Obsidian Thornwing's Arc

Chapter 18 of 18

The cabin was quiet after Seraphina left. The lamp burned low. Outside, the first birds had come to the little feeder by the door, and Obsidian could hear them picking at the seed. He kept his hand in Sylvara's hair. It was damp at the roots and stuck to her temple. He smoothed it back, again and again, because it was the only thing he knew how to do. Sylvara slept a little. The baby slept on her chest. Obsidian did not sleep. He watched the small ribs rise and fall under the blanket and counted them without meaning to. He had counted enemies on a ridge once the same way. He made himself stop. When Sylvara opened her eyes, the sun was up. She looked at him first, then at the baby. Her fingers found his wrist. "Water," she said. He brought it. He held the cup to her mouth and steadied her head. She drank half and pushed it away. He set it on the floor and came back to her. "You should sleep," he said. "In a minute." She touched the baby's cheek with one finger. The baby did not stir. Sylvara's mouth moved before the words came. "I want to name her." "Now?" "Now." He waited. He had thought she would want days. He had thought he would need to ask. "Say it," he said. "Elowen." She looked up at him. "For your mother." He did not answer at once. He had told her the name only once, months ago, sitting by the fire. He had not thought she kept it. "Elowen Thornwing," she said, softer. Only for him. He bent his forehead to hers. He felt the baby's breath between them, small and warm. "Yes," he said. Sylvara closed her eyes. Her hand slid down from his wrist and rested on the blanket. She was asleep before he lifted his head. He stayed where he was for a long time. Then he got up, careful of the bed, and kissed his wife’s forehead before their baby’s. He opened the door a crack. The birds scattered from the feeder and settled back. He shut the door and went to the wood box and laid a new fire in the stove, quiet, so the two of them could sleep. When the fire caught, he sat by the bed and watched his daughter breathe. Elowen. He said the name once in his head to learn it. Then he said it again.