They say blood makes you related but
loyalty makes you family
Frowning, Loren tried to parse Adam’s angry words. ”My...sister?” Then understanding dawned on the summoner’s features. ”Zariah struck you with lightning.” Screwing his eyes shut, he took a steadying breath before opening them. ”I’m sorry. What did you ask? Also, she’s my cousin.” Then the corner of his mouth quirked up. ”I don’t know, you don’t strike me as much of a thinker.”
Holding up a hand in a placating gesture, the Launceleyn gave the dark-haired man an apologetic smile. ”Sorry. That was uncalled for.” Sighing, Loren ran a hand through his hair. ”Again, I wasn’t here when Zariah adopted Peter. Nor was Neron. Did it occur to you that not every member of the family wants the same things? Perhaps Zariah is the problem, not the Launceleyns.” Crossing his arms, the summoner tilted his head and gave Adam an unimpressed look. ”Again, did you talk to Peter? About any of this?” The Launceleyn’s tone indicated that he doubted it.
Kneeling down, Loren let Coffee sniff. Then the summoner reached forward to scratch under the dragon’s chin. Astra, once she’d properly greeted Coffee, trotted over to Adam. Looking up at the dark-haired man with soulful eyes, she gave an excited bleat, practically demanding some affection.
At that sight, the Launceleyn straightened up with a laugh. The good cheer faded away quickly enough. ”I have repeatedly told Peter it’s his choice to be a part of this family, and he has repeatedly affirmed that he wants to be a Launceleyn. So again, I’m curious as to whether you actually talked to your boyfriend about your concerns, or if you just went hairing off trying to be a hero for him.” Then Adam tried to cast Peter as the bad guy and the summoner had to snort. ”I know, yes. He was a thief and an assassin, as I understand it. But he wants to leave that life behind. Nor is it one he wanted to begin with. He was forced into it.”
Loren narrowed his eyes. ”How about you? Did your daddy issues drive you to stealing?” Tilting his head, he regarded the dark-haired man with a steady gaze. "I'm not your enemy. As I said, I just want Peter to be happy, and for some reason, you make him happy." The summoner shrugged.
Holding up a hand in a placating gesture, the Launceleyn gave the dark-haired man an apologetic smile. ”Sorry. That was uncalled for.” Sighing, Loren ran a hand through his hair. ”Again, I wasn’t here when Zariah adopted Peter. Nor was Neron. Did it occur to you that not every member of the family wants the same things? Perhaps Zariah is the problem, not the Launceleyns.” Crossing his arms, the summoner tilted his head and gave Adam an unimpressed look. ”Again, did you talk to Peter? About any of this?” The Launceleyn’s tone indicated that he doubted it.
Kneeling down, Loren let Coffee sniff. Then the summoner reached forward to scratch under the dragon’s chin. Astra, once she’d properly greeted Coffee, trotted over to Adam. Looking up at the dark-haired man with soulful eyes, she gave an excited bleat, practically demanding some affection.
At that sight, the Launceleyn straightened up with a laugh. The good cheer faded away quickly enough. ”I have repeatedly told Peter it’s his choice to be a part of this family, and he has repeatedly affirmed that he wants to be a Launceleyn. So again, I’m curious as to whether you actually talked to your boyfriend about your concerns, or if you just went hairing off trying to be a hero for him.” Then Adam tried to cast Peter as the bad guy and the summoner had to snort. ”I know, yes. He was a thief and an assassin, as I understand it. But he wants to leave that life behind. Nor is it one he wanted to begin with. He was forced into it.”
Loren narrowed his eyes. ”How about you? Did your daddy issues drive you to stealing?” Tilting his head, he regarded the dark-haired man with a steady gaze. "I'm not your enemy. As I said, I just want Peter to be happy, and for some reason, you make him happy." The summoner shrugged.
LOREN
