SWNOVELS Chapter Feeding the Hungry
“Would you give it to the little ones?” She looked from one side to the other before leaning over to whisper to him. “I’m afraid what they’ll do.”
Afraid?
He laughed. “You fear they’ll bite you? Probably a reasonable fear.”
They may rob you. He thought. Seeing their eyes carefully watching the bag at her hip.
“No. They may not want it. Perhaps throw it at me. I don’t know…”
They wouldn’t do that.
He hefted the basket. “What do you want me to do with it?”
I want to hear the words from your lovely little mouth, Sweetheart.
“Give it to the children!” She gestured as though he were a fool.
Grinning, he moved to lean over but she caught his sleeve. “But save the cream for the little ones.” She pointed to one barely more than a toddler huddled in the far corner.
A good call.
Alazar gave her a quick nod and did as she bid.
The children descended in a tidal wave as he knelt before them. Cramming food into their mouths as fast as they could.
Riaura could see it wouldn’t be enough. Turning around she bought a bundle of apples which she brought over next. Bumping Alazar’s shoulder with her hip to pass it down to him.
The kids squawked in delight as they ate freely.
He stole a look up at her and saw she was beaming brightly. Green eyes dancing as they flicked over all the children.
An older child swiped the last pastry from the basket and swatted two others away trying to pull it from him.
What’s she think of that? Alazar looked over his shoulder and saw Riaura’s annoyance at the boy’s presumed greed but when he fled back to that corner to kneel before the tiniest toddler and hand her the pastry, Riaura’s heart melted.
“Did you get one yourself, Robert?” Alazar asked that one.
The dirty boy gave him a sheepish look and shook his head.
No. He never does. He always worries for his sister first.
“Take an apple.” Alazar offered him the first one.
When the boy reached for it, Alazar caught his frail wrist.
Robert instinctively tried to pull away as Alazar drew his other hand from his hip. But stilled after a moment as Alazar gave him a reassuring look.
Alazareth slid something between the boy’s fingers before slapping an apple in his palm to cover it.
“Coin?” Riaura asked in his ear as she leaned over behind him.
He needs it. He nodded.
Giving her a sideways look over his shoulder he said. “He’ll have enough to buy them pastries for a sennight.”
“Poor devils.” She gnawed her cheek. Eyes filling with emotion.
She gave Alazar a quick hug under his arms, crossing her palms over his chest. She whispered in the shell of his ear. “I just want to hug that little girl. She’s so beautiful. And what a wonderful brother.”
He smilingly nodded in agreement.
Riaura remained knelt behind him, crouched with the apple basket. She stuck out an arm to wave over the others huddled on the far side.
To get their share of apples.
After ensuring each child was fed, they went back to the Bull’s Eye hand in hand.
Riaura was oblivious to how Alazar’s chest swelled with pride at her kindness. You’ve still a kind heart beating beyond all your coldness. You’ll be a great queen.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” She whispered. Casting him a glance from beneath lowered lids.
“I’m proud of you.” He leaned sideways to murmur against her cheek before giving her a quick kiss. He held the door open and she returned it with a quick peck on his lips, as she strode past him.
She beamed up at him.