Page 108 of A World of Ruins

Iker snorts out a chuckle. I glare at him, and if this was like the old times in our village, he knows that I would have chased him around with a poker.

‘All right, all right.’ Illias raises his palms. ‘The point is that we know . . .’ All three of my brothers share the same look. ‘You and him are right for each other.’

‘That, and also that you’re both reincarnations—’

‘Regardless,’ Idris cuts Iker off. ‘We’re happy for you. Both of you.’

I can’t contain the joy that bubbles out of me, and it must be contagious because my brothers stare back at me with their eyes sparkling with delight.

Darius places his hand on my thigh, and I glance at him with my heart full and face flushed.

As my brothers converse with a bubbly Tibith, I discreetly reach for his hand, savouring the warmth of his touch. Our fingers naturally entwine, and he lifts our hands to his lips with a tender gesture, kissing my knuckles.

I shake my head with a smile at the suggestive gleam in his eyes.

‘Oh, Nara,’ Illias says. I turn my head to see him leaning back into his chair with the biggest grin on his face. ‘Did you know Idris has been very into writing lately?’

I think I hear Idris growl at him, which makes Iker and Illias chuckle.

Surprised, my brows scrunch together as I look at Idris and say with a smile, ‘Really?’

He plays with the rim of his tankard. ‘It helps pass the time,’ he grouses.

‘For when he’s writing down his feelings, rather than saying them.’ Illias picks up his mug and smiles into it, much as Darius does right now, watching us interact.

‘I have only written a few things; my spelling isn’t exactly up to scratch,’ Idris says hastily, then sighs. ‘But I must say, I do . . . enjoy it.’

‘He’s trying to take after his young brother.’ Iker stretches his arms over the back of his head, eyes squinting as he dons a lofty smile. ‘It’s only natural.’

Idris simply rolls his eyes, prompting Iker to laugh. It gladdens me that they are getting on again and relying on each other rather than arguing for the sake of it. That is the last thing Freya would want.

I tilt my head, my eyes on Idris. ‘I’d like to see what you have written so far.’

He shakes his head. ‘It’s nothing special, Nara. It’s just words.’

His humility reminds him that he has never thought highly of himself. ‘Words written by a special man.’

He casts me a glare that softens when he realises I mean it.

‘Would anyone like a fourth round?’ Iker drums his hands against the table when the barmaid comes past.

Illias slides Iker’s mug far away from him. ‘You’ve had enough.’

I relinquish a sigh, knowing what is to follow. Iker will start an argument with Illias, Idris will intervene and becomefrustrated, and eventually, we will all be kicked out for disruption.

‘How about a game of Liars’ Dice?’ Darius suggests right as Iker is opening his mouth to insult Illias.

My head snaps at him, but he simply casts me a small, knowing glance.

Tibith gasps, thrilled. ‘Can I play too, Darry?’

‘Of course.’

‘Liars’ Dice?’ Iker asks.

Darius leans forward, tilting his head to the side. ‘You never played it when you were at the den?’

Illias shakes his head, a scoff escaping his lips. ‘Most of our time was spent practising what we would do if Sarilyn found us.’

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