My chest still throbbed, made worse since I stood in my favorite place and couldn’t lift a finger. I’d barely been able to sleep last night, but I had to soldier on. School loomed. At least yesterday was over. I never had to go through the pain of— Nope. I wouldn’t even say his name.
I tapped the bright red countertop, which matched the red kitchen cabinets trimmed with white. Princess Genevy, Davio’s mother, had built this kitchen for me five years ago. I loved cooking, and my passion would see me through the days ahead. This space in this lower northern wing for us younger ones usually wrapped me in its warmth, but I didn’t even want to peek through my cookbooks for inspiration today. I shuffled across the white slate floor and slumped overtop the cold metal sink. Out the white wooden edged window, the sun’s rays beamed in over a thick green garden. My favorite herbs thrived there, but they didn’t call to me to come and pillage. So much for my place of solace.
“Hey, Silvie.”
The door swung open and Zayn ambled in. The protector with his tousled blond hair and sun-kissed skin appeared as if he belonged at the beach and surfing the waves instead of with a sword in hand and defending our borders. It was made even more obvious since he wore Earth clothing, a pair of tan cargo shorts and a striped t-shirt over his usual battle leathers.
From his top pocket, he pulled out a pair of sunglasses then slid them on. “Whatcha think? I’ve got the day off and I need to blend in with the New Zealand locals. I hardly ever take a look around. It’s always a quick visit in and out.”
“You look perfect. If you want, I’ll even show you around.” Having someone else to distract me today would help.
“Nah, you’ve got school. Silas sent me to take you this morning.”
“I don’t feel up to it.” That was an understatement. Come on. Cheer up. Zayn was never in a dull mood, and he’d surely lift mine. “One day off isn’t gonna hurt.” I snagged his sunnies. “Where’d you get these? On one of those quick visits?” We lived in a society more like Earth’s from a couple hundred centuries ago, and I’d never seen him wear such a thing.
“Travel’s free. I shopped.” He snatched them back. “And yeah, I’ll take you up on your offer. I almost got run over by an SUV when I went to buy these. Boy, are those big brutes.”
I laughed, and that lump in my chest lightened a little more. “You have to look both ways before you cross the blacktop.”
“I will. Next time. It’s a shame Earthlings can’t ’port.”
“You’re just lucky you can.” I prodded his chest. “So where’s my brother? I haven’t had a chance to tell him about yesterday.” I always told him the big stuff, and he’d want to know I’d found my— Yep, the nameless one. He’d want to know.
“He and Davio have already ’ported to Sunider. They’re in the middle of running border checks between us and the desert area of No-Man’s Land.”
“Ah, that’s right. I remember him mentioning that now.” Faith and Hope had recently discovered their mother’s lost heritage had come from the Sol desert tribe. Kate had been abandoned on Earth by her Magioling mother thirty-six years ago. She’d not known of this world until Alexo had come for her and Faith a few short months ago.
Davio and Silas were insistent the Sol’s No-Man’s Land location was safeguarded. They cared for their mates in all ways.
Hmm, mates. I patted Guy’s mother’s ring where it rested under the top edge of my red tank top. It was all I had of him, of the man who should have been mine. Argh, I had to stop these mushy thoughts. Get it together. He’d moved on. I’d moved on. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my shorts so I wouldn’t touch the ring again. “I can’t wait to have some fun. I so need it.”
“Right, but after breakfast. Fun requires food.” From inside the pantry, he grabbed a box of cereal then headed to the fridge. He stroked the metallic surface before opening it. “My mum has a cold-box, but nothing lasts in there for more than a day or two. She’d love this.”
I snuck the jug of milk out. “She can’t have it. This fridge is all mine.”
“You’re safe. I wouldn’t pinch it, not when she likes making the younger ones run out to the cold-box so often.” He pulled plates and glasses from the cupboard and spoons from the drawer.
“How many children are in your family?” He hardly ever spoke of them.
“Ten. I’m the eldest. I’m glad I don’t live at home anymore.”