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November 30, 1187
Classes were finished. Exams had been written. Grades had been posted. It was official.
Tonight would be Sev's last night at Aries House.
He wasn't sure what to feel about that. He'd done his duty by his father in graduating, and he was eager to apply his new-found knowledge to the family business, to make use of his connections to Dovia via his noble roommates. He was excited for his new house on his father's secondary pasture uphill, and upcoming nuptials once Hanna too graduated, their shared business ventures, and perhaps even strolling down to Rifden's shop to commission a cradle. This part of his life may have been over, sure--but he had plenty to look forward to.
On the other hand, he'd miss his classes. His teachers. His roommates. Even the familiar white and reddish decor of Aries House, something he'd barely noticed until the week before.
He'd keep in touch, of course. But it wouldn't be the same.
Sev pushed himself up as a pair of boots shuffled in the next room, en route to the library. Probably one of his roommates--Senwick, most likely--here to offer him one last drink at the inn. Ilyda no doubt factored heavily in that idea, but still.
"A little early to get drunk, don't you think?"
"I didn't pay for you to come here to get drunk."
The door opened. Sev sprung to his feet. "Father! I didn't think I'd see you until tomorrow."
"Nonsense! Artan's running a comfortable inn down here, and it's been a long time since I had a night to myself." His father pulled him into a hug, patting him on the back. "Plus I wanted to see where you'd been living the past four years, and maybe meet the people you've been living with."
"I'm sure they'll turn up," Sev promised--or, perhaps more aptly, warned.
"I'm sure they will--but mostly, I wanted to see my graduate." His father patted him on the back, then released him, his lips caught in a serene curve. "If only your mother could have been here for this. I'm sure she's looking down here, just as proud as I am. And Sev, that is pretty damn proud."
"Thank you, Father." Not that Sev hadn't thought his father cared--but when you were a middle child of nine, it was easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle. Especially when your beloved mother had died birthing you.
"No, thank you. Your knowledge will be invaluable to the family--and between you and me, I think you were the only one of my sons who could have worked so hard at it for four years. Top grades, even. I don't know how I'll ever repay you, Sev."
"Uh, well..." Sev shrugged. Then, stupid, he flinched. "You did... sort of pay to send me here..."
"Perhaps, but you deserve more. Just for you." His father's smile widened. He wasn't a grim man, but he wasn't the sort who smiled excessively either. It was a rare sight, that degree of teeth in view. "Why don't I start by buying you and your friends a round at the inn?"
NEXT CHAPTER:
October 16, 1186
Sev was not technically allowed inside Hanna's room. In fact, Sev was not technically allowed inside Hanna's house. Male students, after all, were not allowed inside of female residences--and vice versa.
Technically.
In truth, males and females regularly called at each other's residences, sometimes in full view of secular staff--or even the more lenient of the clergy staff! Landus's sister, the assistant chancellor, had more or less confirmed that the rule was pretty much lip service for overbearing parents and overzealous church higher-ups. Lady Ellona herself had once been mistress to the current king, after all, and Lady Rahileine had once fallen pregnant by a married man; Sev doubted either of them felt right about forcing celibacy on others.
And now that the old duke's 'medical center' was up and running... well, if anyone on campus wanted to minimize their risks, or to take care of themselves in the event of said risks, they were free to do so. The center wouldn't have opened if anyone expected complete and prolonged abstinence. Hanna had been on herbs for a while now. But any carnal activity that happened today would be more or less incidental.
Or non-existent, if things didn't go well. But Sev didn't want to think about that just now. Just ask her. It's frightening, sure--but you'll never know if you don't ask.
"Hanna?"
"Yes?"
Huh. How to start. He'd thought he'd had it all planned out--but now that he was here, his mind was blank. "I... I'm going to be a senior come winter."
"I'm aware." She was a mathematics major. "I'll miss you when you graduate. It's a while off, but I will."
"Yes, well..." Sev swallowed. How to proceed? A gentle touch seemed a good bet; he took her by the shoulders and pulled her close. "Maybe you won't have to miss me long?"
"I do graduate six months later. And you'll visit, right?"
"Of course. But after you graduate... well, I'm going to help my father with the business, right?" It was the longest wait of his life, but she couldn't have wasted more than a second before nodding. "I know how to make good business decisions now, and how to negotiate, how to manage staff and resources."
"Mm-hmm..."
"But I'm not great with the numbers--the books. I mean, I'm all right, but not great. And of everyone else, my father's the best, but he doesn't care for it much. So, would you maybe be interested, if you don't have anything else lined up?"
"It wouldn't be the least agreeable thing I could do with my education." She slipped her own fingers between those of his free hand and squeezed. "Though, I'd probably have to move to Veldorashire."
"Yes, well... maybe you could?" This was it. Thank God. And God damn it. "My father's going to have a house made for me, and it might be a little big for just one person, so... maybe we could live there together?"
She sat up, brow cocked--but her hand remained in his. "Is this a proposal?"
Good thing one of them was to-the-point. "Maybe?"
NEXT CHAPTER:
September 17, 1185
Prior to this term, if anyone had ever told Orrick he'd one day have a personal beef with both the King of Dovia and the Baron of Rexus, he would have chalked it up to either delusion or a lazy, unfunny prank. But now that Tivalia was at the university, that delusional, lazy, unfunny person would have been dead right.
Not that Orrick had anything against Tivalia. Indeed, he thought she was a very nice girl, even if she was a little head-in-the-cloudsy for his personal taste. But she was betrothed to Koradril, and despite the match not being their idea, the two were quite infatuated with one another. In both of their fathers' eyes, this was a blessing--but one that came with a heightened need for a chaperone at any afternoon out and evening in. At first, Hanna and Sev had been happy to just make every date a double date, but one offhand mention of this in a letter and the almighty fathers disapproved. Another couple, after all, could easily sneak off on their own, leaving Koradril and Tivalia scandalously alone.
And more often than not, it seemed that of the populations of Aries and Taurus Houses, Orrick was the only available babysitter. Tonight was no exception. Senwick, often out about spreading some hi-jinx or another, had headed back to the shire proper in attempt to woo old Seoth's daughter. Landus had an important exam to study for and Arelle had to finish reading a book. Arlia had plans with some of her... special friends, while her newly-named betrothed, Lorrick, was already halfway to the bottom of the bottle trying not to wonder about those friends. Farilon and Palgrin had a project due in one of their shared electives, and as for Tiada... well, Orrick didn't really know, but when he and Sev and Koradril had arrived at Taurus House, she hadn't been here.
And she still wasn't. That meant he was stuck here. "Koradril, don't you have a paper due tomorrow?"
It was a weak attempt and he knew it. But why couldn't Koradril and Tivalia just adapt a 'What they don't know won't hurt them' mentality like so many others on campus? And worse, why couldn't he bend just enough from his inherent rule-keeping tendencies to suggest it? He feared that come October, things would get even worse when Farilon's betrothed started at the university. Her father was a friend of Orrick's Uncle Rifden, and apparently he was among the strictest of fathers when it came to courtship rules.
"He finished it. He brought it over earlier so Arelle could do a grammar check." Tivalia sidled up a little closer to Koradril--not that Orrick had thought that possible--and rested her head on his shoulder. "She's finished with it, by the way. You can get it from her before you go."
"Great."
Not so much. Hmm. Maybe Sev had something better to be doing. Sev and Hanna weren't the problem, but if Sev had to leave, then Orrick had no qualms about leaving Hanna to supervise the prince and his lady on her own. Pity that he was too much of an innate stickler to just point out that any concerned parents were a kingdom away.
"Oh, God, you roped in poor Orrick. Don't you sticklers realize that any concerned parents are a kingdom away?"
Smirking, Hanna turned her head and nodded to the newcomer. "Tiada, Sev and I haven't had a date in weeks, so if you're so concerned about Orrick's free time, no one's stopping you from relieving him."
"Ugh, no. I still say that what they don't know won't hurt them. Not my fault that the rest of you saps keep going along with this."
"Hey, I still maintain that a double date should be adequate supervision." Sev subverted his own point as he and Hanna nuzzled noses, suddenly unaware of anyone else's presence. Orrick didn't get it. He could get desire, sure... but to the point where it overpowered restraint and tact? Who did this in front of other people? A double date ought to have just been four people talking.
"Not when you two are the double date! The rest of us could be having an orgy here and you'd just be staring at Hanna with puppy eyes." Tiada had a weird talent for saying exactly what Orrick was thinking. Given how they barely knew each other, this was as baffling as Sev and Hanna's need for public displays of affection. "Come on, Orrick. Let's leave the lovebirds to their oh-so-chaste-and-wholesome nest."
On cue, Orrick twitched--and Koradril cringed. "But our parents--"
"Aren't here. As long as nobody has a baby in nine months, you're fine." Tiada's bony, freckly fingers took Orrick by the arm and yanked him upright. He wouldn't have guessed her strength just by looking at her. "Orrick. Library. You're going to help me with some stuff for my psychology elective."
"Psychology elective?" Granted, he didn't know Tiada all that well, but he never would have guessed her to have the slightest interest in psychology.
"That's your major isn't it?" She didn't slow her pace as she spoke. Orrick caught up and followed her toward the library, past the point of caring exactly how he escaped the love-fest. "I don't get it at all. Believe me, I need you more than they do."
One glance over his shoulder proved her right. "All right."
She got to the door and stepped inside, holding it open behind her. He hurried on through and let her shut the door after. "So, your books are in here, or--?"
"I can't believe you bought that." She grabbed him by the arm again and pulled him away from the door, not letting up until they were only a few inches apart. "No offense, but there's not enough money in the world to make me take a psychology course."
She'd said 'no offense', but as it turned out, she didn't leave him quite enough time to be offended.
It wasn't Orrick's first kiss, but based on the others, he wasn't quite sure that this was a kiss. Usually they started shyly, leaving a long moment's pause in case one party backed out, slowly drifting closer and closer together until finally, the lips touched, like soft rain. Tiada hit him like a freak thunderstorm. Her mouth was open and dynamic and his teeth bowed to the force of her tongue. His knees buckled. He didn't think his knees had ever buckled in his life, but they were buckling now.
What the...?
It was a thoughtless, blurry minute before she finally let go. "Interesting."
"Um... yes, you're telling me." Whatever it was, 'interesting' wasn't the worst word to describe it. Not that it answered any questions. "So... why...?"
"Just kind of wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Just, you know, without all the cuddling and crap."
Huh. "I would have guessed you'd done that before."
"Never. Felt like it was about damn time, though." She flipped some of her wild curls over her shoulder and beamed at him. He wanted nothing more than to freeze time and count the freckles on her face. He'd met this girl, sure... but he didn't think he'd quite seen her before. "Sorry if you were averse, though."
"Not averse. Just... surprised, I guess." To put it mildly.
"All right. Glad to hear that." Her dropped her arms to her side and rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet. The awkward, almost lazy movement was oddly mesmerizing. "So... how about another go?"
NEXT CHAPTER:
August 4, 1184
"Sev! My favorite brother-in-law!" Not that Congren provided much competition. Still, Lyraina had nothing against any of her sisters' husbands, but she did have to admit--to herself, at least--that she enjoyed Sev's company more than any of theirs. "Excellent timing. The biscuits are almost done."
"You didn't have to make biscuits."
"Your new little niece or nephew begs to differ." The scent was enough that she might have run the risk of drooling on his shoulder. "Anyway, have a seat and tell your brother and I about your first week."
"All right." Sev nodded toward Had, then started around the table to a seat on the other side. Lyraina took advantage and nabbed a nearer one.
"Second semester already. I could have sworn Father told me he was sending you off just yesterday." Had grinned as his brother tucked himself in, no doubt blushing. "How are your classes?"
"They're good, but I won't bore you with the details until Father gets here. You don't want to hear it twice."
"You're probably right."
"Had!" Lyraina smacked him against the arm on principle. She didn't find Sev's classes any more interesting than Had did, but it was important that they at least understood the basics. Of course, Sev's university experience did include more than just the classes. "How are your housemates? Does Senwick still feel the need to greet the sun with his drums?"
"Yes, but I can usually sleep through it now. And so can Orrick and Landus, so they're fine." Sev shrugged. With Senwick in the house, early morning drumming must have been mundane by now. "Koradril's still getting used to it, though."
"Koradril?" Must have been a new housemate. Curious, Lyraina leaned forward. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that's a noble name."
"Uh, well... yes, I guess it is." But rather than elaborate, Sev chose to shut up and stare at the table.
But that crook in Had's brow said he wasn't satisfied. "That wouldn't be... Prince Koradril, would it?"
"Uh..."
Well. So the university experience took an interesting turn. "It is, isn't it?"
"Look, he doesn't want people to make a big deal of him being there, all right?"
Lyraina glanced over at Had, who frowned. Sev usually wasn't so defensive. "Sev...?"
"Sorry. It's just that he just wants to have a few years of normal, and he was hoping university could be that. I guess this doesn't really matter because we're here alone, but... I don't know, habit. I'm trying to be a good friend."
"Oh." That was more like Sev. Though... "Wait, you two are friends?"
He shrugged. "I guess so."
"Do you see the two of you staying friends?" asked Had, eyes narrowed. Surely he was thinking what she was thinking? "I don't know, say... once you've graduated?"
"Well, it's a little early to tell, but I don't see why not."
"Interesting." Had tried to keep his smile at bay, as he usually did when he was getting ahead of himself. And surely he didn't want to voice his thoughts in front of his good-natured, altruistic little brother.
But while Sev may have been the one taking the business classes--and enjoying them, whereas Had probably would have slept through more lectures than not--Lyraina's husband had taken the lion's share of the instincts. If they were to, say, start selling horses to the Dovian Royal Family, and the Dovian Royal Family found them to be good enough stock to spread the word...
Well. Who better for word-of-mouth marketing than royalty?
"Very interesting."
If Sev had caught on, he opted not to press. But Lyraina did know one thing: between Sev's book learning and Had's intuition, her father-in-law's business wouldn't be bankrupt any time soon.
NEXT CHAPTER:
April 1, 1184
It was Sunday--so technically, the spring term started tomorrow. But most of the new students were moving in today, and Sev's new housemates were not exceptions.
He'd briefly met Landus, who'd shown up that morning with his brother and his sister-in-law and his adorable little niece. Landus seemed like a good sort--maybe a little quiet, but Sev was quiet too, and that was hardly an undesirable quality in a housemate anyway. He'd helped Landus and Neilor move Landus's things into one of the empty bedrooms, then the family had left and Landus had asked Sev for directions to a few of the buildings noted on schedule, not keen on being lost and late on the first day of classes.
The right thing to do would have been to accompany Landus as he went to explore, just in case he got disoriented or forgot something or Sev had misremembered, but he did have an essay to work on; his classes were only half over, after all, thanks to the staggered semesters. That, and he was curious enough that he didn't want to miss the arrival of the other two newcomers.
Though one of them, at least, he doubted he would have missed. "See, Orrick? This fellow's not so rude as to complain about my singing!"
The young man on the couch rolled his eyes as his brother smirked Sev's way. If the seated one was Orrick, then the other was Senwick. Sev supposed he ought to have known that, having grown up well within walking distance of the pair of them--never mind their family connections to the Kemorins, who in turn were connected to Sev's family through his sister--but Sev had spent most of his youth helping his no-longer-young father, and this particular branch of the Wythleit family had not had the easiest of childhoods and seemed to keep to themselves.
Though Sev now suspected that Senwick, at least, would have preferred otherwise. "Your singing sounded fine." That got a laugh out of the him, though his sterner twin was less amused. "Though, I don't understand why you're singing into your hand."
"See? I told you people would question that." Orrick sighed, no doubt not wanting to answer but not trusting Senwick to do a better job of it. But even if he was serious... Sev knew cruel, knew brotherly hostility, and this wasn't it. Orrick did care. Maybe Orrick was what Congren could have been if their mother hadn't died. "Forgive him. He's convinced that one day, people will sing into their fists."
"Filthy lies! One day, people will sing into noise-amplifying devices that they hold in their fists!" Senwick turned his hand so that Sev could see the side of it; sure enough, it wasn't fully clenched, but instead left a hole just large enough to grip a slender object. "I'm thinking something to do with metal wires and some sort of artificial lightning--maybe from some kind of acidic mixture. But all in a casing, of course," he added, as if that was the most pressing question the whole idea raised.
Orrick groaned. "He's such a child. Our father and stepmother tell us they'll cover our fees entirely, and he takes that generosity and means to train as a bard."
"At least I have plans. You pretty much looked at the options and said 'Psychology sounds interesting'. What the hell even is psychology, anyway?"
"Something with more practical applications than music, maybe?"
Senwick's response to that was a loud appearance of his tongue. Frowning, Orrick turned to Sev. "You're Severin, right? What are you studying?"
"You can call me Sev." He shut the library door and Orrick nodded to the free bench. Not wanting to seem too aloof, he took it. "I'm majoring in Economics."
"Economics?" Senwick let his arm droop to his side, but a musical lilt clung to his voice all the same. Orrick may have thought his career choice frivolous, but in these few minutes of knowing him, Sev didn't think he could see Senwick as anything but a bard. "That sounds about as fun as falling off a cliff into a river of piranhas. Let me guess: your father made you take it?"
"Well... yes. But I'm actually enjoying it." Not that Senwick looked any less impressed. Orrick, at least, managed a polite false-interest. "Plus, if my father can apply what I learn to his ranch's business, then we'll hopefully make enough money to put all my little sisters through university."
Orrick smiled--for real this time. "Now, that's a noble goal. See, Senwick? We should both study something with earning potential. If we can pay our parents back, then they won't have to worry too much about where they'll get the money to send our little siblings."
"Yes, because there's every chance in the world that Raia's children won't get to attend the university where she's the chancellor."
"They'll still have tuition fees. We do."
"They also have a grandfather who's the university's top patron. I think their fees are as good as paid." Senwick took his twin's silence as a victory, but Orrick still didn't look convinced. Maybe that was how one dealt with Senwick? Let him have the last word, and he'd eventually drop it? He didn't seem the type to hold a grudge...
But now that he was living with these two, and would be for a while, Sev supposed it was only a matter of time before he knew for sure.
"So, do you mind helping me haul in my instruments from the front hall? I'll teach you how to play one of them if you do."
NEXT CHAPTER:
October 21, 1183
With six sisters and only two brothers--one of whom had been married and out of the house for over half of Sev's life and the other of whom had never quite forgiven him for the death of their mother--Sev was used to being the one exiled from a given room whenever a need for semi-privacy arose. Today, it was Lea and Alina again. Lea had long been the preferred target of a local group of bullies, who for years had maintained that she was stupid and fat and ugly and never missed an opportunity to remind her, but they'd grown even more ruthless since her body had fallen prey to the awkward changes of early adolescence. Alina was the best of all of them in the house for comfort, but at this point, even she struggled when it came to Lea, and she certainly didn't need a hindering audience in the form of his useless self, so he'd left of his own accord before she could shoo him herself.
Not that Alina was the shooing type, at least not in comparison to Congren, but Sev knew when he wasn't wanted. It was knowing when he was wanted that didn't come so easily, which was why it came as a shock when his father looked over the back of the couch and smiled. "Oh, good. I was just about to call you down."
"Me?"
"Yes, you; I may be old, but I'm not blind yet." Chuckling to himself, Sev's father nodded toward the chair. Sev's mother's favorite chair, reportedly. They weren't banned from it, and indeed his step-siblings and half-siblings often sat there like it was any other piece of furniture, but Sev and his full siblings--plus his father and, when she'd lived, his stepmother--usually preferred not to intrude.
But since his father had given his blessing, Sev guessed it was fine. "You wanted to talk to me?"
"Yes." His father smiled. "I wanted to tell you that I've paid your university fees."
"University?" Had he heard that right? The family had enough money to keep comfortable, but surely an expensive university education was out of the question. Even if it hadn't been, who was to say it wouldn't be a waste to send Severin over one of his sisters? As far as he could tell, his only intellectual advantage over any of them may have been age... "Are you serious?"
"I am. You'll be of an age to start in the new year, and while I can probably afford to send Alina as well on my current profits, I'll need to introduce a more effective business model if I want to send the others and still retire comfortably. So, I'm investing in you."
"Me." A lucky thing it was that Congren wasn't here to question their father's judgment. At the moment, Sev didn't need any help for that.
"Yes, you. The chancellor has informed me that the economics department will be offering classes in business and management. I want you to make these courses your focus--and then, when you graduate, I'll make you my business partner, and we'll apply your knowledge to the ranch.
"That is, unless there's something you'd rather focus on? You could always take the business courses as electives, if you'd prefer, but--"
"No, I can focus on the business." Hell, he'd been certain he wouldn't be going at all. If his father was willing to put him through university, and he couldn't think of anything he'd rather study anyway, then why shouldn't he help him out? "If I take an interest in something else, I could always take that as an elective, right?"
"You could, yes."
"And then when my sisters go, would they be free to take what they want?"
"I suppose they would." His father sighed. "I hope you don't find that too unfair."
Sev shook his head. "Well... if I don't take the business courses, then Lea and Thetis and Rahileine can't go at all, can they? That sounds even less fair."
"That's a very mature way of looking at it." His father stood, extending his right arm. Expecting a handshake, Sev took to his own feet and met his father's hand, only to be pulled in for a hug. "I know you'll make me proud."
NEXT CHAPTER:
January 5, 1169
"Papa!" Congren squealed as his brother swiped one of Noah's sons from the arc's lower story. "He keeps stealing people!"
Sheepish, Sev stretched his little arm and held out the figure, as if offering a trade. "Amnimal?"
"Congren, maybe give Sev one of the horses," advised Adonis. "He'll probably have more fun with those anyway."
Congren snatched the doll out of Sev's grasp and batted one of the horses his way in an irate fashion. Adonis sighed; his middle son had never been happy to share his toys, particularly with his little brother. Maybe it was just because Congren felt that he actually had the right to pick on this one--that had to be it. Sev was an easy target, and nothing more.
At least, Adonis hoped that was the case. He didn't want his son to grow up blaming his little brother for the death of their mama.
To his great relief, there came a knock at the door, a knock he recognized as belonging to his youngest's namesake. Being the only adult in the house often left him lonely, even when his older children were around; over the course of the past year, unexpected company had progressed from an annoyance to a refreshing change of pace. "The door's open."
Severin stepped inside and promptly removed his cloak; he meant to stay a while. The woman behind him followed suit, taking off her shawl and handing it to him. Adonis didn't know who she was, but he thought he might have seen her in the village once or twice, perhaps. He wondered why Severin had brought her. He doubted they were sleeping together; after Alina, Severin had a strict self-imposed rule of never appearing in public with women he was bedding. Adonis wasn't sure exactly why. Guilt, perhaps. Trying not to cause a scandal, maybe--or trying not to get anyone's hopes up. The people of Veldorashire were starting to miss having a lady in the castle.
"Adonis," Severin greeted him, stepping around his companion and placing their outerwear in the closet. "Children."
Adonis nodded. "Severin."
The other man closed the cupboard door, then took the woman by the arm and led her toward the couch. "This is my stepsister. Avine, meet Adonis and his two youngest children, Congren and Sev." He then collapsed into Honora's old chair, leaving Avine to take a seat next to Adonis.
"Nice to meet you," she acknowledged as she cast a quick glance around the room. "You have a lovely home."
"Thank you." Avine seemed pleasant, but even now that he had a name to put to her face, he was unsure as to why Severin had brought her here. From what he understood, the two of them weren't any closer than casual acquaintances.
"We were both visiting at Avine's father's house," Severin explained, as if reading Adonis's mind. "I was escorting her back to her home near Riso Village, but since I haven't seen you in a couple of weeks, I figured I might as well drop by."
Adonis raised an eyebrow; he knew that Severin hadn't been all there since Alina had died, but why was it that each of his answers was only raising more questions? "Isn't my house a little out of the way if you're heading to the king's shire?"
Severin dismissed the notion with a wave. "I know a shortcut. Anyway, how have you been?"
"Rather the same as always," replied Adonis with a shrug. "Yourself?"
"Likewise." He shot a quick look toward the window. "You haven't seen any of my children today, have you?"
Adonis shook his head. "No..."
"Are Had and the girls around?"
"No, but I fail to see what that has to do with anything."
Leery, Severin glanced out the window again. "Just curious."
Frowning, Adonis locked eyes with an equally-confused Avine, who then turned to face her stepbrother. "Are you all right?"
"Yes, you're acting a little strange," Adonis agreed, "even for you."
Severin laughed, though his gaze took to flitting between Adonis and the door. "Oh, I'm fine. Just... feels a little odd having both of you in the same room. Mixing social circles and all, you know? I'm sorry. You're both probably feeling a little awkward."
"I'm not." Adonis sent Avine a quick half-smile. "Are you?"
"Of course not," she insisted. "Really, Severin, what's going on? Why did you even want to come here in the first place?"
Severin shrugged. "Since when do I need a reason to visit an old fr--?"
"Aha! Thought you could avoid us for the rest of the day, did you?"
Startled, Adonis looked to the doorway to see Severin's two eldest children standing there, both looking so composed and controlled that he couldn't help but thinking they were about to explode. What were they doing here? As if this whole situation wasn't ridiculous enough. "And to think, we were even going to head all the way down to the village to look for you," Raia scolded, crossing her arms, her cool gaze unblinking. "Thank you for not bothering to hide your horse, Father."
Sighing, Severin pressed his hand to the side of his head. "Ah, the horse..."
Unable to take it anymore, Adonis clasped his hands together and stared past Avine to the pair of aggravated youngsters. "Excuse me, but would you mind explaining what this is about?"
Avine nodded in accord. Scowling, Jadin raised his thumb to his mouth and bit off a chunk of skin. "Well, it's the servants' payday, but someone must have forgotten. Then, I'm guessing he remembered while he was out, and then decided that instead of coming home to take care of business, he'd keep a low profile for the rest of the day and let us deal with it."
Resigned, Severin pulled himself to his feet and stepped toward his children. "I hope the servants weren't too annoyed."
Raia shook her head. "We paid them. Searle's working on the accounts right now, but they'll need your initials--and you might want to check his arithmetic. But really, what the hell do we have to do to get you to do anything? Leave notes all around the castle? Wait outside your door so we can catch you as soon as you wake up?"
Adonis could only see Severin's back, but his stance seemed to tense. "Can this wait until we get home? You're making Master Indruion and Mistress Lowan uncomfortable."
"No, they're not," Adonis and Avine argued in unison. What a bizarre, pointless visit this had been. At least he'd gotten a new acquaintance out of it, he supposed.
Jadin stuck his tongue out at his father, then stormed out the door, forgetting that the other two would follow and slamming it shut. Raia watched as Severin retrieved his cloak from the closet, her glare fixated upon him until he too had left the house. "Good day, Master Indruion, Mistress Lowan," she bade curtly before following her father outside.
She closed the door behind her with a firm click!, leaving Adonis alone with Avine in a strained, inconclusive sort of silence. Not wanting to make things too awkward, he decided to break it. "That was... odd."
"Indeed." She dropped her gaze and fiddled with her wedding band; if he recalled correctly, she was a widow. "I'm sorry about that. You should have seen his mother earlier--I'm pretty sure she thinks he's going mad."
"I don't know; I think madness would be a lot less painful for him." He moved his foot back as Congren attempted to make a zebra prance its way up his leg. "Easier on the kids, too; I know I'd rather pick up someone's slack if he was incapable of doing his own work than if he simply refused to do it."
Avine sighed. "I suppose."
More silence. Strange; he didn't usually have such trouble talking to people. He felt a little nervous. Maybe he just had to say something.
"So," he ventured, a grin coming to his face more easily than he might have expected, "since you're here, do you, uh... maybe want to stay for supper?"
NEXT CHAPTER:
