Read Online The Vulpirans' Honor: The Soul-Linked Saga by Laura Jo Phillips - Free Book Online Page A

arms. 
    “Oh no, don’t you start,” Hope said, rolling her eyes.  “I’m getting enough of that
     from my guys.”
    “Who do you think asked me to keep an eye on you?” Berta asked as she chucked Harlan
     gently under the chin.  “Now, where are my other favorite boys?”
    “At home,” Hope replied.  “I just came up to meet your niece, and Harlan wanted to
     come along to visit.”
    “Well, here she is,” Berta said, leading Hope to the other end of the table where
     one of the housekeepers had already added a chair for Hope, and another was setting
     up a highchair for Harlan. 
    A few minutes later, after everyone was seated, Hope and Harlan each had a plate of
     food, and the introductions were made, Hope turned to Honey.  “Thank you for delivering
     Aisling’s message, Honey,” she said. 
    “No problem,” Honey replied.  “She’s a nice woman.  She helped make the journey here
     from Earth go by a lot faster, so delivering a message wasn’t a lot to ask in return.”
    Hope nodded, wondering why Honey was staring at her so oddly.  After a moment she
     seemed to catch herself and returned her attention to her plate.  She answered questions
     and smiled in all the right places, but Hope sensed that Honey was preoccupied with
     something, and that something had to do with her. 
    “If you’re wondering about the mark on my forehead, and on Harlan’s, I’m happy to
     tell you about them,” she said, careful to keep her tone casual so that Honey wouldn’t
     think she was offended.
    Honey’s expression of surprise appeared to be genuine.  “No, actually, I wasn’t.”
    Hope smiled and sipped her tea.  If it wasn’t the Sentinel marks that had Honey curious,
     what was it? she wondered.
    “Can you tell me, please?” Nica asked, with the open curiosity of a child.
    “Of course,” Hope replied.  “Harlan and his brothers are my sons by adoption.  Do
     you know what that word means?”
    “Yes, Ma’am,” Nica said politely, surprising Hope.  How did such a young child know
     about adoption?  She looked from Nica to Honey, then to Berta.  The three of them
     were obviously related.  “The boys were born Clan Owlfen,” she continued.  “Since
     their birth parents have died, we were all given this mark to help us know the right
     things to teach them as they grow up.”
    “Oh,” Nica said matter-of-factly, surprising Hope further.  The little girl acted
     as though what Hope had said made perfect sense to her.  “Do you have a bear mark
     too?”
    Hope stared in surprise.  This was a very special little girl, she realized.  “No,
     I don’t,” she said, keeping her tone as casual as Nica’s.  “Clan Bearen do not have
     marks like Clan Owlfen.  In fact, I don’t think any of the other clans have marks.”
    “Oh,” Nica said.  “Thank you for ‘splaining, Mrs. Bear.”
    “You’re very welcome, Nica,” Hope said, exchanging smiles with Honey. 
    “Well, if you’ll all excuse me,” said one of the women at the far end of the table. 
     “I have a date with my Rami this afternoon.”
    “I suppose I should be getting back home,” Hope said, setting her tea cup down.
    “Hope,” Honey said hesitantly, “I would like to speak with you for a few moments,
     in private, if you don’t mind.”
    Hope nodded slowly.  The expression on Honey’s face indicated that she had something
     important on her mind.  “Of course,” she said.  “Berta, would you mind if we use the
     blue parlor?”
    “Of course not,” Berta replied.  “Would you like me to keep an eye on Harlan and Nica?”
    “Actually, if someone else could watch the children for a few minutes, I would like
     it if you could join us,” Honey said. 
    Berta and Hope exchanged a look, both curious. 
    “I’m more than happy to watch over the little ones,” Shellie offered.  “You three
     go on, I think Harlan and Nica would like a stroll in the garden.  What do you think,