“For now. Wait until Mara and Leif start popping out the babies.” He puckered his lips and used his hand to make popping sounds.
“Ahir, manners,” Vyncenza scolded. “We have guests.”
“Ah, so we do. Tee’s friends from the Keep?” Ahir sat down next to his nephew.
“Close,” Teegan said. He explained their adventures over the last couple months.
Judging by the increasingly alarmed expression on Vyncenza’s face, Teegan must be giving him more details than he’d given his grandmother earlier. Heli hoped the woman didn’t insist they go hide in the plains or hire bodyguards.
When Teegan described the big rescue at the Krystal garrison, all color leaked form Vyncenza’s face. Ahir, though, peered at Heli with a contemplative purse.
“Do your parents know what you’ve been doing?” Vyncenza asked in a strained voice.
Teegan hesitated. “I’m sure Aunt Yelena or Uncle Valek sent them a message.”
“You don’t know?” Color returned to his grandmother’s face in a flush of red.
Oh, no. Heli came to his aid. “Because Teegan’s been safe at The Cliffs, we haven’t gotten much news.”
“And Reema’s safe in Ixia,” Teegan added.
Even Heli knew that was the wrong thing to say. Vyncenza exploded. Heli understood her reaction—no one appreciated being kept in the dark about the status of their loved ones. Poor Opal would have a lot of explaining to do once this was over.
Ahir interrupted her tirade. “Relax, Mother. It’s obvious they can handle themselves.” He poked his fork in Heli’s direction. “She’s the other Stormdancer who helped free Opal and her friends from that Bloodrose cult.”
Heli was surprised Opal had told him, and that he remembered her name.
“And,” Ahir continued, “Tee might be younger than them, but I’d bet he’s more powerful. Right, Tee?”
“Uh...” He glanced at his grandmother, who still seethed, then at his grandfather, who hadn’t said a word. “Master Jewelrose did say I should be able to pass the master-level test. But I’m—”
“—helping to stop the Cartel right now, along with the other Master Magicians,” Heli said. While that comment wasn’t well received, it was better than informing his grandparents he was still learning how to control and use his magic.
It took a while, but his grandmother settled down, and they finished supper. The twins cleared the table without being asked. Heli suspected it must have been their job at home. She wondered if they missed their parents. Heli had grown used to being away from home for months at a time once her Stormdancer powers developed at the age of twelve. However, the other Stormdancers filled in for her family.
Vyncenza refused to let Heli wash the dishes but allowed her to dry them. After she left the kitchen, Heli slowed down, enjoying a moment of solitude. It didn’t last long. Ahir arrived to put everything away.
“Was Kade at The Cliffs?” he asked as he shoved a stack of plates into a cupboard.
“Yes. He was working with the twins.” Although she doubted that was the reason for Ahir’s interest.
“Why didn’t he come here with you?”
“It’s the beginning of the heating season. Lots of storms are expected, and he’s the strongest.” Not that there were many dancers left. Heli hoped more Stormdance children would develop the power. When Ahir didn’t respond, she added, “Our priority is to our clan. Those storms can kill, and we rely on their energy to fuel our factories.”
Ahir scooped up the utensils and sorted them. “Is he...okay?”
Confused, Heli said, “He’s fine.”
“I mean...about Opal. I...really liked him. I like Devlen, too, but...”
It had been a shock to Heli when Opal chose Devlen over Kade after they had almost died at the Bloodrose compound rescuing her. “He sulked and was grumpy for a few months, which isn’t that big of a change in his personality, trust me. He was happier when he was with Opal, but lately he’s been better.” She lowered her voice and said in a conspiratorial whisper, “I think he’s starting to like Helen, our new glassmaker. She’s a real sweetheart.”
Ahir smiled. “Good.”
Heli agreed. They worked in companionable silence for several minutes. She dried the pots and handed them to Ahir, who hung them above the hearth.
“What about you?” he asked. “Do you have a boyfriend back home?”
Her heart thudded. She focused on the towel in her hands. “No.”
“That’s a surprise. Unless you and Zethan...”
“No.” Heli met his gaze. “He’s not my type.”
“Really? He’s a good-looking guy—a young Valek.” A pause. “What is your type?”