The Night of Zen’s Return
"Kael, listen to ," Zen said quietly in his mind, causing Kael to send him a startled look as his voice continued, "I want you to create a mind link between and Lance. Once it’s done, focus on my voice and follow it."
Kael frowned and replied in his head, "Zen, what are you talking about? What exactly are you planning?"
"Just do as I say," Zen replied impatiently, "And before that, make a scene. React loudly, angrily. Shout that you don’t believe Emira has ddled in our mating. Do you understand?"
Kael stared at him as if he’d lost his mind but followed his brother’s instructions to the tee even following banging his hand on the table, "What nonsense are you talking, Zen! How could Emira have ddled in our mating? We’ve only just t her!" His voice echoed, raw with disbelief and irritation, carrying exactly the volu Zen had demanded.
"Perfect," Zen murmured under his breath. Then, louder shouted back, "Well, you don’t doubt her? Isn’t that amazing, Kael? You-whose trust is nearly impossible to earn-you trust her without question! Do you think that could have happened without any other help?"
Kael’s brows drew together, as he seed to look away angrily while inside his mind, Zen felt the familiar weight of Kael’s consciousness and then another, steadier presence that could only belong to Lance. The link was complete.
"Co with . There are things you need to see." Zen projected through the bond.
Their awareness pressed together briefly, rging through the link as they began to move. But just before they entered the shadowed passage ahead, Kael stopped short. "Zen," he said, suspicion threading his voice. "Why here? Of all places this place is..."
"Because the things I want you to know can’t be told," he said, his voice quieter now, almost solemn. "They can only be shown. You’ll understand once you see it for yourself."
Kael didn’t move and neither did Lance not physically and not ntally. Because even though both brothers had always given access to Kael, there were so things that Kael had never entered. And this part of Zen’s mind had always been a closed door. He’d always sensed sothing painful for Zen hidden there so never really pushed, not wanting him to revisit any painful mories.
He heard Zen sigh then. "I know I once told you never to co here and I ant it. But this ti... I’m taking you in myself. Go on, Kael. See everything for yourself. Only then will you understand why things have to happen this way."
For a mont, Kael hesitated. The link between them pulsed again, then, with a slow breath, Kael and Lance both followed.
The first mory that flowed through both their heads was surprisingly a happy one, shocking both Lance and Kael who had been expecting sothing dire. After all, both knew that Zen had so secrets.
For a mont, everything was brightness, and then a brightly lit forest ca into view. It didn’t take Lance and Kael to recognize that it was probably a scene from their childhood with Zen being as childish as possible... as he ducked around the tree, screaming, "You’ll never catch !"
Behind him, both Kael and Lance ran around from each side to catch him, only to find that he had climbed the tree.
"Zen, co down," Kael called out exasperatedly, "You’ll fall and break your neck."
From the branch above, Zen only grinned, his legs swinging lazily as he teased his brothers, "Not until you catch ," and then, holding up sothing small treat in his palm, added, "Unless you want this."
Lance squinted. "What is that?"
"A Moon treat," Zen said proudly. "Found it in the kitchen before we ca out. If you want it, you’ll have to co up and take it. Or else—" he made an exaggerated motion of popping it into his mouth, "I’m eating it all right now."
Kael crossed his arms and scowled. Moon treats were his favourite! "Father told you not to climb trees, Zen. You’ll be punished if he sees you. Co down."
"And I’ll make sure he knows you disobeyed," Lance chid in, pointing accusingly because he wanted those treats as well! He could already imagine the soft thing lting in his mouth...
Zen rolled his eyes. "You both sound like him already. I’m not coming down. You want the treat? Co get it!"
Before Kael could reply, a voice echoed from a distance, calling their nas. It was gentle and yet all three boys almost winced as one.
Zen’s grin widened. "Mama’s here," he whispered with mischief glinting in his eyes. "Now both of you will be scolded for not watching ." He giggled so hard the branch shook.
Lance groaned, glancing toward the direction of the voice. "You bring him down, Kael. I’ll stall Mother." Without waiting for an answer, he dashed through the trees.
Kael placed his hands on his hips and looked up. "Zen," he said in his best imitation of their father’s stern tone, "if you don’t co down in the next few minutes, I’ll tell mother that you did not listen to us and that she should disown you."
"Ha!" Zen laughed, clinging to the branch with one arm. "Disown ? You’re the one who’ll be taken away, not !"
Kael frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Zen pointed toward the far edge of the forest, "See that direction? That’s where you’ll be kidnapped by rogues. Go and see for yourself."
Kael blinked in confusion and took a few steps toward where Zen pointed. He turned back for a mont, ready to scold him again for spouting nonsense but Zen was already on the move, having jumped off from the branch and sprinted away laughing...
Kael ran behind him, "Zen! Co back here!"
But by the ti Kael realized he had been tricked, Zen’s laughter had already faded into the forest, leaving only Kael behind.
Kael stomped his foot and then turned around in the direction that Zen had pointed out to.
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