Page 45 of Guiding Reason
COLDIS
Hyran got dressed using his speed, and Col found it utterly fascinating to see him go through the bag of clothing the protector had dropped for him. The butler bot had apparently left it right outside the door.
In front of the small vanity, Hyran wove his long hair in two tight braids and coiled those at the back of his head in barely three seconds. When he was done, he looked over his shoulder.
“Does anything hurt? Do you need help getting dressed?”
“Not at all,” Col said and pulled on a soft pair of pants and a matching shirt, both designed for spending a day doing nothing and streaming dramas. “As I said, it’s the kinetomancer speed I haven’t yet gotten used to.”
“You will.” Hyran walked over to Col. “I can always slow down, if you prefer, but sometimes I forget.” The Guardian took Col’s hand in his, his fingers soft and warm and holding Col firmly. Col channeled, barely even thinking about it, and Hyran smiled. “It feels different when you do it. It never felt like this.”
Col shrugged. “Imprinting is supposed to do that. I assure you, I’m just channeling like any other Conduit might.”
“Hmm. I know you’re better than most. I saw your record. Your Op-AI had no issue giving me that even before I imprinted. I think it wanted to show you off.”
“Well, yes, I’m good at doing a normal thing, nothing worth showing off. And I might have learned more emergency channeling than I had originally planned given that my team sometimes does idiotic things and needs it.” Hyran’s face fell. “No more, of course.” Col ran his fingers through his hair, flinched when he touched the sealant that covered his wound.
“Does it hurt?” Hyran carefully tilted Col’s head, and he let him.
“No. I mean, I’m probably full of pain medication and wouldn’t notice if it did. It’s fine.”
Hyran frowned. “They said it will likely scar.”
“So? No one will see it.”
“I didn’t want to give you a scar. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
The Guardian looked guilty. Col didn’t understand it, but he knew that the imprinting played into it.Be kind to him.
“We’ve been over this. I’ll gladly take the scar as a reminder that my Guardian saved my life. That’s not a story many Conduits can tell about their imprinting.”
“I suppose not.” Hyran bit his lip. “Your team is set on hating me passionately as far as I can tell.”
“Are you asking me a question, Hyran? They know as an imprinted Conduit, I have duties. And they have learned to follow my orders.”
Hyran’s face darkened even more, and his shoulders sagged, making the very tall Guardian look small. “It’s not just you who has duties in this. I do too. Make you happy and care for you, that’s my duty. I hope we can find mutual happiness, of course. And while my feelings don’t align with the logic of it, I know that you come with your team. Your family. I’d prefer it if they hated me less.”
Col couldn’t help it. He giggled. “Maybe if I tell them how well you helped me in the shower, they will go easier on you. Really, it’s that you cornered Orrey in the clinic and then later dragged him through that scene of a murder that has all of them suspicious. Orrey is the youngest, and there are so many things he still has to learn, so they’re all very protective.”
“I explained why I did both. And I wasn’t even wrong. What he did during the attack, only a protector Conduit could have ever thought of doing, and it saved us all.”
“Well, let me repeat, you were wrong in suspecting us, but I hadn’t even thought about how things could have gone without my little brother and his unconventional plan. You’re right about him.” Col shook his head. “My little brother. I really need to get him an adequate rank.”
“They have food out there, and it’s late. You don’t need to do anything right now but eat something and relax. You’ve barely eaten anything all day, and that’s fine with the medication and after a concussion, but a little food can’t hurt.”
“Overprotective Guardian, just like the four out there.” Col sighed. “I have to talk to everyone anyway. I was just avoiding it when I took you into my bed. And you have to set up a meeting with your mothers still. Don’t think I forgot.”
“Tomorrow, I promise you.” He shrugged. “It’s too late for it today.”
Col nodded because Hyran was right. Light had faded, and Ferrea glowed in the darkness outside the windows, a peaceful sight.
“And you will have to get used to the idea of me going to talk with Alesa. Maybe Pinota, but I’m not sure that will be helpful.”
Hyran’s other hand came to rest on Col’s shoulder, stopping short of reeling him in. “Col, that’s dangerous. I can’t let you do that.”
“You’ll come with me. Vin will come with me. I’ve dealt with Alesa before this, and I can deal with him now. He knows things I want to know, and I won’t let you stop me from getting to that knowledge. It’s important, for everyone in the cities, maybe even the people outside them.”
Hyran opened his mouth, closed it, his lips pressing tight. He looked even paler than usual.
