Page 185 of The Ranger

Tasniah Olwen, Markhel’s mother, smiled at her from across the table. She was stunning with her dark hair that flowed to her knees, bright blue eyes, and willowy build. She was also as tall as her sons! A good seven feet! All Muirarans were tall, and Maida was going to get a horrible kink in her neck if she didn’t figure out a way to do something about the height difference.

“Don’t keep me in suspense!” Melvale chirped.

Maida took a deep breath. “Markhel shifted.” She looked around the table. “Into a big, black lion with blue eyes.”

“When one shifts, the eyes stay the same color,” Tasniah explained.

Zerbe, Markhel’s father, nodded. Maida learned he was the Muiraran judge, as he had the unique ability to see straight into someone’s heart and find out things about a person. Especially if they were good or evil andhad donegood or evil.

“How long did it take?” Melvale asked.

Markhel shrugged. “Not long. Seconds.”

“The mark of a king’s ranger.” Zerbe raised his glass. “To you, my son. May you serve our king well.”

Melvale and Tasniah raised their glasses. “In the service of the king,” they said at once, then drank.

Maida drank too. The drink was fruity with the slight taste of honey. She set the glass down and helped herself to more pot roast. Markhel had given the recipe to his mother as a gift. Now King Jaireth wasn’t the only one in the palace with it.

“And first you were a black lion, and then a white one?” Melvale prodded. “How exciting!” He poked at his food, his smile still in place, but Maida caught the sadness in his eyes.

“Will the same thing happen to you once you join?” she asked.

Melvale blushed then waved a hand at her. “Oh, who knows?”

“Of course, he will,” Tasniah said. “But Melvale is not a ranger, he’s our Time Keeper. And though my sons are twins, they’re personalities and hearts are different.”

“No one will know what form Melvale’s heart will take,” Zerbe said. He gave Maida a smile. “We shall have to wait and see.”

“Enough of that,” Tasniah said. “Maida, would you like some Muiraran gowns to wear, or continue to adorn yourself in the clothes of your people?”

She didn’t know what to say. Markhel’s family was overwhelming in so many ways. They were also friendly and trying to see to her every need. “The clothes I brought are fine for now.” She gave them all a shy smile then took another bite of pot roast.

Melvale smiled too and nodded at Markhel. “I’ve not yet said, welcome home, brother. We’re all glad you’re here. It’s been a long time. And I know it will take some time for you to… let us love you.”

Markhel’s eyes widened with emotion. “Yes. It will.” He looked at Maida and smiled. “But I have help now.”

She smiled back. “You do. I’m glad we share a heart.”

He ran a hand up and down one of her arms, then gave her hand a squeeze.

Zerbe raised his glass again. “To family.”

The others smiled and did the same. “To family!”

They drank, they ate, and all was well. Markhel had come home.

THE END

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