Page 75 of Fire Forged

“Indeed,” Nerx snapped.“I meant to comm you before the news of my promotion reached you.I must complete my mission for King Xeus.Only then will we head to Fuyra.The first order of business is making the falls safe.The second is my wedding.”

“Wedding?”Britta asked from the doorway, her cheeks a radiant peach.

“Ours.”Nerx caught her hand and pulled her into view of the display vid.“Britta, this is my father, Tarx.”

She dragged her wide-eyed gaze from Nerx to the vid.“Hello,” she said.“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Nerx sucked in a slow breath, having half-expected her to be her usual spirited self.

“Greetings, daughter.”Father’s voice had hoarsened.“I am eager to meet you in person.”He glanced at Nerx.“I had heard of Earthians triggering the Ethera but thought it nonsense.Until I met Queen Macera.Nerx, my son, that you have been so blessed eases my heart, and I can now seek the void.”

Nerx scowled, torn between losing a single male, even his father, to the void and roaring that he should let the void take him.Nerx tried to school his features, take control of his emotions, made harder by the Ethera’s interference.He’d known reconciling would be difficult, had expected it to be so…and yet, he struggled to be civil.Discuss things?They’d do it one on one and at Berrann Falls, the location at the center of their unhappiness.

Britta sliding her hand into his bathed him with peace.“You can’t,” she said.“You’ve got a granddaughter to think about.She’s suffered enough hardship that losing a ‘gramps’ would devastate her.And also, with the Viqrians coming to Fuyra, your Dar Eth might be among them.”

Never had Nerx seen his Father stunned.Nerx smothered a smirk, then released Britta’s hand to tuck her body into his side.She splayed her fingers across his chest.

“I have many questions, like who are the Viqrians?And why are they on their way to Fuyra?”Father flicked his focus between Britta and Nerx, not sure who would be answering.

Matir stepped between Nerx and the display vid.“I shall share the official report I submitted to King Xerus.It will answer all your questions and more, Ambassador Tarx.”

“My thanks, warrior.”Father bowed his head.

“If you will excuse me, Ambassador Nerx, I am in need of a hot chocolate.”Matir strode from the comm room, swerving to avoid Lily, who carried a painting she’d done.

“Look, Gramps,” she called, trying to hold up her artwork.This one was of herself in pink, standing between Britta and Nerx—in her childlike hand where they had sticks for arms and massive heads.

Nerx scooped her up when she hopped on her toes, trying to show his father.

“What is it,ensa?”His father gentled his voice in a way Nerx had always prayed to hear.

“It’s a picture of my family.”She tapped each figure.“Tomorrow, I will add my two gramps and Granny.”

“You did this?”Father gasped.“It is beautiful.”

Lily preened, ducking her head while wearing a massive smile.

“You can call your granddaddy tomorrow, kiddo.I don’t know about you, but I’m craving pizza.”Britta held out her arms to Lily.With a wave to his father, she let Britta carry her away.

His father sniffled, snatching Nerx’s gaze.“You did well, my son.”He coughed.“I await your arrival.”

The comm ended.

“What in Alodon’s hell just happened?”Nerx muttered as Matir entered, sipping from his mug even when he handed a hot chocolate to Edon.With a nod at his males, Nerx left the comm room, intent on finding his family.

A plate of kreso and momaberry sauce with a glass of giyua awaited him.Britta and Lily shared a pizza, a pink milkshake for Lily, and a soda for Britta.

“So,” she bit into her slice, “wedding?That’s news.”She chewed, her gaze fixed on him.“I could mention the tension between you and your dad, but I want to know about our wedding more.”

He smiled, appreciating her honesty and her selfishness.Discussing his relationship with his father would sour his mood further.“You did say it was a childish hope, and it is one I can grant you.”

“But—” She choked on a mouthful and hurried to drink from her soda.“It’s a dress, cake, tuxedos, the works and a shit ton of effort for what?”

“For your special day.”He popped a forkful of kreso into his mouth and smiled.

Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes glazed over with this incredible softness that made his breath hitched.He drowned in her expression of pure joy.Never would he have thought she could look more beautiful to him.

“It won’t be too much trouble?”she asked, her voice a whisper.

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