Clover's Tale
Young cheeks may still bear heavy tears
The following is the ninth installment of my serial novel, ALO & WYOME. If you missed chapter eight, you can read it here, or if you’re just starting out, you can read the first installment of ALO & WYOME here.
“YOU KILLED HIM?” ALO STRUGGLED TO DISGUISE HIS SHOCK.
“Yes,” Mother Taliah answered.
“His decision to abandon Naomi left us with no other choice,” said another widow. She was older than Naomi but still a youth compared to Mother Taliah.
“Was redemption impossible?” Wyome asked.
Mother Taliah shook her bald head.
“Impossible in his case.” The other widow said. “He claimed that beasts consumed Naomi. We could see through his lies, and that sealed his fate. He was irredeemable.” The widow shrugged. Mother Taliah looked back at the fire. She let out a long sigh as if the recollection exhausted her, then smiled at the flames. The time for questions ended.
“The hour grows late,” Naomi said. “We are grateful for the presence of newlyweds.” She spoke to Wyome, “Tomorrow, we may have a few tasks for your husband, but you must accompany him everywhere he goes. You may go anywhere in our valley as you please, but if your husband is not with you, he must remain in the hut.”
“Why?” Wyome asked. The widows looked at her with wooden faces.
“Because you would not want us to doubt your husband’s loyalty,” Naomi said.
Alo swallowed hard and realized that his hands were sweaty. He was startled when the widow addressed him directly.
“Alo, love your bride, and fear not,” Naomi spoke with a smile, but the threat was understood.
