Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Riven
When the doorbell rang, I was chopping veggies for the stuffed acorn squash I was serving for lunch. The noise startled me so much I slipped, barely missing slicing open my finger. I…don’t think I’d ever heard the doorbell ring before, and I’d been working for Abydos for almost two weeks now.
Curious, I pulled the towel from my shoulder and hurried toward the front door as I wiped my hands.
This place wasn’t exactly a mansion, but it wasn’t like there was a butler—or any other servants—standing around the answer the door.
Except me.
Abydos had a cleaning team who came in twice a week, but the kitchen was my domain, and he kept his office and suite clean enough on his own, I guess, so there wasn’t much for them to do.
And if that was a delivery person at the front door—why wouldn’t they have left the package by the garage entrance, as the sign instructed?—then I might as well get it.
As I rushed through the foyer, I was struck by how large and empty it was. Would Abydos mind if I bought some fall decorations out here to bring a little cozy cheer? Or maybe I could put some out on the front porch.
He’ll just say no.
I smirked. It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission. I made a mental note to look for pumpkins—decorations, not for cooking—the next time I was at the farmer’s market.
I reached for the front doorknob just as hurried footsteps sounded down the long hall to Abydos’s office, but I was already committed, so I pulled it open. My brows went up as my jaw dropped.
“Hello,” said the vision on the front porch. “Is Abydos home? Of course he is.”
“Riven!” came Abydos’s call as he pounded closer. “Don’t get—”
The words halted abruptly as he saw me standing there, holding open the door to the stranger, whose smile was tight.
“Hello, brother. Were you going to tell her not to let me in?”
Brother?
The male standing on the front porch didn’t look exactly like Abydos, but I could see the similarities in the shape of his jaw and the breadth of his shoulders.
But this male looked as if he knew how to smile, and there was a softness around his eyes.
Of course, the toddler who was sitting on his shoulder leant to the air of gentleness.
Abydos, meanwhile, had slowed, and now he slid his phone into his pocket as he adjusted his cuffs without really looking at either of us. “I was going to tell her to let me get it. Hello, Aswan.”
The second male, still standing on the porch, bounced the child. “Say hello to Uncle Abydos.”
The little boy cautiously waved a small hand. “‘Lo,” he murmured obediently. “Upple Abby-dos.”
Aswan’s face split into a smile. “That’s my new favorite version of your name, Abby-dos. I’m calling you that.”
“Not if you’re planning on coming in here, you’re not,” Abydos scowled, and my brows went up. This male was his brother, and he was being so inhospitable?
I turned back to the male on the front steps and opened my mouth to offer refreshment, or, alternatively, to offer an excuse before slinking away. But Abydos cleared his throat.
“This is Riven, my chef. Riven, my twin brother Aswan. And his youngest kitling Joshua.”
My mouth dropped open; I’d expected him to ignore me. But he said my name—my actual name—as if I belonged here. I shouldn’t have noticed, and I definitely shouldn’t have cared…but it made me preen a little that he thought I was worth introducing.
Aswan’s brows had also risen. “I’m genuinely impressed you remembered Joshy’s name and how many children Hannah and I share.” When he inclined his head to me, the toddler gripped his hair to maintain his perch. “It’s nice to meet you, Riven.”
I wiggled my fingers in what I hoped could pass for politeness. I was still pretty shocked by the whole situation, not to mention that Abydos had even considered introducing me.
“I remember everything,” grumbled Abydos. I saw him take a deep breath and straighten. “Do you want to come in?”
I did my best to keep my expression neutral as I opened the door wider, silently inviting Aswan and the toddler in. But the other man cocked his head to one side and studied Abydos.
“Thank you, but we were just stopping by to invite you to dinner on Saturday. I promised Hannah I would make bkarn, and I thought you would enjoy it as well.”
Could he see the way Abydos’s eyes had lit with excitement for just a moment? The way the lines around his eyes had eased at the offer? Or had Abydos hidden his response too quickly?
As it was, he looked almost…regretful when he shook his head. “Thank you. I would like that, but I have to be back in Colorado on Thursday, and I’ll stay…”
Aswan shrugged. “I’m not surprised. None of us expected you to stay here in Eastshore as long as you have, although we did hope we would see more of you while you were here.”
Was it my imagination, or did Abydos’s dark gaze flick to me just for a fraction of a second before he set his jaw? “I have everything I need here in this house.”
“Yes.” Aswan’s lips curled knowingly, although I don’t know why. “You do. But there’s a difference between needing and wanting.” He stuck out his hand. “When you’re back in town, please let me know. I miss you.”
To my surprise, Abydos didn’t hesitate before he stepped over the threshold to clasp his brother’s forearm. “I’ve missed you too,” he admitted, finally meeting the other male’s eyes. “And your bkarn. I’ll drop you a line when I’m back.”
“Good.” Aswan nodded firmly, but didn’t break the connection. “Hopefully in time for Halloween. Hannah assures me Eastshore’s celebrations are lots of fun, and we’d love to have you join us.”
“Halloween?” I could see the panic in the way Abydos’s jaw tightened. “I don’t think—”
“The whole town comes out to see the decorations and trick or treat,” Aswan interrupted. “Isn’t that right, Joshy?”
The little boy bounced enough that Aswan had to drop his brother’s hand to grab the small body. “Twick or tweat! H’ween! Lotsa candy!”
Abydos’s gaze flicked up to the boy, and—miracle of miracles!—the right corner of his lips curled ever so slightly. “Sounds like something you’d like, Joshy. I’ll…think about it.”
“Good,” his brother said firmly as he stepped down off the porch. “I hope you’ll consider joining us. Safe travels, brother.”
I stood there like an idiot, holding the door open to the October morning—air conditioning the great outdoors, as my Mom would say—as Abydos watched his twin jog down the front walkway toward the parked SUV.
When Aswan was finally far enough that I doubted he could hear, Abydos murmured, “Be well, T’mak. ”
Then he shook his head, turned around, and stopped short when he saw me still standing there.
Embarrassed, I held the door open further, inviting him back in his own damn house.
He seemed almost wary as he edged past me, which is hilarious considering he was twice my size.
I expected him to retreat to his office once more, but when he was inside and I was closing the door behind him, I saw him straighten his shoulders.
“Bkarn is…I suppose it would be roasted venison. My brother owned a restaurant in Bramblewood Bluff, and he’s a very good cook. His challamak sauce for the venison is excellent.”
“Oh.” Say something else, you idiot! He’s opening up! He’s sharing information with you! “Um…maybe we could share recipes sometime. Me and Aswan, I mean.” Yes, of course you and Aswan! “I’m always on the lookout for good recipes.”
I sounded like a nincompoop, didn’t I?
But he wasn’t looking at me like I was one. In fact, he seemed…awkward. “Perhaps you could come taste it the next time he makes it. I wouldn’t want you to steal the recipe—it’s one thing we share of our home.”
And if I could make it, then there’d be no reason for him to spend time with his brother? I nodded, understanding. “Of course,” I said softly. “And thank you.”
“Right.” He nodded once, curtly, as he backed down the hall. “Right. I have to… Work to finish. Then I’ll pack.”
Because he was heading back to Colorado the day after tomorrow, and his friends and family on the island were surprised by how long he’d stayed already.
Truthfully, from what Sylvik had told me, I’d expected him to have left well over a week ago.
He was only supposed to be on Eastshore occasionally—that’s why I had to live in the house, after all.
It was why I hadn’t been too surprised by the trial basis provision to my hiring—I hadn’t expected him to be here long enough to be bothered by the whole me being human thing.
But he hadn’t brought up my humanness again, and he hadn’t mentioned the trial basis aspect when I’d moved my suitcase into my suite. I’d expected him to pop back to Colorado any moment.
But he’d been here for twelve days already.
I wondered why.
In fact, there were a lot of things I wondered about my employer, and orcs in general. In a few days, I’d have nothing to do but plan menus, order ingredients, and rest. And I decided then and there, as I listened to the door to Abydos’s office close, to gather information.
Which is how I found myself hanging out at my cousin Sami’s house Friday evening.
I’d woken yesterday to an empty house. Mansion?
Whatever. It was strange to live there and not be aware of Abydos living there as well.
Which was weird, because up until then, I wouldn’t have guessed that I could feel him in the house.
I mean, don’t get me wrong: I was absolutely aware of him. How could I not be?
It wasn’t just that he was so big, it was that he took up space in my awareness, which makes no sense.
But I just always seemed to be able to guess when he was ready to eat, or when he was hungry, or where he was in the house.
I’m good at taking care of people, yeah, but I’ve never experienced this with a client before.
And I had a pretty good idea why.