Page 51 of The Wolf's Prince
“Well then, what are we waiting for?” Nikolai asked, smiling softly.
He stood, needing no other convincing.
“You’ll stay with Anzu again tonight?” Nikolai asked Andrey.
Andrey nodded, stroking the pup currently sleeping in his lap.
“Andrey is family already,” Enkai said from his other side. “He will stay with us. You two go enjoy your new bond. We know how special these times can be.”
He winked and Andrey blushed and grimaced, clearly trying to erase images of his brotherenjoyingtheir bond.
“Before you go, I think I will be heading home tomorrow…” He looked up at Nikolai, his gaze filled with meaning. “I’m pretty sure you won't be returning with me?”
Nikolai swallowed and exchanged a look with Soren.
“That’s right.”
Andrey nodded.
“Once I’ve updated our parents just—please make sure the carrier birds are not eaten this time?”
He directed the second half of his question to Soren who nodded hastily.
“This time?” he asked.
Andrey shrugged awkwardly while Nikolai chuckled.
“Did you lot not even notice the little notes they carried?”
Soren shrugged. He had no recollection of catching a bird with a note on its leg. Then again, he had been spending most of his time with Jin for the better part of the year.
“I will spread the word,” he promised.
“And I will come to bid you farewell,” Nikolai added.
Satisfied, Andrey smiled up at them.
“Have a good night,” he said.
“We will,” Nikolai winked.
Enkai laughed, but Andrey looked like he wanted to scrub his brain clean again.
Grinning, Soren tugged Nikolai away.
The heavy furs that acted as a curtain over the entrance to his dwelling had kept the heat of the day out. Inside, the air was almost frosty.
Soren went straight to the fireplace.
“Get in bed,” he told Nikolai. “I’ll warm you up in a minute.”
Nikolai didn’t hesitate, hurrying and burrowing under the covers.
It only took a moment, but when the fire burst to light and he turned, Nikolai was watching him, smiling softly.
Soren’s heart squeezed.
“I can’t believe I thought it would be better if I didn’t see you again,” Soren found himself whispering.
