Page 5 of A Layperry's Hope
The voices in my head perk up at that. More than half of them agree with Christian’s sentiment. It’s why there hasn’t been another trial since Maribel was born. As I piece through the chorus of voices, I know that times are changing and a new way of doing things is about to rise up. I just have to find the right words in order to properly declare this new way of living.
But that will have to wait. I can only have one crisis at a time.
“Humans,” my dad says with a roll of his eyes. “They’re so strange and they’retailless! I just don’t see the appeal.”
I can’t help but smile at my dad’s teasing. “They have their perks,” I tell him with a shrug.
“If you say so.” He reaches down and picks up Maribel. “How is my favorite grandbaby doing? Huh? Are you so happy to see me?”
He takes her into the kitchen and I listen to the way he coos and sings for her. My chest feels like it could burst with affection. I don’t know what I would have done without my parents’ help the last few months. They’ve been my emotional rocks, keeping my head above water when everything threatened to drown me.
My father stays, holding me and running his hand up and down my spine. There’s a long moment where neither of us speaks a word, just content to stay like this.
“Everything will work out in the end,” my father finally says, his voice barely above a whisper. “I know you feel strongly for Christian. I won’t ask you to hold yourself back. Part of being a parent is allowing your child to make their own decision and helping them through whatever the fallout may be.” I look over at my father, seeing his eyes follow my dad, a small smile on his lips. I want the type of love that they have. “I know what it’s like to have your heart stolen by another. Fight for him and no matter what happens, you will know you did what you could. That can bring you peace.”
I nod my head slowly. I reach over and take my father’s hand, leaning my head on his shoulder once more.
“Things are changing,” I confide, letting my words solidify in my chest. “Thematurous trialwill be a thing of the past. The pit will no longer be used for that purpose but instead to demonstrate a person’s resilience before they become a warrior. Christian isn’t wrong about that trial. It was unfair in a lot of ways. What if two people love each other but neither can physically handle the trial. Are they doomed to not mate? That’s not right and the Ancestors agree.”
My father listens, humming at all the right times.
“I am in awe of all that you do, Ghenie, but as your father, I wish this burden had never fallen to your shoulders. I wish I could protect you more.”
“I know what you mean,” I tell him. “The thought of this happening to Maribel is unthinkable. Some day, I will train our next leader and I, in equal parts, dread and look forward to it.”
“Things are changing,” my father says, mirroring my words. “Maybe this will change as well. Maybe we can find a place to let our Ancestors rest, a place our leaders can go and pray with them instead of having a living vessel.”
“Something to contemplate,” I say, ignoring the volume of the voices inside my head. They are shouting over each other, their emotions rising so hot and high I can’t push them down. That is apparently a subject we’ll be deep diving into in the near future.
“Darling?” My dad walks back into the living room. “Would you like to come stay with us for a bit? Until you’re feeling more settled now that Christian is back? It would be lovely to have you back in the house with us, and it would allow us to see Maribel more often.”
I shake my head. “Thank you for the offer, but I think I am okay staying here.”
My dad raises his perfectly manicured pink brow, popping out his hip. His tail whips back and forth behind himself. “What about Christian?”
“What about him?”
My dad looks at me like it’s obvious. When he realizes I still don’t understand, he explains. “This is his house. Surely he will want to live here again now that he’s back, right?”
My eyes widen. Oh. Oh shit. I completely forgot that this is Christian’s home. I’ve been living here but now that he’s back, my dad is right, he’ll want his home back. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that until right now!
Just then, there’s a knock on the door. Oh, by the Ancestors! How could this possibly be happening?
My dad peeks through the front window. “Yep,” he says. “That’s him.”
“Fuck,” I hiss out, rubbing at my eyes. I stand up and grab Maribel from my dad’s arms. “You two need to get out of here so we can talk.”
“Do you want us to take Maribel?” My father asks softly. I shake my head.
“I think it’s time for Christian and I to have a long conversation. You’re right, it’s time I fight for him.”
Chapter Four
Christian
I wrap Miles in my arms. This hug is about to get awkward in about four seconds but I don't fucking care. My best friend is here, in my arms, after a year of being apart. The only thing that could stop me from hugging him is if this alien planet started shaking. Or if pigs started falling from the sky. Even then I probably wouldn’t let go.
“Jesus,” Miles says, holding me just as tightly. “I’m so fucking glad you’re here, Christian. I know you hate when I get all sappy on you but I’ve missed you so much.”
