Savor (8 page)

“This will.”

“Do you usually drink in the afternoon?” I brought the cup to my nose and smelled it. It smelled strong and strangely both bitter and sweet.

“Not always, but this isn’t an average afternoon now is it?”

“I suppose not.” I brought the cup back down.

“You don’t trust me.”

“It’s not that.”

“Then why aren’t you drinking it?”

“I’ve been burned before.” Tiffany had done a number on me. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever fully trust my gut instincts again.

“I assume you don’t mean that literally.”

I shook my head remembering my time in the cave and my first taste of the feeling of hopelessness. “No. Not at all.”

“I assure you it’s safe, and you might need something to take the edge off. I can only imagine how crazy this experience must be for you.”

“It’s been a rough few weeks.” I studied her before bringing the cup to my lips. A sip wouldn’t hurt. The liquid was warm and bitter, but with enough of a sweet aftertaste that I went back for another sip.

“I told you it’s good.”

“Very good.” I held out the cup. “Thanks.”

“My pleasure.” She glanced at the still closed door.

“You’re worried.”

“Just curious how they’re doing.”

“He’s going to be nice?” I’d assumed it, but Taliana seemed more nervous now.

“Of course he will be. It’s Vera I’m worried about.”

I smiled. “She can be a little bit tough, but if I had a daughter I’d want her to be that way too.”

“Are you as against having children as Vera?”

“Having children?” I coughed on my third sip of the liquor. “That isn’t something I’m worried about.”

“You’re young.”

“Passing on my family line isn’t high on my priority list.”

“If my hunch is right about who your mom is, then you at least have some genes worth passing on.”

“I’ve heard she was a good woman, but I don’t know her.” I barely remembered her. All I had were wisps of memories of dark hair and a beautiful smile.

“I’m going to do anything possible to make sure you get the chance.”

“Why?”

“I already told you.” She put a hand on my arm. “You saved my daughter. For that I will forever be grateful.”

“Are you used to being back on Norco yet?” I moved the conversation off me. It was always easier that way.

“Yes and no.”

“Meaning?” Taliana had left before Casey was born and didn’t come back for nineteen years. The return had to have been intense.

“Meaning I settled back in. This is my home, but I’ve missed my girls. I’ve missed my best friend.”

“Chris, right? Vera and Casey have talked about him.”

“He’s never going to come back.” She stared down at her hands.

“Because he’s afraid of Gareth?”

“Yes, but not in the way you’re thinking. Chris is a brave man. He wouldn’t fear for his life. Instead he’d worry that his presence would upset Gareth and make things worse for me.”

“He loves you.” Love was generally behind heroic actions, but not always.

“Yes, and I love him, but not in a romantic way.”

“But he loves you in a romantic way.” It was so much easier to talk about someone else’s feelings.

“I don’t know.”

“How is that possible? Didn’t you share a bed with him for eighteen years?”

Her cheeks flushed slightly. “He never laid a hand on me in anything but a comforting way.”

“The man has willpower.” Even in her forties Taliana was a beautiful woman. I didn’t know of too many men who could lay with a woman like that for years and never try anything.

“He was dedicated, and he loves my girls like they are his own.”

“Maybe I’ll meet him sometime.”

“If you stay
friends
with Vera you probably will one day.” She emphasized friends in a way that let me know she’d jumped to exactly the conclusion that Vera had predicted. “She had a close relationship with him.”

I took another long sip. It was easier than responding.

“How did Casey look to you when you left?” She leaned in slightly.

“She looked relieved that Levi showed up. I don’t think she was looking forward to becoming queen.”

“I wouldn’t think so. Casey has never liked being the center of attention.”

“She’ll make a good princess.”

“I know she will… but I still worry about her.”

“This might sound strange, but I promise Levi’s going to look out for her. He’ll be a good big brother.” Levi would do anything for the people he cared about, and he cared about Casey.

“It is strange to think of her having a brother, but I’ll take your word for it.”

“I don’t think he really knew what to think either… but now he’s happy about it.” He seemed to be taking her existence way better than I would have thought. But then again he had wished for a brother or sister while growing up.

She smiled. “Some things in life just take getting used to.”

The door opened, and I turned to watch as Vera and a man I assumed was her father walked out.

I wasn’t sure what to do. These situations were always awkward because he probably expected me to show deference, but showing any lower level shifter deference went against me.

“And you must be Jared.” He held out his hand, ending my internal debate.

I accepted his firm handshake. “Yes. And you are Gareth?”

He nodded. “Yes. Also known as Vera’s father.”

I wasn’t sure if the words were meant as a joke or not. “How did the reunion go?”

“Great. We’re all caught up.” Vera rolled her eyes. She was annoyed at me for being polite.

What did she expect? I had to at least make conversation.

“Vera’s hungry, so we’re off to find food.” Gareth pointed down the steep stone steps.

“I see you didn’t wait for me.” Vera pulled my cup out of my hands and brought it to her lips.

“I’d go slow with that,” I warned.

She ignored me and drank the rest in one large gulp.

Taliana shook her head. “She’s still stubborn I see.”

“What?” Vera looked at us. “That was really good.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Gareth smiled. “It’s also very strong, hence why your friend warned you to go slow. You’ll be feeling that.”

“I can handle my liquor.”

“Not Pesco liquor,” Taliana mumbled.

“Whatever it is, I want more of it.” Vera grinned, and I knew the alcohol had already hit her.

“Let’s get food first.” Gareth took a few steps toward the stairs.

“Where were you planning to take her?” Taliana asked.

“Down to Viso on the shore. I think Vera needs to experience more of our local products.”

“If your food is half as good as your alcohol, I’m sold.” Even the small amount I’d consumed had me in a better mood than usual.

“It is. Trust me.” Gareth started down the steps while holding Taliana’s hand.

Vera pulled my arm to hold me back. “I love how you’re going along with this as though it’s natural to have a meal with my parents.”

“What else am I supposed to do?” I wasn’t sure what Vera wanted from me, but my guess was she wanted me to get upset.

“You shouldn’t be so happy.”

“The last time I checked, being polite was the proper thing to do when you’re a guest and when you want someone’s help.” Not to mention that the liquor helped lighten my mood.

“Since when have you been concerned with being proper?” she asked.

“I need your mom’s help, and I like her.”

“Great.” Vera rolled her eyes.

“What’s the issue? If you’re so pissed at your mom, why are we even here? And don’t tell me it’s to help me. You wanted to do this. It was your idea.”

She started walking. “She was going to get mad if I didn’t.”

“And she wasn’t mad already? I mean you took off with a guy they warned you about, and the guy turned out to be a psychopath.”

“I admit she was right about Murphy.”

“You think?” Murphy was one of the most messed up shifters I’d ever met. I should have killed him when I had the chance.

“I was young and stupid.”

“As compared to now?”

She pushed my side. “Shut up.”

“Just saying.”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“Evidently. You made it clear I couldn’t leave.”

“Don’t ever tell anyone that.” She waggled a finger in my face. The action set her off balance. I caught her before she fell the rest of the way down the stairs.

“Easy there, tiger. Still think that liquor isn’t strong?”

“I’m not a tiger. I’m a bear.”

“I’m well aware.”

“Do you like my bear form?”

“How drunk are you?” I kept ahold of her arm. The liquor’s effect seemed to be kicking in, and I wasn’t sure how steady she’d be even when paying attention.

“Not very. I know you look down at bears, but you have to admit, I’m pretty cool as one.”

I laughed. “You’re cool for a bear.”

“I like your wings.”

“Yes, I know. You like that I fly.”

“But I like your
wings
. Not just the flying part.”

“Oh yeah?” That was news.

“They’re kind of hot.”

“And you’re getting drunker by the minute.” I steered us in the direction I’d seen her parents go. “Let’s get some food in you.”

“Sounds good.” She leaned her head on my shoulder. This little trip with Vera was getting more and more interesting.

“How much Pesco did she have?” Gareth asked when we settled down at a table at a small café, although I’d have never known it was a restaurant if Gareth hadn’t told me. There were only a few tables, and all of them shared an incredible view of the lake. Taliana and Vera were sitting by the water. I figured I’d let them have their mother-daughter time even though I wasn’t particularly excited about spending time alone with Gareth.

“Not much. Maybe an eighth of that mug.”

“That is still a lot.” He leaned back. “She’ll build up more tolerance eventually.”

“If she touches it again. This might hurt in the morning.”

“It won’t. The nice thing about Pesco is it doesn’t give us hangovers.”

“Define
us
.” I rested my elbow on the wood tabletop.

“Paranormals. I’d never give a drop to a human. You saw what it did to Vera.”

“Meaning it would be great to use on people I don’t like.”

“Did you feel it at all? I know alcohol can’t do much to your senses, but does it affect anything?”

“Are you asking for research purposes?” I leaned back in my chair.

“More curiosity. We don’t often have Pterons here.”

“You had one last week.”

“Toby was here more for business than pleasure, so there was no chance to try it out. So was Casey.”

I wasn’t sure how he really felt about Casey. Taliana had said he’d claimed her as his daughter, but it had to be awkward. She was the reason his wife and daughter had left.

“Nothing was her fault.” He seemed to read my mind. Maybe Taliana wasn’t the only one who was good at reading people.

“You’re a better man than most.”

“No.” He sipped his cup of ice water. He wasn’t partaking in the Pesco, and I’d followed his lead. “I’m a man who has seen and been through enough to appreciate the gifts we are given.”

“Meaning you now have an alliance with the royal family?”

“Do you immediately assume my thoughts are political?”

“Is that not part of the gift?” I wasn’t in the mood to play games. If he wanted to talk to me, he needed to be a straight shooter.

“The gift is getting a family after believing I’d never have one, but knowing my people will be protected because of Casey’s position doesn’t hurt.”