Page 46 of Guiding Reason

Col let his channeling come to an end and petted the Guardian’s chest. “I’m not going there tonight. We’ll stay in the suite with the others. Come on.”

Hyran followed Col, sticking close.He’ll always be close from now on. He’s my Guardian, I’m his Conduit.

Col opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. “What are we having for dinner anyway?”

“SuSo’s Dumplings.”

Col looked over his shoulder. “Are they good?”

“I like them. They are themed after various cities, with specific spices and fillings. The Aurean Dumplings are nice.”

Aurea. Where I was first made a citizen. Where I was healed.“I’ll have to try those.”

“You’re looking sad. Because I mentioned dumplings? I didn’t mean to make you angry if it’s that, it’s just that I’m worried. I hurt you once already. I can’t let you get hurt again and—”

Col spun and shut Hyran up by covering his very soft lips with his fingers. “I was just thinking about something that hasnothing at all to do with you. I’m fine.” He smiled. “We can share one of those Aurean dumplings, if you like?”

Hyran blushed, nodded. His lips were slightly parted, and his breath rushed past Col’s fingers, tickling and utterly confusing in how the sensation spread.

Hyran reached up to catch Col’s fingers before he could pull them back and kissed the tips. “That would be nice.”

He didn’t let Col’s hand go as they joined the others in the living space.

They’re all here,Col thought and relaxed.

They were watching an episode ofMy Secret Guardian. Col could tell everyone was channeling, Lapatea with a hand on Karmine’s forearm, Orrey while leaning against Senlas, one leg slung over the Guardian’s, and Yamara, his fingers touching the back of Vin’s hand, which the Guardian had put flat on the space between them.

Yamara was decently strong in his channeling if Col had to guess. Lapatea less so, though Col was willing to not care at all if having the hospitality guide made Karmine happy, and from the looks, it did.

“You’re finally up,” Orrey said, straightening.

“Well, there are things to do.”

“We’re watching the show now,” Vin said. “You can join us. There’s food. You’re not allowed to work though.”

Hyran cleared his throat. “Please sit, Col. I’ll bring you something.”

“Mmm, you know what Col likes?” Taros asked. He was sitting between Orrey and Vin and postured on the couch, a line of blades above his eyebrows reflecting the light that came off the screen.

Col saw Hyran’s nostrils flare but decided to ignore it, for now. Taros wouldn’t stop his attempts at pushing Hyran just yet, and Col knew it all too well.

Orrey looked from one of the posturing Guardians to the others even while Senlas put a soothing hand on his Conduit’s shoulder.

“You were out, little brother?” Col asked as he approached the couch. The thing was large, seeing as it was made for a Guardian Games team, but he had to pick out where to sit carefully all the same.Maybe that’s why Hyran asked me to sit. If so, good tactical thinking on his part.

Orrey nodded. “We had to. I mean, we had to help the protectors. And everyone here in the Grounds of course, but right now, helping one is helping the other.”

Vin, reading the situation clearly, scooted toward Taros and made Taros scoot in return. Yamara, who’d been sitting in the corner, looked uncertain, but followed immediately when Vin beckoned him. Col wasn’t sure what to make of Yamara leaning against Vin in a mechanical way, his eyes growing distant.

Vin’s expression broke slightly as well, eyes widening in what Col recognized as shock. “Just sit normally. Col and his Guardian are better left in the corner, that’s all.”

Yamara startled away from Vin. “Oh. I misunderstood. I apologize, Guardian.”

“You did nothing wrong.” Vin’s fingers twitched, but he didn’t reach out to comfort Yamara.

I missed something there. I missed a lot there. Fuck.“You joined our team, didn’t you?” Col asked the petite Conduit and sat. “Has no one told you the Conduits of Team Three don’t apologize?”

Yamara’s left hand was a tightly balled fist. “I…”