Page 39 of Lau Ahi
“Ori, are you sure?”
“It makes sense, Xerx. We run the ports and have the shipping contacts. They need help to get to their people who arealong the coast of the Red Sea so it’s accessible. If your people want to help, they’re literally on the other side of the peninsula in the Gulf. We could launch a ship fromBushehrtoMassawaand have our first delivery to the people within 9 days since it’s roughly 1500 nautical miles.” His problem was one that we could easily solve as a family. We transported items all over the world with our ships so doing this wouldn’t be easy but it was far less complicated for us than for any other family. And they would have to go through us for help anyway so why not cut out the middleman.
“Can’t believe you can still do zhat in your head wizout issue.”
“Y’all call meAquamanfor a reason.”
We joked for a few more seconds before the original topic of conversation was brought back to the forefront.
“So, is this agreed then?” Mr. Avery interrupted the moment of levity but I could understand that he was anxious. I’d seen it play out often, like when Xerxes’ father Bijan found out his people were still suffering despite Persia’s prosperity. It made him hungry to give back and was why he and his son were so well loved there.
“Further conversations have to take place. And I’m remiss to do anything without speaking to your daughter myself. As the father of a princess whom I love more than my sons, I have to know this is her will and not pressure from you. I will offer her a haven from you if I think you’re forcing her into this.” Mr. Miller didn’t hold back putting Mr. Avery on notice that we didn’t play that shit. I knew he would speak to Dr. Avery to ensure she was doing something that she wanted to do.
“I wouldn’t do that. If you only understood—”
Mr. Miller held up his hand to stop whatever he was going to say. “Your reasons are not for me to hear. They are hers. And maybe Ori. Ori is a good man. One that I’ve watched come out of his shell. When he says he will treat your daughter well, that’snot lip service. Just because you didn’t have the example that we would’ve wanted you to, son, doesn’t mean that the ability to make something like this work isn’t within you. The only person who ever doubts you is you, Ori. Maybe it’s time you stopped.” The sincerity in Mr. Miller’s words let me know he’d allowed a little Uncle X to sneak into this conversation.
“So we are agreed then? Xerxes may pursue his choice?” Auntie Babette’s words cut into the conversation and I was stunned she was putting it out there so easily.
“You’ve more than approved of her, Babette. If House Cannon sees no issue, then we have no problem with Xerxes pursuing her. He’s got to win her over first though from what I heard.” The smirk on his face let me know that Uncle X was in full control.
“You doubt me?”
“I’ll be awaiting the wedding invitation.” He grinned and wrapped up the meeting. “If nothing else, I’ll be speaking with you William and you Ori soon. We’re done here.”
The call disconnected and there was silence in the office as my grandfather and I were both lost in our thoughts.
“It doesn’t have to be soon.”
My eyes darted to him and I knew what he was speaking on, but it not being soon wasn’t something that we could allow to linger. The help that the Averys needed was going to occur often. Pulling resources for someone that wasn’t a part of the family and therefore not contributing wasn’t something that would happen before there was a strain. Even with the promise of a marriage, without one taking place there was only so much that could be done.
“We both know that’s not true.”
“I can buy you time. I’m sure there’s more than enough going on especially if Xerxes has his own lady to pursue. It will give you time to learn her.”
I wanted to laugh because even if I had a few millennia there was nothing I would learn about Asha Avery that she didn’t want me to know.
I ran a hand down my face in shock because I’d done the one thing I said I would never do. And I had done it willingly. “It won’t be necessary. I’ll leave planning and stuff up to her. I don’t care about any of this.”
I ran a hand over the braid I’d pulled my hair into before I left the house. Somehow my brain had known this was going to be a fucked up day and ensured I wouldn’t have a chance to rip my hair out in frustration.
“You aren’t even going to try, are you?”
I looked at my grandfather with narrowed eyes as he studied my face. He’d gotten a bigger helping of African features than I had. Like any southern family that was blended with a bunch of nationalities, it was hard to pinpoint where my features came from. Faith was the one who’d given me the almond-shaped eyes everyone thought were from my father.
Pappy was a big man. Not out of place among Polynesians but definitely larger for the average Hawaiian of his generation. His eyes were rounded, his skin the deep reddish-brown of so many people from the islands. Despite being in D.C., he still had a sun-kissed glow on his skin, like he’d just stepped back in from vacation.
“Try what, kuku?”
“Give this situation with the young lady a try. I saw how your eyes lit up when you heard her name.”
Now I knew he was full of shit and crossed my arms in denial of the bullshit he’d just said. “My eyes don’t light up.”
“Bullshit. I saw you,Kamaiki. You might fool others but I have been by your side since you were born. You try to hide everything behind a stone wall but I was there before it was built. You feel something for this girl.” Those knowing brown eyes ofhis, that had just started to wrinkle in the corners after years of surfing, were zoned in on me relentlessly.
“Curiosity.”
His laughter thundered like it were coming from deep in his chest. “Some say that’s the start of a great love. You don’t have to have that innate desire to marry her. For you, the desire to know more and not immediately dismiss someone is a glaring light in the dark that something is going on. Is she pretty?”
