Page 56 of Warrior's Captive
“Well, three soon. She’s about to pop.”
Tai’ri pulled away from her, the smile on his face wry. “Welcome to my family.”
Vivian leaned her head on his shoulder, and listened to the argument.
20
“You’re cooking?”a disembodied voice came from her comm.
“I cook,” Vivian said, bringing a deep-bowled spoon to her lips.
“And thank god for that,” Shira said. “I mean, the food isn’t bad at the safe house, it’s just so relentlesslynutritious.”She made a face.
Vivian smiled, surveying the meal. Delicate whitefish, noodles, and vegetables simmered in a fragrant broth. It wasn’t quite the dish Agata had served her, but it was Vivian’s family’s version, a recipe passed down for several generations. Well, as close to the recipe as possible since the spices were different, and the available fish and vegetablesas well.
“This is nutritious,” Vivian pointed out. She’d invited Shira to lunch not just because she needed a buffer, but because she genuinely wanted to get to know her better. Her outgoing personality was a breath of fresh air.
“Yeah? All I see are noodles. A big, heaping bowl of carby noodles.”
Vivian laughed and handed her a bowl. “You might as well get started. I made enough for everyone,” she added, knowing the guards would hear. “There are two fillings for the dumplings, too. Fruit, and a spiced meat.”
She ladled fish and noodle soup into the bottom half of the clay lunch container, then set the dumplings in the top compartment and covered it with a lid.
Repeating that three more times, she said, “Lunch.”
A strained silence. “We’re on duty.”
“Then come one at a time.” She poured tea into thermoses. “Besides, there’s nothing more threatening going on right now than the occasional fly by dropping from a bird.”
Moments later a black clad warrior morphed into existence, a flash of movement and light coming over the balcony before it solidified.
“I willneverget used to that,” Shira muttered, slurping up a noodle as she balanced her bowl on her stomach. Banujani gave Shira an amused look.
Banujani’s first shift on duty after her injuries, Vivian had attempted an apology. “It comes with the job. Besides, you’re Tai’ri’s, which makes you one of us. We protect our own. No guilt.” Banujani had grinned. “And I hear you were about to skewer a civilian, too.”
“You know,” her guard said now, perhaps reading Vivian’s expression, “if you feel guilty about me getting hurt, you can cook more often.”
“Setting the bar, Banu?” another voice said through the comm. “Damn. All a warrior wants is a dumpling.”
Vivian handed Banujani a container and thermos. “Take this and come back for the others, unless you can carry two sets at a time.”
It wasn’t until she’d begun cooking this meal that she truly understood how disconnected from herself she’d become.It was time to contact her parents. But first she had to get through lunch.
“They’re here,” Banujani said.
Shira sighed, setting her bowl down. “I guess it’s time to pretend I’m civilized.” She shifted, looking a little uncomfortable. “It’s not like they’remyin-laws, I don’t know why I’m nervous.”
“Tai’ri is your sponsor, that’s why—like temporary adopted family. Just be yourself,” Vivian said.
House announced Agata and Abeyya a moment later, and Vivian waddled towards the entrance to welcome them inside.
Agata swept down the hall, Abeyya at her back. “No need to come open the door, dear, it’s coded,” she said, and kissed Vivian’s cheek. “Hmm . . . Kholorian paprika. And garlic from Isthmus 2.” She turned to Shira. “And you must be my son’s ward. How lovely you are.”
Shira’s cheeks pinkened, but she smiled. “Yup, he’s my hero. I got the better end of the deal, though.”
“Hardly,” Abeyya said. “He was annoying growing up, and he’s just barely improved.” But her amused expression took the sting out of the words. “But tell me about your baby.”
They ushered Vivian and Shira to the table on the balcony and dished up a carafe of soup as they all chatted, bringing in the platter of dumplings and teapot as well.
