“Benny!” Seda began, but her sudden yell caused her to choke on her breakfast.
Ael’s face quickly changed from flabbergasted at Benny to concerned over Seda, and he began to pound on her back, trying to help clear her airway.
Seda took a deep breath and, with watery eyes, glared daggers at her brother.
Damn, I did miss a lot,she thought as her lips curled into a smile.
Ferona cleared her throat beside Luelle, and she glanced over, their eyes meeting for a moment, but Ferona quickly looked away.
Ael changed the subject while he ran his hand up and down Seda’s back. “Ojore and Praxis should be back today.”
Benny and Askold sat up straighter in their chairs.
“Do you know what time to expect them?” Benny asked.
“Before lunch,” Ael replied.
Luelle let out a sigh, expecting Praxis to return with a new excuse to bother her, likely bringing up his dick again in the process.
She regretted all those times she had drunk too much wine and wished she had someone to spend time with. For whatever reason, Praxis was always available.
A shudder ran through her at the memory. He truly was terrible in bed, which was such a shame given his cock was so large. But without his awful lovemaking, she never would have allowed herself the freedom to discover the beauty of a woman. She had always been attracted to them, but never took that first step until after spending time withhim.
She supposed she was thankful for his terrible lovemaking and shrugged to herself.
“I have a book that I’d like you guys to read the contents within,” Seda said, holding out a worn leather book. She handed the book to Ael, who didn’t try to read it, then handed it to Benny.
Benny opened the book and flipped through the pages. “It’s blank. What is it?”
“Pass it along, please,” Seda asked him. Benny shook his head as if his sister were crazy, then handed the book to Roya.
Roya opened the pages, her eyes squinting. “You really can’t see this?” she asked Benny.
Benny grabbed the book back from her and flipped through the pages once more. He shook his head. Roya took the book back from him and handed it to Ferona, who opened it and agreed she could see its contents as well.
Ferona handed it to Luelle, and their fingers briefly touched. The touch was soft, and she flexed her tingly fingers.
Ferona quickly looked away again, heat creeping along her cheeks once more. Luelle’s lips curled into a faint smile, and she opened the book, seeing the pages lined with various, disgusting-looking spells.
“Where did you get this?” Luelle asked Seda as she peered over the book.
Seda preened. “Cahir got it from Tahti. Apparently, she’s missing, and the only thing she left behind was this book. He cannot see what’s inside either.”
“So…” Luelle started, but stopped, thoughts circling her mind. She knew Tahti was gone; Ael had told her so yesterday. It didn’t make sense that the old, mean thing would vanish, but she honestly didn’t care. Good riddance. No more bumps on her head with her gone. “This must be her Book of Light. Sounds like men cannot see what’s within.”
“I told you it wasn’t just me!” Seda exclaimed, her preening finally exploding, and pointed her finger at Ael’s chest. He smiled down at her, like she was cute for telling him so.
Luelle had never seen Ael so enamored before, and it made her heart swell for her friend. He deserved to be happy.
He also deserved to hear ‘I told you so’ more often.
“Why would that mean, old witch, leave her book behind?” Luelle wondered aloud as she flipped through the pages of chicken scratch.
No one answered.
“We need to plan for taking back the stolen Umbrea stone for Seda,” Ael finally said.
Luelle gasped and set the book down. “What do you mean? La Uma has that stone. No one goes up there unless you have a death wish. Your father never came back, Ael.”
