Rex Aftermath (Elei's Chronicles) (32 page)

Elei leaned back in his chair. He didn’t have any experience with raising children, but Kalaes had insisted that, once the three floors of the orphanage were full, they wouldn’t have much time for work.

A thrill of trepidation shook him. He’d wanted this, had promised Afia to do it, and had been sure that was what he was meant to do. He’d never stopped to think about the practical side of it, the problems and lack of support. The new government was still in the works, and the situation might take a long time to stabilize. For now, they were pretty much on their own.

Kalaes’ casual shrug only confirmed his fears. “Not yet. Hera and Sacmis are pressing for money, and Mantis promised to find something for us, but until things settle...” He frowned.

 “What about Jek and Afia. When are they coming?” Elei longed to see them. He felt he wouldn’t relax until he met them again and showed them the orphanage.

“Soon. I heard they were waiting until the roads were safe.” He cast Elei another dark look. “I also heard the police were declaring an emergency alert in the East Sector because of the many killings. Are you sure you didn’t see any of that?”

Elei looked at Alendra and shook his head. The last thing he wanted was to pile up more worries on Kalaes’ shoulders.

Alendra sighed.

“You keep asking about me,” Elei said. “How about you? How are you handling Rex? Is
palantin
really in check?” He took in Kalaes’ pale face. “You look awful.”

 “It really warms my heart to be complimented like that,” Kalaes muttered, arching a dark brow. “I’m okay. Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t fix.”

“You drive yourself too hard,” Alendra said softly. “When did you last have a restful night?”

Kalaes only shook his head, ran his fingers through his tousled hair. He stood up, then sat back down, as if he wanted to do something but couldn’t make up his mind.

“Kal?” Elei was getting worried. “What’s the matter?”

The key turned in the lock and the apartment door swung open. Hera and Sacmis walked in, wearing long coats over their gray suits.

“Is this a family reunion?” Sacmis asked, sounding amused.

Elei shook his head, waiting for Kalaes’ reply.

 “Nothing. I...” Kalaes sighed. “It’s Zoe. She won’t let me explain.”

“Explain what?” Hera’s dark eyes narrowed.

“I sorta got caught with a girl’s hands on my ass,” Kalaes muttered.

“Sorta?” Hera glared as she took a seat at the table.

“It wasn’t like that, okay? That girl actually grabbed my ass, fe, without asking, and Zoe chose that moment to walk in. She won’t answer my calls, won’t open the door, and I...”

“You’re in love with her,” Sacmis said softly.

“Yeah.” Kalaes dragged the bottle of liquor toward him, hesitated. Come to think of it, Elei couldn’t remember a night since they’d arrived in Artemisia that he’d seen Kalaes without a drink in his hand.

Did he drink himself to sleep every night?
Dammit.
“It’s not that bad, Kal. You two will make up.”

“Well, it’s not just Zoe. Last time I had kids under my care, I screwed up, got them killed. I can’t help this feeling that it will be the same this time.” Kalaes gripped the bottle. “Between those memories, the trip in the netherhells and back, it’s the only thing that can help me sleep at all.”

Shit.
“What about sleeping pills?”

“They make things worse. They put me under so deep I can’t wake from the nightmares, and when I do wake up...” He shuddered. “It’s as if I spent the whole night running.”

“Listen to me.” Elei waited until Kalaes looked up. “You’re not in this alone, okay? I’m the one who promised to do this. The orphanage is my responsibility. We’ll do this together. You don’t have to hold the world on your shoulders, Kal.” It was funny watching Kalaes’ eyes widen. “I mean it.”

“You’re...” Kalaes swallowed hard. “Talking too much, fe. Your facial muscles will hurt tomorrow.” But his eyes were bright.

“I’ll talk to Zoe,” Alendra said. “And don’t forget you saved Elei, time and again.” Her small face was serious. “Never forget that. Tell it to your self every night before you go to sleep. We went to the netherhells and came back. We are all here, all fine.”

She was giving him a mantra, a weapon to fight the nightmares. Would it work?

Silence lapped at the table legs, rose like a wave, drowning them, but it also felt familiar and warm. A silence full of memories.

“Well, then.” Kalaes got to his feet and flashed them a faint smile. “Doesn’t hurt to try, I guess.”

Elei thought he might give it a try himself.

***

The next day Elei barely saw Alendra, running from work directly to the orphanage only to be redirected by a fresher-looking Kalaes to start painting the second floor. A troupe of children brushed by him on the way down, squealing and laughing. He stared after them, his mouth hanging open.

It was real. It was happening.

Shaking off his amazement, he made his way down and spent long hours painting the walls an anti-mold white. The big roller did the job quickly, but his ribs were killing him and he often had to stop to rest. At some point he thought he heard voices downstairs, but he wasn’t sure. He was almost falling asleep on his feet when Kalaes came down.

“I got a call,” he said, a grin up to his ears.

“Let me guess.” Elei smiled and had to stifle a yawn that threatened to crack his jaw. “From a certain braided girl?”

Kalaes laughed and clapped his back. “Yeah. A certain gorgeous braided girl wants to meet me tomorrow and I’m planning to take the day and the night,” he winked, “to show her how much I appreciate it.”

Elei snorted, and damn if he wasn’t yawning again.

“Time for bed,” Kalaes announced and Elei followed him out, no energy left to speak. Back at the apartment, he looked into the girls’ room and found Alendra fast asleep, an arm dangling over the side of her bed.

He turned away with a smile and fell face-first onto his mattress, barely aware of Kalaes stripping and crawling into the other bed.

Elei fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

And plunged into dreams where he flew and fell and flew again, tumbling in blue depths, among bubbles and fish and strange lights.

He came awake with a start in the middle of the night.
Voices
. He propped himself on his elbow and rubbed his face roughly. Kalaes was fast asleep, snoring softly, a dark shape under the blankets.

 The voices rose again, and Elei recognized Hera and Sacmis. He slipped out of bed and padded to the hall, scrubbing a hand through his hair. He was curious but also worried. Why were they having a discussion so late?

“It needs to be sweet,” Hera was saying, her voice brooking no argument. “That’s how it’s done.”

“But he cannot have sweet,” Sacmis said mildly, “not now.”

“If not now, then when? It will be his first. I want him to enjoy it. I want it to be good.”

“It will be. It’s not like he has something to compare it to, is it? Therefore it does not need to be the same everyone else has.”

“Kalaes will tell him.”

“Then threaten Kalaes with lashing if he tells.”

“Oh I will, trust me.”

Elei stood at the door, utterly mystified, his mind still fuzzy. “Hera?” he whispered. “What’s going on?”

Hera started and turned around. She was smiling and her face was flushed. “Apologies. I did not mean to wake you up.”

“It’s okay.” He wandered to the table and sat, yawning. A bottle stood in the middle of the table with glasses. He sniffed. “Liquor?”

“We’re celebrating,” Sacmis said, lifting her glass, grinning.

“What then?”

She shrugged. “Peace?”

“I’ll drink to that.” He grabbed the bottle and poured himself some of the clear liquid. “To peace.”

They clinked glasses and drank. Elei’s eyes watered. “Is this Kalaes’ bottle?”

“Yeah.” Hera nursed her drink. “In peace and war we share everything.”

Sacmis laughed.

Elei lifted a brow. “So what’s this about?”

“Persistent,” Sacmis observed.

Hera slung an arm around his shoulders and whispered conspiratorially, “As if she has only now noticed.”

 Elei snorted and sipped his drink. “I’m in good company.”

He was, he thought. In excellent company.

“We have decided to stay,” Hera said, her dark eyes filling with colors.

Elei put the glass down, a shiver going through him. “Hera...”

“I was not sure I wanted to go,” she said. “I do not want to leave you, all of you. I will supervise the operation, of course. From afar. Sacmis agrees.”

Sacmis nodded, toasted them and drank.

Elei turned toward Hera and her other arm came around him, hugging him. “We’re a family,” she whispered. “You’re my brother. I wish to stay.”

He nodded against her shoulder, her sweet scent familiar. Rex did not even stir. “Family.”

“I wanted a little brother years ago,” Sacmis said, and joined them, her arms going around both. “It was my rebellious phase.”

“Which never ended,” Hera rumbled.

“I want in, too,” a low voice said and he looked up to see Alendra, her pale hair tousled and her face soft with sleep.

They made room for her, and she snuggled close to Elei, leaning her head on his shoulder.

He couldn’t speak. He pressed his lips together, trying to contain the huge joy bubbling inside his chest.
Warm, dark, sweet. Safe. Loved.

Sacmis started to pull back, the embrace loosening, when an amused voice spoke from the doorway.

“Why is it I always miss out on all the fun?” Kalaes leaned on the doorjamb, arms folded over his chest, his hair sticking out. His dark eyes were bright with something more than mischief; something like longing.

“Then why don’t you join in?” Alendra asked, barely above a whisper.

“I thought you’d never ask,” he said, a slow grin spreading on his face, and when he came over, his strong arms enfolded them all.

***

“Do you think Elei has figured out what we’re planning?” Sacmis asked, snuggling closer to Hera on their bed. “How long was he standing at the door, listening?”

“I’m sure he has no idea.” Hera molded her body to Sacmis’ lithe curves and sighed in pleasure. “Would never imagine anything like it.”

“That’s sad,” Sacmis murmured, kissing Hera’s neck, sending shivers down her spine. “Everyone should celebrate life.”

“Hm. I think Alendra will help him celebrate tomorrow.”

“Hera.” Sacmis laughed, her warm breath tickling Hera’s throat. “You naughty woman.”

“What? All I did was explain to her a few things. You know, sex is natural but it’s so much better when you know what you’re doing.”

“Marvelous.” Sacmis grabbed Hera’s chin and leaned in for a kiss. “Will you teach me, too?”

“Pay close attention,” Hera whispered, “and I’ll teach you everything.”

***