Intruder

" This is for you and the two prisoners." Falkirk chuckled as he placed the tray in her hand.

" I gave you a little more since you help around," he added, and Maya smiled and nodded.

" Thank you, Falkirk, but I want to help." Maya blushed and frowned.

" I know, dear, but this is how I show my gratitude." Falkirk patted her head " Now go before I hug you, and I'll get scolded again." Falkirk gave Sala a pointed look, and Sala shrugged " You deserve it!" she took a mouthful of her food.

" I'll come and get you, dear. Have some rest, and I'll see you in the morning." Sala chuckled at her pun. No one knew anymore when it was morning or night. It was only perpetual darkness that surrounded them.

Maya nodded " I'll see you later, Sala." she smiled, and Sala returned it with a nod.

" Good night!" Maya nodded at them and strolled out of the kitchen carrying the tray, up the steps and into Edýia's chamber.

" I brought you some food. I was wondering if I could keep you company." Maya said the moment she stepped through the door, making her intentions known.

" Maya!" Edýia beamed and pushed herself off the bed, meeting Maya halfway " I'll take this." She took the tray out of her hand and placed it on the small table in the room.

" How are you feeling?" the question was directed at both of them.

" Better", Rom curly replied, and Edýia gave him a disapproving look.

" Stubborn here is better, and so am I. He won't let me do anything except lie in bed. I'm bored, and my bones are numb," Edýia complained as she emptied the food tray and placed it on a chair.

" Good to hear", Maya sat at the table " If you're feeling better, maybe a walk around Ironstone will help you loosen your locked joints. How about tomorrow after I help Sala with breakfast" Maya smiled with her eyes on Rom, who seemed displeased with the idea.

Edya glanced at him and noticed the same as she did " A short one. I don't want her to get overtired." Rom brooked and stood up from the bed and took a seat at the small table.

Edýia playfully scowled, " You could come with us to ensure I obey your orders." A mischievous grin split on Edýia's lips as she sat in her seat.

Rom cleared his throat " Joke all you want, but if you get faint, I'll make sure you won't leave the bed for a fortnight." Rom grinned back and took a sip from his glass of water. As he placed his glass down, his eyes went to Edýia's. He seemed besotted with her. She had never seen Rom behave like that with another woman other than her. The grin on Edýia's lips stayed, her eyes locked with Rom's as the air around began to thicken with tension, lust, and desire floated in the air. It was so heavy, easily recognisable. When Dakran was about, it was the same.

" Is that a threat or a promise?" Edýia grinned again with a challenging gaze, and Maya was sure they weren't talking about her health anymore.

Rom scooped up a spoonful of food and blew on it, peering at Edýia from behind his lashes as Edýia's challenging stance didn't waver, making Maya feel out of sorts—an intruder in their personal space.

Rom grinned " Both now eat" he tried to sound harsh, but a widening grin betrayed him, and Edýia could bearly contain her excitement as she swallowed a giggle and scooped up some food with her spoon, with eyes on Rom drinking in his presence. Now she was sure she was intruding.

Maya picked up the food bowl " I'll take this into my room." Maya stood up and smiled, taking Rom and Edýia by surprise " I'm glad that you're doing better." She turned morose and turned around to leave.

" Maya sit down" Rom stood up and grabbed her shoulder " Come sit down. Don't be silly. We are just happy that we can finally speak to each other. Come, don't be silly!" Rome placated Maya to return to the table, feeling uneasy about invading the bubble they seemed to have created for themselves. A safe space where he could keep an eye on her.

" I'm sorry. It's hard Dakran has been away since we arrived here, and I feel lonely," Maya blurted out all of a sudden and blushed, ashamed at her admission, covering her cheeks a the rising heat in them.

Edya reached across the table, placing her hand over hers " I'm sorry to hear that, but It won't always be like this."Edýia tried to ease her worries but did little to no good to her glum disposition. Dakran had been in and out of Ironstone since they arrived. She had grown accustomed to his presence around. Always attentive, caring, and loving. Maya missed his laughter, tender kisses and embraces.

" He will be back soon. Sala is making preparations for your wedding. I'm sorry. There has been so much lately that I failed to be there for you." Rom said, repentant staring at his bowl of food. Even though things had changed between them since Sylus had passed, Rom seemed to want to retake his brotherly role. Perhaps Edýia's near-to-death experience had put things into perspective.

" No. You had plenty of your own

I'm a grown woman Rom. You don't have to look after me anymore. Edýia is your responsibility now. It is her you should worry about." Maya deflected, trying to cheer him up.

" When will you two wed then?" Maya changed the subject, hoping it would brighten the mood. And it seemed to have worked since the spark in Edýia's eyes returned, and she smiled brightly, most likely pleased with the thought that their oath to each other would be known to everyone.

" Not long after your ceremony. We will just have to see how the spirits are. Dakran is anxious about the ceremony. I'm surprised that he had decided to go without having it now that Pelham is here" Edýia narrowed her eyes, a little suspicious at Dakran's behaviour. Maya hadn't known Dakran that long. She had only seen the good side of him. She wondered what was on the other side of the coin.

" He did want, but he had to go

As you already know, we are running low on food supplies, and it couldn't wait." Maya's tone softened as she spoke. Sala's earlier words rang in her head—too many mouths to feed.

" It was bound to happen at one point. People. are returning home. There will be many more to feed. Trips to the south will become more frequent, but they won't be made by Dakran anymore. " Edýia explained, and for a brief moment, she felt the weight in her shoulders lighten. It was a tricky situation, and she understood that, but nothing could be done about it. Returning to Hessia was out of the question, and Maya knew Rom wouldn't ever leave without Edýia.

" I'll be leaving instead as soon as Dakran comes back," Rom said with his eyes on Edya, who shook her head and deflated.

" Shaddow Valley?" Maya asked even though she already knew the answer while Edýia turned a little ashen. She disagreed with Rom's decision by the looks of it. But if anything, Rom was stubborn and unmoving once he'd decided.

" I'm feeling better. You don't have to go. You're putting your life in danger for no reason." Edya reached for his Rom's hand. Her voice and eyes were pleading.

" We can't risk it, Edýia. If Ruma..." Rom paused, staring at his food but didn't finish his thoughts. There was no need to. Everyone thought the same while they waited for the other shoe to drop.