Kenneth waited for Anya to stand and perhaps give him a kiss goodbye, but he was not so lucky.
‘Aren’t … aren’t you going to say goodbye properly?’ he asked hesitantly.
Anya dropped the sponge into the soapy water before brushing the tendrils of hair away that fell into her eyes. Leaning against the side of the tub she turned to face Kenneth. He saw that her eyes were bloodshot and puffy, a sure sign that he was in trouble for something.
‘What do you want me to say, Ken?’ she asked, her voice level.
‘I just - you might not see me for, well … a while.’
‘Oh, yes, I know that perfectly well,’ she snapped, standing up quickly.
‘I’m confused. Have I done something wrong?’
‘Oh, no, Ken. You haven’t done anything.’ Her tone was sardonic.
‘They why are you talking that way?’
‘Figure it out,’ she said, her eyes narrowed and hands on hips.
A number of things ran through Kenneth’s head. Was it their anniversary? No. Was it Anya’s birthday? No … it was the wrong time of year.
He wasn’t sure what he could have forgotten, or done wrong. True, things hadn’t been the same between them since they’d returned home to Mortlock, but surely she wasn’t blaming him for that.
‘I don’t know what you want me to say,’ said Kenneth.
Anya folded her arms across her chest; it was if she expected him to read her mind.
‘Why are you the one that gets to go?’ Anya blurted. ‘Why do I have to stay here and look after Helena?’
Kenneth raised his eyebrows, rather shocked. There had been no question on which of them should proceed to Concord City.
‘Because … you’re her mother, and-’
‘You’re her father,’ said Anya, pointing a finger at his chest.
‘Yes .. but I’m the man of the house, so the responsibility to fight for the family lies with-’
‘Oh, poppycock,’ Anya waved a hand dismissively. ‘We both know I’m the more powerful Mage. I should be the one trying to-’
Kenneth couldn’t help but laugh, which infuriated Anya further. ‘Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Dear. If we’re talking about control over the fire then I think you’ll find that I am by far-’
‘Control?’ Anya shouted angrily.
‘Now, really. There’s no need to shout. You’re upsetting Helena.’
It was true. Still naked and in the tub, Helena’s eyes were beginning to water as she watched the two adults arguing. It reminded him so much of when she was, well … herself.
‘I’m not talking about control,’ Anya continued. ‘I’m talking about raw Power, Ken. Something which I have more of-’
Kenneth felt his manliness drop a few notches. ‘What does strength have to do with it? I’m the man of this family, so I’ll be the one to go!’ He too was shouting now.
‘I’d be more useful than you,’ said Anya. ‘I’m far more fit. How do you expect to run anywhere with a belly like that?’ She prodded Ken’s protruding stomach.
‘If anyone gets ahold of you, they’ll break you like a twig!’ Ken retorted. ‘No! No! I will not have it. You are to stay here and look after Helena whilst I protect my family!’
Anya’s cheeks puffed angrily, and she was about to yell a profanity back at Kenneth, when she was cut short.
‘Stop!’
Anya and Kenneth froze, wide-eyed and open mouthed. In unison, they turned their heads to stare at Helena whose arms were around her legs, knees pulled up to her chest.
Helena’s jaw was set tight, and her gaze unwavering as she glared at her parents. For a moment, the couple saw a glimmer of their old daughter before it was wiped away. It was as if a veil passed over her face. Helena shied away from Anya and Kenneth, apparently ashamed of her outburst.
‘Did she-’ began Anya breathlessly.
‘She did,’ said Kenneth at once. ‘She spoke.’
Anya dropped to her knees and placed her hands on Helena’s shoulders, staring deep into her eyes. ‘Say it again, Sweetheart. I know you can.’ Even though Anya’s voice was calm and soothing, Helena still flinched as she spoke.
‘Don’t pressure her,’ said Kenneth. ‘She’ll talk when she’s ready.’
‘But you saw her face,’ said Anya, her voice becoming panicked. ‘She was herself … just for a moment. But then it went away as if something took over her mind.’
‘I know.’ Kenneth placed a hand on Anya’s shoulder. ‘But you can’t push her. Look, she’s frightened, and cold. Get her out of the tub, dry her off, and dress her.’
Reluctantly, Anya got Helena out of the tub, dried her off and put her into a nightdress.
‘I just … I don’t know what to do anymore,’ said Anya a few minutes later as she tucked Helena into bed. The child curled into the fetal position and turned away from the couple.
Kenneth rubbed Anya’s back soothingly, their previous argument forgotten. Anya embraced Kenneth around the middle and squeezed tightly. He stroked her hair before giving her a kiss on the forehead.
‘Are you going now?’ she asked.