AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He turns towards her and bows his head slightly. I can’t believe it. I know Kiphian family rules are strict and respect for their elders is sacred, but this is ridiculous.
“I am sorry.” I’ll give him credit, he sounds sincere. “I should have stayed with you at the house. And I promise to give more thought to… not doing any more competitions.”
“You did win this one.”
I don’t even know the man, but the look of regret on Renxel’s father’s face is already familiar. His mom makes a long, melodramatic sound.
“My father and brother, they were champions. I don’t think my brother ever lost any competition.”
“I know.”
“When are you leaving town?”
“Soon.”
Soon? So what was all the flirting at the competition? What was with acting like he needed me to go on the hike with him today? Obviously, he can handle himself on a trail. Maybe he’s just hoping for a one night stand.
A family comes into the lobby, a mom and three kids. The mother is carrying the youngest.
“Are you sick?”
That’s from the middle child, directed at me.
“Um, no.”
“What happened to your skin?”
“Salaya!” The mother shifts the youngest one to her other hip. “I’m sorry.” She grabs Salaya’s arm and jerks on it. “What have I told you? You don’t comment on people’s appearances. It’s rude.”
“But –”
Another jerk on the arm.
“It’s a human, stupid.” That’s from the oldest, whom I would bet, from both the size and the bored expression, is a teenager.
“Not it. She,” the mother hisses. Redness is spreading across her face. “I’m so sorry. They’ve never seen a human before. We don’t have any in our village.”
“Glad to be your first, I guess.” Not really, but I can’t blame kids. At least this mother is trying. “Why don’t I get you checkedin so you can get to your room? You’ve probably had a long journey.”
“We have. Thank you for being so understanding.”
I take care of all their paperwork and hand them the keyfob. There is an immediate battle between the younger kids about who gets to carry it.
“I will carry it unless you two can work out a compromise.”
She sets the younger one down. The two confer while the teen seethes with rage over the delay.
“Salaya will carry it on this floor, and I’ll carry it when we get upstairs.”
“Nice work.”
The mom and I speak the same words at the same time. Our eyes meet and we laugh. As they head down the hall, Renxel comes back into the lobby.
“Hi.” I say it as cheerfully as I can. It’s the only thing I can think of to say. Anything I say about what I just witnessed will just remind him of it and also make it clear that I heard just about all of it. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t appreciate that.
“What time does the bar open?”
I look down the hall. The bartender won’t be here for another hour yet, but I can leave the desk to get him something.
