Calm Before the Storm
“Two weeks.”
“I will be coming to Payon in two weeks.”
“I look forward to seeing you in two weeks, Miss Truus.”
Lilya read over those words a few times, waiting for the revulsion, panic, even disappointment to come. When they didn’t, she wasn’t surprised. She did, however, wonder why she’d even expected to feel that way. In truth, she was looking forward to it a little. She was nervous about meeting him, worried about what his reaction might be to seeing her in person, and still frighteningly aware of the fact that she felt no love for the man.
When Raelene returned from her recent training trip, though, she did find her older friend with a smile on her face. Lilya was braiding her long, blonde hair when the archer entered her room.
“Rae, you’re back!” Lilya greeted her, reaching for a tie for her hair.
“Yes, back, and in one piece, believe it or not.”
Lilya stood and faced her friend now. “What do you mean? Why would you be…in pieces?”
“It’s a long story, and I’ll tell you all about it. Right after you tell me what’s put you in such a better mood than when I left.”
Rather than explaining, Lilya handed Raelene the letter and watched as she read it. When she was finished, she looked up with an expectant face.
“Okay?” she prodded. When Lilya had nothing to add, Raelene took a guess. “You figured out a more permanent solution this time, right?” Something to end this once and for all, make the guy stay away?”
Lilya frowned. “Well, no. He’s coming; there’s really nothing left to do about it.”
“But--so you’re happy with this now?”
“I’m not…I mean, I’m not unhappy.”
The archer tilted her head, conveying her desire for more of an explanation.
“I’m just not fighting it anymore. There’s no point in it, and I’m actually tired of being upset about it. So now I’ve moved on to acceptance. And maybe even a little anticipation.”
“Anticipation?” Raelene echoed with disbelief. “That’s a huge step forward from dread. You know you don’t have to put up a front with me here. You can’t tell me you don’t still have some apprehension about marrying a man you’ve still yet to meet.”
“Oh, yes. About the marriage, definitely, I’m scared to death. But I don’t have to concentrate on that just yet. I just meant that at least this time, I can think about seeing him in person, and I know I don’t hate him.”
“It’s a step up from last time,” the archer repeated. “What have I missed here?”
Lilya retrieved the stack of letters from her desk and handed it to Raelene. She waited patiently as her friend read each one in chronological order.
“Well,” Raelene said as she finished the final letter, “I guess I can understand the change of heart.”
Lilya nodded. “The time of plotting is over. Now…”
“It’s time to live the rest of your life?” Raelene offered.
Lilya chuckled. “I guess so. Mr. Aganar comes in a week, and I doubt he’ll be unaccompanied. You’ll be here, right?”
“I wouldn’t leave you alone to face this.”