Chapter 266: Three black panthers. Two white snakes

Chapter 266: Chapter 266: Three black panthers. Two white snakes

Azren noticed.

His colorful wings slowly folded.

"Brother."

Vaedric did not look at him.

He was still studying the children.

And for the first time that morning, Azren was no longer smiling.

Prince Vaedric stood outside the Blood Boundary, looking at five little children.

He said nothing at first.

Neither did the children.

Miko, who had spent the entire morning speaking enough for ten beastmen, suddenly found himself without anything to say.

His little black tail stopped moving.

Vaedric’s pale eyes passed over Kairo.

Then Nilo.

Then Miko.

"Black panthers."

His gaze moved toward Kael, who was working near the raised walkway.

"A striking resemblance."

Kairo immediately shifted in front of his younger brothers.

Vaedric noticed.

His mouth curved slightly.

"How interesting."

Then he looked at Eira and Sira.

The two little snake girls were still beside Nerin.

Eira had one hand resting on her sister’s shoulder.

Sira stared at the enormous dark wings.

But unlike Azren’s colorful wings, these did not make her smile.

She leaned closer to Nilo.

"Don’t like."

Nilo immediately took her hand.

Vaedric’s eyes lingered on their pale hair.

Their silver eyes.

Their little tails.

"Those two," he murmured.

Azren stepped forward.

"Brother."

Vaedric ignored him.

"Are they the white snake’s offspring?"

Kairo’s ears flattened.

"Papa Soren."

Vaedric looked down at him.

"What?"

"His name is Papa Soren."

The prince studied the little boy.

Then smiled.

"Of course."

Something about that smile made Kairo’s stomach feel strange.

It was not like Azren’s.

Azren smiled when he wanted to annoy someone.

This male smiled while looking at them as though they were objects he had discovered.

Miko moved closer to Kairo.

Vaedric’s attention shifted toward him.

"And you?"

Miko swallowed.

"What?"

"Are you frightened of me?"

Miko immediately puffed out his chest.

"No!"

His voice came out louder than he intended.

Vaedric raised one eyebrow.

"Really?"

Miko’s ears twitched.

Then he glanced at the dark wings.

"...Maybe a little."

Vaedric chuckled.

Azren didn’t.

"Enough."

His voice was suddenly sharp.

Miko looked at him.

So did Kairo.

Azren’s pale-violet eyes remained on his brother.

"Go inside."

The triplets stared.

Miko blinked.

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

Miko gasped.

"You’re not our Papa!"

Nilo closed his eyes.

Here we go again.

But Azren didn’t laugh.

He didn’t even smile.

"Little panther."

Something in his voice made Miko stop.

Azren lowered his head slightly.

"Take your brothers and sisters back to the shelter. Now."

Kairo looked toward Vaedric.

The elder prince was still watching them.

His expression was calm.

Too calm.

Kairo tightened his hold on Eira.

Then nodded.

"Okay."

Miko turned toward him.

"But..."

Kairo shook his head.

"Come on."

Nilo carefully lifted Sira.

The little snake girl wrapped her arms around his neck.

Eira reached for Kairo.

He picked her up with his good arm, supporting her carefully against his chest.

Miko looked back at Azren.

His little face was full of suspicion.

"You’re being mean too."

Azren’s expression softened for one brief moment.

"I know."

Miko frowned.

"It’s not even fun anymore."

"No," Azren answered quietly. "It isn’t."

The youngest cub turned away.

Then grumbled:

"Everybody is so bossy."

Kairo started walking.

Nilo followed.

Miko hurried after them, still complaining under his breath.

Nerin stood.

His antler ached immediately, but he ignored it.

"Come on, little ones."

He guided them toward the inner walkway.

Kael had already stopped working.

His golden eyes moved between the departing children and the two Veskari princes.

He saw the way Kairo kept looking over his shoulder.

The way Miko had stopped chattering.

The way Sira hid her face against Nilo.

Kael’s expression hardened.

He approached the children.

"What happened?"

Miko immediately pointed backward.

"The scary wing came!"

Kael’s ears flattened.

"Which wing?"

"The black one!"

Kairo looked up.

"He kept looking at Eira and Sira."

That was all Kael needed to hear.

His head turned.

Across the boundary, Vaedric was still watching.

Their eyes met.

For a long moment, neither looked away.

Then Vaedric smiled.

Kael’s claws slid out.

Nerin stepped closer.

"Kael."

The panther did not answer.

Nerin lowered his voice.

"The children."

Kael looked down.

Five little faces were watching him.

Even Eira.

His claws slowly withdrew.

He crouched.

"All of you. Back to the family shelter."

Miko opened his mouth.

Kael raised one eyebrow.

Miko closed it.

Then sighed.

"Fine."

Kael gently took Eira from Kairo.

He inspected the eldest boy’s bandaged arm before helping Sira settle against Nilo again.

"You’re not supposed to carry them with that arm."

Kairo looked down.

"Sorry, Papa."

Kael rubbed his head.

"You were helping your sister. Just be careful."

Kairo nodded.

Nerin took Sira from Nilo.

The little snake girl immediately wrapped her tail around his wrist.

"Deer Pa."

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Bad wing."

Nerin’s smile disappeared.

He glanced toward the boundary.

Then gently kissed the top of her head.

"Let’s go inside."

Behind them, Tovan muttered to one of the guards:

"I don’t like the way that royal was looking at those children."

The guard tightened his grip on his spear.

"Neither do I."

Kael heard every word.

His black tail moved once.

Then he led his family away from the western walkway.

Across the Blood Boundary, Vaedric watched them disappear.

Then he turned toward Azren.

For several seconds, neither brother spoke.

The guards nearby seemed to understand that they should be elsewhere.

One by one, they moved farther down the path.

Vaedric looked amused.

"You have become very protective."

Azren crossed his arms.

"They are children."

"Beast children."

Azren’s smile did not return.

"Still children."

Vaedric tilted his head.

"How touching."

He walked past Azren, his enormous dark wings folding neatly behind him.

"Three black panthers. Two white snakes."

He glanced toward Ironwood.

"Their mother must be quite popular."

Azren’s eyes narrowed.

"Leave them out of this."

Vaedric stopped.

Then slowly turned.

"What was that?"

Azren looked directly at him.

"You heard me."

For a moment, the air between them became still.

Vaedric laughed softly.

"Don’t tell me..."

He looked toward the settlement again.

Then back at his younger brother.

"You’ve fallen for that beastwoman?"