The night was growing cold, but there was something about the providence they were in that reminded her of her childhood home. She hadn’t taken much time while they were fleeing to look around and see her surrounded. But she truly had nothing but time now that they were in hiding, waiting for the right time to show themselves. This area might have been perfect, if Dima was with them.

Looking back, the uneasiness in her stomach was so obviously a child growing within. They had speculated that it came in the morning due to dreams the night before, or that motion was simply causing a stress reaction within her. That the aversion to food was due to the different foods and spices than she’d been consuming the past few months. But now, everything pointed to the child she would bear. And while she had hoped to hide it as long as possible, it seemed that the wane in queasiness had brought the rounding of her stomach. She’d thought it was just a healthy diet now, for food was something she regularly got for the first time in a long time. But as her curves filled out, as her breasts grew, so did the small bump of her stomach, only visible when she gently pressed her hand to the bottom of it.

The girls had done wonders to help her hide her condition, though all of their efforts were simply practice for a time when she was farther along. For in a few months, no folds could hide her condition. And if Dima was not returned by then, she would face the reality that she was to raise their child alone. Regardless of the promises those wealthy friends made, she would have to see it done alone. Though she repeatedly prayed to both Gods for his return, hope was fading.

It was late and the initial exhaustion of pregnancy had worn off. The house had been quiet when she had tiptoed down the stairs, forgoing shoes to allow for a quieter exit. Wrapped in a thick wool himation that had belonged to Ari of sensible brown, she padded out. There had been little need to check the rest of the house to gauge if she was alone, for she simply assumed that the lateness of the night meant that most were asleep. But her mind was filled with worry that no tonic could stop. Once the door closed behind her, her hand moved to her stomach, cradling the tiny bump with care.

Could she find hope in the fact that she would always have a part of him with her, even if he was truly dead?

Her words were hushed, spoken in the language she’d used long ago in her home country. She made whispered promises, spoke of her worries openly to both the child and the Gods listening. As she rounded the corner to the back of the property, she stopped, realizing she was not alone. Her step had been soft enough, but she hadn’t quieted her voice as she spoke. Cheeks flushing, she let her head drop in a greeting. “I am sorry if I’ve disturbed you, my lord.” She said, eyes meeting the kind gaze of Hector, their host. Perhaps the Gods were stepping in, allowing her the moment she had been searching for.