East

The wedding ceremony, I learned the next day, was all of sixty seconds long. It was a formality once the clan elders had given their blessing and the people had been informed. It was completed by a three-day celebration, hosted by Ghoajin, and attended even by the uncle who once tried to kill me. I even saw The Persian storyteller and Batu's cousin.

They were the best three days of my life. I spent the days with the family and the nights in Batu's arms being loved physically until I couldn't move. Batu was happy, too. Not that he ever appeared unhappy, but he smiled twice as much and was always within reach. I knew he was a warrior, one who might eventually be called away to serve his Khan, but for those three days, I could forget anything beyond the moment existed.

I had a home, a man who loved me more than I ever imagined possible, and an extended family that adored me.

I had everything I'd ever dreamed of wanting. My first time travel adventure ended in tragedy. My second in heaven.

Batu left early in the morning to train with the warriors of his clan on the fourth day, and I left our home to attend to Ghoajin, who was continuing to educate me about herbs. It was in early December, and the air was frigid. The blue sky was brilliant but cold and the sun bright despite the fact the temperature didn't climb above freezing. Shivering in my clothing, I adjusted the satchel containing herbs wrapped in linen and a couple of wooden containers I had filled with my practice balms.

"Moonbeam."

I turned and smiled at The Persian, whose quick step drew him to me. He bowed his head.

"Good morning," I said cheerfully.

"May I walk with you?" he asked.

"Sure."

We began walking towards Ghoajin's tent.

"You are quite content here," he observed with a trace of a smile.

"No. I'm ecstatically content here," I replied. A whisper of an instinct stirred, as it often did around people. I was guessing the empathic memory chip had never fully shut off but on occasion, subtly told me something about the people around me. I had never feared Batu despite seeing firsthand what he could do, and I had once wondered if the earthy Persian was a time traveler.

The sense about him re-emerged, but I dismissed it outright. If I had it my way, I'd never think about Carter ever again. I loved my new life and had every intention of enjoying every second of it.

"It pleases me to hear this," The Persian said. "Batu is an honorable man, more so than his uncle, who I've shadowed for a year or so. I am surprised you don't wish to return to your home, though."