"My son was a spirited little boy but very well-behaved," Annani said diplomatically from her place of honor. "Full of energy and strong-willed, much like his daughter."
Kian didn't remember enough from his childhood to argue, and besides, it was futile to argue with his mother. When she decided something, even solid proof couldn't change her mind.
Okidu glided into the dining room carrying a platter of stuffed Portobello mushrooms, their caps glistening with olive oil and topped with herbed breadcrumbs. The Odu set the dish near Kian's end of the table, then returned moments later with a beautifully arranged platter of sliced herb-crusted beef tenderloin for the meat-eaters, the center still perfectly pink.
"The mushrooms are prepared with quinoa, sun-dried tomatoes, and cashew cream, Master Kian," Okidu announced. "And for those who prefer meat, I have prepared the beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction, as well as roasted chicken with lemon and thyme that is resting in the kitchen."
"Thank you, Okidu," Syssi said warmly, eyeing the colorful array of dishes already spread across the table. "Everything looks and smells incredible."
Kian appreciated the dishes that had been prepared with him in mind, like the vibrant beet and arugula salad, the roastedcauliflower steaks with tahini drizzle, and a fragrant wild rice pilaf studded with cranberries and pecans. There was even a platter of honey-glazed carrots, which were among his favorites.
Okidu bowed. "It is my pleasure, mistress. Your enjoyment is my satisfaction."
As plates were filled and wine was poured, Kian surveyed his family.
It was growing, the next generation showing much promise, with his daughter shining at the top, of course. Even little E.T. wasn't so little anymore. Evander Tellesious, or E.T. as he was nicknamed, was nine months old.
Then there were the new additions that hadn't been born to the clan. Morelle and Ell-rom were sitting on the other side of the table with their mates.
Ell-rom had adopted Kian's vegan diet and was doing his best not to grimace when Jasmine loaded her plate with a generous portion of roasted chicken that Okidu had just brought out, its skin golden and crackling.
Lokan and Carol were notably absent, having stayed at the keep to be near Areana and offer her company when and if she needed it.
Which reminded him of the conversation he wanted to have with the rest of the family.
"We need to discuss Navuh and what to do with him," he said, setting down his fork.
The cheerful chatter died instantly. Even the babies seemed to sense the shift in mood, growing quieter and stopping the foodprojectile flinging, which had become something they did at nearly every family meal.
Amanda sighed. "Can't we have one dinner without talking about him?"
"I wish we could. But the situation isn't going to resolve itself, and we need to make some decisions. A house for him and Areana needs to be built to extremely high security standards, but no one wants him near them."
"Just put him in stasis," Dalhu said bluntly. The former Doomer had no love for his lord. "Problem solved."
"It's not that simple." Annani lifted her wine goblet. "I gave Areana my word that we would not execute him, and although stasis is not the same as death, it would be the same to her. She cannot live without him."
"With all due respect to Areana, we can't just let him live comfortably while he plots against us." Amanda pushed her plate away, her appetite apparently lost. "He has spent five thousand years trying to destroy us along with everything we've built."
"I am aware of my cousin's history." Annani's expression hardened. "But there is no point in discussing this because I gave my word to Areana. The issue is closed. Naturally, we are not going to tell him that we are planning to build a house for him. We want him to have motivation to cooperate with us."
The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken objections.
Kian cleared his throat. "I'm not suggesting execution or permanent stasis. What I want to discuss is a secure location where we can keep him contained but comfortable enough thatAreana doesn't feel like they are living in a jail, even though that's exactly what it will be for Navuh, while she will be free to come and go as she pleases. I'm open to creative suggestions."
"Comfortable," Kalugal repeated, his lip curling. "He doesn't deserve comfort."
"I know, but Areana does, and her comfort is important to my mother and to you," Kian said. "I want her to feel welcomed while ensuring our family's safety. Those are my priorities, in that order."
Jacki put a hand on Kalugal's arm. "We have plenty of room in our part of the village, and the security infrastructure is already?—"
"No." The word came out sharp enough to make Darius stir in her arms. "I will not have that male anywhere near my wife and son." Kalugal softened his voice, but his expression remained granite. "I left his island to escape his shadow. I will not invite it into my home."
Kian had expected this response because he'd heard it from Kalugal before. Evidently, though, Kalugal hadn't shared that with Jacki.
"I understand," Kian said. "And for what it's worth, I don't want him near my family either."
"Then where?" Orion asked. "The village isn't that big. If he can't be in Kalugal's section and he can't be in the other residential areas, what's left? The parking structure?"
