N. Walters - Fabric of Fate

It didn’t smell like her, her scent faded by the washing Tara must have given it. He strode to the fire and tossed it in.

“No.” Heroc pounced forward, dragging the burning garment from the flames and slapping at the fire with his hands. The thing was scorched but still intact.

“Why?” Abrah asked. “Why do you want a reminder of her? She didn’t want us enough to stay.” And that was what was eating at his soul.

“There was not enough time.” Heroc went to his knees, naked and broken. He held the piece of Audrey’s clothing to his lips, his eyes filled with tears.

Pure fury shot through Abrah. By the gods, it wasn’t fair! He threw back his head and roared. He wanted to pick up his sword and cleave the bed they’d shared into kindling. How could he sleep there, knowing Audrey would never share it with them again?

He couldn’t.

Yet he had to. There was no choice.

A slight scuffing noise sounded behind him. Abrah turned, expecting to find Carn watching him. But it wasn’t the dog. No, a woman stood just inside the open bedroom door, an expression of uncertainty on her face.

He scowled at her and Audrey took a step back. Fear flashed over her face, making him even angrier.

“The tapestry has not come yet then?” he snapped. He’d thought she’d already gone and now he had to live through it again. It wasn’t to be borne.

“It has.” Her low words were barely a whisper. She turned and raced back out the door of the bedroom.

“Audrey.” Heroc was on his feet running for the door, tossing aside the remains of the garment as he took off after her.

Abrah was hot on his brother’s heels. What had she meant? Had the tapestry not taken her home? Was she stuck here?

Audrey went up the stairs, not down. Abrah frowned as Carn shot by him, his nails scrabbling against the stone stairs. Her path led to an empty tower room that their mother had used when she wanted to be alone. There was nothing there now but a light layer of dust and a few discarded pieces of furniture. Why would she go there?

When he stumbled into the room, he found Audrey curled in a ball on the floor next to the window. Heroc was crouched next to her, his hand hovering over her shoulder as if he was afraid to touch her, while Carn paced before them and whined.

“I’m sorry, Audrey,” Heroc said. “Maybe the tapestry will come back for you.” Abrah did not think his brother’s words would console her, not if the tapestry had come and gone she was stuck here.

Her head came up and the anguish stamped on her face almost brought him to his knees. In that moment, Abrah would have conjured the tapestry if it were within his power to do so. He would do anything to make her happy, even if that meant her leaving him.

“Don’t you want me?”

Her tearful question did finally bring Abrah to his knees in front of her. He cupped her face in his hands and leaned down so their lips were almost touching. “I want you more than anything else in this world. But I want you to be happy. I know you want to go home.”

She shook her head. “I thought I did. But then I couldn’t leave you.”

“What are you saying?” Heroc demanded.

“The tapestry was here and there was a lady too. She asked me what I wanted to do.” Audrey swiped at her eyes and sniffed. “I didn’t know. It’s such a huge choice to have to make in such a short time.”

Both men nodded. An emotion grew within him and Abrah almost didn’t recognize it for what it was—hope.

“She said I had to make up my mind or the tapestry would do it for me. I’m the master of my own destiny. It’s my decision to make.”

Her fierceness made Abrah’s heart clench with pride. Here was the spirit he’d gotten used to in the past few days. This was the real Audrey.

“And what did you decide?” Heroc asked.

“That I’m in control of my life. No one else.” She thumped her chest. “Me.” She sat back on her heels and stared at them both. “I chose to stay.”

Heroc let out a whoop of joy and swept her up into his arms. He stood and swung her around and around until they were both giddy. Carn let out a loud woof and followed them in a circle. Abrah watched them, still not able to truly believe she was here and she was real.

His brother finally released Audrey and joined him, standing to his left. They didn’t even look at one another but, as if the moment was choreographed, they both went down on bended knee. Abrah was the first to speak. It was his right as the elder brother.

The pledge was one every young man learned from his father from the time he was old enough to understand he might never have the opportunity to use it. It was a sacred oath, the foundation of their very civilization. Abrah took a deep breath and repeated the words that would change his life forever.

“You are the heart that beats in this chest and in this home and if you would take me for husband I will give you my love, loyalty and devotion for as long as I live. With me, you gain the love, loyalty and devotion of my brother as well, who will be lover to you, and would also be your husband should I die before you. In return, I ask for your love, loyalty and devotion and any children that the gods see fit to gift us with.”

Audrey shook with emotion, her limbs trembling and weak. She’d feared she’d made a horrible mistake when she’d gone downstairs to the bedroom to tell the brothers she’d decided to stay. Abrah had been so angry that she’d almost regretted her choice. She understood now, or at least she thought she did. He hadn’t believed she’d made the choice to stay, had thought the tapestry hadn’t arrived or had somehow left her here by mistake.

She’d hurt him and knew she had some fences to mend before he would completely trust her again. That was ironic really, considering it was she who had never been able to trust. Still, she couldn’t regret her choice. It felt right. No matter what happened in the days and years ahead, her life was here.

Heroc had been overjoyed but even he’d pulled away from her to return to Abrah’s side. The two men had suddenly gone down on one knee and placed their hands over their hearts. There was an aura of earnestness to their actions that made her straighten her spine and pay attention. Whatever was about to happen was important.

Abrah began to recite a pledge that made her heart almost stop as the words soaked into her befuddled brain. She put out a hand and leaned on the wall for support. He was offering her everything he was and would ever be, holding nothing back.

She wanted to blurt out her acceptance, but what about Heroc? She knew he wanted her too and she didn’t want to do anything to hurt him.

Her gaze flew to the younger Dannon brother and he smiled at her. He opened his mouth and repeated the same pledge, leaving her slack-jawed and staring at them both.

“I don’t know what to do.” Her mind was whirling. She couldn’t marry both of them. “I don’t want to hurt either one of you.”

Heroc laughed as he bound to his feet. “You are here with us. How can we be anything but happy?”

“Yes, but if I marry one of you, what about the other one?” She loved them both equally, but in different ways. She hadn’t thought such a thing possible until a few days ago.

Abrah put his hands on her shoulders. “It is formality. Only one of us can be the legal guardian of the children. But you can be with either of us as often or as little as you wish. It is up to you.”

Audrey glanced at Heroc. He gave her an understanding smile and gave an almost imperceptive nod toward his brother. The enormity of his sacrifice rocked her and she gave a prayer of silent thanks for his capacity to love. Heroc had faith in his heart and hope in his soul. He also deeply loved his brother and understood that Abrah needed the commitment more than he did. He was trusting her not to leave him out of the new relationship they would all forge together.