"Foist?" she echoed. It was a strange term and even stranger in this context. There was nothing being thrown on her, no task she was being forced to. Krem was no burden and she was no oxen yoked to bear him. She had a choice in this and she chose to be with Krem.

"You make yourself sound like a bag of wheat and I must catch you or be hit." Hild turned her head to brush a kiss to his brow. She linked her fingers together, securing him in her arms, and let her hands rest at his side.

"You are always welcome here. Because I say so. You can always confide in me. Because I say so. These things are mine to give." Just as you are mine, she thought, but did not say. "I give them to you because I love you, not because I have to."