Petra woke up again later in the afternoon. Kida was gone, though everyone else remained. Brandon and Vince were still asleep, but Emilio was awake, picking at a tray of food and looking at it with distaste before sighing and eating a bit of it.
“You look like hell.” she said to him, trying to give a little smile.
“Hmm…well, you’re one to speak, Miss.” he responded.
“Where’s the woman that was here?” she asked.
“Oh, you saw her?” he asked.
Petra nodded slightly. “Who is she?”
“She’s… a friend.” Emilio said. “I’ve known her a long time.”
Petra blinked. “Not to be rude, but…you have friends?”
“Very funny, Miss.” he said, sounding tired.
“I didn’t mean to be. I just always see you around the house. Is she a good friend?” she asked.
“Quite. I asked her for help with you.” he said.
“Oh. Then I owe her.” Petra said.
“No. Kida did it as a favor to me.” he said, a mild sigh in his tone.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
Emilio shook his head, and turned his attention back to the food.
“You miss her.” Petra guessed, watching Emilio pause before resuming eating. “You said you two were close…are…are you in love with her?”
“You have always been astute, haven’t you?” he said, smiling a bit.
“So you’ve told me. Now own up. Or is it something you can’t talk about?” she said.
“I can. Kida is my betrothed, and has been since I was a boy.” he said simply.
“Why haven’t you married?” she asked.
“I am still in service. I cannot begin to live a life of my own while in service until the next generation is born. I cannot start a family of my own and train them to take over until then. It’s part of the whole that binds my bloodline.” he said with a sigh.
“Is Kida bound as well?” Petra asked, curious.
“Not any longer. The family she was tied to died out, so she’s adrift.” he said.
“You could always have her move in, Emilio. I know you can’t start a family…but she can at least be nearby. Isn’t that allowed?”
“My current Master would have to permit it, possibly even order it. But I cannot ask anything for myself — it’s not permitted.”
“So he’s never known about any of this?” she asked, still bewildered.
“No.” Emilio said, finally putting the food down. He could not eat, and it had been painful to see Kida again, knowing she would have to leave once more.
“What if I say something?” Petra asked.
“I cannot ask you to do that.” he said.
“Why not?”
“I cannot.” he said, with a slight emphasis at the end of the sentence.
Petra nodded, understanding what he meant. “How long until sunset?”
“A few hours yet. Get some more rest.”
“Wake me after they do?” she asked.
“Of course, Miss.” he promised, then got up to get her re-settled in the bed and watch her drift off before resuming his meal, feeling a little more hopeful the he had in some time.