Chapter 21 #2
Tyr heard Sloan, thundering on the stairs and then reaching him with a screech. “What on earth is that?”
“An orblok. Remember, we met them coming from the harvest festival.”
“The bat-owl thing…”
The orblok shot Sloan a look.
“Orblok, Sloan.”
“Right. Okay. Sure. What is it doing here?”
“Well, I think it was hungry, but I also think that she’s here for the baby.”
Smoke blew out of Sloan’s nostrils, and he stepped forward with a growl. “For the baby?”
“What? No, no no! To help. Like as a guardian. They’re very beneficial. They don’t eat bees.”
Sloan stumbled back and sat on the long, low divan, dropping his forehead in his hand. “Did you just say they don’t eat bees?”
He nodded. “I just said they don’t eat bees.”
“What does it eat?”
“She. Nuts. Seeds, fruit, milk. She even brought her baby. Isn’t that sweet? I think her name is Rinda.”
“Rinda?”
He nodded. “And the baby is called Fauv.”
“And you know this.”
“I do, and this is why I know this is the baby’s guardian. Exciting, no?”
“Sure. Maybe a little surprising, too.” Sloan was watching the orblok like it might just bite him. “She’s small compared to the ones we saw in the fields, huh?”
Tor chuckled. “Don’t insult her, Sloan.”
“I’m not trying to. Honestly, though, Cade got a cat. Hell, Zeke got a bear.”
“And Cullen and them got weasels and magpies.” That was Brayden, coming to look at the baby orblok. “It could be way worse. This is cool, man.”
“She’s amazing and fierce. She’ll defend our little girl until the end of time.”
Sloan nodded, studying the orblok. “I believe you. I apologize for disparaging you, lady.”
She tilted her head, then she bowed, deep and low, making a clicking, clacking sound.
Tyr beamed, because that was a lovely thing, to see his mate and their babe’s animal companion make peace.
Tor poured more milk for the baby bird, who drank frantically and then fell asleep with his face in the bowl. Tor gently moved him out of danger, and Rinda moved to tuck him into a corner of the room to allow him to sleep.
Riley wandered in then, yawning. “Are we having midnight pancakes? Whoa, is that a bat bird?”
“She’s an orblok, Riley. This is Rinda.”
Riley bowed. “Welcome, Rinda.”
Pleased, Tyr patted Riley on the arm.
“What are midnight pancakes?” Tor asked.
“I’ll make them.” Sloan rose to kiss his cheek, then began assembling the makings of the yummy fried bread cakes.
“What is this?”
“Just come and sit.” They were good, wasn’t that enough?
Tor came to sit next to him. “I’m just curious, brother,” he said softly.
“I know. But sometimes it’s better to experience it than it is to ask so much.”
“It’s my job,” Tor argued, and Tyr snorted.
“Right now, just be my brother. For a minute. Please.”
“Very well.” Tor reached out, and Tyr took his hand. There was a flash of golden light, their joined hands at the epicenter, and Sloan dropped a stirring spoon with a clang.
“What the hell was that?”
Tor’s heart opened to his, and he could see so much—horror, pain, fear of being rejected here—and Tyr answered with his absolute certainty that his twin belonged, that this would always be a welcoming space.
Whatever had happened in the city, Tor would tell or not, but Tyr would be his twin’s sanctuary.
“Dammit, Tyr!”
He opened his mouth to answer Sloan when the crash and bang of teeny tiny feet came barreling through the house.
“Do it again? Please?” Fredda’s eyes were lit up, pure magic pouring from her. “I heard you making magics. I can do it too.”
Tor nodded. “I know.”
And that was it. That was why Tor was here.
Tyr’d seen it in a rush, in that moment when they were connected again. Tor wasn’t coming to take Fredda, though. He was coming to protect her.
Tor met his eyes, so serious, so quiet. “I see you understand.”
Tyr nodded. “I do. I understand. You have a place here.”
“I don’t understand what’s going on,” Sloan muttered. “But I have the feeling things are going to get a little hairy here.”
Aleana came in, stared at them both, fury pouring off her. “I don’t know what you two were plotting and planning, but you’re not going to do it with my child.”
Tor shook his head. “I’m here to protect her. I’m not going to hurt her.”
“You are not going to hurt me. You’re my ewyrml.” Fredda didn’t seem as if there was a bit of doubt in her entire little body.
“She is going to learn magic, you know, whether you want her to or not.”
Aleana glared at Tor. “I’m not sending her to that city!”
“No. No, I think that would be a very bad idea.”
“There’s pancakes,” Sloan spoke up, obviously fake cheer in his voice.
Fredda clapped her hands and ran to Sloan. “Pancakes! I love pancakes.”
Tor arched one eyebrow. “Well then, I must see these pancakes.”
What is going on? Sloan’s aggravation was clear as crystal and twice as sharp.
I can’t explain it to you right now. But I will. Right, I promise you.
I will hold you to it. Sloan picked up Fredda, holding her in one arm while he flipped pancakes with the other hand. “Riley, I need plates. Brayden, syrup could use some warming, and can you get the butter?”
“You got it.”
“Sure.”
The brothers leaped into action, Riley ushering Aleana to a seat. She was clearly still fuming, but Tyr knew she would understand soon. Fredda was in grave danger. And so was little Penny up at the mountain clutch.
That could not be allowed. He would tell Sloan about all of it as soon as they had time alone.