgeting with the wooden cup Bryn had carved for me.