“There we go,” Scrintum says, tossing the rag into the sink. “All fixed. Please don’t fret. Mistakes happen. There’s no reason to cry over spilled wine.”
“Table is clean,” Plun says as he walks back into the room. “That spread you have made looks delicious, Christian. I am looking forward to getting my plate.”
I look at them for a long time, doing my best not to do something ridiculous like burst out crying. My throat is tight, my eyes are watery, and my chestachessomething fierce.
“Thank you,” I tell them, hoping to convey everything I’m feeling in those two words.
Scrintum grabs my cheeks, squishing them together. He’s being silly in order to break the tension and I appreciate him for it. “You are getting sappy in your old age. Do not worry, we won’t tell Ghenie.”
“Won’t tell me what?”
Scrintum quickly lets go of my face, looking guilty at being caught. He tucks his hands behind his back and rocks back on his heels. The perfect picture of innocence. I can’t help but laugh and in response, he narrows his eyes at me.
“Don’t worry,” I say, looking back at Ghenie. “They were just taking care of me.”
“Should I be jealous? You let them care for you but always argue when I try.”
I smile so wide my cheeks hurt. “Nothing quite like the care of a parent, huh?”
Plun hums, the sound soft and understanding. Scrintum looks like he’s about to burst a blood vessel trying to keep himself quiet but his eyes shine with joy. Not only have I been blessedwith someone like Ghenie as a partner, but I’ve also somehow gotten adopted by two wonderful people who’re willing to show me the love I never got when I was younger.
I was so worried about this dinner party but apparently, it was exactly what I didn’t know I needed.
“Thank you for that,” Scrintum finally says, like he needed to saysomethingor he would burst. I nod my head in acknowledgement. Plun gives me a look before he’s wrapping his arm around his mate and pulling him back out towards the food.
Ghenie replaces his dad in front of me. He places his hands on my cheeks but he doesn’t squeeze them like his dad did, instead he caresses my cheek. All of those unworthy feelings are back, but they’re getting easier and easier to ignore. I do deserve good things. I do deserve this love that these people are offering me. It’s up to me to accept them.
“I think today is a success.”
“Very much so,” Ghenie says. Then he leans down and kisses my lips. The kiss is soft, barely there. Our friends and family are so close and if someone walks in, I might throw myself out the window but for a moment, I sit here and let Ghenie show me love. I can be soft for him and him alone, everyone else can fuck off.
“I lo..” the words catch in my throat. I try again. “I adore you, Ghenie.”
Ghenie’s smile is breathtaking. “And I you.” Then he grabs my hand and hauls me out of my seat. “Let us get back to our party before they think we are back here. Umm, what’s the phrase? Right. They might think we are back here fucking.”
“Ghenie!” I gasp out in fake surprise, chuckling softly as we go back and join the others. The rest of the night goes off without a hitch.
Chapter Twelve
Ghenie
I rest my hands on my round stomach, looking around at my most trusted comrades. It has been a few months since my announcement to my people. Construction has been done on the alcove near the sea and today is the day we’ve all been working towards.
Today I am going to present our Ancestors with their new resting place. It is my duty to usher them into their new home, making sure it’s cared for, making sure it’s never abused. The Ancestors have explained I will have new duties if this works. AsTorallehof our people, it will be my most sacred duty to gently guide those who pass into their new resting place. I will harbor them in my own mind until I can safely bring them to their new home, here in the alcove.
When I was given this title, there was a small ceremony where the last leader, for lack of a better explanation, shifted the Ancestors from his mind to mine. I will do this same ceremony but this time, no one will receive them. They will stay here,encased in the walls of stone nature has made just for them. A place that has been shared with our people, a place of joy and memories and loss and love.
The People’s Hope is what we’ve named this place and it is my desire that it encompasses that name to its fullest extent.
“Are we ready?”
Everyone around me nods their heads, witnesses to the ceremony. I will lean on them for strength. Christian kneels beside me and takes my hand, bringing it to his mouth so he can kiss my knuckles.
“Are you sure this is safe?”
“The Ancestors would not allow anything to happen if they thought it might harm our baby.”
Christian’s eyes grow soft. “I appreciate that but right now, I’m more worried about you. Areyougoing to be alright, Ghenie?”
