The Silent: Irin Chronicles Book Five(95)
The cottage was a single story with a roof garden that sat at the back of the new house. It was hidden by trees, and a small fountain bubbled outside the bedroom. It wasn’t a spacious home, but it was private and far more than the single room Leo had lived in before. Kyra, who had never lived in a grand house, thought it was perfect.
She asked, “Was all this planned when you left?”
“No, but apparently the Creator must have known that I’d be bringing a mate home.”
“Any mate?” Kyra teased.
“My perfect mate.” He smiled and kissed her forehead. “Reshon.”
“It feels good here,” she said. “It feels like a home.”
“The voices aren’t too much?”
She shook her head. Ever since they’d mated, it had been easier to control the firewalls in her mind. The magic obeyed her more readily. The spells lasted longer. Irin magic or more confidence? Perhaps a little of both.
“I’ve traveled over so much of the world,” he said. “But I love it here.” He rolled to the side. “I love the breeze at night. I love the call to prayer. I’m going to love waking up to you every morning. I love—”
“The sound of your tinkling laugh!” came a falsetto voice from the courtyard. “And the batting of your buttercup eyes!”
“Lips like rose petals!” Another voice called from the direction of the house. “Hair like… seaweed.”
Kyra stifled a laugh while Leo frowned.
“Seaweed is a terrible comparison, Max.”
“Say something about her toes. He probably loves her toes too.”
“I don’t want her to think he has a foot fetish.”
“He might have a foot fetish. We’ve never asked.”
“OW!”
“What did you do?”
“I stepped on a Lego. Matti is vicious. I know she hides them on purpose.”
“Like little Scandinavian land mines.”
Kyra burst into laughter.
“Buttercup eyes makes no sense, Rhys!” Leo shouted. “And Max, you’re just jealous. Get your own woman. I know you have one.”
“I have plenty of them because I’m the better-looking cousin,” Max yelled. “Kyra is already rethinking her decision.”
A window slid open with a long creak. “What are you two doing? Leave them alone. Do you think I want you frat boys running off another woman? Don’t I put up with enough from my kids?”
A few quiet moments.
“Sorry, Ava.”
“We’ll be quiet.”
“We love you, Kyra.”
“Please tell Ava not to beat us.”
With an exaggerated huff, the window slid closed again, and after a few minutes, the courtyard was silent.
Leo said, “So my family—”
“Is wonderful.” She kissed him. “They’re wonderful.”
“I’m very relieved you think so.” Leo smiled. “Have I complimented you lately on your buttercup eyes?”
All Kyra could do was laugh.
The End