chapter sixteen

“Well I need to know what I am up against first.” Akira said, pulling more books in her direction.

A lot of them were written in languages that neither she nor Rune could understand.

“These are old languages, very few people can read this, but let's settle for the knee we can understand.” Was Rune response when she asked what language the books were written in.

“And Orion?” She asked, “he is old isn't he?”

Rune thought hard, “not old enough.”

“Somehow, I find that to be very hurtful!”

They both gasped in horror as they both turned to see who it was that spoke to them.

They both heaved sighs of relief when they saw Orion approach them.

“How long have we been there, we did not see you..” Akira asked, her hands still on her chest.

“Or hear you.” Rune added

“I guess that's one of the perks of being old.” Orion said, chuckling, “what are you both researching about because I can see a whole lot of books,” he sneezed, “and dust.”

“Bless you.” Rune said as he grabbed a seat for Orion, “you will not believe who I just saw on my way for my morning run.”

“For you to forsake your morning Rune is one thing, but you reading? This person must have been one big of a deal.” Orion mocked.

“Ha ha ha, how funny” Ruem replied, visibly offended.

Akira could not help but chuckle as Rune was being served a dose of his own medicine.

“It comes with old age.” Orion replied as he tried not to laugh.

“That wasn't even me, I did not call you old,” Rune argued, “she did, how come I have to suffer for her?”

“Well you agreed to it, I decide who gets to suffer.” Orion answered.

“I will survive.” Rune said, “but I met mirabel today.”

Orion was unmoved, his face was expressionless and he showed no sign of surprise to this news.

“But you already know about this?” Rune asked, “don't you!”

“But if you both know that she died by houndras, what is she doing here, I don't think your kind have nine lives now, do they?” Akira asked.

“No, that would be cats.” Orion said.

“Really?” Akira blurted out excitedly.

Orion just shook his head as he stood, “come on now, we have to leave.”

Rune hurriedly looked at his wrist watch and exclaimed, “the fuck! We've been here for four hours.”

“And almost missed breakfast,” Orion added

“But the books are written in old people's language….” Akira said.

“Old tongue…” Rune corrected while Holding back the laughter that threatened to tear his lips.

Orion growled, apparently he has issues with being called old, “enough of this for now, you need to keep your strength up!” He said as he walked towards the door and opened it, “hurry now, if there's a common ground we wolves have with Humans, it's that we don't like our meals cold.”

Akira walked out the door and he turned to rune, “I don't have to force you to eat too now do I?”

“Nope, don't need to tell me twice!” Rune said, his hands in the air as he walked out the library.

…………..

Seated at the table, Rune, and Orion could not help but notice that there was an extra chair at the table.

“That's new…” Rune said aloud.

“Oh yes,” Kai said, clearing his throat, “we would be having someone join us at the table today.”

As if on cue, Mirabel walked into the dinning area with a steaming platter in her hands.

“That's hot…” Akira muttered, concerned at how she was able to do that.

“Good morning everyone…” Mirabel greeted.

They all mumbled a response back to her, obviously uncomfortable with all they know.

“Good morning Mirabel..” Kai greeted.

“Good morning darling.” She said, planting a kiss on his cheeks.

Akira felt a sharp pain in her chest and her response was to slightly bow her head down.

She could not bear to watch another woman kiss Kai in her presence and she could not understand why.

Mirabel was observant to take note of what was happening and she spoke up.

“Oh hey darling….” She greeted as she served Akira a large helping of the meal on the table.

“You two already know each other?” Kai asked,his low and shaky, obviously uncomfortable seeing the two women in his life being on the same table as he was.

“Know each other?” Mirabel said, her voice all cheery And jovial, “it's so nice that you have your handmaiden eat with you at your table.”

“Handmaiden?” Kai asked, confused.

Rune let out a low nervous chuckle, hiding his face as he stuffed his face with food.

Orion observed the damage he had done and kicked him under the table causing Rune to choke.

“Oh dear….” Mirabel gasped, as she poured out a glass of water for Rune.

“Hand maiden…” she called out to Akira, “how forgetful I can be, I left the paper towels back at the kitchen, could you be so kind as to help me get them?”

“Eh ehm!” Kai cleared his throat again, “that's not our handmaiden or a handmaiden at all.”

“Jeez, I wonder who's bright idea it was to introduce our guest like that to her?” Rune asked his eyes darting from Orion to Kai who got the message.

“Sorry for the errors,” Kai apologised, “this is actually our guest,she would be staying with us for a few months.”

“Oh, I am so sorry for the disrespect…” Mirabel apologised to Akira.

“It's not a problem really,” Akira said, “even the best of us make mistakes.”

Mirabel pressed on, “not this time, I should have done my findings first before jumping into conclusions, please forgive me.”

Akira played nervously with her fingers, “no worries.”

Mirabel continued “But…”

“I think that's enough,she has stated that she has nothing against you, she is obviously not offended.” Kai interrupted.

“Great, since all of this was just water under the bridge, I have news for everyone seated here.”

Kai gulped, “what the fuck is she up to?” He thought. This was horrible timing.

“Really?” Orion said, “don't you think that this can wait till after breakfast?”

“But this is the perfect time, everyone is happy, what better time to share such wonderful news than now?”

Orion shrugged his shoulders, a signal to Kai that he had tried his best.

“No really,I think we should decide on when we should share this news to everyone, don't you think so honey?” Kai asked; his own attempt at stopping mirabel.

Akira winced as she heard the word “honey” leave Kai's lips but she had to keep her cool.

“No dear, this can't wait…”

Rune could not think of anything, nothing came to mind.

“Well then,” Mirabel said standing with her eyes fixed on Akira's, “without further ado, I just want to share with you all ... .wait for it” she said, giggling like a six year old.

“I am pregnant and Kai is going to be a father!”