Fletcher (A Prydain novel Book 3)
Page 33
We made a fortune, and having money led to the next step.
“I’ve found a kitchen thrall with sewing skills,” Violet told me. “She’s pregnant, eight months, so her owner wants her out and quick.”
That’s the plan, see? We put half of our profits back into the business, and the rest goes to buying and freeing thralls. We approach them quietly, have an agent buy them, free them and train them. Hopefully after a few years they’ll go to other cities and set up their own businesses.
It’s going really well. I’ve got two girls helping me in my workshop, and Violet has four. What with the boy Esyllts promoting the enforcement of the old rules, “good laws promoting the family values that made Prydain great”, I’m hoping that thralls might soon be able to work themselves free, too.
I think we’re making a difference. I hope so, because I want my kids to grow up in a better world. Little Ware is now three, Rhodri is eighteen months, almost ready to learn the pig song, and I was waddling across the farm like a duck because number three was on the way.
I found Ware in his workshop, stripping oak boughs for his Thunderclaps.
“Lind! Where have you been, tender beauty?”
“Visiting Wolf. He’s gotten Rose and Daisy into trouble.”
“The old stud! We’ll have to lift the roof off his quarters and build an extra stall or two,” Ware laughed.
He pulled me onto his knee and put a hand on my stomach. We’ve been living an easy life on the farm for three years, but Ware’s unchanged. He’s still slender as a girl, damn him, and strong as steel. You have to be to lift me and the bun inside me.
That bubble of joy that wrapped around him the second he realised his family were alive has become part of him, so now the grey eyes were laughing into mine. “And how’s our joint project coming along?”
“Kicking like a damn mule.”
“So she’ll take after her mum,” Ware teased.
Cheeky, right? But sweet, too. And that’s Ware. I’m so happy these days that I barely recognise myself. He’s my rock, my foundation, my friend and my dearest love. He’s also a damn good ally.
“I got another letter from Siorus,” Ware grinned.
That’s the Llanfaes Guild steward.
“What did he say?”
“He agreed that there’s a tradition of Guild members’ wives helping their husbands, but he says women can’t join. He also points out that as ladies use your bows for amusement, they are toys.”
“So I’m not a proper fletcher.”
“Exactly. Also, as making toys is not a Guild activity, and making sports equipment isn’t, either, there wouldn’t be a Guild for you to join even if you were a man. He regretfully turns down my request that you become a member.”
“Awesome! Freyja’s creamy purse, it’s perfect!”
Ware was laughing, enjoying the cut and thrust of pushing the Guild about. “We’re on our way, Lind.”
“Use the law to beat the law.” I was filled with giggles. “There is no Guild for what I do. The steward himself said so.”
“You know how I feel about law and order,” Ware intoned. “I’m appalled at this unregulated craftsmanship.”
“Be of good cheer, Master Craftsman Ware Fletcher.” I tried to look like a pompous fat-gut as the position demanded. “You’re looking at the founder and steward of the Llanfaes Ladies Toy and Sports Guild.”
Ware burst out laughing. “Tyr’s hairy balls! My wife’s become a member of the establishment!”
He was kissing me as I smacked him, and it must’ve been all the jiggling about, because at that very moment my waters broke.
I know! Right in the workshop! And the bugger of it was that I was laughing so much that I insisted on lying down “just till I catch my breath.” Once I was flat on my back, it was game on. Liberty was born right there, surrounded by Flamethrowers, Annihilators, Thunderclaps and our best bows. Pretty awesome, right?
It just shows you how amazing life is. When I met Ware, both of us were miserable and raging. But we healed each other, came through fire together (literally!) and now we have a glorious life, filled with friends, family, love and laughter. The way we’re going, we’re going to spread that joy around a bit, too.
Be happy and if you’re ever near Llanfaes, drop by and see us. I’ve got a bow that you’re going to love!
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Have you read all the AJ Adams novels?
The Bonus, Zeta Cartel series #1
Songbird, Zeta Cartel series #2
Dirty Dealings, Zeta Cartel series #3
Dark Hunter, Zeta Cartel series #4
Deliverance
The Degas Girl
Helpless, Belial Disciples MC series #1
Beast, Prydain series #1
The Beast and the Sibyl, Prydain series #2
Fletcher, Prydain series #3
I also write contemporary sweet romance as Ellen Whyte.
His Competent Woman - A BWW-Billionaire Romance
His Laughing Girl - A BWW-Billionaire Romance
I used to write as Storm Chase.
Wildcat in Moscow
Murder in Moscow
Blackmail Bride: An Erotic Romance in Scotland
Pandora
Lost Weekend: An Erotic Romance in Wales
The Gift: An Erotic Romance in Kiev
The Mule: An Erotic Romance in Colombia
Chocolate: An Erotic Romance in Siberia
Sold! An Erotic Romance in the Sudan
That’s it! Thanks again for reading this - and tell a friend, okay? See you soon, hugs, AJ
ENDS