Page 95 of Seared Fates

“Mum,” Kai says with an eyeroll. “I’m fine.”

She hums low, before the weight of her assessment returns to me. “I’m assuming you have a job?”

I should’ve brought the sword. Just not for his father.

His mother would have made one formidable shieldmaiden.

“I sell historical antiques. Norse, mostly.” Meaning I sell any old swords or armoury I’ve got lying around that historianslose their minds over. I don’t say all that aloud, though. Instead, I summon my old Chieftain voice. This woman won’t be impressed by weakness.

Quick as a whip, she replies, “How much money does that make you?”

“Mum!” Kai interjects.

“Oh, Tilly, you shouldn’t care about such things.” Kai’s father tuts. “But you are looking a little pale, Kai. I’ll make you some tea with honey.”

“It earns me good money,” I assure her. Inwardly cursing myself.

Maybe I should offer her land.

“Enough to look after my child?”

“Enough with the thousandth degree,” Kai complains. “I have my own job. My own money.”

Charlotte doesn’t blink, waiting to see if I’m worth her son’s attention. To most, I’m a predator, but in her house—I’m prey.

“Enough so Kai never has to work a day in his life.” I keep my voice solid, firm.

“Not that I want that, by the way,” Kai mumbles, making his father giggle.

“I love your son.”

Kai’s fingers twitch in mine, and even Charlotte's gaze softens, just slightly. Or it could be the light.

“Kai puts too much pressure on himself to look after everyone else. Something I love about him, but it makes me worry. He’s too stubborn to ever stop, so I plan to make it my job to look after him.”

Kai’s smile is worth his mother’s scrutiny, and in a way, I’m happy he’s got a fierce family, proof that they’ll never turn their backs on him.

His father gasps, slapping his palms over his chest. “How romantic,” he sighs.

“Come eat then. Your father’s been cooking since Teagan said you’d be visiting.” Charlotte slinks towards the kitchen. “Come, Kwame darling, I’ve been craving your meat all day.” She glances over her shoulder, a teasing smirk on her painted red lips. “And you're cooking, too.”

Kai slaps a hand over his face and groans.

His father goes bright red as he scurries after his wife.

Kai shakes his head, but before we can follow, there’s a noise at the bottom of the stairs. Then someone else joins us.

“Teagan.” Kai rushes over to his little brother.

Like his father, Teagan is short, yet with a slender build. He shares the same quiet, intense energy as his mother.

“Teagan, this is Vidar,” Kai says in a way all big brothers do, like he wants Teagan to be polite but doesn’t expect he’ll follow through.

“It’s good to meet you, Teagan,” I tell the younger man. Boy really.

Teagan stays silent. His wide eyes, like two perfect disks of pure obsidian framed by the longest lashes I’ve ever seen, scan me over like he knows all my secrets.

Or will, by the end of this dinner.