Page 100 of Dark Awakening: Hidden Currents
It would be so satisfying to know that her ex was watching her marry a Guardian.
Amanda's expression softened. "Oh, sweetheart. I wish it was possible for all of them to come, but it probably is not. As far as I know, Safe Haven is booked for retreats for the next six months, and they need everyone to maintain the lodge, not to mention the security concerns, but you can invite a select group of close family and friends. Are your parents still around?"
"Yes, and I would also like to invite Larissa and a couple of other friends."
Not including her ex. He wasn't worth the trouble.
Besides, why would she want someone who did not wish her well at her wedding?
"That shouldn't be a problem," Amanda said. "Write down the names, and I'll send them to Onegus for approval."
71
KIAN
As Anandur and Brundar arranged the takeout containers from the Golden Dragon on the dining table, Kian glanced at his mother.
Annani wore an imperial expression as she regarded the boxes.
His mother did not eat from cardboard containers or cardboard plates. She ate from fine china and used cloth napkins.
"Perhaps we should transfer the items into serving dishes," Syssi suggested, either reading his mind or realizing the same thing at the same time.
"Is that how you always eat dishes from a restaurant?" Annani asked.
"When it's takeout, yes. If we dined at the establishment, the dishes would have been served on platters, and we would have been given proper plates, but I doubt you would have approved of the ones they use in the Golden Dragon. It's not a fancy place, but the food is excellent, and they have a large selection of vegan dishes."
Annani sighed. "I might be perceived as particular for choosing to dine on fine china, but I believe in savoring and appreciating well-thought-out presentations, especially considering the length of our lives."
Kian had to admit that there was something to that, but it was much more expedient to just put out the boxes. "Would you like us to transfer the dishes to platters?"
She hesitated for a split second. "I do not wish to create unnecessary work for anyone. I shall join in dining from boxes."
"Then let's dig in." Kian reached for the box closest to him.
There was a communal sigh of relief as everyone around the table followed his example.
He had invited the gods and their mates to join them for dinner because he needed to pick their brains about tasking Jasmine with locating Khiann, but now that they were all gathered around the table, he was rethinking that decision.
For some reason, discussing Syssi's vision with them made him uneasy, but it was probably just another manifestation of his paranoia. His motto was to keep things on a need-to-know basis, and the fewer who needed to know, the better.
"I've heard so much about the Golden Dragon," his mother said. "I am eager to sample it even if it comes from a box."
"Let me help you select the tastiest dishes," Kian offered. "We've been ordering from there for many years."
Anandur snorted. "We are their best customers. You should see the welcome I get when I pick up takeout. I am treated like a member of the family."
"Is it family-owned?" Annani asked.
"It is." Kian reached for one of the boxes containing a chicken dish and tried not to show his aversion as he scooped a small portion onto his mother's plate.
On her other side, Ell-rom seemed as uncomfortable as he was, but he wasn't on the verge of gagging like he had been the other time.
Somehow, their shared veganism made Kian feel a rush of affinity with his uncle, and he wondered in what other ways they were similar.
Ell-rom seemed much more soft-spoken and mellow, but then he was still recovering and adjusting to a new world. He might grow more assertive as he gained confidence.
"Have you never tried Chinese cuisine, Clan Mother?" Gabi asked.