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"Yes, Zeal," she breathed.
"Zeal?" Talin asked, coming up behind me. "He knows."
"I saw," I assured him. "Nari hears. She's with me, and she's so strong now."
"But still human," Talin reminded him. "Zeal, I need to know how to deal with him so he doesn't come after my sisters or my desire again."
"I'm done with him," Zeal promised.
"No!" Yamina whimpered. "Please! Let Maela prove she can be the baron. I'll help. Don't cast us out."
"Wrong done," I assured the girl, impressed by her more than I would admit out loud.
Wait. No, those were Zeal's thoughts. I felt my lips curl at the realization, which meant I had more control here than I thought. Or that he was as far up in my mind as I seemed to be in his. I also realized that we needed to talk about this at some point. Hopefully after I recovered from the abuse this would do to my body.
"Tath will fear anything happening to his wife and son now. He will never harm them again. You, Talin, I cannot say the same for. The hate for you runs through every memory he has."
"Yeah," Talin grumbled. "How long will he be out?"
"Until his mind fills the gap. This moment? It is gone. You should get him in his room and allow him to think he drank his problems away."
"What about thereasonhe's so angry?" Talin asked, clearly not wanting to mention Tath's mistress in front of his wife.
"That reason is currently giving into a desire to find a better life," I promised. "I do take care of those who believe. I am a kind god at times, even if few believe it." I looked back to Maela. "She doesn't deserve this."
"No," Talin agreed, "she doesn't. She's also Nari's first real friend. Be gentle with them, Zeal. I am sworn to protect my ward, but I'm driven to protect my family too."
"And that is why you work." I stepped closer to him. "Her body will fail when I step back. Do not let her be harmed, Talin."
"Never," Talin swore, reaching up to grab my waist. "Thank you, Zeal."
"Both of your wounds will heal as you sleep. The baron cannot say the same." And then the god left my mind, making my head spin.
I gasped. My muscles turned to water. Everything fell limp, but Talin had me. Carefully, as gently as he could, he eased me to the floor. I had to swallow a few times to fight the burn in my throat, but I was ok. I was here. Darkness wasn't trying to take over.
"He left," I finally managed to get out. "He also wants you to carry Tath downstairs. He didn't intend for it to be gentle, either."
Yamina quickly rushed to the side and pulled a cord. "A servant will help. Between the two of you, you should get him down, right, Talin?"
Talin just looked back at me. "Nari, I need to get you to bed."
"I'm fine," I promised. "He let me look over his shoulder this time. That makes it easier."
"And you'll pay for it tomorrow," he said.
But the sound of feet proved that someone was hurrying to answer the summons. "Branstan?" Yamina asked. "My oldest brother got himself stupid drunk. Can you help Talin get him into bed?"
The man's eyes surveyed the room. "Are you ladies ok?"
"We're going to be fine," I assured him. "Just a little excitement to start the new year."
"Not a good omen," Branstan grumbled, but he moved to Tath's side. "Which side do you prefer, my... Priest Talin?"
"I'll get his shoulders," Talin said. "Just help me with his feet and maybe the doors?"
"Yes, sir."
Together, they heaved up the baron's body and eased him through the doorway. For a moment, I just sat there on the floor, listening to the sound of their feet moving away. That was when I realized that Haryth had stopped crying. The little boy was nestled under a blanket, held close against Maela's chest, and without the rampage in the room, he seemed to have calmed down easily.
