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“Tradition be sunbound. Tell her already! Whatever has come between you is sure to be irrelevant as soon as she knows.”
Irrelevant, that she would choose a throne over Lio? That she would doom herself to Tenebra when she could have happiness? “Forgive me if I would like her to feel moved by something other than my certain death.”
“You know what moves her. She loves you.”
“Yes. Yes, she does.”
Lio knew that. But even though she loved him like this, she could still find it in herself to give him up for the sake of others.
How could he do any less?
“I have never needed your father’s advice more than I do tonight,” Lio told Mak. “The very time when he and I are barely speaking with one another.”
Mak stood in silence for a moment. “Well?”
“Well what?”
“Are you going to ask me why he’s been acting like this?”
Lio gave his cousin a long look. “You’ve known all along.”
Mak nodded, his expression rueful. “I was wondering when you would stop wallowing and ask me for advice.”
Lio let his regret speak for itself through the Blood Union.
Mak snorted. “It never even occurred to you, did it?”
“This Vigil of Union, I think I should begin by apologizing to you. I’m so used to mediating between you and your father, I have given you too little credit in this situation and dishonored your bond with him.”
Mak waved a hand. “Apology accepted, if it makes you feel better. I’m glad for your patience with both of us over the years. I’m really glad to be able to return the favor for a change. You know, just because he and I don’t always get along doesn’t mean I don’t understand him.”
“Of course. Besides, the two of you seem to see eye to eye more than ever of late.”
“Being Graced changes a person’s perspective on things. So do children.”
“Everyone is grateful for your influence on Bosko.”
“He’s the best fun.” Mak grinned. “He and Thenie have given Lyros and me a lot to discuss about our own future.”
Lio wouldnotlet his troubles rob his cousin of that grin. He managed a smile of his own. “Two questions. Am I still under consideration as a Ritual father? And when do I start?”
“There was never any consideration. Of course you’ll be our children’s Ritual father, although it will be awhile yet.”
Lio wanted to be here for that, too. He didn’t just want to spare his family pain. He wanted all the things he had looked forward to.
“The position of Ritual mother is still vacant,” Mak added. “You’d better get busy recruiting Cassia for us.”
Lio had expected life to be so sweet. He had thought it would never end.
Mak cocked his head at their childhood portraits. “It occurred to me that parents need their children just as much as children need their parents. So I made some effort at being what my father needed. And I’m glad.”
“I can imagine how much that means to him. You know, your directness holds a kind of wisdom neither he nor I possess. I would be grateful for as much of it as you can give me now.”
“I’m going to surprise you and take a leaf out of Father’s book by asking you a question instead of giving you an answer. What was my first reaction when you told me about Cassia?”
Lio lifted his eyebrows. “You were worried for me.”
“Terrified,” Mak corrected, but he nodded. “And my second?”
