Page 57 of Beginning at the End
Seranthee laughed and looked innocent.“I can’t understand why.”
“You were in the imperial guard?”
“And the archive.”
“You are looking lovely for someone over a thousand years old.”
“I eat well and love my family.It keeps me young.”
“Well, your genetics let your children survive here, so well done.Okay, I will let the guys return to your conversation.”She bowed.“Nice meeting you.”
She straightened and went to Delia, putting her hand on her friend’s arm, and Delia relaxed.“Thanks, Dori.”
She gave Dori strength for another thirty minutes until the guys finished their conversation, and Den’s father looked at Delia.He said slowly, “How often is she willing to allow communication?”
Delia said, “Monthly.This is not easy.I am going through three layers of imperial wards for this chitchat.”
Seranthee blinked.“Imperial wards?”
“Yes, Vaayu tried to lock our world, but he isn’t the ruling body here.We have a large group of women here who would disagree.We are a free world with an imperial colony on it, and most of our world has no idea.”
Seranthee stared.“I see.”
“Maybe one day.For now, it will be once a month, and only if Eudora can boost my energy.You are chatty.”
The woman smiled.“Interesting.Thank you for your efforts.”
Delia said, “Say your farewells.”
Eudora smiled.She inclined her head at the image, and the two sons bowed while their mother and father had bright tears in their eyes but proud smiles.
Delia said softly, “Communications out.”
The mirror disappeared, and Delia slumped.
Eudora leaned down and whispered, “I have a ton of food ready to go.Come on.”
She helped Delia off the table, but Den scooped her up and kissed her cheek.“Thank you, Delia.”
Sern put his hand on Eudora’s back.“Thank you, Eudora.”
“You are welcome.Now both of us are hungry, so let’s get the grill going.”
He chuckled, and they walked to the kitchen and then out to the deck.He got the grill going, and she and Den brought out the food and set it up on the counter of the kitchen.
She got the grill ready and set out the skewers.Sern brought her some lemonade, and she sipped at it.“So, your mother is gorgeous.”
“Yes.She is.She said that once you heard it everywhere you went, the actions of those who loved you were the only important things.”
She got the tongs ready and put the skewers on the grill.“That is very wise.Did you meet your bio-donor?”
He chuckled.“The emperor?Yes.He visited twice.Once when I was a child, and once when I cleared the academy.”
“Did you get a car or something?”
He looked at her, leaning against the counter.“I got to pick a long-term mission on an unknown world, far away from the imperial court.”
“What was your position here?”
