Finally, one of the other women spoke up, the one who had shushed the little girl before. “What is the catch? What do you want for it?” Her hair was blond, though not the bright, skyfire-white of Aurora’s hair, more the golden color of straw. Aurora self-consciously touched the scarf that wrapped her own head, making certain her hair was still hidden, even though she had been extremely careful this morning to tuck it all tightly away.

“No catch, other than company. As I said, we have traveled far.” Aurora could tell the woman still did not believe her, so she reached back, plucking a clump of fresh berries still on a vine. “I promise. I think the children will like these.” She held the berries out in offering. But when the women still hesitated, she plucked off a berry for herself, popping it in her mouth and letting the flavor burst between her teeth.

Then the first woman, the only one who had spoken openly with her, reached out and took the offered berries. She gave a sharp whistle, and the heads of multiple children popped up from where they were at play. They all came running over when she held up the berries, shrill peals of excitement carrying along in their wake.

“What is your name?” Aurora asked the woman.

“Nazara,” she said, plucking berries off the vine to hand out to the children. “And you?”

Aurora hesitated, no longer sure which name to give, but stuck with, “You can call me Roar.”

It wasn’t until the berries had all been divvied up that she realized that hidden amongst the small group of children was the lingering spirit of a child the same age. She froze, waiting to see what the spirit would do, but it did not seem to be concerned with her. Instead, it watched the other children eating berries with a sad, simple longing that made tears prick at her eyes.

Needing a distraction, she turned back to Kiran, gesturing for him to hand over the bag. His mouth pressed into a reluctant line, but he gave it to her. “This is Kiran, my…” She trailed off, completely at a loss for what to label him. Friend seemed far too trivial, partner did not reach deep enough for what she felt, but every other word that came to mind felt too personal.

“Husband,” Kiran supplied, settling on the ground beside her and nodding to the women.

Aurora could feel her cheeks heat and dared not look at him, simply smiling at the women as though he had not just shocked her to her very core.