Page 25 of The Heir
“Understanding? Ha, what a joke. You Motlanders are so fucking judgmental.”
My eyes widened in shock. “No, we’re not. How can you say that?”
“You think you’re better than us, admit it!”
I refused to agree.
Leaning forward, Thor looked at my childhood house as we approached it. “I don’t remember that side building. When did you add that part?”
“It’s been there for at least nine years.”
“No way. Has it been that long since I visited? I remember climbing a lot of stairs and everything being cramped in small rooms.”
“That’s because you don’t live in a house. The Gray Mansion is the size of a castle.”
“Sure, but that’s because we’ve extended it over the years.” He didn’t look at me as he spoke. “How many floors do you have again?”
“Originally when my mother moved in it was two floors, but my dad added another three to take advantage of the height of the mill. My room is all the way at the top, which gives me the prettiest view.”
“I don’t think I ever saw your room.”
“Yes, you did. The last time you were here, you stormed in with my brothers, ran to the window, and bragged that if you wanted to, you could climb the outside of the mill all the way to my window.”
Thor chuckled. “Sounds like me, but I don’t remember any of that.” With a confident smile, he pointed ahead. “Maybe I should climb to your room just to prove my younger self right. Would that impress you?”
“Why would impressing me matter? Besides, it’s better if you stay on the ground. I don’t want you to fall down and break your neck.”
Thor met my eyes, and a smile grew on his face. “I’m starting to think that you like me a little after all…”
“What in the world gave you that impression?”
“You did. Why else would you be scared that I might get hurt or die?”
I raised my brow. “That’s simple. I don’t want to live in a haunted house and be bothered by you as a grumpy ghost that’s messing with me. Oh, you can stop rolling your eyes, when we both know that you would have nothing better to do than stick around and pester me in spirit form.”
“You’re crazy.” Thor shook his head and ended the topic. Playing around with his wristband, he changed the subject. “My drone is still forty minutes away. It could have been here by now if you didn’t have those ridiculous speed limits in the Motherlands.”
“Look at the bright side. You’ll have time to talk to my parents. I’m sure they’ll be excited to see you.”
“Will Frederick and Cavin be home?”
“Unlikely. My brothers don’t live here anymore.”
I was right. My parents were home alone when we landed the drone and went inside.
What I didn’t anticipate was Thor and me walking in on my parents as they were in the middle of a passionate kiss.
“Honestly. Didn’t you see the drone coming?” I felt embarrassed as my mom got up from the reading chair where she had been in my dad’s lap.
Arranging her dress, she smiled widely as if it was no big deal. “Thor, how good to see you.”
My dad raised his hand. At least both my parents were still fully dressed. “Long time no see, Thor. I’m sorry we missed your arrival, but we were taking advantage of the empty house. You would think that two witches could communicate better, especially when they both have modern wristbands.”
“Dad, stop calling me and Mom witches.”
“Why? I mean it in a loving way. You know that.” My dad brushed his beard. “It’s not fair to blame us old people for fooling around. Blame yourself for not letting us know you were arriving.”
“I live here. When do I ever announce my arrival?”
