Page 83 of From the Edge

“May I see it?”

“Oh. Okay.” She shrugged, and they walked to the narrower steps that led upward. It took them a few minutes, but her room had the word Hope on it. She touched the door, and it opened. A soft breeze moved through it; the ceiling was made of glass, keeping the sky visible. Edric walked into the room and looked around at her bathroom, the wardrobe, the small library that she had thought about.

He smiled. “You only have one other dress.”

“Pandora sent this one yesterday. That one is for when I have my wings out.”

“So you have one set of clothing.”

“Yup. The orcs keep offering their shirts, but it feels weird.”

He scowled.

“So, Edric, where are you living now?”

“I have a condo downtown, but the idea of living where magic can be free is quite a welcome experience.” He shifted his shoulder, and he looked blue with stars under his skin, dark blue hair, and those pretty lavender eyes. This time, it wasn’t a shadow over his features.

“You are going to hulk out of your suit.”

He chuckled. “The suit is like this house. It stretches with me.”

“Nice. Okay, this is the third level.”

“If I asked, could I get a spot up here?”

“I have no idea. Ask Rowan.” She said, “Did you want to walk the grounds?”

“Perhaps after dinner.”

“Okay. One of the guys can take you out.”

“That doesn’t have the appeal it should.” He smiled.

“Then, do the dishes, and I will take you around, and we may have to take the baby out for some fresh air.”

“Why?”

“So that the courtships can proceed, and Mell and Norec can plan their wedding. Eleanor is out of her mind with excitement.”

He nodded. “Understandable.”

They walked back to the kitchen where the scents of the food filled the space. She took out the seven lemon pies and lit a torch, browning them gently. She set them back into the pie safe and checked on the meat pies. Yesterday had been hamburgers by popular vote. Today, she was using the rest of the ground beef, pork, and chicken.

She heard people beginning to arrive and smiled at Rowan. “It’s all ready. I set the table in the dining room earlier.”

“Thanks, Hope. I am just going to change into something more comfy... for me. Back in a minute.”

“Okay. I am just taking the pies out of the oven. They should be ready to eat when you come down.”

“Nice. Sides?”

“Gravy and mixed vegetables.”

Rowan grinned. “I love that gravy came first.”

“Yeah, yeah. Off you go.”

She pulled the pies and casseroles out, filling that part of the countertop.