Restart Again: Volume 1 by Adam Ladner Scott

Author:Adam Ladner Scott [Scott, Adam Ladner]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Published: 2020-02-28T22:00:00+00:00

12. HONESTY

Lia called to us from the living room as we entered the house. “Where have you two been? I was starting to worry something might have happened out there.” She was sitting with her mother, a deck of playing cards spread out on the table before them. The room was lit by a few small candles on the table, and a larger lantern hung on the wall behind them. It gave the space a very intimate glow, making me feel once again like a stranger in their home.

Marten laughed as he walked over to them, placing his hands on Lia’s shoulders and giving her a quick kiss on the top of the head. “Oh, I was just showing Lux around outside. He helped me put away the wagon and lock up the barn.” He turned to me with an eyebrow raised in amusement. “Isn’t that right?”

“I was interested in your father’s trading business, so we got to talking and before I knew it, the sun had gone down.” The lie came naturally to me, which made me feel a bit guilty. “Sorry if we worried you.” I stood awkwardly in the entryway, not sure where I belonged.

The look on Lia’s face gave me the impression that she didn’t believe me, but she shrugged it off as unimportant. “I was just finishing my game of cards with Mother.” She turned back to the table and shuffled a few cards around. “I was just winning my game of cards, that is.”

Hana smiled sweetly and laughed. “It looks like you’ve bested me again, Marlia.” She scooped up the cards in front of her, stacking them into a neat pile. “Shall we play again?”

Her husband cut in before Lia could respond. “I think we should be getting to sleep, darling. We have an early morning tomorrow, after all.” From across the room, I caught a quick exchange of facial expressions between the couple, although the impetus and meaning were far beyond me. Hana stood, nodding.

“Of course. We’re meeting with Tomas tomorrow just after dawn.” She placed a similar kiss on the top of Lia’s head, then moved with her husband to one of the two doors I had yet to explore. Hana gave me a small nod. “Goodnight, Lux.”

“Goodnight, Hana. Thank you again for the meal.” I nodded back to her. She entered the room, and Marten followed in behind her. He paused a moment in the doorway, turning back to look at me.

“Lux, you can stay with Lia tonight. I’m sure it will be much more comfortable than the basement floor.” A wry grin curled its way across his face. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Lia stand, clearly flustered, but I just smiled and nodded to him.

“Thank you, sir.” Clearly satisfied with himself Marten closed the door behind him, leaving me alone with Lia. I crossed the living room and sat down in one of the chairs opposite the table from her. “So, which room is yours?”

She busied herself with the task of cleaning up the remaining cards from the table, avoiding my eyes.

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