Page 92 of Guiding Reason
“I’ll catch you,” Karmine said. “But even you need more than one shot to get drunk.”
Senlas rolled his eyes, and they all downed their drinks.
“You know what you’re doing. Outside the walls?” SenlasFloatedhis empty glass over to the low table while Lapatea and Karmine broke into giggling fits.
Hyran nodded. “I’ve probably traveled more than you have.”
“I’ve done a good amount. And I’ve always had a team with me I had to watch out for.”
Hyran scratched the back of his head. “I’ll look out for Taros and Col. You don’t have to tell me.”
“But I’m telling you.”
The other Guardian was firm, his dark voice making clear this wasn’t so much a threat as a taste of the effect failure would have on their relationship.
Hyran lowered his gaze. “I’ll protect them. I know the area and the people. I don’t spend too much time around Hound paths unless I have to.”
Senlas nodded. “Taros, you still remember the maps, right?”
“Sure do.”
“I made him memorize them before we left Argentea.”
Hyran looked at the panoplian, who was sharing another drink with Lapatea and Karmine.
“I hadn’t planned on staying outside long, actually. It should be fast. Col might want to spend some time in the village to get the information he wants, but we don’t even have to sleep out there to make that happen. Benefits of being a kinetomancer. If everything works out really well, we might even arrive in Argentea before you.”
“Things rarely work out really well,” Vin said and handed Hyran a piece of layer cake.
Orrey and Col returned then, chatting about coffee and a coffee shop Col wanted to take Orrey to.
“What’s this?” Col asked the lot of them. “Do you see this, little brother? They started drinking without us. And why aren’t we watchingMy Secret Guardian?”
“We cannot miss what Champion Shoda is doing,” Lapatea said and pointed his empty glass at the screen. “He is at the Western Entrance, asking everyone to come out there and helpfeed both protectors and the regulars still waiting for news of their loved ones.” He looked at Orrey with rosy cheeks. “You should go! And take your Guardian. People would love that! Guardians and Conduits would come out to meet you, especially if you announce you’ll be leaving after tomorrow.”
Hyran sighed with relief when Col sat next to him, quite close and accepting Hyran’s embrace. However, the Conduit used that as a ploy to steal Hyran’s glass from his fingers and fill it for himself before looking at Orrey.
“Little brother, your face gives you away once more. If you want to go, go. The protectors will appreciate it, I’m sure, and Lapatea is right. If you announce the team will leave, people will want to see you one last time. That will bring even more attention to the donation drive.”
Orrey nodded. “We can make that announcement. Right, Sen?”
Senlas groaned. “But aren’t you tired? Don’t you want to go to bed early today, kitten?”
Orrey shook his head. “Why would we go to bed earl—oh. Well, we can still do that after? Please, Senlas?”
Hyran had never been fond of Conduits who seemed to need a Guardian or those who liked needing a Guardian.But knowing these two are imprinted…I want that. I want Col to come to me and ask me to go places with him, preferably places inside the walls.
He sighed.
Col leaned into him even as Senlas got to his feet with grumbled complaints.
“What?” Col asked.
Hyran couldn’t help himself. He stroked Col’s hair. “I was just thinking…nothing, really. Just that it’s really nice to have you close. I like being close with you.”
Col huffed. “I would like it more if you didn’t have a split lip, but maybe I’ll forgive you for that.” He leaned against Hyran’s shoulder so he could whisper into Hyran’s ear. “You made Taros very happy with that dress. And with meeting Kashana. Thank you.”
Hyran’s belly flooded with heat. They were all settling on the couch now while Senlas and Orrey were heading out to join the celebration that was forming at the Entrance. Col pulled up his legs to get comfortable and leaned against Hyran, stoking that heat. When the Conduit accepted the pieces of layer cake Hyran fed him, Hyran could barely stop himself from smiling.
