Page 108 of Stars in Mist

‘You still won’t say what you anticipate?’

Killen shrugged, deflecting the probe, declaring, ‘I’m starved.’

‘There’s some food your mother and I prepared earlier.’

‘How domestic of you both.’

The two men exchanged a grin as Killen rummaged in the cold rock storage.

Riv leaned back on the counter, hands crossed over his chest, following his son’s movements as he prepped a meal. ‘Need help?’ he murmured.

Killen shook his head. ‘I’m good.’ He handed his Father a brew, clinking bottles as soon as they were open.

‘If you’d told me a week ago I’d be drinking a beer with my son in his mother’s kitchen while she slept in the bed we just shared, I’d have called you delusional,’ Riv quipped.

Even though he jested, he was grateful for the chance to connect with and understand the enigma of his not-so-brand-new offspring.

Killen’s lips lifted. ‘I saw this day and was over the moon when it came. She’s been so lonely without you.’

Riv sucked his teeth. ‘Regrettable. Did you see all this using your hereafter sight?’

His son turned to face him head-on. ‘Naam. Also, my ability to influence events. Don’t fret,’ he drawled when Riv shot him an incredulous look, ‘I don’t abuse the power often. Only when I wanted a sweet treat from my mother as a child.’

Riv grinned and saluted Killen with his bottle. ‘As one should.’

They sat at the table, ate, drank, and talked, catching up on the missed years until well past mid-morning.

A soft voice broke through their chuckles. ‘This is a scene I dreamed of for years.’

Both men looked up to see Élisa saunter into the room, tying the ends of her robe together.

She reached her hands to embrace them one at a time. ‘My family, my men of courage, altogether in one room. What joy.’

Riv pulled her down to his lap and kissed the nape of her neck. ‘What joy indeed, love. Feeling better?’

‘I am. The agony has lifted.’ She pressed a small kiss on the side of his lips.

‘It’s touching that you’re at peace now and have reconciled,’ their son added with a sloppy grin.

‘We have.’ Élisa’s voice was soft with emotion.

‘Can I expect a happy-ever-after conclusion?’

Killen added a wink to one of his not-so-blind eyes.

‘It’s our intention, but we can’t plan much more until our current situation is resolved.’

Killen leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed over his chest. ‘What happens now?’

Élisa turned to Riv. ‘We leave Devansi as soon as possible, maybe even today, and head for Kythnia.’

Killen cocked his head and then gave a slight shake. ‘I’m not sure this is how it’ll play out, Mother.’

Élisa gave him a sharp glance. ‘Whatever do you mean?’

‘Like I said before, a reckoning is on its way.’ Killen’s jaw clenched in resolution. ‘And given what I sense is imminent, we may not need to leave this place to gain what we seek.’

Élisa’s brow furrowed. ‘What is coming?’

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