“I am happy for you.You three make a good family.”
Keska beamed.“Thank you.”
“I will go and get dinner organized.”
“Nice.Roasted mushrooms?”
“Of course.”Hemma smiled.She walked away and back into the kitchen.The thought of being usurped by a nanny was intense, but it was probably her down cycle.She was feeling empty and useless and alone.Maybe it was empty nest syndrome?
She got everything set up for dinner and had to finish the last part of it slowly as Cira and Ciro were riding along on her feet, giggling with their arms around her legs.She moved with her deliberate motions and got all of the veggies and meat ready.Everything went into the fridge and was covered and waiting.
Ciro looked up at her with a bright grin.“Sing!”
She sang the alphabet, sang numbers, sang all child-friendly songs she could think of.When a nanny burst into the kitchen, she smiled.“I believe I am in possession of something you are looking for.”She walked slowly around, and the littles giggled as they were pried from her, then they lunged forward and stuck again.There was more giggling, and finally, they were loose and being carried out by their caregiver.
She smiled and cleaned up, checked outside, and made another pitcher of juice and another of lemonade.
It was just a lazy Sunday at home.
Keska smiled.“So, how is Chaos?”
“She’s good.She wears cuffs on her wrists and forearms now.”
“Right.Still sparky?”
“She has it under control.She even has a normal food service job now.”Zephyr smiled and folded her flatbread around her grilled meat and vegetables.“Before you ask, I put Breen back where I found her.”
Khytten chuckled.“So, you are really dating Trisk?”
Zephyr coughed.“He wishes.We were matched.He’s persistent.He’s wearing me down because Hemma said he should try it with one body at a time.That might make a difference.”
“Is that how the Renovik do it?Matchmaking?”
Zephyr nodded.“Soul brightness.When you are interested in thinking about another person, you take a soul stone and leave your mark on it.It is put on a table with others who are doing the same thing, and the two little stones find each other through wiggling.If they spark when they touch, it’s a good match.”
Hemma smiled.“You set the—”
“Table on fire.Yes.”
Khytten grinned.“So, when did you last see him...them?”
Hemma chuckled.
Zephyr shrugged.“He helped me put the groceries in the car yesterday.”
“So, he’s nearby?”
Zephyr nodded.“Yup.He’s going to perform at the event next Friday.”
Khytten grinned.“Excellent.”
Hemma didn’t mention that Zephyr could get him there in seconds.It was her intended, and she didn’t have to show him off.
Zephyr smiled and inclined her head.
Khytten asked, “So, what’s he like in person?”
“Thick.Solid, warm.He’s reliable, but he gets a little bit of target fixation when I am around.”
