Page 140 of Ulune's Daughter

“Thank you for your contributions,” I say. “Sincerely, Luca, I’m so impressed with everything you’ve brought to this project.”

A flush pinkens his cheeks and the tips of his ears, poking up out of hair that’s as black as mine today. I think blond suits him better, but I’ll admit that his green eyes against the black are startling.

“Impressed enough to give me credit on the publication?”

I put down my stylus and turn to look him in the eye. “You’re getting co-author credit. Have I not made that clear?”

He goes from pink to red. “I guess I didn’t understand. I mean, that’s not usual.”

“It should be where the associate is making this big of a contribution.”

“You found the Magi of the Mist and the cup.”

“You’re making sense of them.”

He rubs the back of his neck. “Thank you, Kellan.”

“You’re welcome.” I grin at him. “Get back to work.”

He ducks his head to demonstrate his diligence, but he’s also grinning.

We work for another two hours, arguing comfortably over whether the unfamiliar six-prong glyph is a new letter or an indication of pronunciation. My mother texts again with the best night for dinner, which I confirm, and another row of crying emojis, which I ignore.

I’m still feeling an uncomfortable mix of guilt and gratitude when Lawson strolls in. He’s wearing jeans and a black sweater that makes his eyes gleam like agates under a camel-colored peacoat. It’s cold enough to warrant the coat, but a lot of Fire-mages don’t need much in terms of outer layers. I’ve seen Darwin run around bare-foot and bare-chested in the snow. Maybe it’s a Cait-thing.

Lawson nods to his brother and walks over to lean on the edge of my desk. Like a cat, he doesn’t come to me immediately, but comes close and then waits for me to give him his due.

I rise out of my chair and approach him. When he opens his arms, I lean in for a hug. “Did you come to collect me?”

He nods, brushing his cheek against mine. “And escort you safely back to Cait House.”

“I do know my way by now,” I tease him gently, because I don’t want to discourage his nightly pick-ups. Wherever I am, he comes to find me. Every time he does, something in me settles. Some certainty that I’m safe and wanted grows.

“And I’ll make sure you get there.”

“Luca and I are having dinner with my parents on Thursday. Would you like to come?”

Lawson’s eyes flick to his brother. Luca’s behind me, so I can’t see his expression, but whatever it is, Lawson shakes his head. “I’ll let Luca have his moment in the sun. Your father was complimentary at the V.I.P. opening, if I remember correctly.”

I nod. “I think Dad secretly wishes he’d gotten another degree. He’s living vicariously through your brother.”

Luca comes to stand beside us. He bumps his brother’s shoulder and Lawson leans in to rub cheeks.

My warrior and my scholar.

I blink, wondering where that thought came from.

Seeing them standing together in the room’s witchlight, they look so similar, these two men. Lawson rarely wears black and Luca’s hair is usually some outlandish color. He just went through an orange phase so violent that I couldn’t look at him without wanting to grab a fire extinguisher. With dark hair, wearing black that brings out the brilliance of their bright eyes, they could be twins.

“Wow, strong genetics,” I say. “How many years are between the two of you?”

“A few,” Lawson responds. “Why?”

“I just hadn’t realized how much you look alike.”

“I told you Cait genes are dominant,” Lawson says.

He did. They both look very much like their father. I nod. “Luca, are you coming home with us?”

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