The Pillars Of The World

decided to wear that pendant or was the ruby being a red stone the sole reason for the decision?
    “We didn’t come empty-handed,” Dianna said brightly.
    Ari still hesitated. “Dianna, may I speak with you for a moment?” She turned and walked into the cottage
    ’s main room.
    Glancing uneasily at her companions, Dianna followed.
    “I appreciate your thoughtfulness,” Ari said hurriedly, keeping her voice low so she wouldn’t be overheard. “But the Solstice— Do they know what I am?”
    “Yes, they know,” Dianna replied.
    “And they can accept that?”
    “They wouldn’t have come with me if they couldn’t.” Dianna waited. “Is there something you need to do this evening that can’t be done while others are here?”
    “There is something that needs to be done,” Ari agreed slowly, “but it can be observed by others.”
    “I just wanted to bring you a little company and music. If that doesn’t give pleasure, we can go.”
    “No,” Ari said quickly. She finally gave Dianna a warm smile. “No, don’t go. It would give me pleasure to celebrate with you.”
    “In that case, let’s unpack the feast.”
    As she turned back toward the kitchen, she heard a soft whimper.
    “Merle?” Ari said, walking over to the rocking chair in front of the hearth. She knelt beside it, frowning at the cowering puppy. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. Merle. These are friends.”
    Not his friends , Dianna thought as she stared at the puppy. And he knows it .
    Ari rose. “I guess he’s intimidated by having so many people here. He’s not used to it.”
    That explanation would serve well enough.
    Not giving Ari any more time to wonder about the puppy’s behavior, Dianna linked her arm through Ari’
    s and led the girl back to the kitchen.
    Lyrra was emptying the saddlebags Aiden and Falco had brought in. A variety of pots and jars filled the worktable beside the sink. Apparently, they’d had no doubts about her ability to convince Ari to let them stay.
    “Hold the saddlebag,” Lyrra muttered at Aiden. “This one’s stuck.” When she finally tugged the covered dish out of the saddlebag, everyone stared at the bright-colored ribbons that were tied around it.
    “Were you expecting it to fly away?” Aiden asked blandly.
    “I didn’t want the cover to fall off,” Lyrra grumbled. A minute later, as the knots refused to yield, the grumbling turned to growls. “Do you have a knife?”
    The Mother only knew what Ari was thinking while she sliced through the ribbons. Dianna wasn’t sure what to think either. At least Aiden was deft enough about opening and pouring the wine, and Falco managed to put a sufficient number of plates and pieces of cutlery on the table for them, even if it looked like they’d been tossed on the table rather than deliberately set.
    When everything was on the table, Falco carved the chicken while Aiden carved the beef roast. Ari put a small bowl with pieces of beef and chicken in front of the rocking chair for Merle. She looked sad when even that wasn’t sufficient to entice the frightened pup.
    They had just taken their seats when someone knocked on the kitchen door.
    “Excuse me,” Ari said, hurrying to answer.
    Dianna watched her go. No one pretended to fill their plates. They were all too busy trying to catch the conversation, especially since the voice responding to Ari was pitched low enough to belong to a man.
    That Neall. Who else would be showing up this evening? And he certainly hadn’t been in her plans.
    Except it wasn’t Neall.
    A few moments later, Ari returned, looking nervous.
    Lucian didn’t look nervous, and what burned in the back of his eyes wasn’t surprise. But there was nothing he could do without distressing Ari—at least, Dianna hoped he would take that into consideration.
    “What a pleasant surprise,” Lucian said mildly.
    “Blessings of the day to you,” Lyrra said, smiling. Her smile faded when Dianna and Lucian just stared at her. “I’m sorry. Isn’t that the proper greeting?”
    “It is in this house,” Ari replied. She made the introductions, then said, “I’ll fetch a chair for you, Lucian.”
    “I’ll get the chair,” Aiden said. “Ari, you sit next to your guest. Falco, move over and sit beside Dianna.”
    While Ari hurried to get another place setting, Falco moved his chair and Aiden found another.
    At first, Dianna wished she’d been the first to offer to move since sitting beside Lucian throughout the meal