Neara giggled as Miro chased her around the smaller dining room reserved for intimate family meals.
"I'll get you my little princess," he teased as leapt in front of her and scooped the tiny girl up from behind the intricately carved leg of the family table.
Keldor chuckled at Neara's squeals as he spooned creamed dragonberries into Keelyanne's mouth. Not to be upstaged by her older sister, Keelyanne blew dragonberry-stained bubbles, sending Keldor diving to the next place setting to get a clean napkin before she could expel the rest of her snack. Miro sat down beside Keldor as he cleaned her face, and settled Neara down next to himself.
"Where is Lyn, my boy?" Miro asked, digging into his plate of food with enthusiasm.
"She is sick. Morning sickness is lasting into the afternoon with this child."
"That's too bad," Miro said sympathetically. He watched Keldor feed Keelyanne another spoonful, then changed the subject. "I saw your friends Antaris and Jonas working with the refugees of the Alama O'dela. They seem like good men."
Keldor grimaced. "I don't know why they are still here. I've told them to return home. They say that they will remain here until my sen-" Keldor stopped as he noticed Micah pale at the turn this conversation was taking. "Until they feel led to leave," Keldor finished lamely. He reached over and placed his arm around his son. "Don't worry. You know it helps nothing."
Micah squared his shoulders and looked up at Keldor. "I won't. I'm going to be brave like you."
Miro smiled, his eyes becoming moist, but said nothing as Adam and Adora boisterously entered the dining room.
"You're telling me Hawk is passing up dinner to work on the books?" Adam demanded in disbelief.
"Yes!" Adora said, half-laughing, half-exasperated. "He's got something going on that he won't talk about." She sniffed. "I think he's just trying to get out of the last-minute wedding planning."
"Hawk would never stoop to such an underhanded method," Adam protested. "He'd just tell you he didn't want to do it." He grinned as Adora stuck her tongue out at him.
Miro laughed loudly at that one. "Smart strategy though," he commented.
Adora and Adam grinned at their grandfather, their matching blue eyes twinkling at him and the rest of the family. "I'm glad you're here," Adora said enthusiastically.
"Really, haven't had enough drama for one day?" Keldor commented dryly. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it's my goal to stay out of trouble for the day."
Neara giggled. "Da, you're always in trouble."
Adam laughed heartily. "She's got you pegged, Keldor." He kneeled down to her level. "You're a smart girl, Neara."
Nedra kissed Adam's nose. "I am," she said. "Grampa says so."
"Ugh," groaned Micah. "Da, we're going to have to deal with her chanting 'I'm smart' all night. And Keelyanne just started sleeping well in our new room." Micah stabbed at his chocolate crumble.
"I'll teach you a sleep spell later," Keldor whisper conspiratorially. Micah grinned and rubbed his hands together.
Neara ran to Adora and clung to her. "Help, Adora. I don't like sleep spells."
Marlena entered the room to see Adora laughing and sitting Neara down in the chair beside her.
"Well, look who we have here," Randor commented, coming in behind Marlena. He grinned at Micah, carefully avoiding Keldor's gaze. His half-brother still left him feeling off-balance, and Randor didn't like it—he despised feeling beholden to someone he had once hated and still couldn't bring himself to trust.
"Hi, Uncle Randor," Micah greeted brightly.
Neara squirmed around in her seat and stood on it to reach up to hug Randor.
"Well hello there," he said, picking her up easily. "That's the first hug you've given me. I guess that means you decided I'm okay." He lightly touched her nose with his finger. "Smart girl."
"See," Neara said, looking at Micah. "Uncle Randor knows I'm smart too!"
She stuck out her tongue at Micah, who groaned. Hoping to distract Neara from how smart she was, Micah grasped at the first topic that came to mind as his gaze fell on Adam. "Why don't you call my da 'uncle?'" he asked the prince.
Neara's little brow furrowed in confusion. "Yes, why not?" she demanded, pushing against Randor to get down. She ran over to Adam and pouted up at him.
"Ahhh..." Adam looked over to Keldor for help, but the mage was shaking with his own suppressed laughter. 'Fat lot of help you are,' Adam sent.
"Your da and I have been through a lot," Adam finally said, addressing Micah and then bending down to meet Neara at eye-level again. His eyes lost some of their spark as he spoke, reminded again of He-Man's loss and the feelings of inadequacy that continued to plague him.
Neara tilted her head. "Close your eyes," she commanded.
Adam raised an eyebrow, but obeyed. Neara very carefully put her arms around his neck and he felt a feather-light kiss touch each eye. After a few seconds, Adam opened his eyes and tilted his own head curiously. "What was that for?"
"Your eyes looked like they hurt, and my kisses are magic," Neara said solemnly.
Adam froze for a moment. He hadn't realized his feelings were so transparent. He glanced up at the others, and the quick glances away told him that everyone had not only heard but probably agreed with Neara's assessment. "You're right, Neara," he said softly. "I lost something very special to me, and it's made me very sad. I'm getting better every day, but it's taking a long time."
"It took a long time for Da to get better too. But he did. And I promise to give you a kiss each day till you get better just like I did for Da." Neara smiled brightly at Adam and then scurried back to her seat beside Adora, where she ignored her food and promptly started playing with Adora's hair.
Marlena smiled tenderly at the little girl sitting between Adora and herself and turned to look at Keldor. He was avoiding everyone's eyes but his smile shone with unmistakable fatherly pride as he continued to feed Keelyanne.
Adam rose to his feet slowly, also avoiding everyone's gaze. He had watched She-Ra and the others go out to fight twice more in the past week. Faker had made several more appearances. The situation gnawed at him night and day, and yet somehow, Neara's promise had seemed to lighten his heart a touch.
Marlena cast about for a change in topic to save Adam further embarrassment. As much as she knew he needed to work through his feelings, she also knew her son needed to do it on his time scale, not that of others. Her gaze fell on Micah and a sudden idea hit her.
"On Earth, the bride and groom exchange wedding rings," she said abruptly. "The rings are carried on a pillow by a young man in the wedding procession."
"Oh Mother," Adora exclaimed, "that is a lovely tradition. Hawk and I have been talking about exchanging rings. He told me he liked the idea after you mentioned why you wear yours." Adora laughed. "It's one of the few wedding-related items he's had an opinion on."
"So why not add it in?" Marlena asked with a twinkle in her eye and a meaningful glance at Micah.
"It's not too late in the planning to add it?" Adora asked. "Everything else seemed to require months to prepare."
Marlena smiled. "We can make it work. And maybe Neara would like to be a flower girl."
"Flowers?" asked Neara, popping up in her seat.
"What exactly is a flower girl?" asked Keldor warily. He worried about his daughter wandering too freely among the wedding party. As it was, he was concerned that someone would take the children, either to hurt him or mistakenly believing they were protecting the children from him. In any case Lyn and Keldor never left them unless Miro, Jonas, or Antaris was around to ensure their safety.
"A precious little girl who walks down the aisle before the bride, scattering flower petals on the floor as she goes," Marlena explained.
Adam watched the exchange with interest, wondering if Keldor and Lyn were still planning to attend the wedding.
Neara's eyes lit up. She hopped out of her chair. "Da, can I? " she pleaded, grabbing his hand.
Keldor was torn for a moment. He opened his mouth to refuse, then closed it as Neara beamed up at him with huge pleading eyes and a big smile.
Adora added, "I would love for Micah to be the one to bring our rings forward as well."
Micah grinned.
Keldor looked up at Adora. "I have many enemies. Attending the wedding at all, as I've already told you, could be a mistake. What if someone hurts them because of their connection to Lyn and me? "
"Why would anyone suspect they're related to you?" Adora asked seriously, knowing how worried he was. "We have not announced it, and they look nothing like you." She waved a hand at Keldor's sickly face. "I'm not suggesting a deception, Uncle Keldor. The staff and guards and masters do know who they are, but they aren't the risk. It's the general public that is a risk, and, ah..." She looked to her mother for help.
"We decided no one outside the family and close friends will be allowed to attend the ceremony inside the gardens," Marlena said quietly. Adam and Keldor both stared at her, stunned. "We will project it to the rest of the palace and beyond, as we did with yours, Adam, but no one can come inside the garden walls. It will be safer that way, given the current situation."
Adam bit his lip and looked away, irritation rising up. He knew it wasn't rational, but he couldn't help but think that if he were still He-Man, they would have felt safe enough to hold the wedding as normal.
Keldor felt sick. 'Hutch wouldn't have a reason to charge the royal family with being in league with Skeletor if it weren't for their overly kind treatment of me. Treatment I didn't deserve. Now Adora has to hide behind walls to have her wedding?'
"Adora," Keldor began, "I'm sorry. This unrest. If I weren't here now, perhaps you could have your wedding as it should be." His fist clenched under the table.
"Are you serious?" Adam asked, staring at Keldor. "Do you honestly think Hutch wouldn't still be after the throne if you weren't here?" He shook his head. "Even if you weren't here, he would have known the truth and found a way to use it against us, just as he has. Your mistake isn't being here; it was saving my life back at Snake Mountain." Adam's eyes widened as he realized his words had tumbled out faster than he had intended. "Uh, I mean-" He broke off, unable to figure out a way to back off what had slipped out of his mouth.
Keldor gaped at Adam, utterly speechless.
"What on Eternia is that supposed to mean?" Adora demanded hotly.
"Nothing, forget I said that," Adam said, waving a hand, even though he knew it was useless. "I didn't mean anything by it." His voice sounded unconvincing even to his own ears.
Miro looked at Adam uncertainly, then at the children. Seeming to reach a decision, he gathered Neara up in his arms. "Come Micah. Let's go check on your mother." The boy obediently followed, confusion on his young face.
Keldor was filled with gratitude as he felt a compulsion he was happy to fulfill. He picked up Keelyanne quickly, not even bothering to attempt to clean up the mess of mushed dragonberries. "I'll go with you, Father."
Adam briefly wondered if he could get away with following them out, but one glance at Adora and Marlena told him that there wasn't a chance of that happening. Then there was Randor, who was staring at Adam as if he had never seen him before. Adam sighed heavily. 'Here we go.'
"Want to tell us what that was all about?" Randor asked quietly.
"Nothing," Adam replied just as lowly. "Just forget it."
"Do you really wish you were dead?" Marlena asked in a tremulous voice. The hurt in her eyes tore at Adam's conscience.
"I-" Adam's throat tightened up and he stopped to clear it, debating what to tell them. "I just don't feel like I belong here anymore," he finally said. "It was my time to go." He looked directly at Randor. "Grandmother Ranay met me there. She told me it was my time." He drew in a ragged breath and plunged on. "And except for leaving behind those I love, I was glad."
A brief silence met his statement. Then Adora stood abruptly the table, the chair flying over backwards as she rose. Adam stood as she came around and stopped inches from him, tears standing in her blue eyes. "You were glad?" she repeated in disbelief.
"Adora, He-Man was-is-gone." Adam stared at her, mentally begging her to understand. "I was so tired of fighting, Adora, but He-Man defined me for so long." He paused as he tried to work through his feelings and thoughts. "Anyone can be king, Adora...but you and I-only you and I can be She-Ra and He-Man."
Randor and Marlena exchanged glances, but said nothing.
"And now I've lost that…" Adam added softly. 'I-just Prince Adam-am not enough, Adora,' he sent silently, because he still couldn't voice the words.
Adora resisted the impulse to slap her brother for being so dense. She and others had tried to tell him that He-Man had not defined him, but obviously Adam would have to come to that conclusion on his own. She decided to try to keep him talking instead. "Not enough?" she repeated in a whisper. "How are you not enough?"
"I can't protect the innocent anymore, not the way I used to." Adam grunted in disgust. "I can't even protect myself."
Randor stood and walked around the table, his gaze never leaving his son. "No, Adam, you can't protect the innocent the way you used to. And it was a wonderful gift that you have lost. But, son, you could not have maintained that power much longer. And as for protecting yourself-you do that as well as any other man can." He put a bracing hand on Adam's shoulder.
Adam shook his head. "I have no strength anymore. I'm not sure I ever will again." In spite of his physical therapy, he wasn't making progress as fast as he was used to. Walking from his suite to the dining room left him shaky and breathless.
"Adam, you don't have Grayskull's strength anymore," said Adora gently, "but it wasn't Grayskull's power that defeated the Talisman of Kaspanya." She laid her hand over his heart. "It was your heart that gave you the strength to defeat something that no other man has ever defeated."
Marlena rose as well. "And now that's heart's broken," she observed gently as she too joined her family in a loose semicircle that stood close to Adam. "Adam, you didn't have any warning, any time to prepare for the loss of this great honor and amazing power that allowed you to do and experience things no other Eternian could. It must be incredibly hard to lose-to sacrifice such a gift so abruptly." Marlena's eyes were warm in understanding.
"It's not just that, Mother," Adam said, his eyes locking onto hers, desperate for someone to understand him. "I always knew I would one day have to give up the power, that it was a gift. And I hate feeling so...inadequate. But..." He hesitated for a moment. He didn't want to hurt his family, but he had to be honest. "Mother, I was in heaven. I was in the presence of Good again. I was complete. To come back to this, where I feel less than whole again..." Adam's voice trailed off, thinking that maybe he shouldn't say anymore. He wasn't sure his family could ever understand it.
Randor and Adora looked at one another in confusion. Marlena's face, however, took on an expression of understanding.
"That is the true sacrifice you made, Adam." Marlena's eyes grew bright. "And I can't imagine leaving a place of such perfect peace and rest to return to this turmoil and all the changes you've had to face. But you say you were in the presence of Good. Do you really think someone as loving and perfect as Good would allow you to return here just to allow you to suffer?"
"No," Adam admitted softly.
Marlena shook her head sadly. "I remember something from the book I read. The one from which I shared with you about the good king Josiah of my world. Another man, a servant of Good in truly evil times, suffered greatly for the good he did. In one of his saddest moments Good made him a promise. 'I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you a hope and a future.' Sometimes we have to have faith through the hurt, Son. And you have to let us love you through times like those."
Adora grabbed Adam's hand as Randor threw his arms around Adam's shoulders. "Thank you for coming back to us, Son," he said in a soft voice. "I would have been the one with the broken heart if you had not."
Adam hugged his father hard with one arm, clenching his jaw against the threatening tears. He nodded once, even though Randor couldn't see his face. "I know, Dad," he said in a choked voice. "I know." Adora and Marlena put their arms around the two of them, and the family clung to each other for a long while, allowing their love to strengthen each other.
Randor drummed his fingers impatiently on the warm wood of his chair as he waited for Ramos to show up in the medical office. He had mulled over Adam's words in his mind during the last several days, and watched him carefully. He had seen nothing to make him suspect Adam was not back to full strength—or at least close enough to it that he could hide his weaker moments from everyone around him.
"What can I do for you, Your Majesty?" Ramos asked in a gruff tone as he entered. Randor smothered a smile. He was sure Ramos was irritated at being pulled away from his rounds, even for a moment.
"I want to speak to you about Adam," he requested.
"Okay, so speak," Ramos said bluntly, not seeming to be intimidated at all by the fact that he was speaking to the king.
"How is he doing?" At Ramos' raised eyebrow, Randor hastened to add, "I have his opinion. I would like to hear yours. I suspect he is stronger than he believes himself to be."
Ramos sank back into his chair and stared at Randor for a moment as if weighing his words. "You're probably righ'," he agreed. "That son of yours heals faster than anyone I've ever seen, and I've been around a long time. It's nothing short of astoundin'."
"Well, Keldor was helping with his magic," Randor pointed out absently.
"Not the last couple of weeks," Ramos disagreed. "I know Adam feels his recovery has been slow, but Randor, given the fact that he should have been dead…" He shook his head. "We don't even have anything to compare it to. It shouldn't have happened at all, never mind in just a month's time."
"So he's completely healed now?" Randor asked, leaning forward in his chair.
"Mostly," Ramos countered. "Physically, his body is whole again. He has the full range of motion. I took him off of physical therapy yesterday, because there's nothing more we can do for him. He has an exercise regiment to follow, and if he holds true to form, he'll be up to running circles around that pretty wife of his in another few days."
"Really," Randor mused aloud, stroking his beard. "You said physically. What else have you noticed?"
"Emotionally, I think he's doin' as well as can be expected." Ramos gave Randor an assessing look. "I'm not sure what the connection between Adam and He-Man was, but it was clear during his time in here that he was sufferin' not only from his physical trauma, but He-Man's loss as well."
"As we all are," Randor agreed, willing his suddenly thudding heart to calm itself. "But Adam has taken it particularly hard. Do you think he is not moving past it?"
"On the contrary, I think he's doin' very well, compared to how he tried to shut himself away in the past," Ramos said. "I noticed he's talkin' to others about the experience and about He-Man. That's a good start on the road to healin'."
Randor nodded and rose to leave, hesitating briefly as Ramos called out to him. "Adam's self-confidence took a bit of a blow, what with that kidnappin' and all. It migh' help if someone could prove to him tha' he's stronger than he realizes."
Neara was curled up in Miro's lap as he read a brightly-colored story to the drowsy child. Micah was studying one of the many books on magic that Miro had purchased for the boy while Keldor was feeding Keelyanne a bottle of warm milk. Keelyanne tugged on her father's hair as she drank greedily.
Keldor chuckled softly. "Hungry, aren't you?" He looked over his shoulder to see Miro lifting a now-sleeping Neara onto the nearby chaise and cover her with a blanket.
"Father," called Keldor as he eyed the bottle appraisingly. "Could you send for another bottle? I think she may need a bit more before she'll be full enough to begin her nap."
Miro nodded. He ruffled Micah's hair as he passed Keldor and opened the door. Miro gaped for a moment as he saw the very last person he expected to see at Keldor's door. Randor.
Randor cleared his throat and lowered his hand, which had been raised in preparation to knock. "Father," he said quietly, inclining his head slightly in greeting."Is Keldor here? I need to speak with him."
Keldor turned, his jaw hanging open as he heard the unsure and genial tone in Randor's voice. Miro simply nodded, dumbstruck, and stepped away from the door.
Randor entered and stood there uncertainly. He hated asking Keldor for anything, hated that he was about to imply that he trusted the man...but he had saved Adam's life. Randor still didn't know what to make of his brother, but he was sure of one thing: Keldor felt beholden to Adam, and would do almost anything to pay back what he perceived as a debt. "Keldor, I, ah..." He cleared his throat again, resisting the urge to rub at his neck. "I need to speak to you...about Adam."
Miro looked between his two sons and made a quick decision. He reached for Keelyanne. Keldor passed his youngest daughter to him without a word.
"Micah, lad, would you get your sister's bottle and accompany me to the kitchen to refill it?"
Micah took in the strange sight before him and nodded slowly. It was obvious something was going on, but after seeing his usually self-assured father flabbergasted, he decided to go with his grandfather. His father could be...well...interesting when he felt off-balance.
"Sure, Grandfather," he answered, placing his books down on the table in front of him. Keldor didn't act as though he recognized the fact that Micah took the bottle from him. ''Yep,' thought Micah, 'definitely don't want to be here.'
Miro balanced Keelyanne in one arm and draped his free arm across Micah's shoulder.
"Bye, Uncle Randor," Micah called quietly as he closed the door behind him.
Randor looked expectantly at Keldor, who was staring at him as if he had never seen him before. "Are we going to talk here?" he asked a bit dryly.
"Of course not," Keldor snapped softly. "Give me a moment." He then gently moved Neara through the partially open door to his sleeping chamber and nestled the small girl next to Lyn's sleeping form. He left the bedroom silently and motioned for Randor to follow him into the sitting area.
"Keldor, I need to ask you a favor," Randor said once they were settled. He stopped and regarded Keldor steadily for a moment, seeming to struggle with his words.
"Before you do, could you please tell me who you are and what you have done with King Randor?" Keldor asked, a smirk forming on his face.
"Very funny," Randor said, barely cracking a smile. "This is serious. I wouldn't ask, but at this point, I would give nearly anything to help Adam."
Keldor felt even more wrong-footed. "The last time I tried to help Adam, he pointed out my trying to save him was a mistake. I don't seem to very good at helping Adam." Keldor deflated a bit and ran his fingers through his loose hair. "Or anyone else, for that matter," he muttered, fear for his children churning within him again.
"In this case, I think you're the only one who can help Adam," Randor countered. He paused, then plunged ahead. "I want you to spar with him."
"What!" Keldor shouted rather than asked as he sat up straight in his chair.
"Listen," Randor said a touch impatiently, "Adam's physically healed. But confidence-wise..." He felt as if he were about to choke on his words, revealing a weakness like this to Keldor. "Losing He-Man seems to have caused him to lose confidence in himself. Being kidnapped by Hutch made it worse. He needs a test, of sorts, to show that he can hold his own in a fight again."
Keldor relaxed in his chair and nodded. "I understand." Keldor mulled it over for a moment. "I'll offer. I don't know what good it will do, but I will help any way I can."
"Adam knows you cannot lie," Randor said quietly. "Whether you are holding back or not in order to not hurt him, you will have to tell him if he asks. Anyone else I ask to do this would likely go easy on him, and Adam will either see through it or at least suspect it."
Keldor nodded. This he understood. Adam had pride and a great need to prove himself, no matter what. Keldor smiled. A trait they both shared now. "Would you prefer me to make the offer, or would you like to suggest this sparring session?"
Randor held up his hands. "I want nothing to do with it, although if Adam asks there is no reason to hide the truth." His stomach turned over at the thought of Adam, who was still recovering his strength, sparring with Keldor. He pushed the concern aside. "He is more likely to agree if you propose the idea, I think."
Keldor grinned as way to broach the topic came to him. "I'll handle it during lunch. Adam will be taking his meal in the family dining room?" Keldor inquired.
Randor nodded, tilting his head. Keldor clearly had something in mind, and in spite of himself, Randor was curious to find out what it was.
Marlena narrowed her eyes at Randor. Ever since he had finished his salad he had been acting a bit...distracted. Before she could fully form the question in her mind, she thought she saw the answer breezing through the dining room door. Keldor walked in, for the first time with an ease that seemed to come from someone who was actually welcome in her palatial home. He pulled a chair up to the table and sat down, pulling a bright fruit from the tray in the center of the room. He took a bite with relish and smiled at those looking his way, as though dinners with his family were normal occurrences.
Randor looked even more strained. 'What are you up to?' wondered Marlena.
Adora broke the uncomfortable silence first. "I'm so glad you finally decided to join us for lunch, Uncle." A genuine smile crossed her face.
"I decided you were right. Lunch with you today, Adora, seems like just the thing," Keldor said cheerily.
Adam raised an eyebrow, uncharacteristically irritated at the way Keldor was suddenly at home in his home. He took a few moments to examine the feelings rushing through him, and was surprised at what he found.
He was jealous.
Keldor's sudden comfort and acceptance made him feel all the more out of place. Adam shook his head slightly. He would not allow these feelings to dictate his relationships or his actions. He put a smile firmly on his face. "It's good to see you with the family," he said. The words eased the tight knot in his chest. This man had saved his life, and Adam was determined to show him the appreciation he deserved.
Teela's brow furrowed at Adam's tone. It wasn't quite right. Then again, he hadn't quite been himself since . . . since everything had happened. But he was getting better-stronger-and he was ever-so-slowly regaining his positive outlook on things. It was just more slowly than she would like to see, more slowly than she was used to seeing from him.
Keldor fought back his grimace at Adam's words. It's wasn't deception he spoke, but something didn't feel right about what he said.
"Adora," Keldor said, forcing a mischievous look in his eyes. "It's such a nice day out, I was wondering if you or Hawk would like to spar a bit. I need to get some exercise before I go mad from hiding in my rooms and Jonas is helping Lyn with the children now."
Adora looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry, Uncle Keldor, but I have to attend the final fitting for the wedding, and meet with all the girls from Etheria about their roles." She could hardly believe her wedding was in just a few days.
Adam bit back the urge to volunteer. He wasn't ready to face Keldor yet.
Keldor looked at Hawk. "I know you've been busy with your new tasks, but perhaps you'd give me a match." Keldor grinned cheekily at Adam. "At least I know to expect underhanded tactics from a reformed pirate."
Adam attempted to grin back, but it came out more as a grimace, especially when Randor cocked an eyebrow in his direction.
"Alas, I must decline as well," Hawk said regretfully. "I have to meet Sven and the rest of my crew at Grayskull and explain the, ah, proper etiquette for the wedding. The Sorceress agreed to use the view screen there to demonstrate."
"What exactly do you mean by underhanded tactics?" asked Miro, thrilled to have such a rare comfortable moment with his whole family.
"Oh, nothing. Just a little distraction Adam used in our last sparring session together that seemed much too devious for the noble prince Adam," explained Keldor good-naturedly.
Adam's face grew red as all eyes turned to him. "I can't help it if you're afraid of Doodles," he said, trying to go along with the light-hearted teasing. "Besides, I was worried about Josiah. You wouldn't have gained the upper hand if I hadn't been distracted."
Keldor leaned back in his chair. 'Good. He's taken the bait.'
"Tell yourself whatever makes you feel better, nephew," Keldor said with a dismissive wave of his hand. And he took another enthusiastic bite of his fruit.
"Excuse me?" Adam asked testily, his muscles tensing. The strength of his reaction surprised him; he took a breath and forced himself to relax.
"I meant only that we haven't yet seen who would win in a completely fair fight. Though that is much more my fault than yours," Keldor added placatingly. "I meant no harm." Keldor sighed inwardly. He meant what he said, but it was skating a fine line between truth and deception and he longed to pull back. If only Adam would swallow the hook.
"Right." Adam's eyes dropped, and he toyed with his steaming casserole, his appetite lost. 'Guess we'll never know now,' he thought bitterly.
"Why not?" Adora demanded.
Adam's head snapped up; he hadn't realized he'd projected his thoughts. His eyes locked with Adora's, and hers flashed with challenge.
"Spar with Uncle Keldor," Adora suggested, fairly daring her brother to refuse.
Adam shrugged. "Maybe some day."
"Why not today?" Teela joined in.
"I'm sure Adam must be tired from his physical therapy," Keldor said innocently. "I wouldn't want to over-tire him. I'll spar with one of the training robots."
Adam fought the urge to accept the challenge. 'There's no way I'm ready for him,' he sent at Adora, barely masking his anger at the situation he was in. Adora smirked; she wasn't going to help him out one bit.
"Adam could take you any day of the week," Hawk scoffed, slapping the table with his hand in emphasis.
Adam looked about incredulously and caught Randor nodding enthusiastically. Had his entire family gone mad?
Keldor placed his apple core on an empty bread plate, and crossed his arms. He smiled as though he held a great secret but said simply, "Adam needs his rest, so I doubt it would be this day, don't you agree, Adam?"
When Adam didn't answer right away, Keldor added in an off-handed manner, "I would hate to set you back in your healing process."
Marlena hid her smile in her napkin, understanding now what was happening. Keldor had the same look on his face that Adam had when he was about to pull a masterful practical joke.
Adam raised his chin a notch. "I may not be up to full strength, but I'm certainly well enough to spar a few rounds," he found himself saying. "Just name the time."
"Oh, you don't have to prove anything," assured Keldor in a concerned voice. "I don't need to spar today."
He placed a small serving of pie on an empty plate and began to eat it as though the subject was closed.
Adam glowered at Keldor. "You said you wanted to spar. I'm volunteering. So let's go." He rose from the table and waited for Keldor to do the same.
Keldor shrugged and ate the last bit of his pie. He stood. "Lead the way."
Adora and the others rose to follow them, their plates forgotten. Keldor winked at Randor before he trailed Adam out of the room with a self-assured strut.