Way of No Return (Champions of the Crystal Book 8)

Chapter 6.2

"Niavar! If you cannot pay attention to what you are doing, please go somewhere else!" Tirqwin exclaimed in frustration as the console sparked. "This is very delicate work—"

"I'm well aware of that!" Ford retorted, banging a fist on the console in frustration.

Tirqwin reset the controls, then sighed. "My son, perhaps it would be best if you took a few minutes to return to Bathir and resolve your quarrel with Sabrina. Then we could proceed without unnecessary setbacks."

"I'm not calm enough yet," Ford admitted, dropping his head. "And I can't upset her again. By now the entire household has rallied around her and is ready to poison my dinner if I don't throw myself at her feet immediately. When I've achieved enough self-control to grovel, I'll go back. Not before."

Lien gave a discreet cough and wandered down the corridor to give them some privacy.

Tirqwin regarded his son thoughtfully. "From what you have said, and from the report Khediva received from Doctor Merith, it was not entirely your fault. It takes two to argue, after all, and I am sure Sabrina gave as good as she got."

"Oh, much better," Ford said wryly. "I, after all, knew what was happening and was trying to censor myself. She was operating under the delusion that her assessment of the situation was rational, and she knew exactly where to hit me. She knows me, Father, everything about me. She can drive me insane or break my heart, or both, in a frighteningly short time. I'm not going back until I'm sure she's remembered she loves me too much to do that."

Tirqwin grimaced. "I can sympathize."

"Don't tell me Mother ever fell prey to an Ooralan!"

"No, and I did not even know of your existence until mere days before your arrival, so I was spared the irrationalities of her first pregnancy. I think the subsequent ones were easier. I meant, I can sympathize with being Sabrina's target."

Ford gave him a curious look. "Sabrina adores you. I can't believe she would ever set out to hurt you."

"I believe I was collateral damage," Tirqwin said, "but that did not make it hurt less. I disagreed with Mara's decision to separate the two of you after your stint as the Pharon emperor, but to Sabrina I was just one more person standing between you. She lost no opportunity to express her disgust at my ingratitude and disregard for her feelings and yours, and her hope that I would come to regret my actions, preferably in some future in which she never had to be afflicted with my presence again."

Ford whistled, impressed. "Not a verbatim quote, surely?"

"No, merely a summation. What was almost harder to bear was Cynthia Grayson's pity when she could not avoid witnessing one of those scenes. Khediva, who as you can imagine was wholly on Sabrina's side, garnered considerable satisfaction from telling me that I deserved the disgrace of being pitied by a being from a primitive planet." Tirqwin paused. "I desperately hope never again to be perceived as an obstacle to something Sabrina desires so passionately. If she had not chosen to go to Earth, I believe that she, with Khediva as her ally, might have eventually worn me down to the point of attempting your extraction. Which would, of course, have led to a painful breach with Mara and probably adverse effects on your recovery."

"I think I would have recovered faster with Sabrina's help," Ford said. "But you're right; Mother would not have forgiven you. It would have been an affront to her authority as the Guardian, and she could never bear that. Sabrina had to know that."

"Yes. I believe that is why she chose to leave, at least in part. I only wish I had been able to console her, instead of being perceived as part of the problem. But take heart, my son. Sabrina apologized to me later. She has a great sense of justice, and she will not prolong this quarrel for pride's sake. I hope you will not, either."