Mourning the loss.

Ananke is under contract as well.

Balgair looked down into Heather’s eyes.  “Are you sure that you’re ready?” 

The young woman gulped as she fell into his eyes.  “Aye, Maighstir, I am ready.”  Am I ready?, I guess.  Now that the moment approached to go outside in broad daylight, she was nervous.  Each of the townspeople had seen her at her worst, both when she had money and when she didn’t.  She was afraid of how they would treat her.  Oh, I can’t let them treat him like they treat me. 

Balgair watched the expressions play across her face, from happiness to sadness, to fear, and finally resignation.  He watched as her face fell, and she started weeping again.  This won’t do, but how can I help her?  Granted, he had gone through this with his second bond, but she’d bounded back quicker than most people.

He wasn’t surprised when he felt Ananke’s feather-light touch behind him and her love surrounding him.  Do what you do best, my servant.  Love her, protect her, cherish her.  He heard his goddess say. 

The feather-light touch of unseen fingers against his right cheek was comforting, and he closed his eyes as he drank in her love.  As you wish, My Lady.  When he opened his eyes, it was to find Heather gazing at him. 

“Were you speaking to her?”  Heather asked in a soft voice.  When he nodded, she quirked a brow.  “What did she say?”

It took Balgair a few minutes to gather his thoughts.  “She said that I should love you, protect you, and cherish you.”

Hearing such honesty in his voice, she blinked away sudden tears.  “That’s all?”  She looked at him.  “You just have to love me, protect me, and cherish me?”  Her lower lip quivered.   Nobody has ever loved me like that.  How could he?  He’s got two other bonds.  How can one man love three women so much?  She lowered her head and tried not to weep. 

Do you think that I would give you to a man who couldn’t love you?  She heard the question that Ananke had asked her before.  Instantly, she was drawn back to the darkness of the cellar and remembered how she had felt.  Did I not say that he would …

Move mountains to find me.  Heather finished.  Yes, but I still …

Have doubts?  Yes, I know. Ananke replied.  Tiene have a way of doing that, despite what’s before their eyes.  The goddess touched her heart.  Now, trust in your man. 

“Is it always thus?” Heather whispered, reaching up to Balgair. 

An enigmatic smile played across his lips.  “With My Lady Ananke?  Always.”  He took her hand and pulled her to her feet.  “In a way, we are all bound to her as well.”

Heather’s eyes widened.  “Truly?”  She hadn’t expected that at all. 

“Truly,” Balgair affirmed.  “She once explained it as a part of her soul being in each contract.” 

Heather was astounded. “What stops her from using the contracts to steal it all from the other gods?”

Balgair smiled and shook his head. “Appropriately enough, she has a contract with the other gods that won’t allow her to usurp them.”

Heather couldn’t help but laugh at that.  “A contract binds Lady Ananke?  I can’t believe it.”  

“I found it amusing, myself.”  Balgair chuckled.  He brushed his fingertips across her lips.  “Shall we go find you some clothes?”

Heather parted her lips and playfully nibbled on his fingertips.  “Yes, Maighstir.’  She took a step back as he stood up and stretched.

“Where did Lucy say that store was?  On the corner?”  He slipped his arm around her and walked to the door.

Heather just nodded as he led her out the door.  “Maighstir, I know of a place where clothes don’t cost as much …”  She stammered as he raised a hand to shade his eyes from the sun. 

“No,” Balgair said matter-of-factly, “I think I want to see what’s in the store Lucy mentioned.”

Heather gasped, “That’s one of the most expensive places in town, Maighstir.”  She took a deep breath.  “I used to shop there before, before, my father was killed,” she tried desperately, to stop the memories of the night her parents died. 

By Nan Diathan, has she not mourned?  Balgair wondered, gathering Heather in his arms and holding her close.  “It’s okay, mo tè àlainn It’s okay.”

Balgair let Heather cry, her fingers tightly wrapped in his shirt. They were watched discreetly by Lucy and Brandyn, as he slipped back into the Tavern to give Heather some privacy.

Balgair let her cry until she could no longer cry.  In due time, she lifted her head and gazed up at him.  “Why are you so nice to me?”