Black Steel (31 page)

"You know?"

"Of course. I've known for weeks. It's you who always does things the hard way."

Sleel stared at her.

"I love you, too," she said. "I have all along. I just had to wait for you to get it before I could say anything."

Bork wandered over. "Hello," he said.

"This is Bork," Sleel said.

Bork smiled down upon them. "So, you two going to make it formal?"

Sleel blinked. "Make what formal?"

"A cohab contract. Marriage."

"What makes you think-?"

"Come on, Sleel. You might as well be wearing a big flashing sign. You two look like Veate and I must have looked back when we first met. A blind man could see that."

Sleel started to say something flippant, but stopped. Well. Bork was right, after all. "I think maybe we are." He looked at Kee.

"Of course," she said. "There was never any doubt."

Bergamo and Vivian stood outside the foundry as the flitter landed. Sleel and Kee emerged from the vehicle and walked over to where the other couple stood.

"Your sword has proven itself satisfactory?" Bergamo said.

"Yes," Sleel said.

"I expected no less. It is a passable blade. To what do we owe this visit, then?"

Sleel and Kee glanced at each other, then back at Bergamo. "We're, ah, looking for work," Sleel said.

"Work? Both of you? Here? Doing what?"

Sleel pretended to look grave. "I don't know. We thought maybe you might be able to find something."

The old man could not fully hide his smile, though he tried. "Well. I suppose we might have some chores that nobody else wants to do. Come inside. One doesn't get things done standing around in the sun chatting idly." He turned and walked into the foundry. Behind him, Vivian beamed at Sleel and Kee.

Kee reached over and caught Sleel's hand with hers. "You're sure?"

He squeezed her hand. "Yeah. I'm sure. About everything."

And for the first time in his life, he was.

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