“Hey, hey,” Maldenis moved forward, chest puffing out. “Watch what you say to her.
Surprise struck Liora like lightning. Was Maldenis…defending her?
Hektor stood up, placing himself between the two men. “Let us calm down.” He glanced at Zara. “I do not like seeing my mate in distress, and blaming each other or shouting will not solve anything. Liora, Maldenis, Elian is obviously upset because he feels strongly about this important mission. You should understand his side. And Elian, your sister and Maldenis made a mistake, which they are trying to fix.”
“Wow,” Liora said, stage-whispering to Zara. “He’s also extra in other ways, I see.”
Zara grinned. “I know.”
Elian exhaled. “Sorry for overreacting, Liora. It’s been a tough couple of months.”
“I know, bro,” she replied, sending him a weak smile. “No need to apologize. We’re all feeling the pressure.”
“So, what happens now?” Zara asked.
“Maldenis and I will be meeting his mother this afternoon and she’ll let us know about how we can convince the council of elders that our marriage is genuine.”
“What are we supposed to do until then?” Elian asked.
“We should prepare for Liora and Maldenis’s success,” Hektor said. “Once they convince the council and the rest of Solkaris, we will be able to speak with the mothers of the other potential progeny of Zeus.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Zara said. “Now c’mon, I’m starving. Let’s hit the buffet.”
“Thank the gods,” Maldenis exclaimed. “I’ve been waiting all morning.” He grinned at Liora. “Let’s go, wife?—”
“I said to never call me that,” she interrupted.
“Awww, how are we going to convince everyone that we’re in a genuine marriage if you act this way?”
“I—” She stopped, as he was obviously teasing. And she found that she didn’t mind it too much, especially when it made his face light up and the dimples on his cheeks deepen. “Whatever. Let’s go eat.”
Chapter 6
Maldenis
And so, for the second day in a row, Maldenis found himself in his mother’s house.
Technically, it was also his childhood home. At least, if one were to define a home as four walls, a roof, and a bed. He wasn’t abused growing up or anything, and Melora wasn’t a bad mother. Far from it, really. He had everything a child needed to succeed—he went to the best schools, had tutors for all subjects, could do any extracurricular activity he wanted to do. She provided him with every and all advantages in life.
She just wasn’t around much, as she was always away on work for their elders. He barely even saw his siblings. They were much older than him, all accomplished in their various fields. Maldenis had been from Melora’s final clutch and the only egg to survive. Between the four walls and the roof, he grew up surrounded by myriad of tutors and nannies, and still felt utterly alone.
“I’m glad to see you have returned,” Melora said as she entered the living room, then once again sat opposite them.“While it’s true that our family is currently dishonored, it is not yet permanent. We can still fix this.”
“How?” Liora asked.
“I have spoken with the council of elders. You will stand before them tomorrow. Nine o’clock sharp, at the council center.”
“What for?” Maldenis whined. “We already know we’re in trouble. Just tell us what to do.”
His mother sent himthat lookagain. “They just want to speak to you. Who am I to question the council? But whatever you do, do not anger them anymore.”
“Noted,” he said. “And then?”
“We must show to all of basilisk society that you are a true, genuine married couple.”
Maldenis snorted. “And how do we do that?”
“We will begin with a public information campaign, declaring you as the first couple blessed by the sacred spring. Then we will have a reception in your honor.”
