Page 39 of The Cerulean Sister
"I know. Will you try to enjoy the scenery with me?"I lean my head back into his helmet and think of how I want to kiss him in this moment, to hold onto him and breathe in unison until we both feel calm and regulated.
I feel the vibration of the agreeing hum against my back."The moment we are able, nothing will stop me, Priestess."
I'm still comfortably tucked into his chest when we arrive at Allister’s house. August is the first thing I see as our hover bike comes to a stop just outside the little gate before the front garden walkway.
I hop off at the sight of my friend, and 99 grunts as I use him for ungraceful leverage. "I'm so happy to see you!"
"There they are!" August is already halfway down the short path with wide, inviting arms and roughly hugs me with a warm laugh.
"Was worried for you." 99 smacks him on the shoulder in an even more aggressive embrace.
"Ah, in and out like always. Was gone before anything happened," he replies, referring to the dangerous place he was delivering supplies. "Ferren, you look well. This is very pretty," he compliments and touches the fern hair pin still holding some of my locks back.
"Thank you, it was a gift," I say shyly and glance over at 99.
"That so?" August gets a sly, little smile on his face and places his hands on his hips. "I'm impressed." He playfully elbows 99.
"August! I said to greet them, not keep them out of the house," Allister calls, wiping his hand on a piece of linen then beckoning us inside. His tone tells me he is used to August’s antics.
"Couldn't stay away from me, could you?" Allister stops me at the threshold with a smile and a gentle pat on my shoulder.
The teasing makes me smile nervously, but I know it is friendly. I hope that these small acts will one day feel natural to me and I won’t overthink each interaction.
The automatic door behind us shuts us inside the modest house, the soft but muffled sound of music floating in from another room. The smell is incredible, not just from the savory food being prepared but the warmth in the air that seems like a permanent scent. The furniture is well loved and sparse, blankets and books askew and worn. It's very lived in but in a beautiful, personalized way.
It's a home, not a room or a chamber. A family home.
99 seems stiff and out of place in his armor, but he tilts his head down at me and sends me warm, affectionate amber light, and suddenly I realize why the feeling of this home is so familiar. 99 grew up here with his family. The warmth lingers here just like the amber light I feel when he sends me love.
Allister instructs us to sit in the gathering room on the worn furniture surrounding a low table and then he lets us know he is going to grab tea.
Calliape emerges from the kitchen with a glowing smile to match the lovely yellow dress she wears. Her cheeks turn a little pink when she glances briefly at August.
The moment she looks at me, I realize I forgot to bring in the book she requested last time I saw her. "Oh no, your book!" I blurt out.
She looks a little surprised at the greeting but then laughs. "Hi, Ferren, 99."
She hugs me quickly before plopping down in the seat farthest from August.
"I'd be happy to take you to the library for this book, Calliape," August offers as he leans back, feigning a sigh like the journey is long and hard but he is willing to do it. "Hover bike is the best way, I think. Looked . . .cozy." He throws a wink at 99.
Calliape fidgets, she is less serene than the last time I saw her, a flustered edge that was not with her before.
"No, it's just in my bag outside," I say quickly to cover for her.
"I will retrieve it," 99 offers stiffly.
"I got it." I laugh and dash out of the front door again, toward the bag attached to the side of the hover bike.
Commander Yeva and Commander Wesley straighten as I run out. I hold up my hands for them to calm themselves and then wiggle the little leather-bound book to let them know my reason for coming back out and interrupting their dutiful surveillance of the area.
I reenter the house, almost walking straight into Allister. "Oh, apologies."
"Try this." He holds out a spoon. "Calliape said it was too much salt. I think it's fine."
I can hear August chatting away with 99 in the next room, the soft music floating in from the kitchen. Allister has a way of making me feel very comfortable, like I have known him for much longer. He waits expectantly for me to try his stew with patience I know 99 inherited.
I take the spoon from him and sip. "It's not too salty, but I am used to Estate food," I explain, taking another taste. "Everything is very seasoned."
