The Forlorn by Calle J. Brookes Page A

know you do not truly understand, but your heart does. Deep inside you, you know this was what the future holds for you.”
“I don’t have a clue what the future holds for me. How can I? Everything I worked for is gone, Rion. And I worked hard, studied hard, and nothing can come out of it now. This world doesn’t exactly need someone who studied human ities, does it? Especially the ancient civilizations of humans. I don’t even know what I am supposed to do every day, let alone with the rest of my life.”
    “Actually, I think someone with a background in civilizations might fit in very well, after the right introductions are made.” He smiled at her, then shocked her when he brushed a kiss against her forehead. “I’ll take care of that for you today.”
    “How? What could I possibly do besides fetch water, which is about all I have done in the last five months. That, and go into a really freaky library.”
    “In my life I have watched so many human civilizations rise and fall. I’ve studied them, compared them to the Dardaptoan and Lupoiux and a few other Kinds out there. Similarities exist, among all cultures. Especially in how they form. Someone to help me learn of this land will be invaluable. It is something for you to consider. We can work together.”
    Mara didn’t say anything, just thought about what he’d said. Finally she nodded. “What else? If we work together do you think that means I want something more with you? I’m not comfortable with the idea of just meet-and-be-together-forever. I can’t do that.”
    “Like I said before. We start as friends. I don’t want you doing anything more than you want to do. Anything more than you are comfortable with. The rest will come in time.”
    “Maybe.” She wasn’t entirely convinced, but had to admit the idea of actually doing something constructive appealed.
    Being with him appealed, too. But first she had to deal with her family, figure out what the new new normal was going to be from now on. “Why should we just move because you say so? That’s a big change to put my brothers through, especially on the word of a complete stranger. Again. We did it after your brother showed up and have done nothing but regret it.”
    “Your family couldn’t have stayed behind. It would have been far too dangerous. There were a few families that ignored the evacuation order. They’ve been killed, Mara. It is not safe for Dardaptoans—or Lupoiux—in Gaia, now. And can you honestly say you or the boys were happy in Center Thrun City? I’ve walked through there, and even I—son and grandson of the Houses—could feel the darkness in people. I would not wish it on a young woman and two small boys, not at all. Especially my female and her family.”
    “Where will we stay?”
    “I have arranged for your mother and brothers to have a suite here in the Ruling Hall. If she wants it. The boys can attend the small school for the children that live here. Or I can arrange for a tutor. They’re not alone anymore; none of you are. And you shouldn’t have been from the very beginning. For that, I am sorry.”
    She wanted to take his offer, for the boys’ sake, if nothing else. But… “While we appreciate it, we can’t take charity.”
    “Caring for my mate’s family is not charity. It’s responsibility, duty. Honor. Let me help you.”

    Chapter Twenty
     
     
    Mara walked with him toward what he called the family’s gathering room. She tried to take in all of the architecture as they passed. But that was hard to do. The ceilings were at least thirty feet high, and each wall was adorned with various mythological scenes. “It’ll take years to study all that this city has, won’t it?”
    “Thankfully my sister is related to the High King’s family. They have ruled the demon world for more than 12,000 years or so. Renakletos’ family has chronicles of much of this world. And the Malickus family has made all of those records available to our