There is a commotion by the big doors that allow the crew to bring props out to the stage. Both of us turn our attention to it,and it’s the Aquilians and Tirrian. Nikos and Nixie lead the way, and they seem to be arguing about something. Hurricane and his two sisters walk behind them with Tirrian bringing up the rear.
“What’s going on?” Lila asks, standing up as they cross the large expanse of the ring. Her voice echoes around the empty space, and the brother and sister stop arguing.
“Sorry we’re late, my little clam shell,” Nikos calls, and her frown smooths slightly as her lips quirk up in amusement. “Nixie was still trying to convince me to include the twins in the show.”
Lila’s amusement drops, and she crosses her arms and glares at Nixie. Hurricane growls and steps in front of her like he needs to protect her from Lila. I see Lila flinch like she’s been hit, but she straightens her back and stares at the deity.
“I am disappointed that you think you need to protect Nixie from me. I am entitled to my hurt, and I am entitled to be annoyed that she isn’t hearing what Nik and I want,” she states coldly. I know she wants to have a good relationship with Zeydan’s soul brother, but she won’t back down either.
He inclines his head. “You are, but I am entitled to protect my mate, even if it is from herself,” he replies, and they seem to come to some kind of silent agreement, because he steps back, and Lila softens her glare.
“Hey,” Nixie complains and smacks Hurricane on the arm. “What do you mean by that?”
He sighs. “You aren’t listening to your brother and sister-in-law. You are showing the very traits you complained to me about your mother. You are not willing to compromise.”
Nixie’s body sags at his words, and tears glisten in her eyes before she nods. “You are right.” She turns to Lila. “I’m sorry. I will not bring it up again.”
Lila inclines her head in thanks but doesn’t respond.
“Sorry we are late,” Nixie continues, “but I had an idea for our performance, and I wanted to ask Tirrian if he would be involved.”
Lila’s eyebrows jump, and she turns to her dragon mate. “Oh?” I clamp my lips shut so I don’t snicker at his fidgeting.
“Well, yes. I mean, we could have gone with the love story angle again, but I figured you are probably going to be too busy to be part of our act and wouldn’t want Nik grabbing just anyone out of the audience,” Nixie says breezily, and Lila snarls.
“You would be right.” Wow, she really is holding a grudge. She isn’t softening one little bit toward Nixie. It’s going to be a long, hard trek back into Lila’s good books. Nixie’s smile falls as she seems to come to the same conclusion. Lila is cold and distant.
I look at Nik, trying to gauge how he’s feeling, but he just looks at Lila with love and understanding. He was hurt by his sister’s attitude too, and while he isn’t holding a grudge like Lila, he will support his wife no matter what.
“So instead, I thought we could spin a story about the evil sea beast who captures the young mer females when they are swimming in their animal forms, and the rest of us need to battle them to get them back.”
Oh, that is clever. I’m impressed, and Nik looks excited, even though he stays quiet and lets his sister explain.
“It will need to be fleshed out a little, and we can work on that, but I wanted to pitch the idea to you,” Nixie continues in a hurry when Lila shows no reaction.
“How do you feel about this?” Lila turns her gaze back to the dragon, who just shrugs.
“It doesn’t bother me. It isn’t like it’s hard to swim around and act menacing.”
Lila nods. “Okay, that sounds fine as long as he doesn’t get hurt. No real weapons, only stage props, and I want to see the actbefore I fully approve it. You have two days to get it performance ready. Ghosie will schedule a time for a full performance so we can approve it.” She looks at me, but I am already checking the schedule and booking them a slot. I lock it in and send them the details to their tablets.
“We’ll be ready, I promise. I won’t let you down again,” Nixie says quietly, but Lila has already turned her back to her, effectively dismissing her. I see a tear trickle down Nixie’s face, and Hurricane puts his arm around her and hurries her out of the arena with his sisters in tow.
Tirrian and Nikos join us.
“You don’t think you were a little harsh on her?” Tirrian, of all people, asks, and she just gapes at him.
“Seriously?” she asks, sounding hurt. “You, the king of grudge holding, are going to ask me that?”
He sighs and shakes his head. “It’s because I know how badly I fucked up holding that grudge against you, and I don’t want you to make the same mistake.”
“But it’s not the same. I didn’t hurt you. I didn’t do anything, you just had misinformation. She hurt me, not to mention Nik. We both needed her while he was pregnant, and instead of supporting him, she let her mother walk all over her.”
“It can be hard when it involves family,” Tirrian argues, obviously thinking about how he took his cousin’s side.
“But Nik was her family too, and he was there for her more than her mother ever was.” Lila is not giving an inch, and I start to worry this is going to devolve into a real argument, but Tirrian backs down.
“You’re right. You are entitled to your feelings. I just don’t want you to regret it later.” He pulls her into a hug, and she goes willingly into his arms and sags a little. Lila has had to adjust to being in charge on the fly, and it’s going to take a toll. We need toremember to give her hugs and reassure her she’s doing a great job.
