friend being taken.
I do not blame him.
It is not his fault.
But I understand his grief. I would be upset if Brody or Everest were taken away. They are my friends, but I do not think either of them would be able to do anything so terrible. Then again, both human and Vyastil are capable of anything. I have learned this.
“Oh my god, this is amazing,” Dante says as we park the car in the long driveway. “I can’t believe they rented this out for us.”
I can. I believe Everest is trying to make amends, even if it is not for him to do. He cannot right the wrongs Zane has done. Only Zane can do this. But he is trying, and for that I shall appease him.
I appreciate his effort.
My eyes take in the house we will be staying in. It is massive, rising from the shoreline, gleaming in the sunlight. It is made of metal and stone, much like the houses in Erethar, but this design is much more primitive. There is a deck wrapped around the side, stretching over the water, comfortable sofas and chairs lining the edge. I cannot wait to curl up on one of those with my Dante and watch the waves roll onto the shore.
“Holy shit. This is so nice,” Dante says again and pulls me to the front door. As we approach, the door opens and Everest appears, rushing through and pulling us in for a hug. It is long and tight, and I find myself wrapping my tail around him in reassurance.
But Rathyn’s low growl separates us, and Everest peers up at us, his eyes a little glassy.
He has been sad.
I do not like this, but I cannot reverse it. Dante says we must let him sit with it and just let him know we love him.
I do. Not in the same way I love my Dante, but I do love him as a friend. I have found that these are different feelings, one more intense than the other.
“I’m so glad you’re here. We were waiting.”
“Are his brothers here?” Dante asks, grabbing my hand and pulling me inside. The suitcases we packed are still outside, and Rathyn strides out and grabs them.
“They’re here.”
Just as he says that, I see Alvayn and Zynath appear through the large sliding doors. They look healthier than before, their hair shinier, their skin almost glowing. They no longer look pale and emaciated.
They almost look at peace.
I stride up to them, and our foreheads meet.
“You are well?” I ask in Eretharian.
They both nod. “We are well. There is much to learn. Much to do.”
“Do you enjoy Earth?” I ask, walking with them back onto the deck. All of our gazes shift out to the expansive body of water stretching to the horizon. I have seen it before, but it is just as glorious this time. I still cannot believe that their water is above ground, a seething, roiling thing.
It is alive. Untamed.
I enjoy it very much.
“We enjoy Earth. The language has come easily, and the humans are mostly kind. But this…” Alvayn says, sweeping his hand out. “This is worth it.”
“We would like to live here,” Zynath adds. “It is better than the city.”
I nod and step toward them, the tips of tails touching gently. My brothers are here. Safe. Happy. One day, they will be able tolive near the shore, near the expansive body of water. I’m sure of it.
“You look well,” Zynath says. “As does your Dante.”
“He is wonderful.”
They peer over at me, and Alvayn says, “You seem very in tune with each other.”
