Page 63 of Dark Destiny: A New Thread in the Tapestry

"Not to our house. He didn't say that."

"He can share my room." Tomek bounced on the heels of his bare feet. "He can have my bed, and I will sleep on the couch. It's big enough for me."

"That's very generous," Leehy said. "And where do you propose his seven friends sleep?"

Tomek considered it. "The kitchen closet?"

"All seven of them?"

"Yes. One on each shelf," he said with a straight face.

Sullha laughed. "They are too big for those shelves. They will fall off."

He frowned. "So, we build a big closet of beds in my room, with big shelves, and put mattresses on them. I'll ask Bowen to help us. He knows how to build stuff."

"I'm sure he does." Leehy ruffled his hair. "But he will need a plan. How about you make a drawing to show him what you have in mind?"

Tomek's eyes brightened. "I will draw a picture." He took off running to his room.

"So, what did Yaaf tell you?" her mother asked once Tomek was out of earshot.

Sullha let out a breath and let her shoulders droop. "It's complicated."

"Ah." Her mother nodded sagely. "That requires a cup of tea. Come." She motioned for Sullha to follow her into the kitchen.

Once the tea was ready, they took it to the living room and sat on the couch.

"Explain what's complicated," Leehy said.

Sullha wrapped her hands around the warm cup and repeated word for word what Yaaf had said, what Voset had suggested, and how she'd replied.

Leehy pursed her lips. "When you say the two of you will work it out, what does that mean?"

"I don't know. We are not at that stage yet. In the beginning, he will visit me here, and I will visit him at his place. We can also meet at the café, the lookout point, or even the Hobbit Bar."

Leehy's brows went up. "I see you've given it a lot of thought. I didn't even know there was a lookout point. Where is it?"

Sullha chuckled. "I thought you'd be more interested in hearing about the Hobbit Bar. It's in the newest section of the village, where all the important immortals live. The Clan Mother and her children, the council members, and the Head Guardians. The lookout point is just a little spot with a great view and a bench to sit on and admire it."

"I see," Leehy said. "When we were still on the island, I wouldn't have known what those things meant, but after watching endless hours of television, I know why people go to a lookout point or a bar. They usually end up in bed together. Is that what you want?"

Her mother didn't understand the language used during all those hours of watching, but some things didn't need translation. Regrettably, none of those shows could explain what she needed to tell her mother, and she really didn't want to have that conversation now.

Sullha had planned to wait, gather all the women, and tell them at once so no one would accuse her of hoarding secrets again. But her mother was asking what she wanted, and she couldn't answer without explaining the bigger picture.

Sullha set her cup down. "There is something I need to tell you, but before I do, I need you to promise to keep it to yourself for a while."

Leehy nodded. "I won't say a word to anyone."

That was good enough. "Do you remember what I said about the wilting and that it could be reversed?"

"What about it? Did you make an appointment for us with that lady who will make me look young again?"

"No, I didn't, and it has nothing to do with hair and makeup." She looked at her mother until Leehy met her gaze. "You know that almost everyone in this village is immortal, right? Including the women?"

Leehy nodded.

"How do you think that happens?"