Any of Korac’s groans were a worthy occasion for Xelan to grin.

So he did.

It wasn’t a surprise to see a mirror of the expression on Nox’s face, and it was becoming easier every time Xelan saw it to accept this reality. They were together and on their way to being brothers again.

Thanks to Rayne.

She and Sagan went into another round of splash wars, and this time Andrew fired at them with a super-soaker from shore.

Kyle admonished them. “Are you trying to wake up Tameka and Pax?”

Ignoring Kyle, Jack ran and cannonballed into the water, while Ross and Bethany cheered him on. Aria and Torch sat back and watched with Devis, T.a.o., and Andrius. They shared a similar serenity as Silence.

It was the same quiet in Xelan. Sure, he felt the typical allure of work, but it took less effort than usual not to bombard Miy and Twenty-One about Tumu’s homeworld. Like Xelan could finally accept those things would still be there in the morning.

Progress.

“So, Korac.” Xelan loved the way his General readied himself for the Co-Emperor’s antics. “Does this week at your chalet work for you and Sagan?”

Nox chuckled.

Korac scoffed. “You lost. Remember?” But there was a hint of acknowledgment in his eyes. Korac knew the brothers had thrown the race.

Xelan nudged him. “Dirty opportunist.”

Regal, as always, Korac refused to look at Xelan as he taunted, “Me? You knew as well as I did Nox employed those gravity dampeners. A fair race that does not make.”

With a offended hand to his chest, Nox said, “I would never dishonor our contest in such a manner.”

“Oh, really?” Korac snatched Nox’s hand and held it up, displaying the wrist band under his sleeve. “Were you afraid we might challenge you to a rematch?”

Xelan barked out a laugh and slapped a hand over his mouth before glancing sheepishly at Tameka and Pax. The woman famous for sleeping through a plane crash had passed the heavy habit onto their son. Fortunately.

Korac released Nox, who promised, “Next time I won’t use them.”

Contrary to the last five minutes of this argument, Korac chuffed. “If you don’t, how will we have any fun? No, I much prefer it like the old days. You alway held back for us.”

Xelan smiled at the flood of memories. Korac was right, and, without a trace of paternal experience, Nox had helped the younger boys build confidence in their capabilities. Truly, would they be the men they were today without him?

Dreaming of the next match, Xelan mused, “The Verse Triathlon.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“I was partial to ‘Cinder’s Matches,’ myself.” Nox knew nothing about title conventions.

Korac sighed and smoothed a hand down Echo’s back. The gesture was more for his comfort than hers.

Mischief rushed through Xelan’s veins. He never could turn down an opportunity to antagonize Korac. “Well, I wanted to name it ‘Verses versus Verses,’ but our General snubbed his nose at it.”

Nox gave a slow, approving nod. “Yes. That does have a ring to it.”

There.

Korac pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned, miserable and happy. It was beautiful. Echo apparently disagreed. The baby cried against her father’s chest. While the sound was heartbreaking, it was also terribly adorable because she whistled a little with each inhale.

“Aw,” Sagan called from the water, breaking up the play. “She’s had a long day.”

Xelan saw the gratitude in Korac’s eyes as the woman in his life rescued him from Nox and Xelan’s games. Korac said, “We should get everyone home and get her in bed.”

Sagan stepped onto their side of the beach, while Rayne went to the other side to talk to Jack and Kyle. Korac and Sagan soothed Echo, but after the infant’s protests, the group became conscious of the time and started dressing and packing.

Tameka called, “Xelan?” She stirred and woke Pax.

Xelan waved, so she’d notice him next to Nox, saying, “Hey, sleeping beauty.”

Tameka’s sweet smile was everything to him. “I’ll help pack up. Take your time.” The smile softened into one of understanding as Tameka acknowledged Xelan was spending time with his brothers.

Elden, he loved her. Pax and Harmony were the perfect names for their children.

Sagan asked, “Will you help me clean up, Korac?” It was an obvious ploy to get Xelan alone with Nox, but adorable all the same.

Korac, once the most reserved out of their trio, clasped Xelan for a hug, then Nox. It was almost as if defeating Imminent and Celindria had given them all room to feel and express. Korac said, “In case T.a.o. gets you home before us, we’ll see you two tomorrow.”

Sagan smiled and waved. “Good night.”

Nox waved. “Tomorrow.”

“Good night.” Xelan appreciated everyone for the space.

There was more of it after Sagan opened a conduit to the Shadow home terminal. From there, Andrew and Lucas went off to the zeppelin, both waving. Kyle and Silence wandered to their Iona without a backward glance. And the rest were soon to follow.

A comfortable quiet settled between the former King and Prince of Cinder. There were many days ahead for them to become acquainted again. Thanks to Korac’s idea of doubling up for Girl’s Night with Guy’s Night, those opportunities would occur on a weekly basis. There was also the rehabilitation program and so many other gatherings ahead of them.

Kyle reported to Xelan daily on Nox’s progress, and everyday Story Taker asked the same question, “When will you donate your experience?”

In this quiet moment, Xelan finally had his answer. Never. The second Nox had asked Elden to take him instead of Rayne, Xelan had forgiven his brother. It just took until this moment for Xelan to realize it.

Movement off to their side caught the brothers’ attention. They glanced over to see Rayne flying up the canyon wall to the top of the waterfall. Under the moonlight, her skin glowed, and her hair reflected the soft ethereal luminescence.

The people of Iona Pax had made Rayne into a goddess, as befitting her legacy. But whenever Xelan looked at her, he still saw the little girl in pigtails he’d saved from the car accident all those years ago. The twelve-year-old too brave for her own good, out of her depth walking down the streets at night. The determined sixteen-year-old on his training course, refusing to give up before learning the take down.

Xelan’s Rayne.

“Sometimes Rayne gets this lost look in her eyes.” Nox’s confession prompted Xelan to face his brother. The concern for Rayne in Nox’s voice affected Xelan. “I don’t think she regrets choosing this Probability, but I believe she mourns the other.”

It was an impossible choice, and Xelan thanked Elden every day that she chose this one. Not only because of him and all the people who loved her, but for Nox as well.

Xelan nodded toward Rayne and said, “I think she’s waiting for you.”

Nox shook his head. “No. This, I cannot help Rayne with. As her partner, I can be there for her in many ways, but she’ll always need her guardian.”

Since they were children, Nox had always known exactly what Xelan needed to hear. And he loved him for it.