Carver searched her face but saw no sign that she was uncomfortable with the visit, even though she’d only met his mother once before.
Amryn glanced over at Alora and Cregon, as she said, “She’s wonderful.”
“I believe your husband told you that once,” Carver said.
The corner of her lips twitched. “He may have mentioned it.”
He grinned, then set a hand on her knee, squeezing lightly. “I’m sorry I was gone so long.”
Alora chuckled, making it clear she’d heard his words as she and Cregon moved closer. “You’llreallyregret it once you learn some of the stories I shared with Amryn.”
He groaned. “How embarrassed should I be right now?”
“Very,” Alora and Amryn said together. They shared a smile, then his mother said, “I told her about the time Loreena convinced you that you could fly, and you nearly broke your neck jumping off a cliff.”
“I trust you told her I was smart enough to at least jump into the ocean.”
“I did. She wasn’t reassured.”
Carver looked over at Amryn. “In my defense, I was six.”
“I remember being six,” his wife said. “And I was quite certain by that age that I couldn’t fly.”
“Yes, well, you didn’t have Loreena as an older sister. She was amazingly convincing.”
“She must have been. As I recall, she convinced you to eat a stick.”
His father guffawed. “Saints, I’d forgotten that.”
Carver pulled a face. “I, unfortunately, will never forget.”
Amryn chuckled, her green eyes shining. “I still can’t believe you did that.”
“I can’t believe that was one of the first stories I ever shared with you.” He reached out to link their fingers, resting their twined hands on her thigh. “You must have thought me an idiot.”
Her smile softened. “Only a little bit.”
Alora beamed as she studied them. Carver was certain his mother wanted to say a hundred different things, but she merely patted Cregon’s chest and said, “We won’t keep you.”
Cregon looked down at his wife. “You’re going to insist on returning to the townhome, aren’t you?”
“Of course. My babies are there.”
Cregon dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “I’ll take you.”
“You don’t have to—”
“Dearest.” He gave her a stern look. “This is an argumentyouwon’t win.”
Alora huffed, but she didn’t press the issue. They exchanged goodnights, and then his parents were gone.
It was only then that Carver realized Ahmi wasn’t in the room. When he asked, Amryn told him that she’d insisted her maid get some sleep. She also shared that Berron had come by to check on her, which surprised him. He couldn’t remember the last time Berron had sought anyone out. But then, his concern for Amryn had been clear, just in their brief encounter in the hallway earlier.
“Jayveh and Sadia also came,” Amryn said. “They brought flowers.” She nodded to a large arrangement sitting on the bedside table.
“They’re pretty,” he said.
Amryn raised an eyebrow. “You like pink and purple flowers?”
