10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Renick

Somehow, Arik had managed to expertly dodge my mother barreling toward the three of us as we landed in the back area on her property. My property now, I suppose.

"Renick!" She ran, her arms open. "I'm glad you're home." Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I missed you."

"Mother." I melted into her embrace, never letting go of Summer's hand even when my mother finally released me.

She turned to Summer and followed suit with a hug of her very own. Summer looked at me, blinking.

"Mother, this is Summer Hughes, my bride."

My mother held both of Summer's hands. "A beautiful name for a beautiful female," she said. "Please come in. We don't want to stand around here all day."

I grabbed Summer's travel trunk or suitcase as she called it, which I couldn't understand because it didn't hold a suit. She only had dresses instead of suits, but I found it adorable anyway.

Two servants rushed to my mother. "How may we be of service?" the younger one asked.

"Please see that my son's mate's possessions are off the ship and placed in their wing of the house." She pointed to Arik. "Take Arik's things to the guest wing."

"Oh, there's no need," Summer interjected. "That's all I have."

My mother blanched almost imperceptibly, but recovered her poise quickly. "I'm sorry. I misunderstood. As soon as the rest of your possessions arrive, we'll have them brought into your wing."

"Thank you Mother, we'll discuss this later. For now, I believe there are more pressing matters." I hoped my mother understood my tone.

She nodded, the realization of my unspoken words dawning on her. My mother placed her arm around Summer and said loud enough for all the servants to hear, "What a brilliant idea, leaving behind a majority of your possessions so you can fully embrace your new culture on Tenap. What a wonderful female you're turning out to be. I couldn't be prouder of my son for finding you."

Summer's mouth said something to me, but no sound came out. My translator didn't pick it up. I made a mental note to ask her about that later.

The four of us went inside my childhood home. Arik veered left toward the guest rooms, while my mother, Summer, and I walked into my father's old study.

I took in the freshly painted room, now a soft green. My father's favorite desk was placed against the wall so it could overlook the forest where I played so many hours as a child. I smiled, the fond memories creeping back in.

Mother had moved the bookshelves to the opposite wall. A large view screen with images of my youth rotated around as a visual reminder of my past. Looking around, I noticed very little evidence that my father ever inhabited this room. A small loveseat, plush in a deep brown color now graced the room. Its pillows matched the wall color, and it would serve as the perfect place if Summer wanted to stay with me while I worked. My mother had transformed the once utilitarian office my father preferred into an oasis of my own in a matter of rotations.

"I tried to make it everything you would enjoy, Renick," she said.

"Thank you," I said, settling myself at the desk. The weight of the tasks before me weighed heavy on my mind.

"It's beautiful." Summer's lightsmile filled my heart.

My mother flushed at Summer's compliment. "I wasn't sure what you would like. I did the best I could to decorate your rooms. I chose neutral colors so you could add items of your own choosing or your own furniture from your planet."

Summer looked at the ground. I couldn't tell if it was shame or not. "I didn't bring anything like that," she said. "My family needed it more than I did."

"I see," said my mother. "Would you like to see your wing?" she asked.

"Sure." Summer smiled. She looked at me expectantly. "Are you coming too, Renick?"

"All right. Work can wait," I said. I wanted to experience my childhood home through Summer's eyes.

Mother let us through the house, and I never tore my gaze from Summer's face. Her mouth opened in little ohs when she saw the statues and art on the wall. "You have a beautiful home, Mrs. um."

"Ulawan," I whispered into her ear.

"Ulawan." Summer parroted. "Renick, you never told me your last name," she whispered into my ear.

"And this is your wing." Mother swept her arms in a grand gesture.

"It's gorgeous," Summer said.

I gaped. Mother had opened the wing that had never been used before for anything other than storage and transformed it into a home.

"It needs color," she said, "but don't worry, Summer. You and I can do that after we go shopping for your bonding ceremony outfit."

Summer took tentative steps into the main living room. She ran her fingers over the cream colored plush couch with deep purple pillows. An intricate hand-woven rug covered the space between the couch and a large fireplace nestled between built-in shelves on the opposite wall. While most shelves remained empty, delicate glass vases with native wildflowers rested on alternating boards. My favorite clock, given to me by my father's sire, took pride of place on the mantle of the fireplace.

Mother took Summer's arm. "Most of this wing is open, but let me give you a tour anyway."

"You've been busy," I said. "Thank you."

She guided us through the living room into the freshly painted kitchenette. The bright colors on the walls as well as a drop down table gave the compact space the appearance of a much larger area. Brand new appliances peppered the countertop. "The chiller has some food, mostly stocked with your favorites, Renick. I wasn't sure what your mate preferred. Now that you're both here, we can add some of Summer's favorites. I figured sometimes you would want to eat privately and not come to the main dining room." She winked. "Especially as a newly mated couple."

My stomach fluttered and cheeks flushed. A soft groan escaped my lips. "Mother," I said.

"I was young once. Don't think I don't know what you'll get up to."

Summer's eyes widened and she appeared to suppress a laugh.

"You have no filter, Mother."

"I'm not wrong," she said. "Through here is your cleansing facility and your bedroom. I'll leave you to explore that on your own."

"You've been busy," I said.