Arek stared.Alus’s smile lessened from his lips, but not from his eyes, and his tone softened.“Asshole or not, he’s still our brother.We can hear him out.”
…or perhaps not.
“I’m standing right here.”
Saer’s bitter comment brought a grin to Alus’s face, though he kept his gaze locked with his double.
The curl in Arek’s lip lessened.“Hellsfire.”He craned his head to wrench it from Alus’s grip, then made a weak, sweeping gesture.“Fine.Come in.”
Alus tossed a dark, pebble-skinned fruit in one hand while plucking up a knife in the other.“This definitely calls for guacamole.”
Arek motioned to some simple chairs around a wooden table with a heavy exhale.“Make yourself comfortable.You can count on at least three other dishes we’ll have to work through.”
Saer eyed Arek before shooting one more glance towards Alus who hummed to himself as he removed a giant seed from the fruit he dissected.
With no other excuses, Saer stepped inside and shut the door behind him.
28
Saersettledintoafamiliar pattern of conversation after several hesitant starts, staying away from uncomfortable or sensitive topics.He relayed tales of where he’d ventured in the world and lessons learned.Alus entertained as he prepared various dishes to taste and experience, regaling Saer with tidbits of information on how the food was grown, picked, or prepared.He touched on the most superfluous of details: the quirks of the farmers who tended the fields, the names of their family members—even who they shared their beds with.The humble kitchen in the corner of the adobe saturated with rich, redolent aromas.
Saer came to the point of finding the Twins when Arek broke in from his side of the table.“You realize you could have found us quicker by wing as opposed to boat?”He’d long since stopped eating, allowing Alus and Saer to get their fill, though his fingers wrapped around a ceramic mug topped with freshly squeezed orange juice.
Saer fell to staring at his own mug.Alus, surprisingly, didn’t fill the void, but allowed time to consider his answer—or whether he’d answer at all.
He cleared his throat.“She’s easier to remember when I wear this skin.”
In truth, he had a hard time understanding it himself.Another human thing?
Alus resumed his quiet humming as he gathered dishes despite the heavier air settling around the kitchen table.
Drumming his fingers on his mug, Saer turned to Arek.“During Runeakael’s last battle, some of the humans wielded ice and warded fire.”
Arek’s expression shifted to curiosity.“You saw magic.”
Saer narrowed his eyes, brow furrowing.
The trademark smirk on Greed’s face spoke volumes.“Ignorance is the price you pay for staying away from home.”
Impatience, above all, punctuated Saer’s glare.“I haven’t had a home since Neyu died.”
Alus broke between the two with a finger snap, rupturing the tension.“Cobras and mongooses have more levity between them than the two of you.You.”Alus pointed at his twin, earning a humorless stare.“Stop acting superior.You.”The finger swung towards Saer.“Quit pouting.”
“I’m not pouting.”
Alus ignored Saer’s lie and ended with an as-you-will gesture at Arek.“Tell him about magic, Gorgeous.Without the sniping commentary.”The amiable twin spun back around to fill a basin with water.
Saer paused in muted disbelief, trying to figure out how Alus handled two sensitive, posturing males with such grace, and remained just as likable after the fact.
Arek grunted before returning to the conversation at hand.“Mages are created from a lineage touched by the Grandfather in one way or another.”
Saer shook his head.“You’ve lost me.”
“You’ve seen theDraconictake human form?”
He nodded.
“They can make children with humans.Their blood carries the magic.”
