<h4>Chapter 64 Chapter 64 Stay With Us</h4>


    Nexus stated emphatically; "It is I who should be grateful."


    Lady Russell''s smooth silky voice cut in, taking control of the conversation as the dominant figure;


    "Perhaps we should all be grateful to- and for each other."


    Her forefinger and thumb curled around her ceramic cup as she lifted if off the table and raised it to a toast;


    "Here''s to gratitude, to appreciation, to full health, and to a fruitful rtionship. Cheers."


    Nexus and Nora lifted up their tea cups in a simr manner;


    "Cheers." they both chimed at the same time.


    The exquisite sets of white china (with flowery blue patterns) nged against each other as they gently knocked their ceramics. It was highly unorthodox in so many ways. But every single one of them were all soaked in the budding warmth that came with the feeling.


    The moment was filled with a homely satisfaction.


    After Nexus touched cups with Nora, he turned towards the matriarch with his tea cup raised and a smile on his mouth. He kept his eyes nd, and murmured cheers in a slightly less than normal tone. The glowing woman''s expression gave nothing away. Her arm casually turned towards his, and knocked his cup. Her hawk-like eyes watching him furtively, she said softly;


    "Cheers- doctor."


    To the untrained ear, the statement would have sounded perfectly normal- maybe even a little boring. It was not wordy enough to raise any red gs.


    However, thest word was like a trigger. It was the way she said it. Like a verbal memento of the previous night. A secret known only to her. For a moment, the after taste lingered in her mouth as she lingered on Nexus. It had been a great fucking night.


    But the momentsted only for a second.


    Home training kicked in faster than muscle memory.


    The blonde matriarch drew a deep breath, and the look in her eye quickly disappeared. She dropped her gaze to the slice of water melon on her te, and steered the conversation in a look-to-the future direction;


    "So my daughter tells me you''re a traveller. What''s the next adventure doctor? Are you gonna move on to the next castle to save another poor old crone?"


    Nexus'' shoulders heaved as his smile broke into soft noiseless peals ofughter;


    "Mydy, you''re none of those things."


    "What things?" she bit down on a single round juicy grape.


    "You''re neither poor, nor old, nor a crone mydy. You''re every bit as resplendent as the morning star Venus."


    Thedy''s face showed no emotion, but her eyes shed momentarily;


    "How sweet. . ." she said dismissively; "But you didn''t really answer my question; what''s next for a bright young doctor like yourself?"


    Nora shoved a spoon full of diced bananas into her mouth as the diced fruit drowned in puddle of milk in her bowl. The spoon full of fruit dripped with white, warm, smooth milk. As it headed into her mouth. her jaw tightened and her teeth sped together, conspiring to trap the moon against it .


    Her eyes settled on Nexus- eager to hear his reply;


    "I must admit," his shoulders slumped defeatedly; "I haven''t really thought that far ahead. Stuff like that always works itself ourself in my adventures."


    "Hmmm, what if it has already worked itself out but you just haven''t realized it yet."


    His furry eyebrows met together in a bit of a shock;


    "Huh?"


    Elbows on the table, and arms standing straight in an upright manner, the matriarch leaned forward. Lightning sparks ignited and shed through her blue eyes;


    "Stay with us. . ." she mouthed hypnotically; ". . .you could live here in the mean time. Coming and going as you please, enjoying the adventure of the city without the hassle of drifting through as a homeless traveler."


    Her fingers locked into one another as she bnced her jaw on them;


    "Of course, you could go on treating me. . ." his throat bulged; ". . .but not exclusively as my doctor. I would be happy to establish your trade by rmending your healing skills to a few high-ssed aristocrat families with deep pockets."


    Her pink lips and jaw barely moved as she spoke. The words flowed out of her like she was an oracle, speaking from a ce of sanctimonious ce;


    "See what I mean? It has already worked itself out."


    For a moment, Nexus struggled to find words. Thedy''s hadid a perfect argument. But he could not help but feel manipted. His left temple throbbed as his brain turned itself inside out in a bid to outmaneuver her.


    Shit. The bitch was trying to entrap him.


    She wasying out the perfect and ideal arrangement- just for him to befortable, and be close to her. She would be in control. She would take the credit for his new life. She would be the anchor. Meaning, she could also take it away whenever she felt.


    Fuck.


    This was the problem with getting involved with older women. Their mental maturity gave them a serious advantage. Everything felt like a serious chess match with well-thought out moves.


    "Well? What do you say doctor? It''s all in your hands now,"


    Her flowery words matched her super ttering gaze.


    Shit.


    "You are too kind mydy. Far too kind. But it would be a little overbearing of me to impose on you like that. . ."


    "Nonsense," Nora shrieked; "There''s no imposing here. With what you''ve done for us, it''s really the least we could do."


    Nexus bnced his cool calm gazes between mother and daughter, alternating between them and holding her eyes, as he pretended to consider the offer;


    "This is a wonderful suggestion Lady Russell, and I must admit, I''m inclined to agree with you. I currently have no other ce toy my head in this city- talk less of connections to pick up any kind of work. . ."


    He paused, fumbling with the white napkin on his left.


    ". . .I graciously ept your invitation to stay in your home."


    Mrs. Russell smiled sweetly and sat back down in her throne-like chair.


    Nora''s face was immediately overshadowed by pure delight. Her cheeks glowed, and her facial expression brightened victoriously;


    "Wonderful! Wee to the family Nexus! I promise you, you''re going to have a swell time here!"


    With the way the mother was staring at him, Nexus did not doubt that. Not at all.


    "Thank you for having me." he smiled curtly.


    At that moment, Crystal emerged from the eastern entrance- from the door behind Nora.


    His nose picked up on her overwhelming fruity scent, even before his eyes registered her presence. The subus'' pronounced steps echoed through the open space of the medieval building.


    She strutted towards them wearing a deep purple gown with silver threaded embroidery. Her raven dark hair was parted down the middle, and spilled down on both sides. Her full figure, hips and breasts, was entuated by the lovely dress. And on her face was a serious- almost sullen like expression.


    "Good morning Lord Nexus. . ." she nodded at the others in acknowledgement; "Lady Russell, Nora."


    "Wee friend of our doctor. So nice of you to finally join us." the matriarch chirped- but not with as much energy. "Please, have a seat."