Page 8 of In Your Light

Pax made a sound that suggested he deeply regretted being related to him. “You are impossible.”

Fyn grinned. “You say that every day."

“Because every day you prove me right. It’d be nice if my brother didn’t constantly question my authority.”

Fyn’s grin softened. He knew the brother he’d grown up with was still in there somewhere. “My chores were done before sunrise.”

“That isn't the point.”

“I helped Gil carry water back from the stream.”

“Not the point.”

“I gathered twice the herbs I was assigned.”

“Still not the point.”

Fyn spread his hands. “So, what's the point, then?"

Pax stepped closer. “The point is that when I give instructions, I need to know they'll be followed.”

The smile faded from Fyn's face, and for a moment neither spoke. Around them, the sounds of the herd drifted through the camp. Finally, Fyn sighed, as if conceding defeat. “The man wanted company.”

Pax frowned. “What?”

“The man down the mountain,” he said. “Cern’s friend, who needed a place to heal.” Fyn wrung his hands, scraping some dirt from beneath his nail. “He seems lonely. We talked for a while.”

Pax's expression took a curious turn. “Did he ask about us?”

“No,” Fyn said quickly. He knew Pax’s concerns about secrecy and safety. It was why he’d never told Pax about his visit to Tenebrae Cove when he’d seen the godlings as kittens. He wasn’t entirely sure how he could explain that anyway. “He didn’t ask any questions. Not about us or even Cern.”

Pax’s brows furrowed. “He is there to heal. Is he physically injured?”

“Not that I saw. He just seems... tired. Maybe he’s healing something in his heart. I don’t know.” Fyn shrugged, and his smile returned. “He liked the lerps.”

Silence sat between them until Pax sighed. “That’s still not an excuse for ignoring your instructions.”

“I know.”

“Then why do it?”

Fyn smiled faintly. “Because sometimes people need more than a basket of vegetables and tea.”

Fyn knew that Pax hated when he said things that made arguing difficult.

The elder brother looked away with a sigh. “You need to exercise caution."

“That's fair.”

“You should have exercised caution.”

Fyn sighed, and Pax shot him a look, his eyes narrowed but not as sharp as before. “You make leading this herd far harder than it needs to be.”

Fyn laughed. “I think I make it interesting.”

“I don’t want interesting.”

“You’ve noticed that isn’t an option, right? Because I am your brother.”