Peanut Goes to School (Elder Races #6.7)(16)

“That’s what the sentinels do,” he said.

“That’s right—that’s part of what the sentinels do.” Dad paused. “I also think it’s important for you to remember, you have two sides to your nature. You have some of me in you, but you also have some of your mom too.”

“That makes sense,” he muttered.

“Your mom is much more peaceful than I am, so sometimes, you might find that those two sides are in conflict with each other. When that happens, you’ve got to give yourself time to think things over. You can always talk to either your mom or me. Between the three of us, I feel sure that we can sort things out. Okay?”

Blinking to clear his eyesight, he nodded. “Okay.”

Dad looked over the water then back at him. “You know how old I am, right?”

“Yeah.” It was actually hard to wrap his mind around the concept of just how old Dad was, but he had a general sort of idea.

Dad smiled at him. “In all of that time, you are the best thing I’ve ever done. You are the absolute best part of me, and I am so proud of you. Your mom is proud of you too, and she understands you better than you might think. You might be dangerous, but you could never, ever be bad. You just have to promise me one thing.”

The weight lifted from his shoulders, until he felt light and free again. “What’s that?”

“You’ve got to stop spying on adults, especially your mom and me. Sometimes we say things to each other that are private, and we say it in a way that the other person might understand, but nobody else would. It’s called taking things in context. When you overhear stuff you’re not supposed to hear, that’s a good way to get your feelings hurt over nothing.”

That made sense. He heaved a sigh. “Can I still play Spy Wyr with my friends?”

“Yes, you can.”

“Okay. I promise I’ll stop.”

“Good boy. Are you ready to go back inside?”

“Yeah.”

Dad hugged him tight then set him on his feet and stood.

As Liam looked up, his gaze caught on the thin white scar on Dad’s forehead.

Dad was so big, so strong. He was stronger than anyone else Liam knew, but still . . . his dad could be hurt. As strong, old and fast as he was, someone could come at his back.

And Liam loved him so much it hurt. It was a good, deep ache.

When I finish getting big, he thought, I’m not ever going to let anything happen to you, or to Mom.

Not on my watch.

Dad held out his hand, and he took it. Together in the peaceful, deepening twilight, they walked back up to the house.