Page 14 of Tyr

“HBO isn’t porn, bro.”

“Naked people. Having sex. Porn.”

“It’s fantasy.”

“Yeah, your fantasy. Orgies with half a dozen women.”

Herm looked wistful and sighed. “I miss the old days. What can I say?”

“Enough,” said Tyr. “You two are so embarrassing.”

“You always say that,” replied Herm.

“And I never lie.” He turned to Celeste. “Sorry about them. They may both act like teenagers in a frat house, but they are excellent at their jobs. And they can be serious when they need to be. You can read them to be sure, though.”

“It’s okay. I don’t need to. I trust you.”

She did? Interesting.

Tyr stared at her for a moment as she tried to open the eye, which had been swollen shut an hour or so before. His gut clenched as she tried to focus on him with both eyes.

Once again, something inside stirred, and he couldn’t get Herm and Vid out of the room fast enough. “Okay, you two get out.”

Vid and Herm started to leave when Vid turned back. “Are you guys hungry? I can cook something.”

Tyr looked at Celeste.

“I can’t chew.”

“Her jaw is broken.”

“I can heat some broth. I have homemade bone broth in the fridge. It’s essential for mending and regaining strength.”

Tyr nodded. “Thanks, Vid.”

“What about you,” asked Herm. “You want something?”

“I’ll eat later.”

The two nodded and exited his room.

Tyr turned back to Celeste. “They can be mature when they want to be.”

She gave a soft, lopsided smile, and the split in her lip opened and wept. Tyr grabbed the towel from the nightstand and pressed it to her mouth. She reached out and touched his hand, turning it over.

“That wasn’t there before.”

“Yeah… I… uh… had an accident in the kitchen with a glass. Glasses are so fragile. I’m more used to metal tankards, so sometimes I forget my strength.”

She ran her fingers over the bandage lightly and then pulled away.

Her touch left a trail of sparks on his palm, and Tyr fought for something to say. “I’m sorry about all of this. It isn’t the impression I wanted to make, I can assure you. With those two, as well as with me almost losing my temper. I promise it wasn’t anything you did. I just… sometimes I have a hard time controlling it. Even after all this time. And about Yegret?—”

“I get it. She was protecting you and your space.”

He looked over at Yegret in her twenty-foot-long, built-in glass enclosure. “I’ve never let anyone else in my room before. It was stupid of me not to think of it. I open the window for her every evening to come back in after she’s gone for a flight. I just…” Just what? Almost lost himself to bloodlust and left to compose himself? Yeah, that would instill confidence.

“No harm done.”

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