Page 97 of Traitor Wolf
“Nursery helper.” The woman said, and my mother grinned.
“I wanted that one.” My mother beamed at me. “Can you believe I’ll get to hang out with the littles all day and call it work?”
I couldn’t help the tears that formed in my eyes, and I nodded, clearing my throat.
When the woman reached the end of the list, she thanked us all for our time and then told us to break for lunch before coming back for a building meeting. We were all supposed to be getting plots of land to build houses on.
“My name hasn’t been called,” I whispered to my mom.
She shrugged. “Forgot? Go ask.”
I stood, weaving through the crowd as they dispersed to go eat something that probably involved pumpkin.
“Excuse me, ma’am?” I approached the wolfkin woman as she was walking away. Her gaze went to the sword at my hip, and she stood a little taller. I probably didn’t need to wear it around anymore, but it was habit.
“I think you made a mistake. You didn’t call my name. Brynn Brighton?”
She stiffened, her eyes darting to Valkaryn. “There has been no mistake. You are not to be given a job.”
The words stung. Shame burned my face. Kaelric didn’t trust me.
“What will I do all day? I want to work. To contribute.”
The woman looked stricken, glancing around as if for rescue. “I must report these assignments to the council. May I be dismissed?”
Dismissed? I nodded, her words ringing in my ears. You are not to be given a job. What did that mean?
Before I could dwell on it, Sable pulled me towards lunch. We sat at long wooden tables in the pumpkin fields. I ate a farmer’s salad of fresh vegetables, tossed in oil and vinegar, sprinkled with pumpkin seeds, and a thick slice of pumpkin bread. They even offered seconds.
Looking at the children’s faces, round with food and joy, tears filled my eyes again. Why did I still fear there would not be enough? Why did I wait for the rug to be pulled away?
“This place is heaven. I’ve decided that we all died in the fire and this is heaven,” Mira announced loudly, and laughter rose from our table and the two beside it.
Sable leaned sleepily against me. “Can we really stay here forever, Brynnie?”
I opened my mouth, unsure, my heart caught in the snare of truth and fear. Kaelric and I were onbroken terms. Even if Elia said we were welcome, how could I be sure?
“Yes, you can.”
The deep voice came from behind me. Kaelric.
My heart froze. That voice, strong and steady, melted through me, leaving a painful ache in its wake.
“Thank you, sir,” my uncle said quickly, rising to shake his hand.
I kept my eyes on the table, too weak to face him. The sound of other voices rose as one after another came forward to thank him.
Kaelric walked past me, giving me only his back.
I stared at Valkaryn’s hilt, bitterness tightening my chest. This was her doing. She had convinced me, and I had listened.
Kaelric’s family had been slaughtered, his kingdom torn apart. I knew why she wanted to protect him, but her will had cost me everything. I had lost magic for my people. I had lost Kaelric.
All I could do now was watch his retreating back and feel the weight of the silence between us.
After lunch, we were called back to the open square where the council had gathered. Sunlight gleamed on the stone pathways, and the air carried the scent of pine and cooking fires drifting from the nearby homes. Families pressed close together, children whispering with excitement as names were read aloud.Each family that stepped forward received a deed and map of their new land, a fresh sheet of parchment that represented roots in this new place.
It was explained that the land was a gift, granted freely with no taxes owed. We would build our own homes with guidance from the construction team in town, and whatever we created could be passed down to our children. All we needed to do was live honorably.
