Haven 4 AVOW - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,54

and patted the helmet, making sure that it was securely on his head. He knew it wouldn’t stop him from seeing Au'revele if she happened across his path again, but it would stop her from recognizing him, and that in itself was half the battle, he told himself.

~~~

“Will we be much longer here?” Mee'ta asked after almost an hour of watching the males of her family all playing like the children they once were.

Lo'San ducked away from the hand of one of his nephews as it reached out to tag him and looked toward his mother.

“You know? I think we’ll all go to the commissary and have a snack. We can have some litah and visit,” Synclare suggested.

“Sink Lar…” Lo'San said, planning to dissuade her.

“That would be most enjoyable, my daughter in bond,” Mee'ta said.

“Yes, please, let us go there,” Ph’eel added.

“We’ll go to the commissary while you’re here. It will be nice,” Synclare said, walking toward Lo'San as he began to walk toward her. Once they were within reach of each other, Lo'San pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I love you, Sink Lar,” he said, looking into her eyes.

Synclare smiled at him and kissed him again. “We’ll be fine. I love you, too,” she said. “Have fun. You know how to find me if you need me,” she said.

“And you me,” he said a little too forcefully while throwing a glance toward his mother and Ph’eel.

“It’ll be fine,” Synclare insisted.

Mee'ta and Ph’eel very happily accompanied Synclare away from the exercise facility and thankfully entered the commissary a short time later.

“So,” Synclare said as they took their seats at Synclare’s favorite table, “tell me all about Lo'San as a child. What was he like?” she asked.

“Lo'San was a wonderful young one. He was kind and attentive. He was happy and always attempting to make others laugh,” Mee'ta said.

“He was very protective of those he loved,” Ph’eel said.

“You grew up with him…” Synclare said.

“Yes, we were the best of friends. It was always assumed that he’d accept my claim when we were old enough,” Ph’eel said. “Everyone thought so.”

“We did, yes. You were the perfect pair,” Mee'ta said, wistfully. “So perfect for one another.”

Synclare just gave the hint of a polite smile, yet said nothing.

“Oh, but the gods knew what we didn’t,” Mee'ta said. “You were out here, and so much better matched for Lo'San on his adventures through the life he’s chosen for himself!”

Synclare did smile then. “Thank you, Mee'ta, that means so much to me.”

“Mother ‘San,” Mee'ta said. “Call me Mother ‘San. I am your bond-mother after all.”

“Oh my goodness!” Synclare said, fanning herself. “You’re going to make me cry. Thank you so much. I’ve never had a close family. You just don’t know how much it means to me to be accepted into yours.”

“Tears! Oh! No tears, Sink Lar,” Mee'ta said, getting up and going around the table to hug Synclare from behind. “You have us now. We are family evermore!” Mee'ta said. Mee’ta’s words did not match the sinister look she shared with Ph’eel who sat smirking when Synclare turned in her seat to hug Mee'ta. If anyone had been paying attention, they’d have known right away from that look alone, the two females were up to no good.

“Mother ‘San is right, Sink Lar. I’ve long wished for a sister. As my mother only had me, it falls to you, as Lo’San’s mate to become my bond-sister. And I couldn’t be more pleased.”

“Thank you, Ph’eel. I was worried we wouldn’t get along once Lo'San told me that you’d once tried to claim him.”

“Oh, Sink Lar. That was so, so long ago. And I’ve given my heart to Ko'San now. All has happened as it should have.”

Synclare smiled as Mother ‘San patted her shoulder and went back to her seat. “You have both made me so happy,” she admitted, smiling at both Mother ‘San and Ph’eel.

“And you us, my bond-daughter. Perhaps we can have another visit such as this tomorrow,” Mee'ta said.

“Oh, I’m sorry, but I can’t,” Synclare said. Then she thought about it for a moment. “Well, I guess I could, but it would have to be earlier in the day.”

“Why is that?” Mee'ta asked.

“I’ve got an appointment with our healer tomorrow afternoon,” Synclare answered.

“Is this about helping you give Lo'San young ones?” Mee'ta asked.

“It is, yes. He wishes to meet with me, then we’ll schedule the next treatment,” Synclare explained.

“I certainly wish you well. It would be so unfair for Lo'San to not