Page 40 of In Your Light

He watched Sawyer leave and he stood there in his own house—which was a grand castle compared to his hut back on the mountain.

He had his own house! A house with a warm fire, a separate bedroom, an indoor bathroom with running water. No more trips to the river or to the well for water. No more cooking on the community fire. No more Pax breathing down his neck.

He would miss his herd. That was a given. He would miss Zaq, and Voh and Cyd, and he’d miss Gil’s stories around the fire. And yes, he would even miss Pax.

Not Pax the leader, though. He would miss the brother he grew up with. He would miss that Pax.

But he was excited for his new adventure, and he refused to feel guilt over that.

So, as asked, after he’d cleaned himself up a bit, he went down to the main street and followed the noise, drawn by the laughter, the chatter, the loud voice that he immediately recognised as Fray’s, followed by more laughter.

The house was similar to Fyn’s, with white walls and warm yellow light glowing out of the windows. The door was open, so Fyn didn’t have to knock, thankfully. The front room was empty, but the noise was louder. He was told to follow the noise, so he did, poking his head around the wall. Through the kitchen, the next room itself was large, with enough tables and chairs to accommodate everyone.

“Here he is,” Aurin said, waving him in. “I saved you a seat.”

He sat with Aurin and Salem at a table, but there were four very noticeable little absences. “Where are the godlings?”

Aurin pointed over to a basket in the corner, in which Fyn could see four little kittens with full bellies sleeping soundly.

“They had a big day,” Salem said.

“Their dads did too,” Aurin said with a fond smile. “How can such small creatures be so tiring?”

“They outnumber us,” Salem said. “And they know it.”

They looked tired, yes. But they also looked so profoundly happy and as if they wouldn’t change a single thing.

“I look forward to eating my weight in sweet potatoes,” Aurin said. “Then crawling into bed too.”

Salem rubbed Aurin’s back, smiling fondly at him. When he looked at Fyn, his yellow eyes were like warmed honey. “It is a beautiful life.”

Fyn smiled back at him. “It is.”

“Did you get settled into your new home?” Aurin asked.

“Oh, I did, thank you. Running water also makes for a beautiful life.”

They laughed at that just as Otis and Ciaran brought out plates of food for each table. There were dishes filled with vegetables he’d never tried before, certainly not cooked this way, and everything he tasted was delicious.

Everyone would look his way periodically, smiling as he tasted something new. He sat back when he couldn’t possibly fit anything else and patted his belly. “I’ll need to run this off tomorrow.”

But there was no curious interrogation, and he got the feeling maybe Sawyer had told them all that they should give him a day or two to settle in.

He didn’t mind, though. They just all seemed so happy to be here, in one another’s company. To be surrounded by family.

And as everyone said good night and dispersed, Fyn found himself at the edge of the pier, looking out across the cove.

The sea glittered beneath the moonlight like someone had scattered thousands of tiny mirrors across the water.

For a long while, he just stood there, breathing in the cold salt air.

He’d spent a long time imagining what this day would feel like. He’d expected homesickness. He’d expected uncertainty.

Instead, all he could think was I can't wait to see what happens here.

He felt immediately at peace, as if this place could be his home for a long time. He knew it was the people more than the place. This cephamorph family.

And as he headed for his new house, he couldn’t help but think of Hadeom by himself in the hut. Isolated and alone. He understood Hadeom was there to heal, as Cern had said, but he had to wonder if he’d heal much faster if he was surrounded by such warm and wonderful people. Hearing the laughter, the jokes, sharing food, and seeing the smiles.