Page 55 of A Brighter Yellow
“I worry about you three all the time,” continued Aderyn, oblivious to her daughter’s growing embarrassment. “You’re all doing such dangerous things.” She stepped back with a watery sniff. “Important things! But I worry.”
“All right,” said a booming male voice, and Scarlet turned to look at her father. “Well, that one won’t bother us for a bit.” He looked like Ochre, pointed ears and all, but with Azure’s dark hair. “You are my tiny daughter,” he said, staring down into Scarlet’s face with an eager and delighted look. “You are amazing.” He beamed at her, and then he caught sight of Ochre. “And he is my fine son, who has been doing battle with warlocks. Here, I will carry him.”
He slung Ochre over his shoulder, and Anna made a very wolfy noise of unhappiness. Her father smiled at her. “Do not worry, daughter-in-law. We will get him home again.”
“Yes, please,” said Anna, grabbing Scarlet’s hand again. Scarlet squeezed Anna’s hand, and Anna squeezed back—a tiny hug for each other’s fingers.
They walked on a few minutes, and for once, Scarlet didn’t feel the woods pressing on her. Her parents made the wood stabilize, and everything seem sunnier. They came into a clearing, and Aderyn let out a little shriek of happiness. Azure was waiting for them, with Rafe and Liam just behind her.
Aderyn ran forward to embrace her eldest daughter, who looked surprised by the sudden assault.
“Oh,” said Azure, looking at the assembled party over her mother’s shoulder, clearly trying to absorb the scene, and Scarlet nearly laughed. Surprising Azure was hard to do and priceless. “I just knew we were supposed to be here. This wasn’t what I was expecting.”
“Where is Charlie?” demanded Anna, glaring at Liam.
“I left some coven sisters to take care of her,” said Azure, reassuringly, and Anna relaxed a fraction.
“Is Ochre OK?” asked Azure.
“OKis the funniest word,” said their father putting Ochre down on the grass. “Eldest daughter! Welcome! Would you help me heal your brother?”
“Yes, of course,” said Azure, glancing at Scarlet and Anna.
“Oh, this is the best day,” said Aderyn. She turned to Rafe and Liam and beamed. “Handsome new sons!” Liam grinned, and Rafe looked like he was blushing behind his beard.
“Hello, mama-in-law,” said Liam. “Do I get a hug too?”
“Yes!”
Scarlet giggled as she watched Liam hug her mother.
“Your family is weird,” said Anna.
“Yes,” agreed Scarlet.
Anna looked down at Scarlet, and Scarlet wondered what she saw. Anna really was big—tall, imposing, and regal even in her frazzled state. A perfect fit for Ochre.
“Ochre said you were bossy,” said Anna.
Scarlet couldn’t stop the annoyed noise that escaped her.
“And therefore, you were my people.”
Scarlet chuckled. “Well, bossy bitches do get the job done.”
Anna smiled tiredly at her. “I try, but sometimes I need help.”
“Well, of course,” said Scarlet. “Just because we can get the job done doesn’t mean we want to do itallourselves. Plus, now you have Ochre. And us. We’ll help. I don’t know what you need help with, but we will,” she added. Anna looked like she needed cheering up, but Scarlet wasn’t sure what she needed to hear.
“I want to change the world,” said Anna.
“Oh, well,” said Scarlet, grinning. “Welcome to the family.”
Episode 27
Home Again
Ochre
