Page 92 of Guiding Desire
Livis frowned.
Senlas smiled at her. “Actually, since we are headed to see our team, I’m sure they’d be very grateful, if you don’t mind.”
Otanna narrowed her eyes at Livis. “Pack them extra. Best to lure them here as soon as possible. I want to see who our son spends time with.”
“Good thinking.” Umara stood. “Senlas, Otanna makes passable homebrewed liquor. Come help me pick out a flavor you like.”
“Of course. Kitten, I’ll be right back.”
Orrey found himself left at the table within moments and chided by Otanna when he dared lift a finger to clear any plates at all.
“You were in a bombing, a Hound-fucking bomb went off in front of you.” Her usually harsh and immovable face did move, and it jerked on Orrey’s heart. “What if I’d lost you?”
“Otanna,” Livis said. “Don’t upset him. And Rey-Rey, finish your tea. We’ll take care of everything else.”
Orrey’s throat felt tight and rough. He nodded, focusing on his breath to keep tears from spilling.
“Lookatthemstillstaring,” Orrey said when he settled into the auto-drive, watching the food containers settle as well, telekineticallyMovedinto the seat across from them by Senlas.
“I can’t. I’m looking at you staring.”
“Well, it is a sight you don’t see often. Or one I haven’t seen often. I suppose I’ll get used to it eventually.”
Senlas chuckled and opened his arms as the auto-drive sped off. “Come a little closer?”
Orrey nodded. “For channeling? How soon after you use your powers should it be done?”
“That’s not—kitten, I want to hold you. You’re sort of, uhm. Holdable? Begging to be held when you get that look on your face.”
“I have no look on my face,” Orrey said, scooting closer to Senlas. “That’s just the stem cell therapy. I can’t wait for my face to look normal again.”
“No, you were thinking back in there, and it makes you look holdable. When I came back from the cellar, you were lost in your thoughts. Oh, and by the way, your father told me that he liked me, but he said he’d always pick you, no matter what, and that he’d let nothing or no one hurt you. Said he swore to you when he first held you. Apparently, Otanna didn’t want anyone but the medical staff there when you were born, and when he wasn’t there for you then, he swore to you he’d be there for everything after.”
Orrey turned, stared. “He said all that?”
Senlas shrugged. “I summarized. Your father makes excellent threats while talking about fire berry liquor. He also made me take that one. Said it’s your favorite, and to drink to your health.”
“Mydad?”
Senlas grinned. “I like him.”
“My dad would never threaten a Guardian. You must’ve misunderstood.”
“Nope. Told him too. Told him I understood perfectly, but that he’d be the second person aiming to take my head off if I let you get hurt. Told him I’d be first in line.”
“You are making that up. Did he make you try all the liquor too? Are you drunk? Are you the kind of drunk that looks mostly sober but talks nonsense?”
Senlas laughed, pulled Orrey close. “Didn’t have a drop.”
“Senlas, if he said that, I’ll make him apologize to you. He can’t just—”
“It’s all right, kitten. I don’t think he would apologize in the first place.”
Orrey shook his head. “How would you know that?”
“Because I wouldn’t. And I let him know that I’d sooner murder people before letting them hurt you.”
“Fucking—why are you having those kinds of conversations with my father in the liquor cellar?”
