"Yet I couldn't live with that lie." Lith shook his head. "Wearing a mask for the rest of my life and the constant fear of what might happen if Kami or my family learned the truth was too much. It tainted every moment we spent together."
"What if things went differently?" Nalrond asked. "What if they didn't accept you? freewebnoveℓ.com
"I would have still had my powers." Lith shrugged. "I would have still had Solus by my side, the tower, and most importantly, I would have been free to look for someone who would accept me. Cutting ties is hard, but it's better than keeping them even when they are strangling you."
"Thanks, Lith." Nalrond's mood was still sour but his heart felt lighter. "I need some time to think. Please, tell the others to not worry about me and that I'll see you all tomorrow."
"Do you want some food?" Lith had a tray filled with steaming dishes appear out of his pocket dimension. "If we want to continue with the research, you need your strength."
"Yes, please." Nalrond's stomach grumbled like a distant storm, the delicious smell triggering the primordial instincts that only cared about survival. "Don't worry about the room. If something stays broken, I'll pay you back."
"You better." Lith nodded. "Here's the bill for the food."
***
"What an ass!" Solus couldn't decide whether to be angry or laugh at Lith's prank. The final result was a sort of joyous scolding. "You didn't even pay for the furniture of the Mansion. The Royals did. Billing him for the dinner was a brilliant move, though."
"Thanks." Lith nodded. "The worst part is that Nalrond thought I was being serious and tried to pay me."
"Really?" Friya asked.
"Really. We almost came to hands due to the lousy tip." At those words, everyone burst into laughter at what they hoped was another joke.
"Moving on, I'd like to review the data collected by the Eyes and compare it with Mogar's vision together with you." Quylla said. "I have a theory that I'd like to share and the images make the explanation easier.
"I want to iron out every detail we can before telling Nalrond that I may have found a solution. I don't want to give him false hopes."
***
After plenty of (free) meals and the first good night's rest in over a week, Nalrond's body was in top shape and his mood was lighter.
He went to the dining room of the Verhen Mansion first thing in the morning to have breakfast with the others and reassure them about his condition.?He found them sitting around the table, engaged in a lively discussion that ended the moment he walked in.
Even weirder, Kamila, Elysia, Valeron, and even Ryla and Garrick were nowhere in sight.
"There's no need for a family intervention." Nalrond raised his hands in apology. "I'm fine now. You can bring the others back. I won't scare the children with my temper, you have my word."
"That's not the issue." Lith shook his head while having a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausages appear in front of Nalrond's chair. "We have to discuss healers' matters and there are things children shouldn't hear."
"I see." The Rezar sat down and tipped a copper coin to Lith who promptly threw it back, hitting Nalrond right in the middle of the forehead. "Jackass."
"Cheapskate."
Many would have liked to point out the glaring "pot calling the kettle black" case, but they assumed it was some weird male bonding and they left it at that.
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