Page 14 of In Your Light

He actually laughed.

“And ooh boy, you really need to work on your gratitude. I bring you supplies from my own rations, and you rebuke me. Was gratitude something different back in your day?”

It took Hadeom a second to process. “Back in my day? Are you calling me old?”

“You’re a friend of Cern’s. That tells me you’re old. You might not look it, but…” He grinned. “Old.”

Hadeom fought a smile. “Time is subjective. And age should be measured by experience, not rotations this planet makes around the sun.”

Fyn laughed. “Okay. So just how much experience do you have?”

He seemed to realise how this sounded the moment he’d said it, if the way his cheeks drew pink was any indicator.

It made warmth pool in Hadeom’s chest. “Old,” he murmured. “I’m old.”

Fyn looked up the river and sipped his tea. “So, as old as Cern, or...?”

But Hadeom was still stuck on something else. “What do you mean, you brought me supplies from your own rations?”

Fyn’s face scrunched up as he winced. “You caught that, huh?”

The warmth in Hadeom’s chest deepened into something that felt like regret. “Fyn.”

“Mr Hadeom,” he replied in the same disappointed tone.

“You gave me food meant for you?”

“Well, I couldn’t exactly take rations from the communal supply considering I’m not supposed to be here. I had to take it from my cupboard.”

“Fyn,” Hadeom said, exasperated. “Please don’t make sacrifices on my behalf.”

“It’s not a sacrifice.”

“What will you eat now?”

“Like I said, I’ll be on lunch duty. I can sneak a bite or two. Plus, I have more,” he said, though Hadeom didn’t quite believe that. He was a terrible liar. “And anyway,” he added, “I was thinking maybe I could stop by the village again.”

“Tenebrae Cove,” Hadeom said.

Fyn’s green eyes met his. “Yes. You know it?”

“Yes.”

He held Hadeom’s gaze and smiled, and it made Hadeom’s heart knock again. “The folk there are really nice,” he said. “They said I was welcome any time. I might ask if I can stay a night or two. I’m sure they won’t mind.”

“But your... your brother,” Hadeom said. He’d almost said “herd.” “Will he mind?”

Fyn shrugged and made a face. “Probably, but...”

“But what?”

“But I want more from my life,” Fyn said. “I want adventures, and I want excitement. I get that Pax is all about our camp and our people, but that’s his calling, not mine. And...” He shrugged. “There’s no mate there for me.”

Hadeom’s gaze cut to Fyn’s. He wanted to say so much but didn’t want to ruin the mood. Fyn was being honest with him. He was speaking from his heart.

“You need to live your own life,” Hadeom offered.

Fyn nodded, fear and relief in his eyes. “I feel like I’m being made to choose between the herd and my own happiness.” Then he balked. “Blight. I mean...”