Page 56 of Beginning at the End
He laughed, took the tubers and got them ready, slicing them nearly through, seasoning them and wrapping them in foil.They went into the oven on a low setting, and by the time he was done, the meal prep was finished.
He cheated the lemonade with magic a moment before Delia and Den arrived in the same vehicle.
Eudora washed her hands and looked to the newcomers.“So, make the call and then have dinner?”
Delia nodded.“I will be hungry by then.Can I have some of that lemonade?Easing holes in space makes me thirsty.”
Sern poured her a glass.“What do you require?”
“A room with no windows.This will be a projection thing, so dark is better.With both you and Den having the same mother, this will be an easy triangulation.”
Eudora walked with them and tucked herself into a corner.She was just here to watch.
Delia moved her hands in the air and smiled.“Dialling a really long distance.”
Eudora watched the seeking energy, and then something bloomed and opened a mirror that hadn’t been there a moment ago.
She smiled and gasped when a face took shape on the other side of the new window.The face was familiar but feminine.Sern’s mother.
There was a lot of gasping and speaking in their own language.The mother was sobbing and pressing a hand to the vision.Her sons were both smiling happily, delighted at being together from a distance.
A deeper voice spoke from the other side of the mirror, and Den and Sern spoke softly to him.
A questioning tone rang out from the projection, and Den grinned and waved toward Delia, who was sitting on the billiard table.He said something, and there was pride in his tone.
Sern looked into the shadows and held out a hand to beckon her closer.She knew what this was.This was a meet-the-in-laws moment.
She walked over and stood next to Sern.He put an arm around her, and she heard the snort and comment she couldn’t really decipher, but she understood it.She sighed and said, “I am guessing he is looking for this?Twit.”
She flared to life and let her energy rage.She knew what she looked like.Crimson and maroon light skimmed along every inch of her, and her eyes were molten gold.
Sern spoke softly to them, and his mother looked at her with a smile of understanding.She spoke to Sern, and there was a flash of light before the woman said, “You are stronger than you look.”
“I am strength.I do not know my life span nor that of any offspring I will have.I do know your mate is a little dumb.He needs remedial education.That tone was recognizable in any language.He was either calling me a side piece or a waste of time.”
Sern’s mother snorted.“You are correct.I will have to instruct him later.”
Sern snickered, and Den barked a laugh.Somehow, she got the feeling that Den’s father sought correction now and then.
The lady looked at her intently.“You want my son?”
“Everyone does.I like him.He’s caring and makes me smile, and I feel safe with him.That is rare for me.”
“He can be a nightmare.”
“I am aware of that as well.What were you doing, giving him your features?Women swoon in his path.It makes walking awkward.”
The woman grinned.“It was fate that gave him my looks.You know of his origin?”
“Rut-born?Yes.I was raised in the countryside.It doesn’t offend me.”She smiled.She pressed a hand to her chest.“I am Eudora.”
“I am Seranthee.It is good to meet you.I will apply to be able to move to your home for a time if you have a child.You will need help.”
“Good.I imagine Den trying to assemble things everywhere and Sern attempting to negotiate to get a child to stop crying.”
Seranthee grinned.“So, you have definitely met them.I made strong-willed men.”
“And they are seeking strong women for some reason.”
