Page 56 of Tattered Allegiance
No, it hasn’t, but… “It’s good to hear nonetheless.”
“I’m sorry I can’t fix this for you.”
I miss those days when I was small and Mum could fix everything that went sideways in my world with nothing more than a kind word, a warm embrace, and a kiss on my forehead. But those days are long gone.
Three loud thumps wring a startled jolt out of both of us.
“Rahz! Ms. Starling! It’s Jinny. Can I come in?”
From the excitement in his voice, I’m surprised he didn’t bash the door down.
Mum calls out, “Of course, dear. Door’s unlocked.”
A vibrating person-shaped bundle of energy whooshes into our living room in a flutter of shimmering wings and untamed purple hair. He’s got bags hanging off both shoulders, preventing him from settling his wings properly. He promptly dumps them in the middle of the floor and leaps at me from across the room.
I rush to get the sewing needle out of pricking range while he squeals, “I’m coming with you. Again. Were you worried? I’m sorry. I was confused about what I should do, but my home is wherever you are. So I’m coming with you.”
His lips are on mine before I’ve properly heard his words. Coming with me? After all? A cresting rush of joy overtakes me, and my heart skips a beat. Or four. “Really?”
“Yes. I’ve already spoken to Mother and Father, and they understand. Well, she understands and insists she’ll handle him from here.”
Relief swells in my chest. I feel like a man who’s been caught in a whirlpool, circling wildly from delight to despair, and finally, someone has thrown me a raft. My head is above water, and everything is going to be all right after all. I’m so happy, it’s hard to catch my breath.
Jin goes on, chattering away in that excited voice I love so much. “I’m already packed, and I brought my bags, so we can go now if you like. You said you could delay for me, but you also said the timing is crucial, so I thought I’d come ready to leave. Where’s Briar? With Magna? Thank you for taking care of them so I could talk to Momma.”
While he talks a mile a minute, Mum and I exchange meaningful glances. Her warm brown eyes crinkle at the corners. She’s happy for me, and I’m so grateful for both of them I could weep. Instead, I kiss Jin and slide him from my lap to the spot next to me.
“Yes, Briar’s in the stables with Magna. We can leave as soon as I finish this.” I hold up the needle and retrieve my sewing project from where it’s landed on the floor. “I can’t believe you’re coming with me.”
A bright smile lights his face. “I can’t believe I almost didn’t. I’m just thankful I realized what I needed to do before you left and I have to come chasing after you.”
Mum speaks up. “I don’t suppose you have any mending that needs doing while Rahz finishes?” She tosses me my shirt, cuff seam back intact, and raises her brows at Jindal.
His cheeks pinken. “Well, now that you mention it.”
Mother huffs. “Hand it over, lad. Let’s get you boys set up properly for your adventure.”
While Jindal rifles through his bag and retrieves a small pile of clothes, I think on her words.Adventure.That’s not how I’ve been looking at this mission, but with Jindal at my side and a little bit of luck, she might be right.
We can help people who need it and make an adventure out of the mission at the same time. We’ll be traversing more than half of Luminia on this journey, more of the realm than many will see in their lifetime. And we’ll be doing it together.
Jindal leans into my side, making it more difficult to sew, but I don’t mind. We belong side by side. There’s nothing we can’t face as long as we’re together.
And we’ll be together always.
* * *
