Chapter 18: Mama

Morven's POV

We went back across the river to Greywater the same night.

Torin's women had a fire going in the long hall and a bath ready, and they did not ask me a single question.

Rowan would not leave my side.

He sat on my lap through supper with his arms around my neck and a piece of bread in his fist.

He watched everyone, the way a child does who has learned that rooms can change.

In the morning, the yard was full.

The Greywater women were hanging washing. Torin's warriors were sparring by the wall.

Linnet slept in her cradle by the porch, and I sat on the step beside her, sewing a hem for the duel.

Rowan came out of the hall with something clutched in both hands.

He stopped in front of me.

"Mori," he said.

"Yes, love?"

"I don't want to say Mori anymore."

My needle stopped.

I told myself to stay calm.

"What would you like to say?"

He looked down at his boots.

Then he looked up at me, and he said it loud, in front of everyone, so the whole yard could hear.

"Mama."

I could not make a sound.

I put my hand over my mouth, and he climbed into my lap and put his forehead against mine.

"Mama sings through the wall," he said. "Mama came for me. Mama's the one who's mine."

"Yes," I said, when I could. "I am."

Across the yard, a Greywater woman put down a basket and wiped her eyes on her sleeve.

Torin stood in the doorway with his arms crossed. He looked at the ceiling of the porch for some time.

"Dust," he said gruffly, to nobody.

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