Chapter 39
After the third port, Liri breathlessly told him that was it.
Abe laughed, “when they said practice, they didn’t mean to do a speed round.” He hugged her tight and then noticed they were in the courtyard. “Let’s sit for a minute while you catch your breath, and then we’ll go meet up with my—step-mom”
“How come I don’t feel ill now? Porting?” She sat on the stone bench.
“I’m not sure.” It was cooler out here than it had been earlier, or was that the temperature in Solrelm? He couldn’t remember where he’d been in the last few days. “Are you warm enough?” He didn’t even have his jacket with him to offer her.
“Yes. I think it’s the adrenaline from doing that on my own.” She smiled at him and leaned against his shoulder.
Abe kissed the top of her head and just stayed that way. A few minutes of calm before things started again. When he’d wanted away from the monitors, he hadn’t realized it would be never-ending motion.
“Well, there he is.”
Abe turned to see his siblings walking toward them. He sat straighter. So much had been happening, he hadn’t had time to talk to either one of them much since he’d become fully boned with Liri, and then it had been a few text messages.
“Nice tatt, Ace,” Ellis smirked at him.
Rena had a strange look on her face.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded and blew out a breath. “Just getting some fresh air and exercise.” She smiled at Liri, “You’re a brave woman to take on my brother.”
Liri blushed. “I think it might be more the other way.” She sat straighter. “I just discovered I can port.”
Abe watched the expression on his brother’s face change. “I haven’t been brave enough to try it.”
He didn’t want him to start going on and on about all the places he’d been that he shouldn’t have been. Abe was glad he was staying in Alterealm. It had been touch and go when Ellis had fallen for the lies of that mage Davis. They could have lost him. Of course, no one talked about the fact that Ellis helped those that kidnapped their Uncle Leone. “How’s it going at the new facility?”
Ellis nodded, “we’re almost done rearranging prisoners.” He huffed out a breath, “had a few moments of misplacement, but Uncle Arius says it was bound to happen with how many we have.”
“Are the new facilities like the cells?” Abe had helped set up cameras and security, but he hadn’t been to the actual building.
“No. No clear walls.” Ellis crossed his arms over his chest, and Abe noticed he’d adopted the stance his uncles used often. “The ones I’m in charge of are lesser crimes, so they’re allowed a bit more privacy.” He pulled out his phone and looked at it. “I need to get back. They’re finishing the fenced zone today.” He glanced at Rena, “Are you good, or do you want me to walk you back to your office?”
She rubbed her hand up and down his arm, “I’m good. Go.”
Ellis nodded and then smiled at Liri, “Welcome to the fam,” he bowed and then winked at her. Flipping open his porter, he pressed it and was gone.
“I think he’s mostly growing up,” Rena said in a thoughtful tone.
Abe grinned. “I don’t think he’s going to have a choice running that facility.”
“Good. I can’t deal with any more of his pond schemes. He was exhausting.” Rena rolled her eyes and then rubbed her hand over her belly. “I’m going to go bother Mitz for some popsicles.” She chuckled. “What a ridiculous thing to crave.”
Abe stood up and held out his hand, “do you want me to walk back with you? You’re looking a little pale today.”
“Give it five minutes, and I’ll be flushed and sweating.” She smiled at Liri. “Don’t take any guff from him. If you need help keeping him in line, come find me.”
Liri stood up. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you. Things are so—” She gripped Abe’s arm, “Bas said in the next two hours. I have to go. I have women to talk to and round up.” She stretched up and kissed him and then was gone.
Rena smirked, “she’s energetic.” She blew out a breath. “I miss energetic,” she looked down, “and my feet.”
“I feel bad for my uncles when you’re back to full speed again.” He grinned down at her.
“They were left untethered for too long,” she smirked, “Ira’s words, not mine.”
Abe laughed. “Go snack, rest, and I’ll see you later.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead, “I’m proud of you, sis.”
Rena gave him a shocked look, “I don’t know what Liri has done to you, but I might have to send her flowers or something for doing such a good job.” She waved her hand, “Go before you say something stupid and make me all weepy.” She tolled her eyes, “I have zero control over my emotions right now because losing my body wasn’t enough; the gods thought to make it even harder.”
“And that’s why men don’t do that,” he waved a hand toward her swollen abdomen, “we’d never make it.”
“Ah, there’s the idiot I love. Go away.” She turned and started walking toward the solarium.
Abe exhaled slowly. She was braver than he’d ever be.