Chapter Eight #2
“It was photographed a lot in my early days. It has since become a hairstyle for some animated characters.”
He laughed. “That’s where I have seen it. Posters at school.”
“Oh. Yeah. That would do it. They have just started a new series.”
He stood up and smiled. “I will look into it. You arrange it with a spell?”
“Sort of a command. I boss my hair around.”
He grinned. “It is lovely. I was wondering how you managed to braid it.”
“Practice. Are you ready to go?”
“Yup. I haven’t been this frustrated since I was a teen, but it’s a good reminder for restraint.”
“Really, with all those petitioners?”
“I have never had one dare to crawl into my lap before.” He put a hand to her waist, and they walked to the side of the house, opened and closed the side gate, and got into his vehicle. They were on their way, but Tam-or kept his hand woven with hers.
Walking up to her sister’s room with Tam-or holding her hand was a little embarrassing. She smiled at Cora, and Cora chuckled, glancing at them. “Thanks. Abel-ur wanted to take me home, but he’s stuck doing clan stuff that can’t be put off.”
Never summoned Cora’s clothes and handed them to her. “Do you have your paperwork?”
“Yup. They need you to sign as my caretaker for the next forty-eight hours. It’s you or Matthias, and Leo is a bit terrifying. She’s invited us for a late dinner on the weekend.”
“Oh. That’s going to be fun.”
“Yes, and she wants it to be come as you are, so full size and all extra appendages.”
“Wow. Okay. I can manage that.” She chuckled. “I mean, I can manage it after I get out of the car. Wait, do you have a car?”
Cora nodded. “I do.”
“Nice. If I remember dressing for dinner, it requires a dress. The motorcycle makes things tricky.”
Cora smiled. “As does your lack of a driver’s license.” Cora giggled.
Tam-or whispered, “What?”
Cora moved behind a curtain and got dressed.
“Never doesn’t have a driver’s license. When she goes in for the eye test portion of it, she doesn’t react, so she fails.
There are some strings that could be pulled, but she just said that if she got pulled over, she would tell them the truth. She was blind and had somewhere to be.”
Never chuckled. “It’s never come up. I can pass every test but the eye exam.” She glanced at Tam-or. He was looking stunned.
“You look ill.”
“I had not considered that you don’t have a license.”
“Well, I do, but I can’t pass the test.” She laughed. “Uncle Matthias pushed it through after a series of tests. Because I use magic to see, the computers they pit me against don’t give me anything to work against. I can’t move around a blank screen.”
Tam-or frowned. “How do you read lights and signage?”
“Through the eyes who have seen them before. People leave trails everywhere. I see through the eyes of those who have come before.”
Cora finished putting her clothing on and came out in slacks and a button-down blouse. Her heels clicked on the flooring.
Never said, “You look much better. So, where do I go to sign you out like a library book?”
“The nurses’ station. They will brief you on my care and feeding to make sure I keep a shiny coat.”
Never nodded. “Fine. You stay here and keep Tam-or from calculating how long I have been using a motorcycle across the continent on open roads.”
She left to get the information from the nurses and sign her out as a responsible adult.
* * * *
Cora looked at the broad wall of Tam-or. “So, you and she are getting along?”
He looked at her. “Yes. She really can’t see?”
“She uses senses, like sonar, to get around. She has an idea of what you look like. It’s a good thing that your build is distinctive, and she has probably licked you by now.”
He felt his skin darken. “What is the importance of that?”
“Well, she has tasted you, so she can find you.” She smiled as she checked her phone. “Or rather, hunt you. Have you two had sex yet?”
“No. She seems to be waiting for a sign from you.”
Cora sighed. “I will let her know that she can whenever she wants. I am fairly close to the attachment now, and if she has kids before me, I will just be the best auntie I can be.”
“Why did you wait to take on an orc?”
“Because I didn’t want to leave her alone, but then time ran out, and I thought Abel-ur could manage things.” She smiled. “He’s sweet.”
“That he is. He also got his position in battle. It was a bloody fight with four challengers. He walked out of it like nothing had happened. His challengers are still recovering.”
“How often will he be challenged?”
“Once every five years. The next one is next year.”
Cora frowned. “Someone is going to challenge him?”
“Sure. That’s how we make sure the best in combat is in charge. I am in charge of negotiations, and if we had a shaman, they would be in charge of the balance of the clan.”
Cora looked and followed the line of his gaze. “Oh, you want to lock her in as a shaman.”
“Among other things.”
“Speakers and shamans don’t usually cohabit.”
“No, they don’t, but shamans are usually male. So, it happens but not often.”
“And you are after my sister.”
“Absolutely.”
“Yeah, she’s all ladylike and fearless.”
“Excellent description.”
“She also has excellent hearing. Trying to pimp me out again, Iscorabella?”
“Navendar, you mistake me. I am going to invite you to dinner.”
Never held up the folded paper. “I am supposed to be keeping an eye on you.”
“Abel-ur is going to do that. You are going to be taking me to his place.”
“Oh, you know how I hate lying on paper.”
“You will be less than a kilometre from me, and I know how fast you can move when you want to. I also know you don’t need a phone to hear me.”
Never sighed. “Fine. They are letting you out now and would prefer to have you in a chair, but I have negotiated you hanging on to me or Tam-or.”
Cora laughed and wove her arm through her sister’s. Never gave her a bit more healing, and Cora snorted. “See? I am almost healed. Just soreness, like a muscle ache.”
Tam-or smiled. “I will get the elevator.”
When he was far enough ahead, Cora smiled. “He’s nice and solid.”
“I really like nice and solid,” Never said quietly.
“Good because he really likes you.”
They walked after him, and Never smiled. “He has a lot of tattoos on his torso. I am betting they don’t stop there.”
Tam-or turned and grinned. “They don’t, but to see any more will require a request.”
She looked down at her dress. “I am not dressed to petition.”
He grinned. “You can be.” The elevator arrived, and he held the door for them.
When he stepped in, the car dipped slightly.
Never’s cheeks darkened, and Cora smiled.
She touched Never’s thoughts a little and nearly burst into flame.
The thought of that weight pressing her back was very much on Never’s mind.
Cora smiled. So, she had picked the right orc, after all.
It had gotten them both into the situation that they had been waiting for.
Now they just had to act on it. Playing for keeps was a whole different game.