Page 42 of Out of Sight

“You are very strong.”

She felt heat run through her, and she ducked her head. “That comes and goes.”

Ormyet touched her cheek and smiled. A stern voice cleared its throat, and Nanna said, “Ted? Is there an introduction coming?”

Ted sighed and looked at her grandmother. “Nanna Anya, keeper of the sight, mother to six, and grandmother to twenty. Great-grandmother to a whole bunch more. Nanna, this is Ormyet, mage to the imperial house, owner of some stunning earrings, and a fun smile.”

Ormyet grinned. “Succinct, Ted. Thank you.”

He extended his hand. “Madam Anya, thank you for your part in crafting such a spectacular woman.”

Ted blinked.

Anya smiled. “Well, despite my efforts to improve her wardrobe, in which she has defied me the whole way, she is a lovely woman and honourable daughter and granddaughter.”

Ted looked down at her jeans and sweatshirt. “They are clean, which, if you knew how terrifying Lucia’s healing was, you would know was a freaking miracle.”

Ormyet chuckled. “I saw it, and I would agree. She created a pillar of the heavens.”

Ted blinked. “What?”

“You would say a cell signal to the planet. She’s bound to the signals in the air around us.”

Ted’s phone pinged.

Fucking right I am. Yes, he has a hot tub. We are making stone soup jokes.

Ted laughed. “Yeah, you hit the nail on the head with that one.”

Ormyet looked over her shoulder. “He and I are neighbours.”

Ted blinked. “How did you manage that?”

“We have seers of our own. They suggested our proximity would be beneficial.”

Ted snorted. “Interesting. I don’t object to being that close to Lucia, but I currently have an apartment of my own.”

“Well, when you want to move closer to her, the offer stands.” He grinned.

“When, not if?”

“I have confidence in our seers.”

Anya chuckled. “Have confidence in me. I have seen a close relationship between you. It will grow slow but strike hard when you lock in.”

Ted winced. “Don’t say lock.”

Ormyet covered his grin.

Ted glared at him. “Don’t you smirk at me. That is the one part of any alpha I would gladly crop off.”

Ormyet’s expression cleared. “Why?”

“It just seems like a lot of unnecessary fuss and horribly uncomfortable.”

The cousins around who had alphas in their beds put hands over their mouths and giggled.

Anya looked between them and said, “Well, we will discuss this later, Ted. I can give you some pointers.”