In Which Severin Doesn't Have to Dwell

September 13, 1181

"So you got back last night and didn't bother to drop by until morning? How dare you." But Severin greeted his daughter with a hug anyway. Now that he'd pointed out the error, he'd let it slide--this time. "Couldn't resist one last night without the children, I suppose."

Over Riona's head, Isidro swallowed. Riona, however, laughed. "I hope they weren't horrible."

"Oh, no, they were all very good. Well, except for that lanky one with the smart mouth who kept trying to sneak out... oh, wait. That one's mine."

"And I shan't let you forget it! But we'll be taking Roddie off your hands now too."

"I daresay he's already packed. He's driven his mother so far up the wall that she might have done it for him by now if she wasn't too busy playing nurse for Xeta."

His son-in-law frowned. Lucky for him, his kids weren't at risk for anything contagious. "What does Xeta have?"

"Well, I'm not a doctor, but judging by the frequent complaints from the servants who sleep beneath her and Jadin's bedroom, I suspect an infestation of the reproductive variety." But at least it was just the one new grandchild on the way--so far as he knew. It was only a matter of time before one of his other daughters or daughter-in-laws conceived again, though; Vera and Asalaye both seemed to be hinting about wanting another. It wouldn't be long before he was raising taxes to cover everyone's Christmas presents. "This one has been particularly selective about which foods she's allowed to keep down."

Riona shuddered. Good to know that she wasn't similarly afflicted, or planning on becoming so soon. "My condolences to Xeta."

"Oh, she's quite pleased." And he was quite worried! Sure, he was happy that she was happy now, but after what had happened to Alina, her moods were more than a little brow-raising. Perhaps Xeta would consent to some counseling with Arydath or Aerina after the baby was born. God, he hoped she would. "But enough about everyone here. I hope the visit went more smoothly than expected?"

"We made it back in one piece, didn't we?" Isidro flashed Riona a smile, who relayed it in turn to Severin. Good to know that the poor boy had at least some half-decent relations, past wrongs aside. "My uncle will be sending us some books, actually."

"Some books? Izzy, your uncle will be sending us back with a library! You'd like Isidro's uncle, Father. His grandfather too."

A pity, then, that the one he had met was Domingo. Luckily, he didn't have to dwell on that long.

"Father? Is that Riona I hear?"

"Jadin?" Excellent. Lips twitching in anticipation of a laughing fit, Severin headed for the couch. "Oh, this ought to be good."

"What are you talking about, Father?"

"You'll see." Jadin's footsteps drew to the nearer part of the corridor. The cuff of his sleeve flung into view in front of him. Any second now...

Three...

Two...

Unrestrained and unapologetic glee? Yes, Riona had noticed. "What the hell is that one your face?"

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