Restart Again: Volume 2 by Adam Scott (best adventure books to read .TXT) 📗

is wondering where you’ve run off to; best not to keep her waiting.”

“Aye,” I echoed, falling in behind him as he headed towards the house.

“Leaving Yoria,” he muttered under his breath. His usual confident demeanor had returned to him, but he spoke quietly as we passed by the house windows. “Where would we go? We’ve lived in Tolamar our whole lives.”

“I hear Lybesa is lovely this time of year,” I said with a wry grin.

Marten laughed and shook his head. “Has anybody ever told you that you’re too clever for your own good?”

“Oh, maybe once or twice,” I replied sarcastically. We were both chuckling as we reentered the house. I heard Lia’s voice from the living room and followed Marten around the corner to find her and her mother sitting together, knitting. He discreetly slipped into the master bedroom and returned a moment later without the small box of Imperials.

“What are we working on tonight, ladies?” he asked casually, walking behind their seats to place a calloused hand on each of their shoulders.

Lia held her needles out before her to display her work with pride. A small square of dark blue fabric hung only a half-dozen rows long. “I’m making a scarf!”

Hana smiled gently, keeping her eyes on her hands as her needles clacked back and forth at a measured, practiced pace. “I thought it was about time I finished the new quilt for Lia’s room. I’ve certainly put it off for long enough, but now that she’s home, I’d like her to get a chance to use it.”

Marten beamed over the pair, watching them work quietly. “It’s nice to have you home, Marlia. We missed you.” Hana nodded in agreement.

Lia huffed as her cheeks flushed. “I wasn’t gone that long!” She set her project down in the yarn basket by her feet. Hana laughed as she relinquished her needles as well and carefully folded the flowing gray quilt on the seat beside her. They both stood, Hana moving to Marten’s side and Lia crossing the room to mine. The casual nature of the pairing up made my stomach twinge awkwardly, but the moment passed without comment from Marten.

“Will you be staying with us long?” Hana asked.

“We’re in town for three days,” I replied. “If it’s not too much trouble, I was hoping I could stay with you while we’re here.”

“It’s no trouble at all. You’re always welcome here, Lux.”

The statement sent a blossom of warmth spreading through my chest. This is what home feels like. I realized I was standing unresponsive with a small grin on my face and stammered a response. “Thank you. I, uh, I appreciate that. A lot. Both of you.”

Marten laughed. “Are you tired, Lux? You don’t sound yourself.” He flicked his eyebrows up in a quick teasing gesture.

“Yeah, I guess I am. It’s been a long day. Right, Lia?” I looked down to find her glaring at her father through narrowed eyes.

“Yes,” she said, a suspicious slant to her voice. After another moment of staring, she turned and headed towards her bedroom. “Goodnight, Mother.” She disappeared around the corner, but her head poked back out a moment later. “Goodnight, Father.”

“Goodnight, darling!” Marten called out loudly. Lia disappeared again, and a door opened and closed a moment later. “Lux, I trust you remember where you’ll be sleeping.”

Hana patted Marten firmly on the shoulder. “It’s time for bed, dear.” She looked at me apologetically. “Goodnight, Lux.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Goodnight.” With a final nod to the pair, I turned and made my way to the bedroom. Pausing to knock gently, I entered the room to find Lia already changed into her nightgown, sitting on the edge of the bed. She stared through me with a frown and a furrowed brow. My soft chuckle only seemed to harden her expression.

I moved to the end of the bed and sat down in the wooden chair to remove my boots. When I kicked my feet up onto the edge of the bed next to her and leaned back in the chair, I realized I was unconsciously following our old routine. “So,” I called out with a grin, “do you have any questions for me?”

Lia’s face finally softened as she looked me over. “Just like old times.”

“Just like old times,” I agreed. “Now, you must have thought up some good ones at this point, right? We talked all the time on our trip to Atsal, but it wasn’t…” I waved my hand around in a vague circle. “...Whatever this is.”

For a brief moment I saw distress in her eyes, but her features quickly returned to a cheery smile. “That’s right! We were always so busy training at night that we never had a chance.” She leaned back onto her hands and swung her feet over the side of the bed. “I missed this.”

“Is there something on your mind, Lia?” I tilted my head and watched her face intently. “Remember, you don’t have to just ask about fun stories or magic tips. I’ll answer any questions you have, whether they’re pleasant or not.”

Her head fell as her legs stopped swinging. “Well…” she trailed off, “there is one thing.” A knot twisted in my gut as she spoke in a low, sad voice. “When we first got here, I was so excited that I ran off without you. I didn’t realize you weren’t with me until my parents asked where you were. So I, uhm, looked for you. With Detection. And Heightened Senses.”

My breath hitched in my chest as the confrontation with Valandra replayed in my head. “Oh,” I managed to say awkwardly. “You heard that?”

Lia nodded. “I couldn’t hear you at first, but I could tell you were angry.”

“I shouldn’t have yelled at her. I know none of this is her fault, and she’s just following orders, but I—”

“That’s not it,” she interrupted. “I mean, I wish you two could get along, but I understand where you’re coming from.” There was a long pause as she wrung her hands absentmindedly