Rivers of Orion by Dana Kelly (a court of thorns and roses ebook free .TXT) 📕

“Of course,” said Eridani.

Gabriela looked between her and Aurora. “Oh, I meant…” She pointed at the stove. “I meant the food. I’m not a big coffee person.”

“I know,” said Eridani. “I’m just teasing.”

“Oh, because. You’re heating a lot of water, so…” Gabriela shrugged.

“Well, eventually Thuraya will grace us with her presence, and she is a big coffee person,” said Eridani.

Gabriela nodded and sat down at the table. “Where’s my dad?”

“With mine, and the denshies,” said Eridani, and she added the coffee grounds. “They all left early this morning. Backpacking or camping, or whatever they’re doing. They’ll be back tomorrow.” She poured water into the press and stirred the grounds.

“Good morning, everyone,” said Brittany, and she joined Gabriela at the table amidst a round of good morning pleasantries. She looked elegant in her silk pajamas.

Torsha stepped in through an ornate wooden side door and brushed off her jeans. Grass and sticky burrs mottled her shirt and some of her fur. “Hey guys.” She plucked a seed from her sleeve. “By the way, the red ravine is full of hitchhiker weeds.”

“Don’t brush it off on the tile,” said Brittany. “Torsha, do that outside!”

Torsha rolled her eyes. “Be right back.”

“Food should be ready by then,” said Aurora. She smiled at Gabriela. “Yes, of course you can have some. If I’m cooking, I always make enough for everyone.”

With a dramatic yawn, Iona drifted into the kitchen, dressed in her bathrobe and fuzzy slippers. “Something smells good. Did I hear Torsha, or are my ears playing tricks on me?”

“She’s outside clearing some burs she picked up in the red ravine,” said Brittany. “She’ll be back in a minute.”

Dressed to go hiking, Thuraya at last appeared at the top of the stairs. She hurried down to join the others, as Eridani poured two cups of coffee. “Here you go,” said Eridani, and she sat down next to Thuraya.

Sipping gingerly, Thuraya hummed happily and leaned back in her chair. “You always make it perfect.”

Moments later, Torsha came back inside, free of burs. Aurora turned off the stove and set out a stack of small ceramic plates. She added bowls of grated cheddar and sautéed mushrooms, alongside seasonings and a bottle of hot sauce. “All right, you can start lining up,” said Aurora.

“Gabi, the sausage patties are for Thuraya,” said Brittany.

“Yeah, I know,” said Gabriela. “You don’t need to remind me every time.”

Brittany kissed the top of Gabriela’s head. “Ironically, the more you talk to me that way the more I feel compelled to remind you.”

“Mom!” said Gabriela, and she shied away.

They slowly formed a line at the counter. Gathering utensils from a nearby drawer, they chatted as they served themselves food and sat down to eat.

◆◆◆

“We should go camping,” said Thuraya. “Aurora says your dad’s group went south from the waterfall, so all we’d have to do is go north if we wanted our own space.” She led Eridani along a path through the aspens, headed back to the mansion. “Come on, it’ll be fun!”

“Getting terrible sleep, waking up with bugs in my hair, and staying up all night while everyone else is snoring doesn’t sound like fun to me,” said Eridani. She wore her floral duster, a peasant blouse, and a pair of rolled up shorts.

“I don’t snore,” said Thuraya. “I don’t!”

“Everyone snores when they’re camping,” said Eridani. “I’m sorry, but ever since my uncle died, camping has sort of lost its magic for me. It’s really more my dad’s and Orin’s thing.”

“Please,” said Thuraya. “Please? Torsha’s the only one that ever wants to go. She’s fun to hang out with, but I really want to go with you. Just this once—just tonight. If you hate it, I promise I’ll never ask again.”

Eridani paused just shy of the wood bridge leading to the island. She turned to face Thuraya and quickly melted in the presence of her pleading gaze. “Oh my god,” grumbled Eridani, and she sighed. “Are you bringing your guitar?”

“Uh, yeah! Where did you think the inspiration for Campfire Dreamer and Marshmallow Lancelot came from?”

Eridani groaned. “Fine.”

“Really?” asked Thuraya, and she beamed.

Eridani nodded. “But I want Torsha to come too. If we run into any myco-rats or beetle bears, she’s the only one here right now that could drive them off.”

“Deal!” said Thuraya. “You go ask her, and I’ll start packing.”

Back inside the mansion, Eridani quickly found Torsha, and she readily agreed to Eridani’s request for company. They spent the rest of the morning getting ready and returned to the kitchen for lunch. “It’ll take us about an hour to get there,” said Thuraya, and she showed them the map on her phone. “That leaves us more than enough time to set up camp before it gets dark.”

“I packed some extra food and water for you,” said Torsha, and she lifted Eridani’s backpack. “Just in case. If it gets too heavy, let me know, and I’ll carry it for you as long as you need. Is that what you’re wearing?”

“Yes,” said Eridani. “The long coat blocks the sun, and it’s too hot for jeans or a long-sleeve shirt. Don’t worry, I packed sweats for tonight and a more rugged change of clothes for tomorrow in case we want to do any hiking.”

“We’re hiking through the woods to get to our campsite,” said Thuraya. “You sure you don’t want to change into jeans, like… now?”

“I’ll be all right,” said Eridani.

Torsha shrugged and glanced at Thuraya. “It’s cool. I’ve got the first aid bag if we need it.”

“Thanks,” said Thuraya.

“Hey Gabs,” said Torsha.

Gabriela glanced up from her phone as she sat at the kitchen table, still in the clothes she woke up in. “Mm?”

“You’re welcome to join us, if you want,” said Torsha.

With a slight shrug, Gabriela returned her focus to her phone and leaned forward.

Torsha laughed. “Didn’t think so.”

“I believe we’re ready,” said Thuraya, and she shouldered her backpack.

Eridani, Torsha, and Thuraya bid the others farewell and followed the river east. A warm wind blew against