Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
“You just said you’d help support an incubator when Ravi and I are ready,” Sora pointed out with ruthless logic. “Are you saying that’s conditional on us being home?”
His father dismissed this with a wave of both hands. “No, no, your mother didn’t mean that.”
“I might,” she fumed. “Because trying to have a child out here, on a warfront, isn’t smart.”
The realization spread through him in a tight, tingling, unpleasant way. But he was no less sure. Sora hadn’t really thought of it in those terms, but this was a warfront. A dangerous place, and Ravi was a key element to protecting not only the king, but his family. Taking him away from here was not the answer. Not when Burkhard was in such dire straits.
“If I try to take Ravi from here, with his family still in danger, all it will do is break his heart. I know he loves me. I love him just as fiercely. I will not ask him to return with me. I will not demand that of him.”
His mother’s jaw dropped. “Sora!”
Resolve and relief with a dash of excitement sang through his veins. Talking this out with his parents had made it very clear what the better choice was. He’d still speak properly with Ravi about this, and if his wind dragon wanted to go back to join Sora’s clan, then Sora would respect that. But he didn’t give that possibility very high odds. He knew Ravi better than that.
His father didn’t seem much happier about this.
“But what about you, Sora? It’s all well and good to want to prioritize Ravi, but a healthy relationship requires that both partners’ needs are met. You can’t let him take priority when it comes to a decision this big.”
Sora was shaking his head before his father could trot all of that out.
“I’m needed here. Respected and valued here. Of course, my family loves me, I’m in no doubt of that. But I’m not needed. I can’t describe this right. But I feel a strong satisfaction in this clan. I adore the people here and how they love and respect each other. I love the unquestioning support they give to one another.”
He lifted his hands, opening and closing them as if trying to grasp at the right words that would make them finally understand.
“I’m like a puzzle piece that has finally been slotted into the right place. Look at you two. Why are you frowning like you object to this? I’ve spent the past forty-one years traveling around the world, restless and on edge, not at all settled in the clan. Once I hit twenty-two, I never spent more than six months at home in one stretch. It’s obvious that I was seeking the right place.”
“No, you were seeking your mate,” his mother corrected immediately, lips pinched together. “And you found him. And now you can come home.”
“I did find him,” Sora agreed calmly. Then, he edged his chair back, ready to duck. “But, Kaa-san, I think I am home.”
As expected, she picked up the nearest object—a pen, in this case—and chucked it at his head.
Sora ducked handily to the side, his reflexes honed over the years. He’d rather expected that response, as his mother’s desires were firm and her temper short. He peeked back over the top of the table, judging her anger level. Her skin was a dark red, edging toward purple.
Hmm. Apparently livid.
Ryu hastily intervened before his wife could murder their only child.
“Sora, why don’t you properly talk to Ravi about this before you make any decisions? Yuki, it could well be that Ravi might decide to come with us, instead. He’s got family in the clan, after all.”
Yuki’s ire died a mite. But she still sounded like she was chewing on steel cables as she ground out, “Yes, go talk to Ravi, my son. Make it very clear where your family stands. And that we want him with us.”
It was a good compromise. “I’ll do that.”
But Sora wasn’t giving that option very high odds.
Did he say that? Of course not. He had better survival skills than that.
Ravi frowned at his phone. Alric was refusing to answer his texts, wouldn’t even answer his calls. What the hell was going on?
As he charged down the hallway, he tapped out a quick text to Baldewin. He needed to find out if the king was acting strangely with him, as well. He didn’t get more than a few meters before a pair of strong hands grabbed him. Ravi yelped, his head popping up. He found himself faced with Sora’s warm smile. Some of the tension and worry flowed out of his body. It was nice to see this man first thing in the morning.
Yeah, he melted. He always melted when Sora was smiling at him.
“What’s your hurry?” Sora asked.