Apprentice by Maggie Anton

Author:Maggie Anton [Anton, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781101603451
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2012-07-31T04:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

EIGHTEENTH YEAR OF KING BAHRAM II’S REIGN

• 291 CE •

Just when I was about to tell Cook that she could bank the hearth fire and go to bed, a slave ran in yelling that the master was home. Timonus sprang into action, directing kitchen slaves to ready the traklin for a meal and sending others down to the dock to bring up the family’s luggage.

Moments later Rami bounded through the door. His smile lit up the room when he saw me, and moments later I was in his arms.

I said, “Why are you so late? I was worried,” at the same moment Rami inclined his head toward Abba and whispered, “What is he doing here?”

We chuckled at our simultaneous questions. “His wife is niddah and he knew Father was due back today,” I murmured.

“Can you believe it? The exilarch came for the wedding and most of the banquets.” There was awe in Rami’s voice. “Naturally your parents couldn’t leave until he did.”

I wasn’t quite so amazed that the exilarch had attended my brother’s wedding. After all, his winter palace was in Kafri and Mother was his cousin. “And you couldn’t wait until he was gone,” I said with a grin. I was so happy Rami was back.

His expression darkened. “If I had known Abba was here, I would have taken an earlier boat even if it meant traveling alone.”

Rami’s stomach grumbled and I led him to the traklin, where slaves waited to serve the food. “Tell me about the wedding while you eat.”

“Just let me look at you, Dodi,” he said between bites. “There are two hungers I’m eager to satisfy, and the sooner the first is sated, the sooner we can attend to the second.”

The desire in his eyes was enough to kindle a matching fire in me. My sisters-in-law had warned me that pregnancy sometimes makes a woman repulsive to her husband, and he to her, but this was not the case with us. I reached down and stroked Rami’s thigh so he’d know I was eager too.

The next morning all the women could talk about was Keshisha’s wedding.

Shayla blew on her porridge to cool it. “Poor Mother, imagine her shock when we learned that the exilarch was coming.”

Mariamme groaned. “The merchants charged us double for the extra food and wine we needed at the last moment.”

Since everyone recommended them for pregnant women, I helped myself to a handful of dates and dried figs. “It must have been quite an honor for Yenuka.”

Pazi nodded. “And for Guria. All her life she’ll enjoy the distinction of having had the exilarch at her wedding.”

I lowered my voice. “So how was the wedding night?”

Pazi winked at me. “No complaints that I’m aware of.”

Rahel sniffed the porridge before swallowing a mouthful. “It’s not as though your little brother was inexperienced.”

I turned to Achti. “Did he ask about Zahra and the baby or has he forgotten about her?”

“He didn’t mention her,” Achti said. “So I didn’t either.”

Mostly relieved at this, but also a

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