Love & War

Illiana

“Miss Princess Illiana? Do you need to sit down? You look tired,” Obsidian looks up at me.

“Yes. Will you sit with me on the couch?” I gesture to the livingroom. Obsidian nods and happily skips over to the couch. He waits on me to sit down before he sits himself.

“Is it my fault Mister Zander was taken?” Obsidian asks. His voice is trembling. I snap my gaze over to him. He is all but shaking with his arms wrapped around himself.

I pull him into a hug and run my fingers through his hair.

“No. What happened was by no means your fault. The fault is only with the evil people who took him. Do you understand?” I ask rubbing his back soothingly with my other hand. Obsidian sighs and nods. We stay like this for a few more minutes before Obsidian sits up and pulls away from me.

“Whats wrong?”

“I’m all dirty! I’ll get you dirty too Miss Princess Illiana!” I smile at him.

“Then let’s get you cleaned up. How does that sound?” Rather than verbally answering me, Obsidian enthusiastically nods. This child is adorable!

I push myself off of the edge of the couch and stand up. Obsidian offers his hand to steady me.

“Thank you. If you’ll follow me, I will get the basin for you to wash off in, okay?” I smile over at him.

“Okay Miss Princess Illiana.”

“You don’t have to use formalities with me, Obsidian. You can call me Illiana if you’re okay with that.” He pauses for a moment before nodding again.

“Okay, Illiana. You can call me Dian since you and Mister Prince Elliot sir are my family now,” he grins showing his two missing bottom teeth. I hold my hand out to him. He takes it and I lead him to the kitchen.

“Do you see that room right there?” I point to the bathroom door just on the other side of the kitchen, beside the greenhouse room.

“I do.”

“The basin and water are in there. If you’ll bring the water out, I’ll warm it for you. Okay?”

“Okay!” Dian lets go on my hand and walks quickly to the bathroom door. I turn to the deep copper pot I have sitting on the stove top. The kindling is ready to be lit thanks to Lori. I lean across the stove and push the kitchen shutters open. I’m greeted with a cool breeze. Its about to be dark out.

Crash

“Dian, are you okay in there?” I walk over to the bathroom door.

“I’m s-so sorry!” Obsidian throws open the door and wraps his arms around me.

I peek into the bathroom and see the cup that was on the counter is now on the floor. There in’t a mess, just a knocked over cup. Why is he reacting like this?

I lift obsidians chin and look him in the eye.

“Sweetie, there’s nothing to apologize for. Its just a cup. Any mess can be cleaned up, okay? No reason for panic.” I smile at him.

“O-okay. So you’re not going to hit me?” I flinch.

“I will never raise my hand to you, nor will anyone else. Okay? I promise.”

What has this poor boy been through? Am I going to hit him? That question makes me sick.

“I’m going to pick it up now,” he murmurs turning to the cup. He carefully sits it on the counter.

I hold the door open for him as he picks up the large pitcher of water. From the counter.

“Can you pour the water into that pot, or is it too high up for you?” I ask looking at the pitcher.

“I can do it! Just you watch!” He’s so determined. He walks by me and to the stove. He just barely reaches the top of the pot and pours in the water.

“See!” He grins proudly.

“I did! You did really well!” I smile at him. His cheeks tinge red and he turns his head to the side.

“Yeah. Its, uh, no big deal.” He sits the pitcher on the table beside him. I grab a matchstick off of the counter and light the kindling.

“You didn’t have to warm the water for me,” Obsidian finally spoke up.

“Of course I did! It was freezing. No child of mine will wash in freezing cold water.” I look over at him briefly then back to the water. I dip my finger in to test the temperature. Not quite ready yet.

“But you did not birth me,” Obsidian said quietly. I almost didn’t hear him. Almost.

“I don’t see how that matters. You are my son now. I promise I will care for you to the best of my ability. I’m new at this, so you’ll have to forgive me,” I chuckle.

“Do you mean it?” He grabs the edge of my shirt.

“Of course I mean it!” I wrap my arm around him. I give him an awkward side hug and smile.

“I think the water is ready now. Will you blow out the flame?” I look down at him. He grins up at me.

“Just leave it to me!”

I lift the copper pot and carry it to the bathroom door. I push it open with my hip before entering the bathroom.

The copper basin at the edge of the bathroom already has a towel beside it. I meant to bathe tonight, but that can wait until tomorrow. What will I put him in? Oh No! I didn’t think about what he would wear!

I pour the water from the pot into the basin and carry the pot back out of the bathroom.

Obsidian must have gotten the flame out and sat at the table while I was in the bathroom. I sit the pot back on the stove and turn to face him.

“Okay, Dian. Its ready for you in there. There is a towel right beside the basin. Leave the clothes you’re in by the door and I will find you something clean to wear, okay?”

“Okay, Illiana! Thank you!” He nearly runs to the bathroom and closes the door. I shake my head and smile to myself.

Okay so now what do I have that Dian could wear. I walk to the livingroom and hear Garret and Hayden outside. They sound close too.

That’s it! I can borrow clothes from the boys.

I quickly poke my head out of the front door. The boys are running around in the field across the road. Their silver hair glinting in the sunlight. They really do look a lot like Jess.

“Garret! Hayden! Come here for a moment, please!” I cup my hands around my mouth and yell. Both boys stop in their tracks and come running.

“Are you okay, Aunt Lia?” Garret asks when he gets to the door. He is a bit taller than Hayden, and a few years older too. He resembles Zander more than Jess.

“Is it the baby?” Hayden stops just behind him. Hayden has dirt on his nose and all in his silvery hair. He looks more like Jess.

“I’m fine boys. Thank you both for asking. I have a favor to ask. Elliot and I have taken in a boy around your age, Garret. Possibly a little younger. May we borrow and outfit to get him through the day? Just until I can get to the market?”

Garret smiles and nods, “Yes Ma’am! I will be right back. Come on Hayden!”

Garret turns on his heel and grabs Hayden’s wrist before running back to Jess’s house. I watch as their little silver heads go inside.

I look the other direction and see Elliot and Lucinda in the distance. He is pinching the bridge if his nose. This thing with Zander is hitting him pretty hard right now. I know he blames himself, but Theos said it was an ambush. There’s no way he could have predicted that. Right?

“Aunt Lia! Aunt Lia!” I hear Hayden near me. I turn back to their direction. Garret and Hayden stop in front of the steps again.

“We don’t know what size he is, so here’s a few things. When do we get to meet him?” Garret beamed.

“You can both meet him tomorrow, okay? Obsidian is washing up right now. Thank you for the clothes boys,” I smile at them.

“Let me know if he needs something else! We’re family now after all!” Garrett waves as he and Hayden turn to run back into the field. They really are the sweetest boys.

I turn and walk inside, closing the door behind me. I sit the clothes on the edge of the table closest to the bathroom. I can faintly hear Dian humming and water splashing.

I knock on the door and he goes silent.

“Yes?” He asks.

“I have your clean clothes on the table here. Do you need anything? Are you okay in there?” I ask looking over to the front door.

“I’m okay! I will be out soon!”

“That’s okay, Dian. Take your time. I’ll be in the livingroom should you need me.”

I wait for his response then walk around the table and back into the livingroom. Before I sit back on the couch, the front door opens.

“Elliot? Is that you?” I peek around the corner. Elliot’s eyes are a bit more red than before. He avoids eye contact with me for a moment before clearing his throat.

“Yeah, its me. I’m home,” he finally looks up at me. A tear runs down his left cheek. I reach up and wipe it away. Seeing him like this hurts. I’m pissed at him but that will have to wait I guess. I hate that I can’t stay mad at him right now. He deserves it.

I grab his hand after he kicks off his boots and lead him to the couch. I sit down and pat the seat beside me. Elliot sits down beside me and leans forward hiding his face. I turn to face him and wrap my arms around him. He tenses up for a second before turning and burying his face in the crook of my neck.

“Its okay, Elliot. We’re going to get him back. This isn’t your fault.” I hold him tightly to me.

“It is my fault though. I couldn’t save him,” Elliot chokes out. I pull back and he sits up. I lean in close- inches away from his face.

“Look at me,” I say staring into his hazel eyes. He wordlessly obliges. His eyes are bloodshot, and he has bags under his eyes.

“This is not your fault. The fault belongs to my father and his men. They will get theirs,” I rest my forehead against his and close my eyes.

Elliot reaches up and caresses the side of my face. I lean my head into his hand.

“I love you, Illiana,” he whispers. I smile and kiss the tip of his nose.

“I know you do.”

“I-uh, I’m done bathing now Illiana and Mister Prince Elliot sir,” Obsidian says from the archway. He props himself up against the wall.

I giggle and look up at him. The clothes the boys brought fir his are just a little baggy, but they’re better than what he was wearing. The leather pants seems to fit just fine. The shirt hangs down to his mid-thigh. He looks absolutely adorable! His curls are soaking wet pressed against his head.

Elliot turns to look at Dian. He puts his hand on my knee and smiles.

“Are you more comfortable now?” Elliot sniffles.

“I am! Thank you! I don’t know what to do with the dirty water though,” Dian awkwardly fidgetsvwith the hem of his shirt.

“I will deal with it. You must be sleepy. Do you see that room?” Elliot points to the guest room. Dian looks to where Elliot is pointing and nods.

“That is your room now. We still have to buy you a bed, but there is a sofa in there for now. There should be a pillow and blanket on there as well. You may do whatever you wish to decorate or move around the furniture. Just let us know if you need help, okay?”

Obsidian grins and walks over to the door. He slowly pushes it open and steps in.

“Are you sure you’re okay with me having this? I’ve never had one before.”

“Yeah, Dian. This room is all yours,” I look over my shoulder at him.

Elliot turns back around and faces me again. He puts one of his hands on my belly and the baby- er- babies move to touch his hand. I look at Elliot. He is staring at his hand and smiling.

Maybe this won’t be all that bad.