Chapter 10 #3
Sloan raised an eyebrow. “Unpleasant. What does that mean? Does that mean you guys all had a big fight?”
Mari nodded, the big guy’s eyes a little frosty.
“I am not afraid to tell it as it is. He was absolutely insufferable. He felt as though he was too smart to stay in the village, as if he was too good for the life there. As if everyone there was just provincial and awful, and he made it very clear. He was unkind, especially to Tyr because they are twins. He wanted Tyr to go with him, and he was bitterly disappointed when Tyr chose his bees over his brother.”
Tyr spread his hands. “It was my place. My bees needed me. I know that my braedor would have liked for me to come with him, and I admit that when I was that age, the thought of seeing the city at least held some charm, but I knew that I couldn’t go and stay at university.
I couldn’t leave all of this behind. I love the village.
I love my friends and the gardens and the view of the mountains that I see every day.
I need to know that if I just fly for a little while I will smell the sea and be able to see Fredda playing in her kelp garden.
Then there’s my bees. I love my bees, and he couldn’t understand that.
” Tyr sighed. “I do not blame him, but they were hurtful, the things that he said to me.”
Sloan was suddenly so grateful to Brayden and Riley, because they had just come with him.
Sure, they had delayed the crossing over the veil for a while, especially Riley.
But when it came right down to it, they had trusted him, and they’d said ‘sure, we’ll find a whole new life because you’re mated’.
They could have told him to fuck off, and he would have never seen them again.
They hadn’t, though, and he loved them so much for it.
“I’m sorry, babe, that sounds awful,” Sloan told Tyr.
Tyr and Aleana shared a glance. “It was a very long time ago,” Aleana said. “And while we miss him, we have been told that he is living a life that pleases him, so we can be happy for him.”
Sloan thought that was a very carefully worded statement. Very diplomatic, but that was fine with him. Riley and Brayden didn’t need to satisfy their curiosity at the expense of Aleana and Tyr’s comfort. This was clearly an uncomfortable topic for them, and Mari seemed really angry about it.
“Wow, that’s a mind trip,” Riley said. “I don’t know what I would do without my brothers.”
Brayden just shrugged, appearing philosophical. “He took a different path. Sometimes that happens.”
“What about you?” Mari asked, changing the subject. “Brayden, do you expect to stay in the village?”
“Oh, I like it, for sure, but we’ll see if I get wandery. Riley has itchier feet than I do, but one never knows.”
Things settled in then a little bit, everyone chatting, with Riley and Brayden seeming to get past a little bit of their nerves. Tyr’s sister was an interesting mix of formal and warm and motherly. Sloan understood that she was probably withholding just a little bit because she didn’t know them.
This seaside village was even smaller than Tyr’s, and he imagined it was fairly insular, but she was gracious and kind, and by the end, she was laughing just as hard as anyone else really and seeming to enjoy their company.
Tyr finally rose, clearing his throat and bowing a little to his sister and her mate.
“We should probably get going before it gets too dark. I want to make sure that my bees have everything they need for the night. Even with tragae watching them, I don’t imagine they’re happy with me being gone all day. ”
Aleana just snorted and shook her head. “Bees existed for millennia before you came along, Tyr, and they will exist that long after you’re gone.”
Tyr simply smiled, an expression that Sloan had already come to know was Tyr’s “humoring the lunatic” look. “Of course, sister, but these are my bees, and I made a promise to them that I would take care of them.”
“Do you guys mind if I fly back up later?” Riley asked. “I think I can find the way pretty easily, and I’d really like to explore the ocean.”
“I don’t mind if no one else does,” Tyr said.
“Why don’t I stay with you?” Brayden asked.
Riley rolled his eyes. “Fine. I know it’s just because you think I’m gonna get into trouble, but whatever.”
Tyr’s sister laughed. “I will make sure that the people of the village and such know you’re not strangers. That you are friends.”
“We appreciate that. We don’t want to cause anybody any stress.” Brayden winked at her. “We’re just so curious. Everything is so new.”
“Would you like to stay and explore?” Tyr asked him. “If you would, I can head home alone.”
“No. I want to go with you.” He still had plenty to explore right in his own house. And he wanted to be with Tyr. Being too far apart from him made Sloan ache right now.
“Oh, new mating…” Mari chuckled, the sound reminding Sloan of bubbles. “I remember that fondly.”
“Mmm.” Aleana chuckled. “I do too. Now, you all go on and have your fun.”
He grinned at Tyr. He had a feeling those two were going to remember mating very soon.
Tyr winked at him. “Let’s go home. The bees are waiting.”
He thought that maybe the bees would have to wait, just a bit, so they could remember the mating as well…