“Hello?” I answered quickly.
“Mommy!” Lyra’s excited whisper came through. “I’m using Gamma Darius’s phone while he’s in the bathroom!”
Relief washed over me like a cool wave. “Sweetheart, are you and Orion okay?‘
“We’re fine! But that woman–Selene–she wants us to call her mommy. I told her I only have one mom and that’s you! You should have seen her face, Mom. She looked like she’d eaten a super sour lemon!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Lyra, you shouldn’t talk about adults that way.”
“But it’s true!” She paused. “Mom, where are you? Who are you with?”
I glanced at Eldreth. “I’m with… a doctor friend. He might be able to help Uncle Alaric get better.”
“Really?” Excitement filled her voice. “Wait, is he there with you right now? Can I talk to him?”
I hesitated, then nodded to myself. “Sure.” I extended the phone toward a surprised Eldreth. “Someone wants to speak with you.”
He accepted the phone with raised eyebrows. “Hello?”
I couldn’t hear my daughter’s response, but whatever she said made Eldreth smile.
I’ll do my very best. Your mother and I both care about him very much.”
Another pause.
“Uh… we’re… friends.” Eldreth’s expression shifted, a flash of discomfort crossing his features.
I strained to hear Lyra’s words, but they were too faint.
Eldreth’s voice softened. “I promise I’ll take good care of your mother.”
He handed the phone back to me, an unreadable emotion in his eyes.
“Who was that? Give the phone to my mom!” Orion’s demanding voice came through, and I smiled at his protectiveness.
“It’s me, baby. I’m here.”
“Mom, are you with a man? Who was that?” His voice was sharp with suspicion.
“That’s Dr. Frostwhisper,” I explained gently. “He’s a very famous healer who might help Uncle Alaric.”
“Is he nice to you?” Orion pressed. “I heard Lyra ask if he was your boyfriend.”
I sighed. “Orion, he’s just here to help. You don’t need to worry about these things.”
‘I need to protect you,” he insisted, his young voice filled with a determination far beyond his years.
Tears sprang to my eyes. “You’re only five, sweetheart. You don’t need to protect anyone.”
Suddenly, there was a commotion on the other end of the line.
1/2
Chapter 212
“What are you doing? Whose phone is this? Give it to me immediately!‘ Selene’s shrill voice cut through.
“It’s her!” Lyra gasped. “Orion, run!”
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