“Well, as of right now, the title is no longer yours, as this property is no longer held by the Lombard family.” Drustan collected a bag of coins from Biko’s hand as well as copies of the contracts that had been signed.
Syndrian, Idony, and I were gathered in the great hall of my parents’ manor. All of the staff had gathered to witness the transaction. Once the shire-reeve looked over the parchment and gave his consent for the deal to conclude, Norwin was quick to turn his attention to the new head of the household. “Lady Lessssstalinnnnnnn. It’s a pleasure to be of service.”
I stifled a chuckle as he drew out Odile’s name in the same irritating manor as he’d done with mine for so many years. I raced to be the first to hug Odile. “Congratulations!” I exclaimed.
She shook her head, looking stunned. Her sister Gia, the scrivener, witnessed the final signatures and then Drustan departed with little more than a disinterested wave. Neo and Brex stood together, holding hands and grinning. Flynn gave a loud whoop and clapped his hands, before yanking Idony away from Biko to spin in a celebratory dance.
“I…I don’t know what to say,” Odile stammered. “I can hardly believe it.”
“Believe, shire-reeve, yes, please!” Biko belted out a rhyme before rescuing his mother from Flynn. “You deserve this, Odile. The shire deserves this.”
Idony rested a hand against her son’s chest and nodded. “It’s exactly how I’d always imagined this place could be. A real home.”
Rain kissed his sister-in-law on the cheek before he and Gia excused themselves. “We’ll be back,” Gia said, “but the foundlings have likely taken over the manor. Dale no longer has the back to be ridden by children like a pony, so we’d best get home.”
After Gia and Rain left, Neo and Brex stayed behind. Odile dismissed the staff and asked for privacy so the small group of us could conclude our business together.
“And you’re sure this is what you want?” Odile nodded at Biko and Idony. “I mean, I know it’s done, but… I truly cannot believe it.”
What was done was in fact done, but none of it had happened quickly or easily. Once my mother agreed to testify against the Otleiches, my father had been freed, but with the requirement that he stay in the capital. They were not, as they’d hoped, able to flee to Drammen. My father was forced to hand his land and treasury to his first-born while he awaited the trial and settlement of the penalties he’d be forced to repay to the crown. He would not, unlike the Otleiches, spend any time in prison. But he would spend probably the rest of his life working off his debt to the crown. Drustan had assured me that my parents would be very comfortably set up to continue their dark work, only this time, they’d work for the queen—not for one of the crime families that competed with her for revenue.
Biko had made the decision to sell the property to a private individual. He’d consulted with the shire-reeve, who examined his own past decree regarding Odile and the prohibition against her earning anything for her work. Then, Lord Neoruzzi Oderisi purchased the Lombard estate, including the land and its buildings. He’d donated it to his sister-in-law, Odile Lestalinn, on the condition that for as long as Odile lived, she would run the property as a hospital. As long as she personally never moved from the estate, she had been granted permission to accept payment from any who could afford to help support the costs of their care but she would also be permitted to treat any and all who sought aid, whether or not they had means.
“It’s all yours now,” I cheered, thrilled and delighted for my friend.
Odile had decided to keep on the entire staff, even Norwin. Since she was unmarried and the foundlings would remain at Oderisi manor with Neo and Brex, she would need a staff to help her manage the hospital. Biko and Idony had agreed to remain on the grounds and resume their employment as crofters.
“And what about you, sis?” Biko looped a heavy arm over my shoulder and pulled me close. “What do you plan to do with your half of Pop’s treasury?”
After paying some fines to the shire-reeve, what amounted to a bribe to Drustan for his role in getting all of this settled, and taxes as a result of the sale of the estate, Biko had indeed come away with a tidy profit after the sale to Neo.
Biko shoved a purse full of silver into my hands. “You’re not exactly a wealthy woman,” he said, “but you’re free.”
I gripped the purse in my hands and looked around the main hall. Once a place of so much pain and loss, of secrecy and lies, this place would now be a place of healing. Of hope.
“You know you can stay, Pali.” Odile moved across the floor and rested a hand on my shoulder. “This will always be your home. You can stay in your room, you can—”
I looked at Syndrian, a heated flush on my cheeks. “I expect my fiancé won’t abide me staying in my childhood room forever.”
Odile nodded. “Yes, but what will you do?”
Syndrian crossed his arms over his thick chest and grinned at me. He approved of my plan, but I was still nervous. Afraid, to be honest, that the good people in this room would discourage me. Now that I had freedom, some means, love and friends in my life, there was only one thing left to tackle.
“I’d like to work for you, Odile,” I said. With only my closest friends and family present, and Norwin and the staff a safe distance away, I lifted my hands and watched the flames in the fireplace, in the candles, and on the wall torches dance. “I feel there’s a change coming in Tutovl. If it’s not yet happening, I want to be part of it. There are others like me, like Biko, like my parents out there. Others with gifts they have been unable to develop. I’d like to learn more about what I am and what I can do, and help others like me.”
Brex furrowed her brow. “As a healer, Pali? Or a teacher?”
I shrugged. “Maybe both? I don’t know.” I looked to Odile. “Do you think I could study and practice in safety here? Help you in some way?”
Odile worried her lower lip between her teeth before nodding. “There are many, many in this realm who need healing, and that need doesn’t always come after an injury. There is so much good you can do here, Pali. It would be an honor to have you work with me. We will figure it out case by case.”
Syndrian shook his head, his long ponytail striking his back. “This won’t do.”
I left my brother’s hold and crossed the room to the man who would soon—but not soon enough—become my husband. “Why not? What’s wrong?”
Syndrian lowered his head to mine, and touched my forehead with his. “Nothing is wrong, love. I just can’t let you work here until I’ve finished a couple of projects on site here. I spoke to your brother about them, and I think I’ll have help.”
“Help?” I lifted my face to search the depths of his sky-blue eyes.
“If you’re going to spend any amount of time here,” he said, a smile curling his lips, “this hospital will need a game room.”
I laughed and pressed a kiss to his lips. Surrounded by family and friends, I’d have a lot of work ahead of me to heal my relationship with my parents. But staring out at the pieces of my life that represented my past, I was more than ready for the future. With my hand in Syndrian’s and my loved ones close, I was more than ready to make the leap.