Chapter 6
Chapter
Six
AURIN
Everyone was to gather at the café, which made sense. Otis and Pania were putting on a bit of a feed, apparently, which Aurin was most grateful for.
Aurin walked in first, holding Salem's hand.
He wanted to show Ciaran that he and Salem were a united front.
Sawyer was there, of course, leaning against the table, smiling as always.
From the noise coming out of the kitchen, Aurin deduced that Ciaran was helping Otis, and Aurin was glad to catch Sawyer alone.
“Hi,” Aurin said.
“Hey,” Sawyer said, greeting them both. He focused on Aurin. “You feeling better?”
“I think so,” Aurin said. He then gestured to the plaster cast on Sawyer’s arm. “And your arm? Is it healing okay?”
He looked at the offending cast. “It is. And my hand. Had broken bones in both. The cast is a pain in the arse, though, and it itches like crazy. But—” He wiggled his fingers, just a little. “—it’s getting better, and I should have the cast off in four weeks.”
“I'm sorry I never had a chance to ask before now,” Aurin said. “And I’m sorry she hurt you.”
“Oh, don’t apologise. It’s not your fault,” he said with a kind smile. Then he looked at Salem. “Nice to meet you officially.”
“Yes, it is,” Salem said. “You were always nice to me. You’d talk to me and not at me.”
Sawyer chuckled. “You looked like you understood me.”
Salem smiled fondly, his cheeks pink. “You offered me cheese.”
That made Aurin laugh. “He loves cheese.”
“Same,” Sawyer said.
“Ciaran’s here,” Aurin said, glancing back toward the kitchen.
“He’s supposed to be helping, but I’m sure Otis would disagree.”
Aurin’s smile faded. “Is he... is he mad?”
“At you guys?” Sawyer’s eyes were wide with surprise. “Not at all. He was worried, and he’s happy you’re both okay. His whole consortium is back in Tenebrae, so he’s stoked.” Then he made a face. “He does have questions, though.”
Aurin’s relief untied a few of the knots in his belly, reminding him he was hungry. And right on cue, Pania and Ciaran came through the doors, carrying plates and trays with all kinds of food.
“Ah, here he is,” Pania said. “The one who loves pizza, or so Otis told me. Come sit down and eat before the others arrive and mow through it all.”
“Hi,” Aurin said with a laugh. They went to a table, and Aurin pulled out their chairs. “It’s so nice to finally meet you properly. How are you liking Tenebrae?”
“Oh, I love it,” she said with a flourish. “Great people, and no humans.”
Sawyer raised his hand. “Uh, one. One human. Sorry.”
Pania laughed. “Oh but you’re one of us, so I forget about the human part.”
That was fair, because Aurin often forgot Sawyer was human too.
Then Pania put one of the pizzas on the table and patted Aurin on the shoulder. “Sit, boys, and eat while you can.”
Ciaran had put plates of pasta and salad down, and then he made sure Sawyer had a plate and helped him serve up some food, fussing over his broken arm and hand until Sawyer shooed him away.
Then Ciaran turned to face Aurin and Salem, probably about to ask if they were okay, but saw Aurin had half a slice of pizza shoved in his face and was still shovelling more in.
Salem laughed as he took a sensible bite, but oh boy, the pizza was sooooo good, and by the gods, Aurin had never been this hungry before.
He looked out over the cove, at the grey skies and mist covering the water, and saw Fray and Tobin coming out of Fray’s house, which was actually now Fray and Tobin's house, Aurin supposed.
The wind whipped their hair, and they laughed as they talked, Fray using his hands to describe something, Tobin looking the happiest Aurin had ever seen him.
Aurin was sad he’d missed seeing their relationship blossom. Well, their bond. Same thing.
And then Dylan came through the door, swiftly followed by Hendrix, who had his arm around Kellan. Aurin’s hearts swelled at the sight of them and how utterly content they looked. Aurin had missed the beginnings of their bond as well.
He’d been here, but he’d been so distracted.
And to be completely honest, he’d opted for some distance from it all.
That evening Ciaran had found him on the pier and asked how he was feeling, considering now he was the only one not bonded.
Aurin knew he’d meant well. He’d replied that he wasn’t alone—he had Salem, after all—but there was a residual sting in that observation.
He wasn’t bonded to Salem.
It didn’t mean their love was any less true, but it made him wonder...
What if someone else came along, and fate decided to play the cruellest trick and Aurin found himself bonded with someone else?
Or worse still...
What if Salem bonded to someone else?
Oh, by the gods, no...
Aurin felt suddenly ill, his stomach souring at the thought, and he pushed the rest of the pizza away.
Salem cast him a curious raised eyebrow. “Have you had enough already?”
He tried to smile for him, his sweetest Salem. “For now, I think.” And then, because he didn’t look convinced, Aurin added, “I don’t want to overdo it.” He glanced up at Dylan and whispered to Salem, “I’ll just be one sec.”
He stood and went to Dylan. Taking his hand, he stood close enough to whisper, “You look thoroughly sated. Please tell me everything.”
Dylan laughed, his cheeks pinking up. “Oh, well, yes. It’s, um...” His eyes went to Hendrix and Kellan, who were now talking with Sawyer. “Three times the fun.”
“I bet it is,” Aurin said with a laugh. Then he looked at Dylan properly. “You look good, Dyl. You look really happy.”
“I am,” he replied simply. “Isn’t it the craziest thing?”
“I’m so happy for you.”
Dylan pointed his chin at where Salem sat, and Aurin now saw that Fray and Tobin had joined him.
Oh dear...
“And Salem, huh?” Dylan winked. “Always thought you were a bit too fond of that cat.”
Aurin chuckled. “It’s a long story.”
“And you spent time with the mountain folk? How was that?”
Aurin really wasn’t sure how to explain it. “Incredible.” Then he made a face. “Weird, but incredible. I guess I’ll be telling everyone here all about it tonight, save myself relaying it a dozen times.”
Hendrix came over then. He slid his arm over Dylan’s shoulder as he smiled at Aurin. “You feeling okay now, Aurin? You were a little green before your swim.”
“Hungover and dehydrated,” Aurin said. “Feel a bit better now.”
“He needs another honey mead,” Fray called out, clearly having heard their conversation.
“Ugh,” Aurin said, his hand pressed to his stomach. “Hey, Fray,” he began.
But Fray laughed, not even needing Aurin to finish that sentence. “Hey, Fray, fuck off” was all too common a phrase here.
Tobin slung his arm across Fray’s shoulder, grinning wide, and Aurin’s hearts ached at just how in love they were. How happy they looked.
He drew his gaze to Salem, who was watching him, head tilted a little, eyebrows knitted. He was always so observant, and his curiosity never waned, that was for sure.
He never missed a thing.
“Jeez, just how much did you drink last night?” Dylan asked, capturing Aurin’s attention.
“Far too much,” Aurin replied.
“Was it a farewell?” he asked. “Because you both were leaving?”
“No, it was a... festival, of sorts. A party to celebrate the coming of winter.”
“Oh,” he said, eyes wide. “How wonderful.”
“It was. What I remember of it, anyhow.”
Just then, the two newest guys came in, looking windswept and happy. Beau and Hudson, if Aurin remembered correctly.
“What are they like?” Aurin whispered.
Dylan murmured back, “Nice guys. They cleaned up the old house at the end of the street, and they’re working on a huge vegetable garden. You should come see it. It’s going to be great.”
Aurin liked the sound of that. “Tomorrow.”
Dylan gave his hand a squeeze and smiled. “Come get me first. We have a lot to talk about.” He aimed a pointed glance in Salem’s direction.
“Uh, yeah,” Aurin said. “We do.”
Then Dylan leaned in and whispered with a smirk, “I want details.”
Aurin chuckled just as Ciaran called for everyone’s attention.
“Thank you all for coming tonight,” he began.
“And thank you to Otis and Pania for putting on all the delicious food.” Everyone cheered and clapped.
Ciaran waited for silence to fall once more.
“I want to welcome Aurin and Salem back. We haven’t had a chance to talk since the Lusca ordeal.
Salem, I’m glad you’re okay. Albeit a bit bigger now than what we were used to,” he said, which was Ciaran’s way of prompting the whole discussion.
Aurin was kinda glad for the segue; less work that way. He stood up.
“Oh, we’re standing,” Salem said, getting to his feet.
Aurin smiled at him. “Yes, we’re standing. It’ll be easier for questions.”
“Oh,” Salem said, frowning. “Goodie. Questions.”
Fray laughed. “I have a list.”
Tobin snorted. “He’s not joking. He does actually have a list.”
“How many of those questions are rude?” Aurin asked.
“Oh, a good portion,” Fray said, looking to Tobin for input.
“The majority,” Tobin supplied, nodding seriously. “Rude and inappropriate. I’d say at least 90 percent.”
Everyone laughed, and Fray grinned without shame.
Aurin sighed and waved him off. “Thought they might be. Maybe we can start at the beginning first.” He looked up at Salem and smiled, threading their fingers together.
“I’ve known Salem was more than a cat for some time.
We never meant to lie to you, exactly,” he said, meeting Ciaran’s gaze.
“There’s a very good reason why Salem’s identity was kept a secret.
And should still be kept a secret,” Aurin added.
“I know the Norwegians know, and the Māori consortium know. That can’t be changed now.
They helped save Salem’s life, and I’m so very grateful. ”
“And the reason for the secrecy,” Ciaran prompted. He looked at Salem. “Is it because you’re a Mimic?”