Exton

Raina poured coffee for her and Tannr and took a seat in the breakfast nook. It was one of Rainas favorite spots in the house. A built-in table and benches situated at the end of the kitchen with large windows giving an unobstructed view of the gardens. Ky excused herself for a nap, barely able to keep her eyes open. Gareth was leaving to help Pandora with some issues she was having with some of the plants on her rooftop garden.

“I promised Pandora I would help her if I could. Dont forget about tonight. Plan is to give Rowan the new van, so we should all be there.” Gareth grabs a roll off the counter, kisses Raina and is out the door.

Raina and Tannr spent some time catching up and Raina explained that he probably heard their sister Tara.

“She seems to come around fairly often, and likes to tease. Sometimes I cant find something and I swear I hear her giggling...”

Their talk went from reminiscing to how Erik met Star, to what was currently going on in their lives. Raina tried to explain her living situation, but Tannr was having a hard time taking her seriously. He just didnt understand it.

Tannr laughs at Rainas frustration with him. “Its okay sis. I dont have to understand... As long as you're happy and everyone is treating you right. I just worry about you, thats all...”

“Well, thats a switch. You never used to worry about anything...”

Nodding Tannr says, “And now it seems like I am doing a lot of it.”

“How are things with Tori? You guys seem to be hitting it off.” Raina watches the play of emotions over Tannrs face closely and lets herself feel his emotions.

Confusion, concern, lust, respect, I wonder if he is falling in love with her? I wonder how she feels, she's so much harder to read than the other gars...

Tannr tries to explain to his sister, how close he feels to Tori at times and how sometimes she seems to push him away a little. “Like this morning. She gives me a key to her place and then tells me she isnt lovable... tells me not to bring another woman to her place. What the hell? Why would I do a thing like that? Then she goes to stone before I can talk to her. But when we are alone together? Wow... just... wow... I dont want to be anywhere else in the world, and I dont think she does either. At least... thats how it feels... Am I making any sense at all?”

Raina laughs and nods. “Yeah. You are.”

“Why does she seem to push me away at times? Its like she wants me to care, but not too much. I dont get it... Did someone hurt her that badly at some point? Does she think I am like whoever that person is?”

Raina reaches across the table and takes Tannrs hands in her own. “I would suspect yes, that she's been hurt before and is guarding her heart. I dont know any details, she's never confided in me. I do know that everyone has noticed how she seems to let her guard down with you. Just be patient, she may want to talk about whatever it is. I'm sure she knows you arent like whoever hurt her. I dont think she would waste her time if she thought that.”

“Okay... thanks for listening. That makes sense. But if I find out who it was, he'll be in lots of very, very small pieces...”

The conversation ended with Raina teasing and challenging him and a two hour sparring session that ended in a draw and both of them rolling on the lawn laughing till they cried.

Tannr composed himself and helped his sister up. “I need to go. I want to be there when she wakes up. You are coming to the tavern tonight arent you?”

Raina nods and they agree to meet later. As Tannr heads for home he sees the late afternoon sun fading and he hurries his step, wanting to get to Toris before she wakes for the night.