“Here, hold mine.” Rose offered her hand to Emmey, who willingly grasped it.
“Thank you for taking her tonight and tomorrow morning,” Maddy said to Rose. “We really appreciate it.”
“It’s no bother,” Rose said, slipping her other hand into Nora’s. “I enjoy her company.”
“So can we expect you at morning prayers tomorrow, Maddy?” Nora ended her question with a giggle.
Maddy gave her an indulgent smile as she took Lillian’s hand and fell into step with everyone.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay with you tonight, Mi—Maddy?” Emmey said. “I promise I’ll be quiet.”
“We’ve already talked about this. Lillian and I want some time alone together. You’ll sleep in your new bedchamber tomorrow.”
“Don’t you want to stay with me?” Rose teased.
“No, I do, but they’ll miss me,” Emmey said.
Rose smiled. “Oh, I see.” Nora covered her mouth. Maddy dared not look at Lillian, whose face would be a picture.
Emmey gasped. “I know, I’ll come see you as soon as I wake up!”
“No, you bloody-well won’t!” Lillian bellowed. “Wait for us to come for you.”
“Aw . . .”
“I don’t want to see you anywhere near my—our chambers, all right?”
“But what if I have to talk to you?”
Lillian’s face reddened. “You can wait!”
“But—”
“Emmey, do what Lillian says and wait for us to come for you tomorrow,” Maddy said firmly.
Emmey’s shoulders slumped. “All right.” She brightened when Maddy slowed down to peck her on the cheek. “You and Lillian are consorts! Now we’ll all be together!”
“Yes, we will.” Maddy’s cheeks hurt. “It’s a very happy day.”
“Are you happy, Lillian?” Emmey asked.
“Oh, yes, I certainly am.” Lillian cleared her throat.
Maddy met Lillian’s eyes and squeezed her hand. As she surveyed the sisters in front of her streaming to the Community Tower, their robes forming a kaleidoscope of colours, she thanked Salbine for not giving up on her and for bringing her home. She was in for an interesting few years, filled with love and laughter, bickering and exasperation. During the trying times, she might doubt her love for Lillian and question her worthiness as Emmey’s guardian, but she’d never again doubt that she belonged to the Salbine Order. She was, and always would be, Sister Maddy, of Merrin.
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading The Salbine Sisters. If you enjoyed it, you might like Rymellan Fiction, a short story series about two women who live in a society that selects mates for its citizens. For more information, visit Rymellan Fiction.
For more information about me, visit my website.
May Salbine guide you. May Salbine provide for you. May Salbine keep you.
~ Sarah Ettritch
The Salbine Sisters Page 32
