“That’s your brother?” Prisca demanded.
“...Yes.”
“Well, don’t just leave him out there. Bring him in for dinner.”
“Oh. I’m not sure…” Cassia’s voice came out uncertain.
“Girl. Invite that boy in.”
Aevrin kept staring at her. She couldn’t read the expression on his face. He didn’t look too pleased. Cassia gulped and walked outside on wobbly legs.
“They want you to come in for dinner.”
Rylan stood.
“...Are you sure?” he said.
“Yeah. They’re insisting.”
“Do they know about…?”
“No,” Cassia said quickly. “Just that you’re my brother. I didn’t tell them anything about you.”
Rylan nodded, looking serious.
“I am kind of hungry,” he admitted, looking longingly past her towards the warm house. “Haven’t really had a proper meal in a few days… and if we’re going separate ways…”
“Come in, then.”
She turned to go back inside. Rylan grabbed her wrist. She turned, surprised, as her brother pulled her into a quick, tight hug, then let her go.
“What was that for?” Cassia’s voice warbled.
“Nothing. Let’s eat.” His voice was thick. “I wanna meet these people my sister will be living with. Make sure they’re good enough for you.”
Rylan trailed a few steps behind her and closed the front door with a lost look on his face. His head craned, drinking in the comfortable, well-lived in Riveker home. Suddenly, as the smell of sizzling meat filled Cassia’s nose, she recalled that she’d dropped the dinner when Rylan showed up. The ceramic had shattered and the steak pastries had all fallen apart.
Cassia hugged herself, then took a step tentatively towards the kitchen. The Rivekers were all crowded in there. There was no sign anymore of the food or platter she’d dropped; the floor looked tidy. Sath stood at the stove searing cuts of griffon Cassia had meant for tomorrow’s stew, while Sorven sliced a loaf of leftover bread. Aevrin leaned moodily against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked up when Cassia entered and let his arms drop, studying her intensely.
“Sorry about dinner. And the plate,” Cassia said quietly as she heard Rylan come up behind her.
“You will be when you taste pa’s cooking,” Mavek joked. Sathuel didn’t react. “Hey, man. Mavek Riveker.”
“Rylan. Thanks for letting me in.”
“Nonsense,” Gramma Prisca said. “We know the importance of family around these parts.” Cassia didn’t miss the sharp lookshe gave Aevrin, and wondered what might have passed between the family while she’d been outside with Rylan. “Cassia, you show that boy the necessary so he can wash up. Mavek, Aevrin, you’ve got hands. We need another setting and all these nice sides Cassia made put on the table.”
When Cassia and Rylan got back to the dining room, everyone but Sath and Sorven were seated at the table. An extra chair had been added to the left of Cassia’s; Aevrin sat on her right as usual. He stood quickly when she entered and pulled out her chair for her. She gave him a weak, guilty smile and fell into the chair.
“You alright?” he asked her quietly, leaning forward to whisper in her ear, his hands on the back of her chair.
She nodded. Rylan took his own seat and glanced around the room nervously.
“It’s nice to have another Clarek at the table,” Gramma Prisca said firmly, as if demanding everyone find it in their hearts to agree.
“I, uh,” Rylan said shakily. “I’m sorry to have barged in on you all.”
“Bet you can tell us all kinds of embarrassing stories about Cassia,” Mavek said with a grin. “I didn’t even know she had a brother. So? What’s the stupidest thing she’s done?”
