Chapter 265: Why is everybody acting weird?

Chapter 265: Chapter 265: Why is everybody acting weird?

Nerin set the knife down.

"Yes."

Miko frowned.

"But you’re big."

Nerin smiled sadly.

"Big people get scared too."

"Papa Soren doesn’t," Miko declared.

Nerin hesitated.

Then remembered Soren’s face when Swanly disappeared underground.

His expression softened.

"I think even Papa Soren gets frightened sometimes."

All three boys went quiet.

Eira suddenly lifted her head.

"Mama."

Nerin nodded.

"Yes."

Kairo looked toward the family shelter.

"Papa was scared because Mama left."

Nobody answered immediately.

Then Miko crossed his arms again.

"That’s why she’s mean."

Nilo gave him a tired look.

"Miko."

"What?"

"We’ve already talked about this."

"And I’m still angry."

He sat down beside Nerin.

"But when Mama wakes up, I’m going to hug her."

Kairo nodded.

"Me too."

Nilo smiled.

"Then are we forgiving her?"

Miko looked horrified.

"No!"

A pause.

"We can hug her and still be angry."

Nerin finally laughed.

And this time, even Kairo smiled.

Unfortunately, the peaceful moment didn’t last.

Because Miko noticed something strange.

The guards near the western boundary had stopped talking.

One was staring toward the forest.

The other had moved his spear from his shoulder into his hands.

Miko followed their gazes.

Across the Blood Boundary stood several winged Veskari warriors.

Nothing unusual about that.

They had been there since the previous night.

But the atmosphere was different.

A few Ironwood workers had quietly moved farther from the boundary.

Even the birds that usually perched near the western lookout were missing.

Miko frowned.

"Why is everybody acting weird?"

Nilo looked up.

Kairo’s ears turned forward.

Nerin noticed the guards too.

His smile faded.

"Stay here, little ones."

Miko nodded.

For once, he didn’t argue.

Then something colorful moved beyond the boundary.

Six beautiful wings unfolded in the sunlight.

Miko squinted.

"Oh."

He recognized those wings.

And that stupidly pretty face.

He immediately stood.

"HEY!"

Kairo grabbed his arm.

"Miko!"

"What?"

"Don’t shout at strangers!"

"It’s not a stranger!"

Across the boundary, Azren slowly turned his head.

His pale-violet eyes settled on the little black panther.

Then he smiled.

"Well, well."

Miko’s ears flattened.

Azren placed one hand over his chest.

"Is that my favorite little panther?"

"No!"

Azren blinked.

"How cruel."

Miko pointed at him.

"You’re not my favorite wing!"

Azren tilted his head.

"Then whose wings are your favorite?"

Miko thought.

For a moment.

Then pointed toward his sisters.

"Theirs."

Azren looked at Eira and Sira.

Neither girl had wings.

He smiled wider.

"Your sisters don’t have wings."

"They could!"

Nilo stared at his brother.

"Miko, that’s not how..."

"YOU DON’T KNOW!"

Azren burst out laughing.

His wings shimmered.

Sira immediately noticed.

Her silver eyes widened.

"Pretty!"

She reached toward the colorful light.

Nilo gently lowered her hand.

"No going over there."

Sira pouted.

Azren looked delighted.

"At least one member of this family appreciates beauty."

Miko crossed his arms.

"She likes shiny stones too."

Azren’s smile froze.

Nerin lowered his head.

His shoulders shook.

Kairo looked from Miko to Azren.

Then stepped slightly in front of the girls.

"You’re not allowed inside."

Azren lifted his eyebrows.

"Am I not?"

"No."

"Even if I ask nicely?"

"No."

"Even if I bring presents?"

Kairo hesitated.

Miko immediately shouted:

"WHAT PRESENTS?"

Nilo grabbed his brother’s shoulder.

"Miko!"

Azren laughed again.

"Oh, I like this one."

Miko narrowed his eyes.

"I don’t like you."

"Tragic."

"But I don’t hate you."

"How generous."

"You talk too much."

Azren stared.

Then slowly grinned.

"Oh, little panther. You and I are going to have a wonderful friendship."

Miko looked offended.

"I DIDN’T SAY WE WERE FRIENDS!"

Nerin finally gave up and laughed.

Even one of the guards smiled.

A few paces away, Kael stopped working.

His golden eyes moved toward the boundary.

He saw the cubs still safely inside the supervised walkway.

Saw Nerin and the guards nearby.

Then saw Azren.

His mouth flattened.

Of course.

It had to be him.

Azren noticed Kael looking.

He raised one hand cheerfully.

Kael turned back to the wooden supports.

Azren sighed dramatically.

"Such a warm family."

Nilo looked curious.

"Why do you always come here?"

Azren rested his chin against his hand.

"A very good question."

Miko answered before he could.

"Because you like Mama!"

Azren’s smile returned.

"Clever child."

Kairo immediately frowned.

"Mama already has Papas."

"I’m aware."

"Two."

"Yes."

"Very strong Papas."

"I’ve met them."

Miko stepped forward, stopping well behind the marked safe line.

"And Papa Soren has big teeth!"

Azren nodded.

"Terrifying teeth."

"And Papa Kael can bite your head!"

"I’m sure he’d enjoy that."

"And Deer Papa..."

Miko stopped.

Looked at Nerin.

Then said proudly:

"Deer Papa makes nice chairs!"

Azren’s eyebrows rose.

Nerin turned bright red.

"Miko..."

The prince looked toward the deer beastman.

Then back at the child.

"I’m beginning to think I have more competition than I realized."

Miko shrugged.

"That’s your problem."

Azren covered his mouth.

Kairo gave Miko a disapproving look.

But Nilo was laughing now.

Sira clapped her little hands.

"Wing! Wing!"

Azren fluttered his six wings.

Sunlight scattered across them in little purple and blue flashes.

Both girls gasped.

Even Eira, who rarely smiled at anyone unfamiliar, leaned forward.

"Again."

Azren looked ridiculously pleased.

"As my princess commands."

"Don’t call her that," Kairo said immediately.

Azren blinked.

"Why?"

"She’s our sister."

"And?"

Kairo frowned.

He wasn’t entirely sure.

But Papa Soren probably wouldn’t like it.

Therefore, he didn’t like it.

Before Azren could tease him further, a voice came from behind the Veskari guards.

"Azren."

The smile on Azren’s face changed.

Only slightly.

But enough.

He straightened.

The guards beyond the boundary immediately stepped aside.

A tall male approached.

Six dark wings rested behind his black-and-silver armor.

His long hair moved lightly in the breeze, and his pale eyes swept over the gathering.

The same male who had arrived during the confrontation.

The elder prince.

Azren’s brother.

Prince Vaedric.

Miko stopped smiling.

Kairo’s black ears lowered.

Nilo instinctively moved closer to his brothers.

Even Sira stopped reaching for the beautiful wings.

Vaedric looked at the five children.

At their black ears.

Their golden eyes.

Then the two little silver-eyed snake girls.

His gaze sharpened with recognition.