Ragnar stared at me from his dish with a grape stuck to his beak like a second nose.
“Don’t even give me that judgmental stare,” I told him. “You have a grape beak.”
He turned his head and continued snacking on the grape.
Tortoises were merciful.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Mom’s number.
She answered on the second ring. “Koa? Are you eating? Sleeping? Not setting anything on fire? Hopefully not dying too much?”
“Eating is a sensitive topic right now, Mom.” I groaned. “A girl I like fed me, and I choked and died.”
A beat of silence passed.
“Fruit again?”
“Grape,” I confirmed.
She clicked her tongue exactly as she had when I was eight. “Cut them in half.”
“I’m not cutting grapes in half, Mom. I’m a grown?—”
“—phoenix who still chokes on grapes and popcorn. Apparently, even when a pretty girl feeds him.” Her voicesoftened on the last sentence. “I’m sure you’ll tell me more about her when you’re ready. How was your meeting?”
“Fine.” I let out a heavy breath. “I’m going to prove his innocence, Mom.”
“Your father would tell you to keep your head,” she murmured. “So will I. Keep your head and trust the Fates to guide you.”
“I’m trying,” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I’m going to fix it, Mom. Dad’s name. Our family’s reputation.”
“I know,” she told me before sniffling.
After we hung up, I called Sora. She picked up with, “Did you die again?” like it was a greeting.
“I’m fantastic, thanks for asking, lovely sister of mine.”
She cackled. “Well, that’s a yes.”
“Good night, Sora. Not sure why I called.”
“Oh, don’t be mean. Talk to me. What’s up? Did you die in front of your crush or something?” she guessed accurately.
“Yes.”
She gasped. “Oh my Fates! No way!What?”
“I will tell you more about it later,” I murmured, hearing Rune’s giggle carry through the walls.
“Ugh. Fine. I’ll be patient. Hey. Jokes aside? You’re not Dad. You’reyou. You’ll work it all out and get proof Dad is innocent,” she said softly, knowing exactly what was bugging me. “Also, for the love of all that is the Fates, stop dying so much. How did you die this time?”
“A grape,” I muttered with a frown.
“Stay away from fruit!” She howled with laughter.
“I’ll consider switching to vegetable soup.”
“Proud of you. Best decision ever,” she said before letting out a loud, high-pitched scream. “Fates, I have to go. There’s a spider!”
