them. “You all are being weird tonight.”
“It’s nothing,” Val said, smiling at the server. He recognized her as one of the refugees who had recently moved into his apartment building. “Hi, Stasia.”
As soon as the quiet Dedril took their orders and left, Lorry pinned him with a look. “Dad, we need to talk.”
“Uh oh,” Poppy said, snickering.
“Are you going to give him, the talk?” Alois asked, chuckling.
Lorry’s eyes danced with amusement. “When you love someone, it’s natural to have certain feelings for them.”
The others started laughing, and Val buried his face. “What do you want, Lorry?”
His son’s head fell back as he laughed. “I’m just kidding, Dad. All I want to know is if we were to move in with Death, where would it be? In another year, I’ll get my own place, but I’d like to live closer to Sai.”
Val winced. “Let’s talk about that later.”
Clyde narrowed his eyes. “Actually, I think that’s a really good question. Death is your mate, so why aren’t you living with him? Is he trying to hide you away or some shit like that? You’re a damn fine man, and he’s lucky to have you.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Poppy said, eyes hard. “Do we need to have a talk with him? I still have my torch in my purse.”
“You carry a torch in your purse?” Alois asked, shaking his head. “Why?”
“In case I need to set an all-powerful fancy pants scientist on fire,” Poppy said, slamming her hand on the table.
Val struggled to hold back his laughter. “You three. I love you all, but sometimes I want to drown you. Veri and I have our reasons for keeping separate houses. That may change in the future, but no matter what, that’s our business.”
Lorry scowled. “I don’t like it.”
“Me neither,” Clyde said. “Why can’t he move in with you? I like having you as a neighbor.”
“Yeah, you’re right downstairs when I need someone to reach the top shelf,” Poppy said.
“You could get a stool.” Val gave her a look. “It would be easier than messaging me to come upstairs.”
“Easier for you,” Poppy said slowly, like it was obvious. “Seriously, Val.”
“Plus, no offense, but the neighborhood he lives in is a little chaotic,” Clyde added. “I passed it on the tram the other day and saw the Blue General and his mate flying around on their Fire Veil dragon. Talk about wild.”
Alois snorted. He lived there with his own family. “You have no idea what it’s like. I love it, but damn strange things happen every day.”
Poppy propped her chin on her fist, eyes wistful. “That wouldn’t be so bad.”
Val rubbed his face. “Veri’s son lives there. If we were to move in together, that’s where it would be. He needs to be close to Wyatt for as long as possible.”
Clyde tilted his head, confusion covering his face. “Why? His son is grown and a doctor. I think he can handle himself at this point.”
Val hesitated, but Verion’s past wasn’t exactly secret. “You all just think of him as Death, but he existed before Death melded with him.”
“He was dead before then,” Lorry said, eyes watching as Midge followed Porkchop around the backyard.
Val frowned. He didn’t like to think about Verion being dead. “Before that too. He was married to a nice woman named Sandra and had Wyatt, but he let work get in the way, and he ended up divorced and missed out on a lot of his son’s life. He wants to be a good father.”
Clyde’s eyes softened. “Better late than never.”
“Exactly.” Val tapped the table in front of them. “I know he seems strange to you two, but please try to get to know him. I love him.”
Poppy reached over and patted his hand. “We’ll try, big guy. What’s the big deal about sharing a body with an ancient Crellic being anyway? As long as he makes you happy, we should support you.”
Stasia set their drinks in front of them and the topic changed to work. Val did his best to avoid looking Sandra’s way and took a long drink. He thought about his son and his mate. This was the second time that day Lorry had brought up Val and Verion’s relationship. If we have a relationship. Maybe it’s time Veri and I talked.
4
That night, Death held Kiki in his lap as he sat in the comfortably cushioned chair in his study. His granddaughter leaned back against him trustingly as they read from the children’s book on his tablet.
Wyatt’s dog, Luna,