Page 86 of Guiding Desire
“Please. It takes more than that to offend Maro.”
“You share a strong family resemblance with her.”
Senlas leaned his head on his hand. “Do you mean, why isn’t she an S-classer like me?”
“I know it runs in families, but not always, and not with absolute guarantee. I heard some Guardians prefer just finding a suitable donor if they want children.”
Senlas gave a wry grin. “That was my mother’s approach. My grandmother was seeing another Guardian and a Conduit. Not even a family union, but they’re still friends to this day. And grandma just wanted children, not someone to raise them with. Although that was before she imprinted.”
Orrey nodded. “I didn’t mean to pry. Or judge.”
Senlas reached for Orrey’s hand, the hum of near immediate buffering soothing. “Nothing wrong with either. Do you want something else for breakfast, or are you ready to head out after your coffee?”
Orrey finished his coffee in two big gulps. “We can go. You called Col?”
Senlas nodded. “He’s already busy finding out more. We’re meeting with everyone once we leave your parents’ house.”
“My mom’s house. She likes to make a point of that. She’ll probably want to feed us brunch, especially with Dad and my second mom still there. Will that be a problem?”
“Of course not.” Senlas stood, taking both their mugs. He drained the bit of coffee that remained in his in the sink and put both into the dishwasher.
When he turned back around, he found Orrey looking at him while the Conduit was biting his bottom lip. It made Senlas want to do the same.
Instead, he asked, “What’re you thinking?”
“Oh. Just. You look very nice. Should I change? Is there anything I’m supposed to wear or not wear as your Conduit? I’m afraid I don’t have all that many nice clothes to choose from. I used to wear my uniform most days, you know.”
Senlas looked at Orrey’s simple dark blue pants and brown tee, once more mentally kicking himself.
“What you’re wearing is perfectly fine. You’re an imprinted Conduit, so you pretty much get to walk around however you please. I wouldn’t like you wearing too little in a crowd of people, but that’s a request.
“As for whatever shopping you’d like to do, your credit is linked to mine. I’ll preapprove all purchases. I should’ve done that already, actually.” Senlas took his screen out and did it right there, satisfied at the mix of surprise and relief he saw on Orrey’s face after the few taps and the responding ping on Orrey’s screen. “If you want to dress fancy, I’m a decent shopping partner, but Col and Taros have a better eye than me. Personally, I’d suggest asking Taros. He’ll let you be done when you say you’re done. Coldis will make you try on outfits until your skin starts chafing.”
“T-thank you. I think that would be good.”
Senlas nodded. “Settled then. Now let’s keep that insurrectionist alive, something I never thought I would say.”
Orrey frowned. “In honesty? Me either.”
“Can’tbelieveIforgotto tell the vehicle to drive itself home,” Senlas grumbled while Orrey fiddled with the radio of the auto-drive until he found some upbeat tunes he liked.
“Isn’t this more convenient anyway?”
It was definitely more convenient for keeping both eyes on his Conduit. Daylight flowed over his short hair, and once more, Senlas imagined it longer.
“I enjoy driving.”
“I see.”
For most of the rest of the ride, Orrey was watching the city pass by through the windows. He didn’t appear to be daydreaming like most people might. Now that Senlas was paying proper attention, he saw that Orrey was vigilant. It seemed to come naturally to him too, and that in turn caused a rush of pride to bubble up in Senlas’s heart. That, and relief. When they went on mission, vigilance was key.
The Judiciary was, in its design, somewhere between impressive and austere. The tall building’s wall was shock resistant and designed to resemble stone to add dignity to it.
It took up an entire street corner and was surrounded by statuary all commissioned to express justice and the goal of justice—harmony. Statues showed the bowed heads of suffering victims and the arms of a judicial agent, law codes at their feet. Other statues were holding hands and forming an unbreakable circle, society in harmony no evil deed could shatter. Between those statues topiaries grew, groomed to be near perfect spheres.
When they got out of the vehicle, Senlas wanted to slap himself for forgetting to make Orrey take a parasol along. It was too sunny, too summery, for someone with skin that fair and sensitive and still healing to be walking around without one.
Does no one teach regulars self-care? Do I really have to teach him to take care of himself?Senlas took Orrey’s hand, more in an attempt to slow him down so he wouldn’t rush through the door first.Not that it would be a chore to take care of this wild kitten.
