Page 39 of In Your Light

Then Salem came in, holding the other two. One was a paler gold, and the other was a dark gold with odd-coloured eyes.

“Oh, my heart,” Fyn said, his hand to his chest. “Look at them.”

“Hello,” Salem said, grinning. “This is Ukko and Àine.”

Four little godlings. They were somehow even bigger than they had been just days ago. And so, so cute.

Fyn bowed his head. “I am Fyn. It’s an honour to formally meet you.”

“We’re happy you’re here, Fyn,” Aurin said.

“Thank you for extending me an invitation,” Fyn replied. “Pax was not happy, to say the least. I was also invited to stay at the hut, which I considered, not gonna lie, but I think here is the right place for me. I want to learn so much and do anything and everything I can to help.”

“You were invited to stay at the hut, huh?” Sawyer asked with a curious smile. “The mystery guest offered for you to stay with him. How interesting. Is he cute?”

Fyn couldn’t help but blush and smile, and when they all exchanged a look, Fyn was about to deny everything when a lot of voices and footsteps interrupted them.

Tobin and Fray, Otis and Pania, and Beau and Hudson filed in, chatting amongst themselves, carrying buckets and brooms, a mop, bags of bedding, and⁠—

“Okay, where do we start?” Hudson said.

Ciaran came in with another bucket full of cleaning supplies. “Kellan, Dylan, and Hendrix will be here soon. They were...” Ciaran made a face. “Busy.”

Fray seemed to find that funny, but everyone else was quick to get to work. Windows were cleaned, cupboards wiped, floors swept, the bathroom scrubbed and mopped, the fireplace and the stove cleaned out and relit, and in no time at all, Fyn’s little cottage was like brand-new.

Pania even hung new curtains, and Sawyer had salvaged the bed, making it up with new linens. Dylan and Hendrix had brought some plates and kitchen things, claiming they didn’t need so many now that they’d combined all their belongings. Kellan had brought some books that Fyn was excited to read, and Otis declared he was cooking dinner for everyone as a welcome for Fyn.

“What’s your favourite food?” Sawyer asked Fyn. “Otis can cook anything.”

“Uh, I’m a vegetarian,” Fyn said. “All faun are....”

“Oh, of course,” Sawyer said. “That makes sense. These guys eat a lot of seafood.”

“I don’t expect anyone to cook for me. I don’t want to be a bother. I’m sure I can forage in the woods⁠—”

“We have a huge vegetable garden,” Ciaran said. “Thanks to Hudson and Beau. Maybe you could help them out during the daytime.”

“Oh, I’d love to,” Fyn said, excited. Then he remembered something. “I did tell Zaq I’d meet him at the boundary tomorrow. Just to let him know I’m okay. If that’s all right? I won’t be gone for long, and I’ll have all my chores done before I leave.”

Ciaran seemed a little surprised. “Of course it’s okay. You don’t ever need to ask permission to come or go as you please.”

“Oh.” Fyn was shocked that they were so... free.

Then Ciaran added, “I would ask, though, that you tell someone where you’re heading off to and when you’ll be back so we know when to worry if you’re late or something, okay?”

“Yes, of course,” Fyn said quickly. “Of course.”

Sawyer gave Fyn a warm smile, and when the others filed out, he stayed behind. “Come down and have dinner with us all. It’ll be loud, and Fray will most likely be rude and offensive, so don’t mind him too much. He’s funny but lacks a filter most days. I’m sure everyone has questions for you. They won’t mean to invade your privacy or anything. They’ll just be curious, that’s all. It’s exciting to have you here. And don’t mind Ciaran too much. He acts grumpy sometimes, but he’s a big softy, honestly. And if you’re living here, then you’re part of his consortium, so you’re under his protection now...”

Oh, wow.

Fyn wasn’t sure what to say. “Thank you. You’ve been very kind to me. Everyone has. I can’t believe this place cleaned up so fast.”

“You’re very welcome, Fyn. And just so you know, you can talk to me about anything. Like the mystery man at the hut that the mention of made you blush before. You don’t have to tell me details, because I know secrets are secrets, but if you want to talk about... feelings, then my door is always open, okay?”

Fyn smiled and did his darnedest not to blush again. “Okay. Thank you.”

“I’ll leave you alone now. Let you take in your new place. Come down in about half an hour. Follow the noise. That’s where we’ll be.”