9
KALUGAL
Kalugal savored the gentle hum of conversation flowing around his dining table, the satisfaction of a successful gathering curiously comforting.
His family and guests were enjoying Atzil's culinary masterpiece of a brunch while stealing curious glances his way.
He'd kept them waiting deliberately.
The art of suspense was something his cousin didn't understand and therefore had never mastered. Kian was always so direct, so focused on efficiency, and there was merit in that, but it also sucked all the fun out of life, and when one lived for as long as they did, having fun was vital.
There was value to the anticipation, the curiosity, the guessing, all heightening the eventual revelation.
"More mimosas?" Kalugal offered, gesturing to the crystal pitcher.
"Please." Fenella held out her glass.
She seemed particularly impatient, even more so than the rest of the family, who were more familiar with his antics, her eyes darting between him and the door to his study where he'd stored the artifact.
Din tried to maintain his scholarly composure, but Kalugal caught the professor's fingers tapping rhythmically against the tablecloth.
Atzil emerged from the kitchen with another platter of delicacies and placed a tray of miniature quiches on the table.
"Atzil, you have outdone yourself," Annani said, her luminous skin casting a subtle glow even in the well-lit dining room. "The spiced lamb was exquisite."
Atzil's face brightened at the goddess's praise. "Thank you, Clan Mother. Would you care for more of the poached eggs with smoked salmon? You seemed to enjoy them."
"Perhaps later," Annani said. "I am saving room for whatever delights you have planned for dessert."
Atzil bowed his head and retreated to his kitchen, but not before Kalugal noticed the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
From down the corridor, childish laughter echoed, punctuated by Shamash's deeper voice.
"Sounds like Shamash keeps the children entertained," Jacki said. "I was worried that he couldn't handle the whole gang, but he seems to be doing just fine."
Kalugal nodded. "He's a natural, and he has endless patience, which was needed during Darius's colic phase. The guy just enjoys taking care of children."
"Perhaps he needs to find a mate," Orion suggested, his arm draped casually around Alena's shoulders. "Start a family of his own."
Kalugal sighed. "I hope he finds someone, but regrettably, my men and the clan ladies do not seem to be meant for one another. Even Atzil and Ingrid are not regarding their union as fated, which is sad. They are both still hoping to someday find their one and only."
There was a long moment of silence as they all contemplated the disappointing reality. There had been so much hope when Kalugal and his men had first joined the clan, but the Fates seemed to have other plans for members of their integrated community.
"Speaking of Shamash," Jacki turned toward the corridor as the man himself appeared, Darius balanced on his hip. "Is everything all right?"
Shamash nodded. "The children wanted to show their creations to everyone, and by children, I mean their ringleader." He tilted his head in Allegra's direction.
Clutching the porcelain doll in one hand and a colorful drawing in the other, Allegra ran up to Annani. "Nana. I drew Princess Sparkle for you."
The drawing was just a scribble, but Annani made all the appropriate noises, praising her granddaughter's artistic acumen.
Darius squirmed in Shamash's arms, pointing at Kalugal. "Papa!" He held up a piece of paper with something that looked like a triangle scribbled on it.
"Is this a pyramid?" Kalugal stood, walking over to take his son from Shamash. "Let's see this masterpiece."
"Pimid," Darius said.
"Very impressive," Kalugal declared after examining the vaguely triangular scribble. "Perhaps you'll be an architect like your namesake."
